The little maid, pinned by the Old Madam’s sharp gaze, dared not look away, kneeling on the ground and recounting everything that had happened today precisely. It had to be admitted, the girl had quite the memory, recalling every word spoken by everyone without omission, even including what Ziyu had said.

However, she faltered when she reached the part about Lin He intending to leave, and then what followed: Qing Mo being pushed into the lotus pond. Lin He could tell the girl was caught in a dreadful conflict—which version to tell? If she spoke the truth, Qing Mo would certainly not let her off the hook once they returned to the courtyard. But if she followed Ning Nuo’s account, as Lin He herself had suggested, she hadn't served her young mistress well, and the Old Madam would surely not spare her once the facts were clear.

While the little maid wrestled with her dilemma, the Second Madam, who had been silent until then, finally spoke, "Mother, I have something to say."

The Old Madam nodded at her.

The Second Madam continued, "The maid attending me said that when they reached the courtyard, she saw Lin He's two maids pulling Qing Mo out of the lotus pond. Logically, if Lin He intended to push Qing Mo in, why would she then pull her out? Furthermore, according to this girl's account, after Lin He finished speaking, she was about to leave. Why would she suddenly push Qing Mo into the pond again? This part I cannot quite understand."

Aunt Luo, who had also remained silent, suddenly let out a few dry chuckles. "This is something I haven't managed to figure out either. It seems more appropriate for Madam Wen to offer an explanation." As Aunt Luo spoke, she glanced towards Madam Wen.

The Old Madam looked at the Second Madam and Aunt Luo, then fixed her gaze on the little maid on the floor. "And then? What happened next? Continue speaking, and you must tell the truth."

The little maid glanced again at those seated, finally pouting, and burst into tears, saying, "Old Madam, Madam, Young Miss, it is all my fault. I failed to look after my young mistress properly, causing her to fall into the lotus pond. It is all my fault; please only punish me." With that, she repeatedly kowtowed on the floor.

Seeing the little maid’s distress, coupled with what the Second Madam had just said, the Old Madam began to grasp the situation. She looked up and suddenly stared intensely at Lin He. "Xuan's wife, do you have anything else to say?"

Lin He blinked, standing in the room, and replied, "Grandmother, actually, I share the same question as my Second Aunt. I, too, cannot understand—how did I suddenly push Qing Mo into the lotus pond?"

Just as Lin He finished speaking, laughter drifted in from outside. Everyone turned to look as Wen Shixiang swaggered in casually, still smiling. "Mother, who are you holding court over today? Let me listen in as well." He then settled into a chair, clearly adopting the posture of an interested spectator.

"Xiang'er, this is none of your business; go back inside," the Old Madam said to him with a hint of exasperation.

"I'll just sit here quietly without interrupting. You all carry on with your interrogation," Wen Shixiang insisted, still leaning carelessly in his chair.

The Old Madam let him be and returned to Lin He’s last statement. "Xuan's wife, what kind of statement is that? What do you mean by 'you also don't understand'?"

Hearing the Old Madam's words, Lin He couldn't discern the true intent behind them, yet a distinct disappointment settled in her heart. She had hoped that by now, the Old Madam would be able to distinguish truth from falsehood. Instead, she was being questioned this way.

Lin He dropped the smile from her face and spoke with firm righteousness. "Grandmother, in the Wen family, you are the highest authority. I trust that you handle matters justly, and that justice should not merely mean believing others' words. You must have your own considerations in mind. I have nothing more to say now. I have stated all I need to state. Connect this girl's testimony with the sequence of events and tell me which one makes more sense."

As Lin He finished speaking, a collective gasp echoed through the room. Wen Shixiang, seated nearby, showed a flash of amusement in his eyes. Was the girl criticizing the Old Madam for not engaging thoughtfully with the facts, or was she accusing her of unfairness? Few people would dare utter such words, yet this girl spoke them openly before this gathering—truly exhibiting a spirit of fearlessness.

Indeed, the moment Lin He finished, the Old Madam’s gaze shot toward her, as cold as if plucked from icy water. Her voice boomed with authority. "Insolence! Kneel down for me!"

Lin He remained silent, looking calmly at the Old Madam. She did not obey the command to kneel but remained standing straight in the room. Suddenly, Madam Wen, sitting nearby, spoke up again. "He'er, the way you addressed Grandmother is quite improper. Kneel quickly, do not anger Grandmother." Madam Wen then stood up, seemingly preparing to walk toward Lin He.

Just as she was about to step forward, a cool voice cut in from outside: "What mistake has my wife made that warrants kneeling in front of so many people?"

Hearing that voice, Lin He instantly felt a wave of relief, and a faint smile touched her lips.

Everyone turned toward the doorway. Wen Ningxuan entered with a frigid expression. He walked into the room without greeting anyone, going directly to Lin He's side. After scanning her figure from head to toe and confirming she was unharmed, he turned his attention to the Old Madam. "Grandmother, what precisely happened today that requires the entire family to convene and interrogate my wife?"

"Ningxuan, go sit aside first. Today, your wife and Qing Mo pushed Qing Mo into the lotus pond, and Grandmother is questioning her," the Third Madam whispered to Ningxuan.

"Heh, isn't Qing Mo sitting right there, perfectly fine, neither broken nor rotting? What is there to interrogate?" Wen Ningxuan glanced coldly at Qing Mo, who was seated nearby.

"Ningxuan, watch your tone. Qing Mo is your sister, and today your wife was in the wrong," the Old Madam said, frowning at Wen Ningxuan.

As soon as the Old Madam finished speaking, Wen Ningxuan replied expressionlessly, "Her falling into the lotus pond is her own affair. Whether someone pushed her or she fell in herself—can’t she distinguish that? There is no need for interrogation. My wife did not push her. Even if she had, there would be nothing to interrogate. Given the things she said to my wife today, pushing her into the pond would have been lenient; we should be applying family discipline to her now."

"Grandmother, you are the head of the household; you should administer justice fairly. Even if my wife did push her today, you should address her behavior first. My wife is her Second Sister-in-law; she offended her Second Sister-in-law. The Wen family has rules. Moreover, there are so many servants present today; someone must have seen what truly transpired. Grandmother, ask around, and you will know the full story. I am hungry, and I am waiting for my wife to go back to eat."

With those words, Wen Ningxuan took Lin He's hand and started to leave. However, stopping midway across the room, he turned back to say, "Oh, and Mother, although the Wen family is wealthy, we do not keep idlers. Sometimes certain people need to be sent away." As he spoke, he flicked a glance toward Ning Nuo, who was seated nearby.

Without waiting for any reaction from those in the room, he led Lin He out. Those remaining exchanged bewildered looks. The Old Madam grew so enraged that she slammed her cane hard against the floor several times, crying out, "An unfilial son! Truly an unfilial son!"