Protect Our Patriarch

"Fourth Grandpa..." Wang Shihai swallowed hard and said, "Is your Changning Wang's Clan really that strong? Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

Huangfu Feifei's bright eyes kept wandering over Wang Shouzhe. Not only was this young master handsome and elegant like a celestial being, but he also possessed unfathomable strength despite his youth. Could he be the young and promising head of a noble family?

However, the thought of Wang Shouzhe already being the head of his family brought a hint of disappointment to her eyes. Every family head would surely have a wife and children. This was a rule for the survival of any noble family, with the clan leader, the madam, the eldest son, and the eldest daughter forming the necessary foundation, each with their own status and responsibilities.

Facing those eager eyes, Wang Shouzhe remained calm as usual, sipped his wine, and said, "I came to Monan for two reasons: to attend the auction and to experience the local customs and culture."

"The Wang's Clan and Huangfu's Clan of Monan have stood tall for a thousand years or more. They have weathered countless storms, and the heroic deeds passed down through generations are too many to count. As for the minor achievements of my Wang's Clan, what's there to boast about?"

"That's true..." Wang Shihai's face showed a touch of pride, "Our Monan Wang's Clan has rooted and developed Monan, sacrificing and contributing much through generations."

"However, Fourth Grandpa, your achievements in Changning Wang's Clan are surely not common among seventh-grade noble families. This time, it is we who have been negligent..." Wang Shihai said, his face turning slightly red with embarrassment.

Interactions between noble families were often bound by numerous rules. If Changning Wang's Clan were just an ordinary seventh-grade family, his hosting would be appropriate.

But given the strength and stature mentioned by the celestial maiden, it would be proper for his father to host throughout. At the very least, the young clan leader of Monan Wang's Clan should accompany them.

"No worries at all," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "My Wang's Clan is indeed only seventh-grade, and you, Shihai, are a direct descendant and future patriarch. Don't belittle yourself. Besides, I quite like you, lad."

"Hehe, thank you for the compliment, Fourth Grandpa," Wang Shihai beamed with pride. Although he wasn't the young clan leader, his future achievements were expected to far surpass that position due to his exceptional lineage.

"I reckon Fourth Grandpa's cultivation must be in the late stages of the Lingtai Realm, right? If I'm not mistaken, you must also possess a celestial lineage," Wang Shihai speculated.

"Most likely not just any celestial lineage," Huangfu Feifei added with a deep look in her eyes.

"Not bad, not bad, it should be similar to yours," Wang Shouzhe modestly replied, "Let's all work hard together and strive to reach the Zifu Realm as soon as possible."

Reach the Zifu Realm soon?

"Fourth Grandpa, you really dare to say it? The Zifu Realm is not so easily achieved, especially since I'm only in my twenties..." Wang Shihai rolled his eyes. Although he had celestial lineage and a good chance of reaching the Zifu Realm with sufficient resources, even a celestial being would need to be eighty or ninety years old to ascend to the Celestial Realm and then cultivate for another two or three hundred years to have a chance of breaking through to the Zifu Realm.

The process was too long, and any accident could happen. If one were careless and succumbed to demonic possession, had bad luck, or suffered severe injuries that affected the foundation, it could impact the journey to the Zifu Realm.

Therefore, while celestial beings held high status, they were only Zifu seeds. Not every seed would grow into a towering tree, and not every Zifu seed would become a Zifu Realm cultivator.

"I actually agree with Young Master Wang. As celestial beings, we should naturally aim higher. Reaching the Zifu Realm earlier would also relieve some pressure on our families," Huangfu Feifei said, her eyes shining with confidence.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Applause rang out, and the celestial maiden said enviously, "I'm so jealous of you celestial beings with noble family backgrounds... Alas, poor me..." She sighed deeply, looking pitiable and touching.

Wang Shihai was about to speak when Wang Shouzhe interrupted, "Senior Tianyan, this wine is sweet and has a long-lasting aftertaste. Not bad at all. Could it be that you brewed it yourself?"

"Tianyan... senior?" The celestial maiden's eyes fixed on Wang Shouzhe, as if resentment was brewing... Why did he always disrupt her plans and rhythm, leaving her feeling like she was choking on blood?

