Protect Our Patriarch

However, Wang Shoujie wouldn't casually reveal his true feelings on the surface. Having experienced the ups and downs of the job market on Earth, he had learned to navigate complex human relationships, even if he wasn't an expert.

"Eldest Uncle is too kind," Wang Shoujie said humbly, "Getting along with people depends on fate, and Eldest Aunt has treated me like her own, showing me great kindness. Even if Eldest Uncle teases me or scolds me, I won't hold any grudges."

This statement was laced with hidden meaning, implying to Gong Sun Qiang that Wang Shoujie respected him only because of Eldest Aunt's kindness. Otherwise, based on Gong Sun Qiang's own character, Wang Shoujie might not have shown him such respect.

"Indeed. My little sister has been intelligent and kind-hearted since she was young," Gong Sun Qiang nodded repeatedly, praising Gong Sunhui.

Wang Shoujie was momentarily speechless, no wonder the elderly Gong Sun Clan leader was still in power despite his advanced age. It seemed that this young clan leader still needed some "tempering" to mature. No wonder he and Wang Shoujie's "deceased father" Wang Dingyue had never seen eye to eye.

Gong Sunhui, who was listening, felt embarrassed and ashamed, her face flushing red. Her Eldest Brother was good in many ways, but lacked emotional intelligence. Did she not show enough kindness, and should she be ostracized for not being born into the family?

She quickly added, "It's only natural for me to take care of him. By the way, Brother, how's Father's health?"

At the same time, Gong Sunhui couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. Previously, she hadn't noticed, but after he took over as clan leader, his performance had been lacking.

Looking at her Eldest Brother, she felt a significant gap. She began to worry about the Gong Sun Clan's future. Her Eldest Brother had indeed "eaten three meals for free" for 38 years.

"Father's health is fine," Gong Sun Qiang also knew he had misspoken, and after laughing awkwardly, he said seriously, "It's just that he's been feeling down lately, and his appetite has been poor. He's been thinking of you nonstop, and as soon as he heard you were coming back, he urged me to come and fetch you."

"Eldest Aunt, the wind is strong outside, let's hurry back to the carriage," Wang Shoujie said with a bow, "I'm sure Grandfather is waiting anxiously. I'll accompany Eldest Uncle on horseback."

The black stallion Wang Shoujie had ridden earlier, which had been led by a servant, was now being put to use.

"Yes, you and Eldest Uncle can chat along the way," Gong Sunhui gave a subtle hint, and then led Wang Luojing back to the carriage.

Wang Shoujie, of course, understood Gong Sunhui's intention. Currently, the Wang Clan was weak, relying heavily on Ancestor Longyan's prestige to maintain its influence. If they could strengthen their relationship with the Gong Sun Clan, it would greatly benefit the Wang Clan.

Therefore, Wang Shoujie rode the black stallion, chatting casually with Gong Sun Qiang as they walked at the front of the procession. His attitude towards Gong Sun Qiang was based on Gong Sunhui's face-saving, and he wouldn't blindly try to curry favor with the Gong Sun Clan without principles or limits.

In any world, whether it's relatives or allies, relationships are built on the foundation of shared interests and equal power. The strong wouldn't respect you more just because you fawned over them or tried to please them without principles.

On the contrary, Gong Sun Qiang looked at Wang Shoujie and discovered that this "fortunate nephew" was far superior to his peers in terms of conversation and demeanor, and was about to reach the high ranks of the Qi Refining Realm at a young age, with unlimited potential in the future.

Such a young talent was hard to find in the entire Shanyang Gong Sun Clan.

Especially when compared to Gong Sun Qiang's own son, Gong Sun Yan, who was one year younger than Wang Shoujie. Although Gong Sun Qiang thought his son was decent, when compared to Wang Shoujie, he felt a pang of discomfort and, without realizing it, became more affectionate towards Wang Shoujie: "Shoujie, you rarely come to Shanyang. This time, stay for a few more days, and I'll have my son, Little Yan, accompany you on a hunting trip in the mountains."

"Thank you, Uncle, for your kind intentions," Wang Shoujie said with a bow. "However, family matters are busy, and as the head of the clan, I need to leave after paying respects to my grandfather."

Gong Sun Qiang's heart sank even further upon hearing this. Ah, this nephew of his was only 18 years old and had already become the clan leader. He himself was 38 and still just a minor clan leader. Moreover, the current clan leader showed no signs of retiring.

