The expected pain never landed on her face.
At some point, Cui Weijin had stepped forward, placing himself in front of Princess Ming Zhao.
He caught Zheng Yingying’s wrist.
“Miss Zheng.”
His voice carried authority and displeasure, making Zheng Yingying shudder instantly. Her struggling froze.
“Your words and conduct are coarse, and you have already committed a breach of decorum before His Majesty.”
He paused. “And now, you intend to strike a Princess in my presence?”
He released her wrist as if he had touched something unclean, lightly brushing his hands afterward.
Zheng Yingying staggered back a step, clutching her wrist where a red mark had already formed—proof of how strong his grip had been.
Cui Weijin said in a deep voice, “It seems Duke Zheng has been too occupied with state affairs to properly discipline the younger generation in his household.”
His gaze swept over Zheng Yingying, whose face had gone pale.
“It is time the Zheng Family’s rules were properly established.”
Princess Ming Zhao had already opened her eyes the moment Zheng Yingying’s wrist was intercepted.
She stared blankly at the tall figure standing before her. Somehow, that usually irritating back now seemed… a little reliable.
【He helped me? And even punished Zheng Yingying?】
She blinked, looking at his profile.
【Fine. Since you weren’t blind this time, I’ll temporarily withdraw my dislike for you.】
She muttered inwardly, as if bargaining with herself.
【I’ll give you one point.】
She paused, then corrected herself.
【No—2.50 points. Forget it, drop the decimal.】
【You’re a complete 250! That number suits you perfectly!】
Cui Weijin had just finished speaking to Zheng Yingying when that smug “250” suddenly rang in his ears.
He frowned slightly in confusion.
Two hundred fifty? What did that mean?
“Why should I!”
Zheng Yingying’s shrill scream interrupted his thoughts.
She was nearly driven mad with anger, pointing at him.
“Cui Weijin, you’re siding with her!”
“You clearly saw it—she pinned me down!”
“Why are you only punishing me? I’ll tell my grandmother! I’ll tell everyone your Cui Family is biased—you—”
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The eunuch’s announcement cut her off abruptly.
Emperor Ming Chong arrived, surrounded by noble officials.
At the forefront, his face dark as iron, stood Duke Zheng, head of the Zheng Family. Beside him was the Wang Family patriarch, his expression unreadable.
A bit further behind stood a gentle-looking middle-aged man and a refined young man—the father and son of the Xie Family. The young man was Xie Xing.
When they entered the courtyard and saw the chaotic scene, everyone froze.
Emperor Ming Chong asked in a low voice, “Awu, what exactly happened here?”
His gaze shifted to Duke Zheng, whose expression was grim, and to Cui Weijin, who remained calm despite being pointed at.
“Your Majesty, please judge fairly!”
Cui Xueqin stepped forward half a pace and bowed.
“Earlier, I was here getting some air with Sister Zheng, when we happened to meet Princess.”
“I don’t know what was said, but it offended Princess. She became angry, argued with Sister Zheng, and then started hitting her.”
Her voice trembled as if on the verge of tears.
“I tried to stop her, but I couldn’t. Princess is very strong—she pinned Sister Zheng and her maidservants to the ground.”
“I had no choice but to run and fetch my cousin for help. Your Majesty, please uphold justice for Sister Zheng!”
With just a few words, she absolved herself completely and pointed all blame at Princess Ming Zhao.
“Cui Xueqin,” Cui Weijin cut in coldly, “enough.”
The weight of his displeasure silenced her instantly.
Duke Zheng looked at his daughter.
Her hair was in disarray, like a bird’s nest. Her face was streaked with dirt and soot. There was not a trace of the pampered Zheng Family legitimate daughter she usually was.
He cupped his hands toward Emperor Ming Chong.
“Your Majesty!”
“Princess of Lin’an has only just returned, yet she already dares to assault my daughter. With such character, how can she represent the imperial family?”
