Capítulo 1636: Chapter 1611: Curiosity (January Monthly Ticket Bonus 3)

As soon as Manbao arrived at the Eastern Palace, she couldn’t help but share this lively event with the Crown Princess and Mingda Changyu, who was staying by the Crown Princess’s side. With a look of regret, she said, “It’s a pity we can’t see it.”

The Crown Princess gave her a sideways glance and warned, “It’s better to watch less of the nobility’s excitement lest you inadvertently get yourself hurt.”

Although Manbao was quite disappointed in her heart, she still nodded in agreement.

After all, she had no other way to watch, did she?

She had no way, but the Emperor and Crown Prince did.

Evidently, the father and son were quite interested in this lively event of the Wang family. One had someone wait outside the Wang residence to gather news, while the other directly sent Gu Zhong, saying, “When you see Wang Ziji come out, invite him into the palace. It’s been a while since I last saw him. We can have a game of chess.”

Gu Zhong agreed with a smile, handed over the duty of serving the Emperor to his apprentice, and personally went to wait outside the Wang residence.

This wait lasted until the afternoon. The meeting of the Wang family started in the morning and lasted until the afternoon, spanning over three hours in total.

Wang Ji’s complexion wasn’t too good, yet he courteously saw Patriarch Wang out of the door. Gu Zhong watched Wang Ji go back inside, then dismounted from the carriage with a smile and warmly approached Patriarch Wang, bowing, “Master Wang, His Majesty misses your chess skills dearly upon hearing of your arrival in the capital. Hence, he sent me to invite you to the palace for a game.”

Patriarch Wang glanced at the carriage behind him, responded with a smile, and then boarded the carriage.

Entering the royal palace expressionlessly, Patriarch Wang knew in his heart that the Wang family had indeed become a laughingstock.

The Emperor didn’t attempt to hide his motive for finding amusement at all. He finished handling state affairs early and then sat in the courtyard arranging the chessboard, waiting.

The Crown Prince was also there accompanying.

As soon as Patriarch Wang entered, the father and son simultaneously looked up at him, and the Emperor waved with a smile, “Ziji has arrived? Come and take a look at this new set of chess pieces I got.”

Patriarch Wang walked forward with a smile, sat down after paying his respects, and praised, “These chess pieces feel cool and smooth to the touch, indeed excellent.”

The Emperor then set up the chessboard to play with him. Halfway through, he smiled and asked, “I heard from the Crown Prince that a nephew from your family’s second branch had his wound worsen, and it was Imperial Doctor Zhou who was called to treat him? How is he now?”

Patriarch Wang thought, the imperial doctor is yours, you should know better than I do, shouldn’t you?

But on the surface, he could only smile warmly and say, “According to the imperial doctor, as long as he rests and recuperates properly, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

He concealed, “Wang Ji meant well, but unfortunately, the servants were tricky, causing Wang Rong some grievances.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow and turned to the Crown Prince, saying, “I recall Wang Rong isn’t too young anymore, right? Do you have a suitable position for him?”

He smiled, “I’ve read the impeachment memos from the Censorate. Young and reckless, who doesn’t make a few mistakes in their youth? Besides, it wasn’t anything major. The child also knows how to correct his mistakes. His father passed away early, leaving no one to assess his career path. Since you and he hit it off so well, let him handle some affairs at the Eastern Palace.”

Before Patriarch Wang could speak, the Crown Prince had already agreed and then said, “Wang Rong has a half-brother, Wang Da, who is quite excellent as well. I heard he’s currently studying at Four Gates Academy.”

Wang Da was admitted through examination, and this was something Patriarch Wang only learned of today. Initially, their branch had a quota for a recommendation. Wang Rong’s studies were average, so they had intended to keep the quota for his half-brother.

However, when the time came for his half-brother to come of age, it coincidentally clashed with the coming of age of Wang Ji’s two sons. Wang Ji had one quota, which was obviously not enough, so he took them all.

