Chapter 4

This was undoubtedly the most enjoyable meal he had during this period.

Laughter filled the air as the dishes were served. Lady Wang’s face was radiant with joy, and she kept serving Wang Chong, piling his plate so high that it was almost overflowing.

And Lord Wang, who was usually so stern and serious, also, under Lady Wang’s urging, took the initiative to serve Wang Chong a piece of food.

"Third Brother, you’re amazing!"

Seeing this, the young Wang sister was already stunned. She gave him a look from under the table, admiring her brother with all her heart.

She had thought that her brother would be inescapable trouble this time and had braced herself to witness a tragedy. But to her surprise, with just a few words, not only did Father and Mother not punish him, but they were filled with laughter and even rewarded him, with even Father serving him food.

Even the young Wang sister couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy. She had never enjoyed such treatment at home for so long.

"Father, I don’t care, I want it too!"

The young Wang sister pouted, pushing her large bowl to her father.

"You, a young lady, acting like this, what kind of behavior is this!"

Lord Wang’s face turned stern, making the young Wang sister feel wronged, her eyes welling up with tears. Lady Wang, who was watching from the side, found it both amusing and exasperating.

"Here! Mother will serve you!"

"Brother will serve you a piece too!"

Wang Chong, who had been watching with a hidden smile, also served his little sister a piece.

"Thank you, Brother."

The young Wang sister’s tears turned to laughter, and she happily continued eating, completely forgetting her earlier grievances.

The family ate happily together.

"Father, I heard you’re going to meet Lord Yao?"

Wang Chong, while eating, suddenly asked as if it were an afterthought.

The atmosphere at the table instantly changed, becoming slightly tense. Lady Wang quickly gave Wang Chong a warning look, and the young Wang sister was so scared that her chopsticks froze in mid-air.

At home, everyone knew that Lord Wang disliked discussing official matters and did not like family members interfering.

"Where did you hear this?"

Lord Wang raised his head and said calmly. Wang Chong could clearly see that his father’s brow had slightly furrowed, obviously displeased that he had mentioned this.

Wang Chong’s heart skipped a beat, but he had to push on. This matter was crucial to him. If he couldn’t change this fated event, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

"I overheard it when Father and Mother were talking."

Wang Chong said, his heart pounding with tension. The success or failure of this matter depended on what he said next.

"Hmm."

Lord Wang’s brow twitched, and he recalled that he had mentioned this to Lady Zhao Shuhua once. But it was just once, and he hadn’t expected Wang Chong to overhear.

"Yes, that’s true. Why are you asking about this?"

Wang Chong’s previous good behavior had an effect. Lord Wang did not get angry but instead let him continue. Clearly, he was gradually treating him as an adult.

A person about to join the training camp and prepare for battle was indeed no longer a child.

"Lord Yao has always been at odds with Father and has no dealings with us. Yet, he has taken the initiative to invite Father to meet. I believe he has ulterior motives."

Wang Chong chose his words carefully.

Wang Chong knew that his father disliked family members interfering in his official matters. This was not something a fifteen-year-old should say, but Wang Chong could not remain silent.

In his previous life, Lord Yao Yao Guangyi had invited his father, who had no close ties with him, to a meeting under the pretext of official business.

Father was not without his guard. If Yao Guangyi had tried to strongly persuade him during the meeting, Father would have firmly refused. However, Yao Guangyi was extremely cunning. He didn’t say anything during the meeting, just kept Father drinking and talking about trivial matters.

Afterward, Yao Guangyi deliberately informed Prince Song about the meeting.

Prince Song was a member of the royal family, a participant in the Ministry of War, and one of the few members of the royal family with real power and influence in the Ministry of War. Because of Grandfather, Prince Song had always favored Father.

Father, Wang Yan, had reached his current position at a young age, becoming a powerful military commander, largely due to Prince Song’s support.

How could Prince Song not be angry when he learned that Father had secretly met with Yao Guangyi, who was loyal to Prince Qi, without his knowledge?

Under normal circumstances, it might not have been a big deal.

But at that time, Prince Song and Prince Qi were in a fierce struggle at court, with Prince Qi having lured dozens of Prince Song’s disciples and old friends to his side, leaving Prince Song isolated and his influence greatly diminished.

These events deeply affected Prince Song, making him very suspicious. Father’s secret meeting with Yao Guangyi at that time was unimaginable.

Worse still, Father was straightforward and inflexible. Even though he knew Prince Song was suspicious, he insisted that Yao Guangyi had not discussed anything and that they had just been drinking all afternoon.

How could Prince Song believe that two opposing high-ranking officials met and did nothing but drink? Father’s explanation not only failed to clear things up but made Prince Song believe that Father had betrayed him and was deliberately humiliating him after defecting to Prince Qi.

Later, Yao Guangyi deliberately misled Prince Song, causing even more misunderstandings.

Prince Song then believed that the Wang family was opportunistic, seeing his decline and defecting to Prince Qi.

The deeper the affection, the deeper the hatred. Prince Song and the Wang family had a close relationship for generations, with the most effort and support. Therefore, he found the Wang family’s “betrayal” even more unacceptable.

