CHAPTER 190: CHAPTER 190: THE REVERSAL CAME TOO FAST, LIKE A TORNADO

190 The Reversal Came Too Fast, Like a Tornado

The clan leader was also frightened and looked at Zhao Dong in surprise, asking, "Removal from the clan registry? You want to sever ties with our Zhao Clan?"

Equally shocked and enraged was Mr. Zhao, his beard quivering with anger. "Are you saying you no longer acknowledge me as your father?"

Zhao Dong shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

Mrs. Wang, on the other hand, was so thrilled by these words she nearly clapped her hands and cheered.

Once Zhao Xia and Zhao Dong are removed from Mr. Zhao’s registry, my Zhao Chun will become the undisputed legitimate eldest son! It couldn’t be better!

If the decision hadn’t been up to the clan leader, Mrs. Wang would have agreed with great fanfare.

The clan leader sighed and advised helplessly, "Zhao Dong, you must think this through. If you are removed from the family tree, your family will lose the protection of our clan members in the future!"

Zhao Dong sneered. Even now, within the clan, he received no protection. Instead, he was oppressed by Mrs. Wang, and no one cared.

Zhao Dong nodded, his mind made up, and said, "Clan Leader, don’t bother trying to persuade me. My mind is made up. If you insist on making my third brother participate in the ancestral worship, then remove me and my elder brother’s family from the clan register!"

Mrs. Wang, fearing that the clan leader would continue to persuade Zhao Dong and make him change his mind, immediately shouted, "Fine, fine, Clan Leader, I agree!"

Mr. Zhao was furious. "Nonsense! What are you talking about!"

Even though he favored his third son, Zhao Dong and Zhao Xia were also his sons. He could accept them separating from the household, but removing them from the clan register was utter nonsense!

Mrs. Wang began to make a scene. "How am I talking nonsense? Do you want your two sons, or do you want your grandson? My eldest grandson is a future top scholar and is destined to become a high official! Are you going to disregard your grandson’s future for the sake of your sons?

"If the Qin Clan arrives later and discovers our Zhao Chun is merely the third son, and they look down on his birth, refusing to form a marriage alliance with us, then our Ji’er’s bright future will be ruined!"

Mrs. Wang wailed, using her grandson’s future as a bargaining chip, successfully silencing Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao was not the only one convinced; the clan leader and the other clan elders were as well.

Compared to the clan’s honor, the grievances Zhao Dong had suffered seemed insignificant.

So, the clan leader, steeling himself, gritted his teeth and said to Zhao Dong, "Very well. I just hope you don’t regret this later."

Zhao Dong’s heart practically sang with joy. How could he possibly regret this?

However, his expression remained perfectly calm as he stated, "Clan Leader, I will not regret it."

The clan leader nodded and finally agreed. He stated that the removal from the registry would take place after the ancestral rites.

But Zhao Dong, fearing unforeseen complications from any delay, insisted, "No, it must be done now. Otherwise, my mother will be heartbroken if she doesn’t see me at the ceremony later!"

Hearing this, the clan leader sighed and waved his hand. "Fine, fine."

He had hoped to smooth things over, perhaps giving Zhao Dong time to reconsider, but he hadn’t expected such stubbornness.

So, he dispatched someone to the Ancestral Hall to fetch the clan register.

The clan leader located Zhao Baishan’s entry in the genealogical record. Opening it, he found Zhao Xia listed first in the column for sons, with Zhu Clan recorded as his wife.

The second entry named the second son, Zhao Dong, with Mrs. Sun as his wife.

The clan leader glanced at Zhao Dong again. Seeing his resolute expression, he took his pen and struck out both entries.

He then turned to the page detailing the family of the eldest son, Zhao Xia, and struck out the entire page, which listed his children: Zhao Cheng, Zhao Yu, and Zhao Ya.

Flipping to the next page, which detailed the family of the second son, Zhao Dong, he similarly struck out the name of his child, Zhao Zhitong, from the list of offspring.

