…

 

It must be admitted that women often have more delicate thoughts in this regard than men.

 

Although Wang Shouzhe couldn't be considered a "macho man," he didn't think much about this matter. If it weren't for Madam Gongsun Hui and Wang Lici's reminder, he might not have thought of sending gifts.

 

Fortunately, through the silent interaction with Liu Ruolan this time, he roughly understood what Liu Ruolan meant.

 

"Yuanrui, go back and tell your sister that I understand her meaning," Wang Shouzhe said solemnly.

 

Huh?

 

But Yuanrui looked confused. What did his sister mean? Did his sister hide some secret message in this return gift?

 

Although he was talented, he was still young.

 

And boys always think less about these things compared to girls.

 

Putting aside this topic for now, Wang Shouzhe chatted casually with Yuanrui.

 

Madam Gongsun Hui took her leave for the time being.

 

After half an hour.

 

Outside the main hall, Gongsun Hui's voice came in, "Shouzhe, your great-grandfather is here. Come out and greet him."

 

Great-grandfather?

 

Wang Shouzhe was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized, and immediately showed a joyful expression as he went out to greet him. Yuanrui was also curious and followed along.

 

Outside the main hall of the main residence.

 

There stood a tall man in a gray robe, who appeared to be middle-aged. But as soon as he stood there casually, he exuded an aura as majestic and unfathomable as a towering mountain.

 

And Madam Gongsun Hui stood obediently by his side, as meek as a little girl.

 

"Shouzhe, pay your respects to Ancestor Mang," Wang Shouzhe hurriedly greeted.

 

"No need for formalities, Shouzhe," Ancestor Mang said.

 

This gray-robed man was naturally one of the two ancestors of the Gongsun Clan—Ancestor Mang. Both inside and outside the clan, he was respectfully referred to as Ancestor Mang.

 

At this moment, Ancestor Mang was also sizing up Wang Shouzhe, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Not bad, not bad. Shouzhe, you are young and have reached the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm, which is quite remarkable."

 

Of course, what he was most satisfied with Wang Shouzhe was not his cultivation progress, but his character, style, and his ability to manipulate situations.

 

"Ancestor Mang, you overpraise me," Wang Shouzhe respectfully and modestly said, "I have only achieved what I have today because of the resources tilted towards my family. Ancestor, your visit today, why didn't you inform me in advance so that I could greet you properly? It's a great disrespect on the part of my Wang Clan."

 

"This visit was meant to be confidential, so naturally, we couldn't make a big fuss. How can there be any disrespect?" Ancestor Mang laughed heartily. "I have heard from Hui'er about your plans and intentions. Well done, those jackals should be taught a lesson."

 

Wang Shouzhe bowed and said, "Thank you, Ancestor Mang, for your support. Please come to the main hall, and I will entertain you."

 

"No need for now." Ancestor Mang waved his hand and shifted his gaze to Yuanrui. He smiled lightly and said, "This child carries the aura of the Liu Clan's cultivation technique, the 'Elemental Water Heart Technique.' Could it be that he is a child of the Liu Clan?"

 

Wang Shouzhe said, "Ancestor, this is Yuanrui from the Liu Clan, the younger brother of my fiancée, Liu Ruolan."

 

Yuanrui was startled and snapped out of his initial shock. He hurriedly stepped forward and greeted, "Yuanrui of the Liu Clan pays respects to Ancestor Mang."

 

Although there was discord between the Liu Clan and the Gongsun Clan, it was only at the level of disharmony. They were not mortal enemies. It also didn't mean that the younger generation could be disrespectful when meeting an elder of another clan.

 

"So, you are a child of the Liu Clan's younger generation. I met your older brother, Yuanhui, some time ago. That child has a remarkable talent. With the current wealth of the Liu Clan, they can afford to cultivate him. But you, your aura is unstable, and your body is weak. You should focus more on cultivation in the future. Whether you can walk the path of spiritual cultivation in the future, no one can say for sure. Don't give up easily," Ancestor Mang advised, displaying the demeanor of an elder.

 

"Yes, I will work hard," Yuanrui's forehead was covered in sweat. Generally, one couldn't contradict the words of an elder, especially when facing the elder of another family.

 

After exchanging pleasantries, Madam Gongsun Hui respectfully said to Ancestor Mang, "Grandfather, I have already communicated with Ancestor Longyan through Qi. She has been waiting for a while. Shall we go over now?"

 

As soon as Ancestor Longyan was mentioned, even Ancestor Mang's expression became serious, and his eyes showed some respect. "Hui'er, lead the way. It's been a long time since I last saw my sister-in-law."

 

Ancestor Mang's mother was Wang Lingdie, the fourth-generation legitimate daughter of the Wang Clan. She was the niece of Ancestor Longyan. Therefore, Ancestor Longyan was Ancestor Mang's legitimate aunt.

 

Gongsun Hui led the way, and Ancestor Mang followed.

 

Wang Shouzhe and Yuanrui, the two younger generation members, naturally followed behind.

 

They informed Ancestor Longyan and then entered her residence.

 

Ancestor Longyan had been waiting in the courtyard. With her white hair flowing and wearing a veil, she was dressed in simple clothes, appearing ethereal and otherworldly, completely devoid of worldly aura, as if she were a true immortal descending to the mortal realm.

 

Compared to her, Wang Mei, who was disguised as Zhong Luoxian, was like the difference between heaven and earth.

 

Ancestor Mang went forward to pay his respects first and said, "Gongsun Mang pays respects to Ancestor Longyan."

