The clan elders still believed that the Marquis’ household would fare better in Ye Yanzhi’s hands, and they felt more reassured by that choice.
Marquis Ye and Old Madam Ye’s expressions turned unpleasant. “But isn’t it that Second Brother refuses to agree?”
“What’s there to refuse? Let Yanzhi inherit both branches. It’s not as though he won’t recognize his father. Call him here and let us speak with him!”
Seeing that the clan elders still hadn’t agreed, Marquis Ye’s face grew stern.
“This is also the will of the Duke’s household.”
The clan elders were shocked, their faces full of disbelief. “Truly? The Duke’s intention?”
Marquis Ye nodded calmly. “Yes, it is my father-in-law’s wish.”
The clan elders hesitated. After all, the Duke’s household held great power, and since the adoption would be under Madam Gu’s name, if the Duke did not agree, then even if the adoption were carried out, petitioning for Shuwen to be granted the heir’s title would be meaningless.
“If it is truly the Duke’s will, then we have no choice but to proceed.” The clan elders sighed regretfully. Looking at Ye Shuwen, they still felt uncertain. Compared to Ye Yanzhi, this young man’s achievements were lacking.
Marquis Ye, Old Madam Ye, and Ye Shuwen all brightened with joy when they saw the clan elders begin to yield.
“Then—” Marquis Ye had just opened his mouth when the ancestral hall doors swung open.
Ye Qingyu entered, her face radiant with delight.
“Qingyu greets the clan elders.”
Her beautiful face was lit with a brilliant smile, her voice brimming with excitement. “Grandmother, Father, has Second Uncle agreed to adopt Eldest Cousin under Mother’s name? Such a joyous occasion, yet you didn’t send word to me! If not for my maid going out to buy pastries and seeing the clan elders arrive, I wouldn’t have known.”
Ye Qingyu’s happiness was unrestrained, unlike her usual composed demeanor. She looked like a young girl who had just received her heart’s desire.
Marquis Ye and Old Madam Ye hadn’t expected Ye Qingyu to appear here, and for a moment, they were stunned.
“Eh? Where is Eldest Cousin? Where is Second Uncle? Haven’t they arrived yet?” Ye Qingyu asked in puzzlement.
Only then did the clan elders realize the meaning behind Ye Qingyu’s words. “Qingyu, who did you say should be adopted under your mother’s name?”
Ye Qingyu blinked innocently, her expression pure and guileless. “Eldest Cousin, of course. Didn’t Father tell you when he invited you here?”
Hearing Ye Qingyu’s firm answer, the clan elders’ faces instantly changed.
“Marquis, Madam Chen, explain yourselves. Why does Qingyu say it is to adopt Yanzhi, while you claim it is to adopt this Ye Shuwen?”
The matter was suddenly exposed, throwing Old Madam Ye and Marquis Ye into panic.
Ye Qingyu’s smile vanished, her expression sharp with accusation. “Father, why did you tell the clan elders it was to adopt Ye Shuwen? Didn’t you say you would persuade Second Uncle to agree?”
Marquis Ye stammered in confusion. “I… no, Qingyu, listen to Father’s explanation. Your Second Uncle still refuses to agree.”
“Is that so?” A strong, angry voice rang out from outside the hall. “What refusal? Eldest Brother, why don’t you ask me directly?” Second Uncle pushed the doors open, his entire family from the second branch following behind.
Seeing them arrive, Marquis Ye’s face grew even darker.
Second Uncle fixed Marquis Ye with a cold stare, his stern features hard as stone. “Eldest Brother, if there’s something to discuss, ask me now.”
“I…”
Old Madam Ye snapped sharply, “Second Son, who allowed you to enter the ancestral hall at will? You are but a concubine-born son—do you think this is a place for you?”
“He is a descendant of the Ye family. Why should he not enter?” The clan elder roared in anger at Old Madam Ye.
At this point, it was clear they had nearly been deceived by this mother and son. She ought to be ashamed before the ancestors.
“You vile old woman! How dare you scold Second Son and his family? You and Eldest Son haven’t even explained yourselves yet, and you dare flaunt your authority as the main wife before him!” The clan elder’s voice thundered with fury.
Old Madam Ye stammered in defense. “Clan Elder, I didn’t mean it that way.”
The clan elder slammed the table. “I don’t care what you meant! Do you think I’m old and easy to fool? You tried to trick me into approving the adoption of this dubious boy. Chen, when you were young you mistreated the late Marquis’ concubine-born sons. Even now, Second Son’s family has refrained from splitting off, preserving your reputation as the main wife. And look at what you’ve done! You simply cannot bear to see Second Son’s son inherit the Marquis’ household. Then let Eldest Son produce a son of his own!”
The clan elder was so enraged that his chest heaved, and attendants rushed forward to calm him.
Old Madam Ye and Marquis Ye were cowed into silence under his scolding.
Second Uncle spoke coldly. “So this is about adopting a brother for Qingyu? Eldest Brother, why didn’t you come ask me? Of course I agree to adopt Yan’er under Sister-in-law’s name.”
Hearing Second Uncle’s words, the clan elder grew even angrier. “Outrageous! You didn’t even ask Second Son, and yet you dared to deceive both sides? Eldest Son, is this how you act as Marquis?”
Ye Qingyu’s voice cut in, cold and sharp. “Father, didn’t you say you had asked Second Uncle and he refused? How could you lie to your daughter?”
“What is so good about this Ye Shuwen that you care for him so much? Before, when he falsely claimed to be my benefactor, you didn’t blame him. And now you even deceive your own daughter, just to have him adopted as your son.”
Ye Yanzhi spoke coldly. “I have never coveted the Marquis’ title. If Eldest Uncle is uneasy, then our second branch can split off from the family.”
Second Uncle let out a bitter laugh. “Clan Elder, since you are all here, why don’t we just separate our branch today? That way, Eldest Brother won’t have to live in constant fear. Hmph, this title is something I truly don’t care for.”
The clan elder sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Second Son, enough of such angry words. If you split the family, how will outsiders view the Marquis’ household? They’ll laugh us to death. And in the future, when you and Yanzhi serve in court, you’ll be pointed at and criticized.”
Second Uncle snorted and said no more.
The clan elder turned to Ye Qingyu. “Qingyu, tell us—what exactly is going on?”
Ye Qingyu shook her head, her delicate face full of sorrow. “I don’t know. I never thought things would turn out like this. If I had known, I would never have agreed to adopt a brother. Grandfather said he would only consent if Eldest Cousin were adopted as my brother. Father, why did you deceive me?”
Marquis Ye’s face was ashen, and he remained silent.
The clan elder shook his head in disappointment. “Enough. Since things have come to this, let us drop the matter of adoption altogether. Consider it as though it never happened.”
The clan elders rose, preparing to leave this troublesome place.
“Wait. Clan Elder, I ask you to continue with today’s adoption and record Shuwen as my son.” Marquis Ye’s face was cold, his tone commanding.
“After all this, you still insist? Do you even know what you’re doing? Do you understand the consequences?” The clan elder pointed his cane at Marquis Ye, furious.
Marquis Ye’s face remained hard. “Of course I know. Since I am still the clan head, it is my word that decides.”