Time flies, and half a month has passed in a blink of an eye......

On this day, Zhong Xuanlan learned that Zhong Tinghao and Zhong Xuanli were going back to the ancient city of Anzhou from father and son, thought about it for a long time, and agreed to their request.

At the same time, when he saw the news presented by Uncle Zhong, he was very disappointed in his heart and made a decision to divide the clan.

At this time, in the study room of the Qingyou Courtyard, Zhong Xuanlan was leisurely making tea.

Wang Xuannian stared at her, admiring her every move, smelling the overflowing fragrance of tea, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

After a long time, Zhong Xuanlan handed the brewed tea to the three people sitting on the side.

She picked up the teacup, took a sip, put down the teacup, and said, "What do you think about the genealogy of Xuan Nian?" ”

Zhong Tinghao said nonchalantly: "I'm casual, anyway, the child you gave birth to has the same surname as mine." ”

Zhong Xuanli said: "I don't care, as long as there are nephews and nieces to take over your responsibilities." ”

Father and son glanced at each other, and it would be good if someone took over.

Zhong Xuanlan raised his forehead and said, "You two let's go." ”

Zhong Tinghao patted Wang Xuannian's shoulder and said, "Son-in-law, don't mind, we really don't care about this, as long as your child has a surname Zhong and can take over the Zhong family's business." ”

Zhong Xuanli wanted to speak, but under Zhong Xuanlan's strong gaze, he pulled Zhong Tinghao and left quickly.

Zhong Xuanlan saw that the people were leaving, and said, "What about you?" ”

Wang Xuannian hesitated for a moment and asked, "Can I keep my surname?" ”

Zhong Xuanlan nodded.

Wang Xuannian blushed and whispered: "In the future, our children will have your surname." ”

Zhong Xuanlan frowned slightly, looked at Wang Xuannian, and said, "Do you really not mind?" ”

Wang Xuannian smiled and said, "No matter who the child's surname is, he is our child." ”

Zhong Xuanlan nodded.

……

Early the next morning, Zhong Tinghao and Zhong Xuanli stood at the door to greet the family, and Zhong Xuanlan entertained guests in the front yard hall.

And Wang Xuannian walked back and forth nervously in the Shuangxuan Courtyard.

Chun Zhi watched from the sidelines, looking like he wanted to say something.

Wang Xuannian asked, "What's wrong?" ”

"Childe, you don't need to be nervous, those people are left to the head of the family to deal with, you just follow the master."

Wang Xuannian thought about it and nodded, he was not capable of facing so many shrewd businessmen.

"Childe, why don't you sit down and rest for a while?"

Wang Xuannian nodded, sat on the stone bench under the tree, his hands intertwined back and forth, his eyes looked at the gate of the courtyard, and it didn't take long for Zhong Xuanli to come to the Shuangxuan Courtyard to take him to the ancestral hall.

Just as a group of people headed by Zhong Xuanlan were heading from the front courtyard hall to the ancestral hall, Zhong Xuanli and Wang Xuannian were already waiting for Zhong Xuanlan and their arrival on the path.

Zhong Xuanli leaned against the trunk of the tree, clasped his hands in front of his chest, looked around, saw Wang Xuannian's tense little face, and patted him on the shoulder a few times.

Just wanted to speak, but found that Zhong Xuanlan and the others were about to come to him, and hurriedly pulled Wang Xuannian to hide in the rockery.

Wang Xuannian looked at Zhong Xuanli inexplicably.

Zhong Xuanli explained: "Let's go to the end, we don't have to listen to their annoying words. ”

Wang Xuannian looked at Zhong Xuanlan, who was wearing a purple long dress embroidered with orchid grass patterns, a long white gauze coat, and an orchid jade pendant hanging from her waist.

"Brother-in-law, let's go." Zhong Xuanli pulled the stunned Wang Xuannian to follow behind everyone.

Not long after leaving, Zhong Xuanli saw that Wang Xuannian was about to trip over a big stone, and reminded: "Brother-in-law, be careful." ”

Wang Xuannian came back to his senses and avoided the stones.

Zhong Xuanli didn't pay attention to Wang Xuannian's nervousness, pulled the person aside, and comforted: "Brother-in-law, don't be nervous, just leave everything to my sister." ”

Wang Xuannian looked at the people who relied on Zhong Xuanlan very much, and wanted to laugh a little, and said, "Second brother, if we hand over everything to the family master, wouldn't she be very tired?" ”

Zhong Xuanli smiled "hehe", touched his nose, and said, "Those who can work harder." ”

Wang Xuannian said helplessly: "Let's follow." ”

Zhong Xuanli always felt that Wang Xuannian's expression just now was disgusting him, shook his head slightly, and followed everyone.

