Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Mingyi said, "I did nothing wrong, why should I kneel?"

The maidservant beside Princess Jianing immediately scolded, "Who do you think you are? The princess tells you to kneel, so kneel! Why are you talking so much nonsense?!"

Mingyi glanced indifferently at the arrogant maid who was using her position to intimidate others, then turned her gaze back to Princess Jianing, and said neither servilely nor arrogantly:

"I believe that a princess personally appointed by the Emperor should be a model of a noble lady, acting with propriety and treating others with moderation, rather than abusing her status to humiliate others."

Princess Jianing's face suddenly turned ashen, and she rebuked sharply, "Sharp-tongued! You're nothing but a vixen who can't be presented to the world, how dare you teach me about manners?"

"If there's nothing else, Princess, I'll take my leave." Mingyi was too lazy to deal with her anymore, so she slightly curtsied and turned to leave.

"Stop right there! Did I say you could leave?!"

Princess Jianing had lost her temper and was clearly unwilling to let her go. "Guards, seize her!"

She's determined to make Ji Mingyi kneel before her today!

Several female servants who accompanied him immediately rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward, ready to attack Mingyi.

"What are you doing!" Ning Shuang and Ning Xue stood in front of Ming Yi, looking tense.

In contrast, Mingyi was much calmer.

She looked at the aloof Princess Jianing and said coldly, "Does the Princess truly intend to abandon all pretense of civility?"

Princess Jianing remained silent, her eyes filled with venom.

The lead maid, hands on her hips, spat fiercely at Mingyi: "Our princess is destined to enter the clan and become the prime minister's wife, your mistress! There is a difference in rank, yet you dare to show disrespect to the princess. We'll teach you a lesson!"

"Heh." Mingyi suddenly laughed out loud.

The maid glared at her and said, "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at you for wasting your time here when your princess is about to be jilted."

Upon hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions.

"You're talking nonsense!" Princess Jianing retorted sharply. "My engagement with Zong Xian was bestowed by His Majesty. How could I possibly annul it?"

Even the noblewoman standing nearby scoffed, "Is she so desperate to climb the social ladder that she can utter such absurd words?"

No one believed what Mingyi said.

At this moment, the attendant, accompanied by several guards, quickly appeared, abruptly shouting to stop them, and flashing the token at his waist: "All of you, stand back!"

The token was jet black with silver patterns and engraved with the prominent character "宗" (Zong), which gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

The accompanying guards stood tall and straight, their swords half-drawn, exuding a menacing aura, firmly protecting Ji Mingyi within their circle.

The servants were so frightened by the sight that they quickly withdrew their hands and feet, not daring to take another step forward, and stood aside with their heads bowed in fear.

The noble ladies' expressions changed, and they stepped back slightly. They hadn't expected that the lord would care so much about a concubine, even assigning guards to accompany and protect her.

With the protection of the Zong family, Princess Jianing had no choice but to give up, and she was so angry that she wanted to tear her handkerchief to shreds.

Before leaving, Mingyi glanced at her and said, "If the princess doesn't believe me, she can go back and ask her elders. There's one more thing I'd like to tell the princess."

"What are you saying?" Princess Jianing's face was cold.

Mingyi leaned slightly and whispered in her ear, "It's a blessing for the princess that she doesn't have to marry him. She doesn't need to be too sad."

Princess Jianing was stunned.

Mingyi had already turned and left.

Princess Jianing stood there, not understanding what she meant.

...

The following day, the Zong residence was bustling with activity.

A simple banquet was set up in the mansion. Today was the day that Liu recognized Mingyi as her sworn sister, and it was also the day that Zongxian wanted to take Mingyi as his concubine.

Although there was no need to consider the princess's feelings now, Zong Xian wanted to elevate Mingyi's status, so he still asked Liu Shi to help with this favor.

However, Zong Xian is not at home right now. He was summoned to the palace early this morning and has not returned yet.

