Chapter 321

The Black man was not the main focus today; his words were merely incidental. If he could get the job done, that would be best; if not, he would at least coax these people into helping him. The power of the literati in such moments was far stronger than mere street gossip. The pen of a scholar could sometimes wound more deeply than punishment. Verbal violence was more terrifying than any physical attack. How to use it—better yet, how to use it wisely and effectively—was crucial. When wielded well, it was a sharp blade; if misused, it was like a wild horse running amok, impossible to control.

Wang Xiujin left the academy and sat in the shaking carriage, eyes narrowed. He was certain that within two days, the family trying to send their granddaughter to the Li household as a concubine would become infamous for generations. As for what fate awaited them, Wang Xiujin did not want to dwell on it—not because he was afraid, but because he was unwilling. He never thought of himself as a good or merciful man. In some ways, he was ruthless. The moment someone crossed his bottom line, he would strike back fiercely, often leaving the opponent powerless to resist. One could not blame him for being ruthless; the fault lay with those who provoked him so deeply.

After leaving the academy, Wang Xiujin did not attend to other matters but returned to the Li household to write a memorial. Outside the manor, in the bustling streets, the most talked-about topic was the news that someone had come to the Li family, attempting to send their granddaughter into the household as a concubine—specifically, to a man of the Imperial Merchant class. The town was rife with speculation. Some recalled the emperor’s earlier decree: if the eldest grandson of the Li family took a concubine, they would be permitted to divorce, allowing the two to marry others independently in the future.

Some wondered if the Imperial Merchant faction had manipulated the situation, only to be promptly refuted. The merchants were known for their honor and would never resort to such underhanded tactics. After all, the couple had a child—an intelligent and lively boy. The father and son got along well and were often seen strolling the streets together. Just a few days ago, the merchant had taken both families to the sports grounds to enjoy a play. Such a man would not resort to dirty tricks. If the marriage truly could not continue, the merchant would openly petition the emperor. Being a favored figure at court, the merchant’s petition would surely be granted.

“Could it be that the Li family’s eldest grandson could not tolerate the merchant’s dominance?” someone suggested, only to receive a glare.

“Come on! You clearly haven’t seen how much the eldest grandson treasures the merchant; he’s like the apple of his eye. Not long ago, someone tried to harm the merchant, and the eldest grandson was the first to escort him and the last to see him off. Even after the incident, they never parted ways. Recently, the merchant has stayed home more, tending to shops and workshops, but otherwise, they are often seen walking side by side,” another declared. Those who claimed the merchant and eldest grandson were estranged were met with disdain.

“I heard it was that shameless woman trying to force her way into the eldest grandson’s chambers, boasting she once saved the old general’s life on the battlefield. But who knows? Why now, and not before or after? The Li family just had some troubles, and suddenly this woman is being pushed into their home. If there’s no ulterior motive, that’s suspicious,” someone else chimed in.

“They must be after the Li family’s wealth. Maybe they even think the merchant’s fortune belongs to the Li family,” another voice interjected, sparking further debate.

“In my opinion, that woman is unchaste and reckless. A relative of mine who works at the Li household told me she glanced at the eldest grandson from afar and became obsessed, desperate to enter the Li household. That ‘concerned’ grandmother must have petitioned the Li mansion to break the alliance between the Li and Wang families,” a woman said bitterly.

The crowd of women listening grew indignant, denouncing the woman’s shamelessness. “Such a dishonorable woman deserves to be thrown into the river or submerged in a pig cage, not sent into a respectable household as a concubine. The one sending her surely has ill intentions—why else send a disgrace upon the family to be a concubine?”

These words spread quickly among the women of prominent families. Few wished to see their men take concubines, and those who did harbor such thoughts were filled with resentment. Hearing these rumors only stirred the pot further, with no talk of genuine love or sincerity.

The scholars at the academy composed numerous satirical essays hinting that the story of the saved life might be fabricated. After all, there were no witnesses. Perhaps the motive was to undermine the powerful old General Li. The articles quickly gained traction, and many literati joined the chorus, lambasting the family involved with biting indirect insults.

In no time, the family attempting to send the granddaughter as a concubine became a pariah. Wealthy young ladies who had been friendly with the girl kept their distance, whispering behind her back. Despite the family’s prominence, they were not clan heads. The clan leaders, with a voice in family matters, must consider whether other daughters in the clan could still marry after such a scandal. A disgraced girl who brought shame to the entire clan could not remain. The clan head, accompanied by elders, demanded a resolution: either the girl be drowned in a pig cage or the family surrender all their property and be expelled from the clan.

