The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

Chapter 871 The Flames of Ruin: The Demise of a Prodigal Son in Jiangzhou (2) The Seeds of Calamity

Wang Hu's actions of betraying his father did not happen overnight.

The Wang family was considered a prominent official family in Jiangzhou. Wang Qian started as a minor clerk and, through his shrewdness and cunning, climbed his way up to the position of Legal Advisor, in charge of criminal justice and wielding considerable power. He was well aware of the treacherous nature of officialdom and was always cautious and timid, as if walking on thin ice. His only weakness was his only son, Wang Hu.

Now, let's talk about Wang Hu. His father, Wang Qian, was nearly forty when his precious son was born. As the saying goes, "a late-in-life child brings great joy," and Wang Qian doted on his son immensely! His mother, in turn, cherished him like the apple of her eye, afraid he might get hurt or even melt in her mouth. Thus, Wang Hu was spoiled rotten by his family from childhood, getting everything he wanted and doing whatever he pleased. Over time, he gradually developed a lawless, arrogant, and unruly personality.

As for studying… humph! That's something only poor, pedantic scholars do; our young master Wang would never stoop to that level! And martial arts training—oh dear, too hard and tiring! This young master has no patience or perseverance for that! So, Wang Hu doesn't have many other hobbies besides hanging out with a bunch of scoundrels, spending his days wandering around causing trouble. Cockfighting, dogfighting, frequenting brothels, and so on—anything that makes him happy is fine! And now, the entire Jiangzhou city is practically turned upside down by this纨绔子弟 (spoiled brat)!

At first, Wang Qian did consider disciplining his son. But every time he raised his hand, he would see his son's eyes, which resembled those of his deceased wife, and his heart would soften. Wang's mother would wail and accuse Wang Qian of disregarding their father-son relationship. Over time, Wang Qian simply let it go, even using his power and wealth to smooth over the troubles Wang Hu had caused time and time again.

When Wang Hu was fourteen, he severely injured the son of Zhang, a wealthy merchant in the south of the city, in a fight over a courtesan. Zhang wanted to report the incident to the authorities, but Wang Qian personally visited him, offering apologies and compensation, and even used his official power to suppress the matter. Zhang dared not speak out and could only swallow his anger.

At fifteen, Wang Hu was racing horses when he accidentally knocked over an old man selling vegetables, breaking the old man's leg. Wang Hu again pressured him, demanding compensation and putting pressure on him. In the end, the old man only received some money for medicine and didn't even get an apology.

Sixteen years old, Wang Hu...

In every single incident, Wang Qian protected Wang Hu like a mother hen protecting her chicks. He thought he was loving his son, unaware that this unprincipled pampering had already sown the deepest seeds of the Wang family's downfall. He shielded his son from the storms of life for a time, but he robbed him of the ability to distinguish right from wrong and take responsibility, further fueling his lawless arrogance. In Wang Hu's worldview, there was no concept of "consequences," only "I want it" and "My dad can handle it."

Those around Wang Hu both feared and hated him. The sons of officials who were on good terms with the Wang family outwardly addressed him as brothers, but in reality, most were only interested in Wang Qian's power or were there out of politeness. Not a single one was a true confidant. And the common people who had been oppressed by him hated him to the core, secretly calling him "the wicked young master of Jiangzhou" and "Wang the Young Master."

Wang Qian was not unaware of his son's tarnished reputation, but he always thought that things would get better once his son grew up and settled down. He even began to plan for his son's future, intending to use his connections to buy Wang Hu an official position so that he could inherit his mantle in the future.

He never imagined that the son he had poured his heart and soul into protecting would ultimately push him and the entire Wang family into an abyss of no return.