Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1055: Knowing one’s place

"Do you happen to know that your family's succession struggle is closely tied to the Imperial Family's own succession battle?", Wei Lan inquired immediately after her initial statement.

"T-the Imperial Family?", Jian Yu's eyebrows shot up. He had been too engrossed in his own family's affairs for much of his life to pay attention to the larger matters of the entire Dynasty, only vaguely aware of what was transpiring with them.

"Yes, that is also a reason why we are interested in interfering with your family's succession dispute", Wei Lan affirmed with a nod, "Since the two are intertwined."

"I am aware that my second brother's maternal family appears to be staunch supporters of the Fourth Prince... that's the extent of my knowledge", Jian Yu stated, shaking his head. He couldn't fathom how this constituted a significant connection, as there was no discernible opposing prince involvement.

"That cloaked individual who attempted to disrupt your enlightenment – who do you believe they were working for?", Wu Long posed the question, adding, "Unless, of course, you entertain the notion that he was a complete stranger, coincidentally intervening only to distract the Steward, which then 'conveniently' provided your brother an opportunity to seize your enlightenment?"

"Y-you are suggesting...", Jian Yu's eyes widened in realization.

"Your eldest brother has no real desire to compete with your second oldest brother, who possesses a more substantial background than you. Therefore, he would not dispatch someone to undermine you while you are vying against each other. If he wished for one of you two to triumph in this competition, it would be you," Wei Lan elaborated. "Only the second son benefits from your failure in this undertaking, and it was an added bonus if he could acquire your enlightenment."

"B-but how does that connect to the Imperial succession battle?", Jian Yu displayed a look of confusion, despite acknowledging the plausibility of their explanation.

"The cloaked man was not directly employed by the second son either," Wu Long countered, shaking his head. "He was dispatched by the maternal family of the Fourth Prince."

"F-fourth...?"

"Prior to Princess Wei Zhenhui's emergence, the Third and Fifth Princes were generally regarded as the most formidable contenders for the throne, as they garnered the allegiance of most high-ranking nobles. However, while that was unfolding, the Fourth and Eighth Princes were quietly and meticulously engaged in a far less conspicuous, yet potentially more crucial, struggle for regional noble houses situated beyond the capital," Wu Long elucidated.

"So... the Fourth Prince's faction desires my second brother's victory, intending to acquire the Crimson Arrow Manor through him?", Jian Yu queried, his eyes narrowing. "Why wouldn't they strike a bargain with the Clan Ancestor directly?"

"They likely attempted to, but your Clan Ancestor is hardly willing to be a mere pawn; he harbors greater ambitions," Wu Long remarked, shaking his head. "The marriages your father undertook occurred before the princes were even born, but the concubines had already been chosen and dispatched to the Imperial Palace – that was your Clan Ancestor's gamble."

The Jian Family, residing in Crimson Arrow Manor, was a regional noble house. Much like the Ko Family in bygone days, they commanded their own continent. However, theirs, unlike the remote Soft Meadow Continent, was situated much nearer to the capital of the Wei Dynasty and was far more prosperous, being strategically located on numerous heavily trafficked trade and travel routes.

They possessed a substantial contingent of warriors serving as City Guards for their domain and as garrisons for the World Stone control points, in addition to maintaining order across the continent. Yet, their greatest pride remained their private army of elite archers.

It was owing to this formidable private army, and the Family's own renown and prestige, that they became known as the 'Bow of the Wei Dynasty'.

A glorious and esteemed title, until one grasped the underlying implication: they were perpetually destined to be merely that – a bow. Not even an archer, a more independent entity – but a bow. A tool, an instrument wielded by the Imperial Family.

They were never intended to transcend this role, as they constituted a component of the force through which the Imperial Family exerted dominion over the other nobles.

Their noble title and bestowed territory served as an opulent golden manacle, designed to both keep them in check and placate them with their designated role as a loyal subordinate.

Consequently, the sole illegitimate heir within their succession struggle was not the only one in that family harboring a grievance.

Over considerable time, indicators of escalating discontent regarding their standing and treatment within the Empire began to surface, not only within the Jian Family itself but also among the broader ranks of their Clan Bow-Warriors who pledged loyalty to them.

For countless years, spanning nearly one hundred millennia of their dynasty's existence, every attempt at forging marriage alliances with nobles of higher standing was consistently thwarted, either by the Imperial Family's direct intervention or by the machinations of the high noble circles themselves. Consequently, they were relegated to forming unions with middling nobles of comparable rank, either those residing within the Capital or others from their own regional standing.

Periodically, when the pressure mounted to keep them in check, even marriages with lesser noble houses were forcefully arranged.

This entrenched situation only began to shift during the current generation. A calamitous event early in the reign of the current Emperor led to the downfall of numerous powerful noble houses, significantly eroding the collective power of the nobility relative to the Imperial Family.

However, this upheaval also loosened the Imperial Family's grip on other similarly subservient clans, those bearing titles like Bows, Swords, Blades, Spears, and Shields within the Dynasty. These houses began to cautiously reassert themselves, harboring their own burgeoning ambitions.

Previously, defying the Imperial Family's will could result in complete isolation, loss of protection, and swift annihilation by a more powerful noble. Now, the formidable noble houses were too preoccupied with their own recovery and wary of any actions that might provoke the now-watchful Imperial Family.

