"Thank goodness, the outcome is good. The Qiao family is now in a precarious situation. In the end, it's Tang'er who is clever and bold. Sometimes, you need this kind of boldness to reap benefits from danger," Master Sun said with emotion.

Seeing that he had been acknowledged, Sun Hetang was in a good mood and looked at Old Master Sun.

“Grandfather, what do you think? Did I do the right thing?”

Grandpa Sun was still a little scared, but considering that the outcome was already set in stone, he took a sip of herbal tea, which calmed him down considerably.

"Tang'er has made a great contribution this time, but in this kind of situation, one wrong move can lead to total defeat. We must never let it happen again." Seeing that Sun Hetang seemed to be dissatisfied, Old Master Sun softened his tone: "Good, good, good, Tang'er is amazing. Tang'er is a hero of the Sun family. From now on, you can walk sideways in the Sun family."

Sun Hetang beamed with joy, feeling as if she had reached the pinnacle of her life.

Just then, a figure stumbled into the yard, panting heavily, looking anxious and fearful.

Young Master Sun rarely acted like this, so Second Master Sun immediately stood up: "What happened?"

"Something terrible has happened." Young Master Sun, panting with his hands on his knees, paused for a moment before speaking: "The Imperial Guards, the Imperial Guards and the people from the Court of Judicial Review are coming to the Sun family."

It was as if a thunderbolt struck from the sky, hitting Old Master Sun and Second Master Sun on the head. The Imperial Guards, with their menacing presence, represented the powerful attitude of the imperial family. When they were mobilized, they would either conduct a large-scale search or arrest people and seal their names.

Normally, if they hear that the Imperial Guards are coming, they are not afraid. They may have unintentionally become involved in a major case that needs to be clarified. High-ranking families in the capital have all experienced this. A search will clear up any suspicions.

But considering what Sun Hetang had just said, their first reaction was, "It's over, the sky is falling!"

"What about the Qiao family? Were all the Qiao family members taken away?" Old Master Sun still held a sliver of hope. If the Sun family was simply involved in buying the painting, it would be normal to question them.

The fate of the Qiao family can be inferred from the fate of the Sun family.

Seeing Grandpa Sun leaning on his cane, looking anxious and nervous, the Third Young Master Sun suddenly collapsed to the ground and covered his face with his hands.

"The search of the Qiao family was just a routine one. Once the search was over, the Imperial Guards came out, and the Qiao family was completely unharmed. I was watching from the teahouse diagonally across the street, and the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards and Lord Qin of the Dali Temple treated the Qiao family quite well."

Grandpa Sun and Second Master Sun were deathly pale, feeling as if their blood had frozen.

"Impossible! How could nothing have happened? The Qiao family colluded with Lu Guchuan to curse the imperial family's fortune, and the curse actually came true! How could His Majesty let this go so easily?" Sun Hetang shouted in disbelief.

Grandpa Sun, leaning on his cane, moved shakily and laboriously to her side, his eyes bloodshot and terrifying, as if he wanted to tear a person apart.

Then he raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Despite his advanced age and frailty, Grandpa Sun used all his strength in that slap, sending Sun Hetang spinning twice before he fell to the ground.

"You wicked beast, you have ruined the entire Sun family! Even if you go to hell and be torn to pieces a thousand times, it will not be enough to atone for your sins."

A hurried commotion came from the direction of the main gate, like a sudden storm, as the Imperial Guards broke down the gate.