Seeing that Zong Ce had displeased Xie Xinghan, Liu Zhao changed the subject:
"My dear niece, what brings you to us this time?"
Xie Xinghan asked:
"Uncle, have you told anyone about Wang Yang looking after you in prison?"
"No-"
Zong Ce immediately said:
"What do you mean, no? You told me!"
Liu Zhao: ???
"We found out about it together! What does telling you have to do with-"
"Little Xie asked whether you'd told anyone. Am I not someone?"
"You-"
Zong Ce waved a dismissive hand:
"I won't argue with you. You act like a child every day." Then he turned to Xie Xinghan. "Little Xie, ask me. See how I answer!"
Xie Xinghan could only repeat the question:
"Uncle Zong, have you told anyone about Wang Yang looking after-"
Zong Ce jumped in, pointing at Liu Zhao with perfect confidence:
"Yes! I told him!"
Liu Zhao: ...
Xie Xinghan did not know whether to laugh or cry:
"Anyone besides Uncle Liu?"
"No. I know what matters. Things are sensitive right now. If we keep talking about how Wang Yang looked after us, wouldn't we be pushing him into the spotlight and advertising proof that he aided the rebels? While discussion hasn't started yet, we should follow the current and slip quietly through. Stirring up public controversy would only make things worse."
Liu Zhao's expression grew grave:
"We won't be able to slip through this..."
Zong Ce disagreed:
"Why not? The city is quite peaceful now. There's the occasional bit of gossip, but none of it has amounted to anything. Overall, Wang Yang is still well liked!"
Liu Zhao grew even more somber:
"This isn't something popularity can solve..."
"I didn't say it could, but it's a good thing at least! Given the weight the name Wang Zhiyan carries