Protect Our Patriarch

"This..."

Even with Wang Shouzhe's composure, he couldn't help but be taken aback at this moment. He never expected that the owner of the painted boat, the Tianyan Fairy, wanted to see him?

Wang Shouzhe of Wang's Clan?

As soon as this name was mentioned, it immediately stirred up a commotion and uproar.

"Who is Wang Shouzhe? I've never heard of this person..."

"Judging by the name, he should be from the 'Shou' generation of Wang's Clan. However, I've never heard of a 'Shouzhe' among them..."

"Although the 'Shou' generation of Wang's Clan has produced talents aplenty, giving birth to four Celestial Realm elders, there is no Purple Mansion prodigy among them. Could it be that Wang's Clan is hiding a 'Shou' generation genius?"

For a time, the "spectating nobles" were abuzz with discussion.

Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai, on the other hand, both looked at Wang Shouzhe with strange gazes, as if questioning, when did you provoke the Tianyan Fairy?

"Ahem~" Wang Shouzhe coughed twice, "Honestly, I don't know any Tianyan Fairy. But seeing her making such a fuss, she's probably hiding some secret. Let's just withdraw respectfully for now."

Had it been before, he would have been somewhat interested in meeting this "Tianyan Fairy" to broaden his horizons.

But now, his interest had waned, and he didn't want to get involved in some inexplicable events.

His main purpose for coming here was for the Wuji Baodan, and incidentally to broaden his horizons in Monan Commandery. He didn't want to get involved in messy affairs.

"Wang Gongzi truly has a discerning eye, instantly seeing through that enchantress's vulgar true nature," Huangfu Feifei said with heartfelt relief. "Since that's the case, why don't I, Feifei, play host and treat you to a full Spirit Meat Feast, and let you taste Monan Commandery's fiercest wine, 'Fiery Cloud Brew'."

Monan Commandery has always been known for its meat production, with many Clan estates breeding various meat-serving spirit beasts. Over the years, Monan Commandery has gradually developed various unique and exquisite spirit meat cooking techniques, with extremely stringent requirements for meat quality.

Inviting friends to a full Spirit Meat Feast is considered a sincere gesture of hospitality in Monan.

"How can it be so casual?" Wang Shihai became anxious upon hearing this, "We've come all this way, it wouldn't hurt to take a look, right? If the Tianyan Fairy truly has some impure motives, with both Wang's Clan and Huangfu's Clan here, are we afraid of her?"

"Vulgar and unbearable," Huangfu Feifei glanced at him disdainfully.

"Feifei, you are, after all, the current prodigy of Huangfu's Clan," Wang Shihai taunted, "Could it be that you're worried about not being able to outshine a mere painted boat woman? Not even daring to take a look? So lacking in confidence?"

"Hehe~ To think you'd resort to such a childish bluffing strategy. However, I must admit you have a point," Huangfu Feifei said arrogantly, hands crossed and chin raised, "Fine~ I shall go and see for myself what skills this vixen possesses."

With that, Huangfu Feifei turned her head towards the painted boat and called out sweetly, "I heard you were looking for Wang Gongzi? This person beside me is him. Now, may we board the boat?"

Her words had just fallen.

Before there was a response from the painted boat, an astonished and angry voice came from a luxurious carriage parked near the dock: "Feifei? You... how come you are here?"

"Father, I should be asking you~~" Huangfu Feifei hummed lightly, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction, "Why are you here? Could it be, you really intend to take that painted boat woman back as a concubine?"

"Rubbish! Your father's matters..."

Huangfu Chengping in the carriage was so angry that he shouted.

However, Huangfu Feifei was ultimately his beloved prodigy daughter, and her temperament was ultimately spoiled by him. After a pause, he swallowed the second half of his sentence and explained with a stiff face: "Your father has his reasons for being here, Feifei, we'll discuss this later."

Meanwhile.

The voice from the painted boat spoke again: "It turns out to be the renowned Miss Huangfu Feifei. Since you are a companion of Gongzi Shouzhe, Miss, please also come aboard for a chat."

