Protect Our Patriarch

……

Just as Wu Jinghao was feeling anxious in the traffic jam.

At the Changning Ferry.

A figure shot up into the sky, sweeping across like a startling rainbow.

Covering a distance of five or six miles in just sixty or seventy breaths, he gracefully landed in front of Wu Jinghao's "Palace Carriage" and said in a clear voice, "Little Commandery Prince Jinghao and the Monan relatives have arrived. Shoucheng apologizes for not welcoming you from afar, please forgive me."

He was a handsome young man, exuding the gentle warmth and cultural depth of a noble family with every gesture.

"It's the ninth elder of the Wang's Clan from the 'Shou' generation," some knowledgeable individuals among the carriages gathered to present gifts and offer congratulations exclaimed in admiration.

The seventh generation of the Wang's Clan, with the males of the "Shou" generation and the females of the "Luo" generation, was the most legendary.

Although this generation was not numerous, even excluding the clan leader Wang Shouzhe, the others were each outstanding in their own right. This generation had truly become the backbone of the Wang's Clan.

When Wang Shoucheng was born, it was during a period of rapid development for the Wang's Clan. As the youngest son of Ancestor Dinghai, the youngest of the "Shou" generation, he naturally received the love and care of his elders and siblings, enjoying a privileged upbringing.

Even Wang Shouzhe, who was younger than this younger brother, took great care and attention to his education and cultivation.

Under the "protection" of his fourth brother, Wang Shoucheng grew robustly, and now, just over a hundred years old, he had already reached the third level of the Celestial Realm, becoming a pillar of the Wang's Clan.

With Wang Shoucheng personally coming to greet them, how could Wu Jinghao and Wang Shihai dare to be negligent?

The two quickly disembarked from the Palace Carriage.

Especially Wang Shihai, who stepped forward quickly and cupped his hands, saying, "What virtue or ability does Shihai have to trouble Ninth Grandfather to come and greet us?"

"Jinghao greets Ninth Elder," Wu Jinghao also hurriedly saluted.

Although both of them were about twenty years older than Wang Shoucheng, they couldn't surpass his seniority. Moreover, the "Shou" generation was currently considered the backbone of the Wang's Clan, holding an extraordinary position within the family.

In the convoy, the stewards and elders of the Huangfu Clan, Mo Clan, and other families also got off their carriages to greet Wang Shoucheng.

Having the Ninth Elder personally welcome them was a great honor for those from Monan who came to present gifts.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries.

Under the management of Wang Shoucheng and some Wang's Clan stewards who arrived later, the Monan convoy was divided and sent onto ferries. Upon reaching the Wang's Clan's Dingpu Port, they proceeded with the handover of gift lists, accounting, and storage.

Though tedious, such work was necessary.

Among noble families, etiquette and reciprocity were highly valued.

The Changning Wang's Clan was not a one-way receiver like the Brave Troops; having accepted gifts, they needed to keep track and reciprocate when the time came. If someone sought their help in the future, this relationship would be considered.

The relationships between families were built bit by bit in this manner.

They couldn't become arrogant just because the Wang's Clan was now strong, with the direct descendant marrying two princesses. Such behavior would be too much like a nouveau riche, and if the family culture became like this, the noble family likely wouldn't last long.

However, due to limited resources, conditions, and manpower, the reception had to be uniformly planned and slightly over-prepared.

For instance, having Wang Shoucheng, the ninth elder of the "Shou" generation with a third-level Celestial Realm cultivation, greet the Monan gift convoy was slightly over-prepared. But because the age difference was not significant, they could easily find common topics and converse more comfortably.

However, if he were to receive the Monan Commandery Prince and his wife or Ancestor Dingxin of the Monan Wang's Clan, it would be somewhat inappropriate in terms of status.

In such reception etiquette, not understanding the rules and acting recklessly would only offend the guests.

For such esteemed guests, Wang Shouzhe would naturally have to personally welcome them, and then hand them over to Shouyong, Shoulian, or Shouye for long-term companionship.

Additionally, for esteemed guests like those from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, the third-grade Gongye Clan, or the third-grade Chen Clan, if the family head or an old ancestor with divine abilities personally came, Wang Shouzhe or Ancestor Long Yan would have to personally accompany them, with outstanding juniors from the family attending to them.

Otherwise, if word got out, it would be said that the Wang's Clan didn't understand etiquette and neglected their guests.

