Lu Tianqi's face was livid with anger, and Lu Tianyue was gasping with similar fury.

The people standing behind these two sisters began to hit back with words.

"Bullshit! Lu Tianqi was personally appointed by Patriarch Lu Zheng on his deathbed to be the next head of the family, on what grounds do you oppose?"

"You don't even have the right to oppose! The Lu family as it stands today was built by Patriarch Lu Zheng and his line. You people have been profiting from their work for years, and now you even dare to rebel!"

"Shameless bastards, living off the main line, using the resources of the main line, staying in the houses of the main line, receiving the main line's benefaction... now you seek to usurp their position? You're nothing but a bunch of shameless creatures!"

"Disgraceful scum!"

"Get out of the Lu family!"

"The Lu family doesn't need your kind of rebels!"

The ones standing behind Lu Tianqi and Lu Tianyue were all from the patriarch's line. Their fortunes were tied together, sharing in both glory and disgrace. Therefore, they absolutely could not allow the position of patriarch to be usurped. Otherwise, they would never have a good end.

At this moment, Lu Tao coldly smirked at Lu Tianyue and Lu Tianqi. He ominously said, "Although the Lu family patriarch has the authority to decide the next patriarch, if the patriarch is incompetent, the Elder Council also has the power to impeach the patriarch, and elect capable people to take over! Since it's come to this, and we are already the butt of jokes, let everyone see what happens! Call for a meeting of the Elders Council now. There are still seven elders in the Lu family. Let everyone vote directly! Those who agree to impeach Lu Tianqi, the current acting patriarch, step forward and let me see. Am I alone in thinking that she is not qualified to be the Patriarch of the Lu family?"

Previously, the Lu family had nine elders, with five from the patriarch's line and four from the collateral line.

With Lu Zheng, the patriarch, presiding over everything, those from the patriarch's line had always been able to suppress the collateral line.

However, with the recent passing of Patriarch Lu Zheng and two Jin Dan elders, only three elders from the patriarch's line are left.

Meanwhile, there are still four elders from the collateral line.

Apart from Lu Tao, the other three elders had always been on the side of the collateral line. While Lu Zheng was alive, these elders considered the overall situation. Now that Lu Zheng is no more, these elders naturally stand with Lu Tao.

If they really hold an Elder Council meeting and vote publicly, there's no doubt that the patriarch's line will undoubtedly lose.

Therefore, when Lu Tao stated his proposal, many people from the collateral line broke into smiles of triumph.

The majority of the Lu family's current assets were indeed established by the main line, and have been held by them all these years. This has not stopped those people in the collateral lines from feeling envious and desiring to seize control.

Now the opportunity has finally arrived. As soon as the Elder Council meeting is convened, Lu Tianqi will certainly be impeached.

By then, the entire Lu family will be in their hands!

The other three elders apart from Lu Tao were promised massive bribes; each elder would receive fifteen percent of the Lu family's property if Lu Tao became the patriarch.

Such potential gain is irresistible!

Not to mention that these three elders from the collateral line are already on Lu Tao's side. Even if they had remained neutral, they would have been overwhelmingly tempted by such a lucrative offer.

However, those from the main line changed their expressions when they heard this.

Especially the three elders from the main line, their faces turned red with anger and they furiously accused Lu Tao of shamelessness.

But blaming others doesn't make a difference now and it won't solve the problem.

At this moment, Lu Tianqi suddenly sneered, "Oh really? You want to vote?"

"Absolutely. As an elder of the Lu family, I have a responsibility to consider the best interests of the entire family. Since you're not fit to be the patriarch, I must stand up and impeach you!" Lu Tao said righteously, "However, everything will be done in accordance with our family rules. Even if you are impeached, the property belonging to you and your sister will still remain yours!"

"Am I supposed to thank you?" A hint of amusement appeared on Lu Tianqi's face.

"No need. I'm just considering our family's interests," said Lu Tao impassively.

"Fine, we'll vote," Lu Tianqi snorted coldly, looking at Lu Tao, "But you, as an elder of the Lu family standing here in front of all these people, better clarify this. Do you accept the result of the vote, regardless of its outcome?"

Lu Tianqi said this with a smug grin, reminding him, "Don't forget, you only get one shot!"

Lu Tao's brows furrowed slightly, and he instinctively looked at the other three elders by his side.

One of the family laws in the Lu family clearly states: If the patriarch is unfit, the Elder Council is entitled to impeach the head of the family once. If successful, the Elder Council has to select a new patriarch within a month of the impeachment. Moreover, a second vote of impeachment is not permitted within five years. If the impeachment fails, the Elder Council will lose the right to impeach the patriarch during the tenure of the current head of the family.

This is made to protect the rights of the direct line. The right to impeach prevents an incompetent head bringing the family to ruin, while to prevent the Elder Council's powers from becoming too large and abusing their power, the opportunity can only be given once in each patriarch's tenure.

Ever since the founding of the Lu family in Jinxiu city countless years back, all the patriarchs have been ambitious and capable. They never gave the Elder Council the chance to impeach them.

Besides, impeaching the patriarch for no reason would have a fatal impact on an elder's reputation.

Therefore, this rule has never been invoked since its establishment.

Lu Tao himself had never intended to resort to this measure. He initially planned to slowly encroach upon the main line's property with his strength, gradually strengthen the power of the collateral line. Eventually, Lu Tianqi, the patriarch's orders wouldn't even make it past the main entrance of the Lu family home.

By then, the entire Lu family...would completely fall into his hands.

Later, he wouldn't have to bear any infamy and his descendants could naturally become the next patriarch.

That's what Lu Tao was aiming for.

But to be certain, Lu Tao still secretly reached out to the other three elders of the collateral line, offering them an utterly tempting bribe. The elders agreed readily that if it came down to a vote on patriarchy, they would certainly side with him.

However, seeing the assured smile on Lu Tianqi's face, Lu Tao suddenly felt a little uncertain. He couldn't help but take a quick glance at the other three elders on his side.

Seeing him look over, the three elders of the collateral line all gave him a reassuring nod.

"Little brat, playing a mystery game with me? You're still wet behind the ears!" Lu Tao has finally relaxed. He laughed coldly and nodded, saying, "Sure! When I, Lu Tao, give my word, I keep it! Today in front of so many people, for the future of the Lu family, I have no choice but to be the villain once. I swear that whatever the result of today's Elder Council meeting is, I, Lu Tao, will accept it. If I go back on my word, may I be punished by heaven and earth!"

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That's the third chapter for today!

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