This is practically a clear message: anyone who dares to get close to aristocratic families again will face the consequences.
Deng Hongyi could almost foresee that His Majesty would only need to choose another obedient noble family and support the daughters of that family to pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom.
Then, by using this as an excuse to bestow lavish rewards and make it appear as if they are replacing the Duke of Zheng's mansion, everything will fall into place naturally.
After exchanging insincere pleasantries, their gazes turned to Zheng Huiyin, who had changed her clothes and had changed her appearance, but could not hide her haggard and pale complexion.
"Father!"
When Zheng Huiyin saw Zheng Bingjun, her eyes reddened, her voice trembled with the shock of surviving a disaster, and she staggered over to him.
"Huiyin! My son!"
Zheng Bingjun opened his arms and caught his daughter steadily, gently patting her back with his large hand, his tone filled with heartache and lingering fear.
"You've suffered so much, my child!"
"My daughter is not suffering, but thankfully she can still see her father."
Zheng Huiyin buried her face in her father's shoulder, her voice choked with sobs.
"Alright, alright, it's nothing now. Let's go home with Father!"
Zheng Bingjun put his arm around his daughter's shoulder, his posture extremely protective, and under the gaze of countless people, some with sympathy and others with curiosity, he carefully helped her into the luxuriously decorated carriage that represented the Duke's mansion's prestige.
The car door clicked shut, instantly shutting out the noise and prying eyes of the outside world.
Inside the spacious and luxurious carriage, thick brocade cushions were laid out, and a light, calming incense was burned.
However, this comfortable environment was like an icebox.
The father and daughter each occupied one end of the carriage, with the distance between them seemingly insurmountable.
The kindness and sorrow on Zheng Bingjun's face had vanished without a trace, leaving only an icy indifference.
He sat upright like a pine tree, his gaze fixed on the carved carriage wall in front of him, as if there was nothing around him.
Zheng Huiyin huddled tightly in the corner, her hands gripping the clean hem of her skirt above her knees so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Her head was lowered, making her expression unreadable, but her eyes were icy cold.
The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a monotonous and dull rumbling sound.
There wasn't a single word spoken or a glance exchanged inside the carriage.
The last vestige of affection between father and daughter has been shattered into dust after today's dramatic turn of events.
Only this stagnant silence remained.
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