"When someone of my age comes to see you, you should be grateful, not barring entry to your door. Is this how a younger generation should behave?"
"Does having money mean you can do without virtue? Just look at your behavior. He’s your very own Uncle Wang, an elderly man. Look at how you’re treating him!"
"Treating an elder in such a way shows he truly lacks any semblance of virtue!"
Hearing everyone’s rebukes and severe criticism, Wang Youbao became agitated. He too cared deeply about his reputation and hastily clasped his hands in a bow, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have my reasons for stopping someone at my door—"
Before Wang Youbao could finish, Wang Youtao loudly interjected, "My father, also your Uncle Wang, is already sixty years old. You stop him at your door and don’t allow him inside. You still think you have reasons? Is there such logic in this world?"
Uncle Wang quickly began pounding his chest and stamping his feet, exclaiming. "Oh heavens, how could I have a nephew like you. Big brother, oh, you died too unjustly. I am your very own brother. Look at your beloved son and how he treats me. If your spirit is watching from the heavens, take a look. He stops me at his door and claims he has his reasons. There’s no such logic in this world!"
Hearing this, An Jing and Xiao Changyi could tell that Uncle Wang and Wang Youtao clearly intended to tarnish Wang Youbao’s reputation.
The people here cared about reputation above all else.
As everyone listened to Wang Youtao and Uncle Wang’s words, the gathering neighbors didn’t think too much and fell into their trap, starting to denounce Wang Youbao and echoing the uncle and his son, saying there’s no such logic in the world.
Wang Youbao grew even more panicked and once again clasped his hands in a bow, saying, "Everyone, I truly do have my reasons. It was Uncle Wang who first disowned me as his nephew, saying he would no longer have dealings with me. My three houses—"
But Wang Youbao’s words were once again cut off, this time by a fierce shout from Uncle Wang. "Wang Youbao, if you disown me as your uncle, so be it. I know you look down on my poor family, thinking we can’t climb high enough to reach your esteemed mansion, but don’t you spout nonsense!"
As he spoke, tears began to stream down from Uncle Wang’s aged eyes. "I heard you were not feeling well and, considering I’m your deceased father’s only brother and you are his only son, I came to see if you were sick with worry. But now, look at how you fabricate stories about me..."
Seeing an elderly man cry, the watching neighbors immediately felt sympathy.
Just when everyone was about to berate Wang Youbao again, An Jing, arms crossed, laughed loudly and said, "Nobody here is blind or deaf. Every time Young Master Wang tries to explain his reasons, you interrupt him. What, are you afraid that he might not successfully have his reputation maligned by your attempts, or that he might expose your vile faces instead?"
After being reminded by An Jing, the surrounding neighbors realized that this was indeed the case. Every time Wang Youbao tried to speak, Wang Youtao and Uncle Wang never let him finish.
Nobody wanted to accuse an innocent person wrongly, so someone said, "Young Master Wang, what are your reasons? Do tell us."
Uncle Wang and Wang Youtao immediately panicked, fearing that public opinion might shift in favor of Wang Youbao.
Having lived many more years than Wang Youtao, Uncle Wang quickly regained his composure and loudly scolded An Jing, "Who is this country woman to meddle in our family affairs?"
An Jing responded with a leisurely smile, "You yell and shout to gather everyone here, isn’t it to have them judge for you? Why is everyone else allowed to speak, and I am not? What, did I hit the nail on the head and make you lose your temper in embarrassment?"
Uncle Wang was immediately livid with rage.