The moment the old madam spoke, several mocking sneers erupted in the room. Lin He didn't notice who exactly made the sounds, but it was clear they found the old madam's proposed punishment far too light.

It was true, after such a major incident that caused such a ruckus, to merely let it pass seemed like thunder without rain—all noise, little consequence. She recalled how, even before it was confirmed she had pushed Qing Mo into the lotus pond, the old madam had been ready to call for the family discipline. Had Wen Ningxuan not arrived in time, she might have already experienced the Wen family's harsh rules firsthand.

Did the Wen family's rules even have a standard? Or were they simply tools that those in power could wield and withdraw as they pleased? If so, why bother with formal discipline at all? Wouldn't it be simpler just to let the powerful decree a punishment whenever someone erred? Lin He let out a sarcastic laugh internally.

And though not everyone agreed with the old madam's decree, no one dared to voice opposition. Even Concubine Luo, who had been so adamant last time, remained silent. Concubine Luo hadn't said a word all day, merely sitting quietly beneath Madam Wen, watching Madam Wen and Wen Ningchen with a look of thinly veiled derision.

Concubine Luo's demeanor gave Lin He a distinct impression: Concubine Luo likely knew how things would unfold, and the final outcome was precisely what she desired. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so composed today.

If that were the case, Concubine Luo truly must be favored. There were only two reasons she would know the result: either Old Master Wen had disclosed something to her, or she had used her understanding of him to deduce the situation herself. Both possibilities suggested an extraordinary closeness between Concubine Luo and Old Master Wen. For a mere concubine to be so intimate with the Master—it could only be explained by deep favoritism.

A long silence settled over the room, broken only by the sound of everyone's suppressed breathing. Just as Lin He thought the night might pass in this tense quiet, Old Master Wen, after a stretch of silence, finally spoke: "Chen'er, rise now."

Old Master Wen's words brought a wave of relief to many present. This matter needed a conclusion, and his silence had kept everyone suspended in anxious anticipation. Now, at least, things felt somewhat resolved.

Especially Wen Ningchen, who was kneeling, could be described as suddenly beaming with joy. He assumed his father telling him to rise meant tacit approval of the old madam's light sentence. However, Madam Wen, kneeling beside him, did not share Wen Ningchen's simple assumption. Having been married to the Master for decades, she observed his unusual behavior today. Based on her understanding of her husband, he would not forgive Chen'er so easily.

Madam Wen softly called out, "Master, what are you..."

Old Master Wen waved his hand, cutting off his wife's words. After a moment, he stated, "What Chen'er has done this time has severely damaged the Wen family's reputation; it cannot be lightly forgiven. Steward, fetch the family discipline. Since the Wen family maintains a formal code of punishment, we shall follow it. Given that Chen'er is the eldest son, his transgression demands heavier retribution. The Steward himself shall administer the discipline: fifty lashes, not one less. No one is to intercede. Should anyone plead for mercy, the number of lashes will increase."

"After the whipping, no salve is to be applied for three days. As your grandmother suggested, he will then spend three days kneeling in the ancestral hall in solitary reflection. No one is to deliver food inside. As for his marriage to Ning Nuo, that will be settled on another day after he has completed his penance. However, a Pingqi is out of the question; the Wen family has never recognized the status of Pingqi. He will take her in as a Pianfang (secondary consort), and the marriage terms will follow the regulations for a Pianfang. If Ning Nuo has objections, she may speak to me directly." Old Master Wen finished his declaration with a sharp glance toward Li Yuzhen.

At this moment, Li Yuzhen's expression was a mixture of sorrow and relief. She was pleased that Ning Nuo would only become a Pianfang, which would not affect her own status. But she was saddened by the severity of the punishment Old Master Wen decreed for Wen Ningchen. Regardless of his misdeeds, he was still her husband, and she naturally felt a pang of pity.

Several other women in the room gasped audibly after hearing Old Master Wen's sentence. Such a penalty was extraordinarily severe by Wen family standards; they had never witnessed anything like it.

