The second round is about survival skills.

The conditions are simple: gather all the eligible candidates in a strange city, without allowing any help from personal connections.

Of course, they can establish new connections.

Let them rely on their own efforts to survive in that city for a month.

Everything from food, drinks, accommodation, and transportation must be self-managed, and if anyone can’t endure it, they can forfeit.

Forfeiting means conceding defeat.

Anyone who doesn’t voluntarily forfeit will be considered as continuing the competition, and if they starve to death, the family won’t intervene.

Additionally, there are no rules in this round, all competitors can scheme against each other, even if it’s to the point of threatening lives, it’s accepted.

After all, being the Patriarch of the Xia Family comes with a treacherous environment, and if one can’t withstand such tactics, even if they become the patriarch, they’ll perish due to others’ schemes.

So, if you feel you’re not capable of standing until the end, don’t participate.

Xia Weibao touched her chin, thinking that this Xia Family election is too brutal!

This is forcing uncles and brothers to kill each other.

In the end, only one person wins, which means within this month, not only do you have to figure out how to survive, but also how to eliminate others.

If you can’t eliminate them, you should at least incapacitate them to quit the competition.

"Tsk tsk, is this a competition for the patriarch or fratricide? Grandpa seems to think the Xia Family legitimate lineage has too many people and wants to get rid of a few."

Xia Weibao shook her head, failing to comprehend such competition rules.

Lu Hualiang pressed close from behind, reaching out to embrace her waist.

He skillfully unfastened the buttons of her nightgown.

"This is a necessary process. The Xia Family has 500 years of heritage, it’s unfathomable, many covet it, and if a useless patriarch is chosen, downfall is inevitable.

To stand on top of everyone, bones are destined to be everywhere beneath your feet."

"But there’s no need to kill each other, right?"

Lu Hualiang explained, and she understood.

It’s like ancient emperors, how many stained their hands with blood for the Dragon throne.

It’s just that now is a time of peace, there’s no need.

Lu Hualiang removed her outer garment, lifted her up, and laid her flat on the bed.

He supported himself above, looking down.

"It’s not about actually killing someone, it’s just about kicking out the competitors.

There are many methods for elimination—injuring, bribing, threatening, intimidating, all are doable.

No one dares to really kill, after all, they’re all family. If someone kills their own kin for a position, how could such a cold-blooded person win everyone over?"

Her Majesty the Empress reflected seriously, "I don’t even know how many people I’ve offended in everyday life, how many want to kill me."

"What do you have to fear? None of them can beat you; even if they hire assassins, they can’t kill you."

"I’m afraid they won’t try to kill me."

What a great chance; as long as an assassin is sent, she can legitimately defend herself.

Lu Hualiang, "..."

She probably doesn’t realize she’s already on the assassin’s blacklist, right?

"By the way, husband, will you go?"

It’s best if he doesn’t go; she hasn’t properly rested for a month, her back is sore.

Competing for a month sounds blissful.

"Of course, I’ll go."

As if a cold bucket of water was poured over, extinguishing Her Majesty the Empress’s hope.

"It’s my competition, not yours, why do you have to go!"

Can’t even rest for one day!

"Wife, you forgot why the Xia Family invited me over as a guest?"

The Xia Family invited three major forces over as witnesses for fairness and justice.