"Hmph~"

Huangfu Feifei snorted softly and immediately soared into the air, stepping on the waves and in a few breaths, she landed gracefully on the painted boat.

"And me, Wang Shihai, the three of us came together."

Wang Shihai hurriedly called out, then leaped up as well, gently landing on the painted boat like a fluff in the wind.

Eh?

The spectating nobles were all surprised and confused. Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai, both rare prodigies of their generation, were key figures cultivated by their respective families. Normally, neither would concede to the other...

For some reason, the two were now together.

At the same time.

The head of Wang's Clan, also sitting in a luxurious carriage, was also full of astonishment, not knowing what had happened. His family's pampered prodigy son was actually mingling with Huangfu Feifei and had boarded the Tianyan Fairy's painted boat...

The elderly coachman turned his head and transmitted his voice: "Patriarch, how should we handle this? Should we ask the young master to come back?"

"Let it be, let's return to the main residence," Wang Zonghao waved his hand, "The Tianyan Fairy's identity is sensitive, and her deliberate choice to meet Wang Shouzhe today is surely not willing to easily take sides between Patriarch Wang and Huangfu Chengping."

"Yes, Patriarch..." After the elder responded, he drove the luxurious carriage away.

***

Wang Shouzhe stood on the dock, watching Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai board the painted boat one after another, and shook his head. Immediately, he casually took a step and suddenly appeared more than ten yards away, landing on the deck of the painted boat without a trace of worldliness.

This showed that whether in terms of the depth of his mystic energy or his understanding and application of movement techniques, he far surpassed the two young prodigies, Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai.

Having crossed over for more than twenty years, Wang Shouzhe had always maintained the habit of diligent cultivation. Only by becoming stronger could he better control his own destiny in this world where the strong abound.

"Fourth Grandfather truly lives up to his reputation, just in the aspect of movement alone, Shihai is far inferior..." Wang Shihai said playfully with a smile, "I must learn from you later."

The more Wang Shihai interacted with Wang Shouzhe, the more he discovered his unfathomable side, as if hiding many techniques and secrets, not at all like the head of an ordinary seventh-rank Clan.

"Wang Gongzi's Willow Fluff Technique has reached a pinnacle," Huangfu Feifei also praised, "It seems to contain a different essence, as if elevating the mystery of the Willow Fluff Technique by a level, ethereal as an immortal beyond the dust, elusive, Feifei admires it."

"Where, where, it's just some personal understanding incorporated into the movement technique," Wang Shouzhe modestly replied.

As the three were talking.

A plain-looking middle-aged woman walked out from the painted boat and said, "This humble servant is a maid beside the young lady, and by the young lady's command, I invite Gongzi Shouzhe, Gongzi Shihai, and Miss Feifei aboard for a chat."

"Thank you," the three responded with a bow.

The middle-aged woman led them into the painted boat, all the way to the loft of the boat.

This loft was decorated in a simple and heavy style, with furniture and tables mostly made from rare spirit wood. The craftsmen who made them must have been masters, with exquisite workmanship akin to works of art.

In a corner of the loft, there was a qin platform, beside which sat a veiled woman in a lake-colored silk dress, her long hair pinned up, revealing a slender neck.

Her eyes, visible above the veil, were bright and captivating.

She stood up and bowed gracefully: "My name is Tianyian, I've met young master Shouzhe, young master Shihai, and Miss Feifei." Her voice was clear and soft, making one involuntarily feel a hint of pity.

Furthermore, her figure was slender, and even the lake-colored long dress could hardly conceal her graceful figure.

Huangfu Feifei was also a girl with a valiant and beautiful figure, but compared to Tianyian, she seemed like an unripe green apple, lacking much grace and charm.

She glanced at Tianyian, then at herself, and her face became somewhat uncomfortable.

As for Wang Shihai, his eyes were somewhat straightened, his cheeks hot, as if he was a little out of sorts. It wasn't that he hadn't seen beautiful women, but Tianyian seemed to indeed have some indescribable special charm.

Only Wang Shouzhe just glanced at Tianyian, paused for two breaths, and then returned to calm. This woman indeed had a unique temperament, with great lethal power towards men.

Moreover, she deliberately veiled her face, creating a sense of mystery.

But who was Wang Shouzhe? Not to mention in this life he had a wife of unparalleled beauty, Liu Ruolan. Just to say in his previous life, with the information age on Earth being so advanced, what kind of style and temperament had he not seen?

Purely on the aspect of "well-traveled experienced driver," few could match Wang Shouzhe.

"Truly worthy of Wang Gongzi, such composure is indeed extraordinary," Huangfu Feifei thought highly of Wang Shouzhe upon seeing this scene. At the same time, she felt regretful for Wang Shihai's lack of composure.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries.

The three sat down in the loft of the painted boat.

Servants presented them with spirit wine and some exquisite spirit food snacks.

"Gongzi Shouzhe, these snacks are a crude creation of mine called 'Milk Crisp Cakes', please try them and give some feedback, so I can learn and improve," the Tianyan Fairy's voice was clear with a hint of sweet softness, as if to seep into one's heart.

Wang Shouzhe casually tasted one and gave an honest critique: "Too sweet, lacking in milk flavor, the baking time was slightly too long causing the crust to be stiff, indeed needs more practice." She wasn't Liu Ruolan, and didn't yet have the privilege to make Wang Shouzhe flatter her against his will.

The Tianyan Fairy's gaze faltered; she had invited many to taste her Milk Crisp Cakes, but this was the first time a man had so directly criticized her. Weren't all the others lavishly praising her with flowery words?

"Gongzi Shouzhe is absolutely right, I have learned a lot," the Tianyan Fairy humbly admitted.

"Let's get to the point," Wang Shouzhe said seriously, "I've only been in Monan Commandery for a mere two days, how did the Tianyan Fairy come to know my name? Ignoring Patriarchs Huangfu Chengping and Wang Zonghao of the Purple Mansion, yet insisting on seeing me?"

"If I say that Gongzi's performance on the street earlier was seen by me as I passed by, and it piqued my curiosity about Gongzi," the Tianyan Fairy smiled lightly, "would Gongzi believe it?"

"I believe," Wang Shouzhe nodded.

"..." The Tianyan Fairy found herself speechless, must it be like this, always not playing by the book? After just a few sentences, the conversation had died twice.

Left with no choice.

The Tianyan Fairy could only chuckle awkwardly: "Gongzi is truly amusing, I was just joking with you. Actually, a few days ago, I heard from a guest from Longzuo about the recent major events there. Wang's Clan of Changning, and Gongzi Shouzhe, you've made quite an impression, which I deeply admire."

"Today, when I learned that Gongzi Shouzhe happened to arrive in Monan Commandery, I couldn't contain my curiosity and wanted to behold Gongzi's elegance."

In just a few words, the Tianyan Fairy explained the unusual actions of this occasion.

"Quite impressive?" Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai looked at each other with different expressions, glancing at Wang Shouzhe and then at the Tianyan Fairy, as if they were quite interested in this gossip.

But Wang Shouzhe just smiled and said, "The Celestial Maiden flatters me, my Wang's Clan was merely acting in self-defense."

"Merely self-defense?" the Tianyan Fairy's voice was enchanting and distant, "Just with the heart of self-preservation, you were able to turn the tide. First, you intimidated the fifth-rank Qian's Clan, making them dare not harbor any ill intentions, willingly paying a huge price to cooperate with Wang's Clan. Then, with your own strength, you repelled the menacing Flood Dragon Gang. Such a powerful seventh-rank Clan is truly unheard of."

"And the one who forged all this, they say, is Patriarch Shouzhe, right?"

"What?"

Huangfu Feifei and Wang Shihai both looked at Wang Shouzhe in utter shock. Was this a joke? The Qian's Clan of Longzuo was one of the top families, and the Flood Dragon Gang was an infamous organization.

Patriarch Shouzhe, you blocked them all?