Dusk is the liveliest time of day in Luoan Town. After school, students come out in groups to find a place to eat something good, worry about their homework, and secretly complain about their teachers. It is the most relaxing time of the day.
Wang E led her eldest son home from school, listening to his excited recounting the praise he received from his teacher that day. She was pleased, but still gave him a stern reprimand, "Don't be arrogant or impatient. You've only been learning for a few days; even if you're good, there's only so much. You need to keep working hard. Add ten more large characters tonight!"
Li Ge'er, who had been all smiles, wilted after his mother poured cold water on him. "Yes, Mother."
Wang E couldn't bear to see her son like this, so she bought a box of pastries and kept telling him to study hard, become a top scholar when he grew up, bring glory to the family, and make his maternal grandfather proud in the afterlife.
Li Ge'er responded repeatedly, but the light in his eyes gradually faded.
The mother and son had just arrived home, and before they could even eat, someone found them outside the courtyard, and a servant rushed in to deliver the news.
"Madam, someone from the clan has come to report that something has happened at home."
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the business? Quick, let them in!" Wang E stood up in surprise and hurriedly called for people to come in.
Li Ge'er put down his snacks, his little face full of worry, "Mother, is Father's headache again?"
Wang E paused for a moment, then replied, "You'll find out soon enough."
Soon, a servant led in a junior steward.
Wang E recognized him; he was one of Wang Sanye's trusted henchmen—Wang Er.
"Wang Er, why are you here? What happened at home?" Wang E couldn't contain herself and asked immediately.
Wang Er bowed, glanced at Li Ge'er, and replied, "Don't worry, Madam, it's nothing serious."
Wang E understood and shooed her son away, saying, "Li Ge'er, go wash up and change your clothes. Dinner will be ready soon."
Li Ge'er stood up and went out.
Wang Er hurriedly said, "Madam, something terrible has happened! A waiter at Sihaiju poisoned a customer who came to eat, and the customer's family is making a scene at the restaurant. When the master went to deal with it, he was so anxious that he vomited blood, so Sihaiju had to close down. Then, the ship carrying goods south was attacked by pirates and sank. Several other families came to collect debts, so the master sold Sihaiju and several other shops to raise the money."
"Seeing things were going badly, the shopkeepers all signed indentures and dispersed, leaving their households in complete chaos. Third Master sent me to invite you to return as soon as possible, otherwise things might get even worse."
"No...impossible!" Wang E was stunned. Forgetting her manners, she grabbed Wang Er's arm. "Are you lying to me?"
Wang Er quickly knelt down. "Madam, how could I dare to lie to you? This was all found out by Third Master himself, and... by now, I'm afraid everyone in the city knows, after all, the Sihaiju incident caused such a big stir."
Wang E took a deep breath and finally calmed herself down, but then she became a little annoyed.
"Where is the master? What is the master doing?! How could he vomit blood because he couldn't even handle Sihaiju?! At a time like this, shouldn't we first bribe the deceased's family and put the matter under control? How did things escalate to this point?!"
Wang E was complaining and showing disdain, disliking her husband for not handling things well.
Thinking of the pitiful state of Master Wang on the verge of death, Wang Er couldn't help but feel sorry for him, so he added an explanation: "Master Wang's headache has worsened, and he keeps vomiting blood. The doctor in the manor said that he probably won't live much longer."
"Father!" Before Wang E could answer, Li Ge'er, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, rushed out.
He tugged at Wang Er's sleeve, his eyes red, and asked, "Is my dad going to die? No way! Waaah, I want to go home, I want to find my dad!"
Wang E was now frightened and repeatedly called for the servants to prepare the carriage so they could immediately turn back.
Unfortunately, by the time they arrived at the city gate, it was already late at night, and the gate was closed. They could only wait at the gate.
Finally, dawn broke, and as soon as the city gates opened, the carriage quickly entered the city and sped back to the south of the city.
As Wang E got out of the car at the door, she stumbled and was helped up by her maid. She happened to bump into her neighbor next door.
Wang E was about to say hello when the man turned away with a sullen face.
Wang E frowned, not understanding what was wrong with her neighbor, but she didn't have time to pay attention to it at the moment.
In the study in the front yard, the smell of medicine was overwhelming. Master Wang lay on the bed, his face sallow and his whole body emaciated, like a rice stalk swaying in the early winter fields.
Li Ge'er only glanced at it before rushing over, hugging his father and bursting into tears.
Wang E's eyes also reddened, and she stepped forward to ask, "Master, what's wrong with you? You're so ill, why didn't you send someone to fetch me back?"
Master Wang shook his head with difficulty, reached out and slowly touched his son, and in a hoarse voice urged him to go to the backyard, "Go see your younger brother."
Li Ge'er is only nine years old, but the agony of waiting last night made him grow a lot. Thinking of his younger brother, he quickly went out.
Wang E was about to speak when Master Wang closed his eyes.
Wang E felt that something was wrong, but seeing her husband like this, she couldn't ask him directly. So she went out and asked her trusted servants and old women for advice.
As a result, the more she listened, the darker her face became, and the more uncertain she felt.
She was prepared for her husband's health to deteriorate, but why did her business also encounter so many problems?
Sihaiju and its five shops, which were practically the majority of the family's assets, were all gone in just one day!
She could no longer bear it and took her people to the Wang family's old residence.
Last night, Third Master Wang didn't have a chance to tell his father about Sihaiju, but this morning when he came over to have tea with his father, he explained everything clearly.
Finally, she tentatively asked, "Father, Xiao'e has never treated Xinqiu's illness all these years. Is she afraid that once Xinqiu recovers, she will leave her and the child?"
Old Master Wang took a sip of tea and nodded in agreement, saying, "You should pay more attention to Xiao'e's family matters lately. Back then, this Wang Xinqiu was left behind by your cousin Qiang. Once he recovers from his illness, he will remember the past and cause a lot of trouble. Therefore, Xiao'e's actions are out of necessity."
Force them to stay?
Wang Sanye's heart skipped a beat, and he had some vague guesses.
Before he could ask any more questions, Wang E came crying and sobbing. As soon as she entered the house, she knelt down.
"Uncle, sob sob, my husband is dying, and the business is in trouble. What will my children and I do?"
Third Master Wang quickly helped her up and comforted her, "Why are you panicking? You're a daughter of the Wang family; we won't let you lose your place!"
Even Old Master Wang spoke up, "When your father passed away, he was afraid this day would come, so he left you 20,000 taels of silver with me. So, if the family business collapses, so be it, don't be afraid. As for Wang Xinqiu's serious illness, that's his fate. Let him take good care of himself, and when he closes his eyes, we'll send him off properly."
"When the time comes, I'll have your third brother arrange some good shops and businesses for you. You can take your two children and continue to live a good life. With the Wang family around, no one will dare to bully you."
Wang E was overjoyed to hear this and finally stopped crying.
After offering a few more words of comfort, Old Master Wang had Third Master Wang see her out.
Meanwhile, in the study in the front courtyard of the Wang family, Li Ge and Mao Ge'er were crying their eyes out, clinging to their father's arm and refusing to let go.
Master Wang gently patted their heads and instructed them, "I'm afraid I won't make it. After I die, Li'er, you must study hard, not to bring glory to the family, but to learn skills so you can protect your younger brother. You two brothers must depend on each other and live well. As for your mother..."
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