“If today’s matter does not receive a satisfactory resolution for me and the Zheng Family, I fear it will be difficult to convince the public!”
The threat in his tone was undisguised, his gaze aggressive.
Emperor Ming Chong looked at his daughter’s profile, then at Duke Zheng’s imposing stance, and the unreadable expressions of the Wang and Xie family heads.
He wanted to say, “My daughter will be disciplined by me.” But the words stopped at his lips.
He knew that saying them would only provoke Duke Zheng and achieve nothing.
Awu… Imperial Father is useless. I cannot protect you.
Princess Ming Zhao felt her father’s gaze.
【Imperial Father, I’m sorry.】
She mocked herself inwardly.
【I messed up again. I even bragged about winning over Cui Weijin and making him fall for me.】
【And on my very first night back in Ye City, I ended up fighting like this, making it known to everyone, putting you in a difficult position.】
The words “win over Cui Weijin” reached his ears. His expression did not change—he seemed to have grown accustomed to her outrageous thoughts.
“Your Majesty,” Duke Zheng pressed again when Emperor Ming Chong remained silent, “how will this matter be handled? I await Your Majesty’s judgment!”
He emphasized the words “judgment” heavily.
If the ruling was unfair, the Zheng Family would not let it go.
Emperor Ming Chong turned to Cui Weijin, who had remained silent.
“Minister Cui, you were present.”
“In your opinion, how should this matter be resolved?”
The problem was deftly passed to him—the young but immensely powerful Chancellor.
The courtyard fell silent. All eyes turned to Cui Weijin.
Cui Weijin’s gaze first fell on Zheng Yingying.
“Miss Zheng, your words were improper, your conduct before His Majesty lacking in decorum, and you even attempted to strike a Princess. Your behavior is crude and unbecoming of a noble lady.”
Zheng Yingying’s face turned pale. She wanted to argue, but Duke Zheng silenced her with a stern look.
Cui Weijin continued, “After returning home, Duke Zheng should properly discipline and instruct her.”
“She is to be confined for three days, copy the palace regulations, and reflect upon her mistakes. There must be no negligence.”
Duke Zheng’s cheek twitched, but he said nothing.
Cui Weijin’s gaze shifted to Cui Xueqin.
With just one look, she dropped to her knees.
“Cui Xueqin spoke falsely and stirred trouble. Upon returning home, she will receive family punishment.”
Her legs went weak as she knelt, tears falling.
“Ten strokes…” she muttered.
Finally, Cui Weijin looked at Princess Ming Zhao.
She raised her eyes to meet his.
The mischief and teasing in her peach blossom eyes were gone.
“Princess of Lin’an,” he said slowly, “within the palace grounds, engaging in disputes and physical altercations without regard for status and decorum is also improper.”
“You are young and impulsive. Your actions were inappropriate. You will be confined within the palace and copy the palace regulations one hundred times as punishment.”
Emperor Ming Chong understood that this was already the greatest protection Cui Weijin could offer.
But the performance had to be completed.
His expression darkened as he looked at his daughter.
“Minister Cui speaks rightly!”
“However, as a Princess, Awu failed to conduct herself properly and caused such turmoil. Such a lack of virtue cannot be remedied by mere confinement and copying texts!”
“It seems you have forgotten your duties as both a subject and a daughter. Hear my decree!”
“Princess of Lin’an is to be confined to Reflection Hall and kneel in repentance for three days!”
“After three days, she will copy the palace regulations three hundred times. Without my order, she is not to step out of Reflection Hall even half a step!”
Reflection Hall—everyone in the palace knew it as the desolate residence once used for disgraced concubines.
Dilapidated, cold, and damp.
Being punished there for three days was severe—especially for a pampered Princess.
Princess Ming Zhao lifted her eyes to her father.
Their gazes met, and in that instant, she understood.
She bent her knees and bowed.
“This daughter obeys the decree. Thank you, Imperial Father, for your instruction.”