Over the next few days, the Qin family’s life was completely disrupted by Imperial Uncle Cao.

Imperial Uncle Cao commanded people to come see Qin Huaiyuan almost daily. At first it was verbal mockery and confrontation, but later it developed into Imperial Uncle Cao personally bringing people to search the Qin residence for so-called evidence. Not only were those courtyards that had already been locked and abandoned searched, but even the old matriarch’s Cixiao Garden was turned completely upside down.

The so-called searches weren’t proper investigations either, but deliberate destruction of the Qin family’s belongings—pulling everything from bookshelves and cabinets to throw on the ground and trample at will. Even the girls’ quarters at Shuoren Studio weren’t spared. Needless to say the books on the shelves and ornaments on the treasure pavilions, even the winter clothes stored away in trunks were all pulled out, creating chaos throughout the entire residence as if it had been ransacked by bandits.

Second Master’s position in the Ministry of Rites was also seized upon by Imperial Uncle Cao, who impeached him with accusations that he was in collusion with Qin Huaiyuan to embezzle silver from the Ministry of Revenue. The Emperor was already in a rage, and without even seeking verification, he scolded Second Master again.

Now, aside from Qin Huaiyuan still retaining his noble title, the Qin family had completely lost their voice in court. During court sessions, whatever Imperial Uncle Cao said was taken as fact, and the Qin family didn’t even have a chance to refute.

Qin Yining had already been suffering from summer fatigue, and recent events had filled her with anger, causing her to be unable to eat for two consecutive days.

Needless to say someone young and strong like Qin Yining—even the old matriarch had long since fallen ill from anger and only recovered somewhat after taking medicine for several days.

In Qin Huaiyuan’s entire life, he had never suffered such losses. As a man, if he couldn’t even preserve this one pure sanctuary for his family, what face would he have left to live on shamelessly?

Therefore, Qin Huaiyuan, filled with extreme rage and having no other recourse, continuously submitted memorials to the Emperor pleading his case.

But the Emperor’s reply was: “Imperial Uncle Cao is investigating the flow and embezzlement of Ministry of Revenue silver under Our imperial edict. Beloved minister should focus on the greater good and cooperate fully.”

Cooperate?

If he cooperated any more, the Qin family would be devoured by the Cao family until not even bone fragments remained!

How could Qin Huaiyuan be willing to suffer such losses?

Imperial Uncle Cao’s harassment of the Qin family continued unabated, so Qin Huaiyuan’s memorials pleading his case also continued without pause.

When he was negotiating in Xihua City, the Emperor could send over ten urgent imperial edicts daily by swift horse to pressure him.

Now that he was right here in the imperial capital, surely he could learn from the Emperor’s example?

Therefore, Qin Huaiyuan’s pleading memorials were sent to the palace almost twice daily. If Imperial Uncle Cao came to cause particular trouble on any given day, he would send them three or four times.

Perhaps Qin Huaiyuan’s sincerity moved the Emperor, or perhaps the Emperor finally couldn’t stand the disturbance any longer. On this day, the Emperor made the unprecedented arrangement of sending Chief Eunuch Wang from his personal staff to personally deliver an oral edict to the Qin residence.

On this summer afternoon, the sunlight was particularly vicious. Kneeling on the stone bricks in the front courtyard of the Qin residence was somewhat scalding, the heat penetrating through the thin summer fabric to invade the skin, causing Qin Yining and all the female family members to involuntarily furrow their brows.

Qin Yining knelt in the back, worriedly lifting her gaze toward Qin Huaiyuan who knelt at the very front.

A scene extremely similar to the present one surfaced in her mind.

That was at Duke Dingguo’s Sun residence, where she and Qin Huining had knelt among the Sun family’s female relatives alongside their mother, watching as Chief Eunuch Wang from the palace delivered an edict demanding Sun Yu’s head. What followed was Sun Yu’s tragic collision with the wall, that scene of red and white spattering like ten thousand peach blossoms blooming—an image she would probably never forget for the rest of her life. And the Sun family’s tragedy had begun from that very day.

