The youth sat at the head of the main hall, his posture casual.
The hall was spacious and grand, its beams and pillars intricately carved. A jade plaque inscribed with "Zither Marrow, Xiao Fate" hung overhead, with rosewood zither tables to the left and a Green Jade Xiao Stand to the right.
Shang Qingzheng had few memories of her home, so she looked around curiously. Three to five zithers lay neatly arranged across the stands, their lacquered surfaces worn to a jade-like luster in various shades. An apricot-yellow tassel hung beneath each one, with a small ivory tag tied to its end, engraved with names such as "Frost Wind" and "Jade Stream."
Long flutes were displayed on the right, fashioned from various spirit woods, jade, and spirit bamboo. Judging by their spiritual radiance, they were all exceptional mystic artifacts. She could not help stroking the Clear Melody jade flute at her waist, her thoughts drifting far away.
Outside the hall, a whole crowd of family members streamed in, then arranged themselves on either side according to their standing.
No one understood what was happening, but at the sight of the absurdly young True Person seated above them, their hearts pounded. They exchanged glances, then could only turn toward the leaders of their respective branches.
In the end, Shang Chaohua, as the family head, stepped forward first. He walked to the center, lifted his robes, and knelt, bowing as he said:
"Shang Chaohua, head of the Shang, brings seventy-eight direct-line members of our four branches to pay our respects to the True Person."
At his words, the elders and clansmen behind him all dropped to their knees in a rush, lowered their heads, and called out together:
"We pay our respects to the True Person."
All the direct descendants of the