Zheng Fenghui's eyes widened in terror, and he strained his neck in strong resistance, saying, "Auntie, I will never kneel down and apologize to her! What did I do wrong? Why should I bow my head?"

Zheng Huiyi glanced at him coldly, her eyes filled with unwavering determination, and said sternly, "Feng Hui, you are being ridiculous. Gu Qinlan is now your nominal mother. If you continue to be so disrespectful, the entire Duanwang Mansion will be disgraced because of you."

Zheng Fenghui was filled with anger and resentment, but he knew he could not disobey Zheng Huiyi's authority. He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and his eyes flashed with a struggling light.

"Aunt, I know my status in the Prince Duan's mansion, but I cannot go against my conscience. Forcing me to kneel is an insult to my dignity!" Zheng Fenghui's emotions gradually spiraled out of control, his voice trembling with sobs.

Zheng Huiyi's eyes softened slightly, but her tone remained firm: "Feng Hui, you don't understand. In this mansion, Gu Qinlan's status is above all else. If you don't apologize, you will not only anger her, but also implicate your father and your sister."

She walked up to Zheng Fenghui and said in a low voice, "I know you feel wronged, but you must understand that sometimes, bowing your head is not admitting defeat, but rather protecting the peace of the family. If you are truly filial, you should learn to be patient."

Tears welled up in Zheng Fenghui's eyes. He bit his lower lip tightly, his voice trembling, "Aunt, I really can't do it. I... I'd rather leave the Duan Prince's Mansion than apologize to her."

Zheng Huiyi's face darkened. She raised her foot and kicked Zheng Fenghui hard in the back of the knee, the force so great that he involuntarily fell to his knees. A look of pain appeared on Zheng Fenghui's face, but he still gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.

"Feng Hui, are you forcing me to take action?" Zheng Huiyi's voice was filled with disappointment and anger.

Zheng Fenghui knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. He looked up at Zheng Huiyi, his eyes gleaming with unyielding light: "I... I just want justice."

Zheng Huiyi felt a sharp pain in her heart. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "Fairness? In this mansion, fairness is part of survival. If you can't adapt, you're destined to be eliminated."

She crouched down, looking directly at Zheng Fenghui, her tone softening: "Fenghui, I know you're suffering, but you must remember, no one in this world has wronged you except yourself. You must learn to grow and learn to face things."

Zheng Fenghui's tears continued to flow, but he slowly nodded, his eyes shining with determination: "Aunt, I understand. I am willing to apologize, but not because she is my stepmother, but because I respect the rules of the Duan Prince's Mansion."

Zheng Huiyi smiled slightly, patted Zheng Fenghui's shoulder gently, and said tenderly, "Good child, you finally understand. Remember, no matter what, you must maintain your dignity, but you must also learn to bow your head when necessary."

Zheng Huiyi's face contorted with rage as she glared at Gu Qinlan and roared, "Gu Qinlan, if you dare to go to the yamen to file a complaint, I'll write to my brother and have him divorce you!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan's face turned deathly pale. She bit her lip tightly, forcing back her tears, and looked at Zheng Huiyi's smug expression, a sense of desolation welled up in her heart.

Zheng Huiyi wasn't bluffing; she really would do it.

The maid Hongye rushed forward, blocking Gu Qinlan's path, and angrily rebuked, "Zheng Huiyi, you are threatening the Crown Princess! What right do you have to do this?"

Zheng Huiyi glanced at Hongye disdainfully and sneered, "Qualifications? My brother is the heir of the Prince of Duan, and I am the eldest daughter of the Prince of Duan's mansion. What is Gu Qinlan? How dare she stand against me?"

Hongye trembled with anger, wanting to say something more, but Gu Qinlan gently pulled her back. Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Huiyi, a resolute glint in her eyes, and slowly said, "Zheng Huiyi, do you think you can threaten me like this? Let me tell you, I, Gu Qinlan, am not someone who is afraid of trouble."

Zheng Huiyi's eyes widened in disbelief that Gu Qinlan would dare to talk back to her like that. She said angrily, "Fine, you wait, I'll write a letter to my brother right now and have him divorce you!"

After saying that, Zheng Huiyi turned to leave, but Hongye hurriedly grabbed her: "Zheng Huiyi, you can't treat the Crown Princess like this!"

Zheng Huiyi forcefully shook off Hongye's hand, glared at her, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Hongye, you're just a lowly maid, how dare you try to control me?"

Hongye's eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing them, but she remained resolute, saying, "Although I, Hongye, am of lowly status, I know what loyalty and righteousness are, and what right and wrong are! Zheng Huiyi, what you have done is unforgivable!"

Zheng Huiyi's face turned purple with anger. She glared at Hongye and said hatefully, "Fine, fine, you two just wait and see!"

After saying that, she left in a hurry. Hongye looked at Gu Qinlan with concern, afraid that she would be hurt.

Gu Qinlan gently patted Hongye's hand and said with a smile, "Hongye, don't worry, I'm fine. She just wanted to scare me, she won't really do it."

Hongye asked worriedly, "Princess Consort, do you really not take what she said to heart?"

Gu Qinlan sighed, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes: "Hongye, I know she was just saying things in anger, but she is, after all, my sister-in-law, and I can't afford to have too much of a falling out with her. Besides, if I really go to the yamen to file a complaint, it will only damage the reputation of the Duan Prince's Mansion, which will not benefit anyone."

Hongye nodded silently, secretly admiring Gu Qinlan's magnanimity.

Gu Qinlan lowered her eyes and looked at Zheng Fenghui, who was kneeling on the ground in silence. She sighed and said earnestly, "Fenghui, you are the hope of the Zheng family. Your actions represent the image of the Zheng family. You have indeed made a mistake today, and you must reflect on it."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fenghui raised his head, a hint of defiance flashing in his eyes, but he quickly lowered his head again and said in a muffled voice, "I know I was wrong, but I don't think you can treat me like this."

Gu Qinlan frowned. She hadn't expected Zheng Fenghui to be so unrepentant. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down: "I didn't do anything to you. I just wanted you to understand that your behavior was wrong. You used a toad to scare me. That's disrespectful to me and to yourself."

Zheng Fenghui's face turned somewhat ugly. He gritted his teeth, wanting to refute, but ultimately remained silent.

Gu Qinlan looked at him, feeling somewhat disappointed, but she still patiently said, "Feng Hui, I know you may be unconvinced, but you must understand that I am your elder, and I have the right to teach you how to be a person. If you really want to prove yourself, you must start by being a good person."

Zheng Fenghui raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, and said, "I understand, I will reflect on my actions."

Gu Qinlan nodded, preparing to leave. However, Zheng Fenghui suddenly spoke up, stopping her: "Mother, you can't just leave like this."

Gu Qinlan turned around, looked at him, and smiled curiously: "Is there anything else?"

Zheng Fenghui lowered his head, remained silent for a while, and then said, "Mother, you broke your promise."