A family of widows, all shouldered, raising the dragon flag!

Upon hearing the imperial edict, the members of the Qin family all came out to receive it!

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

"I have heard that those who take up arms to defend the state and die for the country are loyal and virtuous."

"The Qin family has been a military family for generations, upholding loyalty and bravery, guarding the borders in armor, and fighting valiantly..."

"Now that our family has suddenly fallen, and the loyal souls are still far away, my heart is deeply grieved, and the court and the people grieve together..."

"He is posthumously granted the title of Prince Zhongwu!"

"Announce this to the world!"

"So be it!"

The old lady herself stepped forward to receive the imperial edict!

Shen Zhiwei, being very polite, handed the eunuch a money pouch!

Although the eunuch hesitated, Shen Zhiwei persuaded him to accept it after a few words.

As the Qin family received the imperial decree and were posthumously granted the title of Loyal and Martial King, the expressions of those who came to watch the spectacle were quite interesting!

More and more people are coming to pay their respects!

Su Ningzhi's expression became somewhat tense.

She hadn't expected so many people from the Qin family to come and offer their condolences.

Most importantly, her opinion of Qin Ze has changed somewhat.

I don't want Qin Ze to be embarrassed in front of so many people!

Even if I embarrass myself, it's only in front of the Qin family!

At that time, even if she disagreed, it wouldn't have been too embarrassing!

"The esteemed scholar Su has come ahead of time to offer his condolences! Five thousand taels of silver, a thousand bolts of cloth, and a hundred bolts of silk..."

Upon hearing the words "Great Confucian Scholar Su Ti," the old lady's eyes slowly narrowed.

Liu Tianyuan was even more surprised.

He didn't expect that old man Suti could be so decisive, coming to take sides at this time!

If the other families also come to offer their condolences, even if the Qin family falls, it will probably not be something that others can covet.

Su Ningzhi was so nervous upon hearing that her father had come that she didn't know what to do!

After all, his father, Su Ti, had already told him that the Qin family was not suitable!

Not to mention a spoiled brat!

"father!"

Su Ningzhi's timid opening of her mouth immediately caused a flash of displeasure on Su Ti's face!

However, he did not lash out on the spot!

Instead, they walked towards the old lady first.

"Greetings, Madam. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to come. I hope you won't mind!"

"Your mere presence is already an honor for the Qin family; how could I possibly dare to blame you!"

"Quickly, take a seat! Quickly, take a seat!"

The old lady was very happy with Suti's choice.

With the great scholar Su Ti and the great general Liu Tianyuan, Qin Ze had the most solid support to take charge of the Qin family!

"Madam, there's no need for you to take a seat!"

"I've heard that Young Master Qin and my daughter have a bet?"

"Logically speaking, I shouldn't interfere in such matters, after all, Ningzhi is the Qin family's granddaughter-in-law!"

"Besides, you've already discussed this with us before!"

"But since my daughter is unwilling, as her father, I truly cannot bear to see her suffer even the slightest injustice!"

"How about..."

Before she could finish speaking, the old lady burst into laughter.

"Master Su, didn't we already discuss this before?"

"Even if you're going to change your mind, shouldn't you at least ensure that the bet between the two children is fulfilled?"

"Besides, today is the seventh day after Qin Ze's father and brothers' deaths. On such a day, do you want to rub salt into the wound?"

Despite the old lady's captivating gaze, Suti remained undaunted.

"Since the old lady has said so, then I will say no more today!"

"If Qin Ze cannot write a eulogy that moves my daughter, I hope that the old lady will not force him!"

These words finally made the old lady's face turn ugly.

"Sutti, I'm not as pathetic as you think!"

"I would never bully a junior!"

Suti nodded slightly.

"It's getting late, so please begin, Young Master Qin!"

This statement is undoubtedly a blatant slap in the face.

After all, it was the seventh day after Qin Ze's father and brothers' deaths, and the Qin family had the final say on when to start writing the eulogy to welcome their souls.

Moreover, the seventh day after death, when the soul is welcomed back, always begins at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).

