In the secret chamber, Shangguan Zeming’s previously closed eyes flung open. As the footsteps of two parties approached, the corners of Shangguan Zeming’s mouth gently curved up, revealing a smile of relief. Finally free, finally able to be free. He had let down the ancestors of the Shangguan Family, as well as all its mbers.
At this mont, he had placed the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Shangguan Family on the shoulders of a young girl. Shangguan Zeming felt sowhat apologetic toward the girl, but it didn’t matter. After all, the strong should bear heavier burdens, right? Moreover, with the girl’s powerful social skills, and considering the deep relationships the Bai Family’s lad, the Fang Family’s youngster, and especially the Zhuge Family’s boy had with the Family Head and the girl, these individuals would only help her, not harm her.
After tonight, he would no longer witness the events that would unfold. Out of sight, out of mind—how wonderful, truly wonderful.
Simultaneous knocking sounds echoed from the stone walls on both sides of the secret chamber. "Co in," Shangguan Zeming’s voice, filled with the ravages of ti, resounded. With a CREAK, the stone walls parted from the middle, and two figures stepped in.
"Elder."
"Elder." Both of them knelt before Shangguan Zeming at the sa ti.
Hearing each other’s voice, they simultaneously looked up in shock, their eyes eting and reflecting utter disbelief. Though they were aware that they were both mbers of the Shangguan Family, only they themselves knew of the Elder’s presence in this secret chamber. The sudden encounter with one another here, beyond the shock, brought an even greater surprise.
Could it be that the two sides of the secret chamber were connected?
Finally, the Shangguan Family’s visible and hidden branches t openly in the secret chamber. "Ah, you’ve both arrived," Shangguan Zeming said, looking at their expressions with satisfaction and nodding as he stroked his long beard.
"Yes, Elder," both of them spoke at the sa ti, suppressing their astonishnt.
"I have summoned you here today because there is a matter that needs your attention, and neither of your families may back out, nor obstruct it. This is fate; it also concerns re-establishing the prestige of the Shangguan Family. No one can stand in the way," Shangguan Zeming declared, scrutinizing their faces, his tone commanding.
"Yes, Elder." The two exchanged a glance and then said respectfully, "All of our people must fully support You girl, regardless of her actions or words. From now on, the Shangguan Family’s heavy burden will be on the girl’s shoulders. Can you do this?" Shangguan Zeming asked, his piercing gaze sweeping over them.
"Elder, You girl is only seventeen years old. Isn’t this burden too heavy? I think Young Master Qing is quite good and also..." Shangguan Zhi broke in anxiously. He had wanted to send the girl away, so how could he let her get involved?
"Yes, Elder, You girl is too young. It would be better to let my family’s boy take over. He’s not bad either," another person said, suggesting that a young girl shouldn’t have to bear such burdens and should enjoy life instead of constantly shouldering new ones.
"No one compares to the girl, and moreover, this is destined by fate—divine will—not subject to human intervention. Besides, this is an order," Shangguan Zeming spoke gravely as an aura of authority emanated from him.
"Yes, Elder." Both n wiped the sweat from their foreheads. They had no choice but to obey the Elder’s command.
"There is another matter: You girl’s marriage. I will make the decision on that. Her match with your grandson is a union between talents and beauty, a match made in heaven. When the girl wakes up, the engagent between her and your grandson will be settled."
The words of Shangguan Zeming set the minds of those present ringing loudly. An engagent? They had just established Shangguan You’s status, and now an engagent was to be arranged?
Shangguan Zhi furrowed his brows. While a talented man and a beautiful woman did make a good match, a ’match made in heaven’ seed an exaggeration, and marrying the girl off to that boy would seem to advantage him too much.Reluctant in his heart, Shangguan Zhi nevertheless had to agree since only the Elder could save Shangguan You.
"Rest assured, Elder. My family’s boy will definitely take good care of You girl."
"Wrong. It is You girl who will take care of that boy; the boy will marry into our family," Shangguan Zeming declared startlingly. Shangguan Zhi’s heart eased at these words, but the other person’s mouth hung open in disbelief.
Although they belonged to the sa main lineage, their respective branches had diverged several generations ago. With more than five or six degrees of separation between them, their marriage wouldn’t be considered a close-kin marriage.
Inside the secret chamber, Shangguan Zeming sat cross-legged, flanked by an elder on each side. One was smiling, clearly pleased; the other had furrowed brows and a pained expression.
These two were none other than Shangguan Zhi and Yu Zhibin from a covert branch of the Shangguan Family. It was common knowledge that the families of both n, seen as political rivals, had struggled against each other for a lifeti. The older generation fought in secret, as did the middle generation, and even the youngest generation looked unfavorably upon one another, constantly at odds and trying to undermine each other.
Neither family would concede to the other. This was apparent from the competition between Yu Zifeng and Shangguan Qing, who each sought to outshine the other in extravagance. The Yu and Shangguan families had been at odds for three generations, with no one believing the two, who so clearly despised each other, would ever be allies, much less part of the sa branch with a common purpose.
This was a deliberate act by Yu Zhibin and Shangguan Zhi. This way, even if the Shangguan Family fell, the Yu Family could still stand firm. If not for many subsequent events, and if their feuding had worsened further, it might have aroused suspicion from others. Therefore, they gradually reduced their open hostility, though they never beca true political allies.
Therefore, no one would suspect that the Yu Family was also part of the Shangguan lineage. While the Shangguan Family occupied the spotlight, attracting everyone’s attention, the Yu Family naturally remained safe. This eting was the first private encounter between the two family heads and also their first eting in the Elder’s presence.
"Elder, this isn’t appropriate, is it?" Yu Zhibin asked, his face mournful as he looked at Shangguan Zeming, who sat cross-legged before him. His heart was filled with grievances. After all, the Yu Family was considered a top-tier existence in Beijing. Having the Yu Family’s Crown Prince marry into the Shangguan Family would bring them utter sha.
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