Reports from the border yesterday told of riots in the streets, the commoner Nan Yuan'er being crippled in a stampede, the Prince leading troops to surround the Nan mansion, and the Emperor decreeing the marriage of a young lady from the Nan mansion.
Today, the Prime Minister was demoted five ranks, Madam Liu was gifted poisoned wine, and Madam Liu's actions were made public.
The events of the past two days followed one after another, leaving the common people somewhat overwhelmed. They felt that Lin Yuan had been facing too many issues lately, with external enemies, internal strife, court intrigutions, and the downfall of the powerful. There was a sense of impending doom, a premonition of a great edifice about to collapse, which made them uneasy.
The sky today was particularly grim. It had been shrouded in dark clouds since morning, the heavy masses pressing down as if about to fall from the heavens at any moment. The air was filled with moisture, and even the wind was sharper than usual, slicing against the face like a knife.
Wang Qiancheng, braving the biting wind, returned to his mansion. Before he could even enter, he was ambushed by Wang Langji, who was waiting like a hunter.
"You little brat, you finally know to come back?"
Wang Langji rolled up his sleeves, his rattan cane swinging with formidable force. Wang Qiancheng had not slept all night, dark circles beneath his eyes, his demeanor listless. Seeing this, Wang Langji's anger flared, his brows knitting. The brat must have gone to Huancai Pavilion again last night; he looked utterly drained by wine and women.
"Hey, hey, hey, Father, if I'm a little brat, what does that make you? A tomcat?"
Although Wang Qiancheng was dispirited, his movements to evade were remarkably swift. He dodged Wang Langji's direct strike, and as he fled, he couldn't resist mocking Wang Langji for not even knowing how to curse properly, essentially entrapping himself.
"A tomcat? If I don't beat you to death today, I'll write my character 'Wang' backward!"
"Tomcat" was a common term for a male prostitute, a man who served others with his beauty. Their social standing was only slightly better than that of convicted criminals sent to exile. Wang Langji was almost angered to death by his unfilial son. In the cold weather, sweat beaded on his forehead. He lunged forward, swinging the rattan cane at Wang Qiancheng, the cane whistling through the air, making one's scalp tingle. If that cane were to land on Wang Qiancheng, it would likely break his bones.
Wang Qiancheng ran with incredible speed, taking advantage of his agility to further provoke his father. "Father, you're confused. If you write 'Wang' backward, it's still 'Wang'!"
"You scoundrel, you're dead! Even if the King of Heaven himself came, I would uphold justice and disown my own son today!!!"
Wang Langji's roar shook the heavens, his voice piercing the clouds. At that very moment, a bolt of thunder struck. The deafening boom made the very ground tremble. Wang Qiancheng was so startled that his scalp prickled, his heart quivering. Wang Langji wasn't faring much better. The thunderclap had landed just outside the mansion, and he had clearly seen the lightning, entwined like an electric eel.
The rage burning in his mind was instantly doused as if by a bucket of cold water.
Had Heaven found his oath-making displeasing and sent down lightning to strike him dead?
Both Wang Langji and Wang Qiancheng repented simultaneously!
They stood frozen, gazing at each other deeply!
"Father!"
"Son!"
Wang Langji opened his arms, and Wang Qiancheng sprinted towards him. The next moment, Wang Langji swung his rattan cane, which struck Wang Qiancheng like a whip.
The older the ginger, the spicier it is!
"Father, you're not playing by the rules of martial arts!"
The screams echoed, lingering endlessly!
Inside the house, Wang Qiancheng squatted in a corner, ignoring Wang Langji. Wang Langji sighed softly. How had he sired such a troublesome brat who seemed to be here to settle old scores? However, recalling the words of Elder Liu today, he couldn't simply walk away as he used to. He could only patiently say, "Qiancheng, do you know the meaning behind the name I gave you?"
Wang Qiancheng looked back at him. "What meaning? Devoutly burning incense?"
He admitted there was a hint of petulance in his words.
"I'll go to your grandma..."
Wang Langji nearly struck his own mother. He glared at Wang Qiancheng, wishing he could grab the teacup at hand and throw it at him. "It's meant to signify a future as bright as brocade!"
"Oh!" Wang Qiancheng nodded indifferently.
Wang Langji suppressed his anger and continued, "I've indulged you too much over the years, which has turned you into such a wastrel. But now you are no longer a three-year-old child; you are a grown man. They say one must establish a family and a career. I no longer expect you to achieve great feats, but I only hope you will mend your ways and not act so recklessly as before!"
Wang Qiancheng finally understood. His father had been summoned by Lord Liu!
"Father, you might as well just tell me not to visit brothels or gamble anymore. Although you are a civil official, your heartfelt advice is a bit over the top. It's too much of a performance, you know?" Wang Qiancheng offered his opinion earnestly.
"I..."
Wang Langji grabbed the rattan cane at hand!
Wang Qiancheng scrambled out the window. "Father, I understand. I won't go to brothels or gambling dens anymore. I'm going to play with Lan'er!"
Wang Langji: "..."
"You shall express your feelings within the bounds of propriety. If you dare... if you dare, I will break your legs!!!"
Liu Lan watched Wang Qiancheng arrive with pastries, remaining silent.
Upon hearing that his granddaughter's suitor had arrived, Elder Liu chuckled. He hadn't spoken to the young man yet, so he summoned him to the study!
...
"Where will Madam Liu's remains be buried?"
Nan Shiying rested her chin on her hand, looking at the grapes in Ji Jinmo's hand. The round, plump green grapes, their skins removed, revealed crystal-clear flesh that perfectly complemented Ji Jinmo's well-defined fingers. He placed the peeled grapes onto a plate before Nan Shiying and picked up another to peel. Hearing her question, he replied, "Qingshan Temple!"
Behind Qingshan Temple was a graveyard where most high-ranking officials and nobles who, for various reasons, could not be interred in the ancestral shrine were buried. If nothing unexpected happened, Madam Liu's coffin would likely be laid to rest there.
"What, you want to dig up graves?"
After asking, Ji Jinmo felt he had asked a foolish question. Of course, Nan Shiying wanted to dig up graves. She even wanted to drag the bodies of Madam Liu's maids and servants to whip them at Granny Wang's grave, let alone Madam Liu herself!
Nan Shiying nodded without hesitation. "I want to grind her to ashes!"
Ji Jinmo hummed and placed another grape onto the plate before her. There was always only one grape on her plate, and before Ji Jinmo could finish peeling the next, she had already finished the previous one.
One feeding the other, both found joy in the act.
"Alright!"
Ji Jinmo said nothing more, simply uttering "Alright."
This time, he did not place the grape on Nan Shiying's plate. Instead, he held the grape to her lips. Nan Shiying opened her mouth, and as she ate the grape, her tongue gently brushed against Ji Jinmo's fingertips.