Chapter 314 - The Result of the Retrial, Old Xiong and Xiong Min (1/2)

Silence enveloped the hall for a moment.

Many people's faces paled, especially the elders from the Zhou's first branch. Although they knew that it was inevitable, hearing the hammer slam down in their ears still brought them much shock, anguish, and disappointment.

Exile.

Butler Zhou Min's words rang in Xiong Zhi's ears.

The chill in her body pervaded her senses. The faintly trembling hands shook. Even if she had fearfully predicted that this would happen, she was still heavily impacted by the results.

No. She must not let this continue. She refused to believe that Linfeng would truly be exiled to some godforsaken place!

Xiong Zhi clenched his trembling hands. She opened her mouth to speak, but Old Xiong spoke first.

”The result of the voting was to exile Linfeng, however, considering that the Zhou family is the most trusted friend of the Xiong family for centuries, I shall give Linfeng one last chance,”

Old Xiong said as he observed everyone's varying expressions, especially noticing his granddaughter's wan face.

”I can still forgive him for his crime and forego the exile, if he is willing to accept my arrangement.”

The elder turned to the young man whose demeanor remained unusually calm throughout the trial.

Old Xiong continued, ”Linfeng, this is the last time I will repeat this. Will you accept the marriage I have arranged for you? Think carefully, for this is your final chance. You can no longer turn back. It is not only exile you will face, but according to the rules of the trial, your name will be forever removed from the Zhou family registry. You will no longer be part of the Zhou family.”

The elders of the Zhou family looked at Linfeng with a hint of pleading.

They hoped Linfeng would agree, but they all knew that with his personality, he would never bow once he made a firm decision.

Grandpa Zhou's chest began to heave up and down, finding it difficult to breathe. Grandma Zhou, with reddened eyes, rubbed her old spouse's chest to calm him down.

Xiong Cai, on the other hand, gulped nervously, glaring at Linfeng hard. His fate would be sealed here if this young butler agreed. Do not agree! Absolutely must not!

Xiong Gaiyu kept silent as she watched everything with indifference, as if the matter had nothing to do with her. No matter the result was, her marriage life would still not be controlled by her. Linfeng might not become her husband, but another man would come in the future with the arrangement of the elders. It was the fate she had long succ.u.mbed herself into as a Xiong lady.

Xiong Wuyue's face was distorted, but she knew that she must keep her calm at all cost in front of Old Xiong. She gritted her teeth as she inwardly cursed Xiong Zhi and Xiong Gaiyu inside her mind.

It was all that bitch Xiong Zhi's fault that this happened! Why couldn't they exile her instead! And that s.l.u.t, Xiong Gaiyu, she dared to dream of eating swan meat? She did not deserve Linfeng at all!

Meanwhile, Xiong Zhi was as stiff as a stone. She knew that Linfeng would not agree, but then... what would happen next? He said he had plans, but could it overturn this situation? She believed in Linfeng, but she just could not afford to lose him!

They all shot their gazes at the young man, Zhou Linfeng, who was about to lose his surname 'Zhou'.

Amidst the surrounding people's various inner turmoil, Linfeng slowly stood up, faced Old Xiong, and bowed respectfully.

”I deeply apologize, Master Xiong. I am grateful with your benevolence. Many times, Master Xiong had given me chances to change my mind. I can truly feel your trust and affection for the Zhou family.” He paused and straightened his body, but his head remained lowered in penitence.

”This young one truly do not deserve it. I am sorry, but I will still hold on to my conviction that my marriage should not be controlled for political reasons.”

Old Xiong's eyes darkened dangerously. Even when he, the Head Master of the Xiong family, had given him mercy many times over, this young man still refused to give face!

The young man's handsome facial features shone under the light, his back stood firm, as his calm voice continued to reverberate inside the hall.

”Marriage will last for a lifetime. I do not wish to live in a lifetime of regret and sorrow. Thus, I humbly refuse. I apologize for disappointing you all, Master Xiong... and my Elders.” He finally raised his head and looked straight at Old Xiong's eyes. His eyes did not hold any challenge or defiance in them, but it was clear and was filled with sincerity.

”However, my stance will not change.”

Silence.

Xiong Cai breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiong Bilan raised a brow at the young man's daring guts. This boy was truly brave to actually defy Old Xiong repeatedly. Although he was foolish, this courage was somehow admirable. A little cub was not really afraid of the tiger's might.

No one dared to speak. After a while, Old Xiong asked Linfeng in a dark voice, ”Do you understand the meaning of being exiled by the Xiong and Zhou families?”

”Yes, I am aware.”

Old Xiong erupted. ”Then why? How could you still be so stubborn!” He was so angry at this talented young man who wanted to waste his bright future for his obstinacy.