The clan leader gripped his cane with both hands, gazing at Bai Qingyan with a benevolent expression, looking exactly like Maitreya Buddha in paintings.

“Isn’t the clan leader asking despite knowing the answer?” Bai Jinzhi sneered. “We just finished renovating the ancestral home, only to have it forcibly seized by the clan’s Fifth Master… your younger brother, clan leader. We want the deed… naturally to file official complaints and seek justice!”

The clan leader’s heart skipped a beat, the smile in his eyes growing dim.

Bai Jinzhi’s words showed complete disrespect for elders, yet Bai Qingyan didn’t stop her.

She didn’t give the clan leader a chance to target Bai Jinzhi, picking up her teacup to gently blow air into it: “I heard that having Fifth Master forcibly seize the ancestral home was the clan leader’s idea? Clan leader… do you think that with only orphans and widows left in the capital, the clan can knead and reshape us at will?”

The clan leader’s benevolent smile finally couldn’t hold, and he slowly straightened his body, spine erect as he stared ahead: “By generation, I am of the same generation as your grandfather, Duke Zhenguo. You should address me as great-uncle! By age, I’m decades older than you, and I am the clan leader…”

“By status, Little Fourth and I… one a Princess, one a County Princess. State protocol comes before family protocol – surely the clan leader, having read the classics, knows this?” Bai Qingyan used her teacup lid to press down the tea leaves, half-closing her eyes. “In the end, you’re just trying to intimidate us because you see that Little Fourth and I are young!”

With that, Bai Qingyan set her teacup down heavily on the table, some green-yellow tea spilling out.

“I don’t have time to play word games with the clan leader. What the Shouyang clan has done in Shouyang City these years under my grandfather’s banner – I’m sure the clan leader knows well. Now that Grandfather is gone, you want to use my banner as Princess! But this banner… I give it to you, then you can use it. If I don’t… I wonder how much longer the Bai family can run rampant in Shouyang?”

The clan leader gripped his cane forcefully, turning his blazing gaze to Bai Qingyan’s half-smiling profile: “Bai Qingyan, your grandfather and father passed away not long ago, yet you show no propriety, no respect for elders. Aren’t you afraid of bringing shame to your grandfather and father, or that I might spread word of this… leaving you with no reputation?”

“Shame? The Shouyang Bai family repays kindness with enmity without shame – what should my grandfather and father be ashamed of?” Bai Qingyan’s voice was gentle.

Propriety? Respect?

If Bai Qingyan gave it to him, he would have it…

If she didn’t, he wouldn’t.

Reputation? Bai Qingyan naturally wanted it, but it depended on whom before.

Reputation among the common people – Bai Qingyan naturally wanted that.

But reputation before despicable villains – Bai Qingyan didn’t want it.

In this world, there were many ungrateful wolves in human clothing who repaid kindness with enmity. The Bai clan was exactly that.

Grandfather had been lenient, thinking of blood ties, but to Bai Qingyan… aside from their direct line in Shouyang, the rest of the Shouyang Bai family, who committed so many wrongdoings, felt less dear to her than ordinary common people.

“The ancestral home deed that rightfully belongs to our Bai direct line – will the clan leader give it or not?” Bai Qingyan’s voice was calm and gentle, yet somehow felt extremely arrogant.

The clan leader gripped his cane tightly: “The capital Bai family now has no male heirs. By rights… this ancestral home is also the Bai family’s ancestral property and should be returned to the clan…”

Bai Qingyan had no interest in listening to the clan leader’s lengthy arguments, threats, and inducements.

She stood up, patted away non-existent dust from her clothes, and walked toward the exit.

The clan leader’s eyes widened as he stood up abruptly: “Bai Qingyan! The elder hasn’t finished speaking…”

“Elder? Ha…” Bai Jinzhi sneered coldly. “You’ve done things to such an extent – bullying our Bai family for having no men while relying on my elder sister’s Princess authority. Now you still want to put on elder airs with my sister? Do you think my sister is an ordinary daughter who would fall for your act?”

Bai Jinzhi looked at the teacup on the red sandalwood table and swept it forcefully – porcelain and hot tea shattered across the floor: “Save your energy!”

“You…” the clan leader pointed at Bai Jinzhi.

“Clan leader, can maintain your airs properly – just don’t come begging to my elder sister!” After speaking, Bai Jinzhi walked out with her hands behind her back.

Just as she crossed the threshold, she said: “You’re free to spread word outside that Little Fourth and I were disrespectful to you today. That way, others will know the Princess and the clan don’t get along. I imagine the Bai family’s situation in Shouyang will become wonderfully exquisite.”

With that, Bai Jinzhi left with complete confidence.

“Outrageous! Outrageous! What kind of upbringing does the capital Bai family have? Do they know nothing of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame!” The clan leader angrily grabbed a cup beside him and furiously smashed it to the ground.

But anger aside, the clan leader had to admit Bai Jinzhi was right – this anger could only be swallowed.

He refused to believe that when the capital Bai family returned to Shouyang, these orphans and widows could manage without relying on the clan!

The clan leader gripped his cane tightly, inevitably thinking that Bai Qingyan now held the rank of Princess…

When his younger brother had come asking to occupy the ancestral home, he had hesitated. But his brother said that although Bai Qingyan was honored as Princess, she had already gained a bad reputation from the southern campaign. If she gained another bad name with the clan, she’d be finished for life!

Moreover, Bai Qingyan had sworn never to marry and would need the clan to care for her in old age – how could she not curry favor and depend on the clan?

Furthermore, the Shouyang clan and the capital Bai family shared the same bloodline, always united as one, prosperity together, and suffered together. Now the capital Bai family was ruled by Dong Shi, who surely couldn’t watch her only daughter’s reputation be completely ruined with no one to care for her in old age – she would swallow this insult.

As long as Dong Shi swallowed this anger, he as clan leader could easily manipulate those widows of the capital Bai family in the future.

But seeing Bai Qingyan’s current attitude, could the capital Bai family truly remain united with their clan as before?

Bai Jinzhi leaped onto her horse and followed behind Bai Qingyan, laughing: “Elder sister, I smashed the cup. I imagine the county magistrate’s spy… will report back shortly.”

“Uncle Liu, is everything prepared?” Bai Qingyan asked Steward Liu.

“Young miss, can rest assured, everything is ready.” Steward Liu smiled. “Those shameless money-grubbing clan families all heard that the clan leader’s grandson plans to take Tianxiang Tower without paying, and they all want to follow along for a share.”

“Then let’s have lunch at Tianxiang Tower today!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes sparkled with clear amusement.

“Fourth Miss’s idea is excellent.” Steward Liu agreed.

Ever since Steward Liu returned to manage the ancestral home renovation, he had endured much abuse. This time, with the young miss and fourth miss returning, he could finally hold his head high.

Duke Zhenguo had been far too courteous and kind to the clan over the years, spoiling the Shouyang clan until they didn’t know their place, practically treating themselves as local emperors of Shouyang.

The young miss and fourth miss should indeed give them a lesson, let them know… whose blessing allowed them to live so comfortably.