A Vast, Vast Game of Chess

A little while later.

Inside Wang Shouzhe's study.

Wang Shouzhe looked at the great-great-great-grandson before him with a complicated expression.

Under the lamplight, Wang Baoguang was kneeling on the floor, pitifully clutching his backside and whimpering. His handsome little face was scrunched up like a bitter melon, looking unspeakably miserable.

Without question, this brat had already received a beating—and Wang Shouzhe himself had administered it.

Ordinarily, children in the family were disciplined by their fathers' generation. If their fathers were not around, their grandfathers' generation could do it. Now, Wang Baoguang's grandfather and great-grandfather were both absent, so as the old ancestor, Wang Shouzhe could only reluctantly take over the task.

"Hiss~ Old Ancestor Grandpa." Wang Baoguang clutched his still-throbbing backside, looking utterly aggrieved. "You've already beaten me. Can't you at least hear my explanation?"

"What is there to explain?" Wang Shouzhe's eyelid twitched. "I'm beginning to understand why your great-grandfather expelled you. Hmph. Take that magazine down immediately, then publish a few articles to clear things up. Don't tarnish that young lady's reputation for no reason. Once you're done, go apologize to Princess Qingyang!"

"Huh?!" Wang Baoguang's expression turned bitter. He looked as wronged as could be. "Old Ancestor Grandpa, I wasn't the one who spread this in the first place. I merely gave the existing rumors a bit of artistic embellishment. Even if I hadn't pushed it along, the city was already full of rumors."

"That still won't do." Wang Shouzhe snapped. "I don't care what others do. Take down your own magazine."

"Old Ancestor Grandpa, I can't take it down!" Wang Baoguang was so anxious that sweat streamed down his face.

"..."

Wang Shouzhe stared at him in silence for several breaths, then a smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his lips. "Heh heh. You think