Chapter 473 - 308: The Reason
All sorts of arrogant and contrarian children from high-ranking families, Ran Yan secretly summarized in her heart.
"Why did you and Father have a falling-out?" Ran Yan asked.
Xiao Song’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, and after a moment’s hesitation, he replied, "He wants me to resign and return to Lanling."
"Why?" Ran Yan was puzzled. Prominent families were built upon the prestige and reputation that came from holding high offices, and Xiao Song was clearly a person with a promising political future. Why would the Duke of Song want to cut short his own son’s prospects?
The apricot blossoms in the courtyard had started to wilt, with petals in pink and white carpeting the ground. Xiao Song reached out to gently pat the tree trunk, causing a cascade of blossoms to fall like snow upon both their heads, which earned him an angry glare from Ran Yan.
Xiao Song chuckled, "Father had me plant this tree when I was a child, along with the apricots, as a symbol of fortune. He said that if one doesn’t conduct oneself uprightly and relies solely on intrigues and schemes to navigate the world, luck would not always prevail. Eventually, one would be exposed, bringing shame not only to the Xiao Clan but also leaving an eternal stain."
Ran Yan actually agreed with the Duke of Song’s point of view. It was better to be forthright as a person, but if forced, one should not be rigidly upright. The reason the Duke struggled in the Cabinet was precisely because he was always unbendingly upright.
"The current Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan is of advanced age and has been looking for a suitable successor. The elders have unanimously chosen me to take over," Xiao Song explained the reason behind the Duke’s insistence on his resignation.