Chapter Sixty-Two: Wang Su’s Unending Agony

Chapter Sixty-Two: Wang Su’s Unending Suffering

In this world, there are always those who, thinking themselves wise and cleverer than others, believe they can manipulate people at will, gazing down from on high like deities surveying the masses. Such people are, in truth, the most detestable, and throughout history, every peasant uprising, no matter how bloody the cost, has been driven by the urge to overthrow them. Pity that while the statues of false gods are toppled, new idols are always unwittingly erected in their place…

So long as there are deities, there will be powers surpassing mortals; sitting aloft in the heavens, they look down on humanity, dispensing punishments at a whim. Even now, Tie Xinyuan did not know who that old man truly was. But one thing he was certain of: the old man was not of the Wang family.

Xia Song had once said that the Wang family had many old friends and relations. Though they no longer visited, the disposition of Song scholars made a complete severance impossible. Until nightfall, no one from the Wang family came by; it seemed the old dog could still be relied upon…

What Tie Xinyuan did not know was that the old dog was now kneeling before Wang Su, confessing everything about his encounter with Tie Xinyuan in detail. Whatever professional ethics the old dog possessed meant nothing before the might of the Wang family; faced with a choice between survival and betrayal, the decision was quickly made.

Wang Su slowly opened his tightly shut eyes, casting an indifferent glance at the old dog. “To spy on my Wang family without cause is a grave offense. Someone, break his legs and throw him out.”

The old dog howled miserably, desperate to plead, but his teeth chattered so violently he could not utter a word. Two burly servants dragged him away, and soon, two dull thuds sounded from outside, followed by silence.

Only then did Wang Su rise, hands clasped behind his back, to visit his three injured nephews.

Wang Huaili’s face was waxen; even lying on a soft bed, sweat poured from him without ceasing. Seeing Wang Su enter his room, he fell silent, not daring even to groan.

The women attending Wang Huaili quickly withdrew, leaving only the physician.

“How is Fifth Nephew’s injury?” Wang Su asked.

The physician bowed. “The left arm suffered the worst, broken in three places. The upper arm is dislocated, the left clavicle fractured, and three ribs on the right are broken. Fortunately, the internal organs are unharmed, which is a blessing. The head is injured in three places, and most of the left ear’s auricle is missing…”

Wang Su listened quietly, then nodded. “This is his own doing. Climbing a tall building, getting drunk, and then falling—he is lucky to be alive. Nurse him well; he must not leave the house until fully recovered.”

Wang Huaili forced his mouth open. “Thank you for your concern, Third Uncle.”

Wang Su sighed deeply. “You were born with modest talents and should have enjoyed your wealth and peace. That is a blessing, not to be traded for ambition and scheming. Calamity has no door; people invite it themselves. This disaster should serve as a warning. If in the future you focus on your books and leave worldly affairs alone, you may yet serve in office.”

Tears choking him, Wang Huaili replied, “I will remember your words, Uncle.”

“Rest and recover well.”

After speaking, Wang Su left the courtyard, but upon reaching the gate, a wave of dizziness nearly knocked him down; only by gripping the doorframe did he steady himself. It was a long time before he regained his composure. He had not expected Wang Huaili’s injuries to be so severe; even if he recovered, he would remain crippled, and any hopes for a career were gone.

“Why must kin turn on each other so ruthlessly?” Wang Su muttered, forcing himself to visit Wang Yu.

Wang Yu was his daughter, pampered since childhood. Everyone said it was Wang Tan who brought misfortune, but who would have guessed his own daughter was the true ill-omen? Lady Zhang, the famed healer, had said her organs were cold, unsuitable for marriage. But unable to resist the pleas of wife and daughter, he had allowed her to wed—only for her to lose three husbands in succession. If not for his wife’s dying wish, she would never have been allowed to return to the Wang household.

From afar, he heard Wang Yu’s screams. Tears poured down his cheeks, and only after a long struggle did he dry his face and enter his daughter’s room.

Her hands were tied atop the brocade quilt, while a stout matron held her down, preventing her from scratching the unbearable itch beneath.

Just one look at the dark bruises covering his daughter’s neck made Wang Su clench his fists in rage, desperate to storm out and settle scores with Tie Xinyuan.

Lady Zhang, the healer, was sipping tea at the side. Seeing Wang Su enter, she set down her cup. “Your daughter’s injuries are troublesome. She is not only tormented by raw lacquer, but the worst part is that it was mixed with fish glue, which is hard to remove. I have scraped away with a knife for ages, yet residue remains—especially on her chest. She must endure this agony for at least half a month. When the old skin peels and new skin grows, only then will she be half-recovered.”

