Just as Sixth Uncle Wang Dinghai's wife, Madam Chen, came over holding the hand of a handsome four- or five-year-old boy to pay her respects...
Wang Shihai's heart went thump, and a bad feeling instantly climbed into his chest.
Wang Shouzhe stepped forward first and bowed. "Shouzhe greets Sixth Aunt."
All aristocratic families placed the greatest importance on seniority and age. Even if one was the dignified clan head or Young Clan Leader, the proper etiquette and respect when meeting elders were absolutely indispensable.
In fact, as clan head or Young Clan Leader, one ought even more to serve as an example for the clansmen, maintaining familial affection and unity among the clan and displaying fine family conduct.
Just imagine: if Wang Shouzhe relied on the authority of the clan head, or on his outstanding contributions, and therefore ceased to respect the old or cherish the young, the other clansmen would naturally gradually follow suit. As time went on, such a clan would inevitably lose the hearts of its people, and sooner or later would decline, split apart, and fall to pieces.
Madam Chen first paid respects to the Ancestor, then somewhat restrainedly gave Wang Shouzhe a small curtsy. "Greetings, Shouzhe." Afterward, she tugged Wang Shoucheng and urged him, "Hurry up and greet your Fourth Brother."
"Greetings, Fourth Brother." Wang Shoucheng's small face had gone a little pale with nerves as he saluted in a milky voice.
Fourth Brother's fearsome reputation among those of his generation and the younger ones was truly terrifying. Especially once the younger children of the seventh and eighth generations were caught by him, at the drop of a hat he would give you a round of questioning...
If you passed the examination smoothly, that was still all right; he would inevitably hand out quite a