Chapter 371: Master Wang’s Wedding

Chapter 371: Master Wang Takes a Bride

Though Pingyang Island was sizable by South Sea standards, it rarely saw so many pugilists gathered at once. Today's unusual crowd had a special reason.

From the idle chatter of the jianghu folk, Su Mo learned that Wang Chaosheng, head of the Bohai Merchant Association—the island's largest trade consortium—was taking yet another concubine, his seventeenth. He'd sent invitations far and wide, summoning fellow merchants to attend the wedding banquet.

But after just a few overheard remarks, Su Mo found the situation equal parts amusing and baffling.

"Wang Chaosheng must be seventy this year?"

"Seventy-three, actually.

"Built the Bohai Association from nothing—quite the formidable figure.

"Though his health's failing. His wild younger days left him without an heir for decades.

"After finally siring a son in old age, he only became more unrestrained.

"Now in his ripe old age, his behavior grows ever more outrageous.

"These past years, Young Master Wang tried everything to stop him, yet the old man still manages to squeeze in new concubines.

"With the young master away these six months, he's already added two more to his household."

"Precisely... Wait, is that the Bohai Merchant Association's ship?"

"Could the young master be returning?

"This should be quite a show!"

"I wonder if President Wang will still be strutting about so proudly when he sees his son?"

The onlookers chattered endlessly, all anticipating the coming drama.

Su Mo could only shake his head in amazement—a seventy-three-year-old geezer still trying to prove his virility? What was the old fool thinking?

As he pondered this, Wang Chengying stepped off the ship.

Forgoing cargo supervision, he rushed over and saluted with clasped fists.

"Chief Escort Su, my apologies.

"I've a family emergency to...

"Oh, never mind—Chief Escort Su, come with me.

"I'll fill you in as we go."

With that, he performed a deep ceremonial bow.

Su Mo steadied him. "No need to stand on ceremony, Young Master Wang.

"If matters are urgent, lead the way."

"Got it."

Wang Chengying nodded at once, left Ning Tieqiu in charge there, and rushed into town with his sister and Ding Luo.

Su Mo took in their expressions and had to suppress a laugh. He glanced at the little girl, who was pouting, her face full of anger.

At first he figured it wasn't his business to ask.

To his surprise, Wang Chengying started spilling the whole story to Su Mo.

"Chief Escort Su, you may not know this, but my father's a real character. Even in his younger years, he was the talk of Pingyang City.

"He was naturally gifted in business. We started with just modest means, but his ventures grew, and the richer he got, the crazier he acted.

"He was dead set on this yin-yang philosophy, believing..."

Here, he hesitated and glanced at the women with Su Mo before he just sighed.

"He believed those teachings held the secrets to unraveling heaven and earth.

"It wore him out young.

"That left him childless for years.

"Luckily, my late mother kept him on a tight leash and got hold of some miracle cure, so my sister and I were born.

"But that didn't last long.

"After Mother passed, there was no one to rein him in.

"Maybe being held back all those years made him completely out of control.

"The older he got, the wilder his ideas became.

"Once I came of age, I couldn't let him carry on like that.

"What seventy-year-old in his right mind chases after girls young enough to be his granddaughters?

"So I kept having to step in.

"He did listen, swore he'd behave.

"Figured he was too old for that nonsense anyway, so I left for business feeling relieved.

"But then this dirty old man..."

Wang Chengying's jaw tightened as he said it.

It wasn't hatred—just how humiliating this was.

What kind of family had a patriarch trying to take teenagers as concubines?

If word got out, what would people think of the Bo Hai Association?

No wonder he'd gotten odd looks during this voyage.

Our family's shame must've spread already.

No wonder he called his own father a dirty old man.

Su Mo was at a loss for words, while Yang Xiaoyun and Wei Ziyi rolled their eyes in annoyance.

A shameless old man—wasn’t he talking about Wang Chaosheng?

And at his age, wasn’t he afraid of dropping dead in the act?

Quite the oddball.

After a pause, Su Mo could only say:

"Young Master Wang, calm down. Today seems to be the big day, and everyone’s heading to your place.

"With so many people around, you shouldn’t argue with President Wang.

"It would only hurt your relationship with your father and invite ridicule—totally pointless."

Hearing this, Wang Chengying nodded immediately:

"Chief Escort Su’s advice is wise. I’ll take it."

Pingyang City was right by the docks, and soon enough, they arrived within its walls.

The city seemed even livelier once inside.

Wang Chengying led Su Mo and the others through streets and alleys, hurrying to the Wang family home.

Meanwhile, Little Situ Taoist had already entered the city earlier.

But after visiting a few pharmacies, she was stunned.

Little Situ Taoist and the shopkeeper exchanged baffled looks:

"Out of Cistanche?"

"All gone."

"No Epimedium either?"

"Nope, none."

"Surely you’ve got Eucommia bark?"

"Still nothing."

"What about Cherokee rose hips?"

The shopkeeper was getting annoyed:

"Anything for kidney health or, you know… we’re out."

Little Situ Taoist was so furious she almost jumped out of her seat:

"What kind of pharmacy is this?"

