Chapter 523: Which Family’s Genealogy?
"I understand what you’re thinking. When I was young, I traveled the world and didn’t care about such things. If I met a kindred spirit, I’d befriend them with all my heart, regardless of their status or nationality. You’re a lot like I was back then." Dean Chen recalled his youth, when he too had carried many burdens.
He was called a traitor and endlessly slandered, but he never lost his way and always followed his heart.
Even when the path ahead was dark, once he chose it, he would walk it to the very end.
And facts had proven that if one could endure the darkness, the dawn would eventually arrive!
"No wonder you and Old Man Gu get along the best in the entire Capital City." ’It’s so much easier to be around people who see eye to eye.’
"Yes, Old Man Gu used to visit the academy all the time. Now... I’m afraid he spends all his free time at the General’s Manor. I heard he wants to change his ancestral registration? Is that true?"
"The elders of the Gu family angered him. I’ve already spoken with him about it."
"Old Man Gu may seem to speak flippantly, but if he said it, he’s given it serious thought. You need to give the matter of the family register more thought yourself."
Dean Chen’s expression grew worried. ’She’s six years old. If word gets out that she still isn’t in a family register, she’ll become a laughingstock.’
’Besides, without being in a family register, she isn’t even considered a true member of the family. And in her case, which family’s register would she even join?’
"I haven’t thought about the family register yet."
"It’s time you did. The family registers must be finalized before the end of the year. The registers of officials’ families are compiled annually. What will you do if you aren’t in one by then?" Dean Chen said.
Ye Qianning scratched her head, troubled.
’If it were up to me, I’d join the Xiang family’s register. Using my mother’s family name would be the best solution for all four families.’
"When your father returns, the four families should sit down together and settle this matter of the family register first."
"Haaah..."
Ye Qianning sighed.
She could already imagine what a scene that would be. ’What a headache!’
Dean Chen reached out and ruffled her hair. "I have to go to the palace in a bit. I’ll visit the General’s Manor tonight."
"What are you going to the palace for?"
"The Emperor knows you have connections to the four families, but he doesn’t know which one you truly belong to. He probably hasn’t been able to find anything out." Dean Chen guessed what the Emperor would ask.
Ye Qianning now understood why her master had brought up the family register. Settling it would also put the Emperor’s mind at ease.
"So, what are your thoughts on the matter?" Dean Chen couldn’t just give a random answer, so he had come to sound her out before going to the palace.
"Let’s go with the Zhan family."
’The Zhan family’s presence at the General’s Manor has been too conspicuous recently. For the Gu family, it’s understandable that Old Man Gu dotes on me, and that Gu Shuo is kind to me out of gratitude for saving his life.’
’The same goes for the Qian family.’
’With the Xiang family, the explanation that they’ve acknowledged me as kin and grown attached is plausible. But none of these excuses work for the Zhan family.’
’Everyone says I look like the Zhan family’s eldest daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Zhan treat me so exceptionally well... no one would believe I wasn’t their biological child.’
"Mm, that’s what I was thinking as well."
After all, the resemblance to the Zhan family’s eldest daughter was just too strong.
Ye Qianning’s thoughts returned to the family register. She herself didn’t mind, but she knew her father and the other families would likely argue over it.
In this era, family lineage was paramount, and of course, no one could be entered into two family registers.
"Stop at the next intersection," Dean Chen said to Luo Wen.
"Yes."
"It’s still a ways to the palace gate from here. We can take you all the way," Ye Qianning said, looking up.
"No need. Do you have any message for the Eighth Prince?"
Ye Qianning thought for a moment, then pulled an apple from her sleeve. "If you see him, Master, give him this apple to eat."
"Alright."
Dean Chen took it and tucked it into his sleeve.
The carriage turned and pulled over to the side of the street. Dean Chen stepped out.
"Master, I’ll have someone come pick you up from the palace gate later," Ye Qianning said, poking her head out of the carriage window.