Chapter 6: Fu Juxing, I’m Sorry

Fu Juxing didn’t move, but instead held Lin Wanbai’s hand and said, “Grandfather, this is all a misunderstanding.”
Lin Wanbai stayed silent, giving him only a sidelong glance. Her fine husband was about to defend her.

He wore a look of utmost seriousness as he spoke, “I went to find that man. He saw a photo of Wanbai but didn’t recognize her. I think someone must have used her name without her knowledge.”

Lin Wanbai pressed her lips together, suppressing a laugh, and continued listening to his earnest nonsense. “It must have been that Wanbai was covering for a friend. I know her—she wouldn’t do such a thing, nor is she that kind of person. I trust her completely.”

As he spoke, he turned to look into her eyes. “You should explain everything to Grandfather yourself. Reputation is your own; I believe in you, but I can’t stop others from gossiping. Clearly, your friend didn’t consider your circumstances at all. Grandfather is angry because you don’t cherish your own reputation.”

Lin Wanbai, of course, played along. “Yes, it’s true. My friend asked for my help. The top performer insisted on seeing only me. My friend is especially enamored with him, and I, having such an understanding husband, couldn’t refuse. I agreed out of kindness, never expecting my friend to be so high-profile. Some people just talk nonsense for the sake of it. If I ever find out who started these rumors, I won’t let them off easily.”

Lin Zhaowei shot her a glare and snorted, then fixed his gaze on Fu Juxing. “Indulging her like this does her no favors—you’re actually harming her. My granddaughter, Lin Zhaowei’s granddaughter, must not be a person without rules or principles! Even helping a friend is wrong in this case! Go, bring me the punishment ruler. Not another word.”

His decision was final.

Fu Juxing tried to speak again, but Lin Zhaowei called for the old steward, Uncle Xiang.

The family’s punishment ruler, passed down through generations, was exquisitely made and excruciating when used. Lin Wanbai had endured more than her share of its sting since childhood; the ruler bore witness to her tears and pain. She never imagined she’d still face it at her age.

She obediently stood before the coffee table, rubbing her hands and stealing a glance at Lin Zhaowei—was he truly going to go through with it?

Soon, Uncle Xiang arrived with the ruler and handed it over. Lin Zhaowei gripped it and smacked it loudly on the table. Lin Wanbai’s shoulders instinctively tensed.

He stood, his voice thunderous. “Tell me yourself—how many strikes do you deserve for this mistake?”

Lin Wanbai swallowed nervously, at a loss for words.

Fu Juxing intervened, “Everyone deserves a chance to correct their mistakes. A verbal lesson should suffice this time. Wanbai is simply too kind and doesn’t know how to say no.”

But Lin Zhaowei, unwavering in his principles, merely softened his tone a fraction as he addressed Fu Juxing, “There’s no need for more words. Whoever breaks the rules must be punished. That is our Lin family’s way.” Then he glared at Lin Wanbai, “Answer me.”

Lin Wanbai licked her lips, calculating in her heart. “Twenty strokes.”

“Twenty? You have the nerve to say it! Clearly, you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. Lin Wanbai, this is one of the seven cardinal sins for a wife. How could you, as a married woman, do such a thing? You’re a person, not an animal! If this story gets out, I’ll lose all face!”

His words were harsh, and Lin Wanbai dared not respond.

“If this were ancient times, you’d be drowned in a pig cage!” He forced down his anger and said, “Since it’s your first time making such a grave mistake, and since you didn’t actually do anything indecent, I’ll strike you fifty times with the ruler. With every stroke, you will apologize to Ah Xing. If you ever do this again, I will not go easy on you. Don’t think you’ll be spared just because you are my only granddaughter. Even the Emperor is judged by the same laws as the common folk. If you err, you must be punished. Do you feel wronged?”

“Not at all,” Lin Wanbai replied.

She extended her hands.

Lin Zhaowei brought the ruler down hard; her palms immediately reddened. Lin Wanbai bit her lip, drawing a sharp breath—he was truly not holding back. She held her breath, and after a few seconds, managed to say, “Fu Juxing, I’m sorry.”

In the great hall, the only sounds were the crack of the ruler against her palms and Lin Wanbai’s apologies to Fu Juxing.

That evening, Lin Zhaowei didn’t let them stay for dinner. As soon as the punishment was over, he sent them away, muttering something about how not seeing them meant less anger and loss of appetite.

Lin Wanbai’s hands trembled. She thought to herself that the old man was quite the performer—his act was thorough and convincing.

Her palms were raw, blistered and bleeding, the pain almost unbearable. But no matter how much it hurt, she didn’t shed a single tear.