Cao Ang wanted to go to Cai's house and had to go.

The Cai family's house is located in the center of Xiangyang City, covering an area of dozens of acres. Cao Ang inquired all the way to the door, and couldn't help but stop and look.

The vermilion lacquered hardwood door is fastened with two bowl-sized copper buckles, and nine layers of marble paved steps are laid outward, and the steps are lowered to the flat ground, and on each side stands a stone lion with a fierce expression, the stone lion roars to the sky, and the fierce flames are surging.

Cao Ang knocked on the door with a blank face, and Bangbang's voice reached the bottom of his heart, like a call from the gates of hell.

Not long after, a middle-aged man who looked like a steward slowly opened the door, glanced at Cao Ang, and said casually, "Who are you?" ”

"The son of the deceased came to visit the head of the Cai family, and he was tired." Cao Ang was still expressionless, and said plainly.

"Son of the deceased?" The steward's Jian Yan's expression changed slightly, and his face showed a slight attention, and said, "Which old man?" ”

Cao Ang silently took out a name card from his arms and handed it to the steward, leaned forward slightly, and said coldly: "You just have to tell me, your master will know when he sees the famous thorn, and it is not your turn to get to the bottom of it." ”

The steward's expression was cold, his eyes showed conspicuous contempt and mockery, and he grabbed Cao Ang's name and turned away without looking back.

"Don't try to throw away my name," Cao Ang seemed to understand the steward's thoughts, and said lightly, "If you lose my name, your master will beat you to death." ”

The steward paused slightly, and snorted rather annoyed.

Cao Ang waited quietly outside without sorrow or joy, and after a while, there was a rush of footsteps inside, Cao Ang was in good spirits, and he looked around.

A man in his forties walked quickly, and when he arrived at the door, he first looked at Cao Ang carefully, and then said, "Master Cao, please come in, my master will treat you in the study." ”

Cao Ang looked surprised, glanced at him, and said, "Your Excellency?" ”

"The contemptible man was trusted by the master and gave him the position of housekeeper, surnamed Cai." Cai Yi's demeanor was very respectful, and he always had a warm smile like a spring breeze on his face.

Cao Ang clasped his fists and saluted, but he still said suspiciously: "Cao has seen Steward Cai." How could your master ......?"

Cai Yi led the way first, his body slightly crossed Cao Ang by half a step, and when he heard the words, he measured his body and said in a low voice: "Don't be suspicious, son." When my master went to Luoyang to seek refuge with Taiwei Zhang, he was accompanied by an old servant. He also had several encounters with Ling Zun. I don't know if everything is okay? ”

Cao Ang nodded secretly in his heart, it turned out that Cai Yi was an old man who knew the roots, and Cai Mao confided Cao Ang's identity to him, not worried about unnecessary trouble caused by the leakage of news.

"My father is fine, but it is much more vicissitudes than in previous years." Cao Ang thanked Cai Yi and said in response.

Cai Yi nodded when he heard this, a look of remembrance crossed his eyes, but he only shook his head and said no more.

Not long after, the two came to the outside of Cai Mao's study. Cai Yi stood outside the door and said softly: "Lord, Gongzi Cao is here." ”

A calm male voice immediately sounded in the study: "Please come in." ”

Cai Yi looked at Cao Ang and said, "Son, please come in." ”

Cao Ang hugged his fists again and thanked Cai Yi, then straightened his clothes, and pushed the door in spirit.

"Nephew Cao Ang visits Uncle Cai." Cao Ang saw Cai Mao standing in front of the bookcase at a glance, and hurriedly bowed down.

Cai Mao waved his blue and gray gown, and hurriedly greeted him, holding Cao Ang with both hands, the three strands of beard on his white face trembled gently, and the majesty of being the commander of one party disappeared in an instant, and said, "Virtuous nephew don't have to pay much attention, get up quickly." ”

"Thank you, uncle." Cao Ang was not pretentious, and slowly stood up straight, without squinting.

"Are you really Meng De's eldest son?" Cai Maoqiang was patiently excited, and asked Cao Ang in a suppressed voice: "I heard that the virtuous nephew died in Wancheng that day and was killed by ten thousand arrows, I don't know if the rumors are true?" ”

Cao Ang knew that Cai Mao still had doubts about his identity, and explained sincerely: "Zhang Xiu surrendered and rebelled that day, and his nephew was indeed pierced by a sharp arrow and fell into the water. However, by the favor of the sky, the little nephew did not die, and he drifted down the river to the boundary of Xiangyang, and was rescued by the farmer and peasant woman here. ”

Cai Mao frowned slightly, as if she was distinguishing between what Cao Ang said was true or false. Seeing this, Cao Ang sighed silently, leaned in front of Cai Mao and whispered: "Ang once heard my father talk about when he was in Luoyang, Uncle Nian was misunderstood by his eldest father for the first time...... Cao Ang's words stopped.

Cai Mao's eyes lit up, it was not long after he met Cao Cao thirty or forty years ago, and only Cao Song, Cao Cao and Cai Mao themselves knew in the world. At this moment, since Cao Ang said this, his identity is no longer suspicious. Moreover, although the relationship between Liu Biao and Cao Cao tends to ease with Cao Cao's retreat, there is still a gap between the two. Pretending to be Cao Cao's eldest son here and now is not beneficial, but may be risky.

"Like, really like. The eyes of the virtuous nephew are exactly the same as Meng De, the same spirituality, the same profundity, and the same spirit. Cai Mao was convinced of Cao Ang's identity, no longer suppressed the excitement in her heart, and kept looking her eyes up and down, "But you are much more handsome than Meng De back then, and much more gentle than him." ”

Cao Ang smiled lightly, bowed and said, "Uncle praised it." ”

Cai Mao laughed heartily, stroked his beard, and said, "How has your father been in recent years?" ”

"My father is healthy and everything is fine, but in recent years he has become more and more busy, and he can't always be idle." Cao Ang replied respectfully.

"Alas, your father, as the ruler of the court, is also in charge of the military to fight against rebellion, and it is inevitable that he will be busy." Cai Mao's tone was a little embarrassed, thinking about playing with Cao Cao wantonly when he was young, and the playmate of the year was already the third duke, and he was also in charge of one party, which was really a time to enter the rivers and lakes.

Cai Mao sighed, and then his tone became serious, and said, "Does the virtuous nephew come here to ask for my help in order to return to Xudu?" ”

Cao Ang didn't seem to expect Cai Mao to care about his return to Xudu, and was stunned for a moment, then heard Cai Mao continue: "This matter is easy, don't worry." I haven't seen your father for decades, and this time the virtuous nephew will definitely spend some days in my house, so that I, as an uncle, will fulfill the friendship of the landlord; Second, it also saves you unnecessary trouble. Although the relationship between Liu Jingzhou and your father has eased greatly at present, there are still many people in Jingzhou who are hostile to your father, and it is never very safe for you to live outside. ”

Cao Ang was moved in his heart, although Cai Mao looked at Cao Cao's face, and even made this gesture considering that Cao Cao was very likely to receive Jingzhou in the future, but after all, this intention was all for his sake. Thinking of this intention, Cao Ang couldn't help but show a bitter smile and slowly shook his head.