The Heir

Сhарtеr 228: Рunishmеnt

“No neеd tо sеаrсh.” At that momеnt, Sеventh Grandmоther entеrеd, suрроrtеd by You Gе’er and leaning on her саne, hеr eхрrеssiоn stern.

“Sеvеnth Grаndmоthеr, do уou know wherе Вrothеr Run is?” Zhen Niang hurried fоrward to suрport hеr, whilе Liu Jin Sао brоught оvеr a chаir fоr Old Маdаm Li to sit.

“I lоckеd him insidе the Ink Reроsitorу.” Old Madаm Li sat down, her fасе cоld as frost.

Hеr wоrds shоckеd еvеrуоnе. Seеing thаt her Аunt Jinhua sеemed hеsitant tо sреak, Zhеn Niаng аskеd first, “Seventh Grandmоther, why did you loсk Brother Run insidе the Ink Reрositоrу?”

“While I wаs napping today, he stole the key to the Ink Repository from me and opened the door himself. That’s why I locked him inside.” Old Madam Li’s expression was grim, and she shot a cold glance at Li Jinhua.

Zhen Niang knew that although Seventh Grandmother had given her the key to the Ink Repository, she still kept a spare set with her. However, no one else knew that Seventh Grandmother had given her the key.

This meant that Brother Run’s actions clearly showed he was targeting the Ink Repository. Of course, a ten-year-old boy couldn’t have such cunning on his own—someone must have been behind his actions.

At this point, Li Zhenniang began to understand. Earlier, she had wondered why Wang Decai was getting close to Brother Run. Now it was clear: it was for the Li Family Ink Repository, and most likely for the Li Ink Formula stored inside.

“Old Madam, I would never dare to target the Ink Repository,” Li Jinhua said, her face pale. In the Li family, targeting the Ink Repository was a grave offense.

“I know you wouldn’t. I’m asking you to explain. How did this happen? As his mother, didn’t you notice anything unusual about Brother Run’s behavior before this?” Old Madam Li sat upright, glaring coldly at Li Jinhua. She knew Li Jinhua wasn’t that kind of person, but someone else must have been behind Brother Run.

At this point, Li Jinhua no longer hid anything. She recounted how Brother Run had been causing trouble with everyone lately because of Wang Decai.

“So it was Wang Decai’s doing?” Old Madam Li’s eyes turned icy.

“That seems to be the case,” Li Zhenniang added.

“How have you been raising this child? He’s ten years old and should understand some things by now. Don’t be too lenient with him—what needs to be said must be said clearly.” Old Madam Li lectured sternly. The Li family couldn’t afford to leave such loopholes for others to exploit.

“Yes, Old Madam, I was wrong. I will make sure to teach Brother Run properly from now on.” Li Jinhua quickly promised. In truth, even without Old Madam Li’s instructions, she would have made sure to explain everything clearly to Brother Run. If once wasn’t enough, she would repeat it until he remembered. Brother Run’s actions this time had gone too far, and she was truly terrified. Targeting the Ink Repository—if this had happened when Old Madam was younger, being expelled from the Li family would have been a light punishment."Alright, as long as you remember. Such things must never happen again. Let this matter rest for now." Old Madam Li nodded, then added, "As for Brother Run, though he is young, he is already ten years old and understands a little. Tonight, he will stay in the Ink Repository. No matter what, a mistake is a mistake, and he must understand the consequences. Being locked up for one night and missing two meals won't kill him." With that, Old Madam Li stood up and was helped back by You Ge'er.

It was clear that Brother Run would not be released tonight.

Li Zhenniang and Li Jinhua escorted Old Madam Li to the door.

Watching the old madam walk away, Li Jinhua wiped her tears. Brother Run was so young, locked in the Ink Repository for a whole night. It would undoubtedly be difficult for him, but Li Jinhua dared not challenge Old Madam Li's authority, especially since Brother Run had made such a grave mistake this time.

Thinking of this, Li Jinhua fiercely wiped away another tear. "That damned Wang Decai, I'll fight him to the end." Her expression was unusually resolute as she prepared to confront Wang Decai.

"Aunt, it's already late today. Go tomorrow, but don't go to Wang Decai's house. Go directly to Madam Tian's Ink Pavilion on Four Treasures Street and make a scene. That way, Wang Decai will have something to fear and won't dare to target Brother Run again," Li Zhenniang said.

This matter involving Brother Run wasn't just Wang Decai's doing; Chunzhi was also involved, and it might even be connected to the Japanese. Zhenniang recalled seeing the relationship between the Tian family and the Japanese when she left Nanjing. In any case, this matter had to be guarded against. Making a scene was for the best—scheming to steal ink formulas was a major taboo in the ink industry. By stirring up trouble, Chunzhi and Wang Decai would think twice before acting.

Hearing Zhenniang's explanation, Li Jinhua nodded firmly. She then slumped onto the stone steps, burying her face in her hands. Zhenniang understood that Aunt Jinhua was worried about Brother Run.

Seeing that the sky had grown completely dark and thinking of Brother Run being locked up since the afternoon, alone inside, Zhenniang feared that a ten-year-old child spending another night alone might cause psychological issues. After some thought, she said to Aunt Jinhua, "Aunt, prepare some of Brother Run's favorite food. I'll take it in and keep him company later."

