Chapter 8: You Are My Uncle

Meng Changqing lowered her head, thinking to herself, what kind of approach is this?

A teardrop the size of a bean fell onto Meng Changqing’s freshly washed hair, leaving her stunned.

Just as she was about to take a step back, the man pulled her into a tight embrace. He said excitedly, "Child! It is so good to see you!"

At that moment, Meng Changqing’s stomach let out a growl. The burly man sniffled, "What? You haven't eaten yet?" He turned around and strode toward the door, shouting as he stood outside, "Someone! Go to the kitchen and cook something! Make it quick!"

He stood outside for a moment to wipe his face before coming back in. Once inside, he took a fire-starter from his sleeve to light the half-burned candle in the lamp shade.

"Child, come sit over here." He placed the candle on the round table.

Meng Changqing walked over, thanked him, and took a seat.

The Prefect said, "Don't be so formal. Your father and I shared a bond forged in life and death. Although my rank is far below your father's, he was a man who rose from hardship and never looked down on us subordinates, often calling us brothers.

If I may be so bold, you should call me Uncle."

Meng Changqing stood up immediately and bowed to the burly man, "Nephew pays respects to Uncle."

Wei Fangyun immediately helped him up, "Good, good, good." He looked at Meng Changqing carefully by the candlelight, "Your brows and eyes look just like your father's."

Of course they did, she thought to herself, but she feigned regret on her face, "It is a pity that I never met my father."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wei Fangyun’s eyes turned red again, "Your father was a rare hero. Your whole family... you are all good people!"

He composed himself and said, "Only now that I see you have arrived safely can I finally set my heart at ease. Twenty-some days ago, the yamen received an urgent secret edict from the Emperor, stating that you had offended Consort Xiao and that it was feared you would not be safe staying in the capital, so you were to come to me for the time being.

When I saw the secret edict, I wanted to send troops to fetch you, but the Jie Wan have been repeatedly attacking Weishan Pass lately. I truly couldn't spare the energy, and I didn't know which route you were taking. Fearing I might miss you, I had to instruct the yamen runners to invite you to stay the moment they saw you."

So that was it.

It turned out she had gone hungry for half a day because of the Prefect’s concern.

As a newly appointed official, Meng Changqing’s focus naturally shifted to state affairs, "Weishan Pass is a natural chasm flanked by high mountains. Since the Jie Wan know it is difficult to breach, why do they attack so frequently?"

Wei Fangyun praised, "As expected of General Meng’s son, at such a young age you remember the terrain and know to consider the reasons for the conflict."

"Uncle is too kind. I served as a companion to the Crown Prince in the palace and occasionally heard the Grand Tutor speak of such things."

Wei Fangyun took a sip of cold tea and explained, "The land of the Jie Wan is mostly inhabited by wild tribes.

They are an uncivilized group who neither farm nor raise livestock. Spring, summer, and autumn are fine; they can gather wild fruits and hunt game. But once winter arrives, they have nothing to eat and are forced to raid others.

Every winter, they attack Weishan Pass or the Yan Kingdom. This is a common occurrence; there is no need to worry."

Just then, two yamen runners walked in quickly, carrying a steaming iron pot, "My Lord, we’ve made a pot of dough-drop soup."

One of the runners took two sets of bowls and chopsticks from his tunic. As he placed them on the table, he asked, "My Lord, would you like some pickled radishes?"

"Need you ask? Bring them up, of course," Wei Fangyun said. "Go and fetch some wine as well. Today is a joyous occasion; we should drink a few bowls."

"Uncle," Meng Changqing spoke up, "could you trouble the runners to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks? My attendant is also hungry."

"My oversight. Go and get clean bowls and chopsticks." Wei Fangyun let Bafang sit down and served two full bowls of dough-drop soup, placing them in front of them, "You two eat first. At your age, hunger is the hardest thing to bear."

Bafang looked at the soup in front of him, unsure if he should start, and looked to Meng Changqing for help.

Meng Changqing leaned slightly toward Bafang, "Uncle is looking after you, why don't you thank him?"

"Thank you, Prefect." Bafang stood up so quickly he nearly knocked over his bowl.

"Sit, sit, eat quickly."

Even though he said that, Meng Changqing still didn't move. She had waited all afternoon; a little longer wouldn't hurt.

Fortunately, the two runners returned quickly.

Meng Changqing was quick-handed; she took the bowls and chopsticks from the runners and served Wei Fangyun a full bowl.

Now everyone had some. No more pretense—time to eat.

Meng Changqing was so hungry she completely disregarded her image, lifting the bowl and gulping it down. Only after finishing the first bowl did she feel like she had come back to life.

Wei Fangyun didn't eat much himself, and seeing Meng Changqing finish, he immediately refilled her bowl.

"Eat! Don't be a stranger at your uncle's place. Eat your fill first!"

After finishing the second bowl, Meng Changqing saw Wei Fangyun reaching to refill it again and immediately refused, "I am full, Uncle."

Wei Fangyun ladled that portion into the bowl of Bafang, who was still eating, "Your attendant has a better appetite than you."

Bafang felt very embarrassed, and his chopsticks stopped mid-air.

Wei Fangyun realized his words might have been inappropriate and added, "You are at the age where you are growing; having a good appetite is a good thing. The more you eat, the stronger you will grow."

His gaze lingered on Bafang’s face, and he suddenly said, "This child who follows you, why does he look somewhat familiar?"

Meng Changqing put away the handkerchief she used to wipe her mouth and said, "When Bafang’s father joined the army, he was assigned to the Meng Family Army. I fear you may have seen his father."

"So he is a descendant of the Meng Family Army," Wei Fangyun asked again, "Is your father surnamed Zhang?"

Bafang put down his chopsticks and replied, "I don't remember what my father was called. I would have to ask the Madam to know."

Meng Changqing explained, "According to my mother, Bafang was still in swaddling clothes when my father brought him home. He grew up in the Meng household, and my mother rarely spoke of his origins, so he has no impression of his parents."

"If that is the case, then your father was indeed surnamed Zhang," Wei Fangyun said to Bafang. "Your father’s name was Zhang Fa. Back then, when the Yan people invaded the border town, your father died on the battlefield, and your mother was also killed by the Yan soldiers who entered the city. At the time, your mother had placed you in a basket and hung it from the rafters, which is why those Yan soldiers didn't find you.

Later, General Meng led us to repel the Yan soldiers and saved you and another child."

Bafang heard the story of his origins unexpectedly. He only knew his father had died on the battlefield, but he didn't know his mother had also died at the hands of the Yan.

He had only survived because he was hung from the rafters.

The last half-bowl of dough-drop soup felt heavy in his chest, and he felt so distressed he didn't know what to do.

Meng Changqing patted his back and said to Wei Fangyun, "I have another attendant named Laicai who entered the yamen with Bafang. I presume he must be that other child."

Wei Fangyun sighed, "I never expected to see you all again after so many years. Since you are Zhang Fa’s son, you must call me Uncle."

Meng Changqing kicked him under the table, "Call him."

Bafang immediately knelt down, "Pay respects to Uncle Wei."

The scene he had imagined of meeting his superior had turned into a family reunion.