The four girls beside her hurried to pull her away.

The shopkeeper, equally irritated, retorted:

"Ridiculous! We don’t have it, plain and simple."

"Don't claim my shop doesn't have them. Even if you search all of Pingyang City, you won't find what you're looking for."

After the four cardinal ladies—East, West, South, and North—helped Little Situ Taoist out of the pharmacy, the five of them looked at each other in confusion.

"Do people in Pingyang City really not need these things at all?"

"These things aren't just for one use...

"Other illnesses probably need them too.

"Come on, let's keep looking. That shopkeeper was talking nonsense, saying we wouldn't find them anywhere in Pingyang. I don't buy it."

Little Situ was fired up. Since Su Mo was involved, she absolutely wouldn't admit defeat.

The four girls had no choice but to help her continue the search.

But after visiting several more shops, they still found nothing...

Little Situ was momentarily speechless. Finally, she asked:

"Shopkeeper, level with me—are these things really unavailable, or are you just unwilling to sell them to me?"

"You're joking, miss," the shopkeeper replied with a smile. "We're here to do business. Why refuse paying customers?

"It's just that we're honestly out of stock.

"A couple days ago, every last bit of these herbs was sent to the Wang family from all pharmacies in Pingyang.

"President Wang paid top dollar for them—enough to fill several rooms.

"If you're truly in urgent need, you should try visiting the Wang residence. You might find what you need there."

"???"

Little Situ was completely confused.

Buying so much medicine—is he trying to overdose?

After quickly asking for directions to the Wang family, she had the four ladies take her there.

Outside, Dong Qing couldn't help asking:

"Miss, since we know about the Wang family, are we really going to ask them?

"They bought so much—they likely won't share."

Little Situ waved her hand:

"The Wang family must have a good reason for needing so many herbs.

"We're physicians. If they have a serious illness, we'll cure them first, then ask for some herbs in return. That should work, right?"

"That makes sense," Dong Qing nodded.

The others fell silent and led Little Situ toward the Wang residence.

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

They hadn't gone far when they saw a massive crowd ahead.

The four girls shielded Little Situ Taoist as they pushed through the crowd, listening to the idle chatter around them.

Only then did they learn that this Wang fellow had recently taken on a new concubine.

Little Situ Taoist couldn't help but pull a face at the news.

No wonder he'd bought so many aphrodisiac herbs—he really needed them!

Just as she was wondering what to make of this, the crowd suddenly parted.

Someone whispered:

"Oh no, oh no, Young Master Wang is back."

"Ah, this is gonna get interesting."

"They say Young Master Wang can't stand his father constantly taking concubines, says it's downright wicked. President Wang doesn't dare cross his son, so he can only sneak around taking new ones."

"He thought Young Master Wang wouldn't return for at least a few more days—by then it'd be too late to object."

"But who'd have thought he'd show up early?"

"Hahaha, I'd love to see the look on his face!"

As the crowd gossiped, Little Situ Taoist perked up at the name "Young Master Wang."

Dong Qing and the others stood on tiptoe to peek before whispering:

"Chief Escort Su is here too."

"Ohhh!"

Little Situ Taoist put two and two together—so it really was the President of the Bo Hai Association.

She immediately had the four cardinal ladies—East, West, South, and North—elbow their way out of the crowd to join Su Mo and the others.

Su Mo did a double take at seeing them and blurted out:

"Weren't you supposed to be buying medicine? How did you end up at the Wang residence?"

"Oh, uh..."

Little Situ Taoist's eyes shifted as she quickly thought of an excuse:

"I saw what all the commotion was over here, so I thought I'd come take a look first."

"Then I saw you, Eldest Brother Su, and came to say hi."

Su Mo gave her a knowing look before glancing around and spotting Fu Hanyuan. Nodding slightly, he said:

"Since you're here, stick around. We'll go buy the medicine together later."

"Alright."

Little Situ Taoist nodded eagerly. The herbs they'd buy later were actually for Wei Ziyi and Zhen Xiaoxiao. As for what Su Mo needed, they'd all been hoarded by President Wang in his private quarters.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

This time, we must find a way to secure it no matter what.

I guarantee you and Sister Xiaoyun will be holding a chubby baby boy by next year.

At this delightful thought, a sly grin crept across his face.

Su Mo was baffled, but this clearly wasn’t the moment to ask questions.

With Wang Chengying leading, they pushed through the crowd and reached the main gate.

The door guards immediately cupped their hands in respect upon spotting Wang Chengying.

Wang Chengying’s expression was stormy, too preoccupied to acknowledge them, just shooing them back to their posts.

He then guided Su Mo and the others into the courtyard.

Inside, the place was packed—standing room only.

A few noticed Wang Chengying and called out:

"Back already, Chengying? Don’t forget—drinks on you later!"

Wang Chengying had no choice but to clasp his hands in distant agreement. As they moved forward, some were grinning like they knew the score, while the kind-hearted whispered warnings to Wang Chengying, urging him not to make the old man lose face in front of the crowd.

After elbowin’ their way through, they finally reached the main hall.

Old Master Wang, red-faced and sloshed, was busy forcing drinks on everyone.

