"For once, you said something right today."
Xu Chuan smiled faintly and looked at Xu Dezhao. "Do you want to become the household head?"
"I..." Xu Dezhao glanced at his father, Xu Mingwei.
"There is no need to look at your father. Just ask yourself whether you are ready to shoulder the heavy burden of leading the household."
"Once you become the household head, you will know every matter in the Xu Household, great and small, including things usually kept from juniors like you, and even more closely guarded secrets.
"If any hall has a major issue, it must notify the household head before convening the Council of Elders for a Clan Council."
"In any aristocratic clan, the household head is part of its innermost core and represents the lineage's honor."
Xu Dezhao fell silent, seemingly wrestling with himself. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the table beside him.
None of the others spoke.
A long while later.
Xu Dezhao abruptly stood. Sunlight from outside the window fell across his face, making his eyes gleam with golden radiance.
He had practiced martial arts since childhood, and his build was by no means frail.
Looking at him, one could feel a measure of reassurance.
His fists clenched tightly, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. He had made his decision.
"A Weng, I want to become the household head!"
"Please grant my wish!"
Xu Chuan smiled slightly, and Xu Mingwei and the other four wore matching smiles.
Their smiles held heartfelt gratification.
Xu Deling, meanwhile, was rather excited.
Among all the other aristocratic clans, none had ever allowed someone under thirty to succeed as household head.
Most successors were in their forties or fifties.
They were cultivators, after all. It was perfectly normal for the previous household head to remain in power until eighty