With no other options, Wang Rong and his brothers had to first attend another academy, and Wang Da only managed to enter Four Gates Academy in the second year.

But ultimately, it set them back a year compared to his two cousins.

He was aware of Wang Da seeking the Crown Prince’s help. He was initially a bit angry, as bringing such family matters to the attention of the monarch was indeed too humiliating.

He himself was in the capital. If Mrs. Wang had any sense, she could have approached him directly.

But after today’s division-of-property drama, Patriarch Wang contemplated more deeply.

A large tree sprouting multiple branches, each leaf facing a different direction; how much more so with people?

As the patriarch, he could only guide the overall direction of the family’s growth. As for the smaller aspects, everyone has their own fate; let them be.

After some thought, Patriarch Wang smiled, raised his head, and said, “Today, Wang Rong’s family mentioned they wanted to return to Taiyuan with me, but they might stay for their career, too. Your Highness can directly ask them.”

The Crown Prince then asked with a smile, “Why have they suddenly decided to return to Taiyuan? I remember their family’s old lady is still around. What if she misses her children and grandchildren being in different places?”

Patriarch Wang smiled, “They’ve split the family. The old lady will be with her eldest grandson. The capital is indeed too hot. It’s fine to come during spring to see the peonies, but at other times, Taiyuan is better.”

Patriarch Wang turned to the Emperor and said, “Hasn’t it been many years since Your Majesty last visited Taiyuan?”

The Emperor acknowledged and, without further detail, sighed, “Indeed, many years have passed since I last visited Taiyuan.”

Although Patriarch Wang really didn’t want these embarrassing family matters to spread, such a significant event like dividing the family was evidently impossible to conceal.

Even if their family members wouldn’t speak out, a slight inquiry about the properties Wang Rong’s family received during the division would reveal most of the story.

Even though Mrs. Wang, to avoid airing the family’s dirty laundry, had already instructed family members and servants not to spread the word, Manbao and the others found out quite a bit when they came to treat Wang Rong. The servants couldn’t suppress their joyful expressions and had quietly packed their boxes.

That day, the wound on Wang Rong’s back began to scab, and his fever had subsided. After giving him another needle, Manbao stated that next was internal adjustment and waiting for the external wound to heal.

She told Wang Rong, who was still lying down, “You haven’t fully recovered from your internal injuries. Continue drinking this decoction. I’ve left the prescription; drink it for another half month. As for the wound on your body, it’s scabbing. Don’t move around too much recently. Be careful, or the wound might reopen. The skin will tighten and itch; endure it and it will be fine.”

Wang Rong, who had to show his buttocks to Zhou Man almost daily, still felt embarrassed but was much better. He kept his head down and agreed in a low voice, only raising his head after everyone had left.

Manbao had already gone out and informed Mrs. Wang that she wouldn’t be coming from the next day on.

Mrs. Wang, learning from Doctor Ning that her son’s condition had stabilized and was out of danger, gave Manbao a generous red envelope.

Thanks to Manbao’s assistance, Doctor Ning, who was also saying his farewells to return to the clinic, received a large red envelope too and promised to come and change Wang Rong’s medicine punctually the next day.

Then the two left through the side gate of the Wang residence together, and Manbao followed Doctor Ning onto his carriage.

Inside the carriage, Doctor Ning quietly observed her while Manbao returned the gaze, both then bursting into laughter.

Doctor Ning cleared his throat and said, “Discussing the patient’s family matters isn’t right, as it violates our professional ethics.”

“It’s already all over the palace. Even if we talk about it quietly, we won’t spread it further.”

Curiously, Doctor Ning asked, “It’s all over the palace?”

Manbao nodded, “His Majesty even personally summoned Patriarch Wang to ask about it.”

Doctor Ning, now without worry, lowered his voice and said, “I heard from the servants of the Wang family that Mrs. Wang’s branch received nearly seventy percent of the estate, including all the clan fields going to Wang Rong.”