After about a stick of incense, everyone came to the entrance of the ancestral hall.

Wang Xuannian saw a black plaque carved with "Zhong Ancestral Hall" on the red vermilion lacquer door, and a pair of couplets hung on the big pillars on both sides.

Before he had time to take a closer look, he was pulled to the front by Zhong Xuanli, and for a while he became the focus of everyone's attention, and he was very nervous.

When he saw Zhong Xuanlan's slender jade hand stretched out towards him, he put his right hand on her left hand.

Zhong Xuanlan said: "Don't be afraid, let's go." Her soft voice calmed his nervous heart.

The two walked into the Zhong family ancestral hall hand in hand, and everyone followed according to their generations.

The furnishings in the ancestral hall are very simple, which makes him feel that this is low-key luxury.

The doors, windows, pillars, etc. are carved with fancy patterns, and there are several pots of pruned green pine bonsai, especially the strong fragrance of agarwood.

When Uncle Zhong pushed open the innermost door, rows of spirit cards appeared in his eyes, and the heavy breath shocked him and made him solemn, worthy of being a merchant that has lasted for a hundred years.

Zhong Xuanlan took the incense from Uncle Zhong and handed three sticks of incense to Wang Xuannian.

Wang Xuannian took the incense, looked up slightly at Zhong Xuanlan, against the light, a little dazzling, squinted slightly, as if he saw Zhong Xuanlan's eyes with a smile.

At this time, Uncle Zhong's words came: "Worship, bow." ”

Wang Xuannian came back to his senses, retracted his gaze, and obediently bent down to salute.

And they bowed down.

“……”

At the end of the three worships, Uncle Zhong put incense on for everyone.

After Zhong Xuanlan clasped his fists and saluted, he said without anger and self-authority: "Everyone, there are two things to invite you to come today, one is the matter of my husband's entry into the family tree, and the other is that the family is flourishing, with many heirs and many big branches, so the head of the family decided to branch, take the ancient city of Anzhou as the branch, and those who return to the ancient city, and those who do not want to stay, and belong to the side branches." ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone talked about it.

The old man of the Zhong family said: "The head of the family can't, the Zhong family can last for a hundred years because of the many heirs." ”

Zhong Xuanlan said: "After a hundred years of the Zhong family, until the great-grandfather moved to Kyoto City, everyone witnessed the wealth and power of Kyoto City, many people want to enter the office, but the ancestors have a cloud: the Zhong family is not allowed to enter the office, only to be a business, which blocks the footsteps of many people. The head of the family thought it was not good, so he changed it. The descendants obey the ancestral teachings, and the side branches do not have to. Now give you three days to think about it, the head of the family is in charge of the Yan branch, and the Yan branch must go back to the ancient city, and the side branch will stay. Let's go back and think about it. ”

The second clan of the Zhong family said: "Can the head of the family still meddle in the affairs of the side branches?" ”

Zhong Xuanlan said lightly: "No, it will be in charge of the patriarch of the side branch." ”

The elders of the six clans of the Zhong family frowned slightly, and asked disapprovingly: "Second uncle, do you want to divide the clan?" ”

The second uncle of the Zhong family asked: "How many years have passed, why are you not allowed to be an official?" ”

The elder of the Zhong family said: "Second uncle and grandfather, do you know that money and power are the most taboo thing for those in power?" ”

When the elders of the Zhong family heard this, they said unhappily: "Xuan Che, don't think that you can come to me if you become the elder of the big clan, didn't the emperor agree that the merchant can be an official?" ”

Zhong Xuanlan watched the noisy scene with cold eyes, listened to the words of the second clan elder of the Zhong family, glanced at him sharply, looked at everyone again, and said loudly: "Everyone be quiet, this matter will be discussed in three days, how about letting my husband enter the clan genealogy first?" ”

When the two elders of the Zhong family heard this, they disagreed and said, "Isn't the head of the family going to divide the sect?" ”

Zhong Xuanlan's eyes were slightly cold, his momentum was fierce, and he said in a cold tone: "Second uncle, is there any difference between entering the clan genealogy and dividing the clan?" ”

The old man of the Zhong family trembled in his heart and was silent.

Some people wanted to speak, but after seeing Zhong Xuanlan's expression, they were silent.

Zhong Xuanlan commanded: "Uncle Zhong, please genealogy." ”

"Yes."