Thus categorizing guests into levels was not about being snobbish.

Every family had a pyramid-like structure of status differences internally, and it wouldn't be feasible for Wang Shouzhe to entertain every guest, regardless of their rank. If that were the case, even if Wang Shouzhe were cut into hundreds of pieces, it wouldn't be enough.

Therefore, apart from Wang Shoucheng welcoming the Monan Little Commandery Prince and his entourage, the other guests bringing gifts were attended to by the Wang's Clan members, young and old, everything orderly and without chaos.

Wang Anye's wedding was a significant event for the Wang's Clan. The marriage of the direct descendant's eldest grandson represented the continuation of the family's bloodline, especially since he was marrying two royal princesses.

If Wang Shouzhe showed a lack of attention, it would be seen as disrespectful to the royal family, and Emperor Longchang would likely be the first to be displeased.

Therefore, the Wang's Clan had been preparing for a long time.

In Xinping Town and Xin'an Town, large restaurants with high capacity and numerous apartment-style inns were built.

Even if a groom or a steward came, they would be accommodated in the inns, treated with good food and drink. Guests of different statuses would naturally receive different levels of quality hospitality.

The highest status guests were, of course, the Wang's Clan relatives, royal relatives, and the relatives of Wu Xue'ning's maternal family, the Great Qian Chen's Clan, as well as the relatives of Yiluo's maternal family, the Gongye Clan, and the core relatives of the Wang's Clan. These people were all accommodated in the expanded main residence of the Wang's Clan.

As for the newly built inns and residences, they wouldn't go to waste.

Wang Shouzhe intended to develop the Xinping Town and Xin'an Town area into a prosperous commercial base. Those few large inns might not even be enough in the future.

The stream of gift-giving convoys continued for a long time, only gradually stopping about a month before Wang Anye's wedding.

This was also the custom among noble families. The more significant the event, the more respect and courtesy were shown by preparing and delivering gifts in advance.

This was because the Great Qian's territory was vast, and sometimes it could take months or even nearly a year for a convoy to deliver gifts. If they didn't prepare and set off in advance, they might miss the opportunity to present their gifts if something delayed them on the way.

If gifts were delivered just a few days before the wedding or even on the day itself, without special reasons, it would likely displease the hosts. Such gift-giving, if it backfired, would be counterproductive.

Of course, for joyous occasions like weddings, some elders might carry precious items with them and present them at the wedding for a festive atmosphere, which was separate from formal gifts.

Just a few days before Wang Anye's wedding.

Shouzhe's Small Courtyard was bustling with activity.

In fact, the courtyard hadn't been quiet for a long time.

As Wang Anye's wedding date approached, relatives and friends had already arrived and settled at the Wang's Clan, so how could it be quiet?

In the bright spring, with a gentle breeze.

In Shouzhe's Small Courtyard, the greenery was pleasing to the eye, flowers were in full bloom, and a group of wild hornet spirit bees boldly built a nest under the eaves, primarily collecting nectar from the exotic flowers in Shouzhe's courtyard, supplementing with flowers from other courtyards in the Wang's Clan's main residence.

Amused and exasperated, Wang Shouzhe recalled the time when he bought a [Hornet's Nest], which Luo Jing identified as a Purple Crystal Spirit Bee, and decided to let them be.

Once familiar, this group of hornet spirit bees became quite docile, never attacking people or animals, diligently collecting spirit flower pollen day after day to produce first-grade spirit honey.

"Four twos, King Bomb." Emperor Longchang, disguised as an ordinary old man, triumphantly played four twos, looking around proudly, "Who else?"

Usually, a King Bomb refers to the big and small jokers. However, Emperor Longchang believed the jokers were the biggest, so how could they be called King Bomb? Therefore, he named four twos as King Bomb and the jokers as Emperor Bomb.

The two playing cards with the Emperor were Prince Deshun and Prince Yong'an.

Among them, Prince Yong'an, although from the Dexin lineage, had supported Commandery Prince Kang in the Imperial Heir Struggle. But ever since Long Wuji "submitted" to Wang Shouzhe, he had gradually withdrawn from the conflict.

This was likely the result of a private conversation between Long Wuji and his father. No matter how great the conflict between father and son, or how they appeared to be at odds, they were still father and son.

Moreover, Prince Yong'an had only one son, Long Wuji, whom he valued greatly.

