"That's what I've been waiting for!"
Lu Ming waved his hand, signaling to those outside, "Please invite Abbess Huijing over for a gathering."
"Yes!"
The people outside quickly departed. In about five minutes, the door opened, and an elderly woman dressed as a nun slowly walked in. It was indeed Abbess Huijing.
"Mom, it's really you!" Zhang Ying exclaimed, startled and filled with a mix of surprise and joy.
He knew that Abbess Huijing rarely saw anyone. Even her own son, Zhang Ying, could only see her once a year.
Furthermore, Zhang Ying was well aware of his mother's temperament. He knew this old woman cared little for the lives of others. It was impossible to persuade her to descend the mountain for the sake of the Su family!
There was only one possibility: the old woman had been coerced.
Zhang Ying quickly stepped forward to help Abbess Huijing, examining her carefully. He found no abnormalities, no injuries, and no shackles or handcuffs.
He calmed himself slightly and helped the old woman sit down.
Then, Zhang Ying brought his mother a cup of tea and said, "Mom, please have some tea."
"Mm."
Abbess Huijing took a sip of the tea, appearing quite satisfied.
After finishing her tea, she slowly put down the cup and took Zhang Ying's hand, saying, "Son, Mom asks you, are you planning to slaughter the Su family?"
"Uh..." Zhang Ying glanced back at Lu Ming, then said awkwardly, "Indeed. However, your son is merely following Master Fan's orders. It's not as if I have any personal grudges with the Su family."
Abbess Huijing nodded and continued, "Son, you cannot do this. You are now an Emperor of one side, no longer the mere subordinate following Master Fan. You cannot do whatever he says; you must have your own judgment. The Su family is a prominent family in Fog City, and they have done countless good deeds. If you harm them, you will go to hell after a hundred years."
From the old woman's words, it seemed she had come to mediate and even asked Zhang Ying to betray Fan Wentao!
If anyone else had said this, Zhang Ying would have already drawn his weapon.
But facing Abbess Huijing, Zhang Ying absolutely could not do such a thing.
He was caught in a dilemma.
After a moment.
Zhang Ying's brow furrowed in confusion. "Mom, you've always been detached from worldly affairs, solely devoted to Buddhist scriptures. How is it that today, out of the blue, you're speaking up for the Su family? Tell me, have they gotten hold of something compromising about you? Did they poison you, or did they capture An An? Tell me, what despicable act did they commit?"
Lu Ming smiled. "Emperor Zhang, you underestimate people too much."
Zhang Ying pointed at Lu Ming and roared, "Shut up! This is not a place for you to speak! If you dare utter another word, I'll shoot you on the spot!"
My goodness.
How ruthless!
These few words greatly startled Abbess Huijing. Others might not know, but Huijing certainly did. This Lu Ming was the Dragon Warlord, merely in hiding with the Su family for the time being.
To speak to the Warlord like this, and to threaten to shoot him, was suicidal!
Abbess Huijing quickly interjected, "Son, you misunderstand Mr. Lu, and you misunderstand the Su family. They did not give me any poison, nor did they capture An An. The reason I speak up for them is entirely because my Buddha heart has opened."
Buddha heart?
Zhang Ying was utterly bewildered and indicated he didn't understand.
Abbess Huijing elaborated, "It's just that Mom has been reciting many Buddhist scriptures recently and has gained some enlightenment. I have understood some principles. Son, you absolutely cannot aid and abet evil. While the wicked deed has not yet occurred, it is time to pull back from the brink."
Zhang Ying felt increasingly uncomfortable with what he was hearing.
He said with a cold face, "Mom, please don't worry about this matter. Your son has his own way of handling it! You're old; wouldn't it be better to enjoy your twilight years peacefully? Must you interfere in your son's affairs? Don't you feel tired?"
These words indicated that Zhang Ying was truly annoyed. He genuinely did not want to betray Fan Wentao.
Zhang Ying became anxious, and Abbess Huijing became even more so!
Good heavens, this son was too much of a handful. Was he that stubborn?
In a sense, Zhang Ying's temper was exactly like Abbess Huijing's. Neither mother nor son were ones to listen to advice; they were both stubborn fools.
Mother and son, one temper.
"Fine!" Abbess Huijing slammed the table fiercely and stood up, saying, "You've grown up and no longer listen to your mother. Since that's the case, from today onwards, mother and son are estranged. There will be no further mother-son relationship between us!"
This was a severance of their mother-son relationship!
It was evident that Abbess Huijing was truly desperate and genuinely enraged, unable to tolerate such a stubborn child.
Zhang Ying was completely stunned. He had never imagined his mother would take things to such an extreme.
For the sake of the Su family, she was willing to sever ties with him.
Zhang Ying was ruthless, but Abbess Huijing was even more so!
Only then did Zhang Ying realize the seriousness of the situation. He quickly grabbed Abbess Huijing's arm and said with a smile, "Oh, Mom, what are you saying? I will always be your son. Don't be angry. Come, have some more tea, eat some fruit."
Abbess Huijing pushed the teacup away and said coldly, "I won't drink! Today, I demand one thing from you: either you sever ties with me as your son, or you let the Su family go. You must choose one."
It was clear that Abbess Huijing was resolute and left no room for negotiation.
"This..."
Zhang Ying looked around, observing the expressions of Su Wanran, Jiang Mengxin, and Lu Ming, who wore smiles that were not quite smiles. A million thoughts raced through his mind.
He was furious!
He couldn't understand why Abbess Huijing would help the Su family, and so decisively at that.
Generally, when helping someone, it was either through coercion or inducement.
Coercion was not apparent here; if it were, Abbess Huijing would not be in this state.
Inducement was also unlikely. If Abbess Huijing wanted something, she could have simply asked Zhang Ying; she was not short of money!
So, what could be the reason?
Was it a favor owed?
It seemed Abbess Huijing had no dealings with the Su family, nor did she owe them any favors.
So... what was the reason?
Seeing Zhang Ying's hesitation, Abbess Huijing urged, "Speak up! Are you mute? Tell me which path you choose quickly!"
The atmosphere had reached this point; it was impossible not to give an answer.
Helplessly.
Zhang Ying said in a low voice, "Even if it means betraying Master Fan, I cannot disown you as my mother."
"That's more like it!" Abbess Huijing clasped Zhang Ying's hand. "That's my good son. Mom is very happy you made this choice."
Happy?
Heh heh.
Zhang Ying was nearly driven to despair.
He sighed and said, "It's just that I've already received Master Fan's orders. If I were to simply walk away now, it would be a public betrayal of Master Fan. In the future, Master Fan will surely settle accounts with me."