Chapter 34: Striking Them All

“Outrageous!” Luo Zhenghua shouted angrily. “Luo Chao, is this how you behave as a parent?”

Before Luo Chao could respond, Luo Yunzhen knelt down first, tears streaming down her face as if they were worthless.

“Please, clan chief, do not blame father. Father’s concern for Zhen’er is genuine, but he has never been harsh or unfair to Sister Yunqiao.”

“If all the trouble today arose because Sister Yunqiao and I have grown up together, then I am willing to relinquish the position of eldest miss. I only wish for harmony in the family from now on, with no more disputes.”

Her words were cunning, crafting an image of innocent detachment from worldly affairs.

But was anyone present fooled? If Luo Yunzhen truly cared so little for fame and fortune, why stage this contest? She could simply have given up the title without a fight.

Luo Zhenghua naturally saw through this and bore no goodwill toward Luo Yunzhen.

Luo Yunqiao, standing nearby, seized the moment to stir the pot. “At this point, Luo Yunzhen, why are you still clinging to the eldest miss title? Is it so important to you and father that you would utterly disregard blood ties and family affection?”

With deep pain in her voice, Luo Yunqiao declared, “Father, I am your daughter, your own flesh and blood.”

As clan chief, Luo Zhenghua valued blood relations above all, and every word struck a chord deep within him.

His face darkened like the bottom of a pot as he hesitated over how to resolve the matter.

But Luo Yunqiao knew that if she wanted Luo Zhenghua to publicly censure someone, she needed a certain leverage.

Her pleading glance turned to Xiao Muyuan.

Xiao Muyuan, ever astute, immediately understood her meaning.

Yet he did not refuse. Instead, he mouthed a few words: “You owe me a favor.”

Rising to his feet, Xiao Muyuan couldn’t help but applaud.

“What a marvelous performance—better than any southern opera troupe.”

“I have long known that a parent’s love leads to intricate, far-reaching calculations. No wonder the Marquis of Jing’an has gone to such lengths to pave the way for Miss Yunzhen, suppressing Luo Yunqiao. Even I, having only met Miss Yunqiao a few times, have been misunderstood.”

Xiao Muyuan frowned, feigning confusion. “But Marquis, strictly speaking, Miss Yunzhen is not really your child.”

Luo Zhenghua was startled. He read several implications between Xiao Muyuan’s words.

Today, it was obvious Xiao Muyuan was backing Luo Yunqiao, suggesting a close private relationship.

Moreover, he never imagined that Luo Chao would be so reckless as to offend Xiao Muyuan.

Madness! To offend anyone is foolish, but to cross this living hell—impossible to bear.

With matters at such a juncture, Luo Zhenghua was trapped and felt compelled to give an explanation to Xiao Muyuan and the others.

Brushing off his sleeves, Luo Zhenghua declared, “This is absurd. Today, I decide to recognize Luo Yunqiao as the legitimate eldest miss of the Luo family’s Marquis residence, placing her among the thirty-eight generations of our clan. This matter shall have no further dispute.”

“Luo Chao, do you object?”

Luo Chao’s face was ashen, but he had no choice but to accept the clan chief’s ruling, shaking his head. “I abide by the clan chief’s decision and dare not oppose it.”

The esteemed Marquis of Jing’an couldn’t even manage his own household affairs. No doubt, news of this would invite much ridicule.

Luo Zhenghua continued, “As for Luo Yunzhen, this conflict all began because of you. I see you are overly impatient and obsessed with fame and gain. Therefore, I sentence you to one month’s house arrest and require you to copy the ‘Silent Heart Sutra’ a hundred times.”

Luo Yunzhen’s face drained of color, collapsing weakly to the ground.

The clan chief had spoken; she had no room to resist. From now on, Luo Yunqiao would firmly surpass her.

Luo Zefeng was indignant and wanted to argue but was stopped simultaneously by Luo Zhoushi and Luo Zeting.

Luo Zeting lowered his voice, “What are you trying to do? Offend the clan chief and get punished with us? The Marquis family’s disgrace is already enough; don’t make it worse.”

Hearing this, Luo Zefeng restrained himself, but his hateful gaze locked onto Luo Yunqiao was impossible to ignore. If looks could kill, Luo Yunqiao would have died a thousand times over.

Luo Zhenghua then reprimanded the Luo family and soothed the other guests, bringing the welcome banquet to a close.

Afterward, Luo Yunqiao sought out Luo Zhenghua, sincerely expressing her gratitude.

After all, without the clan chief’s righteous defense today, she would never have earned the respect she deserved.

Yet Luo Zhenghua’s tone lacked its earlier tenderness, instead carrying a subtle warning: “Now that you have what you sought, do not stir up trouble again. Do not let what happened today repeat itself.”

One who could become clan chief was no fool and surely understood that all of this was Luo Yunqiao’s scheme.

However, he had also wanted to find an opportunity to reprimand Luo Chao, so he was glad to ride the momentum.

Luo Yunqiao fully grasped the clan chief’s thoughts; before such an elder, all cunning and schemes were futile.

Better to be honest.

“Everything that happened today was a helpless act on my part. I beg the clan chief’s forgiveness. I am truly grateful for your decision today. If the Luo clan or you ever need my assistance in the future, I will not refuse.”

Mentioning this, Luo Zhenghua recalled Xiao Muyuan defending Luo Yunqiao earlier.

Though young, the girl had a bond with Xiao Muyuan and possessed the intelligence and calculation to orchestrate today’s events. She might well achieve great things in the future.

Luo Zhenghua said nothing but patted Luo Yunqiao on the shoulder before leaning on his cane and departing.

After seeing off the clan chief, Luo Yunqiao intended to find Xiao Muyuan. After all, today’s success owed much to his help. Though their cooperation was a matter of mutual benefit, gratitude was still due.

But when she finally found Xiao Muyuan, he was not alone.

Xiao Jinglin followed closely behind.

Frowning beautifully, Luo Yunqiao realized she could not express her thanks now—there were things she absolutely could not say in front of Xiao Jinglin.

“Miss Luo… no, I should say Eldest Miss Luo, you are truly formidable. To have the clan chief of the Luo family standing behind you—no doubt you will be the one crowned as the princess of Jing’an Marquisate in the future.”

This explained why Luo Yunzhen and the others placed such importance on who held the eldest miss title.

In the future, whether Luo Chao or Luo Zeting distinguished themselves, the marquisate would surely produce a princess—and naturally, the eldest miss would be the one honored, not the second miss.

Luo Yunqiao blinked. “What do you mean by that, Third Prince?”