Although hating Emperor Shunwu, the proper etiquette could not be abandoned.
Old Lady Qin knelt first.
The eight sisters-in-law and Qin Hanyue followed suit upon seeing this.
Li Xinyue did not want to kneel but could not behave too differently.
Luckily, the skirts of ancient people's dresses were wide; she pulled at her skirt to cover her legs and squatted behind everyone else.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees, upon investigation, Marquis Qin Yichen colluded with foreign bandits, embezzled military provisions, and conspired with court officials to commit treason.
His Majesty is benevolent, and considering the Qin family's ancestral merits and contributions, he spared them from the death penalty.
Now all properties of Qin family shall be confiscated, servants sold off, and Qin family exiled to the northwest..."
Fortunately, the Qin family was mentally prepared, so they were not shocked into collapse by such an unjust decree.
They did not even yell grievances.
Even pleading would be futile because they knew that the Emperor genuinely wanted to punish the Qin family.
Just by the people sent to confiscate their property, it was evident the Emperor did not intend for Qin family to have an easy time, otherwise he would not have sent Cao Ren, that scoundrel.
Old Lady Qin received the decree and had just stood up with the women.
Cao Ren was already impatient and ordered the search to start, even claiming that mouse holes should not be spared.
As for these women present, they would naturally need to be searched.
Looking at these flowers and jade-like beauties, a trace of sensuality flashed in Cao Ren's eyes.
"Hehe, considering I served in court with Qin Yichen, I shall personally search your women's bodies.
Hearing Cao Ren's words, everyone instinctively retreated a few steps.
Although they were widows, they were chaste. How could they allow a grown man to grope them?
Old Lady Qin was also furious and solemnly said:
"Lord Cao, what you're doing goes against reason. Although my Qin family is convicted, these women can't be casually humiliated."
When saying this, she was prepared to die.
A woman's virtue is that she would rather die than let anyone humiliate them.
Cao Ren did not take Old Lady Mo's words to heart.
In his view, the Qin family was now like locusts after autumn; even if they didn't die now, they would die en route during exile.
"Old lady, don't reject a toast only to drink a forfeit; it's an honour that I'm personally searching for you all. I don't mind letting all the officials search you together if you're unwilling."
Old Lady Qin had a fiery temperament. How could she stand such vulgar words?
"Cao Ren, today I will fight you til the end."
As Old Lady Qin spoke, she pulled out the hairpin in her hair and lunged at Cao Ren.
After all, Cao Ren was a military officer. How could he be scared by a woman?
He might even earn the Emperor's praise by seizing the chance to get rid of her.
Seeing Cao Ren had already assumed a defensive stance. Li Xinyue swiftly pulled Old Lady Qin to safety.
Her action caused Cao Ren's kick to hit empty air.
Cao Ren glared at the one who ruined his plan.
This woman, who looked about 16 or 17, had her hair in a married woman's style. She had delicate brows and eyes and wore a modest aqua-blue dress that complemented her fair skin.
She was truly a beauty, he didn't know there was such a beauty in the Marquis's residence.
Cao Ren sized up Li Xinyue for a few seconds and immediately put on a smiling face.
"Hehe...I don't know which widow you are, my lady?"
Cao Ren planned to pull some tricks to bring this gorgeous woman into his household if possible.
Seeing this kind of attitude, Li Xinyue felt a wave of nausea.
Still, she maintained an icy stare at him.
"Cao Ren, you dare disregard court rules and harass convicted officials' families."
"Oh? The little lady is quite fierce. I'm harassing you now. What can you do about it?"
Li Xinyue's expression did not change.
"Court rules state officials on duty cannot harm uncondemned families, and absolutely cannot harass convicted officials' families.
Now you're openly harassing me. Are you not afraid of the Emperor's punishment?"
Of course, Cao Ren was very clear on this court rule. He just always believed Qin family women wouldn't understand this and that he could do as he wished without consequence.
He didn't expect a beautiful young lady to recite court rules to his face with so many people present.
This made him somewhat nervous.
However, Cao Ren would not give up, thinking the woman before him was just a young lady. Intimidation would make her afraid.
"Silver tongue is useless before me. I'll say this now as long as you obey me, we can negotiate the search. Otherwise, don't blame me for not cherishing you."
Li Xinyue had lived two lifetimes, and this was her first time seeing someone so shameless.
Now, she had already switched her dagger to a mini pistol.
As long as Cao Ren dared to make a move, she would absolutely not hesitate.
Although she had made preparations, Li Xinyue still chose reason first.
After all, there were still so many Qin women present if she shot and killed Cao Ren, it would certainly implicate them.
"Cao Ren, let me advise you that when Qin Manor is exiled, our families will certainly come to send us off.
I'm sure you understand hidden troubles will come out if any of my sisters-in-law mention this to their families after seeing them. Do you know what consequences there will be?
Also, although Qin family property was confiscated and exiled, our maternal families were unaffected.
My father is, at worst, a Minister; if he doesn't see me when sending me off, then hears that I died by your hand, what do you think my father will do?"
Her words were powerful, making the sister-in-law increasingly confident.
"Cao Ren, if my eldest brother doesn't see me when sending me off, he will avenge me."
"My father, too, if you insist on being stubborn, I will smash my head and die right here."
Seeing the Qin women's indignant manner, Cao Ren suddenly felt lost.
He never imagined these women were not afraid of him at all.
Especially the most beautiful one, who said her father was a current Minister.
Although she didn't say which Minister, he knew clearly.
Only one of the Qin family's wives was a minister's daughter.
That was Qin Yichen's new wife, Minister Li Yuanming's daughter, yesterday.
Li Yuanming was a second-rank Minister. How could he contend against him as a fourth-rank officer?
Also, the Qin widows and their maternal families held office, some even higher than him.
After thinking it over, Cao Ren decided to take the loss this time.
However, he wanted to maintain momentum.
"Humph! I'll let you all go just this once, considering you've been widowed for many years, quite pitiful."