Protect Our Clan Leader

...

However, Wang Ningxi had made her decision and naturally prepared herself psychologically.

After a brief moment of awkwardness, Wang Ningxi stood up and bowed with her hands folded in front, saying, "In response to Great Grandfather's question, it is simply that Ningxi feels unworthy of Miss Shangguan. I'm afraid of delaying her entire life."

"Has Miss Shangguan looked down upon you?" Wang Shouzhe asked, glancing sideways.

"That has not been the case..." Wang Ningxi said, "Before the new year, I even received a letter from Miss Shangguan encouraging me not to give up and to focus on recovering from my illness. But..."

"There's no buts about it." Wang Shouzhe said, "Arranged marriages within prominent families are not as simple as you imagine. This concerns a series of future collaborations and mutual support between the Wang family and Shangguan, as well as Lingbo, that child who is already betrothed to you, is the future daughter-in-law of the Wang family, even if she has yet to enter our household."

"Never mind that you are temporarily unable to practice cultivation; even if you truly became disabled, you would still need to marry."

"Is this... Is this not too unfair to Miss Shangguan?" Wang Ningxi said helplessly, "After all, if my problem cannot be solved, I will at most live another sixty or seventy years."

The current Wang family was unlike its original state; not to speak of the children of the direct line, even those of the direct vessel were Little Sky Prides, and they were all aiming at the Heavenly Human Realm for their future.

Not living past a hundred is as good as having come to this world for nothing.

"There is no such thing as absolute fairness in this world," Wang Shouzhe said, "Nowadays, our Wang family is rising day by day with great potential for the future. Even if you die, Shangguan will marry Lingbo to our family as agreed. At most, your great-grandfather I will find it hard to watch and will just find another man for her to marry instead. Let me think about it, our children…"

Wang Ningxi's face turned red with embarrassment, "Great Grandfather, I am not dead yet."

"That's true, but since you want to cancel the engagement, I should respect your decision," Wang Shouzhe mused, "How about we switch to Ningze from Anyu's family instead? He is already eleven years old and it's about time for him to be betrothed."

"Great Grandfather, Miss Shangguan is already fourteen years old," Wang Ningxi's face suddenly became uncomfortable.

"Isn't she then three years older than Ze'er?" Wang Shouzhe's eyes lit up, "A woman three years older is like a gold brick; older means she knows how to care for others. Ze'er is indeed extremely fortunate; they will surely be very loving in the future."

"... Great Grandfather, I realize my mistake," Wang Ningxi said, feeling sick at the thought.

"Since you know your mistake, then Anxin you can come out now," Wang Shouzhe said.

"Yes, Great Grandfather," as he spoke, Wang Anxin walked out from the study with a thunderous expression, glaring at Wang Ningxi as if he wanted to kill him, "You little beast, how dare you?!"

Wang Anxin, still looking like a handsome young man, had a maturity that was far beyond what a child like Wang Ningxi, who was still immature, could compare to.

"Father, Father..." Wang Ningxi was so frightened that her face turned pale and her legs were trembling.

That's how children of the Wang family were, they wouldn't fear the Old Ancestor too much—after all, he was of a far-removed generation and wouldn't start hitting them right away.

But it was different with a father; fathers in the Wang family had a fine tradition of spanking their children.

Whether you were a Sky Pride, Great Heavenly Proud, or even an Unparalleled Heavenly Child, who hadn't been beaten before? Even Wang Liyao and Wang Anye had been spanked when they were young.

"Anxin, kids will make mistakes; just criticising and educating should be enough..." Wang Shouzhe said.

"Great Grandfather, I understand," Wang Anxin said with an unpleasant expression. He stepped forward quickly, grabbed Wang Ningxi, and expertly laid him across his knee. Then came a flurry of smacks, "You little beast, you really have some nerve, daring to break off an engagement behind the family's back with your fiancée? Just who gave you the power, who gave you the audacity?"

"Slap slap slap!"

"Ow ow, Dad, I'm wrong, Great Grandfather save me, I'm going to be beaten to death."

"Better dead than causing more vexation. I'll just consider I never had you and have a few more children with your mother!"

"Anxin, that's enough, remember criticism should be our main approach," Wang Shouzhe continued to say while sipping his tea, fanning the flames, "However, Ningxi did indeed go too far on this matter, calling off a marriage without consulting with the family first."

"Great Grandfather, you are right, this little beast truly thinks too highly of himself." Wang Anxin took the hint and continued the spanking, roaring as he did, "You have no regard for your parents or ancestors, I will beat this little beast to death."

For a time, the sounds of scolding, smacking, and the desperately pitiful wails were continuous and unending. Some of the little ones who had been sent back to the study were poking their heads out by the window and were scared pale.

This beating lasted for the duration of an incense stick.

If it weren't out of consideration for his poor health, it probably would have continued.

Afterwards, Wang Shouzhe gave Wang Ningxi some treatment and let him rest on the stone bench, while he casually chatted with Wang Anxin.

"Great Grandfather, recently there have been some minor issues with the second phase of the Great Wilderness Marsh project," Wang Anxin said, "An Azure Dragon of Level Eight led a group of Jiaolongs causing trouble; even though they were repelled by our family's Elder Ancestor, I'm afraid they won't let this go so easily."

"This was within our expectations, Azure Dragon's race though mainly residing in the Southern Wilderness ancient marshes, has always considered the Great Wilderness Marsh as an extension of Dragon Clan territory," Wang Shouzhe said calmly, "Since they have already come knocking, let's proceed with the established plan. Have Long'er try talking to them first; 'honor first, force second' is the fine virtue of our human race."