Though Third Master Qin vehemently denied everything, his heart was in turmoil. He had a feeling that this time, he would fall.

When he had collaborated with Chunzhi and Wang Decai, his fourth nephew—Young Master Qin—had disagreed. But there were things his nephew didn’t know: the Qin family had no other options left.

The Suzhou Surveillance Commissioner had his eye on Feng Daniu, while General Qi’s northern forces were watching Officials Xuan and Yan. If the truth behind either matter came to light, either one could drag the Qin family to ruin. Thus, the Qin family had to take this gamble.

It was then that Third Master Qin received Wang Decai’s letter, bringing him to Huizhou. After learning of Wang Decai’s plan, though it was obvious Wang was using Feng Daniu’s situation to pressure the Qin family into cooperation—after all, Wang Decai’s connections alone couldn’t orchestrate such a grand scheme—this displeased Third Master Qin.

However, undeniably, Wang Decai’s plan greatly benefited the Qin family. First, it would pin the robbery and murders on Li Jingfu, clearing any suspicion from the Qin family. Simultaneously, it would implicate Luo Wenqian, eliminating the Qin family’s main competitor in the north.

This aspect particularly pleased him. Everyone in the north knew of Luo Wenqian’s excellent relationship with General Qi. If Luo Wenqian were implicated in collaborating with Tartars, General Qi would face trouble as well.

And if General Qi faced trouble, the northern army’s pursuit of Officials Xuan and Yan would have to cease, leaving the Qin family free from worry.

For these reasons, although Wang Decai was essentially blackmailing him—which didn’t sit well with him—Third Master Qin didn’t consider Wang Decai, such a minor figure, worth worrying about. Once they dealt with Luo Jiu, handling someone like Wang Decai would be trivial.

The plan had seemed perfect, but now, what should have been foolproof had spiraled out of control with Feng Daniu’s sudden betrayal. Only now did Third Master Qin realize that their supposedly perfect plan was full of holes.

Thinking of this, Third Master Qin glared viciously at Feng Daniu: “Feng Daniu, if you value your life, tell the truth. Did Luo Jiu and Li Jingfu threaten you?”

Third Master Qin’s words carried an implicit threat, but such threats now held no power over Feng Daniu.

Hearing Third Master Qin’s words, Feng Daniu’s face showed a bitter smile: “Third Master, you’re a clever man—can’t you see? You’ve lost. I’m telling the truth precisely because I want to stay alive. Li Jingfu and Luo Jiu knew about your plan all along. They dug a pit and waited for you to jump in.”

Speaking thus, Feng Daniu pointed to Zhao Zhen behind Commissioner Cai and said to Third Master Qin: “Third Master Qin, look who that is?”

As Feng Daniu’s words fell, Commissioner Cai stopped watching the show and grunted, “Mm,” then said to Zhao Zhen behind him: “Step forward.”

Thus, Zhao Zhen, who had been standing behind Commissioner Cai, stepped out.

“Who?” Third Master Qin turned his face to look at Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen had been hidden behind Yao Qianshan and Commissioner Cai, and when Third Master Qin entered the court, all his attention had been focused on dealing with the case, making it impossible to notice the servants accompanying Commissioner Cai.

Now, as Zhao Zhen stepped forward, Third Master Qin studied him carefully for a while before recognizing him, drawing in a sharp breath.

Of course, Third Master Qin was quite familiar with Zhao Zhen—in fact, he knew both Zhao Zhen and his brother Zhao Quan very well. However, since his capture, Zhao Zhen had first been in General Qi’s prison, where he had suffered greatly. He had lost over ten jin in weight, and with his different attire, he looked completely different from before, which was why Third Master Qin hadn’t noticed him earlier.

“Third Master, it’s been a while. If you keep walking by the river, your shoes are bound to get wet eventually,” Zhao Zhen said expressionlessly.

“Indeed. How is my family faring now?” Third Master Qin asked. Seeing Zhao Zhen appear in this state, he naturally knew the Qin family was finished. No wonder his fourth nephew hadn’t appeared in Huizhou lately.

Still, he harbored a slight hope that Zhao Zhen hadn’t implicated the Qin family.

“I wouldn’t know—I’ve been locked up. However, I confessed what needed to be confessed. You know in your heart what fate awaits the Qin family,” Zhao Zhen replied.

Just then, another announcement came from outside: “General Qi has arrived…”

Qi Jiguang had arrived, and the Li family members listening among the crowd finally felt completely at ease.

Accompanying Qi Jiguang were Luo Wenqian, Ba Hannaqi, and Officials Xuan and Yan, though they were all under heavy guard.

Seeing Ba Hannaqi, Third Master Qin, who had maintained a slight hope until now, finally understood completely. He couldn’t help but give Luo Wenqian a bitter smile: “Luo Jiu, you’ve won.”

“Third Master, you’re wrong. I haven’t won—you’ve lost. And you didn’t lose to me, Luo Jiu, but to justice and righteousness. Debts must always be repaid,” Luo Wenqian said calmly.

Truthfully, the business competition had no distinction between good and evil, but the Qin family had used Tartars to deal with business rivals—that was where they went wrong, terribly wrong.

“Indeed,” Third Master Qin nodded.

What followed was straightforward. With the testimonies of Ba Hannaqi, Zhao Zhen, and Officials Xuan and Yan, the truth about the Suzhou merchant caravan massacre came to light. Li Jingfu was innocent—it was the Qin family who had collaborated with the Tartars. Meanwhile, Chunzhi and Wang Decai were guilty of false accusations.

