Chapter 213: Re-establishing the Clan Leader
Concrete evidence of collusion between the Pillar of the Nation Great General and the King of Southern Yue had been fully obtained.
All military power of the Yun family was revoked.
Yun Ze, the eldest legitimate son of the Yun family, was dismissed from his official position.
All Yun family members from collateral branches serving in the Six Ministries were removed from their posts and subjected to investigation.
The Yun family, holders of a first-rank general's residence, had thus become fish on the chopping block.
Yun Ze spoke: "The Emperor still remembers the Yun family's contributions after all. He said that before Father's whereabouts are found, he will temporarily not punish the Yun family."
"Is our Run the only one in the entire Yun family who still retains his official position?" Third Aunt Yun said. "This is all thanks to the protection of Run's father-in-law. Otherwise, our Yun family would have been completely wiped out."
An elder of the Yun clan sighed: "The Yun family has stood firm for a hundred years, weathering countless storms. This is the lowest point in our history. If Silin were still alive, the Yun family would definitely be able to overturn this case. But if... then it would be a dead end with no evidence."
"Didn't the Swift Cavalry General lead thirty thousand elite troops to the southern border region?" another clan elder said. "As long as we find him, everything can be explained."
Yun Run shook his head: "The Swift Cavalry General and the Yun family are both military commanders, but the Yun family has always been superior. Now that the Yun family is in trouble, the Swift Cavalry General is probably pleased to see it happen. Do you elders really think the Swift Cavalry General would want Uncle to return safely?"
This question left everyone present in silence.
Third Aunt Yun looked up and said, "Why haven't we seen the Old General today? Where is he?"
Lin Shi looked worried: "After the news from the court came back, the Old General became ill from anger. He just took his medicine and is resting now."
"How could the Old General fall ill too!" one clan elder's face changed color. "With so many of us here, we need a central pillar. What are we going to do?"
"The Old General is already advanced in years. Even if he weren't ill, we shouldn't trouble him with these matters," the eldest clan elder spoke. "The older generation is aging. We won't even mention Yun Ze's father's generation. The urgent task now is to select someone from the younger generation to shoulder the responsibility of leading the Yun family and guide us out of our current predicament."
This statement received unanimous agreement from all the clan elders present.
The Yun family had been able to maintain its position in the capital for a century for two reasons: their illustrious military achievements and their unity.
As long as everyone stood together, they could overcome any difficulty.
Third Aunt Yun's eyes suddenly lit up as she said, "The person who shoulders this responsibility must be capable. Among Yun Ze's generation, who is the most competent?"
Several other women nearby were speechless. Everyone else had been dismissed from their posts, leaving only Yun Run still in office. Her meaning couldn't be more obvious.
However, everyone had indeed witnessed Yun Run's excellence - he became a Presented Scholar at a young age and gradually rose to the position of fifth-rank official, which was 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 on this?"
Before Yun Ze could speak,
Yun Run said: "Currently, I hold the position of fifth-rank Director in the Ministry of Rites. I attend court daily and can interact with many officials to gather the latest information. Yun Ze, you've just been dismissed, so many things would be inconvenient for you... Given this, perhaps I should temporarily assume the position of clan leader for now."
Yun Chu smiled slightly.
The Yun family's situation hadn't even become clear yet, and this cousin was already jumping at the opportunity to take control of the family.
Because he knew very well that the Emperor wouldn't truly punish the Yun family. No matter what happened next, the Yun family's situation would remain largely unchanged.Though a starved camel is still larger than a horse, the Yun family—having escaped confiscation—remained far stronger than ordinary fourth or fifth-rank families. The position of family head still held some appeal.
Yun Ze stepped forward.
All eyes fell upon him.
He was a refined gentleman—gentle with the elderly, kind to children, humble with outsiders, and well-regarded both within and outside the family.
Yun Run knew that someone of Yun Ze’s temperament would never compete with him.
However—
“Yun Ze, the legitimate eldest son of the Yun family’s main branch, stands here today. How could anyone else presume to take the role of family head?” Yun Ze’s words left Yun Run stunned.
He had never seen Yun Ze so sharp-edged before.
He had assumed that after he volunteered himself, Yun Ze would simply agree—after all, Yun Ze always yielded in everything.
Yun Chu smiled faintly.
In her past life, her elder brother had indeed yielded the position of family head without a fight.
But this time, things were different.
Yun Run froze for a moment before quickly regaining his composure. “Yun Ze, don’t act impulsively. You’re practically a commoner now—what can you possibly do for the Yun family?”
“I can arrange meetings with the second-rank Minister of War, have an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince, and share tea with Prince Pingxi.” Yun Ze’s smile remained as humble as ever. “I wonder if Cousin Run can do the same?”
Yun Run’s face stiffened completely.
They say one should not strike a person’s face nor expose their weaknesses—yet Yun Ze had just driven a knife straight into his heart.
Although he was a member of the Yun family and held a fifth-rank official position, he truly had no qualifications to mingle with those nobles. He couldn’t get close to them, and they disdained speaking with him.
But Yun Ze had grown up in that circle. Even now, fallen and reduced to a commoner, there would always be some in that circle who, remembering past ties, would be willing to grant Yun Ze that face.
After a long pause, he finally said, “I had underestimated the situation.”
Third Aunt Yun looked thoroughly unwilling. She had counted on Yun Ze not competing, which was why she proposed her own son as family head.
Who could have expected Yun Ze to act so aggressively, as if he’d taken the wrong medicine?
She forced a dry laugh. “We’re all family—it makes no difference who becomes family head... It’s just that, well, the Yun Family Army’s Token is still with Chu’er. Shouldn’t it be returned to the Yun family?”
“The Yun Family Army is currently under Prince Pingxi’s command. His Highness gave the Token to Chu’er out of regard for past ties between our families,” Yun Ze said coldly. “If the Yun family were to reclaim the Token, it would imply intentions to command the Yun Family Army—a clear disregard for Prince Pingxi’s goodwill. Do you all believe the Yun family can afford to offend Prince Pingxi right now?”
Third Aunt Yun fell silent.
She had no idea what to say, so she simply shut her mouth.
At that moment, another man stepped out from the crowd.
Yun Chu recognized him—he was the eldest son of her grandfather’s fourth brother, her father’s cousin Yun Siyuan. She addressed him as Uncle Yuan.
“I don’t understand court affairs, but I do know that the Yun family needs silver to smooth relationships right now,” Yun Siyuan said, turning to Yun Chu. “At a time when the family needs funds, you, Chu’er, are using silver to build some shelter. As a member of the Yun family, I cannot support such behavior.”
Third Aunt Yun immediately chimed in, “Yes, yes—that can’t be right.”
“Chu’er is spending her own silver—what’s wrong with that?” Liu Qianqian rarely spoke up. “Her own money is hers to spend as she pleases. No one has the right to disapprove.”
Yun Siyuan was taken aback.When the Xie family had encountered trouble and needed a large sum of money for arrangements, he had assumed Yun Chu’s funds had already been drained by them. Unexpectedly, there was still some left.
Now, it seemed his concern had been unnecessary.
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