Only then did the clan leader put down his pen and announce to the entire clan, "From this day forward, the brothers Zhao Xia and Zhao Dong have been removed from the Zhao Clan register. In the future, whether they achieve wealth and glory or die destitute in a foreign land, they will have no further connection to our Zhao Clan!"

Zhao Dong instantly let out a breath of relief and nodded with a smile.

At first, I was a little confused, but after Grandpa Bai explained, I finally understood what Father was doing! Once our family was expelled from the Zhao Clan, that horrible stepmother could no longer use the oppressive weight of filial piety to crush us! This is truly wonderful! Zhao Zhitong thought.

Just as Zhao Zhitong was happily talking with Grandpa Bai, a villager suddenly shouted, "Zhao Chun! Zhao Chun! Someone from Landlord Qin’s house is here!"

Hearing this, Zhao Chun was overjoyed and quickly hurried out. A moment later, a luxurious horse carriage stopped in the open space before the Ancestral Hall.

Zhao Chun ran over fawningly, extending a hand to help the person alight from the carriage.

The person was none other than Housekeeper Qin from Landlord Qin’s household.

Housekeeper Qin surveyed the crowd, stroked the two wisps of his mustache, and asked loftily, "Oh, the sacrificial ceremony hasn’t begun yet?"

Zhao Chun simpered, "Not yet, not yet! It’s just about to start. Housekeeper Qin, your timing is perfect."

Housekeeper Qin nodded, his gaze sweeping the surroundings before he disdainfully kicked some mud from his shoe.

It had snowed only a few days before, and the recent bright sunshine had melted the snow, leaving the ground a muddy mess.

This greatly displeased Housekeeper Qin, who, living in the county town, was accustomed to paved streets. He had no desire to linger.

He directly took a deed from his breast pocket and handed it to Zhao Chun.

"You did well this time. The gift has been packaged and dispatched to the Capital City. The esteemed personage there is pleased, and thus, my master is pleased.

"You’ve made a significant contribution. Here, a residence on West Street in the county town—this is my master’s reward for you. Continue to serve my master well, and such rewards will not be lacking!"

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the surrounding crowd.

A residence on West Street in the county town!

Zhao Chun’s eyes practically bulged. He became even more obsequious, "Housekeeper Qin, this is far too generous! As long as Landlord Qin is pleased, this humble one is willing to toil like an ox or horse for him!"

Witnessing this sycophantic display of loyalty, Housekeeper Qin finally chuckled and patted Zhao Chun’s shoulder, saying, "Indeed, my master certainly didn’t misjudge you!"

"Alright, I’ve delivered the reward, so I shan’t delay your ancestral worship ceremony."

With that, he turned and departed.

Zhao Chun hastily escorted Housekeeper Qin to the horse carriage, a broad smile plastered on his face.

However, the carriage had not gone far when a squad of bailiffs rushed in, their drawn sabers RATTLING.

"Which one of you is Zhao Chun?"

Seeing that even government officials had come to see Zhao Chun, the surrounding villagers were speechless with envy.

"Heavens, Zhao Chun has truly struck it rich! Even government officials are coming to give him New Year’s gifts!"

Zhao Chun was initially stunned, as he knew he hadn’t managed to curry favor with the County Magistrate.

But why would the County Magistrate’s men come now? He couldn’t help but recall their first batch of medicinal vegetables, which, thanks to Landlord Qin, had reached Minister Lin in the Capital City. He had also heard Landlord Qin casually mention that Minister Lin was an associate of the King of Chu, the emperor’s own nephew. Therefore, this batch of medicinal vegetables would pass from Minister Lin to the King of Chu, and ultimately be presented to the current emperor at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. Could it be that the emperor had enjoyed them, and a pleased Prince Liang had instructed the County Magistrate to reward him? He was certainly indulging in some beautiful wishful thinking.

The more he pondered this, the more excited he became, and he couldn’t help but puff out his chest and hold his head high.

The surrounding villagers were already eagerly pointing him out to the officials, "Sirs, Sirs, this is Zhao Chun right here!"

The lead bailiff, saber in hand, walked up to Zhao Chun and asked solemnly, "Are you Zhao Chun?"