"Disadvantage?" Zhao Yao quickly asked, "Where is the disadvantage?"
He Lianfang did not answer, only gave a slight smile.
"You don’t have strong maternal family support, which seems like a big disadvantage, but it’s also an advantage."
Zhao Yao was puzzled: "Where is the advantage?"
Seeing that Zhao Yao did not understand, He Lianfang did not elaborate.
"You’ll understand in the future."
"Uncle, why are you being so mysterious?" Without the power of a maternal family, it’s very difficult to ascend to that position.
"You’re still young, it’s normal not to understand." He Lianfang did not get angry because Zhao Yao previously said he only wanted to wander and play, nor did he want to give up on him because of those words. In his view, Zhao Yao’s previous words were just childish and should not be taken seriously. When he grows older, he will understand the importance of power.
Hearing what He Lianfang said, Zhao Yao pouted discontentedly: "Even though I’m still a kid, I’m not stupid."
"If you can talk about wandering around and eating all the world’s delicacies, what else could you be but a kid?"
"What’s wrong with having such a dream..."
He Lianfang interrupted Zhao Yao, "Have you finished eating? If you have, let’s play chess."
Zhao Yao dared not delay further, quickly finished the food in his bowl, and followed He Lianfang to the courtyard.
Every noon after lunch, He Lianfang would play a few games of chess with Zhao Yao. On the chessboard, he guided Zhao Yao in military strategy.
After finishing the chess game, Zhao Yao left He Lianfang’s residence.
He Lianfang, as before, let Zhao Yao continue reading the "Spring and Autumn Annals." As for other books, he did not specifically instruct him. Right now, Zhao Yao is still young, just starting his learning this year. If too many books were assigned at once, he might not be able to understand them.
Walking out of the residence, Zhao Yao turned back to glance, with a thoughtful expression.
Could Uncle have found out something?
Could it be that Uncle guessed my identity?
Impossible, I never revealed a single clue from the beginning to the end; Uncle can’t possibly guess my identity. However, why do I feel that Uncle’s words during lunch had a deeper meaning?
Who exactly is Uncle?
The more Zhao Yao thought, the more he felt that He Lianfang’s identity was unusual.
Liang Run saw Zhao Yao deep in thought and quickly asked with concern, "Yao Yao, what’s wrong, did something happen?"
"Nothing, just thinking about the chess game with Uncle earlier." There’s no way, Uncle can’t guess his identity. "Second Uncle, let’s go find Mr. Xiao."
Liang Run asked in surprise, "Go find Mr. Xiao now?"
Zhao Yao looked at the time of day and said, "At this time, Mr. Xiao has already returned home from the palace. It’s most suitable for us to visit him now."
"It’s almost dinner time, isn’t it inappropriate for us to go now?"
"Mr. Xiao lives alone, going at this time won’t disturb him." Zhao Yao added, "Let’s buy some dishes from Zhenxiu Building to bring along, and have dinner with Mr. Xiao. Having us accompany him, Mr. Xiao might be very pleased."
Liang Run asked in surprise, "Mr. Xiao is alone, what about his wife and children?"
Seeing his second uncle’s surprised expression, Zhao Yao was slightly stunned and then said, "Second Uncle, haven’t I told you, Mr. Xiao lives alone, he isn’t married, and doesn’t have children."
"You never mentioned it."
"Well, now you know." Zhao Yao said, "Fourth Brother told me before to spend more time with Mr. Xiao."
"If that’s the case, let’s buy a few bottles of wine." Liang Run asked, "Does Mr. Xiao drink?"
"He probably drinks a little." Zhao Yao wasn’t very certain since he hadn’t seen Mr. Xiao drink in the palace.
When Mr. Xiao saw Zhao Yao bringing his second uncle to visit, he was slightly surprised but said nothing.
While having dinner, Zhao Yao and the others discussed the trip to Wusun in a few days.
Mr. Xiao told Zhao Yao that he had found two students to accompany him to Wusun, both former students of his. They knew some languages of the Western Regions.
In the next couple of days, these two would arrive in the capital and then travel to Wusun with Liang Run and the others.
Zhao Yao had great confidence in the people Mr. Xiao found.
After lunch, Mr. Xiao reminded Zhao Yao it was time to return to the palace to study.
Hearing this, Zhao Yao internally gave a bitter smile, unexpectedly, the annoying father emperor hadn’t sent someone to call him back to the palace to study, but Mr. Xiao did. Nevertheless, he also planned to return to the palace the next day.
Seeing Mr. Xiao living alone, Zhao Yao shamelessly proposed to stay at Mr. Xiao’s house for the night and return to the palace with him in the morning.
Mr. Xiao did not object and let Zhao Yao stay.
Liang Run had matters to attend to, so he did not stay at Mr. Xiao’s house.
In the study, Mr. Xiao and Zhao Yao were playing chess. As the game progressed, they started talking about the political situation in the court.
Zhao Yao originally thought Mr. Xiao didn’t care about court politics but was surprised to find that Mr. Xiao understood it very well.
Mr. Xiao hesitated for a long time before deciding to remind Zhao Yao: "Your Highness, keep your distance from the Eighth Prince in the future."