CHAPTER 1635: CHAPTER 1610: RESOLUTION III

Although Patriarch Wang hadn’t asked Mrs.Wang how she intended to resolve the matter, he was certainly not foolish. He could infer from Mrs.Wang’s attitude towards Wang Ji and his wife that it was impossible for them to live under the same roof.

If they continued to live here, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone actually got killed.

Patriarch Wang sighed and instructed Wang Ji to bring his mother back from the temple in the suburbs.

Then he went to see Mrs.Wang and plainly said, "I initially planned to return to Taiyuan in two days, but seeing Rong’er like this, I wouldn’t mind staying a bit longer. How do you intend to resolve this issue?"

Mrs.Wang dared to act out a play to deceive others, but she didn’t dare play games with the Patriarch. With a brief thought, she bent her knees and replied, "Patriarch, our family hasn’t returned to Taiyuan for a long time, and we wish to go back with you."

Patriarch Wang understood and nodded, without asking further questions. Standing up, he said, "For now, take good care of Rong’er. We’ll discuss this further when the family gathers tomorrow."

Mrs.Wang bowed her head in acknowledgment.

Mrs.Wang escorted Patriarch Wang to the door. Wang Ji and his wife, who were waiting, immediately composed themselves. As Patriarch Wang passed by them, he paused and said, "You should also go in and check on Rong’er’s injuries. See what medicines are available in the storeroom and send some over."

Wang Ji agreed, and after escorting Patriarch Wang onto the carriage, he turned to look at Mrs.Wang, hesitated, then slightly bent and said, "Sister-in-law, our second branch has never been as strong as the first, third, and fifth branches. The conflicts in the family are our internal matters. When Mother returns from the temple, you can ask her to preside. If there is anything my younger brother has not done well, you can bring it up, but please, prioritize the bigger picture."

Mrs.Wang replied expressionlessly, "Is Uncle going to see Rong’er?"

Wang Ji paused and then smiled, "Then let’s go have a look."

He then entered the house with Mrs.Wang to check on Wang Rong.

As the cloth covering was lifted, Mrs.Wang was startled and took a step back, then looked at Wang Ji in shock.

Wang Ji’s expression changed slightly, not expecting the sight to be so horrifying, and he immediately fell silent.

Mrs.Wang covered Rong’er with the cloth again and sat by the bedside, holding a handkerchief, and started crying quietly.

Wang Ji’s eyes flashed with anger but ultimately said nothing. He bowed to Mrs.Wang and then turned to leave.

Mrs.Wang regained her composure, hurriedly bowed to Mrs.Wang, and quickly went after Wang Ji.

She chased Wang Ji past the courtyard gate and finally caught up with him in the garden, grabbing his arm, her face pale, she asked, "How is it so serious? Didn’t the master just have him flogged thirty times?"

Wang Ji shook off her hand, glared at her, and said, "Make sure to send some more medicine from the storeroom to them, and stay up late tonight sorting out the household accounts."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Mrs.Wang was enraged, as he spoke so casually; a night using only partial records, how could they sort it out quickly?

What could she accomplish in one night? Certainly nothing, not even enough time to falsify records. Wang Ji could speed up the return of those sent to fetch Mother, perhaps delaying for a few days, but he was in a hurry to return to Taiyuan. As he left Guangde Courtyard, he ordered his men to head out to bring her back before the city gates closed.

Therefore, the next day, shortly after those sent by Wang Ji left to fetch Grandmother, her carriage returned, right when Manbao was visiting for a medical check-up.

Rong Si told Manbao, "Lord Zhou Junior, the way ahead is blocked."

She lifted the curtain and looked, just in time to see the Wang Family’s gate open, with a carriage entering through the dismantled threshold, blocking their path for a lengthy moment until the way was finally clear.

Rong Si then drove the carriage into the alley, stopping at the side gate.

Manbao jumped off the carriage and whispered to Rong Si, "It must be Wang Family’s Grandmother returning."

Indeed, Grandmother had returned, and after Manbao checked Wang Rong, applied acupuncture, administered medicine, and re-applied ointment, she saw that Wang Rong was already awake, now only with a mild fever, and nodded satisfactorily.

Just as she was about to wash her hands and leave, a commotion arose outside the courtyard, and she turned to see an elderly woman leading a group of people hurriedly enter.

Manbao couldn’t help but frown and glanced at Wang Rong on the bed, whose ears had been red since she began applying medicine and couldn’t help but shrink himself up completely.

She covered his exposed buttocks with cloth and instructed the maid assisting inside to lower the curtain, then went out to stop the group, "The patient’s wound is extensive; to prevent infection, not many people can enter."

The relieved Mrs.Wang stood quietly to the side.

Manbao smiled at the slightly angry Grandmother and said, "Grandmother, if you wish to see him, you may enter. Wang Rong is awake, so why don’t the others wait outside?"

Mrs.Wang, however, didn’t want Grandmother to see Wang Rong, so she stepped forward to support her hand and said, "Grandmother, since Rong’er is awake, let’s talk to him through the curtain. His injury isn’t in a good place, and it would spare the child embarrassment."

Grandmother hesitated, realizing her grandson was well into his twenties, and seeing his buttocks was indeed inappropriate.

Wang Rong, lying inside the room, was unaware that many had seen him yesterday when he was oblivious, so at this moment, he profoundly agreed with his aunt. He remained still, not daring to make any sound.

Mrs.Wang glanced at Mrs.Wang, then looked worriedly at Manbao, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, has my son’s wound been medicated, healed properly, he won’t need further flesh removed?"

Manbao said, "It won’t heal that quickly. But now there’s no pus, nor necrotic flesh. No more cutting is needed. He is still feverish, but we’ll know in two days how the healing progresses."

With that said, Grandmother decided against entering, but pushed Mrs.Wang’s hand aside and lifted the curtain to enter.

Soon, a cry sounded from the curtain, Wang Rong couldn’t help but exclaim "Grandmother", prompting Mrs.Wang to look at Mrs.Wang before quickly going inside to support Grandmother.

Grandmother grasped Wang Rong’s hand, tears welling up, and repeatedly said, "My child, you have suffered. How could your uncle be this ruthless, how could he be so..."

Manbao stepped aside, standing next to Doctor Ning.

Doctor Ning leaned toward her and said quietly, "Yesterday evening, the Wang clan’s patriarch came by, though I didn’t overhear their conversation, but I suspect Lord Wang will face trouble today."

Regrettably, even if there’s trouble, they wouldn’t witness it firsthand, because after Patriarch Wang arrived, everyone except for the lying Wang Rong and the attending Eldest Granny Wang and their barely walking toddler were at the main courtyard next door.

That courtyard is some distance away from the side yard, and what’s more, after Manbao finishes treating him, she has to return to the palace with many tasks ahead.

The two could only exchange a regretful look, and quietly leave.