When that question was out, all sounds in the room ceased to exist.
There was a moment of silence as the people in the room tried to compose themselves. The onlookers from Ming Zhi Yi's side, however, were visibly shocked.
What...?
Master's mother...?
They don't have any idea what transpired between their Master's dead family and the old man on the ground. They only knew that their Master had done this vendetta to finish off the legendary families. To come out as a winner of the battle and dominate the upper society.
So they were surprised that their formidable Master had mentioned his mother. They put the pieces together.
Perhaps the battle with the four families was only a front to get rid of the old head of the Lu family!
Ming Zhi Yi's subordinates felt the fear in their hearts towards their Master's fortified. It turned out their Master was unraveling a long lasted vengeance!
The subordinates then trembled. Was it alright to hear all of this?
The people on Ming Zhi Yi's side were dumbfounded by what they learned, it was only Butler Qian who was composed and stared coldly at Old Lu.
On the other hand, Lu Yin Ze and Tang Xinyang who were not fully aware of Ming Zhi Yi's identity had their eyes wide.
Lu Yin Ze knew that there was a deep grudge between Ming Zhi Yi and his grandfather. It was so deep that Ming Zhi Yi schemed to enter the Lu family by marrying his mother. But he did not know that this feud started so long ago, the seed of hatred and anger was planted at the time of his grandfather's generation.
What was the whole story between Ming Zhi Yi and his grandfather?
Old Lu's heart skipped a beat. His eyes shook from Ming Zhi Yi's question.
Did he regret choosing Prescilia over Lady Qian?
Of course not! He loved Prescilia more than anything. He did everything he could to stop the Qian family from marrying into their Lu family. He never once regretted that choice.
However, if he said those words out loud, Ming Zhi Yi would not like the answer. He would likely carve his name on the young heiress's flesh!
If it was his flesh that would have to be carved upon, he would answer without a doubt that he would choose Prescilia all over again, even his whole body was covered in scars. Even if he dies, he would swear upon his life that he did not regret marrying Prescilla.
However...
Old Lu looked at the young people on the ground. He glanced at his grandson who was gagged and bleeding. Then to Guan Gu Ri who was disfigured. To Xiong Zhi who was trembling from the pain as her wrist bleed from the carved name. He looked at Tang Xinyang whose head was still in the sack and was beaten.
Old Lu closed his eyes painfully.
He loved his wife the most. But he needs to lie.
Lu Yin Ze watched with wide eyes as his grandfather looked down and answered with a weak and defeated voice, "I...I r-reg....ret."
Lu Yin Ze: !!!!
There was hatred, heartache, and understanding in Lu Yin Ze's blue irises.
He of all people knew very well how his grandfather loved his grandmother. He had never met his grandmother, but she was alive in his bedtime stories, to his grandfather's stories, to his grandfather's mind and heart. Lu Yin Ze's turned teary as he felt his grandfather's helplessness.
Ming Zhi Yi's eyes sparkled with joy. He pretended he did not hear it.
So the man leaned forward and titled his head, it revealed his slender jaw and straight nose line. A mischievous smile etched on his handsome face. In dim lighting, he looked like a playful devil who was playing with his toy. And his toy was these people's lives.
"Oh. Can't you repeat that? I can't hear you well?"
"I said I regretted it!"
In contrast to what he said, Old Lu's eyes were red with unbearable anger and shame.
'Prescilla...my love....please forgive me this once. My sins could not be carried by these innocent people anymore.'
Ming Zhi Yi burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You regretted it! It comes from your own mouth!"
He then swiftly turned his head to the side. Particularly to the terrifying pale woman who has a rope on her neck.
The woman with a blank look suddenly smiled creepily. The half of her face turned into a big mouth. She looked terrifying. But for Ming Zhi Yi, it was a sweet smile that he had not seen for so long.
Ming Zhi Yi smiled as he watched his mother smile for the first time. He seemed to hear his mother's cheerful voice celebrating the victory he achieved for his mother.
Ming Zhi's smiling face turned to Old Lu, "Since you made my mother happy, I will consider this answer as a correct one."
Old Lu whose heart was hanging on a thread was about to sigh in relief when Ming Zhi Yi spoke again, "But...."
The people in the ground had their hearts skipped a beat again, fearing for what's to come.
Ming Zhi Yi deliberately spoke slowly, "But you see...my loyal subordinate here, had a great grudge against you. I promised him that he would get his rewards at the right time. Butler Qian-"
Butler Qian stepped forward. He was holding the case where Ming Zhi Yi had taken his knife from.
The old man's face carried a chilling expression. When the old butler gazed at Old Lu, they were filled with killing intent.
Old Lu recognized Butler Qian. He faced the butler's eyes. He did not back down.
Since the old butler's anger was for him, he would face it bravely. He too, would not back down or get scared by a murderer. Even though he knew what fate awaits him at the hands of this old butler.
Butler Qian opened the case and drew out a long knife.
"It's been a long time, Head Master Lu. I believed you have not forgotten me?"
Old Lu stared back at him. Like Butler Qian, they were also a trace of killing intent in the old man's red eyes.
"Of course. I spared your life so you would suffer a life worst than death. The murderer who killed my wife."
Lu Yin Ze, Xiong Zhi, and the other on the ground were stunned.
It was Butler Qian who killed Prescilia?
Butler Qian did not show much expression. He took off the gloves on his hand. There were two missing fingers in his left hand. He titled his head while he loosened his necktie. On his wrinkled skin under his chin, was a long thin line.
When Old Lu saw that, his eyes flashed. He seemed to reminisce about that day.
Butler Qian spoke with a cold tone, "I lasted this long because Master promised me that he would bring you to kneel on the ground before me one day. I waited for decades until I reached old age just to see you in front of me crying and begging for your family's life.. Like I did forty years ago."