Although the Wen family frequently threatened to invoke family discipline, in the end, someone would always intercede, and the punishment would dwindle into a mere formality—a few token lashes to close the matter.

But this time, Old Master Wen had blocked every avenue for leniency. Not only was pleading forbidden, but he forbade even applying medicine after the whipping, sending the injured man directly to the ancestral hall to kneel, with no food provided. This punishment was tantamount to taking half his life away.

Silence reigned for a long moment after the Master announced the penalty; everyone seemed frozen in shock. The first to react was the old madam. She looked at Old Master Wen, frowning slightly. "Jie'er, this punishment is far too harsh. Chen'er’s health has always been frail; he may not withstand such torment. Furthermore, what Chen'er did this time wasn't an irredeemable evil. Such severity is unnecessary."

Before Old Master Wen could reply, Wen Ningchen cried out, "Father, you cannot punish me like this! What happened this time was because of..."

"Chen'er, cease your nonsense!" Madam Wen sharply interrupted before he could finish his sentence.

Wen Ningchen had been about to reveal that the Second Master had framed him, but his mother's reprimand reminded him of her earlier instructions, and he fell silent, head bowed, standing to the side.

Having silenced Wen Ningchen, Madam Wen slightly bent her body before Old Master Wen. "Yes, Master, Mother is right. Ningchen had a bad cold recently, and only just started recovering these last two days. If he suffers this kind of shock again, he truly won't survive. I beg you, Master, for the sake of your wife, spare Chen'er this time. I promise I will discipline him strictly from now on and prevent him from making any further errors."

Wen Ningchen, quick to react, immediately knelt again after hearing his mother's plea. "Yes, Father, I promise I will never make mistakes again. I will diligently assist Father in managing the family shops, and I will correct all my bad habits."

Following this, most people in the room came forward to plead on Wen Ningchen's behalf—not just the younger generation, but the elders too. Their pleas were generally the same: asking Old Master Wen to forgive Wen Ningchen this once and lessen the severity of the punishment.

Although Lin He didn't know precisely how severe this punishment ranked, the memory of the last whipping sent a shiver down her spine. Observing the expressions of everyone else in the room, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of remorse.

This feeling had been present ever since she first saw Wen Ningchen's pitiful entrance, and the severity of the punishment only amplified it. Although Lin He repeatedly tried to convince herself that Wen Ningchen had brought this predicament upon himself through his own poor choices—one thing was one thing—she still felt it improper for her to intercede directly. Thinking this, she glanced toward Wen Ningxuan seated nearby.

Wen Ningxuan caught her eye, reached out, and squeezed her hand resting on the table, giving her a look that urged patience. Then, he quietly remained seated, saying nothing. Seeing Wen Ningxuan's inaction, Lin He felt a pang of discontent. Wen Ningchen was, after all, his elder brother; even if he wasn't a good one, this whole affair was partly related to them. Why was he remaining so aloof? Wasn't that being too heartless?

Feeling uneasy, Lin He watched him for a moment before shifting her gaze. Across the room, she saw Wen Shixiang sitting just as detachedly in his seat, idly fanning himself with a paper fan in a slow, meaningless rhythm. He showed no sign of preparing to plead his case.

No wonder these two uncles and nephews could always harmonize their words; when it came to cruelty, they were clearly of one mind—a pair of scoundrels. Lin He shot them a disdainful glance, hesitating over whether she should rise to ask for mercy herself.

Presumably, Ziqing behind her sensed her intention and gave her back a light pat on the shoulder. Lin He turned around; Ziqing shook her head, then glanced toward the Second Young Master. Lin He understood the message: she should not step forward; she must follow the Second Young Master's lead.

Lin He knew Ziqing had a point. Although she disagreed with Wen Ningxuan's approach, she could not openly overrule him. Accepting this, she didn't immediately stand to plead, though her heart remained conflicted. Lost in thought with her head lowered, she missed the flicker of pained tenderness in Wen Ningxuan's eyes directed toward her.