"Father." Wang Zixi squinted:

"Do you know someone wants to make a move on me?"

"Who is it?"

"Of course, it’s your ’brother’." Wang Qi sneered, seemingly smiling, but his smile was full of disdain and contempt:

"He always thinks he’s smart, but in reality, he’s just a fool!"

"If he could really get rid of you, that would be one thing. But if he can’t, then what he did today becomes a hold you have over him. Acting hastily without absolute certainty is something only he would do."

Turning sideways, Wang Qi was half-teaching, half-warning:

"Remember!"

"The noble families have no personal grudges. Even if your ’brother’ wants to kill you, you cannot kill him, at least not now."

"Use the leverage you have over him to make him work for you; that’s how to maximize benefits."

Wang Zixi’s face darkened.

She knew her father was right. She even set a trap with her own body to lure the mercenaries to act, just to gain leverage over Wang Jun.

But,

her heart was uncomfortable.

"What about Daoist Fang?"

Taking a deep breath, Wang Zixi asked sullenly:

"Since you know Wang Jun will make a move today, why didn’t you rescue Daoist Fang as well? He is a man of talent."

"Didn’t you say you wanted to rope people in?"

"The fewer people who know the better." Wang Qi’s expression was indifferent:

"If there’s a leak, everything will be lost."

"As for talent..."

"Ha!"

He laughed and said:

"Under the heavens, speaking of divination and techniques, the Wang Family dares to claim second to none. There’s no need to be overly concerned."

In his eyes, Fang Zheng was just a Daoist who knew how to read faces.

There aren’t many of such people,

but not too few either!

Not worth too much attention.

Moreover, Wang Qi had his own thoughts. He promised back then that if someone brought his daughter back, he would teach them talismanic magic.

But this magic was his lifeline, he hadn’t revealed it even if his limbs were crippled, so he was naturally wary of Fang Zheng.

Even if Fang Zheng said he wasn’t interested...

What if he changed his mind?

It’s more reassuring if he’s dead.

Wang Zixi’s expression tightened. Although she emerged from the rough-and-tumble world, she understood the value of loyalty.

It’s just that,

in these noble families, there was no so-called loyalty, only interests were real.

To gain more and bigger benefits, they didn’t hesitate to set traps, disregarding others’ lives, just to achieve their goals.

Looking at the expressionless Wang Qi, Wang Zixi’s beautiful eyes flickered:

’Perhaps, I should learn to adapt and change; my previous mindset suited the world of commoners, but might not be suitable for noble families.’

Soon after.

"Master."

The beautiful woman pushed the door open, bowed, and said:

"Young Master Jun, Young Master Yu request to see you."

Her form of address was strange, calling Wang Qi master. Moreover, whenever she was near Wang Qi, admiration would show in her eyes.

This complete submission of body and mind was extremely bizarre.

It was likely controlled by talismanic magic.

"Let them in."

Wang Qi closed his eyes.

"Yes."

The beautiful woman bowed and withdrew.

Soon after.

Two young men followed her into the ward, their faces pale. Their expressions shifted slightly upon seeing Wang Zixi by the bedside.

"Thud!"

Wang Jun’s knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, speaking sullenly:

"Father, I know I was wrong."

"You did wrong indeed." Wang Qi snorted coldly:

"Acting hastily without determining the situation, giving orders to the hidden guards recklessly, handing over a potential threat to your life on a silver platter."

"You’ve made no progress all these years, that’s the reason I look down on you."

Wang Jun’s body tightened, then he bowed his head to the ground, his voice tinged with tears:

"Father, I’ve let you down."

"I am very disappointed." Wang Qi said:

"The clan elders passed a son from another branch to me, and I didn’t feel there was anything wrong with it, but claiming a fool would be an insult to me, wouldn’t it?"

Wang Jun’s fingers dug into the ground, remaining silent.

"Fortunately,"

"My daughter is back."

Wang Qi ignored him, looked at Wang Zixi with a loving expression, and said slowly:

"Zixi, in the country there are laws, in the family there are rules. By the country’s laws, your brother’s wanton killing is a capital offense; by the family laws, his use of hidden guards to kill his own family members is equally unforgivable."

"If you report this matter, he won’t escape death."

"Handle this matter as you see fit!"

"Sister!"

Wang Jun’s expression changed dramatically. Kneeling on the ground, he moved his body, looked up at Wang Zixi, and pleaded:

"I beg you, don’t kill me."

"I... I’ve been taking care of father all these years for you. I am your brother, as long as you don’t kill me, I’ll do anything for you!"

Wang Zixi raised an eyebrow.

’Father was right. Setting up a plan with oneself as bait may be risky, but it could help secure Wang Jun, thereby gaining some power within the family.’

’Since Wang Jun beat others to become Father’s sole heir, he must have some background in the Wang Family and could be useful.’

"You must be Brother Jun."

Turning her thoughts around, she forced a smile and stepped forward to help Wang Jun up:

"Everyone makes mistakes. It’s good to acknowledge them, learn from them, and remember the lesson."

"Get up quickly!"

She then addressed Wang Ruyu, who was trailing behind Wang Jun:

"Little Brother Ruyu, you get up too!"

The two exchanged a glance and hesitated a few times before getting up from the ground, bowing in thanks under Wang Zixi’s mockingly angry tone.

"Good!"

Wang Qi laughed heartily:

"This is as it should be."

"You’re all family. You should treat each other with respect and love, and help one another in times of need. That’s what family is."

"Yes."

"Father is right."

"Uncle makes a valid point."

The three responded in agreement.

Wang Jun looked at Wang Qi with some surprise.

For twenty years, the man had been bedridden, barely surviving, like a mute cripple. Even when meeting him during festivals, he wouldn’t utter a word.

Now,

it was as though he had come back to life, with vitality restored in his eyes.

Heh...

Indeed, having your own daughter is better. For many years, he had been half-dead, but as soon as she returned, he was revitalized like blood rushing to his head.

Wang Qi never intended to consider him as a successor!

With this thought in mind, he sighed again. Right now, he was at the mercy of the other party, holding incriminating evidence against him, and as long as he wished to live, he had to obey.

What’s the point thinking about all this?

Just as they were engaging in mutual flattery and enacting a scene of family reunion, a beautiful woman entered again, bowed, and said:

"Master, Daoist Fang of the Celestial Master Temple is here to see you."

"Hmm?"

"Oh!"

Everyone in the room was taken aback.

"The Daoist isn’t dead?" Wang Zixi was the first to react, showing wild delight, and hurriedly said:

"Please let him in."

Wang Qi frowned, his displeasure fleeting, before nodding:

"Let him in."

......

Fang Zheng, wearing a Daoist Robe, walked leisurely into the room. He was neat all over, with bright and clear eyes, exuding an otherworldly air.

"Mr. Wang."

He held one hand before him, slightly bowed:

"We meet again."

"Indeed." Wang Qi nodded:

"Did the Daoist find anything in the library?"

"I gained a lot." Fang Zheng said with emotion:

"Many of my doubts have been resolved, and the Langya Wang Clan’s library is truly exceptional. Unfortunately, the stay was too short."

"That’s not a problem." Wang Qi said:

"The Daoist may enter anytime. Just mention it to my daughter Zixi, as books are meant to be read."

"No need." Fang Zheng shook his head:

"I am a monk, and getting too entangled in worldly matters isn’t good."

"However..."

"Today, in the library, I encountered some villains. Fortunately, I have protective talismanic magic, allowing me to escape. Sadly, others weren’t so lucky."

"Is that so." Wang Qi lowered his head:

"Such a thing happened. Rest assured, the Wang Family will give an account to the families of the victims."

"The Wang Family is wealthy; compensation is not an issue." Fang Zheng chuckled:

"But grievances have instigators and debts have debtors. Ultimately, life must pay for life."

"Stupid Daoist!" Wang Ruyu’s face changed when he heard this, stepping forward angrily:

"What do you mean?"

Fang Zheng tilted his head, his expression calm:

"I’m a monk, and there’s no need for twists and turns. I only know that debts must be repaid, and murder needs redemption; only then will the heart be at ease."

"Are you Young Master Yu?"

"I am!" Wang Ruyu snorted coldly:

"I can tell you, I’m also the one who ordered them to act, stupid Daoist. What can you do to me?"

"Infinite Longevity and Happiness."

Fang Zheng lowered his brows:

"Evil-doers belong in the Underworld."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Wang Ruyu trembled, suddenly collapsed to the ground, and ceased to breathe.

"There’s still Young Master Jun."

Fang Zheng turned to Wang Jun, bowed again:

"Please set off!"

"Thud!"

Wang Jun fell to the ground, dead.