The Clan Elders of the Song Family all looked awkward and tried to smooth things over, "Indeed, Song Li was out of line, and the Ninth Master was confused with anger. He’s an elder, you should not hold it against him."
Song Jiyun said, "So we just let this matter go?"
Upon hearing these words that hinted at room for maneuver, the Elders hurriedly said, "If this matter is true, we will certainly give you an explanation."
Having said this, they also urged Ninth Master Song, whose face was ashen, standing on the side, "You better say something quickly."
Ninth Master Song pursed his lips, his face full of pride and anger, "I did nothing, what do you want me to say?"
One of the Clan Elders, unhappy, said, "A fly doesn’t sting an egg that has no crack. You say you did nothing, yet why would Song Li drag your name through the mud without reason?"
Ninth Master Song was furious, "Who knows why he went mad?"
The Clan Elders were all defending him, but his attitude was clearly flippant.
One Elder burst out angrily, "So everything Song Li said was a lie? You must give Youliang’s daughter an explanation! Otherwise, if everyone acts like you, who in the clan would still trust the Clan Elders? Wouldn’t the Song Family be ruined?
A clan that can’t band together is like a quarrelsome couple, easy prey for the neighbors.
Seeing this, several other Elders then said, "Ninth Brother, you were in the wrong."
Not only did he look bad, he also refused to admit it when exposed.
Lacking both ability and a sense of responsibility.
What kind of Clan Elder was he?
The discontent among several Clan Elders of the Song Family toward Ninth Master Song began to grow.
Especially since Ninth Master Song had been spoiled by his kinsmen over the years, he was completely oblivious to everyone’s odd feelings; he only thought about how Song Jiyun and his uncles and aunts fought over family properties without regard for face, and even threatened to involve the Governmental authorities. If he really admitted that Song Li was his doing, who knew if it was a trap Song Jiyun set to send him to the authorities?
Especially those constables, were they just for show?
He still stubbornly said, "Song Li falsely accused me, what else can I do?"
This statement was shameless.
Song Jiyun spoke directly, "If that is the case, then what more can I, as a junior, say?"
She glanced over at Zheng Quan, who had hurried over upon hearing the news, "Let them take Song Li away! Right and wrong, let the magistrate decide."
Song Jiyun appeared unwilling to talk further and turned to leave.
The Clan Elders all became anxious and said in unison, "Youliang’s daughter, wait. We said we would give you an explanation and we definitely will. Why must you be so hasty?"
Upon hearing this, Song Jiyun’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears, "Think back to the past, my father did so many good deeds. Most of the clan’s sacrificial fields were donated by my father, and most of the lonely elderly in the clan were supported by him. Now that he is gone, outsiders like Chief Accountant Wang, out of respect for my father, still take care of us. But kin like Ninth Grand Master would rather see our family destroyed. Evidence is brought before him, yet he continuously denies it.
"Am I being too hasty, or is he shamelessly unrepentant?!"
The Clan Elders were at a loss for words.
Blood rushed to Ninth Master Song’s head.
Jiangxi was a major province for imperial examinations with Imperial Scholars almost everywhere, and cabinet elders coming forth every now and then. His status as a mere Scholar was diminutive.
The reason people respected him when he went out was because he represented the Song family clan, who had the money to get things done. And why did the Song family clan have money? It was because Song Youliang had always been funding the clan.
This was also why he coveted the Song Family Kiln Factory.
If he were not a Clan Elder of the Song Family, just an ordinary Scholar, who would flatter him? With what money would he enjoy himself?
Now that he had made a strategic mistake, thwarted by Song Jiyun, it really was infuriating.
All that was left to do was to bide his time and gloss over the issues for now.
He had to soften his tone somewhat, "I am a Clan Elder, and regardless, Song Li’s matter is my responsibility. I offer you an apology here! From now on, I’ll strive to improve myself and not make such mistakes again!"
"An apology? Such a major issue, and you think just an apology will suffice?" Song Jiyun said indignantly, "Song Li’s incident occurred in the Kiln Factory, who doesn’t know about it now? If I cannot get justice for myself, who will work for me in the future? We might as well close down the Kiln Factory!"
Not to mention stopping the funding for the Song clan!
Ninth Grand Master’s face darkened upon hearing this.
This Song Jiyun, always wanting more, ungrateful!
He stood up abruptly and said, "Over the years, could the Song Clan have its reputation and financial power without me, being praised in Liang County?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
This statement, as if the Song Clan’s current status was all his doing!
Naturally, some Clan Elders were discontent, "But the Song Family has never wronged you over the years. Every time you go out to socialize and make friends, isn’t it always the clan who provides the silver? And as a part of the Song Family, isn’t working and contributing to the family expected?"
Thinking about Ninth Master Song’s increasingly prosperous family assets over the years, someone else said, "Ninth Grand Master, you only think about what the clan has gained from you, but never consider what you have gained from the clan. Your selfishness is too great! How do you qualify to be a Clan Elder?"
The more the Clan Elders spoke, the more angered they became and decided on the spot, "Since you feel wronged by the clan, we dare not bother you to continue managing the affairs of the Song clan. The clan’s matters..."
They signalled the first Elder who had confronted Ninth Master Song, "For now, the Eleventh Grand Master will handle it!"
Eleventh Grand Master Song was the most articulate and willing to step forward; the Elders unanimously thought he was the best to counter Ninth Master Song.
Ninth Master Song, upon hearing this, was furious, pointing at Eleventh Grand Master Song, "Are you trying to oppose me?"
Eleventh Grand Master Song, hearing this, immediately said, "It doesn’t matter to me whether or not I handle the household. I certainly don’t want to clean up your mess!"
No sooner had he spoken than Song Jiyun also expressed her dissatisfaction, angrily saying, "So, changing the person in charge resolves everything?"
Ninth Master Song trembled with anger, unable at first to utter a single word.
Eleventh Grand Master Song looked down on Ninth Master Song with contempt, then spoke gently to Song Jiyun, "Youliang’s daughter, how about this? We handle Song Li’s matter privately. Ninth Grand Master according to the clan’s rules, is relieved of his position as Clan Leader. His family’s scholarly members will no longer receive the two ounces silver subsidy from the clan each month. But when the Song Family needs help, Ninth Grand Master must still contribute as before."
"No way!" exclaimed Ninth Master Song, clutching his chest as his blood pressure surged, without a second thought.
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