Chapter 80

......

Indeed, women tend to be much more细腻 in these matters than men.

Although Wang Shouzhe is not exactly a steel-straight man, he ultimately thinks less about such things. If it weren't for his mother-in-law, Gongsun Hui, and his sister-in-law, Luo Miao, reminding him, he might not have thought to send any gifts.

Fortunately, through this silent interaction with Liu Ruolan, he roughly understood what she was trying to convey.

"Yuanrui, go back and tell your sister that I understand her meaning," Wang Shouzhe said solemnly.

Huh?

Liu Yuanrui looked puzzled. His sister's meaning? What does she mean? Could it be that his sister has hidden some secret message in this return gift?

Although he is quite talented, he is still young.

Moreover, boys are generally less perceptive in these matters than girls.

Putting this topic aside, Wang Shouzhe chatted with Liu Yuanrui.

Gongsun Hui then took her leave.

After a short while.

Outside the main hall, Gongsun Hui's voice came in: "Shouzhe, your great-grandfather has arrived. Come out to greet him."

Great-grandfather?

Wang Shouzhe was taken aback, then suddenly realized and immediately went out with a joyful expression. Liu Yuanrui was also slightly curious and followed him out.

Outside the main hall of the main residence.

A tall man in a gray robe stood there, looking like a middle-aged man. However, just by standing there, he exuded an aura as majestic as a towering mountain, deep and unfathomable.

Gongsun Hui stood beside him, obedient like a little girl.

"Wang Shouzhe greets Great Ancestor Mang," Wang Shouzhe hurriedly bowed.

"Wang Shouzhe, you are exempt from the formalities."

This gray-robed man is naturally one of the two elders of the Gongsun family, Gongsun Mang, who is respectfully called Great Ancestor Mang by the family.

At this moment, Great Ancestor Mang was also sizing up Wang Shouzhe and couldn't help but show a satisfied and pleased smile: "Very good, very good. Shouzhe, you have reached the Seventh Layer of the Qi Refinement Realm at such a young age, which is quite remarkable."

Of course, what he is most satisfied with about Wang Shouzhe is not his cultivation progress, but his character, conduct, and the ability to turn situations to his advantage.

"Great Ancestor Mang, you flatter me," Wang Shouzhe said respectfully and humbly. "Shouzhe has only achieved this much thanks to the family's resources. Why didn't you inform me of your visit in advance, Great Ancestor? I could have come to greet you. This is a great disrespect to our family."

"This visit is a secret mission, so I couldn't make a big fuss. There's no question of disrespect," Great Ancestor Mang laughed heartily. "I've heard from Hui about your plans and strategies. Well done, those wolves deserve a good lesson."

Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands and said, "Shouzhe thanks Great Ancestor Mang for your support. Please come to the main hall, and I will entertain you."

"No need for now," Great Ancestor Mang waved his hand and then turned his gaze to Liu Yuanrui, smiling faintly. "This child has the aura of the Liu family's cultivation technique, the 'Yuan Shui Xin Jue.' Could he be a child of the Liu family?"

Wang Shouzhe said, "Great Ancestor, this is Liu Yuanrui, the younger brother of my fiancée, Liu Ruolan."

Liu Yuanrui was startled and quickly recovered from his initial shock, hurrying forward to bow: "Liu Yuanrui greets Great Ancestor Mang."

The Liu and Gongsun families are not on good terms, but they are not mortal enemies. It doesn't mean that the younger generation can be disrespectful to an elder of the other family.

"Ah, a child of the Liu family's 'Yuan' generation. I met your brother Yuanhui some time ago. He is quite talented and can be cultivated with the Liu family's current resources. However, you, your aura is unstable, and your body is lax. You must focus more on your cultivation. Whether you can reach the Lingtai stage in the future is uncertain, so don't give up easily," Great Ancestor Mang said, showing the demeanor of a senior.

"Yes, I will work hard," Liu Yuanrui said, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. One cannot contradict what a Great Ancestor says, even if it's from another family.

After the pleasantries.

Gongsun Hui bowed to Great Ancestor Mang: "Grandfather, I have already communicated with Great Ancestor Longyan. She has been waiting for a long time. Shall we go now?"

Mentioning Great Ancestor Longyan, even Great Ancestor Mang's expression turned serious, with a hint of respect in his eyes: "Hui, you lead the way. I haven't seen Auntie for a long time."

Great Ancestor Mang's mother is the fourth-generation direct descendant of the Wang family, Wang Lingdie, who is the niece of Great Ancestor Longyan. Therefore, Great Ancestor Longyan is the genuine aunt of Great Ancestor Mang.

Gongsun Hui led the way, and Great Ancestor Mang followed.

Wang Shouzhe and Liu Yuanrui, the younger generation, naturally followed closely behind.

After informing Great Ancestor Longyan, they entered her residence.

Great Ancestor Longyan was already waiting in the courtyard. She had white hair cascading over her shoulders, wore a veil, and a simple dress, looking so ethereal and otherworldly, as if she were a true immortal descended from heaven.