Wang Xiujin was unaware how badly that family had been ruined. In the capital, the topic dominating conversation remained whether the eldest grandson of the Li family would take a concubine. Even though Li Linshan had repeatedly stated he would not, speculation continued. Some scholars even went to the Li estate walls to write essays vehemently opposing the idea of the family accepting a concubine for the eldest grandson. The matter even reached the imperial court, where a bold official suggested that since the other party had once saved the old general, the Li family should accept the granddaughter as a concubine out of gratitude. This statement immediately offended both the Li and Wang families. Lord Wang narrowed his eyes and made a note of the speaker, suspecting he was either acting under someone’s orders or involved in a plot to disrupt the Li-Wang alliance.

Both families believed the old man sending his granddaughter as a concubine was also a pawn, likely manipulated by forces wary of the growing power of their alliance. Some even speculated the emperor himself might have sent someone to sow discord.

Neither the Li nor the Wang family immediately responded. They wanted to see the emperor’s stance. If the emperor upheld his previous promise, they would carefully consider their next move. If absolutely necessary, the children might have to divorce.

The emperor coldly regarded the official who had spoken. “Your loyalty to your promises is commendable. I recall last year you pledged to donate a hundred carts of grain to the disaster victims. Is the Ministry of Revenue aware of your donation? Have you delivered the grain?”

Everyone in court bowed their heads. Last year, many pledged donations, but only the Imperial Merchant actually delivered. They believed the treasury was abundant and their pledges mere lip service. Now, they detested the outspoken official for stirring trouble, especially knowing it would implicate others. Could this meddler be the one trying to sabotage the Li family?

The bold official was stunned, then dumbfounded. He immediately knelt, trembling. He had not expected his words about the Li and Wang families to backfire so severely. He had only intended to fan the flames. Meanwhile, the true mastermind cursed the meddler silently, standing calmly as if detached from the chaos.

An official from the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward, stating no one had seen the promised grain delivered, nor any other goods. He confirmed that the ministry had not received grain from any official last year. This exposed the previously feigning officials, some of whom flushed with embarrassment or anger. The emperor cast a cold glance over the assembly. “I promised that the eldest grandson of the Li family would not take a concubine, yet some only remember my other words. It seems some harbor ill intentions and cannot tolerate peace in the court.”

The mastermind’s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive, palms sweating.

“Lord Wang, I entrust this matter to you. Investigate thoroughly,” the emperor commanded, glancing at several literati.

“By Your Majesty’s command!” Lord Wang acknowledged.

After court adjourned, Lord Wang sneered at those who had promised grain but failed to deliver. The emperor had said last year’s grain would bear interest this year. If they could not produce grain, they could pay money instead. Having saved their skins and avoided punishment, the literati seethed in hatred toward the meddler, plotting revenge and immediately submitting reports listing numerous charges against him.

Wang Xiujin had nearly finished writing his memorial and went to find his father to review it. When he arrived at the Wang residence, his father was nowhere in sight, but his mother and elder sister sat chatting together. His sister’s belly was noticeably swollen.

He stared blankly. “How many months now?”

“Over five months,” she replied, caressing her abdomen with a faint smile of happiness.

Wang Xiujin blinked, a complex feeling rising within him. “Have you seen a doctor? Did they say anything?”

“Yes, we did. It’s confirmed. Your brother-in-law has been bringing the doctor home every few days. The palace even sent an imperial physician. They say everything is fine.”

“Why didn’t you send me a message?” Wang Xiujin sat down, feeling startled. Although his sister was no stranger to pregnancy, he still felt a twinge of concern. When his sister-in-law was pregnant, he had not worried so much. Is this the difference between a sister and a sister-in-law?

“You were busy then, and it wasn’t urgent. I thought I’d wait until the birth to tell you.”

If childbirth isn’t urgent, what is? Wang Xiujin smirked. “If you want anything to eat, just tell Sister Liu. If it’s from the estate, have your brother-in-law fetch it.”

“Would I be polite to you?” she joked.

Seeing his sister relaxed and cheerful, Wang Xiujin felt reassured. He then brought up the matter of finding their father. Their mother said he’d been busy lately, and if it was urgent, he could be found at the magistrate’s office.