A Son Takes After His Mother

Wang Shouzhe would not casually reveal such an assessment. He had muddled through the workplace on Earth; while he could not be called worldly-wise, he was at least passable in dealing with people.

"Uncle, you flatter me." Wang Shouzhe spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Whether people get along depends on fate. Aunt has treated me as though I were her own son, a kindness equal to giving me new life. Not to mention a few jokes from you, Uncle—even if you beat or cursed me, Shouzhe would not hold the slightest resentment."

There was a needle hidden in the cotton of those words. What he meant for Gongsun Qiang was this: I respect you because Aunt has been good to me. Otherwise, Gongsun Qiang himself was hardly worthy of earning his respect.

"Yes, yes. My little sister has been clever and virtuous since childhood, kind-hearted as well." Gongsun Qiang nodded repeatedly and casually praised Gongsun Hui.

Wang Shouzhe was instantly speechless. No wonder the old Gongsun Clan Leader was already so advanced in years yet had not stepped down. This Young Clan Leader truly had not been "tempered" enough. No wonder he and Wang Dingyue, his "late father," had always rubbed each other the wrong way.

Beside them, Gongsun Hui kept rubbing her forehead, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Her eldest brother was good in every respect, except that he lacked social awareness and emotional intelligence. So if she had not been kind enough, she ought to have ostracized and targeted a young legitimate son who was not born of her? What would that have made her—a wicked and immoral woman...

She hurriedly added, "Zhe'er is my legitimate son. Caring for and raising him is my proper duty. By the way, Brother, is Father in good health?"

At the same time, Gongsun Hui could not help sighing inwardly. She had not thought much of it before, but after seeing Zhe'er's performance since he became Clan Leader—

Then looking at her own elder brother, she felt the gap between them was rather large. Faintly, she began to worry for the Gongsun Clan. Her brother had truly wasted thirty-eight years eating plain rice.

"Father's health is quite good." Gongsun Qiang knew he had misspoken. After two dry laughs, he said seriously, "It is only that he has been in poor spirits lately, unable to eat or drink properly. He has been thinking constantly of his little sister. The moment he heard you were returning to your maiden home for a visit, he immediately urged me to come fetch you."

"Aunt, the wind is strong outside. It would be best to return to the carriage and hurry on." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands. "Grandfather must be waiting anxiously. I will ride with Uncle."

The black steed Wang Shouzhe had ridden earlier had been led along by a family guard, and now it came in handy.

"Mm, then Zhe'er, have a good talk with your uncle." Gongsun Hui gave him a meaningful look. With that, she took Wang Luojing by the hand and returned to the carriage.

Naturally, Wang Shouzhe understood Gongsun Hui's meaning. The Wang Clan was now weak, relying almost entirely on Ancestor Longyan alone for deterrence and support. If they could use this opportunity to strengthen their ties with the Gongsun Clan, it would greatly benefit the Wang Clan.

Thus, Wang Shouzhe rode his black steed beside Gongsun Qiang at the front of the procession, chatting idly with him. His courtesy toward Gongsun Qiang was only out of consideration for Gongsun Hui. He would not fawn over the Gongsun Clan without principles or bottom lines.

In any world, whether marital relatives or allies, relationships were built upon shared interests and equal strength. The strong would not grant you even half a measure more respect merely because you bowed and scraped or flattered them.

Yet when Gongsun Qiang looked at Wang Shouzhe, he found that this "bargain eldest nephew" far surpassed his peers in both speech and bearing. Moreover, at such a young age, his cultivation was already about to reach the high stage of the Qi Refining Realm. His future potential was immeasurable.

Among the entire Shanyang Gongsun Clan, he could not find a single young man who could compare to him.

Gongsun Qiang's own son, Gongsun Yan, was only a year younger than Wang Shouzhe. Usually, he thought the boy was fairly decent. But after comparing him to Wang Shouzhe, Gongsun Qiang suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. In his frustration, he unconsciously grew a little closer to Wang Shouzhe. "Shouzhe, it is rare for you to visit Shanyang. Stay a few more days this time. I'll have your cousin Xiao Yan take you hunting in the mountains."

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands. "However, clan affairs are pressing. Shouzhe has the cheek to serve as a clan leader, so after paying respects to Grandfather, I must depart first."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Qiang's heart tightened even more, and the pressure in his chest grew heavier. Right—this bargain nephew had become Clan Leader at only eighteen. He was already thirty-eight, yet he was still merely the Young Clan Leader. And even now, the old Clan Leader showed no sign whatsoever of stepping down.

On the journey back, Gongsun Qiang remained sullen and spoke only a few words.

The main residence of the Shanyang Gongsun Clan was built against Dragon Ridge Mountain. The terrain was steep, easy to defend and hard to attack. Outside the residence stood solid, towering walls and arrow towers, giving it an imposing and stern air.

