Zheng Fenghui turned pale with fright. He had never seen Zheng Huiyi look so serious before, and a sense of panic welled up inside him. But having been spoiled since childhood, he had a strong sense of pride and was unwilling to back down like this. So he stiffened his neck and said loudly, "I was just joking. Why is she making such a big deal out of it?"
Zheng Huiyi was so angry that she trembled all over. She raised her hand and slapped Zheng Fenghui hard, making him spin around in place.
Zheng Fenghui covered his face, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes, but he still held back his tears and refused to show weakness.
Zheng Huiyi gritted her teeth in exasperation and said, "Gu Qinlan, do you think you can humiliate us like this just because you're a merchant's daughter?"
Gu Qinlan's eyes were cold, and the corners of her mouth were slightly curled as she looked at Zheng Huiyi. Her tone was calm: "Zheng Huiyi, don't you understand? What I'm asking for is not your kneeling apology, but your remorse. What you've done has hurt me, and that's a fact you can't deny no matter what."
Zheng Fenghui stood beside Zheng Huiyi, looking at Gu Qinlan with a firm gaze: "Gu Qinlan, you are forcing us. Although our Zheng family is not a wealthy family, we will not be humiliated by a merchant's daughter like you."
Gu Qinlan sneered, her disdain intensifying: "Zheng Fenghui, who do you think you are? What right do you think you have to stand in front of me?"
Zheng Fenghui's expression changed, and he glared at Gu Qinlan. He was about to retort when Zheng Huiyi pulled him back.
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes: "Public outrage? Zheng Huiyi, do you think the people of the Duan Prince's Mansion would stand up for a woman like you? You're wrong, they'll just think you deserve it."
Zheng Huiyi turned pale and was unable to refute.
Gu Qinlan turned and walked towards the gate, saying as she went, "Zheng Huiyi, Zheng Fenghui, you can consider whether you are willing to apologize or let me go to the yamen. However, I advise you to choose the former, otherwise, you will bear the consequences."
Watching Gu Qinlan's retreating figure, Zheng Huiyi and Zheng Fenghui clenched their fists tightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in their eyes.
Gu Qinlan walked to the door, then suddenly stopped and turned back to look at them: "Oh right, Zheng Huiyi, I forgot to tell you, the reason I asked you to apologize is because I can't stand your arrogant attitude. Do you think that just because you're the sister of the Prince of Duan, you can bully people at will? Let me tell you, in my eyes, you are nothing."
Zheng Huiyi's expression changed, and she glared at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, you..."
Gu Qinlan smiled gently, then turned and left.
Zheng Huiyi and Zheng Fenghui stood there, looking at each other, their hearts filled with anger and resentment.
Zheng Huiyi took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and looked at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the Prince Duan's Mansion by forcing us like this?"
Left with no other option, Zheng Huiyi devised a plan. She deliberately fell to the ground, attempting to faint and prevent Gu Qinlan from going to the yamen to file a complaint. She closed her eyes tightly, held her breath, and waited for Gu Qinlan's response.
Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Huiyi, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes, before a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips. She had already seen through Zheng Huiyi's scheme, but deliberately didn't expose it, letting her think she was being clever.
"Zheng Huiyi, do you think this method can stop me?" Gu Qinlan said coldly, her voice carrying an undeniable authority.
Zheng Huiyi pretended to be unconscious, but secretly opened one eye to observe Gu Qinlan's reaction. Seeing that Gu Qinlan hadn't fallen for it, she couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
"Princess Consort of Prince Duan's Mansion, I...I really feel so dizzy, please don't go to the yamen to file a complaint," Zheng Huiyi said, feigning weakness.
Gu Qinlan frowned and instructed the maid beside her, "Go, help Zheng Huiyi back and fetch a doctor."
The maids quickly stepped forward and carefully helped Zheng Huiyi up. Zheng Huiyi was unwilling, but she could not resist and could only let them take her back to her room.
"Gu Qinlan, why are you doing this to me?" Zheng Huiyi struggled to her feet and stood in front of Gu Qinlan, her eyes flashing with anger.
Gu Qinlan gently raised her chin, looking at Zheng Huiyi with a cold gaze: "Zheng Huiyi, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You just want to achieve your goals through me."
"You're talking nonsense! I've never had such a thought," Zheng Huiyi retorted excitedly.
Gu Qinlan smiled and said sarcastically, "Zheng Huiyi, do you really think I would believe you? Your cleverness has backfired, and it has only exposed your stupidity."
Zheng Huiyi's face turned purple with anger as she glared at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, you're just my elder brother's second wife, what right do you have to lecture me!"
A cold glint flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes as she said firmly, "Qualifications? As the Princess Consort of the Prince of Duan's Mansion, I have the duty to maintain the peace and tranquility of the manor. And you, as a member of the Zheng family, have repeatedly disrupted the harmony of the manor. What right do you have to question me?"
Zheng Huiyi was speechless after being choked by Gu Qinlan's words. She stared at Gu Qinlan angrily, her eyes flashing with resentment and hatred.
"Gu Qinlan, don't forget, I'm also a member of the Zheng family. Aren't you afraid of incurring the Zheng family's displeasure by treating me like this?" Zheng Huiyi threatened.
Gu Qinlan smiled lightly and said in a relaxed tone, "Zheng Huiyi, do you think the Zheng family would oppose me for your sake? You're wrong. They'll only see you as a burden and will be even more grateful to me for solving this problem for them."
Zheng Huiyi's face turned even uglier. She angrily accused Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, you are too heartless! Aren't you afraid of retribution for doing this?"
Gu Qinlan smiled calmly and said firmly, "Zheng Huiyi, everything I've done is for the benefit of the Duan Prince's Mansion. As long as I can bring peace to the manor, I'm willing to suffer retribution."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Huiyi felt a wave of despair. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't change Gu Qinlan's decision.
She slowly slumped to the ground, her eyes filled with endless sorrow.
Gu Qinlan glared coldly at Zheng Huiyi and Zheng Fenghui, and rebuked them, "You two have acted recklessly. You must give me an explanation for what happened today!"
Zheng Huiyi straightened her back and replied firmly, "Gu Qinlan, I am the eldest daughter of the Duan Prince's Mansion, and you are merely my mother's daughter-in-law. How can you expect me to kneel down and apologize to you?"
A flash of anger crossed Gu Qinlan's eyes as she sneered, "Oh, Zheng Huiyi, you do know you're the eldest daughter of the Duan Prince's Mansion, but don't forget, this is the Duan Prince's Mansion. In this mansion, how can a junior not kneel before his elders?"
Zheng Huiyi's expression changed, and she was about to retort when Zheng Fenghui suddenly knelt down on the ground, saying in a panic, "Mother, it's all my fault. I'm willing to apologize to you."
Gu Qinlan sneered and looked at Zheng Fenghui: "You are quite the filial son. Since that's the case, then you should kneel down and apologize to me on behalf of your aunt."
Zheng Huiyi hurriedly helped Zheng Fenghui up, glaring at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, why are you doing this? Fenghui is still young. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others for forcing him like this?"
Gu Qinlan glanced at Zheng Huiyi with disdain and said, "What a joke? In this Prince Duan's mansion, who dares to laugh at me? Zheng Huiyi, don't you understand? You must apologize to me for what happened today, otherwise, I will never let you off easily."
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