Candles flickered in the Hall of Literary Courage.

Inside the ancestral hall, four red-robed officials gathered. It resembled a yamen more than a family home.

Chen Ji watched Chen Lizun rush in, sweat beading on his forehead. He must have dismounted his carriage at the Chen Residence gate and run all the way there.

Elder Chen glanced at Chen Lizun, then closed his eyes again to rest. He seemed old and weary, or perhaps he simply didn’t wish to witness the family’s internal disputes.

Chen Lizhi stood up and explained, “Brother, no one blamed anyone while you were in Tanggu. Today, the fifteenth of the second month, is simply the usual day for our family council.”

Chen Wende whispered, “First Uncle, it’s true that Chen Ji’s personal maid, Yao Man, secretly reported him. Chen Ji, he…”

Chen Lizun cut him off, turning to Chen Ji: “Did you or didn’t you?”

Chen Ji stated firmly, “No.”

Chen Lizun looked at Chen Wende: “He said no. Don’t press the matter further.”

At that moment, a rooster’s crow pierced the air, tearing through the distant night.

Amidst the rooster’s crow, Chen Lizun launched his attack.

Ignoring Chen Wende, he turned to look at Lady Liang outside the door, then at Chen Liqin: “The Third Branch has failed in raising its children, even producing a traitorous scoundrel who colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. Not only does he show no remorse, but he also tries to play the victim first. Do you have no regard for our clan’s reputation, daring to bring up old grievances in the Hall of Literary Courage?”

Chen Liqin slightly lowered his head under his gaze, and Lady Liang’s weeping abruptly ceased.

Chen Lizun asked in a solemn voice, “My sister-in-law, Lady Liang, I ask you: Do you acknowledge Chen Wenxiao’s actions in Guyuan?”

Lady Liang remained silent.

Chen Lizun turned and cupped his hands in salute to Elder Chen: “Father, your son wishes to invoke the clan rules to punish the main culprit who disgraced our family name.”

Elder Chen slowly spoke, “Third Son, what are your thoughts?”

Chen Liqin hesitated for a few breaths, then bowed deeply and saluted: “This unworthy son, Chen Liqin, has taught a disgrace among his subordinates, nearly causing a grave error. I am willing to accept punishment.”

“Good,” Elder Chen slowly opened his eyes. “From the day you began your studies, the first book you were to learn in the Kuizhang Pavilion was not the Four Books and Five Classics, but our Chen family’s history. Therefore, you should remember that our Chen ancestors followed the Grand Ancestor when he raised an army in Haozhou. It took sixteen years, traversing tens of thousands of li, enduring nine deaths and nine lives, before achieving the Ning Dynasty and the Chen family of today.”

Elder Chen continued unhurriedly, “If a dissolute wastrel emerges from our lineage, it only means a slight loss of family fortune; our Chen family can afford that, as long as they don’t cause trouble. But if a rebellious son colluding with the enemy and betraying the country appears, it could shake the very foundations of our Chen family. Our ancestors worked hard to establish this foundation. All of you should be mindful of potential dangers in times of peace and think twice before acting.”

Chen Lizun, Chen Lizhi, and Chen Liqin cupped their hands in unison: “Yes.”

Elder Chen ordered, “The Third Branch is to forfeit six hundred mu of clan land. Lady Liang is confined to Qingzhu Garden for one month and must copy ‘Admonitions for Women’ three hundred times. Mother and son are not to meet until Chen Wenzong completes his imperial examination. Do you have any objections?”

Lady Liang slumped onto the bluestones outside the Hall of Literary Courage, resentful but only able to murmur, “This humble concubine will certainly repent behind closed doors and never transgress again.”

Inside the Hall of Literary Courage, Chen Lizhi sighed, “After all, this Chen Wenxiao is a direct descendant of our Chen family…”

Before he could finish, Chen Lizun turned again and saluted Elder Chen: “Chen Wenren of the Second Branch holds an important position in the Imperial Guard, yet he frequents the Eight Great Hutongs, lingering endlessly. Last year, his public brawl with a Hu family scion over a courtesan nearly became a laughingstock in the yamen. Now, he’s made a fool of himself in front of foreign envoys, almost getting dismissed and exiled. Your son wishes to invoke the clan rules for a slight disciplinary action, to prevent this son from reoffending.”

Chen Lizhi’s pupils contracted.

Elder Chen looked at Chen Lizhi: “Second Son, what are your thoughts?”

Chen Lizhi hesitated for a moment, then respectfully said, “I am willing to accept punishment.”

