Chapter 15: The Son's Bitterness

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With that, Wang Chengzu was struck squarely on the head.

Whether it was because the blow wasn’t fully delivered or some other reason, Wang Chengzu’s head did not bleed.

A brief silence hung in the air, only to be shattered by the woman’s piercing cry: “My lord! Are you alright? Is your injury serious? Seeing you like this breaks my heart.”

The woman on the bed, disregarding her disheveled state, quickly rose. One hand pressed against her chest, the other delicately held a handkerchief as she gently stroked Wang Chengzu’s head.

She was quiet at first, but once she spoke, Old Wang’s anger, which had somewhat subsided, flared up anew. “Shut your mouth! Shameless harlot! You have no place to speak here!”

“How dare you come to my home and smash things, beat my lord! Can you afford to compensate for hurting him?” Li Niang’s slender fingers nearly poked Old Wang’s nose in anger.

Wang Chengzu snapped, “Shut up!”

Li Niang looked at him in disbelief, tears welling up with a pitiful gaze. “My lord, I only care about you. How can you shout at me? You were just holding me and calling me your sweetheart—boohoohoo~”

Wang Chengzu’s face twitched slightly at her words, but mindful of his father’s expression, he dared not soothe her. His voice stiffened, “This is my father. What you did just now was truly inappropriate.”

Old Wang, observing their behavior, was so furious that he paradoxically calmed himself.

“Second and third sons! Take your eldest brother away!”

Old Wang cast a cold glance at Li Niang, then turned to sit at the main seat in the hall. On the table beside him lay unfinished pastries and candied fruits.

Wang Chengzhi’s face was grim. “Big brother, you’ve truly disappointed the family this time.”

Only now did Li Niang look at him seriously, eyes blazing. “Are you that peddler? Was it you who reported today’s incident? I even pitied you and bought all your hairpins to help you finish work early, but I never expected such betrayal from you!”

Li Niang’s regret twisted her insides. Had she known buying the hairpins would cause this trouble, she would never have gone.

Only then did Wang Chengzu realize how badly things had deteriorated.

He glared at Wang Chengzhi with fury. “Second brother, we are siblings. If you have doubts, ask me directly. Why bother our father at his age? I thought you had matured, but you still like to complain behind my back!”

Wang Chengzhi sneered, “You know exactly what you’ve done! We thought you were out studying, but it turns out you’re lost in your indulgences!”

With that, he and Wang Chengyao each grabbed one of Wang Chengzu’s arms and dragged him out.

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“Let go! I am your elder brother, how dare you treat me this way? I can walk on my own! Today’s matter is a misunderstanding; wait for me to explain...” Wang Chengzu protested, trying to free his arms.

Unfortunately, he was unaccustomed to physical exertion; he couldn’t break free from one person, much less two.

Once in the hall, Wang Chengzu collapsed with a thud and knelt, crawling to Old Wang’s feet. “Father, your son suffers!”

“When I was discussing academics with my classmates, I came across this woman being mistreated. The insults she endured were infuriating. Having read the sages, how could I ignore such injustice? I immediately stepped in to rescue her!”

“But Li Niang’s fate is hard. Her parents passed away early. Her elder brother sold her to a widower to be his wife. They married only two years before he died of illness, leaving her alone. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be mistreated so often—it’s truly pitiable.”

“My heart could not bear it, and since she was left behind, I often came to care for her. Today, I brought pastries because she had been ill recently.”

“But when we arrived, you came barging in. Father didn’t listen to explanations, pushed me away, and angrily threw a vase at me.”

“Our bodies and skin come from our parents. Being hit once is nothing; just don’t let this misunderstanding harm your health.”

Wang Chengzu spoke with heartfelt sincerity, alternating between righteous indignation and sorrowful sighs.

Yet no one responded to his performance.

Old Wang was silent for a moment before chuckling dryly.

But his voice was filled with desolation and bitterness. “You came to visit, but visited her in bed? Truly your father’s good son. Do you think I’m a fool?”

Seeing his father’s expression, Wang Chengzu felt uneasy. “Father, I swear it’s true! When I saved her, a classmate was right there and can testify for me...”

“Enough,” Old Wang sighed. “I thought you had realized your mistake, but you’re only scheming to deceive me.”

His expression was unprecedentedly severe and sharp. “Do you think we’re blind? Whatever you say, true or false, I only ask: how much money have you spent supporting this woman?”

Wang Chengzu’s gaze flickered. “Father, that question makes no sense. This woman has nothing to do with me. Why would I support her?”

“Smack!”

Old Wang slammed the table and stood. “Big son, I gave birth to you. I know exactly what you’re up to without you exposing yourself. I’ll ask again: how much have you spent supporting her? Think carefully before you answer!”

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Disappointment nearly overwhelmed Old Wang.

He had invested so much hope and effort into his eldest son, only to raise such a result.

The woman was clearly no virtuous lady. Why else would she follow him for no reason?

At this point, his eldest son was still making excuses. Did he really think his old father was senile?

Li Niang, now dressed, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, sobbing as she approached. Seeing Wang Chengzu kneeling, she immediately rushed over. “My lord, how can you kneel on the ground? Please rise!”

Before his father and brothers, Wang Chengzu pushed her away. “You woman, don’t shout recklessly. I only helped you a few times out of pity. Are you trying to cling to me now?”

A flash crossed Li Niang’s eyes as she looked at him mournfully. “I—I was ungrateful...”

Wang Chengzu relaxed inwardly. Whether the family believed him or not, for now, he would bluff his way through.

As long as he denied everything, his father would likely not treat him harshly in front of his brothers. He could coax him privately later, and everything would be fine.

Old Wang sneered coldly.

“Bind them and take them home.”

Wang Chengzu was shocked. “Father! If we go back like this, how can I face anyone in the future?”

Old Wang sneered. “You know well that what you did was unforgivable.”

Hearing “go home,” Li Niang, who had tried to struggle, immediately stopped. Wang Chengyao bound her and shoved her into the carriage.

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