This time, Wang Shouzhe had come as Gongsun Hui's legitimate son, not as Clan Leader for an exchange between the two clans. Therefore, after only a simple exchange of formalities, he was invited into the main hall of the front court.

Within the main hall, Gongsun Mo, the current Clan Leader of the Gongsun Clan, sat in the seat of honor with his lawful wife, Madam Gongsun Chen. Both wore formal attire, showing the importance they placed on Gongsun Hui, Wang Shouzhe, and the others.

"This unfilial daughter pays respects to Father and Mother." Gongsun Hui stepped forward to bow, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Hui'er." Madam Gongsun Chen stepped forward to help her daughter up, looking her over excitedly. "You child, you have not returned to your maiden home in three years. Have you been well in the Wang Clan?"

"Mother, the Wang Clan has treated your daughter very well. It is only, only that Dingyue..." At the mention of this, Gongsun Hui lowered her head and wept again, deeply grieved.

"Ah, that foolish boy Dingyue really should not have—should not have gone off on reckless adventures. Could he not have simply stayed by your side and lived a good life? Our child has truly suffered." Madam Gongsun Chen's aged face was filled with both regret and sorrow.

"Enough. If you do not understand, then stop talking nonsense." Gongsun Mo, his face stern, said in a deep voice, "We Profound Warriors should press forward bravely and strive for advancement. Dingyue, as Clan Leader, must have had reasons why he had no choice but to go. He was merely unlucky in his time."

"I do not understand? Is it not all because of you, you old fool?" Madam Gongsun Chen complained with slight agitation. "You said that Wang Dingyue boy possessed outstanding talent and ability, that he would surely become a Spirit Platform in the future, and you agreed to let our precious daughter become his second wife! You..."

At this point, she seemed to remember that Wang Shouzhe was still present. She immediately stopped, then gave him a gentle and kindly smile. "Shouzhe, Grandmother is only saddened by Dingyue's passing and got a little emotional. Oh my, child, you have grown so heroic and handsome after three years apart. Come, let Grandmother have a look at you."

Wang Shouzhe could not help smiling inwardly. Now he understood the old saying that a son took after his mother. His uncle Gongsun Qiang's habit of speaking without restraint had most likely come from old Madam Chen.

He had no intention of arguing with an old lady. He immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Shouzhe greets Grandmother."

"Good, good. This child is truly handsome." Madam Gongsun Chen took hold of Wang Shouzhe, the more she looked at him, the more delighted she became. She could not help asking with concern, "Shouzhe, are you betrothed? The daughters of our Shanyang Gongsun Clan are all lovely. Would you like..."

Gongsun Hui's face darkened, and she hurried forward to stop her. "Mother, Shouzhe is my legitimate son. He cannot marry a legitimate daughter of the Gongsun Clan."

When Profound Martial Aristocratic Clans intermarried, they generally needed to trace their lineages back to the fourth generation and ensure they did not share the same ancestor. In special cases, exceptions could occasionally be made.

Gongsun Hui was Wang Shouzhe's legitimate mother. Though they shared no blood relation, tradition and rules required that she be counted in the calculation, especially since the marriage connection was within the current generation.

"If a legitimate daughter will not do, then there are several girls in the direct branch..."

Before Madam Gongsun Chen could finish, Gongsun Mo could not help roaring again. "You muddleheaded old woman! Shouzhe is a legitimate son of the Wang Clan, and the dignified Clan Leader of a clan. How could he marry a woman of the direct branch?"

"You are the muddleheaded one, you old thing. Since the Gongsun Clan has no suitable match, then he can marry a Chen Clan girl." Madam Gongsun Chen said, "The girls of our Donggang Chen Clan are famed for being graceful outside and wise within."

"Mother, the Donggang Chen Clan does not have a suitable girl for Shouzhe either." Gongsun Hui explained helplessly. "Luoyi was betrothed to the Young Clan Leader of the Chen Clan years ago. She was originally to marry this year, but Dingyue has only just passed away. She must observe mourning for one year before the wedding can take place."

"Oh, could it be my grandnephew Chen Fangjie?" Madam Gongsun Chen immediately beamed with delight. "I have met that child Fangjie. He is steady by nature and quite talented. The Wang Clan has good judgment. It is only a pity about Shouzhe... I shall think it over some more..." Her seniority within the Chen Clan was indeed quite high.

"Mother, please stop trying to arrange matches at random." Gongsun Hui hurriedly stopped her from playing matchmaker blindly. "Shouzhe's marriage has already been settled. It is with a legitimate daughter of the Shanyin Liu Clan."

The Shanyin Liu Clan?

Madam Chen's expression changed at once.