Zhou Qiongyue had a pleasant chat with the elders, and time passed quickly.

Not long after, the current Marquis of Cheng'en, Zhou Wencan, came in person to invite everyone to move to the ancestral hall.

At this time, Yuan Chaokang hugged Zhou Qiongyue's legs tightly, and his meaning was obvious: he wanted to go too.

Zhou Qiongyue looked at her father Zhou Wencan with a little embarrassment. After all, she was a married woman and might not be able to enter the ancestral hall, let alone Yuan Chaokang.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Zhou Wencan couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. He simply found it amusing. Even after getting married, her daughter would still be so adorable. She had absolutely no understanding of her current status.

Even if the ancestors were still alive, they would be willing to meet such a promising married woman. This world has always been snobbish.

Zhou Wencan didn't waste any time. He walked over and picked up Yuan Chaokang, signaling his daughter to follow him.

Zhou Wencan held Yuan Chaokang in one hand and chatted with the elders as they walked, and no one said anything so tactless.

This was the second son of Prince Fu'an, and he also had the blood of the Zhou family. Most importantly, Yuan Chaokang was already of noble status.

If Zhou Nanqian's child came, these elders would immediately jump up and down. Zhou Nanqian hurriedly married a county magistrate in the south. She made a fuss for two years at first, but then she accepted her fate and gave birth to a daughter and a son.

After having a child, Zhou Nanqian naturally wanted to reconnect with the Marquis' Mansion. This was also the reason why her husband could still tolerate her despite her actions there.

However, Zhou Wencan and Jin are now the ones in charge of Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion, so it is impossible for them to support her.

In the past two years, Zhou Nanqian's husband has also realized her mistake, so her life has become increasingly difficult. If it weren't for the fact that when Liu and the old marquis were at the ancestral home in the south, Liu would have remembered her granddaughter and sent someone to deliver something to Zhou Nanqian once or twice.

Zhou Nanqian was about to die of illness, but even so, her life was not much better.

After all, the reason they were willing to marry her was to get in touch with the Cheng'en Marquisate. Now, not only has she failed to advance in her career, but she has also married a difficult-to-serve ancestor.

When she arrived at the ancestral hall, Zhou Qiongyue found that she was the only woman present. Not to mention the current wife of Marquis Cheng'en, Jin, even the old lady Liu had not come in.

Zhou Qiongyue was a little embarrassed for a moment, but when she saw her father's comforting eyes, she also sat down at the last seat next to him.

Although Zhou Qiongyue would definitely be the highest in terms of status among those present, this was within the Zhou family's ancestral hall, and the others were her elders, so she didn't want to show off in front of them.

Zhou Qiongyue was so humble that the elders had a better impression of her.

Zhou Wencan didn't have so many concerns. He just carried Yuan Chaokang and sat in the first seat on the left below the old marquis.

The honor of this position is second only to that of the old marquis. After all, Zhou Wencan is the current Marquis Cheng'en and the future patriarch of the Zhou family.

The seat opposite Zhou Wencan was occupied by a highly respected elder of the clan.

After everyone was seated, the old marquis Zhou Moyang chatted with everyone for a few words before starting the main topic of the day.

"Today, while everyone is here, I will divide the family home. A big tree has many branches, and it is time for Can'er and his generation to become independent.

First of all, there are clan assets, which are the foundation for a family's prosperity. There are rules for this, and they are all inherited by those who inherit the title."

The old marquis said this and looked at the second son Zhou Wenjun and the third son Zhou Wenfu, "Don't feel unfair, this is the traditional rule.

The clan assets of the person who inherits the title are also for the purpose of not dispersing the family resources, ensuring that there is a branch that can prosper forever, and ensuring that there is always someone to protect the clan members.

If there is no one to protect us, no matter how many good things the family has, they will not be able to keep them."

Although the clan's assets were enormous for him, Zhou Wenjun himself was also quite successful, so he really didn't care about them. In the past, his family was just an ordinary official family, and the clan's assets weren't much. He had only been the Marquis of Cheng'en for about twenty years.

Even if some more money was added during this period, Zhou Wenjun felt that it was not much. After all, he still had to send money to his sister in the palace every year!

So Zhou Wenjun took the lead in expressing his opinion, "Father, I have no objection."

Zhou Wenfu also expressed his opinion, "Father, I have no objection either."

The old marquis was very pleased to see that his two sons did not embarrass him in front of the elders, and the smile on his face became much more genuine.

The old marquis immediately pulled out a box from the side. Inside were land deeds, banknotes, and lists of connections. For example, who owed what favor, when, and for what reason. There was also a list of spies that the Cheng'en Marquisate had planted in various places over the years.

The old marquis did not open the stack of lists in public, but handed them directly to Zhou Wencan.

Zhou Wencan could only put Yuan Chaokang in the arms of Zhou Wenjun who was not far away in front of everyone, and then solemnly took the list handed over by the old marquis with both hands.

Yuan Chaokang: Is it possible that I would rather be held by my mother? Is it possible that if I were put down, I would be able to walk on my own?

Zhou Wencan certainly didn't open it in public, and he didn't even let the servants handle it. He just put it in his arms. Then he bowed deeply to the old marquis and the ancestors above him.

After all, these things were all painstakingly accumulated by our ancestors. As the saying goes, when you drink water, remember the well diggers. Zhou Wencan is also sincerely grateful for the efforts they have made for future generations.

The old marquis was still confident in Zhou Wencan. This son's abilities far surpassed his own, and his eldest grandson, Zhou Zhiyi, was also quite capable. He had nothing to worry about, leaving the things to the father and son.

"Then there are the assets of the Cheng'en Marquisate. According to the rules, the eldest son..."

Zhou Wencan stepped out of the group and bowed to the old marquis. "Father, I think we should split this equally! My two brothers and I share the same mother, so I don't care about this."

Zhou Wenjun was a kindhearted man and didn't want his brother to give in like that. He immediately retorted, "That won't work. Rules are rules! Big brother should take the lion's share."

Zhou Wenfu sat there calmly, not saying a word. As a man of little consequence, he naturally hoped for a larger share of the wealth. He made no secret of his intentions.

Seeing his second brother like this, Zhou Wencan felt that his love for this younger brother was not in vain. As for his third brother, Zhou Wencan felt that he did not see him.

Zhou Wencan spoke again firmly, "Father, just listen to your son! Otherwise, if my two younger brothers don't live well after they're separated, I'll still have to worry about them. It's better to do it all at once."