In the presence of the emperor’s personally appointed healer, Wang Su dared not act arrogantly and bowed. “Please, Lady Zhang, do all you can. I will be forever grateful.”

Lady Zhang smiled. “Your daughter’s five yin organs are blocked. Ordinary acupuncture is useless. Though the raw lacquer burns like fire, it will bestir her yang energy. With this ordeal, once the lacquer peels, her illness will likely be cured.”

Wang Su was startled. “You mean this disaster might actually save her?”

Lady Zhang laughed. “Every sip and bite is fated. I could never have prescribed such a harsh remedy.”

Wang Su was revived by hope. He hurried to his daughter’s bedside, embraced her head, and whispered, “Yu’er, just endure a little longer. Once you overcome this, you will have the blessing of children. If you persevere, happiness awaits you.”

Wang Yu arched her body in pain and screamed, “Father, Tan-tan is here! She’s here! She must have brought this calamity—Father, it itches so much!”

Wang Su said sternly, “Enough! Matters concerning Tan-tan must not be spoken of in public.”

Wang Yu wept bitterly, “It must be Tan-tan! It must be her!”

Wang Su turned to Lady Zhang, bowing again. “May I trouble you for some remedy for her itch, or at least something to let her sleep?”

Lady Zhang gestured to the medicine being prepared outside. “Ma Fei Decoction is simmering now. When three portions are boiled down to one, feed it to her. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she will sleep for four hours. But this is a powerful poison and cannot be used lightly—no more than three doses, or it will harm the liver!”

Wang Su memorized the instructions, thanked Lady Zhang again, and left the courtyard, ignoring his daughter’s pleas.

Wang Huaien had locked himself in and refused to see anyone. After bathing, the itching had eased, but the shame of running naked in public was an agony he could not forget. The whole of the capital knew of his disgrace—his wild dash through the city stark naked. He smashed his head against the door countless times but could not bring himself to end his own life. The storytellers in the markets would have fresh tales to entertain the crowds: the Sixth Young Master of the Wang family—what a scene that would be.

He still could not understand why he had suffered a fit in broad daylight; nothing was there, yet he seemed plagued by endless demons.

“What on earth is happening?” he groaned, smashing his head against the table once more.

Suddenly, the courtyard door was forced open. Like an enraged lion, Wang Huaien roared, “Get out!”

He did not expect a heavy slap to strike his face.

Looking up, he saw his third uncle’s furious face.

Wang Su paced the room, hands behind his back, then fixed Wang Huaien with a cold stare. “Now that we’re alone, tell me—how did you plot to harm your sister Tan-tan?”

Wang Huaien nearly leapt in fright; he thought his actions were perfectly concealed—how could his uncle know?

“For your mother’s money left to your sister?”

“No…” He had barely spoken when he realized his mistake. He fell to his knees, head bowed, silent.

Wang Su’s face was ashen. He had meant only to test, but as Mr. Ge Yuan predicted, unless these three had harmed Tan-tan, they would never have suffered such retribution from Tan-tan’s son.

Wang Huaili, Wang Yu, and Tan-tan were cousins, but Wang Huaien was Tan-tan’s own brother. What monstrous deed could he have committed?

Now, with the other two gravely injured, only through Wang Huaien could the truth be found.

Suppressing his fury, Wang Su said, “Speak.”

Wang Huaien opened his mouth several times but could not utter a word.

Wang Su snorted, “Courting death, are you?”

Wang Huaien suddenly lunged forward, clutching Wang Su’s legs. “Uncle, beat me to death if you want. Just kill me. I can’t say it…”

A chill settled in Wang Su’s heart. He pointed at Wang Huaien. “If you don’t speak, I swear I’ll see you killed by family law, and your father will not object.”

Desperate, Wang Huaien finally blurted, “Third Brother, Yu-yu, and Yao-yao all knew. It was after listening to Third Brother and Yu-yu scheme against Tan-tan that I learned that Liu Poxi, who should have died, is still alive.”

“What?” The words struck Wang Su like thunder. Blood rushed to his throat and he spat it out. He roared at the heavens, “Ancestors, look at the wretches we have become!”

With that, he collapsed backward. Wang Huaien caught him and shouted for servants to rush in.

That night, the Wang family’s lamps burned until dawn.