Protect Our Clan Leader

...

In Wang Shouzhe's small courtyard, the beauty of blossoming flowers and lush plants never ceased, and a faint mist hung in the air, carrying with it an invigorating sense of vibrant spirit.

Many children from the Wang family's direct and collateral lines had profound memories of this yard.

Simply because Family Head Wang Shouzhe had always shown particular fondness for the younger members of his family; nearly every child had, at one point in their early years, been cradled in his arms and had listened to his enthralling and marvelous stories.

For the children, Wang Shouzhe had always been like a kind spring rain, carefully nurturing them, providing comprehensive support so they could grow strong, striving to offer them a bright, positive, and healthy childhood.

However, today, Wang Shouzhe sat in the pavilion with a face as dark as the depths of water, unable to even sip the Immortal Tea he usually loved so much.

Wang Zongrui was Wang Shouzhe's second direct son and his fourth child with Liu Ruolan.

He was now fifty-two years old. From his youth, he grew up to be handsome and tall, resembling an elegant gentleman of troubled times. Although now he sported a pair of small whiskers, it did not make him appear wretched; instead, it added a touch of maturity and stability.

After marrying the direct daughter of the Fang Family from Liaoyuan, he had led a down-to-earth life and had fathered two sons and a daughter.

Overall, apart from a time during his childhood when he persistently suspected his father and Artifact Spirit Lil Snow of having an unspeakable past—being beaten by his mother so much he once doubted whether he was Lil Snow's child—he, like his elder brother Wang Zong'an, hadn't caused Wang Shouzhe too much worry.

Today at fifty-two, having dedicated thirty years of diligent work in "Changning United Manufacturers Department" and slowly shouldering more responsibilities, he was considered one of the mainstays of the Wang family.

But today, he was kneeling miserably before his father, Wang Shouzhe.

Sweat dripped from his forehead, his gaze darted about, his expression uneasy, as if he had made some grave mistake.

Since that incident in his childhood, it had been many, many years since he had seen his father this angry.

Even his mother's attempt to appease his father with his favorite dish, "Rock candy tremella lotus seed soup," especially made to plead on his behalf, was met with a stern look from his father and rejected.

"Grandpa~ Daddy, Daddy..."

When Wang Ying Xuan was "escorted" over by her mother from the Fang Family, and saw what was happening, she instinctively shrank back, her little face turning pale, and she was at a loss for words, looking as pitiful as a little quail.

"Father..." Fang Family's own demeanor changed from the fierceness she had displayed before Wang Ying Xuan to meek deference, as she carefully bowed and delicately said, "I have brought Yuxuan here. You may punish her as you see fit, even to death if need be, please do not let Zongrui kneel any longer."

Since marrying Wang Zongrui, their marriage had been filled with love and they had two sons and a daughter together. She felt immense pity seeing her husband punished, especially knowing that her father-in-law would be reluctant to strike Yuxuan.

Wang Ying Xuan was nearly furious.

Mother, am I really your child? To save your husband, you would even sell out your daughter...

As the daughter-in-law, Fang Family certainly would not receive any harsh treatment from Wang Shouzhe.

His expression softened slightly, and, trying to reassure her, he said, "Feng'er, since marrying into the Wang family, you have always been a prudent and capable homemaker, with impeccable behavior and social interactions. It's just that today's incident..."

While speaking, he covertly signaled Liu Ruolan, who was standing aside holding the lotus seed soup and was visibly upset.

After glancing at him, Liu Ruolan put down the soup, led Fang Family to the side, and comforted her softly, "Feng'er, don't worry about this. Old man might be angry, but Zongrui is still his son, he won't go too far."

Consequently, Fang Family was somewhat relieved and gave her daughter, Wang Ying Xuan, a fierce glare.

"Zongrui, do you understand your mistake?"

With Fang Family being counseled to one side, Wang Shouzhe returned to his stern demeanor and looked towards Wang Zongrui, his face as stern as iron.

"Father," Wang Zongrui said with a quivering voice, keeping his head low, "Zongrui understands his mistake."

"Yuxuan is my granddaughter. Her current messy state is largely due to your failures as a father," said Wang Shouzhe. "Since you have admitted your fault, the punishment will be halved. Bring in the enforcers of the family law, fifty strikes."

"As you wish, Father."

Wang Zongrui dutifully removed his outer garment, revealing his back.

"Present!" Two enforcers from the Spirit Platform Realm, already prepared, stepped forward, each holding a rod for family punishment, and said to Wang Zongrui, "We apologize, Young Master Zongrui."

"I deserve this, it's not your fault," Wang Zongrui, not daring to bear any ill will towards them, quickly returned the courtesy and then, closing his eyes and clenching his teeth, said, "Begin."

Only after seeing Wang Zongrui's response did the two enforcers from the Spiritual Platform Realm start to wield the rods, aiming for Wang Zongrui's back.

Just after the first strike, Wang Zongrui shuddered, but he had to bear it without using his Mysterious Energy for protection.

"Slap, slap, slap!"

The family law rod strikes were firm; after just a few, Wang Zongrui's back began to show welts and cuts.

Fang Family almost fainted, her head spinning. How was this considered restraint?

Immediately, she pinched the still befuddled and startled Wang Ying Xuan hard, "You foolish girl, what are you waiting for? Aren't you going to beg for your grandfather's mercy? He always favored you the most."

Wang Ying Xuan's little face turned pale as she hurried to Wang Shouzhe's side, tearfully grasping his arm, "Grandpa, Grandpa. This is all Xuan'er's fault, it has nothing to do with Father.

I shouldn't have been lazy or neglected my studies, I shouldn't have threatened the teachers at the clan school again and again—I should not have been the ringleader, wu wu~~ Please don't punish Father anymore..."