In the following days, the Family Qin's life was completely disrupted by Cao Guozhang.
Almost every day, Cao Guozhang sent people to meet with Qin Huaiyuan. At first, it was to be sarcastic and offensive. Later, Cao Guozhang personally led people to search the Family Qin for so-called evidence. Not to mention the courtyards that had already been locked down, even the old madam's Ci Xiao Garden was turned upside down.
The so-called search was not a serious investigation. It was a deliberate attempt to destroy the Family Qin's things. The things in the bookshelves and cabinets were all turned over and thrown on the ground. Even the Shuoren Study where the girls lived was not spared. Not to mention the books on the bookshelves and the decorations in the multi-treasure pavilion, even the winter clothes in the chests and baskets were turned over. The entire residence was in a mess, as if it had been robbed by bandits.
Second Old Master's official position in the Ministry of Rites had also been pointed out by Cao Guo Zhang. He had insinuated that Second Old Master was in cahoots with Qin Huaiyuan and had embezzled money from the Ministry of Revenue. The Emperor was already in a fit of anger, so he didn't even ask for proof before he reprimanded Second Old Master.
Today, other than Qin Huaiyuan who still retained his title of nobility, the rest of the Family Qin had no voice in the court. Whatever Cao Guozhang said in court was the truth. The Family Qin did not even have a chance to refute.
Qin Yining was already having a hard time in the summer. Because of the recent events, he was full of anger. He was so angry that he could not eat for two consecutive days.
Not to mention Qin Yining, who was young and strong, the old madam had already fallen ill from anger. She only recovered after taking medicine for a few days.
Qin Huaiyuan had never suffered such a loss in his life. As a man, if he couldn't even leave this piece of pure land for his family, how could he have the face to drag out an ignoble existence?
Therefore, Qin Huaiyuan, who was extremely angry, had no other choice but to send letters to the Emperor to plead his case.
However, the emperor's reply was: "Cao Guozhang is investigating the direction of the Ministry of Revenue's money and the embezzlement case under zhen's orders. My beloved official should still consider the overall situation and cooperate."
Cooperate?
If they continued to cooperate, the Family Qin would be swallowed whole by the Cao Family!
How could Qin Huaiyuan be willing to suffer such a loss?
Cao Guozhang kept harassing the Family Qin, so the Qin Huaiyuan kept sending him memorials.
When he was negotiating peace in Xi Hua City, every day the Emperor would send dozens of oral orders to urge him to hurry up.
He was now in the Imperial City of the capital. Could it be that he could not learn from the Emperor?
Therefore, Qin Huaiyuan's memorials were sent to the palace almost twice a day. If one day Cao Guo Zhang came to make a big fuss, he would send him three or four more times.
Perhaps Qin Huaiyuan's sincerity moved the Emperor, or perhaps the Emperor finally couldn't stand the disturbance anymore. That day, the Emperor arranged for Chief Steward Wang to personally come to the Qin Manor to pass on an oral order.
In the summer afternoon, the sun was particularly hot. The stone bricks in the front yard of the Qin Manor were a bit hot when kneeling. The heat penetrated the thin summer material and invaded the skin, causing Qin Yining and the womenfolk to frown.
Qin Yining knelt in the back and worriedly raised her eyes to look at Qin Huaiyuan, who was kneeling at the front.
In her mind, there was a scene that was very similar to what was happening now.
It was in the Sun Family of the Duke Dingguo's Mansion. She and Qin Huaiyuan had followed their mother to kneel among the womenfolk of the Sun Family. They watched Chief Steward Wang from the palace pass down an edict for Sun Yu's brain. Then there was Sun Yu's tragic collision. The scene of red and white splashing and ten thousand peach blossoms blooming would probably be unforgettable for the rest of their lives. The tragedy of the Sun Family also began from that day.
The person who came to pass on the edict today was still Chief Steward Wang.
