use his decades of skill to give that Zhang fellow a good "slap" and make him submit!Soon, the carriage arrived at Li's house.Mrs. Li personally greeted Dr. Chang at the door and led him to the back y...The dusk in Luan Town was the most lively time of day. When the academy let out, students would flock out in groups, looking for a good meal and a place to unwind after a day of studying. They'd complain about their homework and secretly gossip about their teachers, enjoying this moment of utter relaxation as much as possible.

Wang E held her eldest son's hand as he excitedly recounted how the teacher had praised him today. She was pleased but still put on a stern face, saying, "Be humble and don't get complacent. You've only been studying for a few days! Even if you're talented, there's always room for improvement. After school, go home and practice ten more pages of large characters!"

Li Ge'er had originally been beaming, but after being splashed with a bucket of cold water by his mother, he wilted. "Yes, Mother," he said.

Wang E couldn't bear to part with her son like this, so she bought a box of snacks and along the way, instructed her son to study hard, grow up to become a top scholar, bring glory to the family, and give their deceased grandfather a voice in the underworld.

Li Ge'er responded one by one, but the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

No sooner had the mother and son arrived home than someone found them in the courtyard. A servant ran frantically inside to deliver a message.

"Madam, someone from the family has come to report that there's been an incident at home."

"What's the matter Is there a problem with the business Come in quickly!" Wang E jumped up in surprise and hurriedly called people in.

Li Ge'er also put down her snacks, a worried expression on her little face. "Mother, is Father having a headache again"

Wang E was stunned for a moment, then replied, "I'll know soon."

Soon, the slave led in a small steward.

Wang E also knew this person. He was a trusted bodyguard of Wang San Ye - Wang Er.

"Wang Er, why are you here What happened at our place" Wang E couldn't hold back and asked right away.

Wang Er bowed and glanced at Li Ge'er, replying: “Madam, please rest assured, it's nothing major.”

Wang E understood, shooing her son away. "Li Ge'er, go wash up and change your clothes. Dinner will be ready soon."

Li Ge'er stood up and walked out.

Then Wang Er quickly said, "Madam, something terrible has happened! At the Si Hai Ju restaurant, a young man poisoned the food, killing one of the diners. The diner's family caused a scene outside the restaurant, and when the manager tried to deal with it, he got so stressed that he spat blood. The Si Hai Ju had no choice but to close down.Immediately afterward, their ship transporting goods south was attacked by pirates and sunk. Several other families came demanding payment. The manager sold the Si Hai Ju and several of his shops to raise the money. "

"When the shopkeepers saw that things were going wrong, they also took their contracts and dispersed. Now the household is in disarray. The third master asked me to invite you back as soon as possible; otherwise, things will only get worse."

"No...impossible!" Wang E was stunned, and she didn't care about being impolite. She grabbed Wang Er's arm, "Are you lying to me"

Wang Er quickly knelt down, "Madam, how dare I deceive you. This was all asked by the Third Master himself. Even... I'm afraid everyone in the city knows about it now, after all, the commotion at Sihai Ju was quite a big one."

Wang E took a deep breath, finally calming herself down, but then she felt annoyed.

"Where is the old master What is he doing! How can someone who lives all over the world fail to handle this situation properly, and get so angry that he vomits blood! At such a time, shouldn't we first bribe the family of the deceased and suppress the matter Why has it gotten to this point!"

This is complaining mixed with contempt, looking down on her husband for not handling things well.

Wang Er thought of Wang Yuanwai's dying and miserable appearance, he couldn't help but feel sympathy, so he added an explanation: "Yuanwai's headache is serious, he has been vomiting blood, the doctor in the house said that he probably won't live long."

"Father!" Before Wang E could even respond, Li Ge'er, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, rushed out.

He tugged at Wang Er's sleeve, his eyes red as he asked, "Is my father going to die No! Oh, I want to go home, I have to find my father!"

