Chapter 2489: Chapter 100: Like the Moon Reflected in Water, Out of Reach

The two brothers of the Yi Family are truly two entirely different people. One is old-fashioned, the other cunning.

Yi Xingchen was a graceful figure, renowned alongside Li Zhengshu as a genius in his youth. He has smoothly advanced to now be listed within the Political Affairs Hall, becoming one of the top figures in Qi Country.

His two sons, however, are of merely average talents, which many find regrettable for him.

But Jiang Wang believes that the Yi brothers are both great individuals.

Of course, while interactions occur, Yi Huaimin’s attempt with petty tricks to identify the "suspect" was something Marquis Jiang, seasoned in storms as he is, would certainly not fall for.

He would never admit that those remnants of the Withering and Flourishing Temple had anything to do with him.

It’s laughable. Who doesn’t know that Jiang Someone keeps clear boundaries with Buddhism?

Master Ku Jue begged him to shave his head, but he never went.

Moreover, the Imperial City Inspection Mansion over there had long investigated. Mr. Jiang is pure and blameless!

Yi Huaimin’s malicious speculations are truly detestable!

However, Bao Zhongqing purposefully brought his wife to pay respects, and this time, he tasted a bit of the intent.

This heir of Shuofang Marquis clearly is not content just being a Marquis’s heir but is starting to assume the Bao family’s banner across various fields, expanding his influence. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

This visit to the Marquis of Boxiang’s Mansion is more a reminder to the Bao family internally, to external parties, and to his wife’s maternal family...

The Bao family and Zhong Xuan Family have been contesting for years.

Now Zhongxuan Zun is already a military Marquis, and Zhongxuan Sheng is soon to inherit the title. As a peer looking to connect, this heir expected to be a father should naturally shoulder more responsibilities.

If Jiang Wang’s predictions are correct, whatever major events happen in Qi Country next, this pockmarked brother will definitely insert himself to make his presence known.

But this is the Bao family’s affair, unrelated to Jiang Someone.

Not long after Bao Zhongqing left, Gao Zhe came representing the Jinghai Gao Clan.

Although neither Jiang Wang nor Zhongxuan Sheng had been on good terms with this person for a long time, the relationship between the Zhong Xuan Family and the Gao family remains maintained.

Moreover, Zhongxuan Sheng is now the head of the Zhong Xuan Family, no longer able to use youth as an excuse, and many matters can no longer be decided based solely on personal likes and dislikes.

When Gao Zhe comes to pay respects, there is reason only to welcome, not to drive away.

Thus Jiang Wang forced himself to exchange pleasantries.

These comings and goings, he usually dislikes the most. Buddhism talks about the "Eight Sufferings," one being "the suffering of meeting those one hates," referring to the pain of having to be around people one detests.

He has always been clear about his likes and dislikes, engaging as he meets, parting as he wills. However, as his status elevates and experiences grow, it is less free and spontaneous than initially. The deeper one rolls in the red dust, the more concerns arise.

Much like how one must transcend by the end of the official way, part of which involves cutting off those entanglements.

Of course, if he were in his Wu’an Marquis Mansion, he’d frequently seclude himself in cultivation, ignoring everyone, leaving no room for anyone to fault him. Today, however, hosting guests for the Zhong Xuan Family requires him to restrain himself.

The connections of the top-tier Zhong Xuan Family are extraordinary. The old sir spent his life in war, with countless former subordinates. Despite the funeral’s being kept low-key, guests paying respects come in an endless stream, none of simple standing.

After three days of keeping vigil for the deceased, Jiang Wang feels he has almost met all the prominent figures of Qi Country.

When Zhongxuan Sheng accompanies the coffin back to be buried in the Zhong Xuan Family’s ancestral grounds, he does not accompany but lets Shisi go along with Zhongxuan Sheng—those outside the Zhong Xuan Family are not allowed to go to their ancestral grounds at this time.

According to the rules, Zhongxuan Sheng must first inherit the position of the Zhong Xuan Family head under the elders’ witness in the ancestral ground before returning to Linzi to assume his title. This is the reason the family elders have considerable status, as they rarely involve themselves in politics, serving as the family’s foundation.

The old man arranged everything well before his death, with Zhongxuan Chuliang accompanying, so there should be no further disturbances.

What mildly surprises Jiang Wang is that Zhongxuan Zun also didn’t go to the Zhong Xuan Family’s ancestral ground.

In the Marquis of Boxiang’s Mansion, now almost deserted, the two youngest military Marquises of Qi Country have a rare conversation.

At that time, Jiang Wang was in the courtyard where he had spent an entire night accompanying Zhongxuan Sheng. There was a small pond in the courtyard, with a pavilion in the center, connected by a stone bridge.

Jiang Wang stood on the stone bridge, quietly watching the water’s reflection, recalling events from long ago.

Zhongxuan Zun also came over.

"Why didn’t you go to Qiuyang County?" Jiang Wang snapped back to reality and asked aloud.

Zhongxuan Zun’s forehead was still wrapped in a mourning band, his forehead hair neatly arranged, seeming to have wiped away the misty rain, making his distant mountain-like brows and eyes bright and clear.

Despite such a sorrowful time, it still made people feel the scenery of green mountains was charming.

"There are many supporters for me at the ancestral grounds..." He said calmly: "There’s no need to remind my plump brother of these, nor make those who shouldn’t think linger on them."

This was, of course, a truthful statement, without any hint of boasting.

For a long period, he was the indisputable choice for the head of the Zhong Xuan Family.

Looking back a few years, Zhongxuan Sheng was still facing closed doors everywhere.

Now thinking back, it feels truly like a dream.

Jiang Wang remained silent.

Zhongxuan Zun similarly looked at the water, then said: "Moreover, this is the affair of the new Marquis of Boxiang."

The clear pond water reflected the figures of the two, both in mourning. Amidst the gentle rippling light, each had their own grace and their own lonely mood.

Jiang Wang could largely understand. The Marquis Champion’s Mansion and the Marquis of Boxiang’s Mansion, from today, officially separate.