Blood Cleansing, Great Clans Are Not to Be Provoked

That is, to prepare medicines for William Wang Jinling to use on his journey.

Being away from home for over half a year, it's normal to encounter headaches or fevers. Serena Feng knew William would have a physician traveling with him, and that the doctor would be skilled enough, but...

After all, when traveling, it's hard to have every medicine on hand. William might bring several carts of traditional Chinese medicine, but those herbs require strict quality, and it's not always possible to buy the right ones outside. If an illness gets delayed because of this, the consequences could be serious.

Besides, traditional Chinese medicine works slowly. William is traveling for official duties, so if he really falls ill, he won't have much time to recuperate. Western medicine may be harsh, but it acts fast, so Serena decided to prepare some emergency medicines he could use on the road.

"William Wang Jinling, before you leave, come by the Sun Estate. I'll prepare some common medicines for you."

"Alright. I'll visit you at the Sun Estate the day after tomorrow." Of course William wouldn't refuse Serena's kindness, even if he thought he wouldn't need it.

It wasn't his first time traveling; every time he went out, he returned safely. William never considered how useful Serena's medicines might be—he simply took it as a gesture of care, and he would treasure it.

But later William was deeply grateful—thank goodness Serena had prepared enough medicine for him, or he would have become the shortest-lived Wang Clan Patriarch in history.

Serena had prepared life-saving medicine for him!

"Alright, come the day after tomorrow and I'll have everything ready." Serena calculated that, besides the usual medicines, she should also include some for self-defense. William Wang Jinling was a nobleman unused to such skills, so if his guards couldn't reach him in time, having something for self-defense could buy him precious minutes. She remembered what Imperial Physician Sun had told her about the Wang craftsmen's reputation—he had gently warned her that relying on Wang craftsmen could stir up dangerous jealousy among the nobles.

He should also bring antidotes—safety first. If someone tries to poison him, that would be trouble. Serena kept thinking and listing, and realized William Wang Jinling would have to carry so much. She wondered if his carriage was even big enough...

After William finished applying the salve to Serena, he sat back down and watched her carefully count all the things he needed to bring. William realized that, in this moment, it felt like a wife packing for her husband's long journey.

So trivial, yet so warm.

William didn't interrupt Serena. He waited until she finished counting everything, and when she nodded in satisfaction, he said, "That's about it, then. I'll start preparing once I get home."

"Alright. As long as you pack it, I'll carry it with me." As long as Serena prepared it, he'd take it, even if he never needed it.

Uh... That sounded perfectly normal, but why did it feel so strange to her? She couldn't put her finger on it, and suddenly felt awkward, unable to find anything to say.

William, ever perceptive, saw Serena's reaction and immediately changed the subject to distract her.

"Qingchen, I've already told Evan Wang, the Wang Clan steward, to handle the reconstruction of Feng Manor. He'll gather the Wang family craftsmen for you. Don't worry, those wooden houses you wanted will be built exactly to your specifications."

The Wang family had their own craftsmen, who were even more skilled than the palace artisans. Back when the Eastlyn royal family built the palace, they borrowed craftsmen from both the Wang and Hsieh families.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble? I should find someone else." Serena remembered what Imperial Physician Sun Zhengdao had told her about the Wang craftsmen's reputation—he had gently warned her that relying on Wang craftsmen could stir up dangerous jealousy among the nobles.

The problem is, there would be too much envy and resentment. So many nobles in the capital have offered sky-high prices to hire craftsmen from the Wang and Hsieh families, but all were refused. Yet here she was, a solitary woman, able to use them—her Feng Manor would be watched by everyone.

Forced sales and seizures are all too common. William Wang Jinling may shield her for now, but can he truly shield her for a lifetime?

Besides, William had his own responsibilities. He couldn't be Serena's full-time bodyguard. Even as Wang Clan Patriarch, there were things he couldn't control.

Tonight, William had stood up for her, but when he returned home, he'd likely face criticism from the clan elders.

William understood Serena's worries. He wanted to give her the best, but hadn't considered her situation: "If that's the case, then let's not use Wang family craftsmen. There are plenty of skilled artisans in the world, and many masters among the common folk. I'll have Evan Wang look for some."

"It's just a small matter, no need to trouble Evan. I'll look for someone myself, and if I really can't find anyone, I'll ask Evan for help." She was a Feng, not a Wang, and Wang family resources weren't hers to use. To avoid suspicion, she rarely set foot in the Wang estate.

Of course, the main reason was that she hated the Wang family's rules—aristocratic protocols stricter than the Imperial Palace. She never felt comfortable there.

Speaking of the Wang family, she started thinking about Prince Damien of Southern Lyn, hesitated, then decided to satisfy her curiosity: "By the way, William, what's the story with Prince Damien of Southern Lyn? He seemed really afraid of you."

"He's not afraid of me; he's afraid of the title 'Wang Clan Patriarch.'" William didn't hide anything from Serena. Among the upper echelons, this was an open secret. If not for Prince Damien, he wouldn't have taken up the patriarch's burden so quickly.

"The late emperor of Southlyn bore the Wang surname."

"What?" Serena was shocked, staring at William in disbelief. "So Prince Damien is actually a member of the Wang family? Then how does our Wang clan serve the Eastlyn royal house?"

Serena's surprised expression amused William. "More or less. Prince Damien's branch is a collateral line of the Wang family, long established in Southlyn and not closely connected to us. Most great clans are like this—descendants spread all over the Nine Provinces, each branch handling its own affairs. Unless the family's survival is at stake, the main line doesn't interfere or mix with side branches. As for loyalty to the Eastlyn royal house, that's not quite right. Children of the great clans are loyal only to their family."

"But can the emperor really tolerate that?" Serena was confused, but then started to understand. In modern times, don't Chinese people often become high officials in the West? Even China has foreign officials. As long as those in power are loyal, controllable, and capable, that's what matters.

"He has no choice but to tolerate it. Two-thirds of the court officials hail from the great clans. If the emperor refuses to employ them, the entire nation would grind to a halt." That is the source of the clans' audacity—the capital they use to contend with the throne. Even as the emperor tries to suppress the clans and their power wanes, wiping them out entirely isn't something that can be done overnight. The clans will fight back.

If pushed too far, they'd do what the Cui clan did—withdraw into seclusion and let the world fall into chaos. The wealth they've accumulated would last generations, and with their shops and lands managed by loyal retainers, the clans could easily support themselves.

But unless driven to absolute desperation, the great clans would never resort to that move lightly. After all, it's nearly impossible to find a truly hidden refuge—and if the emperor ever discovered it and sent troops to slaughter them...

That would be true annihilation—blood cleansing in the most literal sense.