"What?"
Sima Boyong and Sima Wentang stared at Sima Xuanyu in astonishment.
He then recounted the entire sequence of events at the Ouyang family's residence to them in detail. This left Sima Wentang and Sima Boyong exchanging bewildered glances, unable to recover for a long time.
"I never expected such a melodramatic turn of events."
Sima Xuanyu sat down, poured himself another cup of tea, and drank it down in one gulp, his face grim.
Sima Boyong's old face was expressionless, while Sima Wentang frowned deeply, finding it hard to believe, "How could such a thing happen? This is too sudden."
Sima Boyong sighed softly. The outcome was indeed beyond his expectations.
Although the Ouyang family was not the foremost among the capital's five great families, they ranked second and had always been an object of the Sima family's efforts to win over.
Initially, they had intended to leverage Sima Xuanyu's visit to treat Ouyang Zhixin's daughter to gain favor with the Ouyang family. However, it turned out that Wan Yunting was Ouyang Zhixin's biological son, lost for many years, directly becoming a member of the Ouyang family. This was not the outcome Sima Boyong had hoped for.
"That kid has such good fortune."
Sima Boyong could only grind his teeth and utter these words. Sima Wentang and Sima Xuanyu, father and son, wore expressions of helplessness.
"Let's go, to the Kong family."
Sima Boyong immediately stood up. Sima Wentang and Sima Xuanyu also quickly rose and followed the elder out to the Kong family...
On Longevity Hill in the capital, near Kunming Lake, with Xishan Park to the left and Haibin Park to the right, and the Summer Palace before it, the location was undoubtedly unparalleled in terms of its district and position.
Within the protected parkland of Kunming Lake stood a detached Chinese villa garden, spanning a full twenty mu. It was designed in a Suzhou garden style, with unique garden scenery crafted from Taihu stones. Amidst the biting cold wind, plum blossoms, laden with snow on their branches, bloomed resiliently.
In a pavilion within the garden, by a rockery and fish pond, a special device kept the pond water from freezing in the cold. Schools of colorful ornamental fish could be seen swimming in the pool. With a handful of fish food tossed into the water, the fish immediately surged forward in a frenzy, creating countless splashes, their previous serene coexistence shattered...
On a square stone table in the pavilion, a small stove held a copper kettle, boiling water. A woman dressed in a plain white long dress, with a jacket draped over her shoulders, possessed a refined and exceptionally beautiful face and a demeanor of dignified gentleness, a bearing only befitting a lady from a prominent family.
She sat upright on a stool, her slender, jade-like hands preparing tea. Her soft gaze occasionally flickered towards a scroll unfurled by two servants, displaying the wild cursive calligraphy by Wan Yunting, which had been auctioned for forty-five million yuan at the Huadu City Charity Auction.
Upon seeing the calligraphy, the woman's eyes gleamed with an unconcealed admiration and affection. After preparing the tea, she handed it to Yu Feng, who stood by, dressed in a black suit and a thick black overcoat, and was respectfully carrying it to Kong Jingguo, who was sitting on a long chair in the pavilion, feeding fish in the pond with a handful of fish food...
The woman smiled and said, "Dad, this calligraphy is truly magnificent. I heard that Wan Yunting has also come to the capital. Yesterday, he went to Wenchang Hall and had a calligraphy duel with Miss Fan, the granddaughter of Elder Fan, but he ultimately lost to her."
Kong Jingguo remained expressionless. He finished tossing all the fish food into the pond, clapped his hands, then turned to receive the cup of hot tea from Yu Feng, drinking it down in one gulp. He returned the teacup to Yu Feng, who placed it back on the table. The woman, named Kong Chaoyu, picked up the teapot and poured more tea into the cup.
Kong Jingguo's gaze fixed on Wan Yunting's calligraphy. Yu Feng, standing beside him, calmly stated, "Mr. Kong, Wan Yunting is staying at the Gu residence in the capital. Yesterday, he and Gu Yuanbai went to Ouyang Zhixin's home to treat his daughter, but the Sima Wentang father and son got there first."
"However, I just received news that Wan Yunting is Ouyang Zhixin's son, lost years ago!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Kong Chaoyu, who had been placing the teapot down, revealed a look of surprise in her beautiful eyes. Even Kong Jingguo showed a hint of emotion, saying, "Are you sure?"
Yu Feng nodded and said, "Absolutely certain. Moreover, they have already undergone a paternity test, confirming they are father and son."
Kong Jingguo smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Unexpected."
"Indeed."
Kong Chaoyu also nodded in agreement, "It's been widely known that Ouyang Zhixin searched for his son for twenty-seven years. Now that he has finally found him, and he turns out to be such a remarkable person, it seems Wan Yunting, with the backing of the Ouyang family, has ascended to another level."
Kong Jingguo stood up and took two steps closer to the scroll by Wan Yunting, unfurled by the two servants. He carefully admired the calligraphy. Kong Chaoyu chuckled, "Dad, you seem to greatly appreciate this Wan Yunting."
"Talented and outstanding, even your cousin Kong Zirong cannot compare!" Kong Jingguo said in a faint tone, yet it was filled with admiration for Wan Yunting.
Ever since Fan Liren's words to the reporters in Shaoxing and his personal witnessing of Wan Yunting's calligraphy, coupled with his earlier visit to Huadu City where he had specifically investigated Wan Yunting's deeds.
Especially after the incident in Mexico, where Wan Yunting had caused a world-shaking stir. As a prominent figure, Kong Jingguo had obtained some information. If it weren't for the authorities wishing to prevent Wan Yunting from being too conspicuous, which could endanger his life, they would have publicized his exploits in Mexico.
The reason Kong Jingguo held Wan Yunting in such high regard was because his daughter, Ziqing, was currently residing with him!
