Su Yaogeng still wore a cold expression and said nothing.
"Before I left the Capital City, how did I instruct you? I told you not to leave Miss's side for a moment. And what did you do? She was missing for an entire night before you found her. Don't you have any sense?" Aunt Xi, who was beside the Eldest Princess, was equally furious. This child had grown up with Miss and was usually reliable. There hadn't been any mistakes over the years, but this time, an enormous blunder occurred.
"It's all my fault, this servant..." Dongbao also realized that this time the mistake was indeed hers. If it weren't for her momentary negligence and not thinking more afterward, it wouldn't have resulted in such a significant issue. If she had sent someone to search the city before leaving yesterday, such a thing would never have happened! Even if she died a thousand times, it would still be difficult to absolve herself.
"Mother, please don't be angry. I'm really fine. Look at me now, aren't I perfectly okay?" Han Jing hastily interrupted Dongbao. Not to mention the past relationship between Han Jing and Dongbao, judging from the incidents after she woke up, Dongbao was absolutely loyal to her. However, this child probably spent too much time around Han Jing, making her thoughts overly simplistic; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so easily deceived by Han Yan.
In the future, she'll need thorough training.
"Enough, death penalty is exempted, but living punishment is unavoidable. A xi, take her away for twenty strokes of the cane and let her reflect properly." Su Yaogeng waved her hand.
Han Jing: "Mother..."
Su Yaogeng ignored her.
Dongbao quickly kowtowed to express gratitude: "Thank you, Eldest Princess, for your mercy!"
This time, her mistake was indeed grave. Despite receiving twenty strokes, she was a martial person, and this didn't mean much to her. However, because of this, Miss... Dongbao felt guilty, and even if she were beaten to death, she wouldn't have any complaints.
Aunt Xi led Dongbao out to receive her punishment, leaving only Su Yaogeng and Han Jing in the room.
Su Yaogeng sighed and held Han Jing's hand, saying, "What's done is done. Don't dwell on it too much. Do not take it to heart. You are my daughter, and even if you've lost your innocence, Su Xingyan must marry you. In the future, you'll still be Princess Consort Ling, and no one can shake your status. Rest assured, I'll make sure that those who harmed you are torn to pieces! It was my miscalculation, thinking that no one in Hanjing City would dare trouble you, yet I didn't expect them to be so audacious! Hmph! Each one of them must be tired of living!"
Han Jing blinked, not expecting that her mother could speak such words. Although she had the memories of the previous Han Jing, she hadn't fully felt it. Now, she could truly feel her mother's protective heart.
No wonder there were few in the Capital City who dared provoke her. With such a formidable mother, who would risk their life to cause her trouble?
Han Jing couldn't help but laugh softly.
Su Yaogeng frowned and glared at her: "You girl, what are you laughing at?"
Han Jing looked at Su Yaogeng, and Su Yaogeng was surprised to find that her daughter's eyes were much brighter than before.
She was aware of Jing'er's inner inferiority, which was why she went to great lengths to provide her with the best, hoping it would build her confidence. However, she also knew that what she offered was merely external glory; Jinger's heart remained perpetually insecure.
But today, in Jing'er's eyes, there was no longer that deliberate facade of confidence. Instead, there was genuine confidence radiating from within!