Gu Qinlan was slightly taken aback, then laughed: "I went back on my word? What do you mean by that?"
Zheng Fenghui raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes: "You said you would forgive me as long as I admit my mistakes, but now you want to leave. Isn't that going back on your word?"
Gu Qinlan looked at him, her smile gradually fading, and said coldly, "I never said such a thing, Feng Hui, you are just making excuses."
Zheng Fenghui's face turned somewhat pale. He gritted his teeth and said, "Mother, I know I was wrong, but I really don't want to see you leave."
Gu Qinlan's heart stirred slightly, but she still said firmly, "Feng Hui, I am your mother, and I will not leave you. But you must understand that my departure is so that you can better reflect on yourself."
A flicker of pain crossed Zheng Fenghui's eyes. He lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Mother, I was wrong. I apologize to you."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "Alright, Feng Hui, since you've admitted your mistake, I'll forgive you. But remember, don't make the same mistake again."
Zheng Fenghui raised his head, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes, nodded, and said, "I understand, Mother."
Gu Qinlan stared intently at Zheng Fenghui and said calmly, "Zheng Fenghui, do you know you're wrong?"
Zheng Fenghui lowered his head, his face slightly flushed, unsure how to answer.
Gu Qinlan's eyes were sharp, and her tone was firm: "The reason you dare to cause trouble in my courtyard is because you think I'm of lower social standing than you, so you can bully me?"
Zheng Fenghui was stunned. He never expected that Gu Qinlan would see through his little scheme. His eyes flickered, and he could not look Gu Qinlan in the eye.
Seeing this, Gu Qinlan sneered: "The men of the Zheng family use their hands to fight the strong, not to bully the weak. How can you do this to your ancestors?"
Zheng Fenghui's body trembled slightly. He looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment. He looked at Gu Qinlan, a hint of confusion and regret flashing in his eyes.
"I...I was wrong." His voice was weak, like the buzzing of a mosquito.
Gu Qinlan looked at him, her eyes gradually softening: "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. I can forgive you, but you must kneel in the ancestral hall for a day to show your remorse."
"I understand," Zheng Fenghui replied.
Gu Qinlan sighed inwardly. This child wasn't inherently bad; he was just spoiled.
Gu Qinlan smiled and nodded, then turned and left the courtyard.
Inside the ancestral hall, Zheng Fenghui knelt on the cold, hard floor, head bowed, his heart filled with remorse.
"Mother, I was wrong," he said silently in his heart.
Standing outside the ancestral hall, Gu Qinlan watched Zheng Fenghui's retreating figure and secretly vowed that she would teach this child well and help him become a true man.
Not long after, Zheng Huiyi helped the Princess Duan, whose face was ashen, to hurry over.
As soon as Princess Duan stepped into Jinghong Garden, she couldn't wait to ask about the whereabouts of her beloved grandson.
"Where is Feng Hui? Where is he? I heard that you punished him, is that true?" Princess Duan was emotional, tears welling up in her eyes.
Princess Duan looked at Gu Qinlan who was walking towards her and asked in a serious tone, "Qinlan, I heard that Feng Hui caused trouble here and you even had to teach him a lesson?"
Gu Qinlan curtsied and replied, "Mother, that is indeed the case. Feng Hui came to my courtyard this morning and spoke rudely, so I had no choice but to punish him slightly to make him realize his mistake."
Princess Duan's expression softened slightly upon hearing this, but she was still somewhat worried: "Qinlan, you are, after all, his stepmother. Don't go too far."
Gu Qinlan gently shook her head: "Mother, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Feng Hui has realized his mistake and is kneeling before the ancestral tablets in the ancestral hall to atone for his sins."
As soon as she finished speaking, Princess Duan's eyes widened, her surprise evident on her face. She asked nervously, "Qinlan, is what you're saying true? That boy Fenghui… he's really kneeling in the ancestral hall to atone for his sins?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and nodded gently, saying, "Mother, this is absolutely true. Feng Hui already knows he was wrong, and he is willing to take responsibility for his mistake to make amends."
Princess Duan's expression gradually softened. She sighed softly and said, "This child is truly a worry. However, since he has realized his mistake, let him atone for it."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes: "Mother, Feng Hui has a good character and a good mind. He will definitely become the pride of the Zheng family."
Princess Duan nodded, a satisfied smile on her face: "Yes, this child has been clever and quick-witted since childhood, and now he is able to understand reason and repent. He is indeed a good child."
Seeing that Princess Duan was being completely charmed by Gu Qinlan, Zheng Huiyi immediately tugged at Princess Duan's sleeve and said anxiously, "Mother, you can't just sit idly by! Gu Qinlan actually dared to hit Feng Hui, which is an unprecedented humiliation in our Duan Prince's Mansion! We absolutely cannot tolerate this!"
Princess Duan's eyes turned cold, and her face showed displeasure: "Qinlan has always been a gentle person. Why would she hit Fenghui for no reason? There must be something fishy about this."
Zheng Huiyi said anxiously, "Mother, don't you understand? Gu Qinlan is deliberately provoking our Duanwang Mansion. She clearly knows that we dare not do anything to her, so she dares to be so presumptuous!"
Gu Qinlan looked coldly at Zheng Huiyi, a sneer curling at the corner of her lips: "Zheng Huiyi, are you deliberately trying to sow discord? Feng Hui and I will handle our own affairs; you don't need to interfere."
Zheng Huiyi's eyes widened, and she said angrily, "Gu Qinlan, how dare you talk to me like that! Let me tell you, if you don't give Feng Hui an explanation today, I will never let you go!"
Gu Qinlan sneered: "Princess Consort Duan is here. Zheng Huiyi, are you threatening me?"
Princess Duan frowned, looked at Gu Qinlan, and said in a serious tone, "Qinlan, you heard it too. Feng Hui has never suffered such a loss before. You hit him, so there should be an explanation."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and said calmly, "Mother is right, I should indeed give Feng Hui an explanation. However, I have a suggestion: why don't you go and ask Feng Hui yourself to see if he thinks I made a mistake?"
Princess Duan was taken aback, but then she understood what Gu Qinlan meant. She looked at Zheng Huiyi, then at Gu Qinlan, pondered for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll go and ask Feng Hui myself."
Zheng Huiyi said urgently, "Mother, you can't be fooled by her! She's deliberately stalling for time to evade responsibility!"
Gu Qinlan looked coldly at Zheng Huiyi and said in a calm tone, "Zheng Huiyi, don't worry, I will accept whatever punishment the Princess Consort of Duan gives me. However, I hope you can also understand that slapping Feng Hui was me teaching him a lesson on your behalf. From now on, let's wipe the slate clean between you two."
Zheng Huiyi's face turned pale, and she said angrily, "Gu Qinlan, how dare you speak to me like that!"
Princess Duan stood up and said in a serious tone, "Alright, that's enough. Qinlan, come with me to the ancestral hall. We'll ask Fenghui what he thinks."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Yes, Mother."
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