Chapter 9

Just as Yueyang entered the portal of time and space, a courtyard within a mansion in Yingzhou City was filled with a tense atmosphere. Many servants and maids were busily shuttling around the courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard, the main hall was brightly lit by a dozen thick candles. An elderly man in his fifties, dressed in a silk black robe, sat at the head of the hall with his eyes closed, resting. This elderly man had a square face, exuding a solemn and authoritative presence, a typical official's appearance in ancient times. He was Wang Shoucheng, the current head of the Wang family.

Standing respectfully beside Wang Shoucheng was Wang Chenglin, who had led a group to the Sanggan River to seize water two days ago. Wang Chenglin no longer had the suave demeanor he had shown two days ago. His head was wrapped like a mummy, and a bandage was stuck on his nose, making him look extremely disheveled.

Wang Shoucheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Lin'er, how is the task I gave you coming along?"

Wang Chenglin lowered his head and replied, "Father, I have already sent a note to the governor's office, asking Governor Zheng to put pressure on the Yue family, but he hasn't responded yet. Moreover, I have learned that Yueyang, after being beaten by me at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion a few days ago, had been unconscious at home, nearly dying. However, he somehow came back to life. Yesterday, he brought a group of peasants to cause trouble for me, probably to seek revenge! Father, we can't let this go. You must avenge me! I will make him pay with his life!" As he spoke, a venomous look appeared in Wang Chenglin's eyes, making it clear that he deeply hated Yueyang for beating him.

"Bang!"

Wang Shoucheng slammed his teacup on the table, startling Wang Chenglin.

"You are being foolish!" Wang Shoucheng glared at Wang Chenglin and scolded him, "The incident yesterday was already too big. Our family lost twenty-three people, and the Yue family lost three. Governor Zheng is already aware of this. Yesterday, Governor Zheng sent a letter, asking me to make a statement about this matter. I am currently worrying about how to explain this to Governor Zheng! And you, you are still thinking about revenge. Do you want to make things even worse?"

Wang Chenglin mumbled with his head down, "Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just a few peasants who died. We can just give them some money to settle the matter!"

"Nonsense! If it were that simple, it would be a different story!" Wang Shoucheng felt a sense of frustration seeing Wang Chenglin's indifferent attitude. He pointed at Wang Chenglin and scolded him, "You, all you know is fighting and killing. Have you thought about it? The Li and Lin families are watching from the sidelines, waiting for us and the Yue family to fight to the death. They will seize the opportunity to pick up the pieces. If we and the Yue family fight too fiercely and weaken ourselves, they won't hesitate to step in and crush us. Do you want to be used as a pawn by them?"

"What should we do then? Am I just supposed to let this beating go?" Wang Chenglin touched his still sore nose and head, feeling very resentful.

"Hmph, of course not," Wang Shoucheng sneered. "My son, Wang Shoucheng's son, is not someone who can be beaten without retaliation. Once Governor Zheng puts pressure on the Yue family, I will see if that old woman from the Yue family is still so stubborn. If she remains obstinate, we can join forces with the Li and Lin families to take action against the Yue family. I don't believe that with the support of the three families and Governor Zheng, we can't take down a small family like the Yue family!"

"Right, I will make Yueyang's life a living hell!" Wang Chenglin also shouted viciously. For someone who had never been beaten before, the incident two days ago was a great humiliation. The fact that the second son of the prestigious Wang family was beaten by someone he had always looked down upon, a well-known weakling in Yingzhou, had become a laughingstock among the major families in the city. If he didn't get his revenge, he would have no place in Yingzhou.

Wang Shoucheng looked at his son's agitated expression and felt a hint of helplessness. He knew his son had been spoiled since childhood, and the blow he received two days ago was indeed hard to accept. If he didn't help him get his revenge, he would never let it go.

Thinking about this, Wang Shoucheng sighed helplessly and said, "Lin'er, you are twenty-one this year, and it's time for you to grow up. Look at your older brother, who is only three years older than you. He is already a seventh-rank official. What about you? Your scholar's degree was only obtained through my connections. What have you done? You spend your days drinking and carousing with friends. Can't you do something serious?"

"Father, I go out to socialize with the Li and Lin families' friends. Knowing them will benefit me in the future," Wang Chenglin defended himself in a low voice.

"You... you!" Wang Shoucheng looked at his stubborn son and could only sigh helplessly, thinking to himself, "Well, the Wang family is large and prosperous. We can afford to support one more idle person."

Thinking about this, Wang Shoucheng said to Wang Chenglin, "Lin'er, as soon as it's light, take my letter to the Li and Lin families and invite their heads to meet. I don't believe they will just sit by and watch their land dry up and die..."

As Wang Shoucheng spoke, the sky began to brighten, and a hint of red appeared on the horizon.

Yueyang was unaware of the machinations outside. He was now dressed in modern clothes, carrying a travel bag, walking on the bustling pedestrian street in Mingzhu City. His long, shoulder-length hair drew many curious glances.

Although he lived in the suburbs, about a two-hour drive from the city center, Yueyang was still considered a resident of Mingzhu City. However, he had never been to this famous pedestrian street, which was known for its high value. For someone like him, this world was too distant, and the prices of the items here were enough to make him feel intimidated.

Walking down the street, Yueyang felt a sense of temporal disorientation. A few hours ago, he was in a feudal era considered primitive and backward by modern standards. Now, he was in the modern world, surrounded by girls in miniskirts and skinny jeans, experiencing the prosperity of modern society. It felt like he was in a dream that hadn't yet woken up.

Suddenly, Yueyang stopped and looked at an antique shop called Jubaizhai. After a moment's thought, he walked into the shop.

"Sir, welcome to Jubaizhai!"

As soon as he entered, Yueyang heard two pleasant female voices. Two tall, elegant women in red qipaos bowed to him. Yueyang nodded slightly and walked into the main hall.

In the luxuriously decorated hall, Yueyang saw a few people in various outfits browsing the exhibits with the help of sales assistants. At the back of the hall was a large wooden counter, behind which stood a beautiful girl. Yueyang walked straight to the counter.

Seeing Yueyang approach, a beautiful hall manager in a black business suit nodded and smiled, showing her eight white teeth. "Sir, welcome to Jubaizhai. May I help you with anything?"

Seeing this, Yueyang nodded inwardly. Jubaizhai was indeed well-run. His long hair had attracted many curious glances on the street, but here, everyone seemed to ignore it, indicating the shop's excellent training of its staff.

"Thud!"

Yueyang placed his travel bag on the wooden counter, making a dull sound. He then said, "I have a batch of gold bars from the Tianqi period of the Ming Dynasty. Are you interested?"

Hearing the heavy sound of the travel bag hitting the counter, the hall manager's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but it quickly disappeared. She continued to smile and said, "Of course, if your gold bars are genuine and from the Tianqi period, we will buy them and offer you a fair price. Could you please open the travel bag?"

"Of course!"

Yueyang unzipped the travel bag.

"Ziiip!"

As the bag opened, a dazzling golden light blinded many people. Even the other customers in the hall were drawn over. Yueyang unzipped the bag and pointed inside. "Miss, I have ten gold bars from the Tianqi period, each weighing ten taels, or 333 grams in modern units. How much can you offer? Also, I want to remind you that these gold bars were specially made by the Imperial Household Department for the eunuch Wei Zhongxian's 55th birthday. They are inscribed with auspicious phrases, making them highly valuable both historically and aesthetically. They are also extremely rare, so I hope you can offer a reasonable price."

Before the hall manager could respond, someone else approached.

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