"Oh?"
Emperor Jianhong immediately understood who Huzi was talking about. Wanting to tease him, he chuckled and asked:
"Who is your uncle?"
Huzi said with a proud look:
"My uncle used to be my father!"
The moment those words came out.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
"Absurd."
"Minister Zeng, as a man of the Confucian Path, can you not even sort out the seniority within your own family?"
"Exactly. No matter how unruly a child is, he cannot speak such rebellious words!"
"It violates the rites!"
"..."
Quite a few officials spoke up in succession.
Emperor Jianhong himself did not even know what to say after hearing this.
He cast Zeng Shilin a puzzled look.
"Alas, this child's birth father died young. He grew up in this minister's residence, and while playing with the other children of the clan, their childish words, spoken without restraint, slightly wounded his pride."
"This child then returned to the residence and sought out this minister's son, weeping as he complained."
Zeng Shilin sighed. Slowly raising his head, he gave Huzi a complicated look and said:
"This minister's son then told the child: 'Child, do not be afraid. From now on, I will be your father. Wherever you go, I will protect you.'"
At this point, a trace of gratification appeared on Zeng Shilin's face:
"My son was only twelve at the time."
The moment those words came out.
Everyone fell silent.
Everyone knew that the son Zeng Shilin spoke of was none other than the one who had been granted a title for his military achievements—
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianhong's eyes suddenly lit up. He had just been about to praise Zeng Anmin—
He looked seriously at Huzi, his voice gentle as he asked:
"Is what your grandfather said true?"
Hearing this, Huzi