The Branch Returns to the Main Line

"Sigh, in the end, we do not share the same blood. Now that this disaster has struck, how could they possibly trust me?"

Zhou Hu sighed deeply, the resentment in his heart toward Zhou Liang intensifying by a few more degrees.

Although the Zhou family likely would not revoke his branch lineage status, he feared he would forever be excluded from the inner circle. It might be bearable for his own generation, but there was no guaranteeing what would happen by the time his children took over.

Zhou Hu currently managed the Zhou family's trading company and had been doing his utmost to expand it, hoping his branch could retain control over a portion of it in the future, ensuring his descendants would want for neither food nor clothing for generations.

But with this recent incident, he could forget about that dream for the rest of his life.

Once the seeds of suspicion and doubt were sown, they would remain pierced in the heart like a needle, impossible to remove.

"Sigh, what am I to do?"

Zhou Hu sat on the doorstep, sighing dejectedly. He could not bring himself to give up his branch lineage status. Having finally elevated himself from a servant to one of the masters, who would willingly relinquish such a position? Yet, if he held onto it, he would constantly be subject to the Zhou family's suspicion, likely destined to be reassigned to some arduous post and left to fend for himself.

Just then, a young woman stepped out from the inner room. Though her features still held the innocence of youth, a glint of deep shrewdness flickered in her eyes.

She was Zhou Hu's eldest daughter, Zhou Sisi. Although Zhou Hu had one son and two daughters, the other two were still young. His eldest daughter, however, was exceptionally intelligent and wise, so much so that countless families had already come knocking on their door seeking her hand in marriage.

However, Zhou Hu intended for Zhou Sisi to eventually manage his branch's affairs, so he naturally could not allow her to marry out of the family.

"Father, your daughter has a plan that can preserve our branch lineage."

In truth, if one were to look for the most astute individual among the younger generation, it would be none other than Zhou Sisi.

In his early years, Zhou Hu had not enjoyed his current prestige; he had been a personal servant attending to Zhou Dashan-a genuine, bonded slave. This upbringing had indirectly shaped Zhou Sisi's forbearing nature, teaching her from a young age how to read the expressions of others and endure in silence.

Back then, she had seen through Zhou Liang's schemes but had chosen to intervene and stop him. Afterward, she never spoke a word of the matter to Zhou Bai. That was her way of weighing the pros and cons to forge a hidden bond with Zhou Liang.

Zhou Hu was initially startled, but realization quickly dawned on him, and his complexion turned sickly pale, shifting uncomfortably.

"Father, now is not the time for indecision. If we want to preserve our line, we must make a swift and decisive sacrifice," Zhou Sisi whispered. "The Zhou family no longer trusts us servants. The only way forward is to completely integrate our branch into the Zhou family, until the blood flowing in our veins is identical to theirs. Only then can we truly earn their trust."

"Only if I marry Zhou Bai, and my future child takes charge of our branch, returning our line to the main lineage, can we truly be accepted by the Zhou family."

Zhou Hu opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

If a member of the main Zhou lineage became the master of his branch, wouldn't all his hard work merely serve as a wedding gown for someone else?

"Father, I know you are reluctant, but my child will still carry your blood. This is the only way our branch can survive."

"Furthermore, if that child grows close to us in the future, my younger brother and sister will also have a much easier life."

Zhou Hu tilted his head back and could only let out a long, powerless sigh. The breath that supported his posture seemed to leave him, and his entire frame instantly slumped.

"In the end, only those who share the same blood can be trusted!"

That afternoon, Zhou Hu first quietly disposed of Chunlan, then took the initiative to seek out Zhou Changhe.

"Eldest Young Master, the Sixth Young Master has reached the age to take a wife and establish his household. This servant boldly requests to offer my daughter to the Sixth Young Master as a personal maidservant, to attend to his daily needs and acquaint him with worldly matters."

Zhou Changhe nodded slightly. In truth, the conversation between Zhou Hu and his daughter had long been overheard by internal informants and reported upward. However, appearances still had to be maintained.

"How can that be? Sisi is, after all, the eldest daughter of a branch line. How could we debase her so? In my view, it would be better to betroth her to my sixth brother as a concubine."