Their family was still like the Sun Family that day. They were as powerless as fish on a chopping board waiting to be killed.
Qin Yining felt the Sun Family beside her tremble.
She understood that this scene also made her mother think of the Sun Family.
Qin Yining supported the Sun Family and squeezed her hand comfortingly.
Feeling the warmth of their daughter's body, the Sun Family finally felt a bit more at ease.
Chief Steward Wang flung his horsetail whisk and said with a smile, "Marquis of Anping, I came today to pass on the Emperor's verbal edict. The Emperor ordered me to tell the Marquis of Anping word for word, so the Marquis of Anping must listen carefully."
"Yes. Thank you for your trouble, gonggong. "Qin Huaiyuan bowed solemnly.
Chief Steward Wang's sharp voice imitated the Emperor's tone to eighty percent:
"We saw that you had done your job well in the past, so we didn't blame you in advance. Who would have thought that you would only ask others to prioritize state affairs, but when it was your turn, you weren't even willing to cooperate with the investigation? Could it be that you really did embezzle the Ministry of Revenue's money? Are you feeling guilty now?
"… Not only have you failed to live up to our trust in you, you've also led our only Crown Prince astray!
"The former Crown Prince's Crown Prince was well-educated and reasonable, gentle and refined. Now, he dares to yell in front of us that he doesn't distinguish between the young and the old. Your actions truly disappoint us! How can you still have the face to report to us about the state's father-in-law … "
The Family Qin's people all knelt on the ground and bowed. Their foreheads were pressed against the tiles as they listened to Chief Steward Wang's words without missing a single word.
The courtyard was completely silent. These heart-wrenching words were like invisible blades that had already pierced through people's hearts.
Qin Yining raised his head and quietly looked at Qin Huaiyuan's back. His originally tall and straight figure had now collapsed, as if he couldn't bear the heavy weight on his body and was finally unable to hold on.
After a while, Qin Huaiyuan said in a hoarse voice, "Many thanks, Wang gonggong. Please convey this official's intentions. This official's family thanks the Emperor for his teachings."
Chief Steward Wang sighed and said, "Marquis of Anping, don't be too stubborn. If you can't handle it, then take a step back. Don't forget the previous example. Look at what happened to the grandson of Duke Ding? You're a talented person. There's no need to compete with others at this time. "
Chief Steward Wang had served the Emperor for many years. Although he wasn't good at other things, his ability to observe people's expressions was great.
The conflict between the Emperor and Qin Huaiyuan had been stirred up by the Cao Family, but he couldn't do anything about it. Chief Steward Wang still had a conscience. He also admired Qin Huaiyuan's conduct, so he gave him a reminder.
Qin Huaiyuan was naturally grateful. He personally saw Chief Steward Wang out and even gave him a first-class red envelope.
The womenfolk supported each other as they staggered to their feet.
The old madam's face was already covered in tears.
"They've gone too far, they've gone too far! Aren't they bullying us because there's no one left in our family? Could it be that the heavens want to destroy our Family Qin?! "
The Sun Clan thought of the tragic state of the Sun Family that day. Then, they thought of Qin Huaiyuan's stooped back after being scolded. Their hearts ached, and tears streamed down their faces.
Everyone returned to Ci Xiao Garden. Everyone was like a frosted eggplant. Some had a worried expression, and some silently cried.
Not long after, Qin Huaiyuan returned with Second Old Master and Third Old Master. Only then did the sobbing in the room gradually die down.
Qin Huaiyuan wasn't like before when he still wanted to bring people to discuss this matter. Instead, he calmly paid his respects to the old madam and comforted her with a few words. Then, he said that he was tired and wanted to take a nap.
The old madam naturally didn't refuse and dismissed everyone.
Qin Yining, Bing Tang, and Ji Yun left Ci Xiao Garden. As they walked, they suddenly stopped.
"Tell me, in this situation, who else can help my father?"
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