Compared to her, Wang Mei, who was pretending to be Zhong Luoxian, was like a world apart.

Great Ancestor Mang went up first to greet her, bowing: "Gongsun Mang greets Auntie Longyan."

"Ah, Mang." Great Ancestor Longyan's deep, starry eyes showed a hint of nostalgia. "Every time I see you, I can't help but think of the past. I remember when your mother was young, she always looked forward to my return from the academy, hoping for some rare treats. Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, things have changed."

Listening to Great Ancestor Longyan's reminiscence, Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but smile inwardly, realizing that Great Ancestor Mang's mother, Auntie Lingdie, was actually a food lover when she was young.

No wonder Great Ancestor Longyan dotes on Wang Lici, seeing the shadow of her young niece in her.

"Auntie, my mother lived a peaceful life without worries. Great Ancestor, please don't be sad," Great Ancestor Mang consoled.

Only Great Ancestor Mang himself knew that his mother, Wang Lingdie, lived to eighty years old but suffered from heart pain for the last twenty years, which could not be cured.

It was because of the calamity that befell her mother's clan. She was heartbroken for her ancestors and her aunt, Longyan, and her brother, Qiongyuan. The best medicines could only heal the body, not the heart.

He also remembered that twenty-five years ago, before his mother, Wang Lingdie, passed away, she held his hand and instructed him, "Mang, if you have the chance in the future, you must support the Wang family."

He remembered these words.

Otherwise, why would Gongsun Hui have gone to renew the marriage for Wang Dingyue? If it weren't for his push, Gongsun Mo might not have agreed to the marriage, and the other elders certainly wouldn't have approved.

"Great Ancestor Longyan, Great Ancestor Mang," Wang Shouzhe said, "Let's sit down and talk. The past is past, and we should look forward to a bright future."

The two Great Ancestors, being extraordinary people, immediately regained their composure and sat down on the stone benches in the pavilion.

Liu Yuanrui then had the chance to greet: "Liu Yuanrui greets Great Ancestor Longyan."

Great Ancestor Longyan had personally gone to the Liu family to arrange the marriage for Wang Shouzhe, so she was not unfamiliar with the young generation of the Liu family. Her voice softened: "Yuanrui, you have the demeanor of a scholar. It seems you are preparing to pursue a career in the government, which is a good path. However, don't neglect your cultivation while studying."

With Great Ancestor Longyan's keen eye, she could immediately see Liu Yuanrui's problems.

"Yes, Great Ancestor," Liu Yuanrui said, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He had already been criticized by two Great Ancestors today.

He resolved to work hard on his cultivation when he returned.

Moreover, he never imagined that Brother Shouzhe had already reached the Seventh Layer of the Qi Refinement Realm, which was no less impressive than his twenty-one-year-old brother, Liu Yuanhui.

Such potential is why the family ultimately agreed to the marriage.

Imagine, if the Wang family faced such a situation and Wang Shouzhe had no value to support, even if Great Ancestor Longyan had a lot of influence, she wouldn't have been able to push the marriage through for the Liu family.

Gongsun Hui began to serve tea to the two Great Ancestors, using the Shan Yang Xiao Ling Zhong. It was unknown when she had brought it from her family, and fresh fruits were also placed on the table.

Wang Shouzhe and Liu Yuanrui, the younger generation, stood obediently to the side, listening to their conversation.

After a while, they began to talk about Wang Shouzhe.

First, the insect disaster, then somehow obtaining a large amount of grain from the Qian family's merchant guild. Then, he sold this grain at a high price to the Zhao and Liu families.

Now, he is planning to thwart the Zhao and Liu families' merger plans.

One thing led to another, trapping the Zhao and Liu families in a difficult situation. They had bought the old grain at a high price, hoping to profit from the situation.

However, Wang Shouzhe used the large-scale dredging and land reclamation project to provide relief, saving the self-cultivating farmers from famine and foiling the plans of the Zhao and Liu families.

They not only failed to profit but also damaged their reputation and ended up with a large amount of old grain at a high price. After this, the Wang family's reputation among the common people in Ping'an Town would thoroughly surpass that of the Zhao and Liu families.

Great Ancestor Mang praised Wang Shouzhe highly.

Liu Yuanrui, on the other hand, was increasingly shocked, his eyes wide open. Brother Shouzhe, his future brother-in-law, was too formidable. This series of operations was dazzling, not only digging a hole for others but also bringing great benefits to the Wang family.

Even the two Great Ancestors were assisting him in handling the aftermath.

At this moment, Great Ancestor Longyan looked at Wang Shouzhe with deeper meaning. Mentioning so many things in front of Liu Yuanrui was naturally to have him relay the message back to the Liu family.

To quell some of the internal gossip in the Liu family.

However, Great Ancestor Longyan also knew the hidden details. The "achievements" that Wang Shouzhe could publicly announce were limited to this.

His later plans were even more aggressive and could not be leaked to the outside world. This was crucial to the Wang family's future rise!

Wang Longyan was very clear that in Changning Wei City, there