Chapter 27 Little Exposure

  "Foster father, that little bastard took the account from my son on South Street and even had him scolded by Tian Baihu. This year's gift is a bit less, my son also has difficulties!"

  "Aren't you also in charge of the overall flag? Doesn't Tian Ronghao know that you are our adopted son?"

  The eunuch's shrill voice shouted at him, Liu Xinyong, who was kneeling below, looked wronged all over his face, and hastily knocked his head again, saying in a sobbing tone:

  "Foster father, that little rascal Wang Tong is a fugitive, and there's rumors on the streets saying he's related to some eunuch in the palace, who dares to offend him now!!"

  The eunuch sitting at the top looked only a few years older than Liu Xinyong, with a generally thin appearance, and indeed looked somewhat similar. Wearing a red robe with a round collar, he heard Liu Xinyong's cry and suddenly became furious, shouting in a shrill voice:

  "A relative of some old man!? How come our family doesn't know about it? Wait till our family figures it out, then we'll give you an explanation!!"

  After the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, the southern street was extremely quiet in the early morning. A small snowfall had fallen overnight, and there were no footprints in front of the doors of various shops that had long since closed for the day.

  Looking back at the snow-covered city wall of the imperial city, and then looking at the snowy white Nan Street, it gives people a kind of inexplicable mood. Wang Tong tightened his fur hat on his head and walked forward quickly.

  It's been almost ten days since I last went to Tian Baihu's place, although the New Year's gifts and whatnot have all been delivered to his house, with no shortage of courtesy, but that old fellow still hasn't even said hello.

  As for the reversal of that day and Liu Xinyong's face-to-face confrontation, Wang Tong thought left and right, with not many reasons, it seemed to be just his familiarity with the old family member in Tianfu, as well as the more than 1,000 taels of silver that had been invested.

  One silver coin, one matter, from ancient times to the present, Wang Tong didn't think that the silver money would have any credit, the credit for turning things around should be given to that old housekeeper.

  However, when asked face to face, and several times probed from the side, they were all blocked by that clever old housekeeper, and the other party's answers were also very realistic, not like lies.

  Besides, if it were really Tian Baohu's people, they would have been sweeping the floor and sprinkling water early in the morning, and even in winter, there was no idle time to be seen. This kind of work is too hard, only a servant can do it.

  Wang Tong did not continue to press the issue, some things are better left unsaid, no matter who helped oneself, sooner or later will find out, if because of this and the old family member became estranged, it would be a pity, maintaining relationships with people related to one's superior is always beneficial, besides, it seems like this is the only friend to chat with, a friend regardless of age.

  He carried a food box, inside which were fried fat vegetables and braised pork, although the dishes would be cold by the time he got there, but these two dishes wouldn't lose much flavor after being reheated, perfect for giving to others.

  They arrived early and walked quickly, and when they reached the entrance of Tian Bai's residence, they coincidentally ran into Old Man Jia walking out. Upon seeing Wang Tong, he couldn't help but pause for a moment. Wang Tong smiled and greeted him, saying:

  "Tián Bó, you're getting up so early!"

  "If we don't get up early, the sun will come out and this snow will melt into ice!"

  Anyway, the people in Tiantai's household also followed the main family and took the surname Tian. Tian Bo looked at Wang Tong coming over and a few smiles appeared on his face. Wang Tong quickly ran a few steps and took over the tools and water bucket when Tian Bo was about to step down, lest the old man fall. Tian Bo laughed and scolded:

  "What's the point of coming out on such a cold day if you're not even going to buy me a drink?"

  "It's almost Chinese New Year, I brought some of our restaurant's signature dishes for you. One layer is braised pork belly and the other is stir-fried cabbage with lard, just heat it up and you can eat it. The host family is celebrating the new year, so don't work too hard yourself, Tian Bo."

  Tian Bo took over the food box, nodded silently and watched as Wang Tong swept up. Just as he was about to speak, a sudden horseshoe sound came from afar, and a horse rushed in from the alley entrance nearby.

