In the Xu Mansion, the lights were bright, but the entire main hall held only a few people.

"Eunuch, everything in the mansion is well. These are the accounts."

"The thirteen estates in the Suburbs of Beijing remit 3,600 taels of silver monthly."

"There are thirty-five shops in the city, generating an income of over 27,000 taels of silver each month."

"Your Majesty and Consort Duann bestow various rewards each month, enough for the mansion’s expenses."

"Additionally, Your Majesty showed mercy by sending a contract on Jingzhong’s first birthday."

"A contract?"

Xu Mujun asked curiously, "What kind of contract?"

"A contract for ten percent dry shares of the First Steel Factory."

Zhong Chun hesitated, "The First Steel Factory was a factory established by Your Majesty five years ago, primarily for refining steel. Each year, the share alone brings over 300,000 taels of silver..."

Xu Mujun sighed deeply, "Your Majesty’s great kindness, this general will never forget!"

"It’s getting late, Zhong Chun, take Jingzhong to rest."

"Yes."

Zhong Chun stood, but did not leave. Instead, he whispered, "Ying’er, take the young master to rest."

"Yes, Lady!"

The maid Ying’er agreed and led the yawning Xu Jingzhong out.

Xu Jingzhong was only a three-year-old child, already quite drowsy.

But still, he insisted, "Grandfather, Jingzhong will find you to play tomorrow. You promised to teach me martial arts~"

"Don’t worry, Jingzhong, Grandfather will wait for you tomorrow!"

Xu Mujun turned to Zhong Chun, "Zhong Chun, what other important matters are there?"

Zhong Chun knelt, "Eunuch, this matter concerns the future of the Xu Family, I ask Eunuch to dismiss others."

"You all may leave."

Xu Mujun glanced at Zhong Chun and raised a hand.

"Yes, Grand General!"

The nearby housekeeper, guards, and others all withdrew.

Even Xiong Gang got up and said, "Brother Xu has matters to address, so I will take my leave."

"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Xiong."

"But Brother Xu, I feel a close affinity with your grandson. When he reaches five, I will personally test his spirit root."

Xiong Gang said, "If Jingzhong has a spirit root, I wish to take him as a disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Borderless Sect, how about it?"

Xu Mujun hesitated, "Jingzhong is my grandson, but he is also a person of Great Yu. I must report this to Your Majesty before making a decision."

"Alas..."

Xiong Gang shook his head, "Xu Mujun, you are so... stubbornly loyal!"

After he spoke, not caring about their expressions, he turned and left the Xu Mansion.

Xu Mujun also sighed deeply, "Zhong Chun, speak up."

"Yes, Eunuch!"

Zhong Chun organized his words, "Since three years ago when Eunuch was appointed as Grand Marshal of the World by Your Majesty, many clan members have been drawn to the mansion."

"Moreover, Eunuch voluntarily granted positions to retirees and disabled soldiers under his command, including many clan members who also received honors."

"Most clan members live peacefully and steadily."

"But... many among them rely on our General’s Mansion’s name to bully others and exploit the common people, and even the Government tends to side with those clansmen because of the mansion’s prestige."

"In the past two years, some Xu Mansion members have caused numerous disturbances in the Capital City, but they were suppressed by the Government, and I’ve spent much silver to appease those who suffered."

"However, the reputation of our General’s Mansion has been tarnished due to these unruly descendants, causing the citizens of the Capital City to curse us..."

Xu Mujun took a deep breath, "I could have anticipated this matter..."

"How many are there?"

Zhong Chun hesitated, "The offenses committed by clan disciples are not severe, just idling about, indulging in pleasures, and living extravagantly..."

"The more serious ones have opened gambling dens or caused street brawls, or fought over romantic interests."

"But some have committed murder..."

"Hmm? Murder!"

Xu Mujun’s pupils slightly contracted, "Who? Speak in detail!"

"Yes... Eunuch."

