The second elder was the first to stand up and said: "I support the election of the patriarch first, after all, it is related to the entire Lu family, if there is no patriarch to make a decision, if you miss this opportunity to serve the emperor in vain, and let the other two families take the lead, it will inevitably affect the status of my Lu family in the family!" ”

The Great Elder also nodded, and said quite heavily: "Although the patriarch has only been missing for more than half a month, there is no way to wait any longer now, King Chengjun only gave us three days to think about it, and we must reply as soon as possible!" ”

The others began to whisper, and the Seventh Elder of the Outer Courtyard suddenly asked, "Is this matter done by the Great Prince beneficial or harmful to our Lu family?" If it is entrusted by the emperor, we naturally can't refuse, if it's just for the benefit of the eldest prince, we can't agree! ”

"Yes, the clan rules are like this, only loyal to the king, and never participate in the struggle between the princes!" The Nine Elders of the Inner Courtyard also chimed in.

The Great Elder and the Second Elder glanced at each other and said, "This matter is indeed what the emperor meant, he entrusted it to the eldest prince, and King Chengjun needs the assistance of the Lu family!" ”

Lu Zhaoran smiled and said, "King Chengjun needs the assistance of our Lu family, why doesn't the emperor directly give the Lu family an order?" ”

Seeing him speak, Lu Zhaoan also stood up and said with a smile: "This matter is very important, and the emperor doesn't want to be too ostentatious!" ”

"So, the emperor has given Zining an edict to you?" Lu Zhaoran asked with a smile.

Lu Zhaoan was stunned for a moment, and then said: "That's not true, this is what King Chengjun explained!" ”

"Oh...... Chengjun Wang explained, when did my Lu family start the only county king's order to follow? Could it be that Zining, you have forgotten the rules of your ancestors and will never participate in the internal struggle of the prince? Lu Zhaoran looked at him coldly.

Lu Zhaoan turned to everyone: "This has nothing to do with the prince's infighting, we are just doing things for the emperor, and the king of Chengjun is also doing things for the emperor, we help the king of Chengjun, so naturally we are helping the emperor!" ”

"It's nonsense, is it that under the guise of doing things for the emperor, which prince wants the Lu family to make a move, our Lu family has to rush to go? Aren't the rules of the ancestors useless? Lu Zhaoran argued with reason.

Not to be outdone, Lu Zhaoan said, "Big brother, are you prejudiced against King Chengjun?" Do you think King Chengjun is falsely preaching the holy decree? ”

Lu Zhaoran raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "I didn't say that, maybe someone is using King Chengjun for his own personal gain, intending to take away the power of the Lu family?" ”

The second elder hurriedly helped, and said: "Zhaoran, what you said is not right, each of us is thinking about the interests of the Lu family, if anyone is selfish, I will be the first to spare him!" ”

"Really? Second Elder, it seems that your eldest son has just received an order to return to Beijing? It's a coincidence, I heard that King Chengjun promoted him to the household department! Lu Zhaoran smiled sarcastically.

Everyone was startled, and they all looked at the second elder, and found that his old face was red, and he said with a stiff neck: "Lu Zhaoran, what do you mean by this?" Do you suspect that I can't betray the Lu family for my own selfishness? ”

Lu Zhaoran said calmly: "I didn't say that you betrayed the Lu family, I just said that you received the favor of others, beware of Chengjun Wang entrusting you to do things, you can't refuse!" ”

"My son was promoted by his own ability, what does it have to do with King Chengjun? You don't talk gibberish and confuse the public! The second elder said angrily.

Lu Zhaoran smiled and said, "Is there a second elder who knows it in his heart, but I will never agree to change the clan rules without authorization, and I am not allowed to elect the acting patriarch before a month!" ”

Lu Zhaoan said: "It's not up to you to decide, it depends on what the elders mean, I think the elders should vote collectively, if more than half of the people agree to replace the patriarch now, then it must be implemented!" ”

Lu Zhaoran laughed and said, "Lu Zhaoan, do you think you have won?" Think you're going to become the patriarch of the Lu clan? ”

"It also depends on the meaning of the elders, the Lu family must have a new patriarch who can lead the Lu family to a higher level and stabilize the other two families, we and Wang Xie have been neck and neck for a hundred years, and the three major families all want to go one level further and become the head of the family, now this opportunity is in front of my Lu family, why not fight for it?" Lu Zhaoan said impassionedly, as if he was the person who could lead the Lu family to become the head of the family.

Lu Zhaoran smiled contemptuously and said, "Lu Zhaoan, do you think you can?" Then I'll have to wait and see! ”

"In that case, let the elders vote!" The Great Elder announced.

The elders began to exchange heads, and their eyes glanced at Lu Zhaoran and Lu Zhaoan from time to time, both of whom were the sons of the patriarch, so they would naturally fall on the heads of the two.

The second elder stood up and said, "I agree to re-elect the acting patriarch and nominate Zi Ning, he is young and promising, and he is appreciated by the saints, talented and virtuous, and worthy of being an adult!"

The seventh elder said: "I don't agree, even if you want to elect the acting patriarch, it should be Zhaoran, as the eldest son, he has been different since ancient times, and he can't let the patriarch of the Lu family be a concubine, not to mention who doesn't know what Zining's biological mother was born in?" ”

Lu Zhaoan's face changed instantly, and his vicious gaze shot towards the Seventh Elder, and the forbearance could barely be suppressed.

