Chapter 272

As soon as they entered, the steward quietly reminded Wang Xiujin that Madam seemed to be in a bad mood. Wang Xiujin assumed his mother was upset over his father's hurried departure and thought no more of it, instructing his son to cheer up his grandmother when they saw her. Yachang nodded solemnly, and Wang Xiujin found it amusing—his son probably didn’t even know what “cheer up” meant.

Entering the main hall, they found his mother seated in her place. Wang Xiujin, with his son, greeted her with proper etiquette before speaking, “Today’s matters arose unexpectedly. Someone is with Father on the road; you need not worry, Mother.” He sat down beside her and began to comfort her before he was even fully seated. Lady Wang shot her younger son a glare but said little. Did her son think she was upset simply because his father left in a hurry? Did he take her for someone so shortsighted? Wang Xiujin was left puzzled by her glare and nudged his son. “Yachang, give your grandmother a kiss and make her smile.”

“That’s enough, don’t trouble the child,” Lady Wang said. “Your father left so hastily that I didn’t get to tell him a few things—I didn’t want him to worry about home while away.” Her temper was still unsettled, and she was truly vexed with her third grandson. “This morning, Zhize pushed Zhi Zhuo into the water.”

“What!” Wang Xiujin was taken aback. “Zhi Zhuo is older than Zhize—how did he get pushed into the water? Is he all right? Did you call the doctor?” After morning court, Father likely went straight to the office and didn’t hear of this. Otherwise, he would have mentioned it when Xiujin picked up Yachang.

“How is he? Zhi Zhuo can’t swim. If they hadn’t pulled him out in time, I would have lost my second grandson.” Lady Wang’s voice rose unconsciously, her anger evident. “How did our Wang family end up with someone who would harm his own brother?”

“Mother.” Wang Xiujin set his son on a chair and knelt beside his mother, taking her hand to soothe her. “Didn’t Father send a letter to eldest brother? Has he replied?”

“I see he’s grown capable—his wings are hardened. Does he think he no longer has parents?” Lady Wang, infuriated by her third grandson, bore a grudge against her son as well.

“Mother, eldest brother isn’t that kind of person,” Wang Xiujin insisted. “We must get to the bottom of what happened to Zhi Zhuo. I don’t believe the children would act so maliciously. Zhi Zhuo has always been crafty since he was little, but to endanger himself just to set up his brother? That’s not his style. Zhize is clearly smaller; how could he push Zhi Zhuo, who has started martial training at the academy, into the water?”

“What’s there to investigate? I saw it with my own eyes. Do you know what your eldest brother and sister-in-law have raised their child into?” Lady Wang’s anger seemed to ache in her bones. “Such a young child thinking about fighting for the family’s inheritance, making Zhi Zhuo help him…” She paused, but Wang Xiujin immediately understood whom she meant, his expression darkening. Lady Wang scoffed. “Saying they’re real brothers, that everything should be his.”

Wang Xiujin recalled how his brother and sister-in-law once tried to pass Zhize to him, but he refused. His expression grew awkward, and he sighed inwardly. “Mother, I don’t think eldest brother knows about this.”

“You don’t need to defend him. I’ve already sent someone to investigate. If your brother is innocent, he’s still my son. If he’s involved, I’d rather think of him as dead to me.” Lady Wang’s anger ran deep, mingled with disappointment.

Wang Xiujin held his mother’s hand. At this moment, anything he said would be wrong, so he stayed silent. Still, he found it hard to believe his brother would do such a thing. “Mother, are you sure the person you sent is trustworthy? What if someone planted a spy in our household to stir up unrest?”

Lady Wang’s eyes narrowed, cold and ruthless. Over the years, she had grown softer for the sake of the Wang family and her grandchildren, hoping to do good for them. Did they really think she was easy to manipulate? “Enough, don’t try to dissuade me. I know what I’m doing. Go see Zhi Zhuo with Yachang.”

Wang Xiujin smiled wryly to himself and said no more, leading his son to visit Zhi Zhuo. Yachang remained obedient, and as Wang Xiujin stroked his son’s soft hair, he pondered Zhize’s situation. Children were easily influenced—someone around him must be behind this. His mother had already dismissed all those who brought Zhize; for things to continue, someone must truly be planted in the household.

“Call the steward here,” Wang Xiujin ordered. It was time to clean out the servants.

Zhi Zhuo was fine, having only swallowed some water, and was now pretending to be weak in bed. Hearing his uncle’s footsteps, he quickly put on an innocent look. “Uncle.”