“Jingfu, thank heavens you’re alright, thank heavens,” Madam Wu said emotionally. Zhenniang stood beside her, smiling.

At this point, the magistrate didn’t hesitate to order Third Master Qin’s arrest. The Qin family estate had been confiscated several days earlier, and their patriarch was already in prison. General Qi had come on orders to arrest Third Master Qin, who was, in fact, the main culprit in the Tartar collaboration.

With Third Master Qin arrested, Li Jingfu was released in court.

Next came the matter of questioning Chunzhi and Wang Decai about their false accusations against the Li family.

“Your Honor, we had nothing to do with this. I merely saw Feng Daniu enter the Li residence, and knowing Commissioner Cai was hunting for him, plus being deceived by Third Master Qin’s scheme, I truly believed the Li family had collaborated with Tartars. That’s why I reported it along with Third Master Qin,” Wang Decai hastily explained.

Indeed, Wang Decai’s explanation was quite unassailable. The Tartar collaboration had been proven to be the Qin family’s doing, and Feng Daniu was genuinely guilty, with Commissioner Cai’s warrant being real. Thus, Wang Decai’s report about Li Jingfu could at most be attributed to being deceived by the Qin family, hardly a crime.

“Yes, yes,” Chunzhi quickly agreed.

Hearing Wang Decai’s words, Third Master Qin burst into laughter—he who had hunted geese all his life had now been pecked in the eye by one.

Meanwhile, Li Zhenniang watched Wang Decai and Chunzhi still kneeling on the ground, her fists clenched and face frost-like.

Wang Decai had pinned all blame for the false accusations on Third Master Qin, and his report about Feng Daniu wasn’t wrong, as the warrant was real. Thus, though he had falsely accused Li Jingfu of Tartar collaboration because he could claim to have been deceived by the Qin family, the charge would be much lighter—at most some caning, which could be commuted with silver.

How could Li Zhenniang accept this? Her fists clenched tighter as she turned to look at Luo Wenqian approaching.

Luo Wenqian understood Zhenniang’s feelings and shook his head at her: “Don’t rush. There’s more to come. Keep watching.”

Zhenniang was startled.

Just then, the sound of drum beats came from outside—someone was beating the drums to report an injustice.

“It’s Tian Benchang beating the drums,” the spectators whispered among themselves. Today’s trial had been one surprise after another, and now Young Master Tian was joining in.

People speculated about what Young Master Tian might be reporting. Surely it was about Chunzhi’s scheme to seize the Tian family property? After all, that matter still hadn’t been resolved, and since his release from prison, Tian Benchang had been hiding in the Tian residence. Everyone had been wondering whether he had accepted his fate or was waiting for an opportunity.

Zhenniang looked at Luo Wenqian again, asking quietly: “Is Tian Benchang going to accuse Chunzhi of seizing the family property? But Chunzhi has Old Master Tian’s will—can this case be won?”

Luo Wenqian whispered something in Zhenniang’s ear.

“Really?” Zhenniang heard his words with delighted surprise.

Luo Wenqian nodded.

“Bring in the person beating the drums!” The magistrate struck his gavel.

Soon, two runners brought Tian Benchang into court.

“Who kneels before the court? What injustice do you report?” the magistrate asked.

“Your Honor, I am Tian Benchang, eldest son of the Tian family. I accuse Concubine Chun of conspiring with Manager Wang Decai to cause my father’s death and usurp the family property—a grave crime. I beg Your Honor to grant me justice,” Tian Benchang kowtowed heavily. As everyone had guessed, he was indeed accusing Chunzhi and Wang Decai of seizing the Tian family property.

A concubine plotting against her husband or a servant against their master were both capital crimes.

“Your Honor, this is false. This humble concubine devotedly cared for the master during his illness. It was the master who, moved by my devotion and disappointed by his sons’ unfilial behavior, entrusted the property to me before his death. There is a will as proof. I beg Your Honor to investigate clearly,” Chunzhi knelt on the ground, looking wronged with tears in her eyes.

Regarding Chunzhi’s seizure of the Tian family property, the Tian family had actually filed complaints when it first happened—even Tian Ronghua had filed a case. The magistrate knew about this, and the final ruling had been based on Old Master Tian’s will.

“Tian Benchang, this court has handled this case before. Old Master Tian’s will clearly show that Chunzhi’s inheritance of the Tian family property is legal. Since you accuse Chunzhi of seizing property, what evidence do you have?” the magistrate said.

“Your Honor, the will Chunzhi possesses is forged and cannot be considered valid,” Tian Benchang replied.

“Oh? You say Chunzhi’s will is fake—what proof do you have?” the magistrate asked again.

The authenticity of the will has always been a contentious issue. Old Master Tian’s will had been written by Chunzhi, but it bore the Tian family seal and Old Master Tian’s fingerprint, making it legally valid.

However, after Old Master Tian fell ill, Chunzhi took charge of all household matters, big and small. Thus, obtaining the family seal would have been simple for her, and as for the fingerprint—truthfully, Old Master Tian had been confused near the end, and Chunzhi could have easily guided his hand to make the mark.

In other words, having the seal and fingerprint didn’t necessarily prove the will was truly made by Old Master Tian, but at the same time, no one could prove it wasn’t. This was why Tian Ronghua’s previous lawsuit had failed.

“Because my father had already made a will while he was alive. Therefore, he couldn’t have made another unreasonable will when he was near death,” Tian Benchang said deliberately.