Chapter 325 - Old Xiong's Plight
Old Xiong's silent confirmation implied that what Linfeng said likely happened in the past.
Zhou Min's heart trembled. So it was like that...
Their family should have been freed since the early times, yet for the sake of the Xiong's family interest, they were used like bulls to toil the field. He, who had studied the joint family history, truly felt indebted to the Xiong's ancestors for saving his entire family from becoming homeless and scattered slaves during the ancient times.
Without their help, the Zhou family would not exist as one now. They would lose their identity, and the Zhou family surname would disappear.
But that was all in the past. Their ancestors had paid their debts more than enough during the first hundred years of hard work under the Xiong family.
Gratitude did not mean sacrificing everything for all eternity.
Zhou Min's generation, his son's generation, and the future descendants should be living their own free lives. Too many talents of the Zhou family had lost their chances to achieve their dreams. With the Zhou family's natural qualities and capabilities, they could have reached the heights of success since a long time ago.
Unlike now, when everyone looked down on them as mere servants and loyal dogs of the Xiong family.
Butler Zhou Min could not control these selfish thoughts that were full of blame towards the people who had hid the truth from everyone.
Anyone who worked hard while fully believing in the treaty would feel betrayed once they know of the truth.
Even the most loyal aide like Butler Zhou Min felt this way.
Old Xiong tapped on the floor with his cane a couple of times. Everyone looked at him, even the conflicted butler.
The old man had a somber expression on his face. "We are not yet sure if the doc.u.ments you showed to me are true. I want to confirm it myself. Zhou Min—" Old Xiong looked at his butler solemnly.
Butler Zhou Min masked his inner turmoil and bowed respectfully. "Master?"
"Investigate it. Use the most trusted men."
"Yes, Master."
Butler Zhou Min obediently retreated and went away to make a few calls.
Old Xiong watched Butler Zhou Min step away before he turned to the young man. His frowning eyes could not help but stare at the intertwined hands of the couple. This entire time, the two did not let go of each other. As he was so immersed and shocked at the doc.u.ments presented to him, he totally forgot about these pair's affair.
It was probably intended by this cunning young man, too.
Xiong Zhi and Linfeng stayed quiet while they waited for the old man to organize his thoughts.
The elder inhaled deeply to calm his nerves and closed his eyes to think.
The shock from the information shown to him, it was too much.
A more than three hundred years old treaty, a covenant they had thought to be unbreakable... it could possibly fall into shambles if the doc.u.ments that the young man presented to him was proven true.
No, more than possible, it was a definite fate.
He tapped his cane on the floor once more, slowly pacing around.
The Zhou elders would come at any moment now. Old Xiong knew that they would not be friendly when they come later. The Zhou family would not take it lightly.
How could they take it lightly when they were used for a few hundred years when in fact, their debt was supposed to be paid since the end of that dynasty, ages ago?
If that happened according to the Second Xiong Patriarch's intentions, perhaps the Zhou family would still feel indebted and help them out after regaining their freedom. Of course, they could also forget about it after time passed.
But that did not happen. The truth was hidden and disappeared eventually while the river of time went on ruthlessly.
If the Zhou family wanted to break the treaty, they could actually do it. No one could stop them.
In fact, Old Xiong knew that the Zhou family could still consider not immediately breaking off relations, given that all the businesses they have depended heavily on the Xiong Empire. If they break the treaty on impulse, not only the Xiong family would be hurt with this, even the Zhou family's status and wealth would decrease rapidly. They could call themselves as free men, however, they would be in dire straits.
Not to mention, other families whom both families had offended would definitely take this chance to step on them. Compared to the Xiong family who had at least built extensive power and connections, those enemies would likely jump on the Zhou family, the weaker of the two, as the Zhou family had not truly built up anything of worth under their name.
This truth would also cause the two families who were once in the most intimate relationship to become at odds with each other…
Old Xiong rapped the cane on the floor again, irritation growing in his heart. He knew that he would not go down without a fight. Once the Zhou family leaves the Xiong family, he would do his best to destroy the Zhou family, in fear of them growing in power and retaliating.
They knew too much about the secrets of the Xiong Empire... What if they used those to hit the Xiong family?
That was the worst case scenario.
For the most peaceful scenario...
If ever such a fight did not happen and he considered the work they had done over the years for the Xiong's, the least he could do was to blacklist them. Still, this would not bode well for both families.
The Xiong family could still survive without the Zhou butlers, but they would be weakened tremendously. They would also have to worry about a sharp blade constantly hanging above their heads.
Old Xiong felt a massive headache. He looked angrily at the silent young man.
Was this brat going to keep silent after bringing up these outrageous things?
"What do you want to achieve with this?" Old Xiong asked angrily. "If you break the treaty, you will be destroying not just us, but your family too."
Here it comes, Linfeng thought. He could finally see the break of the dawn.
"I am not planning to destroy anyone, Master Xiong. I just want my family and my freedom back. I don't want to be forced on a marriage that I didn't wish for, nor do I want my future children's marriage to be used as pawn. I hope you understand that."
"Just... just for this arranged marriage you are willing to destroy the two families' harmony?!"
"Master Xiong, you and I know that I am not only talking about the marriage. My family should have had this freedom before." Linfeng stared directly at Old Xiong, emphasizing his words. "My family is not the one in the wrong here. We should be the ones angry at your ancestors' act of hiding this truth. The Xiong family have used us for a long time, just because of your ancestor's selfishness."
"...You!" Old Xiong could not find the words to refute.
"Master Xiong, please understand our pain. It is time for us to set on our own path and be recognized for our own worth. Also, the decision of breaking the treaty with the Xiong family will not be done by myself alone, but with my father and the elders. It is everyone's wish."
Old Xiong turned silent.
"I know what Master thinking. The Xiong family will be vulnerable without the Zhou family assisting all of you. It is like cutting off your arms and feet. It is the same with us, the Zhou family. You are like the roof of our house. Once gone, we will suffer through rainy nights and hot sun."
"..."
Linfeng could see that the old man was wavering.
"It's an undeniable truth. The two families' need each other."
Linfeng held Xiong Zhi's hand tightly.
In reality, Linfeng could take care of the Zhou family. It might be hard at first. But he was confident that two years later, with all his preparations in place, his Zhou family would become stable. They could become a third generation rich family.
On the other hand, the Xiong family would receive a heavy blow.
And Linfeng did not want that, especially because his Young Miss was the heiress. This heavy burden would fall on her shoulders. Linfeng did not want to be the cause of her suffering.
Old Xiong's face was somber as he stood quietly.
The hall was engulfed in in a bout of silence.
After a while, he finally spoke.
"Then what do you propose? You said before that you have ways for the two family to work together."
Finally.
"I do have. Though, it needs time."
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