  An old man and a young child hastily dodged out of the way, but the horseman was dressed in the attire of the Imperial Guard, his target being this very Tian Manor. His horse stopped at the entrance, gazing at the open gate, without even allowing anyone to report, he quickly rushed inside with rapid strides.

  The person who came was unfamiliar and not a soldier under Tian Baohu's jurisdiction. The quiet Tian government had some noise, Wang Tong glanced at Tian Bo beside him and found that his face was full of worried expression. However, the Jin Yiwei who entered did not take long to run out quickly and leave on horseback.

  "Foreigners seeing this skin are also worried and frightened..."

  Tian Bo suddenly muttered to himself, Wang Tong's face didn't show much expression, but it was enough to confirm that this old man wasn't a simple servant.

  Before long, Tian Baihu, dressed in official robes, hastily walked out of the gate, with a follower leading a horse behind him. Just as he was about to mount the horse, he turned his head and saw Tian Bo and Wang Tong standing aside. After a slight hesitation, he couldn't help but complain:

  "Dad, it's so cold outside, why bother coming out and suffering like this?!"

  Tian Bo didn't respond to this remark, but instead asked with concern:

  "What's the big deal?!"

  "Zhou and Qian's households called each other over, saying that if they went in the past, they would know. Let Wang Tong help with these matters, you just hurry back to the house!"

  Tian Bo waved his hand impatiently, Tian Baihu was also anxious, flipped over and got on the horse, hurriedly rushing towards that direction.

  It's indeed Tian Baohu's father. This might also be one of Wang Tong's many guesses, but since it's been revealed, he couldn't help but put down the tool in his hand and walk forward with a "flustered" bow to say:

  "I didn't know earlier that you were the elder master, I have been very rude and wronged you, please forgive me."

  Looking at Wang Tong's behavior, Tian Bo's eyebrows furrowed and his face was filled with disgust as he said in a rough tone:

  "What's with you, old man? I used to serve other masters in the past, young master. You don't want to see me like this, that's why I haven't explained it clearly to you all along."

  Tian Bo was also somewhat disappointed, thinking that he had found a kindred spirit, but looking at the situation now, he feared that from now on he would have to be extremely polite. Unexpectedly, Wang Tong directly laughed and raised his head, teasing him by saying:

  "I also feel it's too tiring, missing a close elder to talk to, or else won't it be the same as before?"

  Although the words were somewhat lazy, Tian Bo was stunned and laughed out loud, pointing at Wang Tong with his finger. At this time, Wang Tong bowed deeply again, made a big courtesy, and solemnly said:

  "That day, Zhao Guotong and Liu Xinyong had a confrontation in front of the lower gate. If not for Tian Bo's righteous assistance, Wang would not know how he'd end up today. A great kindness requires no thanks, please accept my bow, elder."

  Just as Wang Tong was about to pay his respects, Tian Bo waved his hand impatiently and said:

  "Hurry up and sweep the snow! Originally, you young fellow helped me sweep, I thought you knew my identity, had ulterior motives. Until the second day when that thing happened, after all, I knew you were a kind-hearted person. You casually said a couple of words, it wasn't a great favor, but helping me sweep the front door for so many days is also a repayment!"

  Good deeds will be rewarded, and people who meet by chance may bring unexpected benefits due to their small actions. Wang Tong opened his mouth but didn't say anything else, he just pointed at the food box and said:

  "This meat and vegetable stew must be cooked for a sufficient amount of time before eating, it tastes great!"

  "In his younger years as a junior servant, Lao Er had also eaten and seen such things. How could these two home-cooked dishes possibly meet the standards of our old master?"

  This conversation just now has actually brought the two people who were somewhat estranged closer together.

  However, for the next period of time, Tian Bo was somewhat distracted, constantly looking towards the entrance, apparently worried that his own son would be summoned by Qian Hu early in the morning.