Zhong Chun spoke in a low voice, "In the 12th Year of Zhengyong, the eldest grandson of the main branch, Xu Jinghong, beat to death a scholar who had come to the Capital City for exams, while drunk at Yuhua Square."

"There were witnesses and evidence, and I thought Xu Jinghong would be convicted, but somehow the eldest master managed to spare him from the death penalty, sentencing him to exile instead."

"Additionally, a disciple from a branch, Xu Zhanbing, caused a street brawl while drunk and killed an innocent passerby, and was also sentenced to exile."

"However, under the protection of clan elders, he returned to the Capital City, and three days later, the house of the victim caught fire, killing all five family members..."

"Bang!!!"

Before Zhong Chun’s words were finished, Xu Mujun slammed the table hard, shattering it into pieces.

"Damn...!"

At this moment, Xu Mujun resembled an enraged lion.

"The people in the clan dare to be so audacious!!!"

Zhong Chun smiled bitterly, "Eunuch, these are just the matters on the surface."

"What I fear is someone involving themselves in the struggle for the throne..."

"Struggle for the throne?"

Xu Mujun gritted his teeth, "Are they all fools!"

"Your Majesty is at his prime, and now he has embarked on the path of cultivation, capable of controlling the Imperial Court for at least a hundred years!"

"Moreover, Your Majesty has the Eldest Prince, who is to be the future Crown Prince of Great Yu."

"Are the clan members fools, fighting for the throne at this time?!"

Zhong Chun smiled bitterly, "I too do not know what they are thinking, but many have already covertly gathered around the Second Prince, subtly swaying many."

"Second Prince... Wu’er!"

Xu Mujun sighed deeply, understanding his daughter’s mindset.

She aims to be the best in whatever she does.

He just didn’t know if this matter involved Qingluan.

"Does this have anything to do with Consort Duann?"

Zhong Chun shook his head, "I do not know, I only know that many in the military have contacted the eldest master several times."

"Elder Brother..."

Xu Mujun had three brothers: the eldest, Xu Muwen, who has risen to become Prefect of Fan Yang, Youzhou and now serves as Governor of Youzhou, a regional authority.

Xu Muwen has four sons and three daughters, all with ordinary talents, each holding positions of status.

However, his fourth son, Xu Qilin, is dedicated to military affairs and excelled in martial arts, always following Xu Mujun in battles across the land.

Now, he is one of the four garrison commanders stationed at Black Mountain Pass, also commanding a portion of the Dragon-soaring Army.

The third brother, Xu Muping, was also in the military, but sadly perished over forty years ago during the Nanyue campaign.

The fourth brother, Xu Mushan, is neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts, merely a caretaker of the family legacy.

Yet among his grandsons, emerged Xu Fengxiong, the Xu Family’s Young Phoenix!

At just fifteen, his Martial Arts Cultivation reached the First-grade Realm.

Moreover, during the Spirit Testing Ceremony six months ago, he was found to possess the Gold Attribute Celestial Spirit Root, and was immediately taken into Yuelong Palace by Your Majesty.

The four branches of the Xu Family, in an instant, garnered immense attention, drawing the gaze of many.

Xu Mujun slowly closed his eyes, and after a dozen breaths, he opened them again.

Solemnly, he said, "Zhong Chun, does Your Majesty know about this matter?"

Zhong Chun lowered his head, "He knows."

"Did you inform him?"

"No..."

Zhong Chun shook his head, "Since I have married into the Xu Family, I consider myself a Xu Family member, especially since you mentioned this last time, Eunuch."

"This matter was informed by the Shadow Guard to me."

"What are Your Majesty’s instructions?"

"None, Your Majesty simply said that this is a family matter, and should be decided by you, Eunuch."

"Family matter, family matter..."

Xu Mujun sighed deeply, "If family matters are unstable, how can we discuss state affairs?"

"I originally just wanted the clan members to serve the country, but I didn’t expect there to be so many parasites among us."

"It’s truly... too disappointing for me!"

"Send word to the clan elders, I am calling for a clan meeting!"

"Yes... Your Majesty!"