I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 653 The son is more valuable than the mother

Chapter 653 A Son's Status Rises Because of His Mother

In Nanjing, a new mansion was built.

Wang Wenzhou, along with his babies, knelt on the ground to pay their respects to their parents.

"Cough cough..." Wang Xianda coughed a few times, very happy. His son had grown up and had given him so many grandsons. Seeing his grandsons, Wang Xianda's eyes disappeared with laughter.

"Get up quickly! Rong'er, quickly let your sisters hold the baby so I can see it!" Wang Wenzhou has too many babies, and Wang Xianda can't remember the names of any of his daughters-in-law except for Zhang Rong.

"Damn it!" Wang Wenzhou's face changed. "Dad, are you stupid? It's fine to have my babies hold their sons for you to see. But having them all hold him for you at the same time—who goes first?! My dear father! You're just making trouble for your son!"

Sure enough, as soon as Wang Xianda finished speaking, Liu Rushi and Sheng Lan stepped forward, each carrying Liu Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohua respectively. The other babies also rushed forward, each carrying one of their children.

Wang Ying gently stroked her swollen belly, sighing inwardly that she had gotten pregnant a little late. If it had been earlier, Wang Xiaohua would be vying for the emperor's favor by now.

"Father, Mother, you play with the grandchildren, I'm going out for a stroll!" Wang Wenzhou said, then turned and ran off. If he didn't leave soon, the battle would break out.

As soon as Wang Wenzhou stepped out, Wang Qiang came up to him, cupped his hands in greeting, and said respectfully, "Greetings, young master!"

"Damn it!" Wang Wenzhou glared at Wang Qiang and sneered, "Young Master Qiang, who are you calling 'Young Master'? You are now the Vice Minister of Rites, and you call me 'Young Master'? Isn't that disrespectful to me? I can't accept that!"

"Sigh..." Wang Qiang sighed helplessly. His young master was still angry!

Wang Wenhua quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Boxin, you and Xiaoqiang grew up together. The past is the past! Come on! Today, the three of us brothers will go out for a drink together."

Wang Wenzhou was genuinely angry with Wang Qiang. That little bastard had sided with Zhu Youjian, solidifying his guilt and making Wang Wenzhou lose face. Moreover, since transmigrating, Wang Wenzhou had truly considered Wang Qiang a brother, and he felt betrayed by him.

"Boxin! Let's go!" Wang Wenhua pulled Wang Wenzhou away.

Wang Wenhua mentioned Wang Wenzhou and Wang Qiang to curry favor with them, truly demonstrating that one should look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation. Wang Wenzhou, the foolish cousin he used to look down on, is now a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty, and even the entire Ming Dynasty would tremble at his slightest move.

Wang Qiang, formerly Wang Wenzhou's lackey, is now not only the Vice Minister of Rites but also a trusted minister of the emperor.

Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment. After all, he and Wang Qiang had been brothers for so many years. No matter what Wang Qiang had done, he was forced into it. His grandfather, Wang Zhixin, was a wicked old man. Loyalty to your sovereign, love your so-called country!

Wang Wenzhou quickly said, "Wait a minute, brother, I'll go call a baby. You know, I don't feel comfortable eating or drinking without a baby."

Wang Qiang said with a smile, "Young Master, stop calling! Your wives are with the Master and Madam, so please don't go and cause trouble. A while ago, I ran into a pair of twin sisters who were incredibly beautiful. I suddenly thought of you, Young Master, and after much effort, I bought them. I'm just waiting to see you so I can give them to you."

Wang Wenzhou rolled his eyes at Wang Qiang and laughed, "You little brat, you do know what I like?"

"Haha!" Wang Qiang laughed loudly, "Young Master, let's make this clear first, although these two beauties are a gift from your younger brother, you can't let your wives know!"

"Pah!" Wang Wenzhou laughed and cursed, "When I get back, I'll tell Ru Ru, you little bastard, you've ruined my life!"

"Haha!" Wang Wenhua laughed loudly, "Let's go! We brothers can talk about it over drinks."

