Chapter 61: Apology and Acceptance
Lord Huang looked at Xing who was looking at him calm and composed yet her eyes had that dangerous glint and his heart skipped a beat in fear. He knew she was this way with Lord Chu when she lured him for the game that doomed him. Although she said her mother didn’t like family members at odds, he knew that wolf assassin beside her is provoked too and not to mention the white tiger token on her possession that holds more power . He himself could not accept his family members’ behaviour too. As a merchant, he knew how to weigh in benefits and risks and they are in no place to bargain now. No matter what, the main Huang family is in his niece’s graces now. He wanted to know how much his little brother and his son changed and ended up being in an embarrassing position because of the despicable act of his daughter. Still his brother’s family had changed for the better in these past weeks as he had wished and that was his only consolation. Like his love said Lord Táng does bring light to those around her.
Everyone’s eyes were trained on Huang Zedong as he stood up. To everyone’s surprise, he asked the women to kneel and he himself gave a deep bow to Xing. His confused sons stood up and bowed to her too and her father and uncle Feiye stood up in surprise and Rijun gave a gasp. Only Shengli was seated and had a proud smile in his face. That’s right! Everyone should bow before her!
" Huang Mingxia", Lord Huang Zedong spoke without wavering, "I apologise for the behaviour of my family. They had no right to speak in that demeaning way about your mother and you. Those who had to be an example to you youngsters had acted in a derogatory manner and I as the family head apologise to you", he straightened up and looked at her with his eyes deep.
Xing saw everyone around her surprised by his behaviour as it is not custom in their kingdom for elders apologising to the next generation even if they are wrong. Only those who are little by age or power or status will have to kneel or bow as per their customs. Clearly a family head does not have to bow before his niece for any reason. Even AoTian was weirded out by his brother’s behaviour and he looked at his daughter who wasn’t even fazed by this abnormal thing.
Xing looked back deeply at her Uncle who didn’t even think twice before bowing to her and he wasn’t faking the apology either. But, what his women did cannot be let go with apology alone and she have to give face to the head of the family who is sincerely apologising.
"First Uncle, I accept your apology as the family head on behalf of my mother who was needlessly slandered by these women. However, you must forgive me if I refuse to acknowledge them as my elders and wish to be not in the same room as them in the future", Xing said in a calm and collected tone with a light bow.
Lord Huang’s lips curved slightly by her answer. She had accepted the apology for her mother and not her. Also she had subtly told him she won’t attend any future gatherings if those two women were there.
The reason you were called ’Lord’ is not only because of your long hair but also for this haughty attitude of yours, isn’t it? If it was some other seventeen year old, they would have kneeled if the family head bowed to them. And here you are standing tall, negotiating with me. What I heard about you is right, you never compromise your principles, do you? Either others follow your way or you remove yourself from them, don’t you? But how can I let you go after I’ve seen how similar you are to my mother? Lord Huang smiled and asked her to stand in the side and Xing went to her father who asked her if she is fine with her being drugged. While Xing was assuring him it won’t do much to her, the roaring voice of Lord Huang Zedong was heard,
" WanRou, your despicable act of drugging your cousin made this father bow his head in shame. You will receive twenty flogging. You will be grounded in your room until you become sixteen and will marry the one this father arranges for you. Until then you will learn the rules of our family in seclusion.
Concubine Lan, not only you have no moral but also you taught those immoral behaviour to your daughter. You will be taken off your title and will be a servant in the main Manor.
Madam Zou, even after I advised you to watch what you say, you still failed and behaved in an uncouth way even in front of our grandson and spoke ill of our ancestor Táng MingLing in front of her children and husband. For that you will hand over your responsibilities and accounts in the Manor and live the rest of your life praying for the welfare of the family in your courtyard", he spoke as a command making those three collapse.
Xing felt the punishment her uncle gave were fair as she wouldn’t want any less for them. Her Uncle did take the things they want most away from them as she would have. Wow! First Uncle works the same way as me too?