Chapter 259 - One month and one week

The matter ended up in a standstill. They have to perform another trial, but the re-trial would include the masters and head butlers from the second branches of the Xiong and Zhou families. 

Aside from the Head Master of the branch, the second branch of the Xiong family have several masters, they were the children of the Branch Head Master. 

Each master have their own respective mansions once they formed their own families, becoming the head masters of their own mansion. Thus, there were also several head butlers from the Zhou family serving in the second branch. Each mansion would have its own head butler, serving the mansion's head master directly.

The re-trial would have a bigger voting scale. A lot of preparation would be needed, thus, this matter would be dragged on longer.

Old Xiong harrumphed. "Zhou Min, how many days would it take for the re-trial?"

"A few masters from the second branch are out of the country. It would at least take a day or two to fly here. Also, the head butlers must file a leave of absence first with their respective masters," Zhou Min informed, counting the days. 

For a butler to take a leave from their duties in the mansion, they would need to file the request at least two weeks in advance, and only after that period of time would they be allowed to leave their posts, no matter how urgent it was. 

It was part of the rules of the butlers, in order to give the butlers enough time to make arrangements in their end and avoid inconvenience for their own masters. 

Therefore, even if Master Xiong pulled all the strings, the head butlers serving the masters in the second branch could not just leave their posts and attend the re-trial, as they must adhere to the rules strictly.

"Also, Master Xiong Min has a scheduled surgery one week from now. Based on the reports, he would need to recuperate for at least a month in bed after the surgery. According to the rules of the clause, we could only conduct the re-trial again in around five to six weeks from now." 

(A/n: Xiong Min was the Head Master of the second branch, Xiong De and Xiong Cai's father, refer chap 49)

Old Xiong's eyes narrowed. His tiger-like eyes looked predatorily at Linfeng. 

That was one month plus one week... Quite a lot of time.

'Can this young man prepare something that can turn the tables to his favor?' 

Old Xiong had no choice but to wait for the re-trial. He knew about the fact that Linfeng was trying to break the treaty. But that pact stood still and firm since three hundred years ago. There was no way that this young man who was barely eighteen could destroy the treaty in just one month.

So Old Xiong was at ease about the treaty. However, his instinct told him that this young man was actually waiting for this opportunity, to buy time. Old Xiong was a cautious old man. He would not be standing where he was if he was fooled so easily.

"Fine, let's wait for six weeks from now. However, while the re-trial has not yet happened, my decision over Linfeng's marriage is clear. He can be considered as a young man who was promised to another—" he looked pointedly at Xiong Zhi as spoke.

"—and intimate actions towards another gender would be deemed as another crime. We'll see then if he can still use the same trick." 

Linfeng's face did not change after hearing what Old Xiong said, but he surreptitiously took a quick peek at his Young Miss. 

Xiong Zhi was expressionless, too, but her delicate hands were fisted together on her lap.

Old Xiong was not finished yet.

"And Zhou Min! Make sure that your son will not enter the Xiong Mansion until the re-trial is held. I do not want to see a 'sinner' coming near my granddaughter."

Xiong Zhi's eyes narrowed. This was unfair to her.

"Linfeng is my personal butler—" Xiong Zhi started to argue but Old Xiong cut her off ruthlessly.

"He was not yet your official butler. As the Head Master, I call the shots here. See, once you become the Head Master, no one can argue over your decision, or else they will be punished," the old man taunted Xiong Zhi, reminding her again of the importance and benefits of the title and status.

"No need to lecture me, I have seen it very clearly. I am also clear of what kind of life you have been living." Xiong Zhi stood up, and walked towards the door. Before leaving, she paused and said without looking back, "I will not grow old alone like you, Grandfather." 

She then left the room.

The elders hastily bowed to Master Xiong, glanced at Linfeng worriedly, before leaving the room with their stomachs churning in worry and uncertainty.

Once the elders were gone, Linfeng finally bowed respectfully to Master Xiong. He turned around and walked to the door.

"Young man, do you think you will be pardoned? All of the Xiongs will unconditionally side with me. The Zhou's second branch will not side with you in the second time. They could not support you just like how the elders did today. You have bought your time, but it can only give you false hope. I give you one last chance. Back down from this, and accept my order." 

Old Xiong was indeed mad at Linfeng, but he undeniably had soft spots for talented people. He could use this young man well, given his outstanding ability and intellect at such a young age. It would be a waste to just let this youngster's talent to rot.

As a calculative Xiong Head Master who dedicated his life for the Xiong family, Old Xiong could still weigh the benefits and the losses despite his angry heart.

Linfeng turned around and bowed once more at Old Xiong.

"My apologies, Master. My decision will not change." He straightened his body, turned back, and held the door knob. 

However, Master Xiong's stern voice sounded again.

"You'll be the downfall of my granddaughter."

Linfeng's hand that was about to turn the knob stopped. This time, he did not look back and slowly answered.

"I won't be. Master shall see that in the future. Please, excuse me." He finally opened the door and left the room, closing the door respectfully.

Old Xiong's dark eyes stayed on the closed door.

"Zhou Min."

"Yes, Master."

"How far did your son get in his investigation of the treaty?"

"Based on the reports, Linfeng recently hired translators of oriental ancient texts." 

Zhou Min also did not have any idea how Linfeng planned to break the treaty. The treaty's code and its doc.u.ments had been studied and translated by professionals many times. What else could his son discover from them?

There was no way to break it. It was an eternal pact.

"Studying the ancient artifacts? Hmm... What could your son possibly do?" Even Old Xiong thought it was impossible to break the treaty. 

The room became silent as both the master and the aide kept thinking of ways that could make Linfeng turn the table to his advantage. What cards did Linfeng have?

After a long while, Zhou Min finally asked what had been bothering his mind all this time.

"Master, about Young Miss Zhi." Butler Zhou had a hesitant look on his face. "...Are you truly going to take away the title of heir?" 

Old Xiong's already low mood plummeted down even more. He took the teacup from the table and was about to take a sip. Finding it empty, his old face scrunched up.

"Brew me tea," he said instead and handed the cup to Zhou Min.

"..."

'Master, if you are not planning to take it away, you shouldn't have said it in the first place.' 

Zhou Min quietly took the cup. The study room was lavishly furnished, securing that all necessities that the Head Master would need would be readily available. There was a small kitchen slash bar at the back, which contained everything needed for tea preparation.

He brewed the tea on the small tea table in the study room, his actions well practiced, like a work of art.

While busying himself, Zhou Min's mind floated, thinking that his master was really pitiful.

This time, his Master was too angry, fought with his granddaughter, and said things he did not mean to say. Now, his relationship with his granddaughter had turned for the worst.

After receiving the steaming cup of tea, Old Xiong let out a tired sigh. His tight nerves loosened up a bit.

Old Xiong still remembered every single word his granddaughter had said. It was the first time that he saw his granddaughter become so mad, thus, the episode earlier was such an unforgettable moment for Master Xiong. 

After a long while, Old Xiong's lips moved.

"Zhou Min, tell me honestly, do I look unhappy living my life this way?" 

The old man's voice had a hint of bitterness. Cleary, he took Xiong Zhi's words deeply. The old man's heart and pride had taken a huge blow.

Zhou Min could not answer. He just poured him another cup of tea.