Celestial Birch Courtyard

Her head down, Lei Mingxing trudged toward the Queen Residence accompanied by a group of 4 guards, one of which was roughly pushing her forward ever so often as to make her walk faster, but she couldn't care less about that as long as they weren't excessively violent with her. Instead, she was internally chastising herself for not paying enough attention to her surroundings after the confrontation with Xia Beilian and letting herself get carried away by the moment. Of course, there would be guards lurking near her courtyard! If not sent by Lei Meixiu's Concubine Mother then by the Queen herself, mother of both her elder brother and Lei Haoran. 

Suppressing a disdainful snort, Lei Mingxing could only lament how awful everything panned out in the end and how fed up she was with it all, and it hadn't even ended yet! The Queen Mother would surely punish her, and the former had never shown mercy. So it was up to her to figure something out or at least steel her mind enough to ignore the pain the best she could while hoping that her enemy wouldn't notice anything off.

Honestly, she was expecting the second outcome, after all, there was nowhere to run with all the guards around her.

So she just did her best to focus and try delude herself into thinking that she was actually made of steel and couldn't even feel pain, using the experience in the Ancestral Temple as reference.

Her focus was only disturbed by the heavy, sweet smell of the Immortal Fairy Peonies that grew in lush pale piles around the residence, a symbol of the queen's lofty standing in Qingshui Kingdom. They looked like clouds, giving the huge, lavishly decorated courtyard an almost heavenly atmosphere and the silver lanterns strewn about only added to that feeling. 

But that wasn't what caught Lei Mingxing's eye, she had been here hundreds of times, the residence had lost its ethereal beauty long ago, no, she couldn't remove her gaze from the glittering, head-sized peonies. For the first time, she felt like their petals had a certain resemblance to the Weeping Light Willow's leaves at the temple. This thought almost made her stop in her tracks but the guard pushed her forward in just that moment, causing her to stumble in her step before continuing. She shot the guard a cold look, but the other just smirked at her, preparing to push her once more, which she nimbly dodged while putting a bit more distance between them, entering the residence in the process. The heavy Silver Birch gate shut behind her with a clear thud, leaving no hope of escape.

After being forced to walk a few more steps, Lei Mingxing stood in the middle of the front yard still surrounded by carefully arranged plants, stones and lanterns. Although, the small fountain the shape of a phoenix and dragon in a tight embrace spitting water into the pool below where colorful fishes mingled beneath a few dewy lotus flowers was the true vocal point of the courtyard and she could feel its mist slowly nest in her robes and condense into tiny droplets on her face. Just as she wished for a breeze to blow away this disgustingly damp feeling, a familiar voice reverberated through the courtyard accompanied by soft music. Lei Mingxing looked up to the small set of stairs leading to the main hall of the residence.

"Princess Mingxing, what is the meaning of your shameful behavior the moment you return? Explain yourself!"

 Lei Mingxing remained silent, keeping her mouth tightly shut as she watched the Queen's entourage gradually emerge from the entrance. Led was the group by a pair of maids in rather plain but sufficiently elegant dresses spreading petals on the ground, their hair and chest adorned by a few small white flower blossoms themselves, their disdainful gazes met Lei Mingxing's, ridiculing her before they turned around and lowered their heads in respect of their master, the Queen, who emerged third.

A petite woman, clad in a luxurious jade green gown that consisted of many layers, which sparkled like the wings of a dragonfly appeared, despite the angry tone in her voice and chilly expression on her face, her pace was measured and light as if floating instead of walking. Her long, straight ebony hair cascaded down her back, almost reaching the ground, elaborate braids, laid with gems and flowers held the impressive silver crown in place, which had the shape of a descending phoenix, its wings spread, revealing thousands of unique silver feathers glittering in the moonlight and its tail feathers framing the woman's delicate facial features. Her nose was small, her brown eyes big and lined by green eyeshadow while her lips had been painted a mellow red in contrast.

Queen Huiran displayed the pinnacle of the Qingshui Kingdom beauty standard and at the same time, stood in the starkest of contrasts to Lei Mingxing's own looks. She was pretty much the absolute opposite of the former. Where the Queen had a delicate and untouchable air, Lei Mingxing was bold and enchanting, especially her eyes, so it was no wonder that the Queen held such a strong dislike towards her, who reminded her the most of her husband's betrayal compared to the other concubine born children.

Or at least that was what the servants had always told her.

And she was willing to believe it.

"Answer this Queen, Second Princess."

Queen Huiran's gaze and voice were icy as she addressed Lei Mingxing, looking the latter over with disgust, an ever so slight crease on her flawless forehead.

But Lei Mingxing remained silent, only looking up at the woman she was forced to call mother and awaited her predetermined judgement.

This only served to displease the Queen even further, causing her to elegantly raise her hand, commanding the two maids who had been continuously playing a soft melody to stop. Instantly the whole Celestial Birch Courtyard became dead quiet, the only noise originating from a breeze rustling the leaves inside.

"..."

"Very well. This Queen has received a report of all your misdeeds and since your insolence knows no bounds, you will receive your punishment right here and now."

With this, Queen Huiran waved her hand, an eunuch appeared from behind her, a scroll in hand. After also throwing a harsh gaze in Lei Mingxing's direction he began to coldly announce its contents for all to hear.

"Princess Mingxing is to receive 30 lashes with a bamboo pole and pray for forgiveness to her ancestors for 3 days and nights in front Clear Pond Courtyard's entrance, furthermore will she be put under house arrest until the date of her wedding ceremony with Prince Beilian. Do you accept this punishment, Princess Mingxing?"

Glaring at the eunuch, Lei Mingxing felt her emotions surge just at the mention of that d*mned, nearly inevitable marriage and with them, she failed to contain her words, shifting her eyes to stare at the Queen.

"I do not."

Small Theater:

Lei Mingxing: I refuse.

Eunuch:...

Queen Huiran:...

Eunuch: Is that legal?