102: Chapter 102 A Heartfelt Performance, A Test of Bloodlines!

At that same moment.

The Imperial Daughter's bedchamber.

Chu Wanqing was finally so sleepy she couldn't keep her eyes open.

She crawled into bed and pulled the quilt up to her chin.

The imperial zither was placed at the head of the bed.

She could touch it just by reaching out her hand.

She turned onto her side, her fingers resting on the strings.

Her fingertips plucked them lightly.

Ding—

A clear, bright sound of the zither echoed throughout the silent bedchamber.

Chu Wanqing closed her eyes, her lips moving silently.

"Brother Lin Yi."

"Please come quickly."

The lingering sound of the zither gradually faded.

The bedchamber returned to silence.

Outside the window, the dark clouds pressed down lower and lower.

The pillar of light representing the Family's Luck above the main peak of the Chu Family swayed slightly in the night.

A storm was coming.

...

Chu Wanqing had guessed correctly.

The storm arrived even faster than she had imagined.

Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten.

The pillars of light representing the Family's Luck above the six main peaks of the Chu Family trembled simultaneously.

Following that, a dull tolling of a bell came from the direction of the Elder Council Hall.

Dong—

This bell was called the "Ancestral Suppression Bell."

Since the founding of the Chu Family, it was only rung when an event occurred that was significant enough to shake its Foundation.

The last time this bell was heard was tens of thousands of years ago when an alien race invaded.

The sound of the bell spread across the six peaks.

The Disciples who were Cultivating all raised their heads.

"The Ancestral Suppression Bell?"

"What happened?"

"I don't know... but according to the clan rules, only the Grand Elder and the Patriarch have the authority to ring this bell."

"Could it be related to the Imperial Daughter?"

"Shh!"

Discussions rose and fell, but no one dared to speak too loudly.

Everyone vaguely felt that the thin layer of peace within the Chu Family was about to be shattered.

...

The Elder Council Hall.

Chu Wanjun stood before the Ancestral Suppression Bell, withdrawing the hand he had used to ring it.

The imperial inscriptions on the bell were still humming and trembling.

He turned around expressionlessly and walked back to the center of the hall.

Inside the hall, Chu Ningshuang had already arrived.

The Third Elder Chu Canglan, Second Elder Chu Yuanshan, and Seventh Elder Chu Henian sat on both sides.

Two other core Elders had also been invited over.

The Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder.

These two belonged to the neutral faction.

Originally, they didn't want to get involved in this muddy water.

But Chu Wanjun had personally visited them and made his words very clear.

"You must attend today's meeting, whether you want to or not."

"It's fine if you don't express an opinion."

"Just sit there."

"As long as the numbers are sufficient, that is a stance in itself."

The Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder exchanged a glance, each picking up their teacups without saying a word.

Their stance was very clear.

I have come, but I will not say anything.

Do whatever you want.

Chu Ningshuang glanced at them but didn't care.

She didn't need them to speak.

As long as they were sitting here, it was enough.

"Is the item ready?" Chu Wanjun's voice was very low.

Chu Ningshuang nodded slightly.

Her fingers brushed against the Erosion Yin Blood Curse in her sleeve.

The cold touch put her at ease.

"Good."

Chu Wanjun picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Then let's begin."

He raised his hand and summoned an attendant.

"Go and invite the Patriarch."

"Tell him the Elder Council has an urgent matter to report regarding the Imperial Daughter's Ceremony, and it cannot be delayed."

The attendant acknowledged the order and left.

Chu Wanjun put down his teacup and swept his gaze over everyone present.

"When the Patriarch arrives later, I will be the first to propose it."

"The Third Elder will second the motion, and the Second Elder and Seventh Elder will follow up."

"Remember, your attitude must be sincere."

"We are not targeting the Imperial Daughter."

"We are doing this for the good of the Chu Family."

Chu Canglan chuckled.

"Grand Elder, rest assured. This isn't the first time I've done something like this."

Chu Yuanshan and Chu Henian also nodded.

Chu Ningshuang stood to the side without speaking.

She was waiting.

Waiting for the moment Chu Chengdao walked into this hall.

Waiting for the show to begin.

...

Half an incense stick later.

Chu Chengdao arrived.

He strode into the Elder Council Hall, the patterns on his black and gold imperial robe shifting in the morning light.

His Peak Quasi-Emperor Aura was imposing without anger.

But his expression was not good.

He naturally knew what had been circulating in the Family these past few days.

He also knew that behind these rumors, there must be someone fanning the flames.

