Today, I'll Be Insolent!!

The ceremony was over, but the incense smoke in the Ancestral Hall had yet to disperse.

In a side chamber of the Ancestral Hall, the clan elder Wei He sat in the seat of honor, a document resting on the table before him.

It was the formal document establishing an heir and effecting Lineage Separation, written in black ink on white paper and bearing the Wei clan seal. A vermilion ink pad weighed down one corner.

Wei Nisheng stood before the table, his expression calm, though his heart beat a little faster than usual.

Ten years.

Ten years of secluded living, ten years of swallowing humiliation, ten years of keeping his head bowed-at last, this moment had come.

Wei He picked up the document, glanced at it, then handed it to Wei Nisheng.

"Child, this is your document of succession.

"From this day forward, you belong to the Eldest Branch Legitimate Line, a separate branch in your own right."

Wei Nisheng received it with both hands and lowered his head to read.

The document stated clearly: [Mingyuan of the Wei clan's eldest branch selects Ni Sheng, the second son of Mingde of the second branch, as his heir to Continue the Ancestral Line in the eldest branch.

"Henceforth, he shall effect Lineage Separation from the second branch and establish an independent line, neither having any further claim upon the other.]

Below were the signature and mark of the clan elder Wei He, witnessed by several senior members of the clan.

Wei He's expression remained unchanged as he slowly sipped his tea, as though this were just another ordinary day.

The other clan elders wore varied, thoughtful expressions, their gazes moving back and forth between him and Wei Mingde.

Wei Mingde stood to one side, watching the document in Wei Nisheng's hands. His eyes darkened, his thoughts unreadable.

Once Wei Nisheng had confirmed that the document was in order, he folded it carefully, tucked it into his robe, and let out a deep breath of relief.

Ten years.

From this day forward, he, Wei Nisheng, belonged to the Eldest Branch Legitimate Line, independent of the second branch.

With the document handed over, the adoption and Lineage Separation should, by rights, have been concluded.

But just then, Wei Shouzheng suddenly spoke. "Wait."

Everyone looked at him.

Wei Shouzheng stepped forward and looked at Wei Nisheng, slowly speaking with an "I'm doing this for your own good" smile on his face.

"Now that you've undergone Lineage Separation from our branch, surely it's no longer appropriate for you to live in the Wei Residence?"

He turned to his father, Wei Mingde. "Father, according to the rites, my younger brother now belongs to the eldest branch. He is Uncle's son.

"Our second branch and he are now two separate families.

"If he keeps living in our residence, people might hear of it and think our second branch has seized the eldest branch's property."

His words sounded lofty and righteous, but everyone could hear that he was driving Wei Nisheng out.

Wei Mingde frowned slightly at his eldest son's words.

Cui Shi's eyes lit up, though she hid it, merely sighing softly with a helpless air.

The clan elders exchanged glances, but none spoke.

After all, once Lineage Separation had taken place, there really was no reason for them to continue living together.

Seeing that no one objected, Wei Shouzheng grew even more pleased with himself.

He turned back to Wei Nisheng, his smile growing brighter. "Don't blame your elder brother for speaking bluntly.

"I'm Qin Gong's disciple. The rites require this, and we must all obey them. Wouldn't you agree?"

He was waiting to see Wei Nisheng humiliated.

Waiting to see him driven out of the Wei Residence, wretched and with nowhere to go.

Looking at Wei Shouzheng's smug face, Wei Nisheng finally dropped all pretense and snapped at him.

"Since you know I now belong to the Eldest Branch Legitimate Line, is that how you should address me? Younger cousin!!"

That "younger cousin" once again turned Wei Shouzheng's face crimson.

"You! Wei Nisheng, stop putting on airs!"

Wei Mingde also frowned at the form of address and rebuked him sternly. "Sinful Son, don't be rude! Shouzheng is your elder brother!"

"Elder brother?" Wei Nisheng turned to Wei Mingde and bowed slightly. "Second Uncle, what are you talking about?"

"Second Uncle..." Wei Mingde froze. "You... you Sinful Son, what did you call me?!"

"Second Uncle!" Wei Nisheng looked perfectly composed. "Is there a problem?"

"According to the rites, I've been adopted into the eldest branch and am now your elder brother's son.

"You're his younger brother, so naturally, you're my second uncle."

"Besides..." Wei Nisheng paused, then smiled faintly. "My younger cousin just said we must obey the rites. Surely you agree, Second Uncle?"

Hearing his own son call him Second Uncle, Wei Mingde suddenly struggled for breath. He clutched his chest and swayed.

