The Pillar of State General’s collusion with the Southern Yue King had complete physical evidence.

All of the Yun Family’s military authority was revoked.

Yun Ze, the legitimate eldest son of the Yun Family, was dismissed from office.

The Yun Family’s branch members serving in the Six Ministries were all stripped of their posts and investigated.

The First-Rank General’s household, the Yun Family, had thus become fish on the chopping block.

Yun Ze spoke, “His Majesty still remembers the Yun Family’s merits after all. He said that until Father’s whereabouts are found, he will temporarily not pass judgment on the Yun Family.”

“In the entire Yun Family, is our Run’er the only one still holding official position?” Third Aunt Yun spoke. “This is all thanks to the protection of Run’er’s father-in-law. Otherwise, our Yun Family would have been completely annihilated.”

A Yun Family clan elder sighed. “The Yun Family has stood for a hundred years, experiencing so many trials and tribulations. This is the greatest low point in history. If Silin were still alive, the Yun Family could surely overturn this case. But if… then there would be no way to verify the truth.”

“Didn’t the Cavalry General lead thirty thousand elite troops to the southern border?” another clan elder said. “As long as we find him, everything will be fine.”

Yun Run shook his head. “The Cavalry General and the Yun Family are both military generals, but the Yun Family has always been superior. Now that the Yun Family is in trouble, the Cavalry General is probably happy to see this happen. Do the elders really think the Cavalry General would hope for Uncle’s safe return?”

With this question, everyone present fell silent.

Third Aunt Yun raised her head. “Why haven’t we seen the Old General today? Where is he?”

Lin Shi looked worried. “After the court matters were reported back, the Old General became ill with anger. He just took medicine and fell asleep.”

“The Old General is also sick!” One clan elder’s expression changed. “With so many of us, we need someone to be the backbone. What should we do?”

“The Old General is already advanced in years. Even if he weren’t ill, we shouldn’t trouble him with these matters anymore.” The eldest clan elder spoke. “The older generation has aged. As for Father Yun Ze’s generation, let’s not mention them. The urgent matter now is to select someone from the younger generation to shoulder the great responsibility of the Yun Family and lead the family out of the current predicament.”

These words received unanimous agreement from all the clan elders present.

The Yun Family could stand in the capital for a hundred years for two reasons: first, distinguished military achievements, and second, unity from top to bottom.

As long as everyone united together, they could overcome all difficulties.

Third Aunt Yun’s eyes suddenly brightened as she spoke. “The person to shoulder this responsibility—only the capable can occupy this position. Among Yun Ze’s generation, who is most capable?”

Several women nearby were speechless. All the others had been dismissed from office, leaving only Yun Run still in his position. This was being stated too obviously.

However, Yun Run’s excellence was indeed visible to everyone. At a young age, he had become a presented scholar and step by step reached the position of fifth-rank official—quite outstanding.

But Yun Ze was the legitimate eldest son of the Yun Family.

The clan elders looked at the two most outstanding juniors. “Yun Ze, Yun Run, what are your thoughts?”

Before Yun Ze could speak.

Yun Run opened his mouth. “Currently, I hold the position of fifth-rank Vice Minister of Rites. I attend court daily and can interact with many officials, able to gather the latest news. Yun Ze, you’ve just been dismissed, so many things are inconvenient for you… Based on this, why not have me temporarily assume the position of clan leader for now?”

Yun Chu’s lips curved slightly.

The Yun Family’s affairs were still unclear, yet this cousin was already eagerly jumping out to take control of the family.

Because he knew very clearly that the Emperor wouldn’t truly punish the Yun Family. No matter what happened subsequently, the Yun Family would more or less remain as it was.

But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Without having their property confiscated, the Yun Family would still be much stronger than ordinary fourth or fifth-rank families. The position of family head was still somewhat tempting.

Yun Ze stepped forward.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon him.

He was a refined gentleman—warm toward elders, kind to children, modest toward outsiders, with a good reputation both inside and outside.

Yun Run knew that someone with Yun Ze’s personality would never compete with him.

However—

“I, Yun Ze, legitimate eldest son of the Yun Family’s main line, am here. How could there be any reason for someone else to serve as clan leader?” When Yun Ze said this, Yun Run’s face showed astonishment.

He had never seen Yun Ze show such sharp edges.

He had thought that after he volunteered himself, Yun Ze would directly agree. After all, Yun Ze would yield in everything.

Yun Chu smiled.

In her past life, her eldest brother had indeed directly yielded the position of clan leader.

Starting over would naturally be different.

Yun Run was stunned for a moment, then immediately recovered. “Yun Ze, please don’t act impulsively. You are now essentially a commoner. What can you do for the Yun Family?”

“I can arrange meetings with the second-rank Minister of War. I can have audiences with His Highness the Crown Prince. I can have tea with Prince Pingxi.” Yun Ze’s smile remained modest. “I wonder if Cousin Run can do the same?”

Yun Run’s expression completely froze.

They say don’t slap someone’s face or expose their shortcomings. Yun Ze was stabbing him in the heart with a knife.

Although he was a Yun Family member and a fifth-rank official, he truly didn’t have the qualifications to chat and laugh with those powerful nobles. He couldn’t approach those people, and those people also disdained conversing with him.

But Yun Ze had grown up in that circle. Even though he had fallen on hard times now and become a commoner, there would always be some in that circle who remembered past friendships and were willing to give Yun Ze face.

Only after a long pause did he say, “I was thinking too simplistically.”

Third Aunt Yun’s face was full of unwillingness. She had anticipated that Yun Ze wouldn’t compete, which was why she proposed having her son become clan leader.

Who could have imagined that Yun Ze had taken the wrong medicine and become so aggressive?

She laughed dryly. “We’re all one family. Whoever becomes clan leader is the same… It’s just that, well, the command tablet for our Yun Family Army is still with Chu’er. Shouldn’t it be returned to Yun Family hands?”

“The Yun Family Army is currently under Prince Pingxi’s command. Prince Pingxi gave the tablet to Chu’er out of consideration for past feelings.” Yun Ze said coldly. “If the Yun Family takes back the tablet, it would greatly suggest an intention to command the Yun Family Army. That would be failing to appreciate Prince Pingxi’s goodwill. Do you all think the Yun Family can afford to offend Prince Pingxi right now?”

Third Aunt Yun fell silent.

She didn’t know what else to say, so she simply shut her mouth.

At this moment, another man walked out from the crowd.

Yun Chu recognized him—this was the eldest son of her grandfather’s fourth brother, her father’s cousin Yun Siyuan. She called him Uncle Yuan.

“I don’t understand court matters, but I know that the Yun Family currently needs silver to smooth over relationships.” Yun Siyuan looked at Yun Chu. “When the Yun Family needs silver, you’re taking money to build some shelter. As a Yun Family member, I don’t approve of this behavior.”

Third Aunt Yun immediately chimed in, “That’s right, that’s right. This certainly isn’t good.”

“Chu’er is spending her own silver. How is that not good?” Liu Qianqian rarely spoke up. “It’s her own money. Where she wants to spend it is entirely her own business. It’s not for anyone else to disapprove.”

Yun Siyuan was stunned.

Previously when the Xie Family had troubles requiring large amounts of silver for arrangements, he had assumed Yun Chu’s money should have already been drained dry by the Xie Family. He hadn’t expected she still had some left.

Now, it made him look like he was being nosy.