Jin Ning's lips curved slightly, and she said with a half-smile, "Father is punishing me because I had a secret meeting with the Crown Prince in the Snow Forest today."
Pei Mingyue was slightly stunned upon hearing this, her expression a little awkward.
Marquis Yong'an said coldly, "What? Shouldn't you be punished?"
Jin Ning looked at Marquis Yong'an, her tone exceptionally calm, "Father didn't give me a chance to explain earlier. The reason I didn't admit fault today... is because Jin Ning was indeed invited by the Crown Prince to the Snow Forest. However, the Crown Prince did not show up."
Marquis Yong'an was somewhat surprised, "You weren't with the Crown Prince? Don't try to deceive me! The servants saw with their own eyes today that the Crown Prince and the carriage from Marquis Yong'an's Manor left the Imperial Palace together!"
Jin Ning stood there, her expression composed, and said faintly, "Today, after I returned from admiring the snow, I happened to see Sister Mingyue playing in the snow with His Highness the Crown Prince. Sister Mingyue also said that she went to Golden Wind Terrace with the Crown Prince today."
After saying this, Jin Ning raised her head and looked at Marquis Yong'an and Madam Song before her.
She wanted to see.
If Pei Mingyue had done the same thing, would Father punish her like this? And Mother... how would she react?
She wanted to know if the strict Family Law of Marquis Yong'an's Manor would be applied equally, or if it was only targeting her.
Marquis Yong'an's complexion also darkened, and he cast his gaze upon Pei Mingyue, "Is what your sister said true?"
Madam Song, who had been gentle and loving just moments ago, showed a hint of anxiety in her expression and gave Pei Mingyue a meaningful look.
Pei Mingyue's expression turned flustered as she knelt down and said, "Father, today the Crown Prince was truly being hospitable and invited me. I dared not defy the Crown Prince's wishes..."
Jin Ning chuckled lightly.
Just now she told me I was the one who pestered Xiao Chen to go to Golden Wind Terrace, and now it's become that I couldn't refuse the Crown Prince's invitation.
The tea Marquis Yong'an had just taken a sip of was placed back on the table with a heavy thud, "It seems this is indeed the case!"
After the crisp sound, Pei Mingyue flinched. Her earlier cheerfulness was gone, and she looked somewhat frightened.
Jin Ning said from the side, "Please, Father, for Jin Ning's sake, spare my sister this once. Do not use the Family Law on her as you did on Jin Ning."
What did Father say just now when Pei Mingyue pleaded for me?
She wanted to see what Father would do now.
Upon hearing Jin Ning say this, Marquis Yong'an's face lost some of its composure.
For Marquis Yong'an, both were his daughters. Now that Jin Ning had put him in such a position, even if he was biased, it was not good to show it openly.
He could only look at Pei Mingyue and scold her coldly, "Since you admit your fault, then accept your punishment!"
Marquis Yong'an waved his hand, and the two wet nurses standing behind Jin Ning walked over to Pei Mingyue.
Pei Mingyue glanced at Jin Ning, then pursed her lips and looked at Madam Song, appearing very pitiful.
Just then, Madam Song spoke, "My Lord, absolutely not!"
Jin Ning's gaze fell on Madam Song, her face filled with mockery. The same matter, which could be punished earlier when she was being beaten, could not be punished now when it was Pei Mingyue?
Marquis Yong'an looked at Madam Song and said coldly, "I have said it, no one's pleading will be of any use!"
"Mingyue is not like Jin Ning. She has been taught by the best Mama since childhood. She has suffered a lot outside, and it's inevitable that her temperament is a bit unrestrained. It's understandable. If she has made a mistake, then it is we, her parents, who did not protect Mingyue well and let her wander." As Madam Song spoke, she raised her hand and used a handkerchief embroidered with peonies to wipe away her tears.
With Madam Song's words, Marquis Yong'an looked at Pei Mingyue with some guilt, and his resolve to punish her with the Family Law began to waver.
However...
Marquis Yong'an once again cast his gaze upon Jin Ning, who was also looking at him.
He felt a little afraid to meet Jin Ning's clear, slightly questioning eyes.
He had spoken too definitively earlier. If there was no punishment at all, his favoritism would be too obvious and would be embarrassing.
Therefore, Marquis Yong'an said coldly, "The Family Law will be waived, but your actions must still be punished! You will be punished by copying the Classic of Filial Piety for Women three times!"
Jin Ning's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she concealed the coldness in her eyes.
It was indeed as she expected.
Father was reluctant to severely punish Pei Mingyue. For the same actions, if she did them, it was a disgrace to the family honor, but if Pei Mingyue did them, it was understandable. Punishing her meant using the Family Law, while punishing Pei Mingyue was just a light matter of copying books.
In this light, if in her previous life, it was Pei Mingyue who fell off the cliff in the Snow Forest, these family members would surely be reluctant to force Pei Mingyue to her death.
So, in the end, it wasn't that Marquis Yong'an's Manor had such upright family principles, but rather... the love and affection she, a concubine-born daughter, had received from her family in the past few years were all fake.
She was merely Pei Mingyue's substitute.
Or rather, now that Pei Mingyue had returned, her existence was redundant. She should die quietly, returning the identity, status, and engagement that originally belonged to Pei Mingyue.
Pei Mingyue, punished by copying books, had tears welling up in her eyes, looking on the verge of crying, extremely wronged.
Seeing this, Madam Song felt great heartache. She quickly got up and, as she walked out, beckoned to Pei Mingyue, "Alright, don't feel wronged. It's cold, Mother has warmed some glutinous rice balls in wine soup for you. Come with Mother to have some."
Pei Mingyue sniffled, nodded aggrievedly, and then followed Madam Song out.
After walking a few steps, Madam Song turned to look at Jin Ning.
Her voice deepened slightly, "Jin Ning, your sister is not like you. She grew up in the Marquis's Manor since she was young and suffered a lot. You must look after your sister more in the future."
"Yes." Jin Ning lowered her eyebrows, revealing no hint of emotion.
Madam Song frowned slightly. She always felt that Jin Ning was different since her return this time.
Although the Jin Ning from before had such a calm temperament, now... she felt that beneath Jin Ning's calm exterior, there was hidden sharpness.
Madam Song left.
Marquis Yong'an also got up. Before leaving, he paused and coldly ordered Jin Ning, "Although you didn't see the Crown Prince, you still went to the Snow Forest to meet him! You will also copy the Classic of Filial Piety for Women three times!"
Jin Ning did not resist this time, but she slightly curtsied, "Yes."
After seeing these people off, Jin Ning staggered a few steps and went directly into the inner room, collapsing onto the bed.
Haitang saw this and quickly came over, "Eldest Daughter, are you alright?"
Jin Ning shook her head, "I'm fine."
"This servant will brew some hot tea and bring it to you right away."
Haitang went out, but Shiliu came in.
Shiliu timidly handed the tea to Jin Ning, "Eldest Daughter."
Jin Ning, who was leaning against the headboard with her eyes closed, heard Shiliu's voice and opened her eyes to look over.
Shiliu was very delicate, looking at Jin Ning cautiously, with tears in her eyes, appearing quite pitiful.
Jin Ning did not reach out to take the tea.
The two were silent for a moment, and then Shiliu suddenly knelt down.
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