Others were not allowed to enter the Ink Repository. Currently, besides Old Madam Li, only Zhenniang could come and go freely.

"This... no, Old Madam Li..." Li Jinhua shook her head, unwilling to let Brother Run's troubles affect Zhenniang.

"It's fine. I can enter the Ink Repository. Besides, Old Madam Li only said Brother Run would be locked up for the night. She didn't forbid anyone from keeping him company," Zhenniang said.

"Ah... alright... that's good..." Hearing Li Zhenniang's words, Li Jinhua breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back to the Sixth Branch to prepare some food, packing it into a lunchbox to bring over.

Zhenniang then informed her grandmother and mother before taking the lunchbox to the Seventh Branch's Ink Repository. Li Jinhua followed.

"Aunt Jinhua, you can't enter the Ink Repository. You should go back and rest," Zhenniang said.

"I won't rest. You'll be inside with Brother Run, and I'll stay outside with you. If a child is not taught properly, it is the father's fault. Since he has no father, it is my fault as his mother. Therefore, if he is being punished, I cannot be exempt either," Li Jinhua said.Zhen Niang saw her firm resolve and did not try to persuade her further. In fact, it was just as well—letting Brother Run see Li Jinhua suffer alongside him would at least make him better understand the consequences of his actions, and he would think twice before doing something like this again.

With that, the two of them arrived at the family shrine. Old Madam Li was still sitting in meditation inside. Zhen Niang cheerfully greeted Seventh Grandmother, then opened the door to the Ink Repository and carried the food box inside.

Old Madam Li acted as if she hadn’t noticed, clearly tacitly approving of Zhen Niang’s actions.

Meanwhile, Li Jinhua knelt beside Old Madam Li, accompanying her in silent meditation.

Li Zhenniang entered the Ink Repository, which was pitch dark inside. Zhen Niang lit the lamp stand nearby and searched for a while before spotting Brother Run huddled alone in a corner, trembling all over.

He seemed to be in a daze, half-asleep and half-awake.

“Brother Run, Brother Run…” Zhen Niang sat down in front of him and gently shook him.

Only then did Brother Run lift his head. As soon as he saw Zhen Niang, he burst into loud sobs. Having been locked up since noon, his spirit had already broken. At this moment, seeing Zhen Niang, he completely forgot all the bad things Wang Decai had said about her in front of him. All he felt was that this elder cousin was more dear to him than ever, and he wept pitifully.

Seeing him cry so hard, Zhen Niang’s heart eased a little. Good, good—being able to cry was a good sign.

“Here, your mother made dinner for you. Eat first.” Zhen Niang opened the food box. As soon as Brother Run caught the scent of the food, his eyes lit up. On top of that, his stomach was growling with hunger, so he picked up the bowl and began eating. In no time, he had devoured the meal like a whirlwind. The little fellow let out a satisfied burp, and his spirits lifted.

“Cousin, why aren’t we leaving?” Only now did Brother Run ask, his eyelashes still wet with tears.

“You have to stay here for the night. Do you understand why?” Zhen Niang looked at Brother Run seriously. She had decided to have a good talk with the boy tonight.

Hearing Li Zhenniang’s words, Brother Run’s face turned pale. After a long moment, he said, “I did something bad. Seventh Grandmother locked me in here to punish me.”

He wasn’t completely ignorant. After entering the Ink Repository and hearing the lock click outside, he naturally understood that Seventh Grandmother had locked him inside.

“If you knew it was wrong, why did you do it?” Zhen Niang pressed on.

Brother Run hung his head low. After a while, he looked up, his eyes red, and said, “Everyone else has a father, but I don’t. I want my father to come back. He said that if I could get the Li family’s ink formula and he could make good ink with it, once he proved his ability, the Old Madam would let him return.”

“Your father can never return to the Li family. Whether he has ability or not has nothing to do with the Li family, because your father betrayed your mother. Setting that aside, did you think about your mother when you acted? If you took the ink formula, your mother would bear all the consequences. How could she ever hold her head up in the Li family again?” Zhen Niang frowned deeply as she asked, then pointed toward the door. “Do you know? Your mother is kneeling outside right now, suffering alongside you.”

“I… It’s my fault. It has nothing to do with my mother…” Brother Run’s little face fell, filled with remorse and confusion.

“But you’re still a child, and you don’t understand. Your mistakes naturally fall on your mother to bear.” Zhen Niang said."I..." Brother Run didn't know what to say, waves of regret washing over him.

"Brother Run, I know it's not wrong for you to miss your father, but adult matters aren't that simple. You're still young, and there are some things you can't understand yet. So right now, you shouldn't get involved in grown-up affairs. What you need to do is study, learn proper manners, and become a good person. When you're old enough to understand things clearly, then you can decide what to do. Do you understand?" Zhen Niang continued.

"Mm." Brother Run lifted his head to look at Zhen Niang, and after a long moment, nodded firmly.

No matter what, today's lesson had left a deep impression on him. Although he missed his father, over the years his father had ultimately remained a somewhat distant figure. This time, his actions had caused his mother to suffer alongside him. At this moment, thoughts of his father naturally had to be set aside.