Filial Duty and the Price of Ninth Royal Uncle’s Aid

William Warren closed his eyes, too lazy to look at the faces of the three Grand Elders. He’d prepared for this moment a long time—his goal was to drag all three elders down from power.

Now that the three elders had handed him this opportunity, if he didn’t take advantage and crush them in one stroke, he’d be a fool. More importantly, if these three didn’t fall, how could he pay the price for Ninth Royal Uncle’s support?

They tried to use filial piety against him, so he’d use filial piety to shut them down. Back at Jixia Academy, he’d battled a crowd of talented scholars—these three elders didn’t even register in his eyes.

William slowly opened his eyes, his dark, bright gaze like a deep pool that could draw in a person’s soul. Everyone he looked at—except for the three elders—instinctively straightened up, waiting for him to speak.

Once he had the situation fully under control, William finally looked at the three elders, as if making some difficult decision, and spoke slowly: “The three elders aren’t wrong. Warren family sons must not be unfilial; Warren family sons must never violate filial piety or defy our ancestral injunctions. The three elders have broken the ancestral rules set by the Warren forebears. If I keep indulging them, then I would be the truly unfilial one. I refuse to be that kind of person. If the three elders think I’m being unfair, then let’s open the ancestral hall and have the entire Warren clan decide what should be done with the three elders.”

If the ancestral hall were convened, then the three elders and their descendants would be expelled from the Warren clan, stripped of the family name and all protection. William’s move was a retreat that forced the elders into a corner.

If they dared accuse him of being unfilial, he’d show them just how filial he could be.

"Pfft..." Elder Shane Warren spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot, his eyes rolling back, hand trembling, collapsing onto his chair.

Feigning illness?

William’s smile remained, but it never reached his eyes. He quietly watched the crowd putting on their act, all trying to muddy the waters.

With a sharp crack, the teacup shattered on the floor, startling the crowd into silence. Seeing the fragments, everyone grew uneasy, afraid William was truly angry. But when they looked up, his smile hadn't changed, and they relaxed—William was known for his good temper and composure, almost never losing his cool. Just as they were about to scold him, William seized their lifeline.

Anyone who stirs up trouble will be expelled from the Warren clan according to clan law. I’ll give you one chance: I’ll count to three, and if you’re not back in your seats by then, I’ll convene the ancestral hall and have your entire branch expelled from the clan.

The imperial edict has already been issued: both aristocratic scions and commoners can now take the civil service exam. Even if you’re no longer part of the Warren clan, you can still become officials in the future. I’ll have done right by our ancestors.

The troublemakers exchanged uneasy glances, faces filled with embarrassment and anxiety. If they sat down now, it would show they feared William—and from then on, they'd have to obey him in everything.

Elder Rowan and Elder Gideon quickly signaled to those at the door, relying on the principle that 'the law does not punish the masses.' They didn’t believe William would really dare expel a dozen clan branches from the Warren family.

With two Grand Elders backing them, the troublemakers felt emboldened and stood their ground at the door. William said nothing more, simply focusing his gaze on the seven at the entrance and began counting.

One.

No one moved.

Two.

A few who weren’t part of Elder Rowan or Elder Gideon’s branch hesitated, glancing around.

Three.

When William counted to three, four people, despite the pressure and the contempt of those behind them, returned to their seats and apologized to William: 'Patriarch, we lost our heads for a moment. Please forgive us.'

It's a small matter. Seventh Uncle, Sixteenth Uncle, Thirty-Seventh Uncle, Forty-Second Uncle, please sit." William waved generously, not holding a grudge. As soon as the four sat down, William continued, "Uncles, the Emperor is about to open the civil service exam. All Warren clan sons, close or distant, have a chance to participate. I may not be talented, but during my travels I made some connections at Jixia Academy. If any of your children are suitable, let me know; I'll write a recommendation letter, and Jixia Academy will not make things difficult for our clan." This is the 'sweet date after the slap'—after disciplining the troublemakers, he soothes the rest, knowing that always being forceful would only provoke rebellion.

Whether aristocrat or commoner, anyone who wants to rise must study—and Jixia Academy is the dream of every scholar. But the academy accepts only a thousand students a year, making admission a one-in-ten-thousand chance. William’s offer is a wide-open back door for Warren clan children.

Those who already supported William felt even more grateful. The Warren family was large and prosperous, but no matter how big, it belonged to the clan, not to them personally. Only if their descendants succeeded would it truly be theirs. For the Warren family to flourish, its future generations must excel.

Thank you, Patriarch.

The patriarch works hard for the Warren clan sons.

With a patriarch like William, who always thinks of the clan's descendants, the Warren family is truly blessed.

A stream of compliments poured from the mouths of William's uncles. In truth, William worked hard as patriarch—every clan manager was his elder, and being so young, he couldn't easily keep them in line. Otherwise, the label 'unfilial' would have crushed him.

Having soothed most of the crowd, the rest would be easy to handle. The three elders—Rowan, Gideon, and Sage—had ruled with arrogance for years, and many resented them. But their branches had many capable descendants and controlled much of the family's affairs. To move against them would shake the Warren clan to its core. In the past, William would have proceeded slowly, but now, with evidence from Ninth Royal Uncle, he could suppress all the old troublemakers at once...

Everyone has selfish motives. Over the years, the three Grand Elders have secured many benefits for their sons and grandsons. With this evidence, not only will they fail to regain power—they’ll be lucky not to be expelled from the Warren clan!

The Warren family's power would be reshuffled, and William would become the clan's sole authority.

It's a small matter. Seventh Uncle, Sixteenth Uncle, Thirty-Seventh Uncle, Forty-Second Uncle, please sit." William waved generously, not holding a grudge. As soon as the four sat down, William continued, "Uncles, the Emperor is about to open the civil service exam. All Warren clan sons, close or distant, have a chance to participate. I may not be talented, but during my travels I made some connections at Jixia Academy. If any of your children are suitable, let me know; I'll write a recommendation letter, and Jixia Academy will not make things difficult for our clan." This is the 'sweet date after the slap'—after disciplining the troublemakers, he soothes the rest, knowing that always being forceful would only provoke rebellion.

Whether aristocrat or commoner, anyone who wants to rise must study—and Jixia Academy is the dream of every scholar. But the academy accepts only a thousand students a year, making admission a one-in-ten-thousand chance. William’s offer is a wide-open back door for Warren clan children.

Those who already supported William felt even more grateful. The Warren family was large and prosperous, but no matter how big, it belonged to the clan, not to them personally. Only if their descendants succeeded would it truly be theirs. For the Warren family to flourish, its future generations must excel.

Thank you, Patriarch.

The patriarch works hard for the Warren clan sons.

With a patriarch like William, who always thinks of the clan's descendants, the Warren family is truly blessed.

A stream of compliments poured from the mouths of William's uncles. In truth, William worked hard as patriarch—every clan manager was his elder, and being so young, he couldn't easily keep them in line. Otherwise, the label 'unfilial' would have crushed him.

Having soothed most of the crowd, the rest would be easy to handle. The three elders—Rowan, Gideon, and Sage—had ruled with arrogance for years, and many resented them. But their branches had many capable descendants and controlled much of the family's affairs. To move against them would shake the Warren clan to its core. In the past, William would have proceeded slowly, but now, with evidence from Ninth Royal Uncle, he could suppress all the old troublemakers at once...

Everyone has selfish motives. Over the years, the three Grand Elders have secured many benefits for their sons and grandsons. With this evidence, not only will they fail to regain power—they’ll be lucky not to be expelled from the Warren clan!

The Warren family's power would be reshuffled, and William would become the clan's sole authority.