Even when Commandery Prince Kang suffered continuous setbacks, he did not intervene. In fact, he directly went into seclusion for a while, claiming to have had an epiphany about the heavenly way, clearly choosing not to take sides.

With Prince Deshun supporting Yiluo, the Rong Commandery Prince's household had to rely on Prince Yong'an to hold the fort for Xue'ning, lest she appear weak.

"Ancestor, your wisdom and bravery are as formidable as ever," Prince Yong'an and Prince Deshun flattered the Emperor.

Wang Shouzhe's mouth twitched; such a flattery session was boring to watch. He turned away to chat and drink tea with Long Wuji: "Brother Wuji, I've seen the nautical charts you've drawn over these decades, but they don't seem to connect with the Tianji Continent."

"I didn't expect there to be so many islands and subcontinents overseas," Long Wuji said helplessly. "On one subcontinent, the human race is in a primitive tribal state, with a civilization even more backward than the Barbarian Gu Tribe. Based on our assessment of the Tianji Continent's location, it will take decades to establish a route between the two sides."

Long Wuji and the Wang's Clan were jointly exploring overseas, primarily to establish a maritime route between the Tianji Continent and the Great Qian, but they had yet to succeed.

"It's already quite impressive," Wang Shouzhe said. "Safety first, even if it takes another hundred years, it's worth it."

As they were talking.

A steward reported from outside the room: "Master, a young lady from the Immortal Dynasty has come to visit, saying she was entrusted by Miss Lici to deliver a wedding gift for the Seventh Young Master."

Immortal Dynasty? Lici?

Wang Shouzhe frowned. That girl Lici had been away in the Immortal Realm for a long time. Although she occasionally wrote letters to report her situation, when Wang Shouzhe wrote back, she was always on the move.

More than a decade ago, he had sent a letter to Lici through Yao's Air Transport, asking her to come back if she had time. She hadn't even met Anye, and now he was getting married. Was she delayed by something again this time?

"Make sure to entertain the young lady well. I'll go see her after a short rest," Wang Shouzhe said.

"Yes, Master." The steward retreated.

As Wang Shouzhe was about to leave, Long Wuji glanced at the three "old men" playing cards and felt a bit uneasy, not wanting to stay any longer: "Shouzhe, I've never met a young lady from the Immortal Dynasty. I'll accompany you to broaden my horizons."

"Alright," Wang Shouzhe said after a brief consideration, "but you mustn't bother the guest."

"Shouzhe, you're being too harsh. I, Long Wuji, have always been a gentleman."

"But I heard from Shihai that you're always shouting on the ship about going to the Tianji Continent to find those blonde, blue-eyed women."

"Ahem~ I was just boosting morale, giving the brothers something to look forward to. Otherwise, where would they find the courage to persevere?"

As they talked, they walked outside. Before leaving, Wang Shouzhe called into the room: "Ruolan, I'm heading out. Take good care of the guests inside, don't let them go hungry."

"Husband, I know," came Liu Ruolan's reply from the distant kitchen. "Don't you want to eat something before you go? If not, I'll serve it all to the old man."

"Yes, leave it all for the old man."

Then, the two princes and the emperor all turned pale, casting fierce glances at Wang Shouzhe, especially Emperor Longchang, whose face turned green. It seemed he would have to enjoy Wang Shouzhe's share of the snacks today.

And Wang Shouzhe left, satisfied.

Who told Emperor Longchang to come to his courtyard to play cards all the time? And always bringing card partners... didn't he know it was quite disruptive to the peace?

After a short while.

In the front guest hall.

A graceful, veiled woman stood, admiring the various famous paintings in the hall. The most prominent one was Emperor Longchang's masterpiece "Stay Immortal Residence at Sunrise," with a large seal, lest anyone not know it was the Emperor's work, and it had to be hung in a conspicuous place.

"Ahem, greetings to the fairy. I am Wang Shouzhe. Thank you for delivering the items on behalf of Lici," Wang Shouzhe coughed twice from a distance, and Long Wuji also put on a serious demeanor.

The woman slowly turned around: "Emperor Longchang's paintings are as full of craftsmanship as ever. It's hard for you to hang them up."

"Ahem, be careful with your words, young lady," Wang Shouzhe said awkwardly. "After all, he is our dynasty's emperor."

The woman was noncommittal, looking Wang Shouzhe up and down with a slightly surprised expression: "Lici praised your looks, and I didn't believe it. But you're even more handsome and extraordinary than I imagined."

……

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