“All right, there’s no one else here. Drop the innocent act and tell me what happened today.” Wang Xiujin set Yachang by the bed. “Yachang, blow on your cousin’s wound—he fell in the water because he was naughty.”

“Uncle, I’m the injured one here,” Zhi Zhuo said gloomily, squeezing his younger cousin’s hand with a smile. “Zhize must have been coaxed by someone—he’s been much better since Grandmother punished him last time.”

Wang Xiujin nodded. “Yachang, keep your cousin company. I have things to do and will come get you soon. Don’t bother him—he’s weak. Take care of him.”

“Yachang understands!” Yachang sat quietly beside his cousin.

Wang Xiujin nodded and left. In the courtyard, he saw the steward. “Ruiwen, gather everyone who serves Zhize and bring them all to the garden. I want to see every one of them, even those who left the house—find them, and if they’re dead, bring their bodies.”

The steward responded immediately and hurried off. Wang Xiujin went to the garden, where soon all of Zhize’s attendants were assembled. “Young master, everyone is here—none are missing,” the steward reported.

Wang Xiujin said nothing, only nodded and scrutinized the group. He silently thanked the heavens for the gift of reading people at a glance—he could see at once which ones were problematic. He separated out a few to be kept behind, dismissed the rest, and without questioning their duties or informing his mother, simply ordered them beaten. “If they die, throw their bodies to the wild dogs.” With that, he brushed imaginary dust from his clothes and left.

The steward was shocked. After serving the young master for over a decade, he knew Wang Xiujin’s benevolence—he had never mistreated a servant. For him to give such an order meant these people had caused grave trouble. Knowing where they served, the steward quickly guessed the truth. He gathered all the household staff to witness the punishment, making it clear what would happen to those with ill intent.

When Wang Xiujin heard of the steward’s actions, he offered no objection. After dealing with the servants, he took Yachang home. His mother wanted to investigate his eldest brother’s household; no matter how worried he was, he couldn’t get involved—he could only hope his brother was innocent.

Returning to the Li family residence, the empty courtyard greeted him. Li Linshan was out of the capital, and his father had left the city that day. Wang Xiujin felt a sense of emptiness. He tapped his head, blaming his nephew’s troubles for his mood. There was too much to do—he should focus on his work instead of dwelling on these matters.

The next morning, as soon as the Li family gates opened, the Wang family steward was waiting outside. Steward Li hurried to invite him in. “Has something happened at the Wang house?”

“Madam sent me to request that young master return,” Ruiwen replied straightforwardly, his heart uneasy—so many people had arrived at dawn, the Wang family was sure to be in turmoil today.

“Come with me,” said Steward Li. He sensed that something serious had happened but kept it to himself, leading the visitor to Young Master Xiujin’s courtyard.

Wang Xiujin, rarely an early riser, was jogging in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, he thought his grandfather had returned from court, but remembered today he didn’t attend. It must be someone seeking his grandfather. He hadn’t expected the visitor to be for him.

“Ruiwen?” Wang Xiujin frowned at the man at the gate. Like Steward Li, he immediately sensed a major issue at home. Thanking Steward Li, he drew Ruiwen aside.

“The eldest young master has sent Lady Wang Chun back, along with several servants and a letter. After reading the letter, Madam sent me to fetch you,” Ruiwen explained.

Wang Xiujin raised an eyebrow. The steward had not used an honorific for his sister-in-law, but called her “Wang Chun,” likely due to the letter’s contents. His eldest brother’s marriage was indeed troublesome. “Wait a moment while I settle Yachang, then I’ll return with you.” He walked a few steps before pausing. “She only asked you to fetch me? Not to go to the Chun family?”

“She told me to fetch you first, then go to the Chun family.”

“Go to the Chun family first and be courteous,” Wang Xiujin reminded him, recalling how Ruiwen had addressed his sister-in-law. The steward agreed repeatedly. “Once I’m ready, I’ll come myself. Go on!” Wang Xiujin made arrangements for Yachang and informed the family, then changed clothes and headed to the Wang house.

Upon entering the front courtyard, he saw several unfamiliar faces kneeling. A glance at the clues above their heads made him shake his head inwardly. Proceeding into the main hall, he saw his sister-in-law kneeling in the center, his mother seated sternly, her expression even harsher than yesterday. Wang Xiujin had already seen the “labels” above his sister-in-law—she, too, had been used, a weak-willed person. He truly didn’t know what to do. For the sake of his three nephews, he might say a few words for her. But who could guarantee that, even if she changed this time, she wouldn’t be swayed by a few words again in the future?