r Jia Ren, Jia Yi, Jia Huan, and Li Lao Er, they slept outside the circle with the other men from the village. Even when sleeping, they were subtly protecting the elderly, women, and children.Jia Yin...Recently, Old Madam Wang has been in poor health. Or rather, ever since Wang E was exiled and the Wang family's reputation plummeted, she has been ailing.

It's not that something is physically uncomfortable, it's that there's a feeling of unease in my heart that I can't let go.

At this moment, the woman who came to visit was a distant cousin, surnamed Zhao. She had married to Xindu many years ago.

She forced a smile and greeted, "Xue'er ah, what brings you here today"

"Auntie, I've heard that you haven't been feeling well and have been resting. I was worried about disturbing you, so I didn't come to visit."

"I happened to be free today. I went to Liu's family banquet yesterday and heard some fresh news, so I thought I'd come find my aunt to chat and cheer her up."

Old Madam Wang hadn't reacted yet and asked, "Which Liu family, why are they holding a banquet"

Then Zhao said, "Auntie, of course it's the Liu family who had a scholar graduate. Their head of the household, Liu Zhiheng, teamed up with the Li family from Suijin Beach to cultivate corn and potatoes, two high-yielding staple crops. The Emperor directly bestowed upon Liu the eldest son a fourth-rank official position! That's why we're having this banquet today!"

"I heard the Li family is even more impressive. Mrs. Li, the matriarch, received the title of First Rank誥命夫人, and Li Erlang, the second son, was appointed an Earl. They've gone from simple folk to noble status overnight, with the whole family flourishing."

Suijin Tan, Li's family

When Old Mrs. Wang heard these words, she immediately sat up.

Her maid quickly fetched a pillow and placed it behind her so that she could be more comfortable.

She waved her hand dismissively, eager to press Zhao Shi, "Did the Liu family have a grand feast"

"Indeed, Auntie," Zhao shi pursed her lips, envy and jealousy flashing in her eyes.

She studied at a girls' school with Lady Liu when she was young, so they were classmates.

Her arranged marriage wasn't to a noble family, but her father-in-law was always an official of the fourth rank, and her husband was also a scholar.

Unlike Mrs. Liu, who married a good-for-nothing, illiterate man who could only do business and reeked of copper.

For this, she was proud for a long time.

But later her husband remained stuck on the pursuit of becoming a scholar, making no further progress. Her adoptive father also hadn't been promoted for over ten years.

On the other hand, the Liu family had a mixed bag. While Liu Ziheng was incompetent, his father, Master Liu, was a scholar. Liu's second and third sons were also officials serving in remote posts.

Now Liu Zhiheng has even become a fourth-rank official, equal in status to her stepfather.

This simply wiped away all the sense of superiority she had cultivated over the years.

Especially yesterday, seeing the bustling scene of cars and people in front of Liu's house with her own eyes, she felt like she was being fried in oil. After thinking about it over and over, she could only think of her aunt's house to talk to, after all...

“Auntie, it's really infuriating to talk about. The Liu family’s fields planted with corn and potatoes are still ours, the Wang family's! Back then, they were cheated by the Li family and then transferred to the Liu family. You could say that the Liu family climbed up on the shoulders of our family!”

"I saw with my own eyes yesterday how arrogant the Liu family was, and also the Li family. Both their wives and daughters-in-law were like country bumpkins, and their children were willful and domineering. But they were treated like royalty everywhere they went. I feel so sorry for our family!"

Madam Wang's face was ashen, she gritted her teeth and urged, "Tell me everything from beginning to end, don't leave anything out."

Zhao's heart was filled with prejudice, so naturally her words were harsh.

What a Liu family, so callous and looking down on their impoverished relatives! How the Li family bullies others, even going after children.

Even if nothing had happened, the way she said it turned it into a big deal.

Wang Lao Fu Ren heard the scolding, "Heaven has no eyes, allowing such a family to gain power!"

After finishing her words, she called over her most trusted maid and instructed her, "Go to the old master and tell him about this. Even if our family had no feud with Wang Xinqu, scoundrels like the Li family and the Liu family shouldn't be on the court."