Simultaneously, the Imperial Family hesitated to further alienate their 'loyal hounds.' They had expended considerable political capital in dismantling the powerful nobles not long before. The loss of support from these regional noble houses would not only create an opening for the recuperating high nobles but also diminish the Dynasty's overall strength in comparison to neighboring Dynasties, should they be compelled to crush some of their own foundational power.

Recognizing that the current struggle among the imperial heirs for the throne presented a rare and perhaps unrepeatable opportunity, a multitude of smaller and regional noble houses, including the Jian Family, chose to stake their future on this moment of potential upheaval.

Wu Long merely needed to elucidate the Jian Family's history, its aspirations, and the overarching political climate for Jian Yu to grasp the undeniable truth: he was never intended to ascend as the Clan Head of the Crimson Arrow Manor.

His role was merely that of a pawn, designed to sow discord and delay the inevitable confrontation between two far more significant candidates, until it became clear which of them would best serve the Jian Family's ultimate goal of attaining a higher status.

Even if his eldest brother's faction didn't openly align with any specific prince, it would still be a more advantageous position than aligning with the family that supported the 4th prince, should one of the other contenders ultimately win the throne.

Thus, the decision was never about individual merit or suitability for the position; it had always been about their lineage and connections.

"It matters not your origins, nor how others perceive you; what truly counts is whether you possess the fortitude to seize greatness. Prove your inherent worth—that is the sole key to triumph." These hypocritical words, spoken by the Clan Ancestor, Jian Yu's grandfather, which preached the exact opposite, echoed incessantly in his mind as he sat there, somewhat stunned by this stark realization.

These words had been directed at the then six-year-old Jian Yu upon his reception into the family, the first time in his young life that he had received genuine care.

He had understood back then that to continue living a life far better than the first six years he endured, all he needed to do was heed those words. In doing so, he was assured of continued care and even support.

Yet, perhaps even more potent than this pragmatic understanding, he yearned for a semblance of familial affection, a warmth he perceived in the old man's gaze.

Only now did the devastating truth dawn upon him: the gaze he so desperately sought was merely that of someone appraising a useful tool. Even those pronouncements... the Clan Ancestor wasn't speaking to Jian Yu's potential, but rather expressing his own ambition for the Jian Family to achieve a higher standing than he himself had reached. Jian Yu, it turned out, was merely the sacrificial pawn facilitating that singular ambition.

This revelation churned his stomach, a wave of nausea washing over him as the recently consumed food threatened to resurface.

Wei Lan's expression softened into one of melancholic empathy. True to her inherently compassionate nature, she felt a pang of sorrow for the young man. She exhaled gently, a subtle ripple of Earth Qi emanating from her, formless and ethereal.

Jian Yu, enveloped by this comforting sensation, felt as though he had found solid, dependable ground beneath his feet just as he teetered on the verge of collapse. His stomach, too, gradually settled.

Wu Long offered a warm smile at her display of kindness, his hand resting on Wei Lan's shoulder, caressing it rhythmically as he drew her closer. She leaned into him, returning his smile.

"Th-thank you," Jian Yu murmured, lowering his head as his composure returned. "My apologies for losing my composure."

"It is perfectly understandable, given what you've just realized," Wei Lan responded with a sincerity and warmth that felt utterly genuine. "I do hope, however, that this moment of pain serves to shield you from even greater suffering in the future.""It is indeed fortunate that I comprehended everything now, rather than after a protracted yet ultimately futile struggle," he expressed with a sigh, his head nodding in agreement. A wry smile then graced Jian Yu's features. "I must extend my gratitude. Perhaps, despite your own selfish motives in approaching me, you two are, quite possibly, the only individuals who have conversed with me more sincerely and honestly than my own kin... than anyone else in my life." "That is because speaking the truth to you helps in gaining your trust," Wu Long chuckled, his blunt and direct manner proving surprisingly refreshing to Jian Yu. "And perhaps, it can also help us gain your cooperation." "Though, what would you gain from assisting me?" Jian Yu also let out a chuckle. He recognized his dire need for external aid if he wished to merely survive, let alone harbor any aspirations. "Well, for starters, we have our own candidate for the throne whom we intend to support," Wu Long responded. "And once you are acknowledged as a participant in the battle for succession, regardless of being an illegitimate heir, you are eligible to assume the position of Family Head. Coincidentally, we can address the discontent within your family regarding their status and treatment." — Not long after Jian Yu's departure, Wei Lan found herself nestled in Wu Long's embrace, facing an empty seat opposite them. "Thank you, Lan'er." "Hehe, I did nothing," she replied modestly. "You did," Wu Long chuckled, planting a kiss upon her forehead. "You bore a significant burden in this endeavor. I doubt I could have penetrated his defenses and dispelled his suspicions so readily without your presence. Even if I had succeeded through greater effort, the result wouldn't have been as complete – he would still harbor lingering doubts after our meeting, unlike now. Furthermore, you aided me in perceiving his nature more clearly, thereby alleviating my own reservations about recruiting him. Thus, you have been of immense help." "In that case, I desire a kiss here instead," she grinned, pointing a finger towards her lips. This caused him to smile and utter that he required little persuasion, before sealing their lips with his.