"Senior is a Celestial Realm cultivator, so you must be at least eighty or ninety years old, right?" Wang Shouzhe's gaze was slightly peculiar, "Is there anything wrong with calling you senior?"

"Nothing! Wrong! At all!" The celestial maiden's face twitched under her veil, suppressing the urge to punch Wang Shouzhe, "This wine is called 'Hundred Flowers Drunk,' brewed with a variety of spiritual flowers. If Young Master Wang likes it, feel free to drink more."

"This wine is indeed worth enjoying," Wang Shouzhe praised.

"Young Master doesn't want to hear about my past, could it be that you disdain me for my background?" The celestial maiden's voice was cold and resentful.

"Of course not... We came to the pleasure boat to have fun. There's no need to share such tragic stories with heavy negative energy, lest it affects our drinking mood. Besides, there are hundreds of pleasure boats on Dongchacha Lake, and which lady doesn't have a tragic backstory?" Wang Shouzhe said, savoring the 'Hundred Flowers Drunk' with relish.

Before his transmigration, he enjoyed leisure activities and particularly liked reading books by an author named Old Ao, which not only offered interesting stories but also introduced him to many strange things. Works like "My Wife Falls in Love with Me" and "Twelve Beauties of Flower City" were all about various female characters and were so exciting that they were banned.

Compared to those, the celestial maiden's tactics were too simplistic. Wang Shouzhe, who had been influenced by Old Ao's positive energy, could not be easily led by the nose.

Wang Shihai was stunned by this scene. Fourth Grandpa, you're truly formidable. The celestial maiden, who was pampered by countless nobles, was being treated like this by you?

Aren't you afraid of being thrown off the pleasure boat?

Huangfu Feifei, on the other hand, felt quite vindicated. Young Master Wang's words were very reasonable. This celestial maiden was just a woman of the brothel, yet she acted so pretentiously.

"Very well, Young Master Wang's words make... sense!" The celestial maiden was trembling with anger, "Tianyan is just a humble woman of the brothel, and you all are honored guests. How could I disturb your mood with my sorrowful story? If so, allow me to play 'Ascending the Heavenly Palace' as an apology."

Uh... Wang Shihai was shocked. It was rumored that the celestial maiden's musical skills were unparalleled, but she rarely performed, and few in Monan Commandery had the chance to hear her play. Unexpectedly, instead of sending people away, she offered to play as an apology?

"Ascending the Heavenly Palace is too majestic and grand, suitable for drinking strong liquor," Wang Shouzhe frowned, "Let's change to another piece."

"How about 'Reclining in the Spring Pavilion'?" The celestial maiden gritted her teeth.

"That's a decadent and dissolute tune, don't corrupt the two youngsters. Play something with positive energy."

"How about 'Wandering the World with a Sword'?"

"That's a fantasy of rogue cultivators, with many actions that violate the laws. This tune should be banned."

"Then 'Defending the Heavenly Pass,' which tells the story of noble youths defending the pass against beast calamities, refusing to retreat until death."

"Tragic and sorrowful, and it also implies that the local government and the royal house are incompetent and foolish... This is a rebellious tune, Senior Tianyan, be careful."

"This won't do, that won't do," the celestial maiden was shaking with anger, her eyes rolling, "Do you want me to play a lullaby for putting children to sleep?"

"Uh... something festive will do," Wang Shouzhe felt he was being too demanding.

"Fine, then I'll play 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix'," the celestial maiden glared at Wang Shouzhe and said, "If Young Master has any more objections, roll off my pleasure boat. I can't serve you."

"Phoenix Seeking Phoenix?" Wang Shihai asked curiously, "Isn't that a wedding tune?"

"Idiot, the wedding one is not this," Huangfu Feifei glared at him, "The tune 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' is about a woman admiring a man..."

She stopped mid-sentence as her gaze involuntarily fell on Wang Shouzhe, her eyes becoming wistful. Ah, why did such a perfect and appealing man have to be...

The celestial maiden knelt at the qin platform, her delicate fingers gently touching the strings, taking some time to calm her breathing. Honestly, she had experienced hardships and storms in her life, considering herself mature and resolute.

Yet, she was thrown into disarray by a few words from Wang Shouzhe.

For the greater plan! She endured.

In just a few breaths, the celestial maiden entered the zone, her slender fingers like jade caressing the strings, and the crisp and moving sound of the qin flowed out smoothly like a gentle stream.

The tune 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' began cheerfully and lightly, as if telling the carefree days of a naive and romantic girl. Then, as the girl met the man she admired, the music became both joyful and melancholic, vividly portraying a girl experiencing her first awakening of love.

In the end.

The girl, who had missed several chances of marriage with the man due to misunderstandings, finally broke through conventional views and united with the man, achieving a happy ending. The music turned ethereal and beautiful, leaving the listeners feeling refreshed.

Yes, this was a story with a happy ending.

The tune ended, leaving the audience feeling very refreshed.

"Good." Wang Shihai was thrilled, as if he was the male lead in the tune, his head filled with drunken excitement, "Celestial Maiden, your 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' is truly unforgettable. Shihai admires you."

Unexpectedly, the celestial maiden didn't even glance at him but instead looked at Wang Shouzhe with a look that seemed to say, are you satisfied now, Young Master?

Not just her.

Even Huangfu Feifei's bright eyes were filled with mist, occasionally glancing at Wang Shouzhe, her gaze indescribably complex. Should she act like the girl in the tune, or should she...

In such an odd atmosphere.

Wang Shihai felt extremely awkward, shut his mouth, and began to eat the milk pastry and drink the 'Hundred Flowers Drunk.' The pastry was sweet, the wine was smooth, but his mood was bitter and astringent.

He regretted coming to the pleasure boat with Fourth Grandpa. His usual "brilliant" self seemed like a firefly compared to the moon when beside Fourth Grandpa.

He should keep his distance from Fourth Grandpa in the future; otherwise, his self-confidence would be shattered.

However, Wang Shihai didn't consider that if it weren't for Wang Shouzhe, would Huangfu Feifei have dined and drunk with him? And would he have had the chance to step onto the celestial maiden's pleasure boat?

Wang Shihai was uncomfortable, but so was Wang Shouzhe.

The gazes from Tianyan and Huangfu Feifei were like two hungry wolves. And one was very mysterious and dangerous, while the other was the cherished daughter of Huangfu's Clan.

Any real entanglement would surely lead to trouble in the future.

Before the celestial maiden could speak, Wang Shouzhe clapped his hands, "Senior Tianyan is indeed exceptional with the qin, I am impressed. Having heard such celestial music, my visit is now complete. Shihai, remember your father wants to discuss something with me tonight?"

"There isn't..." Wang Shihai began, but a look from Wang Shouzhe made him shiver, and he quickly said, "Right, right, right, there is indeed such a matter."

"It's getting late; don't make your father wait too long." Wang Shouzhe stood up and bowed, "Please calculate the bill, senior, I wish to take my leave."

"Young Master Wang..." The celestial maiden's eyes were filled with tangible resentment, "Am I so unworthy in your eyes?"

"Not at all, Senior Tianyan is quite outstanding," Wang Shouzhe casually reassured her.

She bit her lip and said, "I'll be honest with you, Young Master. My background isn't great, and I wish to entrust myself to a reliable man as his concubine. I wonder if my frail beauty could earn your pity?"

"What?" Both Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai looked at the celestial maiden in shock. Wasn't she being too direct?

Especially Wang Shihai, his mind was a whirlwind of shock. He had thought his admired goddess would become his step-mather... but she didn't want to and instead aimed to be his fourth grandma.

What a world... Isn't a young celestial being appealing?

"This... Thank you for your affection, senior," Wang Shouzhe frowned and declined, "My wife has a fierce temper; as a concubine, you wouldn't have peaceful days."

"No matter, as a concubine, I'm prepared. I will humbly serve and endure any scolding or beating without complaint," the celestial maiden was determined.

Wang Shouzhe was speechless; he guessed her original target was likely either Wang Zonghao or Huangfu Chengping. How did it suddenly turn to him?

Sigh~

Sometimes, being too handsome and too outstanding is a problem.

If he were more ordinary, life would be much quieter.