Fifth Uncle glanced at Lu Yan and continued, “Ah Zheng, this is your first time coming to the Lu family to pay respects to our ancestors. You don’t know the rules yet. As the head of the family is still unconscious, you can’t enter the family register. To our ancestors, you’re not a member of the Lu family yet.”
He then curled his lips and said in a disdainful tone, “Since you’re not from the Lu family, how can you participate in the ancestral worship ceremony? Gu Zheng, the Lu family’s rules can’t be broken!”
The surroundings were silent. He had said so much nonsense for one reason, and that was to not let Gu Zheng participate in the ancestral worship ceremony. Although Gu Zheng’s identity had already been confirmed, the patriarch was not around, so he could not enter the family register. Hence, he was not qualified to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony.
At this moment, everyone was discussing softly. “He’s chased out of the Lu family during the ancestral worship ceremony. Tsk tsk… How embarrassing! In the end, it’s his fault. If he hadn’t angered the head of the family to the point of falling sick, he would’ve been able to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony.”
“Lu Qingyun’s memorial tablet is also in the ancestral hall. Gu Zheng can’t even pay his respects to his mother now. I can only say that he reaped what he sowed.”
“The Lu family is a century-old family. We have strict rules, especially when it comes to paying respects to our ancestors. We absolutely can’t make any mistakes. Gu Zheng, we can’t make an exception for you just because you have power and influence. Please leave!”
Gu Zheng’s expression was indifferent, and he paid no attention to the others. However, Qiao Xi could not help but say, “Do you mean to say that because Old Master Lu is unconscious now, Ah Zheng won’t be able to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony? He won’t even be able to pay his respects to his biological mother?”
When Fifth Uncle heard Qiao Xi’s question, he replied with extreme confidence, “That’s right!”
They originally thought that Qiao Xi had given in, but who knew that Qiao Xi’s voice would be icy-cold in the next second? She asked word by word, “If Old Master Lu isn’t unconscious, will Ah Zheng be able to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony?”
The entire venue was in an uproar.
If the old master was really not unconscious, then logically speaking, they could not stop Gu Zheng from paying respects to their ancestors.
Fifth Uncle’s expression was gloomy as he looked at Lu Yan. He saw a trace of viciousness and uneasiness flash past Lu Yan’s eyes. What was Qiao Xi talking about?
Before Lu Yan could speak, Lu Xiang retorted guiltily, “Qiao Xi, what nonsense are you talking about? My father has been unconscious for so many days, yet you’re still here…”
“Second Miss Lu.” Qiao Xi interrupted her softly, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly as she said casually, “I’m just raising a reasonable doubt. Why are you so agitated? Why do I feel that you don’t want the old master to wake up?”
Qiao Xi’s voice was gentle, but she seemed to be luring those around her. “Could it be that all of you don’t want the old master to wake up? This way, you’ll have a reason to stop Ah Zheng from participating in the ancestral worship ceremony. After all, Ah Zheng’s name isn’t in the genealogy, so Ah Zheng won’t have the right to compete with Lu Yan for the position of heir.
“Old Master’s coma is good for you, so you hope that he won’t wake up today, right?”
Boom!!!
The entire venue was silent. Everyone seemed to have been struck by lightning and subconsciously looked at Lu Yan.
Actually, most of the people in the Lu family supported Lu Yan. It was because of Lu Yan that they could have a place in the Lu family. They all knew Lu Yan’s thoughts, so they did not want Gu Zheng to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony.
As for the others who were not close to Lu Yan and had never participated in the Lu family’s internal strife, it did not matter to them who the heir of the Lu family was. They had a neutral attitude. Now that they heard Mrs. Gu’s words, they could not help but shudder. In that case, the person who did not want the old master to wake up was clearly Lu Yan!
Lu Yan clenched his fists, and his lips were pale, but the expression on his face was still gentle. There was a smile on the corners of his mouth as he shook his head helplessly. “Mrs. Gu, your analysis is very reasonable, but Grandpa is indeed unconscious. The Lu family’s family doctors and the doctors from the Medical Association have all diagnosed him, but they aren’t able to do anything. I didn’t cause Grandpa to be unconscious.
“Mrs. Gu, you can misunderstand me and say that I’m not pure-hearted, but I hope you can respect my grandfather. He’s still unconscious on the bed. It’s hard to say if he’ll survive. Do you think it’s appropriate for you to slander an elder like this?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Xi grunted coldly. “Young Master Lu, you’re quite filial! However, what I said just now is a reasonable analysis. I didn’t say that you’re the culprit who harmed Old Master Lu. If you’re in such a rush to explain, it’ll make others think that you’re guilty!”
The expression on Lu Yan’s face instantly stiffened. He calmly controlled his emotions, but Lu Xiang, who was at the side, instantly exploded. “Qiao Xi! Shut up! Ah Yan grew up by the old master’s side since he was young. He absolutely wouldn’t harm my father! You’ve been talking for a long time. Are you trying to help Gu Zheng escape punishment and let him participate in the ancestral worship ceremony? Let me tell you clearly that if my father isn’t awake, you shouldn’t even think about it!”
