"My brother Wang, you truly wound me. We are reunited after such a long time, and I merely offer a greeting. Did you truly believe I would lay a hand on you?"
The coachman grinned, then casually sat down opposite Wang Chaoan.
Without ceremony, he grabbed the wine pot from the table, poured himself a cup, and downed it in one go.
"My lord, you seek me out. Does Mister Yuan have further instructions?"
"Brother Wang is indeed astute. So, will you accompany me, or shall I take you?"
The coachman chuckled, picked up a piece of fall-apart tender lamb, and popped it into his mouth.
"Since Mister Yuan has instructions, I shall naturally obey!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Chaoan said without hesitation.
"Brother Wang, you are truly enlightened. Shall we depart then?"
After speaking, the coachman made a gesture towards Wang Chaoan.
Wang Chaoan could only offer a wry smile. Could he afford not to be enlightened?
If he showed any lack of understanding, he would likely receive another blow to the back of his head.
Even a strong man's mind could be addled by such frequent concussions, let alone his already frail constitution.
Another few blows, and he might be turned into an imbecile at any moment.
"You understand the rules. You'll do it yourself!"
Seeing Wang Chaoan obediently board the carriage, the coachman smiled and pulled a black cloth band from his sleeve.
Wang Chaoan took it without a second thought, wrapped it around his eyes several times, and tied a firm knot.
"Brother Wang, sit tight. We're off!"
Wang Chaoan had grown up in Bianliang city from a young age, and was intimately familiar with its streets.
Even blindfolded, he could roughly gauge his location at this point.
However, this coachman seemed to know his situation equally well.
After picking him up, he took him on a circular route through Bianliang city.
They circled for nearly half the afternoon. Only when Wang Chaoan began to snore softly did he slowly drive out of Bianliang city.
"Brother Wang, wake up, we've arrived!"
When Wang Chaoan was awakened, the carriage had stopped again in the courtyard.
Removing the cloth band from his eyes and looking at the familiar scenery before him, Wang Chaoan was truly filled with a sense of dejection.
How could he have fallen asleep?
The last time he came, he had been knocked unconscious. This time, after managing to avoid being knocked out, he had actually fallen asleep.
If only he could remember the location. Then, upon his return, he could have earned another great merit!
"Steward Wang, we meet again!"
Just as Wang Chaoan was feeling remorseful, Yuan Xingchi walked out again.
"Mister Yuan!"
Looking at Yuan Xingchi before him, Wang Chaoan's emotions were incredibly complex.
If he were to speak of hatred, he certainly harbored it towards this fellow.
However, if he hadn't encountered him, he would likely be a fugitive on the run by now.
If he were to speak of not hating him, then the memory of being hung up and beaten last time made his teeth itch with resentment.
"Regarding the previous incident, the young man was too mischievous. I have already taught him a severe lesson!"
Seeing his peculiar expression, Yuan Xingchi cleared his throat before continuing.
Of course, if being thoroughly disciplined by three seasoned courtesans after excessive feasting, leaving his legs weak, counted as a severe lesson, then he had indeed been disciplined multiple times...
"This, this is not his fault, truly not his fault! Sir, you are my savior. Please, just give your orders!"
Wang Chaoan's mouth twitched. Although he felt Yuan Xingchi's words were rather perfunctory, he immediately put on a grateful and subservient expression.
"I invited you here today simply to chat, Steward Wang. Please don't be so tense!"
"May I ask, what does Sir wish to discuss?"
Wang Chaoan was no fool. Upon hearing this, he immediately understood. It seemed Yuan Xingchi wanted to glean some useful information from him.
"How about we discuss this?"
As Yuan Xingchi spoke, he took out a memorial from his sleeve and placed it before Wang Chaoan.
"This is..."
Wang Chaoan looked at Yuan Xingchi with some confusion, not understanding his intention.
He was merely a petty steward. Was he to have a say in matters of the imperial court?
"Steward Wang will know upon seeing it!"
Yuan Xingchi showed no intention of explaining, but instead made another inviting gesture.
Having reached this point, Wang Chaoan no longer hesitated. He carefully reached out, took the memorial, and opened it to read.
In truth, there was nothing particularly novel within.
It was a memorial written by Cai Jing, who was in Luoyang, to the Emperor. It stated that Prince Zhao Chen was already three years old and his third birthday was fast approaching.
However, he had yet to receive a formal title. This was because, since the founding of the Song dynasty, there had never been an emperor in office while his eldest legitimate grandson lived. Therefore, it was suggested that the Emperor bestow upon him the titles of Acting Grand Tutor, Grand Guardian of Changde Army, and Duke of Chong.
Although the entire memorial was written with elegant prose, Wang Chaoan could not find anything objectionable about it.
"Have you noticed anything amiss?"
Yuan Xingchi suddenly asked with a smile.
"This..."
Wang Chaoan's mouth twitched. At that moment, he truly could not pinpoint anything wrong with it.
"Although the Crown Prince's eldest son is the legitimate eldest grandson, at the age of three, to be enfeoffed as Acting Grand Tutor, Grand Guardian of Changde Army, and Duke of Chong—these are the dignities of the Crown Prince himself..."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chaoan seemed to grasp something, yet also seemed to understand nothing. For a moment, he truly didn't know what he was talking about.
"You just need to remember it. When you return, tell Prime Minister Wang. I believe the Prime Minister will understand!"
Yuan Xingchi smiled, then placed the memorial in his hand before Wang Chaoan and walked away on his own.
"Brother Wang, please!"
Just as Wang Chaoan was in a daze, the coachman walked over with a smile again.
"Go?"
Wang Chaoan was taken aback. Was he leaving already?
"What? Is there anything else?"
Seeing his unfriendly expression, Wang Chaoan trembled all over.
"No, nothing. We're going, we're going!"
Although he didn't know Yuan Xingchi's intention in giving him this memorial, he wisely boarded the carriage again.
After the same procedure, circling until dusk, when he woke up again, he found himself in the back alley of the Wang Mansion.