"Husband!!" Cui Shi hurried forward to steady him, murmuring, "Husband, don't get upset... don't get upset..."

Wei Mingde shook off her hand and glared at Wei Nisheng, unable to speak for a long moment.

Watching the scene, some of the clan elders frowned, while others smiled to themselves.

Wei He stroked his beard and studied Wei Nisheng with a penetrating gaze, a flicker of appreciation passing through his eyes.

This child is quite something.

Wei Nisheng watched Wei Mingde's reaction without the slightest ripple of emotion.

He had wanted to call him that for a very long time.

Not wishing to waste any more time arguing, he spoke plainly.

"My younger cousin was right. Now that Lineage Separation has taken place, it is indeed inappropriate for me to keep living in the Wei Residence."

"In that case, I ask the clan head to return the eldest branch's property to me."

At those words, the entire chamber fell silent.

Wei Nisheng did not notice anything amiss and continued, "According to the rules, the Eldest Branch Estate should be inherited by its adopted heir.

"Now that I have succeeded to that position, the property rightfully belongs to me."

"Three hundred mu of fertile land and five storefronts-these were what my grandfather left behind.

"In addition, the profits earned during the past ten years of management by the clan should also be returned."

"By the lowest estimate, those ten years of profits, together with the principal, amount to no less than five thousand taels."

"I ask the clan head to return all of it to Ni Sheng."

As his words fell, both Wei He's and Wei Mingde's expressions changed!

They had not expected this child to know the accounts so well.

Still less had they expected Wei Nisheng to demand them on the spot.

But with their interests at stake, they would never yield.

"You're young and don't understand." Wei Mingde drew a deep breath and spoke first, his voice stern. "We cannot simply hand these properties over to you."

"Indeed, child." Wei He took over in a kindly tone. "Your father is right. You're only ten, not yet of age."

"If you managed the property and someone swindled it away from you, wouldn't that betray all your grandfather's hard work?"

"Exactly." Wei Mingde nodded hastily. "Besides, according to the rules, the clan must manage the property while the adopted heir is underage.

"These are rules passed down by our ancestors. We're not trying to make things difficult for you."

"But rest assured, child! Once you come of age, the property will naturally be returned." Wei He stroked his beard.

"Until then, however, the clan will take good care of the past ten years' profits for you.

"For the next five years, until you come of age, you'll receive thirty percent of the annual earnings according to the rules, to pay for your studies and living expenses."

Watching the two sing in harmony, all lofty words and righteous expressions, Wei Nisheng understood at once.

These two had arranged everything long ago.

One wanted the property; the other wanted to save face.

They had probably already divided every last scrap of the Eldest Branch Estate between them.

And he, this so-called "adopted heir," was merely their pretext for splitting the spoils.

Wei Nisheng sneered on the spot. "Second Uncle, didn't you just say that once Lineage Separation took place, I could no longer live in the Wei Residence?"

"If so, I'll need somewhere to stay, and money to live on."

"If you won't give me the property or the profits, how am I supposed to survive?"

Wei Mingde choked on his words.

Wei He hurriedly said, "You needn't worry about that. Thirty percent of the future earnings will be enough for you to live on."

"As for a place to stay..." He looked at Wei Mingde. "Mingde, you're his father. Surely you can't watch him end up on the streets?"

Wei Mingde gritted his teeth. "You're right, Uncle. Ni Sheng... rent a place outside for now. If you don't have enough money, I'll make up the difference as your father."

"Make up the difference?" Wei Nisheng laughed, fixing Wei Mingde and Wei He with a frighteningly cold gaze.

"What fine schemers you esteemed elders are!"

"This agreement for 'management on my behalf' was probably written before I was even adopted, wasn't it?!"

Wei Mingde's expression changed.

Wei He's smile vanished completely.

The side chamber fell deathly silent.

Candle flames flickered, illuminating faces with very different expressions.

Wei Nisheng stood in their midst, watching them, his heart ice-cold.

After a moment's silence, Wei He slowly spoke. "Child, what do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean? Heh. What do I mean? I think..." Wei Nisheng looked at him. "You know perfectly well, Clan Head."

"Over five thousand taels in profits from the eldest branch over the past ten years, and I don't get a penny.

"For the next five years, you draw me a grand feast on paper, and even then I get only thirty percent.

"The other seventy percent goes straight into the clan's pockets.

"My money! My money!! You take it all! And you expect me to thank you?!!!"

Wei Mingde's face flushed crimson. "Sinful Son! How dare you be so insolent!!!!"

"Today, I'll be insolent!!!"