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Dou Congtong drew a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotion in her heart. Curiosity and apprehension mingled in her icy green eyes. "Mother, what exactly is the Chen Clan... like? Everyone calls it the Number One Family Under Heaven. Now the Chen Clan members are sweeping aside the competition in the Gaoying Tournament, and their limelight is unrivaled."
"In such a huge clan... is it full of scheming and deceit, just like the storybooks say?"
She recalled the distressing affairs in her close friend Liao Xueyao's family and could not help feeling worried.
Ye Sirong laughed despite herself. "Silly girl, you've read too many storybooks. I can't speak for other clans, but the Chen Clan... at least before I left, it was nothing like that."
"The competition there is indeed fierce. Resources, status, and opportunities must all be earned through strength and contributions. But malicious suppression, stabbing others in the back, and scheming to profit at someone else's expense are expressly forbidden by clan rules and scorned by the entire clan!"
"One of the foundations upon which the Chen Clan was established is unity. Within the clan, brothers stand as one against outside threats; beyond it, they protect their own and uphold righteousness, sharing honor and disgrace. That tradition is carved into their bones, and it is the cornerstone that has kept the Chen Clan standing on the continent for thousands of years."
Dou Congtong blinked, somewhat surprised. "Huh? Really?"
That seemed rather different from the colossal power she had imagined.
"Of course it's true," Ye Sirong said firmly.
She picked up the teacup beside her, brought it gracefully to her lips, and took a light sip of the soothing tea.
Setting the cup down, she looked straight at her daughter with