Elder Chen hummed in acknowledgment: “The Second Branch is to forfeit six hundred mu of clan land. Chen Wenren must copy ‘Xue Er Pian,’ ‘Wei Zheng Pian,’ and ‘Jing Yi Zhang’ three hundred times. If he offends again, he will be removed from the clan registry.”

A muscle twitched in Chen Lizhi’s eye, and he bowed, saying, “Yes.”

Chen Ji stood motionless, watching Chen Lizun settle accounts with the Second and Third Branches one by one. There was no need for him to say another word.

Just as he thought it was over, Chen Lizun cupped his hands again: “Father, Chen Ji performed extraordinary service in Guyuan, safeguarding the nation’s foundation. Our Chen family should include him in the clan registry.”

Chen Lizhi frowned, saying, “Impossible!”

Chen Lizun turned to him: “Why not?”

Chen Lizhi said to Elder Chen, “Head of the household, clan rules state that a concubine’s son may only be entered into the clan registry if he achieves the rank of Sixth Grade Official or higher. The ancestral laws must not be abolished.”

Chen Lizun said in a deep voice, “There are always exceptions. Chen Ji’s achievements in Guyuan are enough to merit a special dispensation.”

Chen Lizhi lowered his gaze: “Brother, there’s a reason our ancestors established these clan rules. It’s best not to grant exceptions arbitrarily. If we make an exception for a small matter today, and another tomorrow, our clan rules will eventually become meaningless.”

Chen Lizun was about to say more, but saw Elder Chen slowly stand up: “Enough. Let’s follow the clan rules. Since he is a young talent, I imagine his promotion to Sixth Grade Official won’t take too long. You all still have to report to the yamen for duty; don’t be late for important business.”

With that, he walked through the crowd. Just as he was about to step over the threshold of the Hall of Literary Courage, a sudden voice called out, “Head of the household, please wait.”

Elder Chen looked back to see Chen Ji cupping his hands in salute in the hall, saying, “Head of the household, my deceased aunt left behind properties, including the Gufu Building outside Donghua Gate, the Yujing Garden in the Eight Great Hutongs, the Chen Grain and Oil Shop, the Silk Shop outside the Bell and Drum Tower, and three hundred twenty mu of fertile land in Changping. All these land deeds and property deeds are currently in my legitimate mother’s possession. Now that I have come of age, I request that my legitimate mother return my aunt’s belongings.”

Elder Chen looked Chen Ji up and down, then smiled: “You certainly know how to pick your moment. Bold of you.”

Chen Ji respectfully replied, “It just occurred to me.”

Elder Chen looked at Lady Liang outside the hall: “What Chen Ji said, is it true?”

Lady Liang hesitated for a moment: “Head of the household, what Chen Ji said is true. This humble concubine was keeping them for him.”

Elder Chen nodded: “Then return them all.”

Lady Liang bit her lip and said, “Head of the household, I cannot return them at this moment.”

Elder Chen stared at her: “Oh?”

Lady Liang explained in a low voice, “It’s not that this humble concubine is unwilling to return them, but these properties require transfer and cannot be handed over hastily. Since Chen Ji has come of age, I am currently seeking a suitable marriage for him. When he marries, these properties, along with the Tianbao Pavilion, Baoxiang Bookstore, and five hundred mu of fertile land in Changping that I hold, will serve as his family assets. Although Chen Ji is a concubine’s son, as his legitimate mother, I cannot allow him to be looked down upon by his wife’s family.”

Elder Chen pondered for a moment: “Very well.”

With that, he boarded the sedan chair waiting outside the Hall of Literary Courage without looking back.

Inside the Hall of Literary Courage, Chen Lizhi was in no hurry to leave. Instead, he plopped back into his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers, deep in thought.

Chen Lizun looked at Chen Ji and said gently, “Rest assured, our Chen family is a place that values reason; we won’t let you suffer injustice without cause. Should anything like this happen again, come find me immediately at Xiaoti Garden.”

Chen Ji cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Esteemed Grand Lord.”

Chen Lizun smiled and patted his shoulder: “The Head of the household himself said it’s only a matter of time before you’re included in the clan registry. There’s no need to call me ‘Esteemed Grand Lord’ like a servant; just call me First Uncle.”

Chen Ji thought for a moment, then cupped his hands again: “Thank you, First Uncle.”

Chen Lizun pondered for a moment and said, “Why don’t you move to Zhuozheng Garden? I…”

Chen Liqin suddenly stepped forward: “Brother, Chen Ji is a member of my Third Branch. Why would he move to Zhuozheng Garden? We have other matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave first.”