Wang E now also knew to be afraid, and cried out in a hurry for the servants to prepare the carriage, and to go back immediately.

Unfortunately, when I got to the city gate, it was already late at night and the gate was closed. I could only wait at the entrance.

It took a long time to finally see the dawn. As soon as the city gate opened, the carriage sped into the city and ran all the way back to the south of the city.

As Wang E got out of the carriage at the door, she stumbled and was helped up by a maidservant. She just happened to catch sight of her neighbor next door.

Wang E wanted to say hello, but the person had a stoic face and turned away.

Wang E frowned, not understanding what was wrong with this neighbor, but she didn't have time to care about it right now.

In the front courtyard study, the air was thick with the smell of medicine. Wang Yuanwai lay in bed, his face pale and sallow, his whole body shrunken like a swaying straw stalk in an early winter field.

Li Ge'er only glanced at him, then rushed up and hugged his father, crying loudly.

Wang E also reddened her eyes and stepped forward to inquire: "Master, what's wrong with you You're so ill, why didn't you send someone to find me back"

Mr. Wang hesitantly shook his head, reached out slowly to touch his son, and urged him to the backyard with a choked voice. "Go see your brother."

Little Li was only nine years old, but the agonizing wait last night made him mature a lot. Thinking of his younger brother, he hurried out.

Wang E wanted to speak, but Wang Yuwei closed his eyes.

Wang E always felt something was wrong. Seeing her husband like this, she couldn't question him. She could only go out and ask her trusted maidservant and wet nurse.

The more she listened, the darker her face became, and the less confident she felt.

Her husband's health had deteriorated, and she was prepared for that, but how could her business also run into so many problems

Siji Ju and the five shops, they were almost half of our family's assets. In just one day, everything was gone!

She could no longer bear it and took people to the old Wang family house.

Wang Sanye didn't have time to tell his elderly father about the Si Hai Ju matter last night. This morning, he came over to accompany his father for tea and explained everything clearly.

"Finally, she cautiously said, 'Father, Xiao E has never treated Xin Qiu's illness for all these years. Is it because she is afraid that Xin Qiu will recover and leave her and the children'"

Elder Wang took a sip of tea and nodded in agreement: “You've been paying close attention to Xia E’s family matters lately. Back then, this Wang Xinqiu was left behind by your uncle, strong-willed as he was. Once he recovers, remembering the past will be troublesome. So, Xia E has no choice but to do this.”

Strong stay

Wang San's heart skipped a beat, he had a vague hunch.

Before he could ask again, Wang E came crying. As soon as she entered the room, she knelt down.

"Uncle, oh woe is me! My husband is dying, and our business is failing too. What will become of me and the children"

Master Wang quickly helped her up and comforted her, "Why are you so panicked You're a daughter of our Wang family, we won't let anything happen to you!"

Even Old Master Wang spoke up, "When your father passed away, he was afraid of this day. He left 20,000 taels of silver with me. So, if the family business collapses, it collapses. Don't be afraid. As for Wang Xinqiu being seriously ill, that's his fate. Let him recuperate well, and when his time comes, send him off properly."

"When the time comes, I'll get your older brother to arrange some good noodle shops for you with great business. You can continue living a good life with your two children. With the Wang family behind you, no one will dare to bully you."

Wang E was also surprised to hear this, and finally stopped her tears.

Grandmother Wang comforted them with a few more words, then had Wang Sanye escort her out.

While Wang's front courtyard study, at this moment, Li Ge and Mao Ge were crying with tears on their faces, hugging their father's arm tightly.

Lord Wang patted their heads gently and instructed, “Father may not make it. After father passes away, Brother Li, you must study hard. Not for the sake of bringing honor to our family, but to learn skills and then take good care of your younger brother. You two brothers must rely on each other and live a good life. As for your mother…” if the reader shares a pair of eyes and a mouth with him, witnessing diverse cultures and savoring countless delicacies together.The old woman listened and listened, then fell asleep with a smile on...