He was unaware of his daughter's relationship with Wan Yunting, but the fact that Ziqing, who had always been indifferent, was willing to live in his home indicated that Ziqing likely admired Wan Yunting as a person.
Kong Jingguo, a lover of calligraphy and a connoisseur of art, had spared no expense, parting with forty-five million yuan just to acquire Wan Yunting's wild cursive calligraphy. Upon returning to the capital, he had instructed Yu Feng to continuously investigate Wan Yunting's movements over the past few days, and he was aware that Wan Yunting was attending the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference and knew of his animosity towards the Sima family, a prominent family in traditional Chinese medicine.
After all, Kong Jingguo had already heard about Sima Boyong's actions at the Wuliang Daoist Temple.
The Sima family's current status in the capital relied on the Sima family's support from the Kong family!
Among the five great families of the capital, the Kong family held a unique position, unshakeable by anyone. The Sima family, in comparison to the Kong family, was merely a minor player.
After all, for the Kong family, establishing an entity like the Sima family was as simple as a word.
When Kong Chaoyu heard her father's evaluation of Wan Yunting, she couldn't help but feel shocked.
After all, Kong Zirong was the eldest son of Kong Guoyuan, the current head of the Kong family. His path was naturally in politics, and in terms of talent and capability, he was the absolute foremost among the younger generation of the Kong family and even among the scions of all major families in the capital.
It was even rumored that Kong Zirong was expected to succeed his father within the next decade, which demonstrated his exceptional abilities.
Yet, Kong Jingguo now stated that Wan Yunting's capabilities surpassed those of Kong Zirong. This was enough to make Kong Chaoyu feel incredulous, as she had never met Wan Yunting and felt her father's words might be exaggerated.
Yu Feng answered a phone call, hummed in response, and hung up before saying to Kong Jingguo, "Mr. Kong, Sima Boyong and his party are requesting an audience."
Kong Jingguo remained silent and nodded.
Yu Feng understood and turned to leave the pavilion to the main entrance, personally leading Sima Boyong, Sima Wentang, and Sima Xuanyu – three generations of the family had arrived.
Upon seeing Kong Jingguo in the pavilion, Sima Boyong quickened his pace. Sima Wentang and Sima Xuanyu, father and son, maintained expressions of utmost solemnity, daring not to show any hint of emotion. They followed Sima Boyong to Kong Jingguo and respectfully addressed him, "Director Kong..."
Kong Jingguo stood with his hands behind his back, continuing to gaze at Wan Yunting's wild cursive calligraphy. Without turning his head, he calmly said, "Elder Yong, please be seated."
Sima Boyong inclined his head slightly and said with a smile, "Thank you, Director Kong."
Yu Feng brought over stools for them. Sima Wentang and Sima Xuanyu stood obediently on either side of Sima Boyong. However, he also noticed the scroll before Kong Jingguo, bearing Wan Yunting's signature and seal!
Sima Boyong's small eyes narrowed, revealing a flicker of sharp light that was difficult for ordinary people to detect. He had a premonition of something unfavorable.
Kong Chaoyu cast a sidelong glance at Sima Xuanyu. She stood up, gave a slight bow to her father, and then silently withdrew from the pavilion...
"Elder Yong, what business brings you to me?"
Kong Jingguo still did not turn around, asking in a calm tone.
Yu Feng poured tea for Sima Boyong. After nodding, he looked up at Kong Jingguo's back and said with a smile, "Director Kong, today, this old man has come with thick skin to request a favor!"
Kong Jingguo's gaze remained on Wan Yunting's calligraphy as he said, "Is it regarding your grandson's succession?"
This remark caused Sima Wentang and Sima Xuanyu, father and son, to freeze, exchange a glance, and Sima Boyong, seated, nodded and said with a smile, "Precisely. Xuanyu, this child, has inherited my medical skills and has also gained experience abroad for several years. He is capable of taking over the position of President of the Beijing Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I hope Director Kong will grant this to my grandson."
Kong Jingguo finally turned around and glanced at Sima Xuanyu before lowering his head to look at Sima Boyong. His expression was impassive, and his tone was calm as he said, "Elder Yong, your reputation recently has not diminished from before, it is quite refreshing!"
Upon hearing this, the three generations of Sima Boyong, Sima Wentang, and Sima Xuanyu felt a jolt of unease, sensing that something was amiss.
Kong Jingguo turned back again, continuing to gaze at Wan Yunting's calligraphy, and said faintly, "Yu Feng, escort Elder Yong out for me."
"Yes."
Yu Feng nodded and turned to Sima Boyong, saying, "Elder Yong, please."
Sima Boyong's old face slightly sank. He still asked, unwilling to give up, "Director Kong, what about my grandson's matter..."
"We'll discuss it later,"
Kong Jingguo replied indifferently, causing Sima Boyong's heart to sink completely. He stood there momentarily stunned, then took a deep breath and nodded, saying, "This old man bids farewell."
Sima Wentang and Sima Xuanyu, father and son, who had just reacted, had their faces change drastically. They quickly turned and followed their elder out of the pavilion, led by Yu Feng.
The three generations of the Sima family felt uneasy. After they walked out of the gate of Kong Jingguo's residence and got into the car, Sima Wentang couldn't help but look back at Sima Boyong and ask, "Father, what exactly does Kong Jingguo mean?"
Sima Xuanyu, who was driving, also felt flustered, saying, "He disagrees with me taking over?"
"Hmph, can't you tell?"
Sima Boyong's expression completely changed. His small eyes were terrifyingly sinister, and his old face was contorted with anger, but it was mostly confusion as he didn't understand why Kong Jingguo was acting this way.
"Could it be because of Wan Yunting!"
Suddenly, Sima Wentang's eyes widened, and his emotions became agitated.