The Second Elder remained silent.
Dongfang Yinuo bowed three deep kowtows in his direction with solemnity.
Moreover,
She showed no intention of getting up.
It seemed that this time she came with a firm determination to seek the Second Elder's forgiveness.
However, how could the hatred accumulated over so many years vanish just because of these three kowtows?
"Second Elder?"
"Your Highness, you're being too serious. It was my daughter who was so brazen and did such a shameless thing. Her death has nothing to do with Your Highness. It's just that I failed to teach my daughter well."
"Uncle Second."
Dongfang Yinuo changed her address.
The man looked at her.
It had been many years since she last called him Uncle Second.
He still remembered that when they were young, because she and Yuchen were of similar ages, they always played in the courtyard together. At that time, Dongfang Yinuo always followed him around, calling him Uncle Second.
But later,
Under the favor of the King of Dongzhou, she gradually lost her true nature.
Her personality became more and more extreme. There was nothing in the world that she couldn't get. If she couldn't get it, she would destroy it. Such extremeness.
When she grew up,
She regarded herself as of noble status, and he was from an outer clan. So he never heard her call him Uncle Second again.
Hearing the address "Uncle Second" now, it seemed like a lifetime ago.
He felt it was a bit ironic, but also a bit nostalgic.
"I'm just from an outer clan. I can't bear such a respectful address from Your Highness."
"Uncle Second, it was Yinuo who was ignorant. Yinuo comes to plead guilty to you. This time I come back, I'm determined to take on the responsibility as a descendant of the Dongfang Clan. The stupid and reckless things I did in the past are countless. I don't expect Uncle Second to forgive me. I only beg you to give me a chance to make up for you on behalf of my cousin."
"You... You really think so?"
Dongfang Qing, the Second Elder, although from an outer clan, knew well that all his glory and wealth were because he bore the surname "Dongfang".
He was upright and old - fashioned, but also an emotional man.
"Really."
Several clan elders looked at Dongfang Qing.
Finally, Dongfang Qing bent down and helped Dongfang Yinuo up.
"If you ask me to forgive you, I can't do it. But rest assured, as long as I still bear the surname Dongfang, I will surely put the honor of the Dongfang Clan first."
What he meant was,
Even though he had a feud with Dongfang Yinuo, he wouldn't take out his hatred on the Dongfang Clan. As long as she was a direct descendant, he would abide by the rules.
This was the greatest concession Dongfang Qing could make.
Although he was a member of the Dongfang Clan,
He was also the father of Dongfang Yuchen.
To say that he could completely let go of his grudges, it might be impossible in this lifetime.
"Thank you, Uncle Second. From now on, Yinuo will regard you as my own father. I will do all the filial piety that my cousin failed to do for you."
Dongfang Qing didn't say a word.
After Dongfang Yinuo got up, she then explained the purpose of her visit to everyone.
"Uncles and Elders, I came this time to see my uncle. I heard that my uncle should be back today."
"Come back? I'm afraid it's a bit difficult."
"That guy from Qingyun Country can at best be regarded as from an outer clan. That young man is extremely talented and bears the surname Dongfang, but he has no sense of being a clan member at all. Although the clan treated him badly earlier, so many years have passed, and he still acts so high - and - mighty. Even the Clan Chief went there in person, but was repeatedly turned away."
"That young man has a proud heart. When I visited him before, he gave me a cold shoulder. I didn't even get to say a few words before being kicked out. I think that even if we offered the entire Dongfang Clan to him at this moment, that guy probably wouldn't be tempted."
Several years ago,
The Fourth Elder visited Qingyun Country in person, but he didn't get a good result either.
After he came back, he was indignant for a long time.
Later, due to the situation,
Many people in the clan visited him, but without exception, they were all turned away.
Dongfang Yinuo looked solemn.
The Grand Elder realized that things might not be that simple, so he asked, "Your Highness, has something important happened in the palace?"
Everyone looked at Dongfang Yinuo.
She nodded.
Solemnly, she said, "I need my uncle to give me some advice."
"What's the matter?"
"Mother is ill. Father is selfish. He has secretly made small moves more than once. Over the years, Mother's illness should not be due to years of hard work."
"Do you mean someone deliberately framed her? Poisoned her or... Is it the King of Dongzhou?"
Dongfang Yinuo looked solemn.
But she only said, "I haven't found out about this yet. But this time, even though I'm back, Father is still afraid, but he still hasn't given up his plan to take that woman into the harem."
"Humph—"
"That woman doesn't deserve it."
"How is your mother?"
Dongfang Yinuo shook her head.
"She has been bed - ridden for many days, and there is still no sign of improvement. Uncles and Elders, that woman is not that simple."
"What's going on?"
"Could that woman have a great background?"
"I don't know about these yet. But I've met that woman a few times. On the surface, she is gentle, timid, always crying, as if she is kind - hearted, like a bodhisattva who wouldn't even step on an ant. But in private, I've seen her personally slap the palace servants and even have her maids tortured to death. Her methods and her strong will are really terrifying."
Hearing this,
Several clan elders became even more worried.
They had heard that the King of Dongzhou was infatuated with a woman, but they only thought that the woman was a bit pretty and knew how to act coquettishly, so she aroused the King of Dongzhou's protective desire as a man.
They never thought that,
Under that gentle and kind face, the woman actually had a heart as vicious as a snake.
"Your Highness must have spent a lot of effort to discover these things. Remember, don't stir up the snake in the grass, lest that woman turn the tables and bite back."
"Yinuo understands. Mother is ill in bed, so Yinuo can only come back to ask you uncles and elders for advice and want my uncle to give me some advice."
"Well done, child."
"Yinuo has grown up."
"She is no longer reckless."
"It's a pity. If you were a boy, it would be so much better."
"However, Yinuo's talent—"
The Grand Elder coughed a few times.
The Fifth Elder fell silent.
"Uncle Grand, you don't have to be like this. Yinuo knows that her talent is not outstanding at all. Even compared with some elder sisters from the outer clan, I'm much worse. In the past, you praised me more because I'm the biological daughter of Mother. The Fifth Elder is right. I'm of mediocre aptitude and really don't deserve to be the heir of the Dongfang Clan. I'm ashamed."
"The General is back—"
A loud announcement came from outside.
The few people quickly stood up.
They didn't care about talking anymore.
They quickly walked outside.
When Dongfang Yan came back, would he bring the news they all wanted?
The hearts of several clan elders were once again in suspense.