With that, he pulled Chen Ji away, giving Chen Lizun no further chance to speak.

The Chen family council finally dispersed.

At that moment, Chen Lizhi, still in his chair, suddenly looked up and feigned curiosity: “Brother, you had already set off for Tanggu. Who called you back?”

Chen Lizun smoothed his official robe, calmly stating, “Naturally, a household servant saw an injustice and immediately set off to inform me. What, Second Brother, do you wish to investigate?”

Chen Lizhi chuckled, “I wouldn’t dare. Brother, you should depart quickly, or it will be too late; you might not reach Tanggu tonight.”

Chen Lizun turned and left.

Once the Hall of Literary Courage was completely empty, Chen Lizhi suddenly burst into laughter: “Damn it, old ginger is spicier! I’ve been thoroughly outmaneuvered by the old man.”

Chen Wende looked confused: “Father, what do you mean?”

Chen Lizhi reined in his smile and slowly spoke, gazing outside the Hall of Literary Courage: “Which servant in this household would dare approach the Hall of Literary Courage without permission? This was clearly a well-orchestrated play by the old man and that good-for-nothing Chen Lizun. First, they estranged Chen Ji from the Third Branch, then the eldest brother stepped in to win people’s hearts, all while subtly undermining the influence of my Second and Third Branches… It seems they genuinely want to adopt Chen Ji into the First Branch and are going to great lengths to achieve it.”

Seeing that everyone else had left, Chen Wenren also stepped into the Hall of Literary Courage: “Father, what are they after? If they want to adopt him, why not just do it directly? Why go through all this trouble?”

Chen Lizhi shot him a sidelong glance: “Idiot. They don’t want just any tom, dick, or harry; they want an heir who is wholeheartedly devoted to them, one who has completely severed ties with his birth family. If they merely wanted a son or grandson, couldn’t they simply adopt one from a collateral branch? Adopting a hundred wouldn’t be an issue. But the problem is, no matter who they adopt, that person will never completely forget their birth parents.”

Chen Lizhi sighed emotionally, “Blood ties are the hardest to break. You have to use a dull knife, slowly cutting, stroke by stroke. Only when the pain becomes unbearable, when the mere thought of those family ties causes agonizing pain, can they truly be severed.”

Chen Wenren asked, confused, “Why not just find an orphan?”

Chen Lizhi picked up the teacup beside him and splashed the remaining tea onto Chen Wenren’s face: “How did I ever sire such an idiot? Is this vast Chen family something just anyone can take over? One must have ability, courage, and intelligence. Why do you think the old man meticulously reviewed every memorial from Guyuan? That boy Chen Ji has caught his eye. If this were three years ago, the old man would never have allowed Chen Ji to go to Luocheng.”

Chen Wenren raised a hand to wipe the tea and tea leaves from his face, then lowered his head in silence.

Chen Wende asked, confused, “Father, since they’ve decided to adopt Chen Ji, why didn’t they have Lady Liang return the properties directly to him? Wouldn’t that have been perfect for him to take to the First Branch?”

Chen Lizhi looked at his two sons before him and sighed deeply: “Those meager properties are nothing to the Chen family—just a few shops and a few hundred mu of fertile land. Even what my Second Branch easily lets slip through its fingers each year is more than that. Would the old man even care? What the old man cares about is that if Chen Ji receives these properties, he’ll be harder to control… Chen Ji can have money, property, and influence, but it must all come from the First Branch. Do you understand?”

Chen Wende cupped his hands and said, “I understand.”

Seeing Chen Wenren remain silent, Chen Lizhi kicked him in the shin: “I asked you if you understood!”

Chen Wenren bent over, rubbing his shin, and stammered, “I understand, I understand!”

Seeing his younger son, Chen Lizhi became furious: “You disgrace! If I hear you go to the Eight Great Hutongs again, I’ll break your legs. And that blasted Little Pear Blossom? I’ll send someone to buy her today and send her to Prince Fu. You’d better abandon that idea right now!”

Chen Wenren started to speak, then stopped.

Chen Lizhi waved his hand: “Get out!”

Chen Wenren quickly exited the Hall of Literary Courage.

Chen Lizhi remained seated, stroking his beard, and muttered to himself, “Strange. I went to so much trouble to transfer Chen Liqin to Luocheng in the first place. Who brought him back?”

Chen Wende whispered, “Father, what about Chen Ji…”

Chen Lizhi slightly narrowed his eyes: “He cannot be allowed to stay. Only today did I realize that a wolf cub has been raised in the Third Branch’s sheepfold.”