Half a Spoiler Chapter 64

One of the Li clansmen fumed, “If the Wangs hadn’t already secretly pledged allegiance to Jianping, would the central authorities have so easily awarded them with the Captain title? Looking at this, I fear the Wangs can no longer be trusted from now on!”

Someone nearby remarked, “And it’s not just the Wangs who can’t be trusted!” Lowering his voice, he added, “According to our family’s investigations, the people who came from Jianping far outnumber those in plain sight. Some deliberately changed their attire and went into hiding – we still haven’t figured out where they went or what they’re up to.”

Hearing this, the first man’s face showed a mix of shock and anger. “Are you saying the Wangs aren’t the only ones in Tai Province with connections to Jianping?” He gritted his teeth for a long moment before saying bitterly, “If they’re acting behind our backs like this, they can’t blame us for disregarding past ties.”

It spread throughout the Tai Province within days that Jianping had sent envoys to confer an official appointment, and that the recipient was none other than the daughter of the Wang clan leader.

Although the rank of captain was not as high as that of a general, it still carried the authority to command troops. Having secured such a benefit, Wang You naturally hosted lavish banquets, celebrating for several consecutive days. She personally wrote to the leaders of other prominent families, inviting them to attend the ceremony. However, aside from the Fuhe clan, whose leader attended in person, the other three families used illness as an excuse and sent junior members in their place.

Upon learning of this, Wang You smiled at Cui Xinjing, who had not yet left, and remarked, “As you can see, I am old and frail. Nowadays, many in Tai Province no longer heed my commands. What can one do about such a situation?”

Cui Xinjing remained as inscrutable as ever, giving a slight bow. “Was this not within your expectations?”

Wang You let out a hearty laugh.

Regardless of any private thoughts, the banquet was filled with music, dance, and an air of celebration. After Cui Xinjing read the decree appointing Wang You’s eldest daughter to an official post, Wang You herself publicly announced at the banquet her intention to arrange a marriage for the second son of the family.

Upon hearing this, aside from the leader of the Fuhe clan who remained composed, the others present all reacted with surprise and uncertainty.

Wang You was a towering figure of her generation, yet when it came to many personal choices, she never fully escaped the limitations of her age. Although she was based in Tai Province and had risen to prominence by relying on local power, she was only willing to form marriage alliances with scholar-gentry families from the Central Plains. Her three children had in fact long since reached marriageable age. After much careful selection, she finally chose three impoverished scholars from once-respectable families. However, the Tai Province region was damp, plagued by insects, and medically underdeveloped. Within three to five years of the marriages, all three spouses succumbed to illness one after another. What should have been a series of misfortunes now, perversely, made it convenient to arrange yet another marriage alliance.

Judging from Cui Xinjing’s words, it was clear that the Jianping side hoped the Wang clan would marry into a local family. Wang You herself already had one foot in the grave and no longer clung to concerns over the pedigree of her in-laws. While representatives of various families were still present to observe the proceedings, she decisively dispatched a group with betrothal gifts to propose marriage to the Lao clan.

Among the three families, only the head of the Lao clan enjoyed a reputation for generosity and tolerance. Moreover, he had once owed Wang You a favor in the past. Seeking a match with this family therefore seemed more promising than approaching the others.

In this era, marriage was primarily a matter between two families. Naturally, the Lao clan could not give an immediate response. Still, this did not prevent Wang You from deliberately spreading the news in advance. In truth, she herself did not know which of the other Tai Province powerholders might have clandestine ties to Jianping. Her intention was simply to muddy the waters further, so that she might fish for advantage in the chaos.

Wang You had always acted with remarkable efficiency. Before the banquet celebrating her eldest daughter’s appointment had even dispersed, envoys from the Wang clan had already arrived at the Lao residence, sitting in the front hall and drinking tea.

No matter how well-cultivated the Lao clansmen were, they could not help but feel waves of anger rising within them. “We clearly have no entanglements with Jianping at all,” someone said. “Why must the Inspector insist on dragging us into this?”

The head of the Lao clan let out a silent sigh. “Naturally, it is because of territory and troops.”

The Wang and Lao clans were located not far from one another, with only the lands of the Du clan lying between them. The Du clan was also a native power in Tai Province, but compared with the Wang, Li, Lao, and Fuhe clans, they were far weaker.

Because all of them were local families, the Lao clan had previously maintained closer ties with the Du clan. Yet, out of wariness toward Wang You, they also dared not fall out with the Wang clan.

A member of the Lao clan suggested, “Tai Province is in a turbulent moment. In the past it might have been manageable, but now the Wang family itself is already on the verge of collapse. We might as well decline this matter tactfully.”

The head of the Lao clan replied coolly, “And how exactly are we to decline tactfully? Our people are currently being held on Wang territory.”

The Lao clansman felt a chill run through him.

Wang You had sent handwritten invitations in person. Even if the heads of the other families were unwilling to attend, they could not afford to be too discourteous. The younger family members sent as representatives all held positions of some standing within their clans.

Seen in this light, the leader of the Fuhe clan had ended up the safest of them all.

After a long silence, a member of the Lao clan rose and bowed. “My lord, perhaps it would be best to allow me to first probe the intentions of the envoys and then make a decision?”

The head of the Lao clan gave a slight nod, signaling his consent.

On Wang You’s side, in order to demonstrate sincerity, she had deliberately included her elder sister’s grandson in the delegation. When the young man of the Wang clan saw the Lao representative approach, he rose with a beaming smile and offered his greetings. After a few polite exchanges, the Lao clansman was the first to lose his patience and demanded sharply, “If the Lao clan refuses, does the Wang clan intend to detain our people and refuse to release them?”

The Wang clansman replied, “Brother, what are you saying? The friendship between our two families runs so deep that even if the marriage does not come to fruition, the Wang clan would still treat you with full propriety and would never dare commit the slightest offense. These were the very words my grandaunt personally instructed me with before I set out.”

Upon hearing this, the man from the Lao clan wore a stiff expression.

Having lived in Tai Province for many years, he was well aware of Wang You’s capabilities. Even in her youth, the Inspector had been exceptionally shrewd and adaptable. No one could tell whether her words were true or not, but regardless, the Wangs’ marriage proposal team had already arrived at the Lao clan’s residence, and the matter had been widely publicized. Unless they were prepared to openly break ties, it would be difficult to refuse.

By now, the Lao clansman understood the helplessness his clan leader must have felt. He said bitterly, “You are now on Lao clan territory – aren’t you afraid we might extend your stay as well?”

Hearing this, the Wang scion actually bowed very humbly and replied politely, “My grandaunt said that if the Lao clan sees any worth in me, I would have no objection to staying with the Lao clan permanently.”