The grand entrance of the Song manor, at this moment, was bustling with activity, a constant stream of visitors and carriages. In her youth, the Duchess Anyue had no shortage of admirers in the empire, many of whom became powerful figures later, and their forces have always maintained a good relationship with the Song clan. The duchess’s life was legendary, especially in her twilight years when she single-handedly held up the Song clan, striving for change with a blend of leniency and firmness, displaying great wisdom that earned her widespread respect.
In recent years, as Zhang Boqian rose to the rank of Heavenly King with unparalleled strength, the Song clan has been on shaky ground. Under such circumstances, the duchess’s lone support was truly admirable. Even Zhang Boqian had hinted, whether intentionally or not, that as long as the duchess was alive, he had no intention of dismantling the Song clan.
The Song clan was wealthy but not strong, sitting on a treasure trove of rare resources, built on commerce rather than specialized industries. It made it the perfect target for division. However, an entity like Ningyuan Heavy Industries, which relied on its technological edge and the prowess of Song Zining, was far more difficult to tackle. Even if they managed to seize Ningyuan Heavy Industries, without Song Zining’s oversight, it would turn from a gold mine into a black hole, making the acquisition pointless.
Resources were different; to be frank, what skill did mining require? Send some slaves down to dig, and it mattered little if they perished, for most differences in mining techniques could be bridged by human lives. So, the landowners sat back and raked in the money, effortlessly.
The Song clan was rich and easy to digest, who wouldn’t want a slice of it? Even the allies supporting the duchess might be swayed by such interests.
Amidst this encirclement of wolves, the duchess’s steadfast perseverance until the end made her all the more revered. Regrettably, the Song clan lacked worthy successors; her descendants, mostly unworthy and self-unaware, each thinking themselves capable of ruling the world. They didn’t realize that the peaceful sky above them was the result of the duchess’s protection.
Now that the duchess had passed away, the empire’s elites gathered to mourn, with most noble families sending representatives. Regardless of their past relations, most people held a certain respect for the old duchess. And those who were truly formidable knew how hard-won the surface calm of the Song clan was.
The imperial family sent a prince, two royal princes, and a princess, with Empress Li also dispatching her trusted chief steward, showing great importance.
Among the various clans, only Duke Zhang Boqian of Qingyang did nothing, sending no one.
This, in fact, was a sign of significant respect. Had it been anyone else, as soon as the mourning banners were raised, they would have arrived at the Song clan’s doorstep.
The memorial hall was set up in the duchess’s favorite pavilion, Lianxin. This courtyard, though spacious, had few buildings, and usually, even the servants were few. How could it accommodate so many guests? Fortunately, the Song clan, if nothing else, had wealth and manpower. By throwing heaps of gold, they erected temporary accommodations, housing all but the most important guests, just managing to fit everyone.
For a time, makeshift structures covered the area outside the courtyard and half the hill, barely accommodating the attendees.
According to imperial protocol, the duchess would lie in state for forty-nine days before being interred. The first few days were the busiest, but after seven days, as the peak of external tributes passed, the Song clan members finally had time to sit down and discuss pressing matters.
At this moment, with the courtyard housing tight, the elders could only squeeze into a side hall to deliberate. Everyone was exhausted, but no one complained.
Song Zhongnian, as usual, took the seat of honor. Sweeping his gaze over the room, he said, “With the urgent situation at hand and the Song clan in turmoil, let us speak directly about our thoughts.”
One person immediately spoke up, “A snake without a head cannot move. When the old ancestor was alive, major decisions were made by her. Now that she has passed, the most pressing matter is to select a new head, to establish a new era for the Song clan and expand our family business to honor our forebears.”
This was interesting—was it customary to change the clan leader upon the death of the old ancestor? Which clan had such a rule?
Song Zhongnian’s eyelid twitched as he looked at the speaker, Song Xiuwen. This man, never known for his background or abilities, enjoyed speaking out in the council. This time, he was the first to jump out, clearly supported by someone behind the scenes.
Song Zhongnian spoke slowly, “Before her passing, the old ancestor did not mention changing the head. Besides, the head of the clan has never been chosen by the elders. Xiuwen, are you perhaps aspiring to be a grand elder?”
Song Xiuwen, not one to mince words, replied, “If you, Zhongnian, are willing to nominate me, I have worked hard for the Song clan these years. I could make do as a grand elder.”
Seeing that Song Xiuwen omitted the formal address for the head of the clan, Song Zhongnian’s face darkened, and he coldly said, “A grand elder must be both virtuous and capable. Your virtue, Xiuwen, is well-known. As for your capabilities, you should know your own limits. If, outside, the grand elder of the esteemed Song clan can’t defeat a young man in his early twenties, it would be laughable!”
Song Xiuwen’s face turned beet red, and he slammed the table, standing up angrily, “What do you mean? Stop posturing as the head of the clan! Tell me, which twenty-something-year-old could defeat me?”
“Zhao Jundu.”
Song Xiuwen was taken aback, and after a moment, his face flushed again, “That doesn’t count. How many resources does he have piled on him? If I had had as many resources, I might not have been inferior to him.”
This statement left the elders feeling awkward. Zhao Jundu’s invincibility in his tier was widely recognized. Even if Song Xiuwen had the same level, he wouldn’t dare claim to match Zhao Jundu, especially since he was far behind in actual power.
