Chapter 38: Acknowledged By the Clan (1/2)

“Shu Hua, let’s put aside whatever you two mother and son have to say for later. We have very important things that we need to question Chong-er on! We have to clarify with him the matter regarding the Yao Clan, Wang Clan, and King Song.”

Suddenly, a powerful and authoritative voice sounded in his ear. Wang Chong lifted his head and saw that in the direct center of the main hall, in the most prestigious seat, a middle-aged man in his forties was currently seated.

His voice was stern and he exuded an intimidating pressure just by sitting here. He looked like an extremely rational person, someone who held an important and crucial official in the royal court.

In truth, he really did.

“Big uncle!”

This person was Wang Chong’s big uncle, Wang Gen. In his previous life, when Wang Chong had transcended into this world, he did not fear anything at all, except for this big uncle who he wasn’t close with.

There are some people in the world who induced fear in others when they lashed up angrily. At the same time, there are also some people whose natural disposition induced fear in others.

The latter type of people seems as though they are incapable of laughing, and when they did, it looks sinister and scary, a sight that is even more fearsome than crying.

His big uncle was such a person.

In fact, it was highly possible that his cousin, Zhu Yan, had inherited those genes from his big uncle such that Wang Chong was fearful of her as well.

“Since big uncle had said so, then let’s do it by that way.”

Madam Wang’s released her grip with a slightly embarrassed expression. Clearly, she was also a little fearful of Wang Chong’s big uncle. In this feudal era, the elder brother possessed a superior standing to that of the younger siblings, equivalent to one’s father. As the eldest son, Wang Gen possessed the greatest say within the Wang Clan. This quality applied to Wang Chong’s big aunt, uncle, little uncle and the others as well.

TL: There is a saying which goes like ‘Respect one’s elder brother as though one’s father’

No one dared to refute big uncle’s words. Everyone looked anxious, except for Wang Zhu Yan, who remained calm in comparison. She mischievously blinked her eyes and secretly shot a thumbs up toward Wang Chong, encouraging him.

“Wang Chong, allow me to ask you a question. You father had suddenly shifted his campground and army back 50 li, and avoided Yao Guang Yi’s ploy through such. Your father had claimed that it was your credit and that you were the one who asked him to do so. Is that true?”

Wang Gen stared intently at Wang Chong as he asked him about the matter by the border. At that instant, the eyes of the entire Wang Clan in the room was gathered on Wang Chong.

Everyone was curious to see how would Wang Chong reply to this question.

Even though Wang Chong’s mother had already explained everything to them, the crowd seemed to be unable to believe that it was his doing. In fact, even his cousin, Wang Zhu Yan, was slightly doubtful of it as well.

After all, this was a large contrast from his previous actions. The matter he had done this time was simply too shocking.

“It’s true, I asked him to do so!”

Wang Chong was silent for a moment before he lifted his head to meet everyone’s gazes and nod his head seriously.

These few simple words had caused a storm in the minds of its listeners. The eyes of the onlookers were complicated. Even though Wang Chong’s father had explained the matter in another letter to them, the explanation simply sounded too inconceivable to them.

It was still very shocking for them to hear Wang Chong admit to it.

“What is going on?”

Wang Chong’s big uncle’s face was still impassive as he asked coldly.

“Wang Chong, there’s no need for you to be nervous. Your big uncle isn’t interrogating you!”

By the side, Wang Chong’s big aunt, Wang Ru Shuang, said:

“You might not know, but the matter by the border had caused a huge uproar in the capital. A few days ago, Yao Guang Yi had led his army to your father’s deployment site in an attempt to create the facade that the Wang Clan and Yao Clan had put aside their grudges to work together.”

“It was fortunate that your father had listened to your words and retreated 50 li backward with his army in advance, thus catching Yao Guang Yi and Yao Clan by surprise and clearing him of all suspicions. Your father had explained all of these in the letter and stated that it was your credit that our Wang Clan had managed to pull one over them in the battle against the Yao Clan.”

“Wang Chong, you have contributed greatly to our Wang Clan!”

Wang Chong was only a fifteen-year-old kid, and there wasn’t a single person in the Wang Clan who did not fear Wang Ru Shuang’s big brother, Wang Gen. Knowing this fact, Wang Ru Shuang put on a cheerful smile in an attempt to alleviate the heavy atmosphere.

“Other than that, it was your grandfather’s intention for all of us to be gathered here to comprehend more about the situation from you. You are a meritorious member of the Wang Clan, so there’s no need for you to be nervous.”

Hearing big aunt’s words, Wang Chong’s heart skipped a beat and his attention was aroused. If he remembered correctly, his grandfather was currently stationed in the Four Quarters Embassy to support the emperor’s policies at any moment. All along, he had never concerned himself with this kind of small matter.

Apparently, the affair at the border had attracted his attention. Or rather, to be more specific, Wang Chong had attracted his attention.

Among the current younger generation of the Wang Clan, only Wang Chong’s big brother and older cousin had attracted grandfather’s attention. This was the first time that he had been acknowledged by grandfather.

TL: Older cousin = Wang Gen’s son

Wang Chong glanced at his mother, only to see her face flushed. It seemed like she had known of this matter in advance.

“This is great!”

Wang Chong clenched his fists in agitation. This was truly an unexpected reward. Even though grandfather was already advanced in age, he still possessed an unrivaled position in the Wang Clan.

All of the Wang Clan’s authority, standing, reputation, and influence came from grandfather’s contribution in enthroning the emperor back then. In the royal court, grandfather still possessed an immense amount of influence.

The reason why Wang Chong’s big uncle and father had the positions they had now was also due to grandfather’s halo!

The reason why Yao Clan’s Yao Guang Yi, Old Master Yao, and King Qi, a kin of the royal family, were so fearful of the Wang Clan and tried their hardest to divide the Wang Clan from King Song was because of this powerful grandfather! Even though he had secluded himself in the Four Quarters Embassy and rarely showed him, he still induced fear in his opponents.

However, what Wang Chong was concerned about wasn’t this.

“May I first read the letter on the table?”

Wang Chong pointed to the white letter on the table.