Zhou Hu bowed deeply and respectfully. "Everything shall be as the Eldest Young Master decrees."

Yet, his heart was ice-cold. He had previously only suspected that the Zhou family had planted eyes and ears among the various families under their rule. But now that his private conversation with his daughter inside his own home had been overheard so flawlessly, how could he not feel terrified?

Right at that moment, a youth of thirteen or fourteen years old walked in from outside, dressed in opulent, splendid robes. He approached Zhou Changhe with a gentle, refined demeanor and called out softly, "Father."

Zhou Hu stepped aside and greeted him deferentially, "Greetings, Young Master Qian."

Zhou Changhe smiled and patted Zhou Chengqian on the shoulder. "Now that you are growing older, you must become more sensible. You cannot always hide beneath the wings of your uncles; otherwise, you will never truly grow up."

Standing to the side, Zhou Hu understood the subtext perfectly. This was not meant for Zhou Chengqian; it was directed entirely at him.

"Eldest Young Master, why not let Young Master Qian take over the management of the trading company? Its operations are extensive and would serve as an excellent training ground for him."

Rather than being forced out by the Zhou family later, it was better to offer it up voluntarily to preserve some modicum of dignity.

"How could we do that? You have always managed the trading company so well. If we let him handle it, wouldn't it throw everything into chaos?" Zhou Changhe said with a stern face.

Zhou Hu bowed and scraped, nodding repeatedly. "This servant is getting on in years, and a host of old ailments has caught up to me; I truly lack the strength to run around anymore. Besides, the trading company already has a solid framework in place. Young Master Qian will surely be able to manage it well."

Zhou Changhe assumed an expression of regret and said slowly, "Very well, then. I will trouble you to continue managing North Village."

Zhou Hu offered a few more sycophantic remarks before bowing humbly and withdrawing.

Zhou Chengqian watched Zhou Hu's retreating figure, his thoughts unreadable.

"Chengqian, do you believe your father's actions were right or wrong?"

"Of course they were right. Those not of our clan are bound to harbor divided loyalties. That Zhou Liang was a servant born raised in our household, yet he dared to rebel and attempt to murder our young uncle. Who knows what treacherous thoughts these servants hide in their hearts?" Zhou Chengqian said in a low voice. He then added with a trace of worry, "However, having me manage the entire trading company at my age... is it perhaps a bit too hasty? I fear I might bungle the matters and bring shame upon the family."

"Do not worry. With your Third and Fourth Uncles backing you, the people in the trading company will not dare to harbor any wild ambitions. They all share intricate, overlapping connections with our family, being the maternal clans of your brothers," Zhou Changhe said with a faint smile.

"Rather than worrying about failing, you should focus on learning how to employ people, and how to balance the various families within the company. Only then can you keep them thoroughly submissive."

If this had been before the Zhou family's meteoric rise, they would indeed have worried about a maternal clan growing too powerful and usurping the family. But now that the Zhou family had transformed into an immortal cultivation clan, mortals were utterly insignificant before them. Furthermore, with Zhou Chang'an serving as the vice-magistrate of Qingshui County, how could these mortal households dare to entertain any deviant thoughts? Their sole desire was to cling tightly to the Zhou family, hoping to ride their coattails to a higher status.

He patted Zhou Chengqian's shoulder and said earnestly, "You are the eldest grandson of our Zhou family. You must set a proper example for your younger brothers and sisters so that I can confidently hand the family over to you in the future."

"Your son will definitely not disappoint Father's high expectations," Zhou Chengqian said, bowing deeply, a flash of shrewdness reflecting in his eyes.

Very few people learned of the news that Zhou Sisi was to marry Zhou Bai as a concubine. The majority of outsiders still believed that Zhou Hu's line remained independent, viewing him with envy and respect. Little did they know that while Zhou Hu's branch appeared autonomous, it had already been reduced to a mere appendage of the main line, and its future ruler would be Zhou Bai's offspring.

As for those who knew the truth, they naturally kept their mouths shut in a tacit understanding.

The branch lineage system had initially seemed like a grand incentive to countless household servants. Yet, from this incident onward, a silent rule was carved into stone: none but those born of the Zhou bloodline could ever hold true power.

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