"Congcong!"
Wang Yuluan looked excited and immediately squatted down in front of the child, hugging the child's little arm and saying, "You're Congcong? My nephew Congcong!"
The child wasn't shy at all, and smiled at Wang Yuluan, exclaiming, "Mom didn't lie to me, I really do have an uncle."
"Uncle!" The child snuggled into Wang Yuluan's arms and said, "Hug me!"
"Okay!"
Wang Yuluan laughed heartily as she picked up the child and spun him around happily, momentarily forgetting that Zhao Cheng was still in the house.
“Yu Cen, I remember you wrote in your letter that Cong Cong was born at the beginning of the second year of the Taiping era of the Zhao Han Dynasty… So he’s over two years old now?”
"Um!"
Wang Yucen wiped away her tears and said, "Don't underestimate him just because he's young. He's very sensible and as smart as his father."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuluan's expression suddenly darkened, as if he had suddenly realized something.
He gently put the child down, slowly turned back to look at Zhao Cheng, and said, "It's one thing for you and Zhao Zhan to use Yu Cen, but now you're even using the child. You brothers are truly despicable."
Wang Yucen grabbed Wang Yuluan's arm and said, "Second brother, you've misunderstood eldest brother. It's just that Mother and I missed you so much, and it was I who wanted to come see you."
Wang Yuluan flung her sister's hand away and angrily said, "You're too kind; he's fooled you!"
"Second brother, do you know how much Mother misses you?"
Wang Yucen's tears flowed again, and she choked out, "Father is gone, and you don't come home. Mother cries every day. If it weren't for Congcong, Mother probably wouldn't have been able to hold on."
Wang Yuluan suddenly pointed at Zhao Cheng and shouted, "Isn't all of this thanks to him?!"
The child tugged at Wang Yuluan's pants and said, "Uncle, why are you being mean to Uncle? Uncle is a very good person!"
"This..." Wang Yuluan was speechless for a moment.
Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Hu and Heng Wenhao, then got up and led them outside.
"Wang Yuluan, what you think of me is none of my business, but your family's love for you is genuine. You two should catch up; I won't disturb you any longer."
As they reached the door, Zhao Cheng stopped and asked again, "You still don't know Congcong's name, do you?"
Wang Yuluan frowned and looked at his sister, saying, "By the way, why didn't you tell me Congcong's name in the letter? What's Congcong's name?"
"Congcong's name was chosen by my eldest brother."
Wang Yucen glanced at Zhao Cheng, then affectionately patted the child's head and said softly, "Congcong's name is Zhao Guijia."
Wang Yuluan was completely stunned.
"I told you, I didn't summon you here to persuade you to surrender, but simply to help Yu Cen and your mother..."
"I advise you to go home."
After speaking, Zhao Cheng walked out of the wooden house.
...
The night grew deeper.
Wang Yuluan had already put on his hood and was hiding his body in a black robe as he hurried towards Yongliang City.
He did not choose the route that was the shortest in a straight line to Yongliang City, but instead planned to go north out of the bamboo forest, which was how he and his two followers arrived.
Currently, the north and south gates of Yongliang City are facing off against the Han army and the Dayue army, while the east and west gates are also tightly closed. People inside cannot get out, and people outside cannot get in. Wang Yuluan was able to meet with Zhao Cheng because there is a secret passage in the west of the city leading outside.
This was told to Wang Yuluan by Zhang Dalian after Wang Ren's death.
Therefore, it is likely that Wang Ren created this secret passage.
Thinking of this, Wang Yuluan began to doubt her father's loyalty to the Wen family. Perhaps Wang Ren was not at ease with the Wen family uncles and nephews after they gained power, and was worried that he would become a sacrifice after the rabbit was killed and the hound was cooked. So he prepared a way out for himself early on.
This secret passage had already stirred Wang Yuluan's heartstrings, but Wang Yucen and his eldest nephew Zhao Guijia made him begin to waver.
My father made the right choice; he wanted to serve his country and, more importantly, repay his debt of gratitude.
What about me?
Was my choice right or wrong?
"When you get back, keep your mouth shut and don't let anyone know that you left the city."
Wang Yuluan said to his left and right, "You two are the people I trust most. This secret passage might save your lives in a critical moment."
The attendant on the left replied, "I am very grateful for the General's consideration."
As he spoke, he glanced at his attendant on the right and continued, "But I think it is inappropriate for the General to come out here."
Why?
"The general wavered."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuluan frowned and slowly stopped in his tracks.
The attendant on the right quickly circled around to Wang Yuluan's front, blocking his path, and said, "If General Hou has any problems, Wen Jin will be in danger."
Both attendants slowly drew their swords.
"You..." Wang Yuluan was speechless for a moment.
"General Hou, we are truly grateful for your kindness in helping us. But things have come to this point, and we must take responsibility and see you off."
Clang!
puff!
puff!
First came the sound of two swords being drawn, followed by the sound of blades piercing flesh.
Two knives emerged from the chests of the two attendants, then were pulled out, and the two attendants fell to the ground, revealing Zhao Hu and Heng Wenhao behind them.
Zhao Cheng stepped out from between the two and said, "I told you, they can't protect you."
"Only I can protect you."
"How could this be..." Wang Yuluan stared blankly at the corpses at his feet, still immersed in confusion and disbelief, and said, "They were my most trusted subordinates, I even considered them friends..."
Zhao Cheng interrupted, "Wen Hu would never leave someone by your side."
Wang Yuluan argued, "It shouldn't be them! They both knew me first."
"They are all top-notch masters."
Zhao Cheng sneered and said, "Don't you even know your own limitations? You're not even a first-rate expert, are you? Top experts are attracted by your domineering aura the moment they meet you, and they'll serve you wholeheartedly from then on?"
Wang Yuluan glanced at Zhao Hu and Heng Wenhao and said, "You're not even a third-rate expert."
Zhao Cheng glared at him and said seriously, "Can you compare to me? I am an auspicious omen, and three of the four great generals of Zhao Han are from our own family! Do you think their current cultivation is entirely due to their own efforts? It's because of me! They are surrounded by me and have benefited from my blessings! Do you understand?"
Zhao Hu nudged Heng Wenhao with his elbow and whispered, "Neither of us got involved, did we?"
Zhao Cheng immediately retorted, "That's because you two are stupid!"
In short!
Zhao Cheng looked at Wang Yuluan seriously and said, "These two are spies that Wen Hu planted by your side. They wanted to kill you when they found that you might waver, which shows their loyalty to Wen Hu. As for their feelings for you, it's all an act."
"Wang Yuluan, you're just too naive. You've been through so much, why are you still such an innocent little rabbit?"
"It's all thanks to me that you met me." Zhao Cheng shook his head, walked up to Wang Yuluan, and said earnestly, "Only under my guidance can you truly grow up!"
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