In a bright and spacious meeting room, the decor was surprisingly simple, consisting of a long table and ten exquisitely comfortable sofas, all of which were occupied.
Hanging on the walls were calming flowers, their fragrance permeating the air and offering a slight aid to mental focus; a single bloom cost over a hundred gold soul coins.
Representing the White Tiger Clan, accompanying the Duchess, were several elders of high seniority. Almost all of them were Soul Douluo experts. Representing the Zhu Family were several middle-aged individuals, peers of the Duchess.
Both families were old acquaintances, so the atmosphere was naturally very relaxed, and everyone was smiling.
"Seeing those two children getting along so well today has put our minds at ease. We'll be relying on all of you to look after that girl, Lu'er, in the future," said Zhu Changming, the leading representative from the Zhu Family, with a hearty laugh.
"Indeed," the other Zhu Family representatives concurred, nodding in agreement.
"Don't worry, Brother Three. If Hua Bin ever mistreats Lu'er, I, as his mother, will be the first to deal with him."
The Duchess responded with a gentle smile, her words of assurance putting the Zhu Family members at ease.
"We have a serious matter to discuss with you all this time."
The issue with the younger generation was just an appetizer. Zhu Changming's tone then became serious, clearly indicating the true purpose of their visit.
Upon hearing this, everyone from the White Tiger Duke's Manor looked solemn, as it was obvious they were about to discuss the future of the two great duke manors.
Zhu Changming said in a low voice, "The royal family is increasingly dissatisfied with the marriage and coexistence of our two great families. For the past hundred years, no family members have been able to jointly develop the Nether White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and the situation has remained stable. However, this time, the two children have broken a century of stability, and we must prepare to guard against the royal family's attacks."
"The threat from the Sun Moon Empire is temporarily stable. The royal family likely wants to take this time to clean everything up. Perhaps we won't be directly targeted, but the nobles affiliated with us, that's not certain. If we don't fight back, we will lose our prestige in the future, and that is not something easy to get back."
"So, what are your plans?" An old man in a luxurious robe frowned and asked. He was Dai Hao's second uncle, an eighty-six-ranked Soul Douluo, named Dai Dianchen.
Zhu Changming's eyes revealed a different expression. "The royal family wants to strip away the power of our two great families, to restrict our actions, and make us harmless. For the future of the family, I think... it's time to use special means."
When the words "special means" were mentioned, everyone present revealed a strange expression.
This special method was, of course, rebellion.
Zhu Changming's gaze was profound. In truth, his biggest worry was the imperial family targeting the Zhu Family first.
The Zhu Family, while having power and wealth, was ultimately a paper tiger. The strongest soul master within the family was only a Soul Douluo. Their martial soul, the Nether Spirit Cat, was not a top-tier martial soul. Even if they had a god-level ancestor ten thousand years ago, everyone knew it was because that ancestor had consumed a celestial herb.
If they didn't want to be secretly dealt with by the imperial family, they had to bring the White Tiger Clan in. Otherwise, they alone wouldn't be enough.
"Old Dai, don't forget that the imperial family of the Star Luo Empire should rightfully be the Dai family. The Xu family merely got lucky to take that position." Seeing the Dai family members' serious expressions, Zhu Changming continued, "I don't deny that I want to incite your family to act with us, but in a time of crisis. If our Zhu Family falls, the next one will be the Dai Family, where you are."
Hearing this, the Dai family members' eyes turned sharp. Clearly, Zhu Changming wasn't wrong. It was evident from the successive emperors' attempts to divide their power in the Northwestern Military Group. The imperial family's patience was wearing thin. The biggest problem was that the new emperor was very ambitious. How would he deal with the current situation?
Zhu Changming seized the opportunity and said, "The Xu family's imperial family has been weakening in recent years. Among their younger generation, there are fewer and fewer people who can take on important responsibilities. But we are different. This child, Yao Heng, joined the Shrek Academy Inner Court at a young age and is highly valued. He will likely be selected for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, and it's almost certain that he will become a Super Douluo."
"And this child, Hua Bin, has innate full soul power and can develop a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with this child, Lu'er. Everything is working in our favor. It's truly a once-in-a-millennium opportunity."
"Your idea is good, but don't forget, if we rebel, those guys in the Worship Hall aren't pushovers." The Duchess shook her head. "On the Douluo Continent, strength ultimately decides everything."
Internally, she strongly disagreed with rebellion. Although the Xu Family's royal family lacked peak strength, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. There must be strong individuals within their family, and besides, they had the support of a group of Title Douluo from the Worship Hall. To rebel would be courting death.
"Ruiying is right, those guys in the Worship Hall are indeed not to be ignored." Zhu Changming chuckled softly. "But if we remain still, waiting for the opportunity to come, and then drive the Xu Family off the throne, what then?"
"You want to use war?" Dai Dianchen's graying brows relaxed, a look of surprise on his face.
"That's right." Zhu Changming said in a low voice. "Four thousand years ago, the Star Crown Sect seized the throne through war. Four thousand years later, we can use war to reclaim the throne."
Dai Dianchen's expression was neutral. "War's timing is unknown. Furthermore, if war breaks out again, can we truly defeat the Sun Moon Empire? If we lose, everything we're discussing now will be nothing but a fantasy."
"The Sun Moon Empire's ambition is undeniable. The failure four thousand years ago will only make them crazier. Times are changing, and the power of soul tools is also changing."
Zhu Changming nodded. "I understand everything you said, Old Dai, but rather than doing nothing and waiting for the knife to fall on our necks, we might as well prepare in advance. Even if the knife comes down, it won't cut us, and might even break the knife."
After these words, the conference room fell into a long silence, and no one spoke again.
The Duchess broke the silence, looking around at the others. "We need to consider this carefully. From what I know of Xu Jiawei, he wouldn't make a move right now."
Everyone nodded silently.
But it was clear that this matter had been brought to light, and they could only plan around the idea of seizing the throne. This was likely their only option.
The Duchess tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowed as if in thought.
"Ruiying, do you have an idea?" Zhu Changming knew his sister well; she always made this gesture when she was thinking.
In an instant, everyone turned to look at the Duchess.
She was silent for a moment, then said in a serious tone, "What if Yao Heng married Xu Jiujiu?" The people present were stunned when they heard this.
Xu Jiujiu was none other than the princess who was once the Former Emperor's favorite, and a prodigy with exceptional talent.
The new emperor also held her in high regard.
Actually, thinking about it, the slow pace isn't the problem. The problem is the lack of updates... If I wrote ten thousand words a day, the Duchess's mansion arc would be over in four or five days. At four thousand-plus words a day, occasionally five thousand, it's inevitable that we're spending more time here.
No choice, it's a new book period. Can't go all out with the updates now, or I'll run out of steam later.
But rest assured, the Duchess's mansion arc will be finished tomorrow.
The sky is the limit for birds, the sea is vast for fish to leap. We're starting a new journey.
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