As for talent built on resources, that wasn’t real talent. This was just Song Xiuwen grasping at straws.
Song Zhongnian didn’t give him a way out, sneering, “There are many guests outside now. Xiuwen, why don’t you tell them and ask them to judge?”
Song Xiuwen grew furious, “Zhongnian, what are you trying to say? If you want to target me, just say it straight, don’t beat around the bush!”
Song Zhongnian replied coolly, “Do you think you’re worth targeting? With people like you in the council, the Song clan’s reputation is already in tatters.”
As Song Xiuwen was about to retort, Song Zhongnian suddenly shouted, “Sit down!”
A wave of original force surged, knocking Song Xiuwen dizzy and forcing him back into his chair, leaving him speechless.
Having suppressed Song Xiuwen, Song Zhongnian turned to the other elders, his voice icy, “As long as I am the head of the clan, I will have the authority to act. I’ll lay it out plainly: anyone who dares to split the family with outside help will be removed from the family records!”
This statement caused a commotion, with many crying out, “We are all of Song blood, why do you get to decide who to remove?”
“Exactly, can you erase the name, but not the bloodline?”
After letting the uproar die down, Song Zhongnian said, “You’re not splitting the family, so why get so excited?”
The few who had jumped in realized their mistake and sullenly sat down.
Song Zhongnian continued, “It seems many of you want to change the head of the clan, then?”
Most of the elders nodded.
Feeling despondent, Song Zhongnian said, “I am well aware of my inadequacies and the difficulties of the current situation. Continuing in this position leaves me uneasy. But…”
His gaze turned cold, sweeping over the elders, “If anyone tries to use the head’s position to divide the Song clan, don’t blame me for being unforgiving!”
Song Zhongnian’s long-standing authority still held sway, and the elders, struck by a chill, quietly dropped their schemes. Changing the head of a noble family was not just a family matter but also a national one. The empire might not interfere in internal affairs, but the title of the head required imperial approval.
If Song Zhongnian refused to relinquish his title, it would be a thorny issue. It couldn’t be that the Song clan would follow the duchess in death, right? If the elders truly had such boldness and black hearts, the Song clan would not be in such disarray.
Seeing the elders’ restraint, Song Zhongnian added, “The clan is facing a crisis, and we need collective wisdom. Since Zining has returned, let him join the deliberations.”
This suggestion caused an even more intense reaction.
“Isn’t Xiao Qi already gone from the Song clan? Strictly speaking, isn’t he no longer a part of the Song clan?”
Song Zhongnian glanced at the speaker, “Didn’t you just say that removing someone from the family records doesn’t sever the blood connection?”
The elder was left speechless, and another piped up, “Xiao Qi is a good child, but too libertine and casual. Give him a few more years of experience, and he might become a great figure. Then, inviting him back would be better, wouldn’t it?”
This elder, with ill intentions, tried to bully Song Zining, who was young and known for his libertinism.
Song Zhongnian replied calmly, “You’ve added two concubines this year and fathered three illegitimate children. You can hardly call others lewd, can you?”
“Zining is young and of a lower generation. A grand elder must be venerable and respected. How can Zining command the respect of the elders?”
The speaker was Song Zhongcheng, Song Zhongnian’s elder brother. Song Zhongnian didn’t push him too hard, giving him a cold look. Song Zhongcheng, today, was more restrained, and, meeting Song Zhongnian’s gaze, fell silent. Another elder, however, began to shout.
As the council bickered, Song Zining knelt in the memorial hall, facing the duchess’s portrait, motionless and silent.
A maidservant approached, saying, “Seventh Master, you haven’t eaten in three days. You’ll ruin your health. Why don’t you eat something?”
Song Zining waved her off, indicating he didn’t need anything.
The maidservant, growing anxious, said, “Even if the old ancestor were here, she’d be heartbroken to see you like this.”
Song Zining looked up, his eyes distant, “Ah, the old ancestor is no longer here…”
The maidservant, startled, asked, “Seventh Master, what’s wrong with you?”
“I’m fine, just lost in thought. Go, don’t worry about me. I’ll stay a few more days, then leave.”
The maidservant gasped, “You can’t leave! Many people hope you’ll take over as head of the clan!”
Song Zining sighed, “You don’t understand.”
The maidservant, biting her lip, retreated. At the door, the duchess’s maidservants and attendants were gossiping, “Only seven days, and no one comes at night.”
“Just the Seventh Master. It seems the old ancestor didn’t dote on him in vain.”
“Hmph, those people are busy dividing the family, who has time for grief?”
“Shh, be quiet, or we’ll get beaten!”
These days, the Lianxin pavilion was chaotic, with many disturbances, and the servants often faced harsh treatment, sometimes even physical abuse.
The maidservant, her eyes welling up, said, “If the old ancestor were here, who would dare treat us like this?”
In the memorial hall, Song Zining remained kneeling, gazing at the duchess’s portrait, “Old Ancestor, you foresaw this, didn’t you? That’s why you left no words. Is the Song clan truly this disappointing? What do you want me to do? What should I do?”
A servant approached, whispering, “Seventh Master, the head requests you to join the council deliberations.”
“I’m guarding the old ancestor, and I won’t go anywhere.”
The servant, taken aback by Song Zining’s refusal, was at a loss.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage