Protect Our Chief-Chapter 689 - 85: Sister-in-law! Thank you so much!
...
Changning Guard, Ping’an Town, Zhuwei Mansion.
As the premier place of wealth in the corner of Ping’an, it was once nothing but a marshland over thirty years ago.
It was the Patriarch Wang Shouzhe of the Wang Family’s revitalization who spent ten years transforming this worthless marsh into the grand spectacle it is today.
The excellent environment, gathering of the rich, and central location for commerce and living convenience not only drew the admiration of local tycoons but also attracted wealthy people from the whole Changning Guard area, who spent large sums to acquire a property here.
This led to a continuous rise in the value of the main residences and fields in Zhuwei Mansion, and many of the initial buyers profited richly by reselling. However, they later regretted their decision immensely.
As the Changning Wang Family became increasingly powerful, the environment of the entire Ping’an Town improved, becoming wealthier and stronger. The price of Zhuwei Mansion’s first phase has climbed to a point that even Ninth-Grade Noble Families from other places feel apprehensive.
A property with a front and back yard plus eighty acres of farmland has risen to twenty to thirty thousand Qian Gold, yet there is demand but no supply, with properties closer to the river and Zhuwei Lake being more expensive.
Among them, a riverside house bears the inscription "Ouyang" above its gate.
On this day, it is Master Ouyang’s fiftieth birthday, and the house is bustling with guests of high status arriving to celebrate. However, Master Ouyang seems somewhat despondent; after offering a few toasts of water and wine to the guests, he returns to the back garden.
A corner of the back garden.
The weather is turning cool.
Some special varieties of plum blossoms and chrysanthemums are in full bloom in the garden, competing in their beauty.
Master Ouyang reclines on a lounge chair; at fifty years old, he is already showing signs of age. His slightly cloudy eyes appear somewhat spiritless.
Though only a few years older or younger than Patriarch Wang Shouzhe, in appearance and Essence, Qi, and Spirit, they seem worlds apart, hardly of the same generation.
After a long while.
The weather grows cooler.
A man in his thirties, dressed in gorgeous clothing, cautiously enters the garden unique to his father, holding the hand of a seven or eight-year-old girl. Since childhood, whenever his father was downcast, he would retreat to this corner of the garden alone.
"Father," the man in gorgeous clothing says softly, "many guests are waiting for you, hoping to wish you a happy birthday."
Master Ouyang glances at him blandly, saying, "Let them wait, then."
"Father, is that appropriate?" the man in gorgeous clothing says softly, "Among the guests are many of high status... including the third shopkeeper of Hengxiang Shop, the Young Clan Leader of the Li Family, the Deputy Garrison Commander of the Guardian’s Mansion, and the Young Master of Xinyi Shipyard..." He lists the guests of high status like a treasured enumeration.
"Humph!" Master Ouyang squints his eyes and says, "The bustling world is for profit, the bustling world comes for profit. These so-called distinguished guests are here to support an old mortal like me for no other reason than one word, ’profit’!"
"Bo Tao, you must always remember, I, Ouyang Junyan, am a personal attendant of Miss Six and one of the Chief Stewards of the Wang Family." The slightly aged Ouyang Junyan admonishes sternly, "Receiving a lord’s salary means being loyal to the lord, and there can only be official dealings with any outsiders, with absolutely no involvement of personal gain. Our Ouyang Family has reached today all because of unwavering loyalty. Now that you have been promoted to a Steward of the Wang Family, you must remember this point."
Ever since being promoted to a trusted position by Miss Six, he has been involved in various affairs at the forefront of the Wang Family, such as desilting and filling up land, constructing and selling Zhuwei Mansion, resettling refugees, organizing labor to dredge waterways, the Anjiang River Embankment project, the housing project, managing certain segments of Shouzhe Road in the Outer Domain, and serving as Chief Steward for part of the construction at Shouzhe Pass...
Throughout, he has diligently and conscientiously worked, serving as a backbone in the rise of the Wang Family. Therefore, to commend his contributions and loyalty, the Wang Family bestowed this main residence in Zhuwei Mansion on him over ten years ago.
As one of the Chief Stewards of the Wang Family, Ouyang Junyan naturally became a person many sought to curry favor with.
"Yes, Father." Ouyang Bo Tao hurriedly bows in acknowledgment, then says, "Then I will go entertain some guests to prevent people from saying our Ouyang Family lacks manners, and let Muqiu keep you company for a while."
"Go," Ouyang Junyan impatiently waves his hand as if dissatisfied with his son.
Then, after Ouyang Bo Tao leaves.
The little girl, Ouyang Muqiu, steps forward sweetly saying, "Wishing Grandpa blessings as vast as the East Sea and a long life like the Southern Mountain."
"Haha, little one. Grandpa’s fortune isn’t bad, but as for longevity, back when I was young, I was too... ahem, ahem~ never mind, never mind~" Ouyang Junyan affectionately strokes his granddaughter’s head with a smile, saying, "How are your studies recently? You must study well at the Wang Clan Academy, and never fall behind in the path of cultivation."
"Grandpa tells you, the reason our Ouyang Family can have today is entirely due to the backing of the Wang Family and Miss Six. You must study hard to become a useful person, and in the future, repay the kindness of the Wang Family and Miss Six."
"Yes, Grandpa." Ouyang Muqiu nods obediently, though only partially understanding.
"Good child." Ouyang Junyan praises, his kind eyes filled with deep emotion.
With financial conditions improved, he spent considerable money and Wang Clan Contribution Points to manage to elevate his eldest son Ouyang Bo Tao’s bloodline from Waste Talent to barely reach Lower Grade D, stepping into the threshold of Black Tortoise Cultivators.
