azdak

I think by the time Nihuang accepts the invitation to the palace, she's operating on the theory that MCS is Lin Shu. After it's all over, she says to him "Well, you know what Prince Jing's like, he enjoys telling people he disapproves of them," and she's surprised when MCS goes "How would I know that? I don't know Price Jing." But you're right, of course, that since the audience knows enough to know Nihuang's on the right track, it does make Prince Jing look harsh by comparison.