They all knew clearly that now that they had accurate news, the only thing left to do was wait.
Wait for the Emperor to send people to ransack the house.
...
In the palace, in the Golden Hall.
Emperor Shunwu flew into a rage.
"What use do I have raising you useless wine sacks and rice bags? The national treasury was actually robbed and even burned down completely. What use are you?"
The civil and military officials lowered their heads like quails, not saying a word.
They were also puzzled—who would have the ability to empty the national treasury and even burn it down?
It was just that all these people knew Emperor Shunwu's temper. At this time, who dared to speak? They would just become his punching bag.
Finally, it was the Eldest Prince, Prince Heng, who carefully reminded,
"Father Emperor, please protect your dragon body. Also, there is still an important matter to handle today. The national treasury robbery can be investigated slowly."
With this reminder, Emperor Shunwu finally calmed down from his rage.
Prince Heng was right to remind him. He still had an important matter he had yet to deal with today.
Emperor Shunwu suppressed his anger and had the eunuch attendant read the decree accusing Qin Yichen of treason and betraying the country.
Many officials had already known about this matter in advance and did not appear too shocked.
After all, the emperor of a country did not want anyone to live better off. Whoever he did not like would have to wash their neck and wait there.
However, those who knew in advance were still only a few of the emperor's trusted officials. Li XinyueYuanming had also coincidentally heard other people whispering about this news. Only then did he secretly find someone to message the Marquis of Protector's estate.
He knew clearly that even sending advance notice would not change anything. He only hoped that the Qin family could prepare early so they would not be penniless and helpless on the road to exile.
It could be said that Emperor Shunwu had gone all out against the Marquis of Protector.
To prevent the officials from being too suspicious, he specifically captured some unimportant officials and accused them of wrongdoing along with the Marquis of Protector.
He had even connected their crimes to Qin Yichen...
By doing this, it benefited Emperor Shunwu in three ways:
First, it elevated the crimes of the Marquis of Protector.
Second, it silenced any officials who wanted to plead for Qin Yichen.
Third, it could add difficulties for Qin Yichen on the road to exile.
Sure enough, his plan was flawless. With the decree announced, the entire court fell silent. One could only see some officials with dissatisfied looks on Qin Yichen's behalf.
Emperor Shunwu did not care about this at all. Nothing else mattered as long as he could smoothly deal with Qin Yichen.
Emperor Shunwu specifically sent Cao Ren, a general who had been scolded by Qin Yichen, to ransack the house and deliver the decree.
His goal was to make the Marquis of Protector's circumstances even more miserable.
...
Old Lady Qin waited in the bridal chamber with the estate's female family members.
Seeing that it was already past noon, there was still no movement.
She looked at Qin Yichen, who was still lying collapsed on the bed, worried.
"Yichen, could your judgment and information be mistaken?"
Before Qin Yichen could reply, a servant rushed in to report,
"Marquis, Old Lady, this is bad. The estate is surrounded. General Cao charged in with a group of men."
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Qin helplessly closed her eyes and murmured, "Alas... I shouldn't have been so wishfully thinking."
Qin Hanyue, who did not know what was happening, hurriedly grabbed Old Lady Mo's arm.
"Mother, what on earth has happened?"
The eight sisters-in-law looked nervously at Old Lady Mo, no longer calm.
"Since they have come, we can only face it calmly. Everyone, come with me to go take a look."
Seeing everyone follow Old Lady Qin out in a flurry, Li Xinyue looked at the still-unmoving Qin Yichen.
"Don't worry, I will help Mother handle things."
Since Qin Yichen was pretending to be unconscious, he could not go out with everyone.
In Qin Yichen's pitch-black eyes, there was some loneliness and self-mockery.
Still, he sincerely responded to Li Xinyue's words.
"Tell them not to struggle unnecessarily and protect themselves."
As for everything else, Qin Yichen did not even dare hope there was any chance of reversal. He only hoped everyone could safely and safely embark on the road to exile.
"Alright, I promise you that as long as I'm here, not a single person from the Qin family will be lost."
After personally witnessing the hero and his family wrongfully accused by the foolish emperor, Li Xinyue also felt somewhat heavy-hearted at this moment.
However, she still tried her best to relax and deal seriously with today's events.
Li Xinyue jogged a few steps to catch up with Old Lady Mo's group.
Not long after they went out, a chaotic pattern of footsteps sounded.
At the same time, some pleading voices of servants could be heard.
Around thirty men dressed in official uniforms escorted the gloating Cao Ren at the front as they walked towards them.
Someone shouted at them before the men even reached them, "Don't move! We are here to ransack by decree!"
Old Lady Qin was the first to stop. She pretended to be calm as she looked at the approaching men.
Qin Hanyue was so frightened she clutched her mother's hand tightly, not daring to breathe loudly.
Although the eight sisters-in-law had boldly proclaimed last night that they would live as Qin family ghosts and die as Qin family ghosts, they still trembled in fear when faced with this scene.
Only Li Xinyue stood at the back of the group, staring intently at the officials without moving or making a sound.
At the same time, she secretly took out a sharp dagger from her space bracelet, tightly gripping it in her palm.
She was prepared to protect the Qin family's safety at any moment.
Cao Ren arrogantly approached, holding the decree.
"Qin family, prepare to receive the decree!"
As he spoke, Cao Ren's eyes continuously scanned the surroundings.
"For the Emperor's decree to arrive but the Marquis of Protector does not personally come to receive it, this is greatly disrespectful!"
As he finished speaking, he looked to the officials behind him.
"You invite the Marquis of Protector to receive the decree."
They saw that pompous official about to run to the inner residence, but Old Lady Qin quickly stopped him.
"The Emperor summoned the Marquis last night and given fifty heavy strikes. He is currently still unconscious, and I'm afraid he cannot come to receive the decree."
Cao Ren knew Qin Yichen did not appear because of this reason. He had only wanted to make things difficult for the Qin family here deliberately.
"What? You said the Marquis was beaten by the Emperor last night?"
He exaggerated his expression, pretending he did not know about this matter while gloating inwardly.
Old Lady Qin coldly snorted, "General Cao, you are also an important court minister. Just deliver the decree. There is no need to kick someone who is down."
Eldest sister-in-law boldly said, "Everyone in the capital knows that aside from Ninth Brother, my Qin family are all women. To flaunt your power before a group of women will surely not look good once it spreads."
"That's right. Even if we are beneath others, our maternal families all have officials in the court. I fear they may hear of this matter," the Third sister-in-law added.
Cao Ren also knew this was reasonable.
Bullying a group of women, moreover, women who had some background could quickly spread.
"Since this is so, Cao will not make things difficult for you. Qin family, receive the decree."