On the way back, Gong Sun Qiang's heart was heavy, and he didn't say much.

The main residence of the Shanyang Gongsun Clan was built on the steep Longji Mountain, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. The outer walls were also reinforced with tall and sturdy watchtowers, giving off an aura of grandeur.

This time, Wang Shoujie had come as the son of Gong Sunhui, not as the clan leader, so after a simple exchange of courtesies, he was invited into the main hall.

In the main hall, the current clan leader of the Gongsun Clan, Gongsun Mo, and his wife, Gong Sun Chen Shi, sat in the main seats, dressed in formal attire, showing their respect for Gong Sunhui and Wang Shoujie.

"Unfilial daughter pays her respects to Father and Mother," Gong Sunhui said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Ah, Hui'er," Gong Sun Chen Shi said, helping her daughter up and examining her with a mixture of emotions. "You've been away from home for three years. Are you doing well in the Wang Family?"

"Mother, the Wang Family has been very good to me, but... but it's just that my husband..." Gong Sunhui started to cry again, clearly heartbroken.

"Ah, that scoundrel Dingyue, why did he have to go on such a reckless adventure? Couldn't he just live a peaceful life with you?" Gong Sun Chen Shi's face was a mix of anger and sadness. "It's really pitiful for our family's children."

"Enough, you old lady don't understand, so don't just blabber on," Gongsun Mo said sternly. "As martial artists, we should be brave and strive for excellence. Dingyue, as the clan leader, must have had his reasons for going. He just had bad luck."

"I don't understand? It's all because of you, you old fool," Gong Sun Chen Shi said, slightly agitated. "You said that Wang Dingyue was talented and would definitely become a great figure in the future, and yet you promised our precious daughter to him as a concubine You..."

She seemed to remember that Wang Shoujie was still present and stopped talking, instead giving him a warm and kind smile. "Ah, Shoujie, Grandma is just sad about Dingyue's passing and got a bit emotional. Oh, you've grown so much in three years, come let Grandma take a look."

Wang Shoujie couldn't help but smile inwardly, now understanding the phrase "like mother, like son." His uncle Gong Sun Qiang's habit of speaking without thinking was probably inherited from Grandma Chen.

He wouldn't argue with an old lady, so he walked up and bowed. "Shoujie pays his respects to Grandma."

"Not bad, not bad, this child has grown so handsome," Gong Sun Chen Shi said, pulling Wang Shoujie closer and examining him with increasing delight. "Shoujie, do you have a fiancée? Our Shanyang Gongsun Clan has many beautiful girls, would you like..."

Gong Sunhui's face turned dark, and she quickly intervened. "Mother, Shoujie is my son, and he can't marry a girl from the Gongsun Clan."

In martial clans, intermarriage usually required tracing back to the fourth generation to ensure they weren't from the same family. Special circumstances might allow for exceptions.

Gong Sunhui was Wang Shoujie's stepmother, and although they didn't share a blood relationship, traditional rules still applied, especially in modern times.

"Not a direct descendant, then what about the girls in the direct lineage..."

Gong Sun Chen Shi's words were cut off by Gongsun Mo's outburst. "You're confused, old lady Shoujie is the Wang Clan's direct descendant and the leader of a clan, how can he marry a direct lineage girl?"

"You're the one who's confused, old man," Gong Sun Chen Shi said. "If the Gongsun Clan can't find a suitable match, then why not marry a girl from the Chen Clan?"

Gong Sunhui explained helplessly. "Mother, the Chen Clan doesn't have a suitable girl for Shoujie either. Besides, Luo Yi was already engaged to the Chen Clan's minor clan leader, and they were supposed to get married this year, but since Dingyue just passed away, they need to wait a year before getting married."

"Ah, what about my nephew Chen Fang Jie?" Gong Sun Chen Shi's face lit up with a smile. "Fang Jie is a stable and talented child, and the Wang Clan's vision is still good. It's just a pity for Shoujie... I'll think about it some more..." She was quite influential in the Chen Clan's family hierarchy.

"Mother, please don't think about it anymore," Gong Sunhui hurriedly stopped her from matchmaking. "Shoujie's marriage is already arranged, and it's with the direct descendant of the Shanyin Liu Clan."

The Shanyin Liu Clan?

Gong Sun Chen Shi's face changed instantly.

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