Song Zining’s refusal to attend the elder assembly caused huge waves of dissatisfaction. Almost every elder berated him for disrespecting his seniors, and his family for not teaching him manners.

All the talk about lack of manners was definitely targeted at Song Zhongnian. However, the clan lord was neither furious nor flared up. He merely listened to the complaints and sighed when no one else was around.

Unlike the elders who had denounced Song Zining in unison, the guests, the servants, the side branch members, and the younger generation of the clan was full of admiration for him. The old duchess had just passed, but the leaders of the clan were already putting up their acts. People weren’t dumb enough to be fooled by their attitude. It was only now that one could see who held deep sentiments.

Several days passed by in a flash. Song Zining remained in the same place, neither eating nor drinking. It seemed like he planned to spend forty days in this manner. Seven days of vigil was enough, according to local customs, but Song Zining felt...