"Rubbish, what do you know?" Zhu Yongfu couldn't believe Zhu Shenfu had such thoughts. "If the Zhu family in Sicheng Town rises, we will be swallowed by the history of the side branches. The inheritance will belong to that branch."
"To be honest, I don't see why the Sicheng Town Zhu family needs our inheritance," Zhu Shenfu said directly. "They have already produced figures like the Little Divine Doctor. Even if they don't become the main branch, they can rise up and form their own family."
Zhu Yongfu wanted to refute Zhu Shenfu, but he remained silent. He had to admit Zhu Shenfu was right. Even without the status of the main branch, they had already risen. Even if they didn't seek them out, the Sicheng Town Zhu family could become a prominent local clan. But this was something Zhu Yongfu could not tolerate. In his heart, only the Zhu family in Zhushi City could lead. No other Zhu family should rise.
It had to be said that Zhu Yongfu’s psychology had become somewhat twisted. Because of this distortion, one had to admit that the Zhushi City Zhu family was already slowly declining.
What Zhu Yongfu didn't know was that Zhu Xinfu was currently hosting a banquet for all the clan members in Sicheng Town. After this meal, he would take Zhu Shunyao and the others to the Zhushi City Zhu family.
"Dear clan members, thank you for attending my banquet today," Zhu Xinfu said, his face full of smiles. "I left my hometown over forty years ago. During these forty years, I didn't know how my hometown had changed, how the clan had developed, or how my son had grown. But today, I returned. I saw my clan members and the changes here. These are joyful changes."
"Of course, some clan members are far away and couldn't return. But this time, I have no regrets. I am happy to have met everyone. I raise this glass to thank all clan members for taking care of my son, allowing him to grow up safely."
Zhu Xinfu raised his cup, and others naturally raised theirs in agreement.
After drinking this cup, Zhu Xinfu felt very relaxed. "Please just eat and drink. I invited you all today so we could enjoy food and wine, and for me to get to know you."
The clan members present laughed heartily and naturally began to eat and drink without objection. Amidst the clinking of cups, all strangeness disappeared. The forty years of unfamiliarity gradually faded away in this eating and drinking.
Zhu Xinfu watched this scene happily. Zhu Guifu and Gan Juhua had already boarded the train to the capital with the help of Taishu Yuanxiang. They were going to find Chonglou, so they naturally did not attend this banquet.
Therefore, there were basically no people present who would upset Zhu Xinfu. Since there were no upsetting people, everyone was happy. Because they were happy, everyone ate and drank casually.
The banquet lasted until late at night before dispersing.
After everything was cleaned up, Zhu Xinfu said to Zhu Shunyao, "Shunyao, rest well tonight. Tomorrow we will set off for Zhushi City."
Zhushi City. For over forty years, it had been his nightmare, and also his forty-year obsession. Now, he was going to face it.
Zhu Yanyi had learned of their decision after talking with Zhu Shunyao. A trace of calmness appeared on her face. The good show was about to begin. She wondered what reaction Zhu Yongfu and the others would have when they saw Zhu Xinfu.
That day, Zhu Yongfu and Zhu Shenfu came together. Zhu Yanyi still took Zhu Yongfu's pulse as usual and adjusted the prescription. After taking medicine for these few days, the red spots on some people in Zhu Manor had faded, and they had recovered their health. Those currently taking medicine were mostly those with severe conditions, and Zhu Yongfu was one of the severe cases.
Of course, even if Zhu Yongfu wasn't severe, Zhu Yanyi would judge her as such. The stage was set; it wouldn't do without actors. So she had to make the actors sing their parts one by one, so she could see the good show.
"Little Divine Doctor, do you really not know who Zhu Shenfu is?" Zhu Yongfu asked, unwilling to give up.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Zhu Yongfu with curiosity. "I really don't know who Zhu Shenfu is. Our family genealogy does not have a person named Zhu Shenfu."
This time, Zhu Yongfu understood clearly. "What did you say? Your family genealogy does not have a person named Zhu Shenfu?"
Zhu Yanyi looked at Zhu Yongfu with a smile and gave a very confident answer. "Yes, our family genealogy does not have Zhu Shenfu. Isn't this a normal thing? Why are you so surprised?"
How could this be normal? Zhu Shenfu felt a headache coming on for the first time. Why didn't the Sicheng Town Zhu family have Zhu Shenfu? Zhu Shenfu existed; this was something Zhu Yongfu was very sure of. But Zhu Yanyi said the Zhu family genealogy did not have Zhu Shenfu. Zhu Yongfu didn't think Zhu Yanyi would lie. This kind of thing could be checked immediately; it was absolutely impossible to lie.
Zhu Yongfu looked at Zhu Yanyi. "I wonder, Little Divine Doctor, who is your grandfather?"
Zhu Yanyi blinked her eyes, looking confused. "Who my grandfather is, do I need to tell you? I don't know what you mean by asking who my grandfather is."
Zhu Yongfu hurriedly said, "Little Divine Doctor, please don't take offense. I wonder if you know that the Zhushi City Zhu family and your Sicheng Town Zhu family originally came from the same ancestor."
Zhu Yanyi waved her hand. "Don't talk about things from eight generations ago. They say people with the same surname were one family three hundred years ago. I guess our two Zhu families are the same. Even if not three hundred years, it might be five hundred or eight hundred years ago. Anyway, who knows anything about things from hundreds of years ago?"
She continued, "Besides, everyone has separated now. If we meet, we just call each other by the same surname. So, whether we have the same ancestor or not, it's the same to me." Then she pretended to suddenly realize something.
"Could it be that you are worried I won't treat you diligently because we are not relatives? You must not misunderstand me like that. Since I, Zhu Yanyi, am a doctor, I value every patient. No matter what illness, as long as they are my patient, I will examine them seriously. So rest assured, I will definitely do my best."
Zhu Yongfu knew Zhu Yanyi had misunderstood. She coughed. "It's not like that. Let me put it this way: this friend of mine is called Zhu Shenfu."
"Ah, I know. You brought people over the first time you came a few days ago, and one of them was her," Zhu Yanyi nodded seriously.
Zhu Yongfu hurriedly said, "Shenfu is also a member of the Sicheng Town Zhu family."
"Oh." Zhu Yanyi nodded, then tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Maybe I don't know. After all, I never care about clan matters. Perhaps other clan members know. You can go to Sicheng Town and ask around."