Xia Jingning's expression was truly thought - provoking.
But the once - known arrogant and willful little princess of Dongzhou, who never considered others, seemed to have changed.
However, this change had somehow stirred up a ripple in his heart.
"Ancestral Grand - Elder, what's this about?" The Duke opened his mouth. He didn't understand why the ancestral grand - elder had brought this woman to the Duke's Mansion. Didn't she know about the feud between their two families?
"I'm aware of the matter between her and Xia Jingning," Zhao Shuning said. After that, she looked at Xia Jingning, but Xia Jingning didn't dare to meet her gaze. The ancestral grand - elder had more say in the Xia family than his father.
"It was Xia Jingning who first wronged Princess Dongfang Yinuo," Xia Jingning stepped forward a few steps, clasped his fists and said, "I did wrong by the princess on that matter. But—"
"But, Your Highness the Heir Apparent, you don't need to take it to heart," Dongfang Yinuo interrupted him before he could finish. Her tone and expression were clearly very different from the girl Xia Jingning had known before. What did her words mean?
"I've already understood that Your Highness the Heir Apparent doesn't have feelings for me. Before, I bothered you too much and was being self - indulgent. Now, I've suffered all I should. Your Highness can rest assured. In a few days, I'll leave the Hailing Kingdom. From then on, there'll be no more ties between us."
Zhao Shuning nodded. It seemed that the little girl had really listened attentively to what she had said last night and kept it in mind.
Xia Jingning was at a loss for words. He opened his mouth, his face flushing red, but couldn't utter a single word. On the contrary, Dongfang Yinuo looked extremely dignified at this moment. She politely nodded at Xia Jingning, which meant: I'm relieved. You don't need to worry anymore.
Xia Jingning silently retreated to his original position, his heart filled with mixed emotions. To be honest, when he learned that the "Qi Yurou" all these years was actually Dongfang Yinuo, the shock in his heart was no less than the stupefaction when the ancestral grand - elder had told him the truth about the Soul - Transferring Formation that day. It was her. It was actually her. How could it be her?
Xia Rui sighed and said, "Ancestral Grand - Elder, in this matter, it was really my unfilial son who did wrong. He was too stubborn back then. He hurt the heart of the princess of Dongzhou and ruined the friendship between the two countries. If the ancestral grand - elder wants to seek justice for the princess of Dongzhou, no matter what kind of punishment it is, I'll make my unfilial son bear it."
Xia Rui truly respected this ancestral grand - elder, Zhao Shuning. You know, he and his wife had lost their daughter in their early years. Later, they were finally blessed with Xia Jingning. They doted on him very much. But they couldn't protect Xia Jingning for a lifetime. Moreover, the person in front of them who wanted to punish him was the ancestral grand - elder. The ancestral grand - elder was a figure above Emperor Huiyuan, Xia Qingyan. Not only was her status in the Xia family extremely lofty, but even in the entire Hailing Kingdom, no one dared to act recklessly in front of her.
"The Duke has misunderstood," Zhao Shuning said.
"Ancestral Grand - Elder?"
"I asked the princess of Dongzhou to tell this matter not because I want to interfere. For them, we are just onlookers. I don't want to put on airs and oppress people with this unwarranted status. Let the two of them solve this matter by themselves."
After these words were said, Xia Jingning and Dongfang Yinuo immediately looked at Zhao Shuning.
Zhao Shuning said, "Counting the time, I should go to Chaozhou in a few days. My injury has almost healed. Xia Rui, this princess of Dongzhou is now my guest. I'll trouble you to take care of her for a few days."
"The younger generation will surely follow the ancestral grand - elder's instructions."
Dongfang Yinuo's expression was a bit flustered. She walked up to Zhao Shuning. "Senior, what are you doing?"
"I'm also an experienced person in matters of love. You cried so heart - rendingly last night. You surely won't let go so easily. There are still many things you two haven't said and sorted out. I'm letting you stay here for a few days not to matchmake you two, but to let you sort out this relationship and completely let go. Your relatives in Dongzhou are still waiting for you." Zhao Shuning's voice was very soft, only audible to the two of them.
Dongfang Yinuo was stunned upon hearing this. Her face blushed slightly. Her mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts, but all she could say to Zhao Shuning was, "Thank you." Thank you for helping me like this.
"In these few days, you are Princess Dongfang Yinuo of Dongzhou and a distinguished guest of the Duke's Mansion. Don't act timid. Wait for me to come back. After I return, I'll go to Dongzhou with you."
"Okay, I'll wait for you." Dongfang Yinuo smiled. That smile was extremely sweet. Maybe it had been a long time since anyone had seen such a smile. It even made Xia Jingning slightly stunned. After reacting, he quickly averted his gaze.
Xia Rui then said, "Ancestral Grand - Elder, do you have something important to do in Chaozhou? May the younger generation send some people to follow you? You can just order them if you need anything."
Zhao Shuning shook her head. "No need." The person she was going to meet on this trip was Luo Qiu. Luo Qiu was from the Ghost Domain. Her identity was very sensitive to the people on the Kyushu Continent. If they found out, it might ruin the matter.
"Ancestral Grand - Elder."
"Don't say more."
"Yes." Xia Rui respectfully stepped back and kept silent. Zhao Shuning thought this old man was really too rigid. Part of the reason why Xia Jingning was so stubborn and rigid sometimes should be attributed to Xia Rui.
"Madam," Zhao Shuning softly called the Duchess. The woman was also dignified and generous. She stepped forward and said, "What instructions does the ancestral grand - elder have for this concubine?"
"Sit down and reply. You're so rigid. I really don't know how to start."
"Yes."
"I heard that you once had a daughter who disappeared when she was still in swaddling clothes. Is that true?"
When the topic of the missing daughter was brought up, the atmosphere among the Xia family instantly dropped to freezing point. Many years had passed, and no one dared to mention this matter. The missing little princess had always been a thorn in the hearts of the Duke and the Duchess. Over the years, it had never been removed but had grown deeper instead. Once touched, it would plunge the Duke's Mansion into a dead silence. It could be said that among the people present, only Zhao Shuning dared to mention the missing little princess.
"Yes, the Duke and I once had a daughter. She was given the character 'Ning' when she was born. But before her name was completely decided, she was kidnapped by villains."
Zhao Shuning asked, "Does your child have any special features?"
Both of them shook their heads. Zhao Shuning then said, "Xia Rui, can you give me a wisp of your spiritual power?"
"Of course."
"What I want is the wisp of spiritual power that permeates blood - related essence." She needed to confirm something.
"Ancestral Grand - Elder, do you mean you can help us find our daughter?"
Zhao Shuning shook her head. Their expressions immediately turned gloomy.
"I travel erratically on the Kyushu Continent. If I happen to come across something, I might be able to help look for her."
"Well, that's true. In that case, we'll trouble the ancestral grand - elder then." However, both Xia Rui and his wife thought that this matter was like looking for a needle in a haystack. There was almost no hope. Over the years, they had mobilized so much power, but they had never received even the slightest bit of news.