The biggest weakness of his life is his concubine, if it weren't for the name of his concubine, he would not have been steadily suppressed by Lu Zhaoran, no matter in which aspect, he felt that he was stronger than Lu Zhaoran's brainless eldest brother, but the heavens did not fulfill people's wishes, he was a humble concubine, or a singer, people mentioned his birth, they had to show disdain.

Lu Zhaoan had a cold face, but he tried his best to suppress the urge to roar, he couldn't fall short, today was the day he stepped on Lu Zhaoran on the soles of his feet, let him be proud for a while!

When the second elder saw Lu Zhaoan throwing a look over, he immediately understood, coughed lightly, took two steps, and said: "Actually, this concubine is not very important, the patriarch of my Lu family must be shrewd and capable, and the person who can lead the Lu family to a higher level is the patriarch we need at present, I think Zining is very suitable!" ”

Lu Zhaoan's face softened slightly, and the five elders of the outer courtyard also echoed: "Well, I think what the second elder said is reasonable, Zining is the best choice in terms of talent, knowledge, and character!" ”

The six elders of the outer courtyard also continued: "Yes, I agree, Zi Ning is indeed the best candidate, compared to Zhao Ran, he has more courage to be a master!" ”

Lu Zhaoran remained silent, as if it was none of his business. Several elders who supported him also stood up one after another, and the elders who supported Lu Zhaoan started a war of words.

The two factions were at a stalemate, and when it developed, they almost started to do it. Lu Zhaoran saw that the situation was a little out of control, so he stood up, waved his hand, and said loudly: "Enough, there is no need to quarrel senselessly!" I have never wanted to fight for the position of patriarch, because I believe that my father has been safe and sound, and he will come back, as for the matter of King Chengjun, I think I should also probe the emperor's intentions before acting! ”

Everyone quieted down, looking at Lu Zhaoran, whose eyes were firm and his momentum was suddenly different, and lowered their heads one after another. Lu Zhaoan saw that the situation was not right, and immediately said: "Big brother, I also believe that my father is fine, but now I am just electing the patriarch, if my father returns safely, everything will naturally be fine, if there is a ...... We won't be caught off guard! ”

The Great Elder finally stood up and spoke, patted Lu Zhaoran on the shoulder, and said, "Zhaoran, this matter is ...... I know you're emotionally unacceptable, but for the sake of the fate of the family, we have to do this, according to the rules, elect the acting patriarch! ”

Lu Zhaoran smiled sarcastically and said, "Great Elder, I just didn't expect that you would also be on his side, have you forgotten that the reason why you became the Great Elder of the Inner Court is because everyone thinks that you are fair and selfless enough to take charge of the Lu Clan Elders' Council?" ”

The Great Elder's body was shocked, a trace of bitterness flashed in his eyes, and he closed his eyes before he said, "Because of this, I have to ask for the election of a patriarch, all for the benefit of the family!" ”

Lu Zhaoran smiled, with a hint of desolation, with a hint of regret, but more mockery: "Great Elder, you are really old!" I am so old that I don't have the courage to support my responsibilities anymore! In this case, then you can only change the presbyterian council led by you, and today I will re-elect the presbyterian council! ”

Everyone looked at Lu Zhaoran in shock, and Lu Zhaoan was the first to attack: "Why do you say that, what qualifications do you have to ask for a re-election of the Presbyterian Council?" ”

"Because there are clan rules, because there are clan seals, because there is a hundred-year commitment of the Lu family!" Lu Zhaoran's words and words contain heavy power, which makes everyone's heart heavy.

Lu Zhaoan sneered: "How can we ever violate the clan rules? And you are only the eldest son of the patriarch, and you are not qualified to ask for a re-election of the Council of Elders! ”

"Of course I have, because I have a family seal, and I have the family seal left by the first patriarch on the day the Lu clan was founded!" Lu Zhaoran took out an ordinary black token from his cuff, like a piece of wood, but it was stronger than wood. Hard, like a stone, but warmer than a stone, revealing a breath of vicissitudes that have gone through the years.

The black token has an imprint resembling an ancient totem, which is intricate and full of mystery. Everyone in the chamber knelt on the ground, and no one dared to raise their heads.

This family seal is of great significance to the Lu family, this is a higher and more authoritative family seal than the patriarch seal, all the clansmen, if they see this order, if they see the first patriarch, they must kneel and kowtow to show respect. And the controller of this seal can also use this to order the people of the Lu clan to re-elect the Council of Elders, which is naturally not a problem.

But the seal has been missing for many years, and no one knows its whereabouts. Originally, the clan seal should have been in the hands of the patriarch, but since the clan seal disappeared, a patriarch seal of the same material was recreated to replace it, but the patriarch seal has temporarily disappeared with the disappearance of Lu Xiangye, so now Lu Zhaoran took out this clan seal, which is enough to order the elders.

Lu Zhaoan knelt on the ground, his hands clenched into fists, he also knew the power of this clan seal, but he was unwilling to admit defeat, he had waited for so many years to have today's opportunity, how could he fall short?