The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Minister Zheng broke out in a cold sweat and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I would never dare to do that. I am so grateful to Your Highness for this marriage. If it weren't for Your Highness, how could I have been able to secure such a good match? It is an honor for the entire Zheng family that my daughter can be personally taught by Your Highness."

The princess then leaned back on the couch, her tone softening slightly: "It's good that Lord Zheng doesn't blame me."

Minister Zheng quickly smiled apologetically: "Your Highness is too kind. I am deeply grateful."

Seeing that the Princess's attitude had softened, Lady Zheng mustered her courage and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, may I... see my daughter? Just once, so I can give her a few words of advice and tell her to listen carefully to Your Highness's teachings..."

The eldest princess picked up her teacup, slowly took a sip, and said in a calm tone:

"Madam Zheng, the wedding is in February, which is just over a month away. During this time, Miss Zheng should stay here with me and learn the proper etiquette and settle her mind. On the day of her wedding, I will escort her safely to the Prince of Zhennan's residence."

If the madam sees this, I'm afraid the second young lady will develop some inappropriate thoughts, which will only delay important matters.

"Go back for now. And don't say I'm heartless. If the Second Miss studies diligently, I can make an exception and allow you and your mother to see each other during the New Year."

Before Madam Zheng could say anything more, Vice Minister Zheng stood up, bowed deeply to the Princess, and then secretly tugged at Madam Zheng's sleeve.

Having no other choice, Madam Zheng rose and bowed, and then the two of them left the warm pavilion together.

Zheng Jie was confined to a secluded courtyard in the northwest corner of the Princess's residence. Two burly old women guarded the entrance, and she was stopped each time she tried to leave.

At lunchtime, the maidservant brought the food.

Zheng Jie had been locked up all morning and was seething with anger. If this were in her own residence, she would have smashed the food, but she didn't dare to do so in the Princess's residence.

She could only glare at the maid, and angrily retort, "Get out! I won't eat! Take it away!"

That's when Granny Zhao came in. She was thin and her face was full of meanness.

She glanced at Zheng Jie's stubborn face and said indifferently, "Since Miss Zheng isn't hungry, then let's take the food away."

The maid bowed, picked up the tray, and turned to leave.

Zheng Jie snorted and turned her back to Zhao Mama.

Granny Zhao didn't seem to mind, and simply said in a calm tone, "His Highness has instructed me to teach the Second Miss the palace rules. She will begin learning them at dawn tomorrow, starting with her posture. The Second Miss should rest early tonight; there won't be any sleeping in tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned and left without waiting for Zheng Jie's response.

Zheng Jie spat at her retreating figure: "Pah! A mere servant dares to lecture me?"

The room fell silent. Looking at the closed door, a sense of regret welled up inside her.

If it weren't for my own stubborn insistence on finding Princess Yamin, would I have already left the capital?

She lay on the bed, shoes still on, covered by the blanket, burying her head in it, tears silently streaming down her cheeks.

After an unknown amount of time, the courtyard gate suddenly creaked open.

Two old women carried in a camphor wood chest and placed it in the middle of the room.

An old woman said, "Miss Zheng, these are things that Madam Zheng sent over. She said they are for your daily use."

Upon hearing the words "Madam Zheng," Zheng Jie suddenly sat up, jumped to the ground, and opened the box. Inside, several of her usual clothes were neatly folded, along with her favorite pearl flowers and hairpins, and several packets of her favorite snacks.

She snapped out of her daze and rushed outside, crying, "My mother is here! I want to see my mother! Let me out! I want to go home!"

Two old women stood like two walls blocking the doorway, preventing her from getting through.

Granny Zhao returned, looking down at her condescendingly: "Miss Zheng, if you want to see your mother, you'd better learn the rules first. If you learn them well, you'll naturally be able to see her. If you don't, no one can help you."

Zheng Jie suddenly turned around and kicked the box over, scattering clothes and cosmetics all over the floor.

She squatted on the ground, grabbing whatever she could and throwing it around, even the snacks that Madam Zheng had prepared for her were scattered everywhere.

Granny Zhao watched her madness expressionlessly, gave a cold laugh, and turned to leave.

Zheng Jie sat on the ground and cried for a while, gradually losing her strength.

The room fell silent, with clothes and accessories scattered all over the floor. No one came to clean up or to comfort her.

After she had cried enough, she wiped away her tears, got up, picked up her clothes one by one, folded them neatly, and put them back in the box.

Her stomach growled twice; she hadn't eaten a single grain of rice since morning and was getting hungry.

She swallowed hard, walked to the door and called out "Someone come here" twice, but no one answered.

She called out twice more, but still no one answered.

She walked to the door, opened it, and called out to the old woman standing there, "I'm hungry! Bring me some food!"

The two old women remained unmoved and replied expressionlessly, "It's past mealtime, there's no food left in the kitchen."

Zheng Jie slammed the door in anger, went back inside, looked at the pastries that had rolled on the floor, and finally held back. She had never eaten food that had fallen on the floor before.

Feeling so hungry I could barely breathe, I went to the table and poured myself a cup of tea.

At dinner time, the maid brought out food again.

But Zheng Jie stubbornly refused to eat. She had suffered a great injustice today. If she just obediently ate, wouldn't that be the same as admitting defeat?

So she turned her face away and said stubbornly, "I won't eat!"

Granny Zhao stood at the door, coldly watching her, and waved her hand at the maid: "Since Miss Zheng doesn't want to eat, take it away! The Princess has no right to force anyone!"

Zheng Jie was starving and felt a pang of hunger, but she refused to back down. Pointing her finger at Zhao Mama's nose, she cursed, "You old hag! Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Granny Zhao wasn't angry; she turned and left.

The maid, carrying a tray, glanced at Zheng Jie with pity. It seemed that this Miss Zheng was unaware of how formidable Granny Zhao was. She sighed, turned around, and followed her out.

Granny Zhao left the small courtyard and went straight to the main courtyard.

The eldest princess had just finished her dinner. Seeing her enter, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "How is it? Still causing trouble?"

Granny Zhao bowed and said helplessly, "Your Highness, that girl is very stubborn. She didn't eat lunch, and she still refuses to eat dinner. This old servant is afraid she'll get sick from hunger, so I came to ask Your Highness for instructions."

The eldest princess sneered and said coldly, "Refuse to eat? Is she trying to challenge me? Go tell her that if she wants to die, I will grant her wish."

Give her a white silk ribbon, a dagger, and a bottle of poison, and let her choose how to die. If she dares to die, I will respect her courage, and I will still find a good family's daughter for the Prince of Zhennan to be his principal wife.

"I've lived most of my life and have never been threatened by anyone before."