Chapter 1609: Chapter 65: Love and Separation

For some in the Zhen Clan, Zhan Jingquan’s wedding invitation was not just a humiliation, but also an opportunity.

This is a world where male dominance and duty are paramount. However, in the villages around Danmu Town, mentioning the Zhen Clan inevitably brings up the name Zhen Ping’er.

It seems as if the entire Zhen Clan relies on this woman. Although this is indeed true, the idle gossip outside deeply troubles the core male members of the Zhen clan.

What is even more intolerable is that under the pretext that men should focus on martial training to restore the family’s glory, Zhen Ping’er has taken control of all external and internal affairs of the Zhen clan.

Even the clan’s eldest members must get Zhen Ping’er’s approval to go out for a drink. They have had enough of these days.

Thus, when the eldest of the Zhan Clan’s Naxing Letter arrived at the Zhen Mansion, although they appeared indignant, they were secretly delighted.

Once Zhen Ping’er is taken away in the bridal sedan, she becomes a member of the Zhan Clan, and the properties and power of the Zhen clan will naturally fall back into the hands of the Zhen elders.

Compared to tangible money and power, what are a few idle words worth? Isn’t this how they survived over the years?

Thinking this, Zhan Jingquan’s Naxing Letter also became less unacceptable.

Several elders of the Zhan Clan discussed and immediately disseminated information about how Zhan Jingquan had defeated all heroes of Danmu, and annihilated the entire Liu Family.

Fear always grows faster than confidence–the rumors had just spread for half a day before the guards loyal to Zhen Ping’er became visibly disturbed.

This is also the biggest problem with being loyal to a woman. With a man, you only need to consider whether you might die in battle; with a woman, you must consider whether you need to change allegiance.

If Zhen Ping’er becomes Zhan Jingquan’s concubine, they would have to decide whether to stay with the Zhen Clan or merge with the Zhan Clan, a choice about their future.

Hesitation leads to doubt, and doubt can lead to misjudgments in many situations.

Just like the current situation, although Zhen Ping’er is still in charge, most of the stewards and guards are already considering what to do if she is no more.

In the Zhen Family ancestral hall, Zhen Ping’er respectfully kneels before the ranks of her ancestors.

The three elders stand on either side of the hall, smiling at each other.

The hen crows at dawn, upending yin and yang–it’s about time that the Zhen clan was reestablished under proper male leadership. Moreover, with Zhan Jingquan’s current martial prowess, he is fated to be the ruler of the coastal regions. Aligning with him early might not be a bad thing.

“Ping’er, a precious sword is gifted to a worthy man, and a beauty pairs with a hero. Although being a concubine is somewhat humbling, you should look at the bigger picture,”

One of the Zhen Clan elders, Zhen Ping’er’s great-uncle, shook his head thoughtfully and said: “To leap into the abyss, the dragon soars in the heavens. Once Zhan Jingquan’s divine skill is accomplished, in the future, he will compete with the world’s heroes. Taking it further, he might be the true founder of a sect. It’s a foolish man’s perspective to refuse to be the head of a chicken and not the tail of a phoenix. Rising with the phoenix is the best choice for you and the clan.”

“The Great Elder is right. The Zhan Clan now represents the true power of Danmu Town. Ping’er must not go against the tide!”

Meekly kneeling on the cushion, Zhen Ping’er looked at the two men she could call her elders, and could only muster a helpless smile.

The scene before her seemed to have occurred many years ago when what they called the great trend then was the ailing old master of the Zhan Clan.

Simply want to use the situation to their advantage, how ‘wise’ indeed are the men of the Zhen Clan.

Zhen Ping’er’s face, seemingly smiling but not, was full of sarcasm. The elders wanted to burst out in anger, but eventually, they turned away, signaling with their eyes to the elder who had been bowing his head from the start.

A family is never a place for reason because many seemingly unreasonable demands can seem perfectly plausible if raised by the right person.

The honest and unassuming Zhen Ding, encouraged by the elders’ gazes, hesitantly told his daughter: “Your father consulted someone for astrology, and you and the elder of Zhan Clan are like dry land meeting water, a perfect match for centuries…”

With a buzz, Zhen Ping’er turned her head, disbelievingly staring at Zhen Ding.

Family should be warm, shouldn’t it? Yet why do the words from this man she calls father feel colder than her mother’s memorial tablet?

Perhaps affected by his daughter’s piercing gaze, Zhen Ding’s voice grew softer and, after a brief pause and pursing his lips, turned his head away.

“Father!”

Kneeling before the tablet, Zhen Ping’er stared at Zhen Ding and coldly said: “Why don’t you continue? Is it because, in the presence of mother’s memorial tablet, there are some words you can’t say?”

“Ping’er, your father is powerless, I am sorry to you, and to your mother, but the Zhen clan… it indeed is hard for us to compete with the Zhan clan.”

Hearing his daughter’s resentful words, Zhen Ding painfully said: “Just consider it, consider it as sacrificing for the clan once.”

“Alright, that is father’s wish. Your daughter understands!”

Standing up, Zhen Ping’er coldly glanced at the three Zhen Clan elders and said chillingly: “I will take the Naxing sedan for the clan.”

With that, Zhen Ping’er tried to walk out of the hall but was stopped by crossed staffs.

“The family’s decision is, before the Zhan Clan’s Naxing sedan arrives, Ping’er you should stay in the hall.”

The Great Elder stroked his short beard at the corner of his mouth and said gently.

“The Great Elder is worried that if Ping’er runs away, and Zhan Jingquan’s sedan has no one to pick up, it would be awkward to explain to him.”

Zhen Ping’er turned back and said sarcastically: “It seems the Great Elder can hardly wait to send Ping’er to the Zhan Clan.”

“Ping’er, that’s a little harsh.”

The Great Elder chuckled: “This is all for a good marriage for you.”