Princess Nankang took the note and smiled, saying, "This handwriting is quite nice. Who wrote it?"
"Ahem."
Cheng Jinyang hesitated for a moment, thinking that miss Wang lived in his house, and unless sister Xinnan never came to visit again in the future, she would eventually find out.
So he frankly said, "Miss Wang."
"Wang Wanrou?" Princess Nankang was somewhat surprised. "Her... when did you two become so close?"
"It's not that close." Cheng Jinyang explained, "It's just..."
"Your relationship isn't good, yet she's giving you advice?" Princess Nankang isn't foolish.
She immediately smiled and asked, "What's in it for her? With your current status, you shouldn't even catch the eye of Miss Wang. People in the Five Great Families circle are very exclusive. They probably wouldn't even speak to you in private, let alone leave you a handwritten note."
"Cough!"
Cheng Jinyang had nothing to say, so he changed the subject. "Exclusive? I think she's quite nice."
"That's because she treats you differently," Princess Nankang continued, looking at the note in her hand.
"Fully armed... alright! That shouldn't be a problem. But how did she know I brought weapons?"
Speaking of which, she grabbed Cheng Jinyang's hand and wanted to take him into the clan territory.
"So, sister Xinnan, where's your weapon?" Cheng Jinyang, seeing her empty-handed, asked curiously.
"I've got them all with me!" Princess Nankang patted her chest and replied.
Ah, is it hidden inside her bosom? It's big enough, but can it fit a grenade? Cheng Jinyang expressed strong doubt.
Before entering the clan territory, Cheng Clan members greeted him.
He keenly noticed that compared to last time, there was even more hostility and resentment in their gazes towards him.
However, this was inevitable. If the ruler treats his subjects as mere grass and weeds, how can the subjects not view the ruler as a sworn enemy?
Soon, the two of them arrived back at the same hall as last time, only to find a circle of people waiting outside.
Many of them even carried firearms, clearly prepared for a violent confrontation.
Princess Nankang smiled faintly and slipped two pistols from her hands.
Cheng Jinyang didn't even see where she got them from, even though she is clearly wearing sleeveless clothing.
"Your Highness, entering our clan's territory armed, are you planning to attack the Shendu Cheng family?" Cheng Qingxin seized the initiative and questioned.
"Sorry," Princess Nankang smiled gently, "I saw that you were numerous and well-armed, so I took out my weapons just in case. But with you all so tense, like a bowstring drawn taut, what exactly are you preparing to defend against?"
"If Your Highness has no other matters, I regret to say that the Cheng family cannot accommodate you."
Cheng Qingxin didn't waste time with pleasantries and turned directly to Cheng Jinyang, saying in a low voice, "Cheng Jinyang! Come here!"
As he called out his name directly, Cheng Jinyang... didn't move a step.
Apparently, if he really went over, the princess sister wouldn't be able to get off the stage.
So he just coughed and discreetly unfolded the last piece of paper labeled "C" in his palm.
Hmm, really? This line... feels quite juvenile!
And why does it sound so much like Zhuge Liang?
Where did you copy this line from... Oh, I see.
"Cheng Jinyang!"
The clan leader shouted again, his voice filled with obvious anger. The Cheng clan members around him also showed signs of impatience and alertness.
Seeing the increasingly dangerous atmosphere, Cheng Jinyang could only cough and was about to say something to stall for time when suddenly his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Is the signal coming?
He quickly pulled out his phone and saw that it was a signal sent by Xing Yuanzhi.
Just as described in Wang Wanrou's note, once the signal was received, the next step was crucial:
Recite the lines.
"Clan leader," Cheng Jinyang exerted his acting skills and spoke loudly.
"I want to ask you: Is the clan planning to imprint me with a Mind Steel Seal today?"
As soon as this statement came out, the people behind him were immediately in an uproar.
The matter of imprinting Cheng Jinyang with a Mind Steel Seal is currently only circulated among the core members of the Shendu Cheng family, and there has never been any intention to make it public within the clan.
After all, having members of the Wang family imprint the thoughts of their own talented offspring...
It sounds too disgraceful and gives a nauseating feeling of internal strife that might attract external enemies.
At this moment, being publicly questioned by Cheng Jinyang undoubtedly feels like a direct stab to the heart for the clan leader Cheng Qingxin's faction.
However, Cheng Qingxin is not an ordinary person either. He immediately responded loudly:
"On that day, when you were escorted to the door by Princess Nankang, and coerced the family to allow you to undergo the bloodline test, was that the attitude of a commoner-born descendant hoping to return to the clan?"