Hearing of his son’s return, he barely cracked an eye open to peer at him before nodding with a smile:

"Chengying, you’re back?

Good, good. Today’s your old man’s big day—how could you not be here?

Come, help your old man pour rounds for these uncles and buddies."

He hiccuped wetly, swaying unsteadily, clearly three sheets to the wind.

Wang Chengying burned with humiliation.

His father’s disgraceful antics were mortifying in front of so many people.

Even if the old man was too drunk to care, he, as a son, couldn’t bear it.

Pasting on a smile for the crowd, he clamped onto his father’s wrist:

"Father, we need to talk. Come with me."

With that, he yanked him toward the back.

Su Mo and the others stood there like spare parts.

Luckily, Ding Luo, knowing the ropes, quickly scored them a table. "Dig in for now," he offered.

Su Mo nodded.

Talk about whiplash—one minute they’re on an island, next they’re crashing a banquet?

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Just eat and drink to your heart's content.

Looking at the sumptuous banquet laid out before him, he couldn’t help but feel that not bringing Zhen Xiaoxiao along had been the right decision...

After some light eating and drinking, the father and son emerged from the inner hall.

Master Wang appeared more clear-headed now.

Though in his seventies, he appeared gaunt and frail, clearly in poor health.

But the happy occasion seemed to have perked him up, as his spirits were quite high.

Now with his eyes fully open, he began greeting the guests.

No one knew what had passed between them, but at least outwardly, they seemed amicable.

The guests naturally offered their congratulations.

Little Situ Taoist cast a few glances at Master Wang, her face twisted in discomfort.

At his age, his vitality was already spent.

No tonic or remedy could restore what was lost.

Even with her extraordinary medical skills, she couldn’t save him.

As the saying goes, medicine can’t save those destined to die.

If one’s time has truly come, no elixir or miracle cure can stave off death.

If Master Wang took her prescription, he might gain some temporary strength—but it would come at the cost of his remaining lifespan.

One wrong move, and it would kill him.

At this thought, she sighed inwardly:

"Finished, completely finished. No bouncing baby next year."

But then a sly idea came to her.

The President of the Bo Hai Association’s concubine-welcoming banquet was a marathon event.

By evening, the feast still showed no signs of ending.

Little Situ Taoist excused herself midway, saying she needed to use the "restroom."

Seizing the opportunity, Su Mo asked Fu Hanyuan what Little Situ Taoist had been up to since entering the city.

Fu Hanyuan answered honestly:

"After entering the city, she darted from one pharmacy to another but couldn’t procure the herbs she sought.

"So, she was clearly annoyed."

Su Mo frowned:

"Are the herbs she wants really that rare? "Not even regular pharmacies stock them?"

Fu Hanyuan laughed bitterly:

"I dared not approach too closely. The four cardinal-direction girls are formidable martial artists—getting too near would risk alerting them."

"So I don’t know what medicine she sought."

"If you wish to know, Chief Escort, shall I investigate now?"

Su Mo shook his head:

"No need."

Yang Xiaoyun said solemnly:

"Xiaoxiao and Ziyi’s ailments are severe. They’d naturally require rare medicines."

"The Wang family is affluent. If there’s truly a need, we may have to seek Young Master Wang’s assistance."

"I reckon... he wouldn’t decline."

After all, he owed them a life-saving favor. Inquiring about medicine shouldn’t prove difficult.

Su Mo gave a slight nod at this.

He thought to find a chance later to speak with Wang Chengying. But as his gaze swept the hall, he spotted a servant hurrying in from the rear.

In moments, the servant reached Wang Chengying and his father, murmuring something.

With Su Mo’s keen hearing, he caught every word.

He froze momentarily. Yang Xiaoyun and Wei Ziyi, seeing his strange look, whispered:

"What happened?"

Su Mo arched his eyebrows:

"The bride is missing..."

"What?"

The two women froze.

The wedding was underway, and now the bride had vanished from the back?

Glancing up, they saw father and son trading stunned looks, as if each doubted the other.

Then another servant approached and murmured to them.

This time, both men were thunderstruck.

Even at a distance, their faces were clearly strained.

Wei Ziyi and Yang Xiaoyun shot questioning looks at Su Mo.

Su Mo’s expression grew even more peculiar.

"Wang Chengying's little sister has gone missing too..."

As if losing the bride wasn’t bad enough, now even the Wang family's youngest daughter had vanished without a trace.

The father and son had no time left for guests and rushed back to the inner hall.

Moments later, Su Mo frowned:

"Why hasn’t Little Situ come back yet?"

"Don’t tell me she’s missing too?" Wei Ziyi muttered.

Su Mo flicked her forehead lightly:

"Nonsense. The four ladies—East, West, South, and North—are all martial arts masters, and Little Situ’s a master of medicine *and* poison—she’s no lightweight.

"How could she *possibly* disappear?"

Just as he spoke, Ding Luo rushed out from the inner hall and hurried over to Su Mo and the others.

He bowed and said:

"Chief Escort Su, everyone... the family head needs to see you inside. He’s got a favor to ask."

...

...