Delphine's face flashed with a trace of astonishment. It was only after hearing Desmond Wood carefully recount these unknown matters that she realized—there truly existed families whose ancestors basked in excessive glory, ultimately choosing to retreat and live in seclusion.
The ancestors had risen to the position of Grand Secretary, nurturing three thousand disciples under their wing. In an era where officials were selected through imperial exams, such power and influence were unparalleled. These dense network-like connections were passed down generation after generation, resembling a formidable giant. Even though in recent generations the family members suffered heavy losses during wartime, the deep-rooted foundation inherited across time was something neither ordinary noble families nor nouveau riche could compare to.