As Wang Wenhua walked, he sighed inwardly. He and Wang Wenzhou were both young masters of the newly established Marquis's mansion, but the difference between them was truly vast. Not to mention that foolish Wang Wenzhou, even his former follower Wang Qiang, whom he now had to fawn over.

The three brothers, Wang Wenzhou and Wang Zhou, were about to leave the newly built Earl's residence when Zhang Shize came towards them.

"Boxin, you've just returned to the manor today, where are you headed this time?" Zhang Shize asked with a smile.

Wang Wenhua said, "Brother Zhang, you've come at the right time. The three of us brothers were just about to go out for a drink. Let's go together."

“Very well! I came here today to have a chat with Boxin. Let’s go!” Zhang Shize nodded.

The four of them arrived at the restaurant. Before the dishes were served, Wang Qiang had his attendant bring the two twin sisters into the room.

Wang Wenzhou looked at them and exclaimed, "Wow, these two girls are indeed twins! Not only do they look exactly alike, but they're also very beautiful." The two girls looked quite young, only about fifteen or sixteen years old, but they were already well-developed.

"Come, come!" Wang Wenzhou waved to the two little girls.

The two girls sat down on either side of Wang Wenzhou, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Wang Wenzhou, with one arm around a little girl, asked, "Baby, baby, what are your names?"

Wang Qiang quickly said, "Young Master, the lady on your left is the elder sister, named Jia Xiuling, and the lady on your right is the younger sister, Jia Xiuzhen."

Wang Wenzhou said irritably, "Xiao Qiang, you little brat, shut up! Who asked you?"

Zhang Shize shook his head with a wry smile. His brother-in-law was just too lecherous!

Soon the food and drinks were served.

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Baby, be good, you guys feed me wine and food mouth-to-mouth, understand?"

The two sisters were so shy that their faces turned red all the way to their necks. But they dared not disobey. They had long known that Lord Wang Qiang had bought them to be concubines for Lord Wang Wenzhou, but they hadn't expected Lord Wang Wenzhou to be so frivolous.

Wang Wenhua picked up his glass and said, "It's been a long time since we brothers have had a drink, let's finish this one!"

After Wang Wenhua finished speaking, he picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Wang Wenzhou also hugged the baby and took a sip of wine from the baby's mouth.

Zhang Shize said, "Boxin, we came to see you this time because there's something we want to discuss with you."

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Brother, just say what you have to say. We're brothers, not outsiders."

Zhang Shize thought for a moment and then said, "After my uncle's birthday celebration this time, the title of Earl of Xinjian will be passed on to you. Zhang Xiaohua is your eldest son, you won't pass on the title of Earl of Xinjian to another son, will you?"

Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "Brother, wasn't this settled a long time ago? I promised you and my father-in-law that the title of Earl of Xinjian would belong to Zhang Xiaohua sooner or later!"

Zhang Shize nodded with relief. He was genuinely worried; Wang Wenzhou had too many children, and all of them had sons. Liu Rushi's son, Liu Xiaohua, was alright, since he already had the title of Duke of Zhongyi, and he wouldn't try to take the title of Earl of Xinjian. But Wang Wenzhou's other sons didn't have any titles.

Moreover, Zhang Shifang has passed away, and Zhang Xiaohua is now a child without a biological mother. As her uncle, he is worried that Zhang Xiaohua will suffer.

In fact, Zhang Shize's worries were unnecessary. Zhang Xiaohua is now Sheng Lan's adopted son. Sheng Lan has been unable to conceive and treats Zhang Xiaohua like her own son. Wang Wenzhou, out of respect for Sheng Lan, will not mistreat Zhang Xiaohua.

It is often said that a mother's status rises with her son's, but in Wang Wenzhou's family, it is the son who rises with his mother's. Whichever baby Wang Wenzhou favors, that baby's son has a higher status in the family.

Wang Wenzhou had no idea that Zhang Jiao and Sheng Lan were currently fighting over the issue of the Earl of Xinjian's inheritance rights.