But now, in broad daylight, it is obvious that Suti has overstepped his bounds.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ze slowly stood up.

He walked calmly to Suti.

Su Ti frowned slightly when he saw that Qin Ze did not bow to him and showed no respect in his eyes.

"Master Su, as a great scholar, you should know about the custom of welcoming the soul on the seventh day after death, right?"

"Shouldn't you understand that the ritual for welcoming the soul should only begin at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM)?"

"And you came today claiming to be here to offer condolences!"

"But the first thing you did upon entering the Qin residence was not to pay respects to your father and brothers; this is disrespectful!"

"As a junior, you went to Grandmother's house to discuss your third sister-in-law's marriage on the eve of the seventh day after her death?"

"This is foolish, and it even tarnishes the reputation of my third sister-in-law as unfilial!"

"Now that the Qin family is in mourning, how dare you, an outsider, try to take charge?"

"Turning the tables?"

"Any Confucian scholar would probably not do something like presiding over someone else's funeral!"

"The world reveres you as a great Confucian scholar!"

"But in my eyes, Qin Ze!"

"You! You're nothing but rubbish!"

boom!

As soon as Qin Ze said this...

Suti completely broke down!

Xiu's righteous aura was immediately released.

Upon seeing this scene, Qin Ze neither dodged nor avoided it. His blood and qi were as strong as mercury, and he stood firmly in front of Su Ti with the power of a dragon and an elephant.

"Master Su, have I said anything wrong?"

"If you have come to offer your condolences today, please!"

Qin Ze then gestured for the ancestral hall to be invited.

Before Suti could even speak!

Qin Ze continued.

"Don't create trouble out of nothing!"

"Even if he were a great Confucian scholar, I, Qin Ze, would not back down an inch!"

"The Qin family!"

"This insult is unacceptable!"

Qin Ze's voice was as loud as thunder, each word like a thunderclap that shook everyone present to their core!

No one expected that Qin Ze would not only dare to talk back to Su Ti, but also seem to disregard Su Ti's authority!

Suti was equally surprised that a spoiled brat would dare to treat him like this!

But Qin Ze's actions brought a glimmer of light to Su Ningzhi's beautiful eyes.

She was satisfied with the Qin family.

She was initially 100% dissatisfied with Qin Ze.

But she loathed the Su family.

Regardless of whether she married into the Qin family in the first place, or whether her father now forces her to leave the Qin family.

From beginning to end, the Su family never cared about her feelings.

All they care about is profit!

She was merely a bargaining chip to gain benefits!

As for feelings and happiness, it seems that these were taken away from her the moment her mother left!

Seeing Liu Jinghong's happy, feminine demeanor, she felt a pang of envy.

Yet, she was also incredibly calm.

Because she didn't have a father like Liu Tianyuan!

Suti never looked at her once!

She smiled bitterly to herself.

Fate is cruel!

As for Qin Ze, she didn't believe he could be both scholarly and martial.

But the fact that the other party could cultivate at a rate of one realm per day was enough to match her.

But she couldn't speak at that moment.

Because her fate was not something she could decide for herself!

Su Ti gave Qin Ze a deep look, then turned to look at Su Ningzhi.

He smiled faintly and said, "He has backbone and courage, but I wonder if he has any talent!"

"Tonight at 7 PM, I will personally oversee the selection process for my daughter!"

"I hope you can demonstrate the same ability you had to talk back to me today!"

Don't let me down!

After saying that, he went straight to the ancestral hall, bowed to the ancestral tablets of Qin Ze's father and brothers, and knelt down in all directions!

Qin Ze hadn't expected Su Ti to actually kneel down!

He immediately went back and followed them!

The onlookers originally planned to leave after eating.

But then Suti pulled this stunt!

Everyone was filled with anticipation.

Night falls!

戌时三刻！

Everyone looked at Qin Ze, the eldest son of the Qin family!

Because of what happened during the day, everyone wanted to know if Qin Ze had the ability to compose a sacrificial text to welcome the soul!

"Qin Ze! Have you prepared the eulogy?"