This event was a great blow to him, even more so than the betrayal of dozens of trusted disciples and old friends. Prince Song was thoroughly disappointed with the Wang family.

While Grandfather was alive, Prince Song still remembered their relationship and only stripped Father of his military power. After Grandfather’s death, without Prince Song’s protection, Prince Qi heavily suppressed the Wang family.

Within a few short years, the once prominent Wang family was completely removed from the political stage of the Tang Empire.

Without Prince Song, the proactive and warlike faction, no one could counter Prince Qi, and the Tang Empire’s strategy shifted from aggressive to defensive, ultimately leading to later disasters.

This incident was a huge disaster not only for the Wang family and Prince Song but for the entire court!

All three parties were losers, and even Prince Qi himself was not the ultimate winner.

The impact of this event was so profound that Wang Chong remembered it clearly.

The fate of the entire Wang family and the court began to change from that point, and Father was always troubled by this, considering it his greatest mistake to have accepted Yao Guangyi’s invitation and failed to explain himself to Prince Song.

Wang Chong remembered this clearly.

In his previous life, Wang Chong was indifferent and refused to accept anything, having no affection for this family. By the time he realized the value of this family and wanted to change something, it was too late.

This was also a deep regret for Wang Chong.

In his previous life, it was one thing, but in this life, knowing the course of events, Wang Chong would not stand idly by.

He had to stop this!

However, Wang Chong couldn’t directly tell his father about it.

"This is not something for a child to meddle in. I have my own plans."

Lord Wang said coolly, with no significant expression on his face.

The Wang and Yao families had a feud in the previous dynasty, but that was a long time ago. As for him and Yao Guangyi, there was no major conflict.

Lord Wang was not unaware of the situation between Prince Song and Prince Qi. He had intended to avoid the meeting but was also worried about a complete falling out, as they would still have to see each other.

After all, there was no major conflict between them.

At worst, if Yao Guangyi tried to persuade him, he would firmly refuse and make it clear that he would not be swayed, thus putting an end to the matter. This would prevent Yao Guangyi from persistently pursuing him, which would be troublesome.

Wang Chong observed his father’s expression and felt anxious.

Father was a typical military man, not inferior to Yao Guangyi in leading troops and fighting on the battlefield. However, in terms of political intrigue and tactics, Father was far inferior to Yao Guangyi.

They were not even on the same level!

Yao Guangyi understood Father’s character and deliberately set this trap. If Father still held the mindset that “as long as I am upright, I have nothing to fear,” he would be unprepared and might stumble badly at Yao Guangyi’s hands.

By then, it would be too late to regret.

"Chong, since your father has spoken, don’t say more. Finish your meal."

"Know your child as well as your mother," Lady Wang, who could read Wang Chong’s intentions, quickly gave him a warning look.

She knew her husband’s character well. He hated discussing official matters during meals, and it was already a great tolerance that he hadn’t lost his temper at Wang Chong’s words.

The phrase "I have my own plans" already indicated his stance. The matter was settled, and further discussion would only anger Lord Wang.

Wang Chong was anxious inside. He knew the gravity of the situation. If things went wrong, everything here, the hall, the entire Wang family, and even Uncle would be destroyed.

The Wang family would be completely removed from the political stage of the Tang Empire. Father didn’t know Yao Guangyi’s tactics and was not prepared, but Wang Chong had to warn him.

Even if it meant angering his father and being punished, he had to do it.

"Father, this is a serious matter. I think it would be better to inform Prince Song in advance, so he knows what’s happening."

Wang Chong thought for a long time and finally came up with a compromise, suggesting his idea tactfully. Directly stopping Father was not an option, as Father was not a child and would be stubborn.

Wang Chong could only take an indirect approach, focusing on Prince Song rather than Yao Guangyi.

"This is an adult matter, you should not meddle."

Lord Wang’s expression turned cold, and he stood up from the table.

"Finish your meal. I have something to do, so I’ll leave first."

With that, he left without finishing his meal.

Lady Wang gave Wang Chong a reproachful look, and Wang Chong could only sigh, knowing that winning his father’s complete trust would be extremely difficult.

"At least he didn’t get angry."

Wang Chong thought to himself.

It seemed that the gathering was ending on a less than happy note. But Wang Chong knew that in the past, with Father’s character, he would have been furious at such defiance.

This time, just a displeased expression was already a significant improvement. It seemed that his previous words had some effect, not entirely in vain.

If Father could inform Prince Song before meeting Yao Guangyi, his efforts would not be in vain. This was something Father had to do personally; even if Wang Chong did it, it wouldn’t work.

"To accomplish this, I will need Ma Zhou’s help!"

Wang Chong was worried.

Father’s character was too stubborn. Once he made a decision, he would not easily change it. A few words from Wang Chong would not be enough to change his mind.

This character had caused him many losses in the past, allowing his opponents to take advantage.

Wang Chong’s attempt to probe during the meal failed, and he had to find another way. No matter what, he had to stop this.

Finding an excuse, he quickly said goodbye to his mother and sister and left the room.

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