"Could it be that he wasn't poisoned from the very beginning?"
Upon thinking this, Qin Anbang's expression gradually turned grim.
Seeing this, Song Xian quickly pinched Qin Anbang's thigh hard.
This brought him back to his senses.
Qin Anbang's anomaly went unnoticed.
At this moment, all eyes were once again focused on the overwhelmingly powerful Qin Shoujiang.
After completing his previous actions, Qin Shoujiang did not offer any evaluation of Qin Wenchang's movements.
He merely nodded gently, signaling the other to sit down, and then reiterated the question he had already asked twice.
"How about it? Is there anyone else who wishes to become the Qin family head?"
"Grandfather, there's me."
This time, Qin Xuan did not make Qin Shoujiang or the other Qin family members wait long.
As soon as Qin Shoujiang finished speaking, Qin Xuan stood up and bowed deeply to him.
However, just as everyone was waiting for Qin Xuan to explain his reasons for wanting to be the Qin family head, Qin Xuan sat back down in his grand tutor chair and casually crossed his legs, looking as if he had everything under control.
"What, what does this mean?"
"Is he serious, or is he just here to join the fun?"
Qin Xuan's action completely bewildered those who were still wavering.
They had initially intended to choose the most powerful among those who actively wanted to be the family head, but they hadn't expected Qin Xuan to act as if he were just getting up to play.
But then, to everyone's speechlessness.
The Qin family's old patriarch, Qin Shoujiang, seemed to have none of the same questions as the others.
When he heard Qin Xuan say he wanted to be the family head, his entire face was about to break into a smile.
With such a satisfied expression, it wasn't just his familiar relatives, but even a complete stranger witnessing this scene would know exactly who his favored candidate was!
"No wonder Qin Xuan couldn't be bothered to say another word; it turns out he was already pre-selected by the old patriarch."
"Indeed, it seems the deliberate cancellation of his direct inheritance of the family head position was just for show."
Although they dared not discuss it loudly, the Qin family members seated in the back of the banquet were still discussing Qin Shoujiang's recent behavior in hushed tones, audible only to a few.
However, Qin Shoujiang clearly paid no mind to this. After Qin Xuan sat down, he formally expressed his thoughts to everyone.
"Although Anbang controls the most family assets, as Anrong said, his methods are insufficient. Therefore, the position of Qin family head cannot be inherited by him."
"As for Anrong, she has strong methods and outstanding capabilities, but unfortunately, she has no talent to help our Qin family advance further in martial arts."
"Therefore, the position of Qin family head cannot be inherited by her either."
"Finally, there is Wenchang."
"Wenchang's talent is indeed unmatched in our Qin family. A Grandmaster at twenty years old, even among the hidden aristocratic families, he would be considered one of the very best."
"However, he is still young, and in terms of both experience and temperament, he cannot compare to the other two."
"So, it is a great pity that he too will be unable to attain the position of Qin family head..."
"Hehehe, looking at it this way, among the four people who actively wish to be the Qin family head, only Qin Xuan possesses sufficient ability to shoulder this great responsibility."
"In that case, I shall announce that when I abdicate, Qin Xuan will be the next Qin family head, leading the entire Qin family into the future. What do you say?"
While asking for opinions, Qin Shoujiang's tone was undeniably resolute.
He had intended to fully present Qin Xuan to all the Qin family members at this family banquet.
And the near-ultimatum behavior of Qin Anbang and others had indirectly helped him bring up this topic.
Therefore, seizing this opportunity, he decided to drop all pretense.
His second son and third daughter, and all others, would have to step aside. The next family head would undoubtedly be his eldest grandson!
Of course, once Qin Shoujiang made his statement, Qin Anbang and the others could not simply accept it.
As the saying goes, if you want to take the palace, you must first make a move.
So, as Qin Shoujiang's words "What do you say?" slowly concluded, Qin Anbang immediately stood up and voiced his objection.
He could no longer afford to fear his father.
Because he knew that if he failed to ascend this time, he would never have another opportunity.
"Father, this doesn't seem right!"
"Qin Xuan has only just returned to the Qin family, and you're already designating him as the future family head?"
"Do you know his character or his capabilities?"
"In the future, when you are no longer here, can a young man like him support the Qin family? Can he lead the Qin family further?"
"These are all questions."
"Therefore, I believe your decision is too hasty."
"Hasty?"
"Hahahaha!"
"Well said!"
Upon hearing his son speak to him in a somewhat forceful tone, Qin Shoujiang's first reaction was not anger, but laughter.
He was pleased that his timid second son, who dared not openly defy him, had finally shown some backbone in front of him!
If Qin Anbang had possessed such a personality from the beginning, perhaps the succession of the Qin family head position would have been reconsidered.
However, with a better option now available, Qin Shoujiang would not give him any more chances, no matter what.
Of course, while he wouldn't give him a chance, he would still provide him with a stage for performance.
After all, there were not a few people in the Qin family who shared Qin Anbang's mindset. Only by decisively dealing with his son could Qin Xuan truly establish a firm foothold in the Qin family in the future.
This was also a step that Qin Shoujiang had planned for long ago.
"Since you believe my decision is too hasty, I will give you an opportunity."
"Present your reasons why you believe you are stronger than him, and perhaps, I will consider it."
"Grandfather, there's me too!"
Seeing that there seemed to be room for change from Qin Shoujiang, Qin Wenchang could no longer sit still.
Disregarding Qin Wusheng's frantic reminders from the side, he directly stood up and shouted towards Qin Shoujiang.
Hearing Qin Wenchang's call, Qin Shoujiang nodded gently, feeling no particular emotion.
After all, compared to Qin Anbang, who had more support, Qin Wenchang's advantage lay solely in his excellent personal talent.
He did not know what level Qin Xuan had reached in his cultivation, but he knew that the latter had been a Martial Grandmaster for a long time.
Therefore, in terms of cultivation, comparing himself to Qin Wenchang would be an advantage for Qin Xuan.
Without further words, Qin Shoujiang leaned back, awaiting the new round of performances from the two.
However, to his disappointment, Qin Anbang and Qin Wenchang did not present anything new.
Apart from agreeing in their questioning of Qin Xuan.
Qin Anbang could only incessantly recount his achievements.
Qin Wenchang could only continuously paint a rosy future for the Qin family cultivators.
This was not what Qin Shoujiang wanted to see.
With a wave of his hand, Qin Shoujiang directly interrupted their passionate speeches.
Then, like a tyrannical emperor, he issued his command.
"Since this is all you can do, then this matter is settled."
"From today onwards, Qin Xuan is the next heir to the Qin family head. All of you present, prepare for the handover of assets."