Zheng Huiyi dragged Princess Duan towards the ancestral hall, with Gu Qinlan and her entourage following behind them.

The ancestral hall was filled with the smoke of incense, solemn and dignified. The Zheng family's memorial tablets gleamed on the offering table. Zheng Fenghui knelt before the tablets, his back to the crowd, appearing exceptionally resolute.

Princess Duan looked anxious. As soon as she entered the ancestral hall, she went straight to Zheng Fenghui's side and tried to help him up with heartache: "Fenghui, what are you doing? Get up quickly, the ground is cold."

Zheng Fenghui remained unmoved and said firmly, "Grandmother, I was wrong. I will kneel as punishment to make up for my mistake."

Princess Consort Duan frowned, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. She turned to Zheng Huiyi and scolded, "Huiyi, why did you bring us here? Look, Feng Hui, he..."

Zheng Huiyi glared angrily at Gu Qinlan and said furiously, "Gu Qinlan, how dare you threaten Feng Hui and make him kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment! You are vicious and a disgrace to the family!"

Gu Qinlan remained calm and replied indifferently, "Huiyi, if I were malicious, do you think I would let you accuse me so easily? If I really wanted to take you to court, I'm afraid you would already be in prison."

Zheng Huiyi was even more furious and was about to retort when she heard the Princess Consort's stern voice: "Shut up, all of you! Qin Lan, is what you said true?"

Princess Duan stood in the center of the ancestral hall, her gaze sharp and serious as she scrutinized Gu Qinlan.

Gu Qinlan lowered her head slightly, her attitude respectful: "Mother, I did make Feng Hui kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment, but I did not threaten him not to get up."

Zheng Fenghui was also kneeling in a corner of the ancestral hall, a blush rising on his face, seemingly somewhat embarrassed. He glanced up at Gu Qinlan, then quickly lowered his head again.

Princess Duan snorted coldly and turned to Zheng Fenghui: "Fenghui, you tell me, what exactly happened?"

Zheng Fenghui hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Grandmother, it was my fault. Mother made me kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment, and I am willing to accept the punishment."

Upon hearing this, Princess Duan's expression softened slightly, but she remained stern: "Qinlan, as the Crown Prince's wife, you should be tolerant of others. Why are you so harsh on Feng Hui?"

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "Mother, I know you love Fenghui, but if you don't discipline him strictly, I'm afraid he won't amount to anything in the future. I'm doing this for his own good."

Princess Duan remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned to Zheng Huiyi: "Huiyi, what do you think?"

Zheng Huiyi was taken aback, not expecting the Princess Consort of Duan to ask her. She bit her lip and said hesitantly, "Mother, I think my sister-in-law has indeed gone too far. After all, Fenghui is your grandson, and we should be more lenient with him."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Princess Duan's eyes as she glared at Zheng Huiyi: "What do you know? Qin Lan is doing this all for Feng Hui's own good. If you really care about him, you should support her."

Zheng Huiyi blushed and dared not speak again.

Princess Duan then turned to Gu Qinlan: "Qinlan, since you have already made Feng Hui kneel as punishment, let's leave it at that. But you should be careful not to be too harsh in the future."

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and replied respectfully, "Yes, Mother, I will be careful."

Zheng Huiyi glared at Gu Qinlan, secretly gritting her teeth.

Facing the ancestral tablets of the Zheng family, Gu Qinlan suddenly bent her knees and knelt down with a thud. She clasped her hands together, touched her forehead to the ground, and kowtowed three times devoutly, her voice low and firm: "Ancestors above, please bless my husband Zheng Dinglian with safety abroad and a triumphant return soon."

The ancestral hall was quiet and still, except for the sound of Gu Qinlan kowtowing.

After kowtowing, she slowly stood up, turned her gaze to Zheng Fenghui standing to the side, and asked gently, "Fenghui, do you have any grievances in your heart?"

Zheng Fenghui raised his head, his eyes firm, and his tone calm: "Mother, I was wrong first, and it is not unjust for you to punish me."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Huiyi, standing next to Zheng Fenghui, widened her eyes in surprise. She looked Zheng Fenghui up and down as if he were a stranger. She couldn't help but blurt out, "Fenghui, have you been beaten senseless? Why are you saying this?"

Zheng Fenghui smiled slightly and looked at his aunt Zheng Huiyi with sincere eyes: "Aunt, Mother punished me for my own good. I know I was wrong, so I don't feel wronged."

Zheng Huiyi frowned, still puzzled: "But you're still a child, how could she treat you like this?"

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, walked to Zheng Fenghui's side, gently patted his shoulder, her eyes full of approval: "Fenghui, I'm glad you understand. Your aunt is also concerned about you, but you must understand that I'm punishing you so that you will remember the lesson and not make the same mistake again."

Zheng Fenghui nodded, indicating his understanding.

Princess Duan looked at Zheng Fenghui, who had a stubborn expression, her eyes filled with worry and confusion. She sighed softly and slowly said, "Fenghui, why are you doing this? The ancestral hall is an important place in our Duan Prince's Mansion. While you are reflecting on your actions here, have you ever thought that such a loud noise will disturb the peace of our ancestors?"

Zheng Fenghui raised his head, looking firmly at Princess Duan, his tone resolute: "Mother, I know I was wrong. But only here can I deeply reflect on my mistakes and truly understand the teachings of our ancestors."

Princess Consort Duan frowned slightly, hesitating to speak. At this moment, Gu Qinlan nudged Princess Consort Duan's arm, her eyes filled with calm and indifference, and said softly, "Princess Consort, perhaps Feng Hui is right. He has grown up and has his own thoughts. We should respect his choices."

Princess Duan turned to look at Gu Qinlan, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes, but still some worry: "Qinlan, you're right. But I'm worried that if he continues like this, he'll hurt himself."

Gu Qinlan smiled gently, walked to Zheng Fenghui's side, and asked softly, "Fenghui, are you really sure? It will be very lonely and very hard to reflect here."

Zheng Fenghui nodded, his eyes resolute: "I've made up my mind, Mother. I will pay the price for my mistakes here."

Princess Duan looked at Zheng Fenghui, her worry growing, but she knew he had made up his mind. She turned to Gu Qinlan, a hint of expectation in her eyes: "Qinlan, say something. Perhaps you can persuade him."

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and said to Princess Duan, "Princess, please rest assured. I will stay with him until he finishes reflecting on his actions."

Upon hearing this, Princess Duan's eyes flashed with a hint of relief, but she was still somewhat worried. She said to Zheng Fenghui, "Fenghui, you must take good care of yourself. Your grandmother is waiting for you to come out."

After saying this, Princess Duan turned and left the ancestral hall, still filled with worry.

Gu Qinlan watched Princess Duan's retreating figure, sighed softly, and turned to Zheng Fenghui, saying, "Fenghui, you've really grown up. You have your own thoughts and your own sense of responsibility. This makes your mother feel gratified."

A hint of gratitude flashed in Zheng Fenghui's eyes as he said to Gu Qinlan, "Thank you, Mother. I will remember your teachings and reflect on my own actions."

Gu Qinlan gently patted Zheng Fenghui's shoulder, her eyes full of care: "Alright, go ahead. I'll stay here with you."

Zheng Fenghui nodded and turned to walk deeper into the ancestral hall.