Chapter 354 - Breaking the Treaty (Final)
The Zhou butlers wanted to stop Old Xiong, but they dared not approach easily. They looked at Zhou Min who was closest to the Head Master. Yet Zhou Min just stood there and accepted the bow. His eyes were red though. He did not expect that Old Xiong would do this.
This made the Zhou butlers stiffen in confusion. What was happening? The head butler would not allow a master to bow to them as an equal, what more of the head master. There was the treaty that bound them in a strict master and servant relationship. The head butler should know that.
All of the rules, traditions, etiquette, and knowledge they learned with their heart and soul went against the current scene.
While the butlers were in the midst of chaos, they heard a voice at the side.
"I thank all of the Zhou butlers who worked hard for us all these years. My dear Xiong family, the Head Master has bowed, please follow grandfather's will and show our gratitude to our confidants from the Zhou family."
Xiong Zhi appeared standing in front of her seat without anyone noticing it.
With grace and dignity, she then bowed to a certain direction sincerely. Specifically, to her butler who has been hiding his presence behind the pillar, the person who supported and worked hard for her since the past life until this life.
Her cool voice was very sincere and warm. "Thank you for your hard work."
"!!!"
Aside from the frozen-stiff Zhou butlers, the Xiong family members themselves were shocked at the sudden turn of the events.
What in the world was this grandfather and granddaughter pair doing?!
How could they bow to the Zhou, their mere servants?!
They knew the treaty very well. The two families were not equals! This actions were beneath the Xiong's dignity!
Most of them have their minds raging in indignation, but with the two headmasters from the first branch bowing to the Zhou family, a lot of the Xiong members started following, too.
The first ones were Uncle Nuen Zai and Aunt Mai. They bowed to the closest Zhou butlers. "We thank the Zhou family for your hard work all these years."
Xiong Gaiyu who had witnessed the retrial before seemed to notice something. She stood up gracefully, looked at her butler, and bowed. "Thank you for your hard work."
The butler opened his mouth but was unable to say anything, fl.u.s.tered.
Xiong Bilan was confused but quick-witted. He gave a bow to his butler. Now, willing or not, all of the Xiong members followed and murmured their thanks to their butlers.
The guests looked on with mixed shock and schadenfreude, unable to make heads or tails with it.
The Zhou butlers were beyond shocked now. They did know what to do or how to respond. Was it okay to receive their master's bow like this? They were used to being in a lower position where some of them have been mocked, shouted at, and was vented upon. Some were lucky to be under a rational and kind master. But not all of them have such luck.
The butlers were choked up with emotions at the unprecedented show of gratitude, their eyes inadvertently reddening. It was most unexpected and special to the butlers who have unreasonable masters who never gave them an ounce of care, such as Xiong De's and Xiong Wuyue's butlers. Seeing their temperamental, proud, and lofty masters bowing in front of them made them feel good and comforted.
Though, they were still confused of these unexpected events.
After a while, Old Xiong straightened up from his bow. Xiong Zhi followed. The rest of the Xiong followed, too, much to their relief.
For Old Xiong, that bow did not only contain simple thanks, but also his deep apology for what his ancestors have done.
He took a quick glance at his granddaughter. Then he continued his speech sincerely.
"All of the people invited here are important friends and colleagues of the Xiong family. Everyone, I hope you can join me today in congratulating the Zhou family. This night is dedicated to them."
"..."
There was a sudden premonition in the air, but no one could tell what it was at the moment.
The hall was filled with nervousness and waiting breaths.
The guest waited, while the Zhou family sucked in their breaths in nervousness. The Zhou elders at the side gulped. They knew what was happening. But seeing the major event, the turning point of the entire history of the Zhou family, unfold in front of their eyes... It was too much for their hearts to take in.
Their hearts were filled with a choking feeling, and their eyes reddened in emotion.
Finally...
"The Zhou family is no longer bound to the treaty."
"..."
"???"
Everyone froze.
...What did he just say?
"Tonight, the Xiong family shall break the treaty. Henceforth, the Zhou family will no longer be obligated to serve under the Xiong family. The Zhou family proved themselves capable and can stand equal to the Xiong family. All these years, they helped bring us to the greatest heights. They have paid everything their ancestors owed to our family more than enough, excellently."
"..!"
"...!!!!!!!"
Hushed silence.
The news was too much to take in, that all of the people could not believe their ears.
The Zhou butlers were dazed. Many of the Xiong family members jumped up in stupefaction.
The old man on the stage ignored their eyes and continued to drill in his words into the ears of everyone who were still in disbelief.
"The treaty between the Zhou family and the Xiong family no longer exists."
This time the guests began to collect themselves one by one, and the words began to sink in and register in their minds. They glanced at each other with disbelief and amazement.
"I and the elders of the Zhou family... reached an agreement that all of the Zhou family members can voluntarily leave their ranks and choose the paths that they wish to take without worrying about the burden of the treaty any longer. You can also leave at a later time as you wish. No one has the power to stop you."
Old Xiong slowly dictated as he looked one by one at the Zhou butlers whose eyes were wide open with dumbfounded expressions. He had to repeat it clearly for all of them to hear.
"I, the head elder of the 15th generation of the Xiong family, in behalf of the wishes of our ancestors, hereby announce that the Xiong family willingly puts an end to the treaty with the Zhou Family."
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