"A bunch of idiots!" he thought to himself. "Given the Huo family's bandit-like behavior, and Xie Ziyuan's reputation, why go to all this trouble to pave the way for her? They might just get sold out without even realizing it!"

The reason these clan elders dared to cause trouble here was because the Huo family's attitude had become ambiguous again.

Last night was New Year's Eve, and Grandpa Huo's rheumatism flared up again, causing him so much pain that he was practically rolling on the ground. Xie Ziyuan once again helped him with acupuncture, which brought Grandpa Huo's rheumatism down.

Finally, Xie Ziyuan spent the Lunar New Year at the Huo family's home.

This matter was no secret, and the Huo family did not deliberately hide it, so naturally, those who were supposed to know soon knew.

In many people's minds, this represents a signal: the Huo family ultimately chose Xie Ziyuan as their granddaughter-in-law!

As for Xie Li, perhaps it was out of gratitude for saving her life, and because she was indeed the person originally betrothed, that the Huo family, having a conscience, specially came to propose marriage.

As a result, Xie Li didn't know what was good for him and even mocked Huo Yuntang and talked back to Old Master Huo, showing no manners at all.

She was clearly climbing the social ladder and should have been treating the Huo family with respect, but instead she was so short-sighted and arrogant. Having offended the Huo family, this marriage was definitely off the table.

Xie Ziyuan is different. She's so capable and has always been favored by the Huo family elders. This time, she even saved Old Master Huo...

Those with quick minds immediately began to support Xie Ziyuan.

"Elder Xie, you are being too arbitrary. The Xie family's successor selection plan was decided through joint discussions within the clan, precisely to select a family head without being bound by convention."

"Jiang Baili is out, but Ziyuan isn't. Her score is clearly far ahead!"

Xie Zhendong was the most arrogant one today.

The Xie family's ancestral worship ceremony is only open to members of the Xie family. Since Pharmacist Chen hasn't even changed his surname, he is naturally not qualified.

His decision to follow Xie Ziyuan to the capital city did indeed draw some criticism.

But as it turns out, he followed the right person. The resources Xie Ziyuan enjoys in the capital are something the Xie family could never provide for him in their entire lives.

He has passed the intermediate alchemist exam, and his treatment is now vastly different from before.

Seeing that some people were curious about Xie Ziyuan's situation in the capital, she spoke frankly and without reservation, her words full of boasting, which indeed made many people's hearts flutter.

Then, the results came in: Xie Ziyuan had more supporters than ever before.

"That's right, even if you are the head of the family, you can't run the household with one-man rule!"

A proper ancestral worship ceremony almost turned into a farce.

Xie Lin stood on the outermost edge, his brows furrowed tightly. He had been busy with work lately, and he only attended today's ancestral worship ceremony for Xie Li's sake, only to encounter this scene.

Just as I was about to say something, my gaze suddenly sharpened as I saw a figure silently enter the ancestral hall.

When Xie Ziyuan went out, she was startled to see Xie Lin blocking the door and took a few steps back.

"Brother Lin?" Xie Ziyuan quickly composed herself and greeted him with a smile, "Long time no see, how have you been?"

"By the way, when you came to Beijing to film a variety show before, I went to see you with my classmates. Unfortunately, we were far away and the staff wouldn't let us in, so we could only catch a glimpse from afar."

Xie Lin: "What are you doing at the ancestral hall? It's full of ancestral tablets, there's nothing else inside."

His gaze was deep, fixed on Xie Ziyuan, as if trying to see through her.

Xie Ziyuan: "Yes, it's just an ancestral tablet. I just wanted to pay my respects to it secretly."

As she spoke, a mist welled up in her eyes, and her smile carried a hint of helplessness and disappointment. "I'm afraid I won't be qualified to enter the ancestral hall anymore."