Chapter 253 - Zhou Linfeng
The atmosphere was harsher than earlier when Xiong Gaiyu and Xiong Cai was present. Perhaps because two Xiong masters from the first line were facing each other in the room with cold eyes, baring fangs at one another.
Old Xiong squinted darkly at his granddaughter for a moment.
"We are not going to discuss this with you. Last chance, get out and be on your own, or my butler will forcefully drag you out of here," the elderly head said with a face so frightening that even the Zhou elders subconsciously took a step back.
Although the man was already old, his menacing aura was still at its peak.
Even Xiong Zhi could feel that. She took a deep breath to ease her discomfort. She could not just back down easily because of something like this.
"Grandfather, I am your official heiress now. I have a say on this matter. If you drag me out, aren't you disrespecting the entire Zhou family and both of our family's ancestors who made this vow?"
All the people stilled. Old Xiong became speechless.
Grandpa Zhou finally took the courage to step up.
"Master Xiong, Young Miss Zhi is right. This has to be witnessed and judged by the Zhou elders, and the Masters of the first in line. With this, Young Miss Zhi would have firsthand experience of the private trial for the butlers. As the future head of the family—"
"Enough. I heard what you said." Old Xiong had black lines on his forehead. He sat back to his seat.
"Let's begin now and finish this as soon as possible."
The elders let out a secret sigh of relief after hearing the old master say this.
"However, I want you to know that my decision will not change. No matter what this brat says," Old Xiong uttered as he looked at the back of Linfeng's head. He was clearly disappointed with him.
Xiong Zhi finally sat down with furrowed brow, her concerned gaze draping over the kneeling man.
Until now, Zhou Min had kept his promise to his grandfather and did not mention what this trial of one chance of pardon was all about. Even the elders did not have a clue as to why they were called here in a rush, for they have not received any explanation. Their hearts were hanging on air all this time starting from when Zhou Min said on the phone that Linfeng had brought up the pardoning clause.
Everyone settled inside the room, their gazes focused on the unmoving man. The trial finally began.
When Linfeng was called to state his side, he at last stood up from the ground. He did not look at anyone's eyes, and especially avoided the intense gaze of his treasured girl.
"I am asking for pardon, as I have disobeyed Master Xiong's order..."
Linfeng hesitated to continue. This was his problem alone, but his Young Miss was now getting involved in this. No matter what, his will to not accept this order became firmer.
"...with regards to the marriage he painstakingly arranged for me."
"...!"
Aside from Butler Zhou Min and Master Xiong, everyone else in the room let out a shocked gasp.
The elders did not know which one surprised them more—Linfeng's arranged marriage, or Linfeng disobeying a direct order in front of the Master himself. The Master had also just made his stance clear a minute ago.
In front of the elders, it was like Linfeng had slapped Old Xiong on the face.
Compared to them, Xiong Zhi's face instantly turned dark.
Since rebirth, she had not expected this problem. This situation did not happen in the past life after all. How come Linfeng was given an order like this?
Arranging his marriage?
Xiong Zhi's gloomy eyes turned to her grandfather, who happened to be staring back at her.
She was not polite at all as she stared at him coldly.
Old Xiong's brow furrowed.
His granddaughter was actually challenging him right now! He had never seen his granddaughter so brazen like this, speaking to him without respect and staring at him impolitely.
However, Xiong Zhi no longer cared about that. She was angry inside. Was it that arranging a monstrous marriage for her in the past not enough? That even Linfeng had to succ.u.mb in a similar fate like her past self?
Did the heavens hate for them to be together so much, that they always found ways to pull them apart?
Xiong Zhi's hand clenched tightly.
No, even the heavens felt it was all unfair for them, that they gave her a second chance.
Since the heavens had given her this chance, they could never take it back from her! She would use everything in this second life, and not let anyone or anything block her way from being together with Linfeng!
Her gaze fell on Linfeng who had lowered his gaze on the ground.
She missed him so much. She did not expect that this would be the situation once they met again.
Silence took over the room for a moment, as the sudden news took time to settle in their minds.
The elders had a complicated look on their faces. Having the Xiong family arrange a marriage for the Zhou family members was not uncommon. In the very long period of their history together, there have been such cases.
So it should not be such a big matter. Why would their talented and wise grandson use the one chance of pardon just for this? Not to mention, the arranged marriage came from the highest order. Was the partner so ugly? Or they had a very low status that Linfeng had to refuse it?
As if Old Xiong sensed their thoughts, he added the details.
"I gave a huge opportunity to this young man. To raise his status and have more stability in the Zhou family and the Xiong Empire, I allowed this young man to marry my granddaughter from the second branch. Gaiyu is a sensible and wise woman. She does not lack anything in terms of appearance, wealth, and status. Moreover, she is a Xiong. Yet this ungrateful brat is not satisfied with the conditions."
The elders looked at Old Xiong with widened eyes.
A butler will marry a Xiong? A lady from the Master's family?!
This was a great honor for their Zhou family! Not only that, their grandson's future would no doubt be prosperous, it could only flourish more.
Who would not want that?!
They looked at Linfeng and hated the metal for not being steel. How could he be so dumb to not differentiate good things from bad?
Their grandson had always been wise and they took pride in him. He should know the benefit it would bring to their family.
Linfeng could sense their disappointed stares. He looked up and met the elder's eyes one by one and spoke slowly.
He wanted them to hear and understand what he was about to say.
"I want to ask my only chance of pardon for disobeying my master's orders. I am a person with free will and feelings. I have my own opinions and plans for my own marriage." He took a deep breath, and slowly spat it out. "I am not looking at the benefits it would bring, but at the long years that Young Miss Gaiyu and I will have to endure."
Linfeng earnestly bowed to the elders.
"I am truly sorry to disappoint Master and the elders. But this arranged marriage, I truly cannot agree."
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