“Hey, hey, hey, hold it! Who’s talking about a marriage alliance with your Lord Hui? Stop making up stories, alright?” Liu Daqiang rolled his eyes so hard they nearly popped out, exasperated beyond measure. He raised his hand to stop their wild imaginations. *If you keep this up, you’ll have my lord plotting a coup with you next!*
“What do you mean? Trying to turn the tables, huh? Weren’t you the one saying these are family letters?!” Mao Haifeng glared at Liu Daqiang, his domineering aura suggesting he’d draw his blade at the slightest provocation.
“Fine, I’ll stop beating around the bush. This is another gesture of goodwill from our lord, and for you, it’s absolutely a great merit. When the time comes, Wang Zhi might not only forgive your loss but reward you handsomely,” Liu Daqiang said, patting his chest confidently.
“Stop blabbering and get to the point. Great merit or disaster—we’ll judge for ourselves,” Mao Haifeng urged impatiently.
“These two family letters were written by Wang Zhi’s family. Do you realize what that means?” Liu Daqiang said.
“What? Did Zhu Ping’an find Wang Zhi some adopted kids or something?” Mao Haifeng scoffed.
“These are letters from Wang Zhi’s mother and wife to him,” Liu Daqiang said, looking at Mao Haifeng.
“Hah, what, can your lord summon spirits or talk to the dead? My Lord Hui’s mother and family were executed by your court. How could they write him letters? Stop spouting nonsense!” Mao Haifeng sneered, feeling Zhu Ping’an was trying to scam him. *A top scholar, and this is the best lie he could come up with? He’s not taking me seriously at all!*
*This bastard isn’t even trying to deceive me properly!*
“Wang Zhi’s mother and family weren’t executed by the court. They were just imprisoned. Our Governor pardoned them, released them from jail, and gave them special care. He arranged a place for them to live, ensuring they’re well-fed and clothed. He even hired a tutor for Wang Qiong, Wang Zhi’s son, to teach him philosophy and the Four Books and Five Classics…” Liu Daqiang said earnestly, locking eyes with Mao Haifeng.
*What?*
*What did you say?*
*You’re saying my adoptive father’s mother and family weren’t executed, just jailed, and Zhu Ping’an pardoned them, freed them, gave them a home, ensured their comfort, and even got a tutor for little Wang Qiong to study the classics?!*
Mao Haifeng’s jaw dropped, the news hitting him like a nuclear bomb. He stared at Liu Daqiang in disbelief. “What? You’re saying Lord Hui’s mother and family are alive?!”
“Yes, exactly. Not only are they alive, they’re doing well. These two letters were written by them! And this token is something Wang Zhi’s mother specifically instructed us to bring to him,” Liu Daqiang said, handing over a small golden figurine.
Mao Haifeng took the figurine, puzzled as he examined it. *What’s this? A little gold-painted figure? What’s special about it?*
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Mao Haifeng said, still skeptical.
They’d received confirmed reports that his adoptive father’s mother and family were executed in the court’s fury.
They’d even made a cenotaph with their clothes, and Lord Hui visited it several times a year to pay respects.
Just days ago, Mao Haifeng had gone with him, kowtowing a dozen times.
Now you’re telling me Lord Hui’s family wasn’t executed? *How am I supposed to believe you?*
“This golden figurine was specifically mentioned by Wang Zhi’s mother. She said the moment Wang Zhi sees it, he’ll understand everything,” Liu Daqiang explained.
At that moment, a soft voice chimed in.
“Mao-san, can the old princess and the princess write?” Daoyou Zhenchuan whispered, reminding him.
“Right! The old lady and my adoptive mother couldn’t write. Every time Lord Hui visited the cenotaph, he’d have someone read the eulogy from morning to night, saying they were illiterate and needed it read multiple times to remember…” Mao Haifeng said, then whipped his head toward Liu Daqiang, snarling, “The old lady and my adoptive mother couldn’t write, so how could they pen two letters? Such an obvious flaw—do you think I’m an idiot? If you can’t give me a reasonable explanation, you’re not leaving today. You’ll stay as a feast for my men!”
As Mao Haifeng spoke, several pirates subtly surrounded Liu Daqiang and his group, awaiting his order.
“Don’t you know about dictation? Wang Zhi’s mother and wife’s letters were dictated by them and written by someone else,” Liu Daqiang said.
“Hahaha, ridiculous! Dictation? How can you prove it was them speaking and not someone else? Dictation isn’t like handwriting—you can’t verify it. Can anyone just mimic their tone and call it their letter?” Daoyou Zhenchuan laughed, shaking his head, questioning Liu Daqiang.
“Exactly. Dictation can’t be verified like handwriting. How do you prove it’s from Lord Hui’s mother and wife and not someone else?” Mao Haifeng echoed the doubt.
“Dictation may not show handwriting, but tone, speech habits, and the content can be recognized. Wang Zhi’s mother said her tone and habits would be unmistakable to him. Plus, her letter is signed in her own hand. Though she can’t write much, she can write her name, and Wang Zhi knows this well. He’ll recognize her signature instantly.”
“As for Wang Zhi’s wife, Madam Wang said some things only Wang Zhi would know she’d say. Though she can’t write, she can draw. She signed her letter with a drawing of an orchid, swearing Wang Zhi would know it’s from her the moment he sees it.”
“With these, plus the golden figurine as a token, if Wang Zhi still can’t tell whether his mother and wife are alive and wrote these letters, then he’s truly a filial son and devoted husband…” Liu Daqiang said, staring unblinkingly at Mao Haifeng and Daoyou Zhenchuan, his final words tinged with sarcasm.
*Like that?*
Mao Haifeng rubbed his chin, deep in thought. It sounded convincing—Wang Zhi would know instantly if it was his mother and wife’s words. Zhu Ping’an couldn’t fake this.
If these were truly from his adoptive father’s mother and wife, it’d be monumental news—his family was alive! Delivering this would indeed be a great merit.
