Wang Yang knew which uncle Liu Tan meant. When he had first transmigrated, he had borrowed a mighty banner to dress himself in a tiger's skin, mentioning several times that his second uncle was a Cavalier Attendant. Somehow, word had spread. Only later, through Xiao Baoyue, had he learned that there really was a Cavalier Attendant surnamed Wang at the Imperial Court! He quickly guessed why Liu Tan had come, too. The tax on his boasting had finally come due.
Wang Yang made no attempt to hide his trembling hands. He simply set the duck egg on his plate, wiped his hands, and looked at Liu Tan in puzzlement.
"Which uncle of mine?"
Surprise flickered in Liu Tan's eyes. "Wang Sanqi, of course. The edict was issued last month, ordering your uncle to take an imperial tally to the Man tribes and proclaim His Majesty's decree, with sole charge of affairs concerning the Wenyang Man. Your uncle set out long ago. By my reckoning, he should arrive within the next few days. You didn't know?"
Wang Yang shook his head. "My uncle rarely discusses official business with me."
Liu Tan fell silent.
Wang Yang knew Liu Tan was unsure whether he was telling the truth or merely making excuses to avoid getting involved.
He looked at Liu Tan and said earnestly:
"To be frank, although we call each other uncle and nephew, our kinship falls well beyond the five degrees of mourning. We hardly ever see each other. It would be a lie to claim we were particularly close. But as far as Liu Cheng is concerned, if there's anything I can do, I'll do my utmost."
Hearing Wang Yang lay bare his family affairs, Liu Tan immediately felt he had measured a gentleman's heart with a petty man's yardstick.