“Living in the capital is not easy. I’m sure you’ve all heard that. Our Li family has taken root in Nanze and become a prominent clan, not because of the size of our family. I’m sure you all know that.”
The crowd below pondered.
"Anyone knows that those with money but no power are prey to others, while those without money and power are like ants. The Li family today is even worse than ants."
"To put it bluntly, without the main family, what are we, the collateral branches? Nothing at all! The ups and downs of officialdom are not simple. The salt smuggling case is of great importance, involving countless officials. If the Li family doesn't get involved, how can others feel at ease?"
"Those who reach out will be purged by the royal family, those who don't will be killed by their colleagues—it's only a matter of time. As a collateral branch, unable to provide any political assistance to your master, you have no right to complain! Today you're here complaining about your master's widow and young son, do you have any conscience?!"
"this·····"
Li Xujiang's face flushed red, his expression changed drastically, and he couldn't speak for a long time. He wasn't smart and hadn't thought much about it; he had only come to question the matter with a heart full of anger. Now, he didn't know whether what he had done was right or wrong.
The rest of the clansmen lowered their heads deeply, not daring to meet Pan Jinhua's gaze.
Wang Jiao stared at Pan Jinhua in shock. This old lady…
Li Qingyao was also unsettled. Before his father died, he had been locked up with him, and his father said that he felt ashamed of the Li family.
Now, when his clansmen ask him if he feels ashamed, he naturally does.
My father once said that since the main family enjoyed the best resources, they should steer the Li family to prosperity and growth. But now, the Li family has been destroyed in my father's hands, and his hair has turned white overnight.
"I understand the feelings of my clansmen. It hasn't been easy for anyone along the way. I know you all think that the main family has enjoyed the best resources and protected the clan, which is what they should do. Yes, I also think it is what they should do. But we don't understand the affairs of officialdom. Our branch is a large clan in Nanze, enjoying protection from many sides, all thanks to the prestige of the main family in the capital. Since our family has entered the game of officialdom, we must be prepared to lose. We have enjoyed the glory brought by the main family, and we must also bear the consequences of failure. Whether it is wealth and honor or hardship and displacement, it is what we deserve!"
"I've said all I have to say. You can go back and think about it slowly. But from now on, I don't want to hear these words from today in the clan again. If you really have that ambition, then go back to officialdom!"
Pan Jinhua's words were resounding and everyone agreed.
"Madam."
Upon hearing these words, Li Qingyao felt a surge of pride and bowed in respect.
"Young clan leader, born in the capital, you have been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood. Our Li family has indeed lost now. If one day we rise again, will the young clan leader be able to take the helm?"
Li Qingyao's eyes were burning.
"I can!"
Li Qingyao faced his clansmen below the stage and knelt down.
"I, Li Qingyao, swear to the heavens today! I will risk everything and give my life to restore the glory of my Li family and bring honor to its name! If I fail to do so, I will not be allowed to enter the Li family ancestral hall after my death!"
"Good! Young clan leader, remember these words today. I await the day when the Li family will regain its former glory."
Pan Jinhua clapped her hands; she was quite bold for her young age. Not being allowed into the ancestral hall after death was a very serious matter these days. After all, the ancients valued matters before and after death; if one couldn't even enter the family ancestral hall, one would be considered a wandering ghost.
"You all heard it. The young clan leader made a vow today. Do you have anything else to say?"
Li Xujiang and his clansmen exchanged glances and raised their hands in unison.
"To restore past glories and glorify the Li family's reputation! Young clan leader, we will remember this."
Everyone bowed and clasped their hands in greeting to the still kneeling boy.
Seeing this scene, Madam Yan burst into tears, not from sadness or fear, but from joy and heartache. Her child, so young, had to shoulder such a heavy burden.
Li Qingzhang and Li Qingjing stepped forward and helped Li Qingyao up, one on each side.
“This is my brother, Li Qingzhang. He’s older than you, so you should call him brother. My name is Li Qingjing. I’m two months older than you, so I’m also your brother.”
Li Qingyao is an only child. Now that he has Wang Jiao by his side, he has experienced what it's like to be an older brother. He rarely gets to experience what it's like to be a younger brother, so he quickly went along with it and called him that.
"You are the young clan leader, so there's no need to discuss this."
Li Qingzhang glared at Li Qingjing, and knew he was up to no good.
"What 'young clan leader'? We're brothers, you can't talk like that, Brother Zhang."
The young man, full of youthful vigor, showed his first smile since arriving at the Li family's house.
Li Qingzhang looked at him and nodded with a smile.
"The house looks ordinary from the outside, but it has been renovated inside and is sturdy. We have also prepared your house a long time ago."
"Isn't this a bad idea?"
The speaker was from the Yan family, a member of their clan, but they weren't actually from the same family. Living separately would save them a lot of trouble.
“Don’t be like this, family. Don’t worry, sister-in-law. Although we live together, you have a courtyard wall on your side. Once you close the gate, we will be separated. It will be safer for the three of you to live closer to us.”
"Don't take what the brothers in the clan say to heart, you and your nephew."
"Sister-in-law...it's only human nature, I understand."
Yan almost burst into tears again after hearing Liu Yun's words.
Liu Yun helped Yan Shi up and patted her hand.
“Now that the mother-in-law is the most senior member of the family, the uncles and brothers used to listen to her. Now that we’ve talked things out, things will be much better.”
Liu Yun and his two sons led the three of them out into the small courtyard that had been given to them.
Sure enough, a small door opened in the courtyard wall. The group went through it and found themselves in a small courtyard with only three rooms.
"My sister-in-law has one room, the two children share another, and the remaining room is to be used as a study for my nephew, as my mother-in-law instructed. The kitchen is in that corner, but it's not needed now. He can just eat with us; it'll make it more lively."
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