The ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‍issue still lay in the ancestral worship ceremony. Family members were expected to kneel and bow when offering incense to their ancestors, especially for a significant event like adding her name to the family registry.

But here was the problem: If even His Majesty, the supreme ruler of the land, couldn’t bear to accept his granddaughter’s bow, how could the ancestors of the Yu family possibly deserve it?

Because they died early?

If the ancestors had any awareness in the afterlife, being bowed to by their granddaughter might cause unforeseen trouble—and then he’d truly be an unfilial descendant.

After all, his own grandparents and parents were among those memorial tablets!

Yu Chongshan didn’t dare take the risk. So he said, "For the registry ceremony, your grandfather and your father will handle it. You just stay with your grandmother and help receive the guests. If you meet any young ladies you get along with, feel free to befriend them. If not, don’t force yourself—just hand them over to your cousins."

Yu Chongshan was a notorious hypocrite. His brother, Yu Chongyan, would also bring his granddaughters today to help. Aside from Yue Fuguang and the eighth daughter of the fourth branch, the rest were all granddaughters born of concubines.

The guests today were all high-ranking officials’ daughters. The eighth daughter of the fourth branch wasn’t even of high enough status, let alone the other illegitimate granddaughters. They could serve tea, but when it came to proper hosting, they’d need the help of a few older cousins.

Yue Fuguang nodded. In the years since she had arrived in this world, she hadn’t made any friends her own age.

During her three years at the Taoist temple, her status had prevented the young ladies of noble families from genuinely befriending her.

As for the poorer families, few could afford to visit temples, and even fewer were people she could connect with.

After joining the Yu family, her cousins had initially ignored her due to her adopted status. Now that they wanted to befriend her, she was either too busy with court duties, eating, or sleeping—or simply had nothing in common with them.

If she were just an ordinary transmigrator, she might have forced herself to play along with the era’s social norms, pretending to be affectionate and harmonious with these so-called sisters.

But things were different now. As long as she didn’t step too far out of line, she didn’t have to waste time on hollow pleasantries or fake friendships. She had the privilege of not caring about such trivial social obligations.

"Understood, Grandfather."

The old man was quite thoughtful. Well, today would be the perfect opportunity to expose the parasites within the Yu clan.

She just hoped her grandfather could handle the shock.

Thinking of the vitality pills she had given them, Yue Fuguang felt she had been remarkably foresighted. With how often they’d be startled, a weak constitution wouldn’t have held up.

Hadn’t her eldest aunt, upon learning that her three sons would die unnatural deaths in ten years, that her future daughter-in-law would arrive pregnant by another man next year, and that the grandson she doted on wasn’t even her own blood—hadn’t she still managed not to faint? The vitality pills deserved all the credit.

---

Yu Family Ancestral Hall

One of the clan elders, Yu Qi, appeared to be in his sixties. Dressed in a dark blue robe embroidered with swastika patterns, his face was gaunt, and his hair and beard were entirely white.

He was Yu Chongshan’s uncle—the closest living relative from the previous generation.

He said, "Chongshan, is it really necessary to make such a grand spectacle out of adding a mere girl’s name to the registry? The year-end ancestral ceremony is only a few months away. Couldn’t this wait until then?"

Yu Chongshan nearly rolled his eyes. Wait until the year-end ceremony?

By then, it would be far too late. He knew very well that the imperial family had been subtly trying to claim his granddaughter these past few days.

After all, this child could technically be considered his granddaughter—or not.

Wouldn’t it be best to secure her place in their family registry as soon as possible?

Yu Chongshan replied, "Uncle, Yue Fuguang was maliciously swapped at birth and suffered greatly all these years. As elders, we can’t help but feel heartbroken for her. Now that she’s been brought home, she’s naturally unsettled. Adding her to the registry quickly will reassure her—and our entire family."

"Besides, this isn’t just about the registry. We’re also formally adopting her under my eldest son’s name, so her staying with his family will be proper and justified."

There was also the matter of removing Yu Ningrou’s name from the registry. After learning what she had done, he couldn’t wait another day.

But that was a minor detail—no need to bring it up now.

If he found out that Yu Ningrou was also responsible for the deaths of his three grandsons, the old man might just snap and kill someone.

The others didn’t have time to ponder how adding a girl’s name to the registry could "reassure the whole family."

What caught their attention was: "Why should a mere girl be adopted under the eldest grandson’s name? Isn’t she the third son’s child?"

Yu Qi didn’t particularly care which branch a daughter belonged to. What irked him was his nephew’s high-handedness—making decisions without consulting the elders and only announcing them at the ceremony.

Was his high official rank making him disregard his elders, who held no titles?

That was the real issue. If he let his nephew have his way so easily this time, the man would only grow bolder. How else could their branch continue benefiting from him?

His authority as both a senior uncle and a clan elder could not be challenged—not even by the current family head.

"Uncle, both my eldest and third sons have agreed to this. The third son’s wife is in poor health and needs to recuperate in the countryside. She lacks the energy to raise a child, so after discussing it with their mother, we decided to have Madam Zhang take over Yue Fuguang’s upbringing under the eldest son’s name."

Before Yue Fuguang revealed her identity at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Yu Chongshan had already planned to add her to the registry early this month.

Back then, he hadn’t intended to make a big fuss—just inform a few senior clan members and have a couple of witnesses present.

But then the banquet incident happened. After learning of his third son and daughter-in-law’s misdeeds, he resolved to place the girl under his eldest son’s name.

These past few days, hearing Yue Fuguang’s revelations about their family and the imperial court had left him constantly stunned—so much so that he forgot to discuss this matter with the elders beforehand.

"If the third son’s wife is unwell, aren’t there governesses? Or even your own nieces’ wives? Why just hand the child over to the eldest son’s family? Won’t the third son resent you for taking his daughter? This could strain the brothers’ relationship!"

Hearing the conversation shift to him, even the slow-witted Yu Qinchun could tell that this uncle—always looking to take advantage—was trying to sow discord between him, his father, and his brother.

So Yu Qinchun quickly interjected, "Uncle, you worry too much. I would never resent Father or my elder brother. The fault lies entirely with me and my wife."

"To trouble my elder brother and his wife with raising my child—I must first thank them, and also express my gratitude to Father for his concern."

His tone was humble. Given that their own daughter had nearly doomed the entire household, he and his wife had nothing but shame toward the family.

Thank you to 'Crystal Heart is Fragile' for the two 'Powered by Love' gifts—appreciate you, darling!

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