"Yes, madam," the chief maid replied, and went to the front courtyard.

When Zhao heard the name Wang Xinqiu, she said again, "That Wang Xinqiu, back when he was at our Wang family, both the old master and the third master treated him so well. He's truly forgotten all about it, a complete ingrate!"

"Don't even talk about our family," sneered Madam Wang. "He's just as ruthless towards Xiao E, his fated wife! Xiao E is now doing hard labor outside, living and dying unknown, but he doesn't care a bit for old feelings."

"Even his two little brats are so heartless, they're really the despicable bloodline of the Li family, not even caring about their own mother!"

Zhao nodded and said, “I heard that Wang Xinqu bought back Sihaiju and reopened it, naming it Xiankelai. Those two boys have also been sent to Lu'an Academy!”

"Oh, is that so How's business at Si Hai Ju"

"Well, everyone knows it's packed and booming with business. Even my father-in-law has been there with his friends, saying they've come up with some unique new dishes, so many people have gone to try them..."

These two, one willing to ask and the other willing to answer, were quite a match for each other. They chatted away for another half hour before Mrs. Zhao finally took her leave.

Mrs. Wang ordered her maid to bring her some fine fabrics and a set of jewelry.

Zhao was so happy she could barely contain herself, calling "Auntie" with every word and promising to visit often. Finally, her heart content, she went back home.

In the front courtyard of Wang's residence, Old Master Wang and Third Master Wang were gathered in the study, discussing this very matter.

Actually, there was no need to rely on Zhao's reports; they naturally had their own channels and would have learned about yesterday's events at the Liu household even more thoroughly.

Wang Sanye paced back and forth on the ground, becoming more and more troubled with each step.

Last time, the family paid out ten thousand taels of silver and hundreds of acres of land to finally get him out of the case of assassinating Marquis Xin Ting.

But the suffering endured in prison, and the lingering cough that remains today, have become indelible marks, impossible to erase.

Once a dashing figure, respected by all, Wang San Ye now spends days indoors, reluctant to step outside.

Whenever anyone spoke to him, or even glanced his way, he would think they were laughing at him.

Such deep-seated hatred, and yet I haven't had the chance to seek revenge. The Marquis and the Liu family, even the Li family, are becoming increasingly prosperous right before my eyes.

This made it impossible for him to swallow his anger!

"Father, we can't wait any longer! *cough cough* *cough!*" Wang San Ye was anxious and began coughing as soon as he spoke.

"Father, if we wait any longer, our family will decline while theirs prospers. This seesaw effect will only make it harder for the Wang family to avenge ourselves."

Old Master Wang's heart was also filled with anxiety. He had always been a distinguished figure in the eyes of others. Now, as he grew old, he was being treated this way, humiliated and mistreated.

Even the Wang family's century-old reputation was damaged and they were secretly criticized and gossiped about!

He couldn't bear it any longer!

But to raise banners high, against the New Pavilion Marquis, the Liu family, and the Li family, their Wang family's power was not yet enough.

Let's not mention anything else, previously Marquis Xinting made a move, linking the Wang family to the assassination attempt. The Wang family was left in shambles.

So, it's about taking action, but also plotting in secret for success.

"Get everyone in the family involved and thoroughly investigate the Li family. Figure out where we can strike most easily. Xinting Hou has military power and merit, while the Liu family father and son are old foxes who are difficult to deal with. Only the Li family is from a peasant background, making them easier to exploit."

"Yes, Father, rest assured. I will personally lead the investigation into this matter." Wang Sanye had been depressed for a long time, but now that he finally heard they were going to begin their revenge, his eyes gleamed with hope.

Even though Old Master Wang might still have some hesitation, seeing his son so determined to move forward solidified his resolve!

A person lives on one breath!

Let everyone see, the Wang family is not to be bullied!ent events, he said: "I'll take care of business matters. You don't go out these few days, stay at home and take good care of your grandfather. As for your wife, I'll also send someone to pick her up...