Today it was still Chief Eunuch Wang delivering the edict.

Their family, just like the Sun family that day, seemed as helpless as fish on a chopping block awaiting slaughter.

Qin Yining felt Sun Shi trembling beside her.

She understood that such a scene also reminded her mother of the Sun family’s affairs.

Qin Yining supported Sun Shi, reassuringly squeezing her hand.

Feeling her daughter’s warmth, Sun Shi finally felt somewhat more settled in her heart.

Chief Eunuch Wang flicked his whisk and said with a smile: “Marquis Anping, this old servant has come today to deliver His Majesty’s oral edict. His Majesty instructed this old servant to convey his words without omitting a single word to Marquis Anping, so Marquis Anping must listen carefully.”

“Yes. Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.” Qin Huaiyuan respectfully bowed.

Chief Eunuch Wang’s shrill voice imitated the Emperor’s tone with eighty percent accuracy:

“We considered that you handled your duties with reasonable dedication in the past, and originally had no intention of reproaching you. Who knew that while you usually only demand others prioritize state affairs, when it comes to yourself, you won’t even cooperate with an investigation? Could it be that you really did embezzle Ministry of Revenue silver? Are you feeling guilty now?

“…Your dereliction of duty and negligence not only betrays Our trust in you, you’ve even led astray Our only Crown Prince!

“Previously the Crown Prince was well-read and reasonable, gentle and refined. Now he even dares to shout and show disrespect for proper hierarchy in Our very presence. Your methods truly disappoint Us! How do you still have the face to submit memorials slandering Imperial Uncle to Us…”

All the Qin family members knelt on the ground in full prostration, foreheads pressed against the stone bricks, listening to every word Chief Eunuch Wang conveyed.

The courtyard was completely silent. These heart-piercing words were like invisible blades that had already wounded everyone’s hearts thoroughly.

Qin Yining raised her head and quietly watched Qin Huaiyuan’s back. His originally upright figure had now collapsed, as if unable to bear the weight upon him and finally about to be unable to persist.

After a long while, Qin Huaiyuan said in a hoarse voice: “Thank you, Eunuch Wang. Please convey my meaning in return—this subject and his entire family thank His Majesty for his instruction.”

Chief Eunuch Wang sighed and said: “Marquis Anping shouldn’t be too stubborn either. If not, just step back a little. You must never forget the previous example. Look at what became of Duke Dingguo’s heir? You are a person of outstanding talent—there’s no need to insist on competing at this time.”

Chief Eunuch Wang had served the Emperor for many years. While he might not excel at other things, his skill at reading expressions was considerable.

He had watched the conflict between the Emperor and Qin Huaiyuan being stirred up by the Cao family with no way to intervene. Chief Eunuch Wang’s conscience wasn’t completely dead, and he also respected Qin Huaiyuan’s usual character, which was why he offered this hint.

Qin Huaiyuan was naturally grateful, personally escorting Chief Eunuch Wang out and presenting him with a generous gift envelope.

The female family members supported each other as they shakily rose to their feet.

The old matriarch was already weeping.

“This is too much bullying, too much bullying! Isn’t this taking advantage of our family having no one left? Could it be that Heaven wants to destroy our Qin family!”

Sun Shi thought of the Sun family’s tragic state that day, then thought of Qin Huaiyuan’s hunched back after being scolded just now, and her heart ached while tears also began streaming down.

Everyone returned to Cixiao Garden, each person like an eggplant struck by frost—some with worried, bitter expressions, others silently weeping.

Only after Qin Huaiyuan returned shortly after with Second Master and Third Master did the sobbing sounds in the room gradually quiet down.

Qin Huaiyuan didn’t act as he had before, wanting to bring people together to discuss the matter. Instead, he calmly paid his respects to the old matriarch, comforted her with a few words, then said he was exhausted and wanted to take an afternoon rest.

The old matriarch naturally didn’t refuse, letting everyone disperse.

Qin Yining left Cixiao Garden with Bingtang and Ji Yun, but suddenly stopped walking.

“Tell me, in the current situation, who else might possibly be able to help my father?”