After the morning ceremony, the banquet ended hastily.

Mingyi was taken to Yongshou Hall alone and made to kneel before Madam Zong to receive her instruction.

"He forced the General's Mansion to annul the engagement, why didn't you stop him!"

Madam Zong vented her dissatisfaction and anger on Ji Mingyi.

She didn't care about the cause and effect, she only knew that the source of everything was Ji Mingyi. At this moment, looking at the girl kneeling in front of her, she felt extremely regretful.

I regret that I should have sent her away earlier, or simply not allowed her to stay in the mansion, then there wouldn't have been so much trouble!

Mingyi knelt on both knees, her back still straight. She remained silent and offered no explanation, letting Madam Zong ridicule her.

Seeing her like this, Madam Zong became even angrier.

But now Zong Xian is very protective of her. Last time, he only punished her by making her kneel outside the courtyard for a while, but Zong Xian had a problem with it and did not come to Yongshou Hall to pay his respects or visit her for many days.

Her son, in the end, was bewitched by a woman!

"Cough cough..." Old Madam Zong suddenly coughed violently.

Zong Ying arrived at this time.

As she stepped over the threshold and saw Mingyi kneeling on the ground, she paused slightly, then turned away with a heavy heart and walked straight past Mingyi to pour hot tea for the old lady.

"Mother, drink some tea and don't get angry and hurt your health."

"Second brother doesn't like that princess. Even if they get married, they probably won't be happy. Let it go; it's no loss!"

Madam Zong looked unconvinced: "Feelings can be cultivated over time; everyone goes through that process. Besides, this is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor; how can we just back out like that?"

"I'm worried about your second brother. He already has countless enemies in the court, and now he's offended the General of the State's Mansion. His future will only be more difficult. He's making a foolish mistake!"

Zong Ying gently comforted her, "Second brother has always been intelligent, capable, and far-sighted. He must have his reasons for doing this, so Mother, don't worry."

As Madam Zong's emotions gradually calmed down, she thought for a moment and looked at Mingyi on the ground: "That's enough. His mind is made up. It's not something you can control. There's no use blaming you. Get up."

Mingyi lowered her eyes and stood up: "Thank you, Madam."

Madam Zong took off her jade bracelet and placed it in her hand, saying somewhat reluctantly, "From now on, you are a member of the Zong family. Be obedient and serve the Second Master well, and the Zong family will not mistreat you."

"Yes, Mingyi will keep that in mind."

"Alright, go back to the courtyard and tidy up. Don't miss the auspicious time."

...

Back at Shuangxu Garden, Mingyi changed into a luxurious concubine's wedding dress, made of shimmering red silk embroidered with a pattern of intertwined crabapple blossoms.

Caiyun and Caixia stood in front of the mirror, carefully doing her makeup, applying powder, drawing her eyebrows and painting her lips.

In a short while, a face appeared in the bronze mirror, beautiful yet elegant, with a refined beauty blended with vibrant colors, as if a celestial being had descended to earth.

Ning Shuang and Ning Xue stood to the side, staring blankly, completely mesmerized.

"You're such a pretty girl!"

"If the Second Master saw her tonight, he would surely be captivated by her beauty."

Mingyi gazed at herself in the bronze mirror, dressed in a crimson wedding gown. Her eyes held no trace of the shy joy of a newlywed, only a deep, cold desolation.

"You all go out, I want to be alone."

The maids exchanged glances and silently withdrew.

Once outside, Caiyun whispered, "Miss seems rather unhappy?"

"No way, maybe he's too happy. What's that saying again? 'Extreme joy begets sorrow'?"

"Maybe the girl is just homesick, don't overthink it."

Inside the room, Mingyi got up and walked to the bed, lifted the layers of sheets, and took out a small wooden box that was no bigger than the palm of her hand from the depths.

I opened it and took a look; the pills were still there.

She hid deep inside her sleeve.

Success or failure, it all depends on tonight.