Lin He shook her head, signaling no. Seeing Lin He's denial, the Old Madam spoke, "Since no one can vouch for you, you must accept this punishment today. Qing Mo has plenty of witnesses; those maids and Ning Nuo can all testify. Our Wen family has never been cruel to its daughters-in-law, but we certainly believe in clear rewards and punishments."

Hmph, Lin He scoffed inwardly. If there were evidence for these claims, would these women dare twist right into wrong right now? Even if there were witnesses, they wouldn't come forward with the truth. Moreover, before the matter is even fully investigated, punishment is already being decided. What talk of clear rewards and punishments? It seems more like a refusal to distinguish black from white.

Madam Wen noticed Lin He's expression, and a flicker of schadenfreude quickly crossed her eyes. However, she immediately rose, adopting a gentle and dignified air, and approached the Old Madam. "Mother, perhaps we should deal with this lightly today. Although He'er pushed Qing Mo into the pond, Qing Mo was also somewhat at fault. Since Qing Mo wasn't seriously injured from the fall into the lotus pond, and considering He'er is newly married today, and Master is so fond of her, I suggest..."

Lin He looked at Madam Wen. On the surface, she was pleading for leniency, but in reality, she was detailing Lin He's supposed crimes before the Old Madam. The implication was that Lin He was spoiled by Master Wen's favor. To pack so much meaning into such a brief statement—it truly took some thought on her part.

"Absolutely not. This time, there can be no leniency. It is precisely because she is new to the Wen family that she must learn our rules: wrongdoing must be punished. And this is no small matter. Regardless of what she did wrong, she cannot commit an act like this. If anything untoward had happened to Qing Mo today, it would have been a major incident. Even if Jie'er is very fond of her, I will still punish her today," the Old Madam declared with righteous severity.

"Someone! Bring the family discipline," the Old Madam commanded with great authority.

Immediately, several servants came forward, some carrying thick rattan canes. Looking at these, Lin He understood that the Wen family's supposed family discipline involved beating people with canes.

Zi Qing behind her saw someone actually producing a cane and grew anxious, tugging at Lin He's sleeve. Lin He gave her a look signaling her to remain calm.

The servants holding the canes kept staring at Lin He. Lin He felt sharp glints emanating from their eyes, as if they particularly enjoyed this sort of task. Lin He suspected they received a bonus after administering a beating; otherwise, why such enthusiasm?

Lin He herself felt no panic. She certainly would not allow them to strike her. She would drag out the time; Zi Yu had already returned and should know to find Wen Ningxuan. If Wen Ningxuan arrived, surely no one would dare strike her. As a last resort, wasn't there Zi Qing behind her who knew some martial arts? Even if her skill wasn't high, she could likely stop these men.

Lin He wasn't foolish enough to just stand there waiting to be beaten. If she had actually done it, so be it. To be framed so clearly and immediately face a beating based on a few words—she wouldn't have bothered crossing over into this world for nothing. If all else failed, she would simply run; rules and decorum could be set aside in that case.

Lin He stood in the center of the room, waiting for Wen Ningxuan while running several scenarios through her mind. Suddenly, she noticed the small maid standing behind Qing Mo, a girl no older than ten or so. She had also been standing behind Qing Mo by the pond earlier; she must know what truly happened. However, simply asking her to speak the truth would certainly be impossible.

The girl was young, standing behind Qing Mo now, appearing rather vacant and not particularly sharp.

Lin He smiled faintly and said, "Wait, Grandmother. Before we enforce the family discipline, I have something to say."

"Hmph, what else is there to say? Are you still trying to put up a fight on the brink of death?" Wen Qing Mo sneered sarcastically.

The Old Madam glanced at Qing Mo, who immediately fell silent. Then, the Old Madam nodded subtly, signaling Lin He to proceed. Lin He began, "I just want to ask Qing Mo's maid: she follows her mistress constantly, doesn't she? If the mistress was pushed into the lotus pond, what was she doing at that moment? How could she just allow someone to push her mistress in?"

"If she had been diligent, she should have taken precautions the moment I supposedly pushed her. Why didn't she stop me then, or hold onto Qing Mo? Does this suggest the maid was neglectful in her duties?"

"Also, if I recall correctly, Qing Mo was standing in front of Miss Ning Nuo. If I pushed her in, how exactly did I push her? Which hand did I use? And where was I standing when I pushed her? Furthermore, I'm not insane; why would I suddenly push her into the water for no reason? Every action must have a cause."

As Lin He finished speaking, she swept a glance toward the maid. The girl's expression had shifted, and her eyes darted constantly towards Qing Mo.

Lin He watched as Qing Mo glared at the maid, then glared hatefully at Lin He. "How should I know why you suddenly pushed me? In any case, you were the one who pushed me in!"

"Grandmother, you yourself said the Wen family has rules. Do the Wen family rules not permit someone to clarify the matter before applying family discipline? As for how Qing Mo's maid serves her, I cannot control that; she will have to answer for that herself. I will not press the issue further right now. I only require that little maid to come forward and recount exactly what happened by the lotus pond today." As Lin He spoke, she pointed at the small maid.

Lin He intended Lin He's words to frighten the girl. As a servant, if she failed to serve her mistress properly, the responsibility would be significant, and the eventual punishment would likely be no lighter than lying.

Lin He had quickly considered that in this short time, they wouldn't have had time to coach testimony. The maid looked dull, and she was young; her mind wouldn't react so quickly. Even if she insisted that Lin He pushed Qing Mo into the pond, she would have to explain the preceding events. The more she spoke, the easier it would be for the lie to unravel. "There's nothing to say. Grandmother already said we are applying family discipline; nothing more needs to be said," Qing Mo said irritably.

Ha, truly Madam Wen's daughter. She fell into the lotus pond herself, yet now she tries to frame someone else, displaying such indignation as if she were the victim.

Madam Wen beside her also spoke softly, "That's right, He'er. You were in the wrong here. Just apologize sincerely to Grandmother, and she will surely show leniency."

Lin He looked at Madam Wen but said nothing, then fixed her gaze back on the Old Madam. The Old Madam, looking into the maid's eyes—which clearly showed confusion between right and wrong but held no fear—was somewhat surprised by her courage, though she outwardly spoke coldly, "Since that is the case, let that maid recount today's events, from beginning to end, not omitting a single word."

"Grandmother, what more is there to say? Didn't Sister Qing Mo and I already explain? Regardless, Second Sister-in-law pushed me into the lotus pond," Qing Mo said, sounding quite agitated, glancing at the maid beside her.

The Old Madam did not stop Qing Mo, but her eyes quietly fixed on her, carrying an inscrutable meaning. Qing Mo, seeing the Old Madam's expression, dared not speak again. After a moment, the Old Madam shifted her gaze to the little maid beside her.

When the Old Madam called her name, Qing Mo's little maid trembled slightly. She walked before the Old Madam and knelt, glancing at Qing Mo, then at Madam Wen, before finally staring fixedly at the Old Madam, hesitating as if unsure where to begin.

Lin He observed the girl's demeanor and said with a smile in her tone, "Unsure where to start, are we? Let's start with what your mistress said: 'What, a country bumpkin who has never even seen a lotus flower? Are you so surprised just by seeing a lotus?'"

As Lin He uttered this sentence, the complexions of the women present shifted slightly. The Old Madam also cast a subtle glance at Qing Mo, then spoke sternly, "Second Young Mistress has commanded you to speak. Begin here. Do not look around wildly; speak directly. If a single word is false, you will be expelled from the Wen Residence today and sold off."