Wang Liu Shi was puzzled and still thinking about finding a way to eavesdrop later to see what Bai Qingyan wanted to say to this old thing, when from the corner of her eye she saw her husband’s legs go weak and he nearly knelt: “Husband?”

If Wei Zhong hadn’t said those words to Wang Dingkun earlier, he wouldn’t be so anxious now, but His Majesty was having Eunuch Wei privately discuss with the Old Madam about changing to a different heir for adoption. How could he not be afraid?

Wang Dingkun’s fierce gaze turned toward Wang Liu Shi, wanting nothing more than to slap Wang Liu Shi across the face.

Nanny Qin glanced at Wei Zhong. Though she hadn’t interacted with Wei Zhong much, she knew he was a measured person who definitely wouldn’t upset Old Madam Wang at this moment and ruin the affection between Bai Qingyan and the Fourth Madam. She said to the Fourth Madam, “Fourth Madam, why don’t we go wait outside first? The First Miss has something to say to the Old Madam.”

Wang Shi could guess that Bai Qingyan having Wei Zhong come deliver a message at this time must mean she was going to take action against this adopted bastard son, but… Wang Shi worried that her mother’s body couldn’t handle it, her lips trembling.

It was Nanny Guan who stepped forward to quietly persuade Wang Shi: “Fourth Madam, you must trust the First Miss!”

Wang Shi tightly gripped the handkerchief she had just used to wipe her mother’s mouth. Seeing her mother nod at her, she finally stood up, but still worriedly said to Wei Zhong: “Please speak gently with Mother, she just woke up…”

“Fourth Madam, rest assured, His Majesty specifically instructed this.” Wei Zhong stepped aside and made a gesture for Wang Shi to proceed.

Wang Dingkun’s face was pale as he followed Wang Shi out of the main room with reluctant backward glances. As soon as they entered the side room, Wang Dingkun knelt before Fourth Madam Wang Shi: “Elder Sister, please save your younger brother! Your brother has always been filial! And your brother has been raised by Mother’s side for so many years, has long regarded Mother as his birth mother, and absolutely cannot leave Mother…”

Wei Zhong vaguely heard Wang Dingkun’s pleading voice from the side room, and only then did he slowly relate to Old Madam Wang the words Bai Qingyan had asked him to convey.

Old Madam Wang tightly gripped the brocade quilt beneath her, her complexion looking even worse than before.

“Old Madam…” Wei Zhong’s voice was gentle as he spoke, “This old slave once served beside the Grand Princess and was fortunate enough to have seen Old Master Wang. This old slave knows that you and Old Master Wang were deeply devoted to each other… Old Master Wang’s final compromise, agreeing to adopt the ancestor’s bastard son, was actually because he worried you would have no support in your old age.”

Upon hearing these words, Old Madam Wang’s eyes suddenly reddened. She closed her eyes, knowing this all too well. It was precisely because she knew that she felt she couldn’t wrong the Wang family or her husband.

“But this Wang Dingkun thinks he has you wrapped around his finger, using this to frequently threaten the Fourth Madam. The Fourth Madam has a gentle nature and has yielded countless times for your sake, Old Madam… Our First Madam and First Miss both feel heartbroken watching this. The Fourth Madam is your birth daughter, the only bloodline of you and Old Master Wang. This old slave believes you must feel even more heartbroken than our First Madam and First Miss.” Wei Zhong’s voice was gentle as he reasoned with Old Madam Wang. “Our First Miss was also truly angry, which is why she said that if this couple continues to scheme against our Seventh Young Master, it might harm the Wang family!”

“The Fourth Madam is your daughter, Old Madam Wang. Her filial piety toward you is only proper. Though our First Miss feels sorry for her aunt, she cannot interfere. But Old Madam, you must understand… the Seventh Young Master is our Bai family’s Seventh Young Master. There’s no reason for him to be manipulated by Wang family members.” Wei Zhong’s words contained both soft and hard elements, and Old Madam Wang, being a reasonable person, naturally understood.

“Now that the First Miss has ascended to the throne and the Seventh Young Master has been enfeoffed as Prince Zhongguo! If he were still to be manipulated under such circumstances, it would become a laughingstock if word got out…” Wei Zhong, seeing Old Madam Wang’s clear-eyed appearance, continued: “Therefore, if someone of good nature who remembers kindness and would be filial to you were selected from the Wang clan, it would both honor Old Master Wang’s name and give the Fourth Madam peace of mind. More importantly… the First Miss, for the sake of the Fourth Madam and Seventh Young Master, would certainly give the Wang family a bright future. This would also accommodate Old Madam’s wish to preserve the Wang family’s honor – killing three birds with one stone. What does Old Madam think?”

Old Madam Wang raised her eyes to look at Wei Zhong: “To think His Majesty would be troubled by Wang family matters!”

This meant she agreed. Wei Zhong’s expression showed a smile – it was good that she agreed. He had only feared Old Madam might not be able to think it through for a moment.

Wei Zhong smiled and said, “Old Madam, what are you saying? You are the Seventh Young Master’s maternal grandmother, which makes you like our First Miss’s own grandmother. His Majesty also hopes you can have a comfortable old age.”

Old Madam Wang nodded…

If previously Old Madam Wang had known this black-hearted couple was threatening her daughter, and for the sake of maintaining a peaceful facade outwardly, wanting to preserve the Wang family’s prosperity, now hearing her beloved granddaughter say such words, thinking of all the grievances her daughter had endured for her sake, and then considering the message Bai Qingyan had Wei Zhong bring…

Keeping this couple would likely mean the Wang family would have no more honor, but would instead follow that rotten-hearted couple and be trampled into the mud.

With the message Bai Qingyan had Wei Zhong deliver, Old Madam Wang instead felt the decision wasn’t so difficult to make. After all, she and her daughter had the Emperor’s backing, so even if they were to change heirs, the Wang clan members wouldn’t dare say anything.

After Old Madam Wang thought it through, her heart was full of gratitude. She wanted to get out of bed to bow but was stopped by Wei Zhong: “Old Madam, you mustn’t! You mustn’t!”

Seeing Wei Zhong’s insistence, Old Madam Wang didn’t persist, only saying: “Eunuch Wei, please trouble yourself to thank His Majesty on this old woman’s behalf for his concern!”

“Since Old Madam can think it through, that’s for the best. Old Madam must take good care of your health. When Prince Zhongguo returns to select a princess consort, Old Madam Wang will still need to help evaluate the candidates!” Wei Zhong said with a smile, then continued: “Old Madam spends her days in the inner quarters and probably cannot inquire about suitable candidates among the Wang clan. If Old Madam trusts in this, His Majesty will have trustworthy people search on Old Madam’s behalf. This way, the clan members will not disagree either.”

“His Majesty is thoroughly considerate!” Old Madam Wang quickly responded.

Seeing that Old Madam Wang had agreed, Wei Zhong didn’t continue playing the emotional card. He changed how he addressed Bai Qingyan and continued: “His Majesty intends that the guards the Fourth Madam brought this time should remain here with Old Madam, to prevent that couple from harboring other schemes. Nanny Guan and the Fourth Madam should also stay at the Wang mansion to care for Old Madam. After this matter is settled, these guards will be recalled. Does Old Madam Wang find this arrangement convenient?”

“His Majesty may decide everything – this old woman is infinitely grateful!” Old Madam Wang hadn’t expected Bai Qingyan to consider even this, feeling even more grateful. “His Majesty’s kindness toward this old woman is as heavy as mountains. When this old woman recovers, she will certainly enter the palace to express her gratitude!”