But he hadn't investigated.

It wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he couldn't.

If he investigated further, too many people would be implicated.

The Grand Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, Seventh Elder...

Together, these people accounted for more than one-third of the seats in the Chu Family Elder Council.

If they really tore off the mask, the Chu Family would fall into civil strife.

Civil strife within an Imperial Family was more terrifying than an invasion by external enemies.

So he had been suppressing it.

Suppressing rumors, suppressing conflicts, suppressing every powder keg that could be ignited.

But today, even the Ancestral Suppression Bell had been rung.

It couldn't be suppressed anymore.

Chu Chengdao walked to the main seat and sat down, his gaze coldly sweeping over everyone present.

"Speak, what is the matter?"

Chu Wanjun stood up and bowed with cupped hands.

His posture was so respectful that not a single flaw could be found.

"Patriarch, I have presumptuously rung the Ancestral Suppression Bell; I really had no other choice."

"Recently, rumors have been rampant in the clan, all related to the Imperial Daughter's Bloodline."

"Although the Patriarch has already ordered a ban on reckless discussion, blocking is not as good as guiding; the more it is suppressed, the fiercer it spreads."

"Now, not only is the morale within the clan wavering, but even affiliated families and some external forces have begun to inquire about this matter."

"If we do not provide an explanation as soon as possible, I fear it will affect the reputation and Foundation of our Chu Family."

Chu Chengdao's brows knit even tighter.

"What are you trying to say?"

Chu Wanjun took a deep breath and said word by word.

"I propose that before the Imperial Daughter's Ceremony next month, we hold a full clan assembly."

"To publicly test the Imperial Daughter's Bloodline using the xuantian mirror."

"If the Bloodline is pure, the rumors will break themselves, the Imperial Daughter's innocence will be proven, and the hearts of the clan members will be won over."

"If..."

He paused.

"If there is any abnormality, it is better to deal with it early."

These words were spoken in a high-sounding manner.

Not a single word could be faulted.

Standing on the moral high ground of thinking for the Family, he packaged himself as a worried and loyal subject.

Chu Chengdao's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest twice.

He did not answer immediately.

His gaze toward Chu Wanjun was complex.

This old thing had followed him for tens of thousands of years.

The Chu Family's current status was undeniable due to Chu Wanjun's contributions.

But likewise, he was well aware of this old thing's ambition.

Imperial weapons return to the Ancestral Hall.

Who manages the Ancestral Hall?

The Grand Elder manages it!

Heh!

What kind of scheme was he playing, did he think he didn't know?

"Seconded!"

Second Elder Chu Yuanshan stood up immediately.

"The Grand Elder's words are absolutely correct! The Imperial Family's Bloodline is the basis of our Chu Family's standing; how can even the slightest flaw be tolerated?"

"Testing the Bloodline is both to vindicate the Imperial Daughter and to put the Family at ease. This old servant seconds the motion!"

"Seconded."

Third Elder Chu Canglan stood up as well.

His voice was not loud, but his attitude was firm.

"Seconded."

Seventh Elder Chu Henian also stood up.

Four votes.

Plus Chu Ningshuang's one vote.

Five votes.

The Chu Family's core decision-making body had a total of nine people.

Four votes from the Elders plus one vote from the Imperial Daughter, five votes constituted a majority.

According to clan rules, the Patriarch had no right to veto.

Chu Chengdao's gaze shifted to the Fifth Elder and the Eighth Elder.

One was drinking tea, the other was looking at the ground.

Neither of them spoke.

Silence was their stance.

They did not oppose it.

In other words, no one stood on Chu Chengdao's side.

The council hall was quiet for a few seconds.

It was so quiet that one could hear the water in the teacups sloshing.

Chu Ningshuang chose this moment to speak.

She walked forward from the side and fell to her knees in front of Chu Chengdao with a thud.

Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

"Father!"

Her voice trembled violently as she choked out.

"Daughter knows that this matter puts you in a difficult position."

"But Daughter is also doing this for Sister's own good!"

"Now rumors are flying everywhere, and Sister's situation in the clan is difficult."

"Rather than letting her be discussed behind her back, it is better to publicly verify her identity once and for all!"

"As long as the xuantian mirror proves that Sister's Bloodline is pure, all rumors will vanish into thin air."

"Who would dare to gossip then?"

She raised her head, looking at Chu Chengdao with teary eyes.

"Father, Daughter implores you to agree!"

"This is not targeting Sister."

"This is saving her!"