 

"Ah, Mang'er," Ancestor Longyan's deep and starry eyes also revealed a trace of nostalgia. "Every time I see you, I can't help but think of the past. I remember when your mother was young, she always looked forward to my return from the academy so she could have some delicious snacks. Time flies by so quickly, and things have changed in the blink of an eye."

 

Listening to Ancestor Longyan's sentiment, Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but smile. It turned out that Ancestor Longyan's niece, Wang Lingdie, was also a foodie when she was young.

 

No wonder Ancestor Longyan dotes on Wang Lici, that annoying girl. It seems that she sees her niece's shadow in her.

 

"Grandmother, my mother has lived a peaceful and worry-free life. Ancestor, please don't be sad," Gongsun Mang comforted.

 

In fact, only Gongsun Mang himself knew that his mother, Wang Lingdie, had suffered from heart pain for the last twenty years of her life, which couldn't be cured no matter what. It was because of the tragedy that happened to her mother's clan. She felt sorry for her ancestors and even more sorry for her aunt, Longyan. No matter how good the elixirs were, they could only heal the body, not the heart.

 

He also remembered twenty-five years ago, when his mother, Wang Lingdie, passed away, she held his hand and said, "Mang'er, if you have the opportunity in the future, you must support the Wang Clan." He remembered this.

 

Otherwise, why would Gongsun Hui go and marry Wang Dingyue? If it weren't for Gongsun Mang pushing from behind, Gongsun Mo might not have agreed to the marriage, and the other elders would not have approved it either.

 

"Longyan, Mang'er," Wang Shouzhe persuaded, "Let's sit down and talk. Let's leave the past behind and look forward to a better future."

 

The two ancestor-level figures regained their composure and took their seats in the pavilion.

 

Yuanrui finally had the opportunity to come forward and pay his respects. "Yuanrui of the Liu Clan pays respects to Ancestor Longyan."

 

Ancestor Longyan had personally gone to the Liu Clan to arrange the marriage with Wang Shouzhe, so she was naturally familiar with the younger generation of the Liu Clan. Her voice softened as she said, "Yuanrui, this child has the temperament of a scholar. It seems that he is preparing to pursue an official career, which is also a way out. But while studying, don't neglect your cultivation."

 

With Ancestor Longyan's insight, she naturally saw Yuanrui's problem at a glance.

 

"Yes, Ancestor," Yuanrui's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He had already been criticized by the two ancestors today.

 

In his heart, he vowed to work hard in cultivation after returning.

 

Moreover, he never expected that his future brother-in-law, Wang Shouzhe, had already reached the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm. He was not inferior to his older brother, Liu Yuanhui, who was twenty-one years old. Such potential was the reason why the clan ultimately agreed to this marriage.

 

Just think about it, with the situation the Wang Clan was facing, if Wang Shouzhe had no value to support them, even if Ancestor Longyan had a big face, she wouldn't be able to open her mouth to the Liu Clan. The other elders would also not agree.

 

Madam Gongsun Hui began to serve tea diligently, using the Shan Yang small spirit plant. It was unknown when she had brought it back from her natal family. Fresh fruits and other delicacies were also placed on the table.

 

Wang Shouzhe and Yuanrui, the two younger generation members, stood obediently on the side, listening attentively to their conversation.

 

After a while, they began to discuss Wang Shouzhe.

 

First, the insect disaster incident, then they didn't know how he managed to obtain a large amount of grain from the Qian Clan's commercial firm. Then, he sold this grain at a high price to the Liu and Zhao Clans.

 

And now, he had started to target the merger plans of the Liu and Zhao Clans.

 

One trap after another, trapping the Liu and Zhao Clans in an inescapable pit. They had spent a high price to buy the old grain, hoping to take advantage of the situation and make a profit.

 

But now, Wang Shouzhe used the large-scale project of dredging and filling to save the self-cultivating farmers who were about to fall into the hands of the Liu and Zhao Clans from famine, saving them from the Liu and Zhao Clans' clutches. This shattered the plans of the Liu and Zhao Clans.

 

Their go for wool and come back shorn, tarnishing their reputation and losing a large amount of high-priced old grain. After this incident, the reputation of the Wang Clan among the common people in Ping'an Town would completely overshadow that of the Liu and Zhao Clans.

 

Ancestor Mang praised Wang Shouzhe endlessly.

 

Yuanrui's eyes widened, becoming more and more shocked. His future brother-in-law was too amazing, right? This series of actions was dazzling. Not only did he dig pits and bury people, but he also brought great benefits to the Wang Clan.

 

Even the two ancestors were listening to his orders and assisting him in handling subsequent matters.

 

And Ancestor Longyan looked at Wang Shouzhe meaningfully. By mentioning so many things in front of Yuanrui, she naturally wanted him to pass on the message to the Liu Clan.

 

It was also a way to calm down the rumors within the Liu Clan.

 

But Ancestor Longyan also knew the hidden secrets that were unknown to others. The "achievements" that Wang Shouzhe could publicize were limited to this.

 

His second half of the plan was even more fierce and absolutely could not be leaked to the outside world. It was already related to the future rise of the Wang Clan!

 

Wang Longyan was well aware that there were some families in Changning Wei City who were very unwilling to see the rise of the Wang Clan.

 

In an instant!

 

A cold light flickered in her eyes.

 

Now that her injuries were gradually healing, it was time for her, Wang Longyan, to slowly settle old debts.

 

…