"The family harbors doubts about your stance and intentions, hoping to clarify this aspect with you. The Mind Steel Seal is only a final insurance measure and has not yet been confirmed for use before communicating with you."
"On the other hand, you, as a descendant of the Shendu Cheng family, brought outsiders with guns and broke in. What were you intending to do?"
The skill of turning the tables is quite adept.
Not only did it brush aside the issue of Mind Steel Seal, but it also shifted the focus to Princess Nankang, leaving Cheng Jinyang speechless.
If it weren't for the lines written on the paper, he would probably be at a loss by now.
However, it's very unfortunate that the lines on the paper have already predicted Cheng Qingxin's response.
Or rather, it seems that no matter how Cheng Qingxin answers, it doesn't go beyond Wang Wanrou's expected range, because the subsequent lines can seamlessly follow...
So, what's going on with Miss Wang? Did she implant a Mind Steel Seal on Cheng Qingxin?
Dismissing the fleeting thought from his mind, Cheng Jinyang hardened his resolve, casting aside any concern for dignity, fully embracing his inner adolescent, and angrily recited his lines, "I had thought that as an elder of the Cheng family, you would speak with wisdom in front of the family. I never expected you to utter such vulgar language!"
With these words, the surrounding noise, which had been somewhat lively, immediately ceased.
No one had anticipated that this seemingly isolated son of a humble background would dare to rebuke the patriarch of the Cheng family in front of them, relying on the authority of Princess Nankang!
"I have something to say, please listen quietly," pretending to glare angrily at the ground but actually stealing a few glances at the lines hidden in his hand, Cheng Jinyang raised his head again and said indignantly to the crowd, "The Cheng family, a prestigious lineage with a long history. Originating from the Chongli clan, flourishing from Cheng Boxiu's father, our family's reputation has been established for generations, and our principles have been upheld."
"However, in recent years, there has been a gradual decline, our lineage has become obscure, and people say, 'After knowing propriety, there are no third grades; after becoming a master, there are no four grades,' causing our ancestors to lose face and our surname to be shamed. At this critical moment of crisis for our family, what have you, as the head of the Cheng family, done?"
"Evil Nephew! You!!!" Cheng Qingxin angrily started to rebuke, but was rudely interrupted by Cheng Jinyang:
"I have long known about Uncle's life! As the eldest legitimate son, holding the sixth grade potential in the family, you should be filial, kind, respectful, and restore the family's reputation, assisting our Cheng family to rise again... Yet, you acted stubbornly, forcing my Father, your younger brother to be expelled from the family, scheming for power and usurping the throne!"
"My father had the talent of a fifth-grade, but you expelled him from the family, leading to his melancholic demise. Fortunately, by heaven's will, our Shendu Cheng family still thrives, ensuring our bloodline continues. Yet, you constantly interfere, obstructing any hope of the Cheng family's revival, fearing that those who only live off the family's reputation like you would lose their privileges!"
"The old man with white hair, the wily old thief! Having lived half a life in vain, with no accomplishments to show, when your soul returns to the underworld, how will you face the ancestors of the Cheng family again?! Like a spineless dog, you dare not admit defeat, but instead choose to spout nonsense, barking madly. I have never seen such a shameless person!"
With these words, Cheng Jinyang felt a sudden clarity in his mind, a refreshing feeling throughout his body.
Looking at the Cheng family members opposite him, some were furious, some were stunned, some were indifferent, some were incredulous, each with their own expressions.
Cheng Qingxin, the clan leader, was insulted until his face turned red with anger, but he didn't collapse.
Instead, he rolled up his sleeves, silently calculated his next move, clenched his teeth, eyes blazing with fury, locking onto his target, seemingly ready to take drastic action to eliminate his treacherous nephew.
Meanwhile, Princess Nankang raised her gun, tension escalating, conflict on the verge of eruption.
Suddenly, Cheng Jinyang remembered there were a few lines of dialogue left, quickly glanced down again, and burst into laughter:
"Alas for the Shendu Cheng family, once illustrious but now declining, their reputation in ruins! Allowing the ruthless and dishonorable to take the lead, with sycophants following suit! The legacy of a thousand years, withering away in a single day!"
"As for the Cheng family! There's no need to wait any longer!!!"
With these words, echoing like the clash of metal, resounding on the ground, the tone is filled with resignation, desolation, resentment, and determination.
But suddenly, from afar, a voice of age and urgency is heard:
"My grandson, wait!"