"Besides, Abi, that scourge, is already dead. Whether she was instigated by someone or harbored resentment herself, there's no way to verify it. Why not just let this matter rest?"
Madam Qin could no longer contain her anger and shouted, "My daughter was poisoned and almost died. You say you'll let it go? If you don't agree to a divorce today, then I'll report you to the authorities!"
Upon hearing this, both the Qin and Yin families were stunned.
Report to the authorities?
If the matter is reported to the authorities, the nature of the matter will be different. Once the person behind it is found, whoever it is, they will be convicted.
Moreover, this is tantamount to exposing family scandals to the public. Whether it's the Qin family or the Yin family, even if they eventually succeed in getting a divorce, it won't look good on them.
The Yin family is alright, but the Qin family... has quite a few members serving as officials in the court.
For a moment, even Qin Sheng's uncle, who had been siding with him, couldn't help but frown.
“Yuzhi, don’t talk nonsense,” Uncle said to Madam Qin. Yuzhi was Madam Qin’s given name.
The Qin family patriarch also said, "Yes, yes, these are just family matters. What would it look like if we took it to the government?"
"We can just handle this behind closed doors. Why report it to the authorities? Wouldn't that just make us a laughingstock?"
Old Madam Yin was also going all out, and sneered, "Fine, if you really want to report this to the authorities, my son and I will fight you to the bitter end!"
Anyway, Abi is already dead, so there's no proof. What can they do?
Even if the Shuntian Prefecture was run by the Qin family, shouldn't there be evidence?
After Abi's death, aside from the initial shock, Madam Yin now feels reassured.
"Madam, Lord!"
At the entrance, the steward of the Yin family rushed in, ignoring what was being said inside, his face filled with anxiety. "Something terrible has happened! People from the Shuntian Prefecture have arrived!"
"..."
Old Madam Yin nearly choked on her breath, glaring fiercely at the steward and asking, "What are the people from Shuntian Prefecture doing here?"
Could it be that Qin Nianshi's jinx really came true? No sooner had he said he would report it to the authorities than people from the Shuntian Prefecture arrived.
"They say they're here to investigate banned drugs... Someone in our household bought banned drugs on the black market that are strictly prohibited from being sold by the imperial court. The seller has been arrested, and Constable Xu from Shuntian Prefecture is leading a group of people to our residence, saying they want to identify someone in our household who bought those banned drugs that are strictly prohibited from being sold by the imperial court!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yin felt as if all the bones in her body had been removed, and she slumped into her chair.
Even Granny Shi's legs went weak, and she collapsed to her knees at the old lady's feet.
Yin Wenxiao's face was also pale and unsightly.
He knew that the medicine was bought by Granny Shi herself. Given his mother's cautious nature, if she was determined to harm Qin Sheng, then naturally the fewer people who knew, the better.
Although Granny Shi disguised herself when she bought the medicine, what if she did?
Yin Wenxiao's hands and feet were ice cold. He was about to instruct the steward to invite the government officials to another courtyard when, to his surprise, Constable Xu had already entered with his constables.
"What are you doing?" Yin Wenxiao immediately shouted angrily, "This is the Pingyin Marquis's residence. Isn't Constable Xu being a bit too presumptuous?"
People from both the Qin and Yin families looked over at the yamen runner with a large sword at his waist and a cold, stern face.
"Lord," Officer Xu bowed to Yin Wenxiao.
Then, Leng Rui glanced around and cupped his hands, saying, "This humble servant is investigating a case that has come to your esteemed residence. This case was ordered by the Regent himself, and today is the deadline. If we fail to deliver, not only will we be punished, but even the Prefect will be punished. So please forgive me for any offense I may have caused, Lord."
Although Officer Xu seemed cold and unapproachable, his words were so well-chosen that no one could find fault with them.
"Bring him in!" Officer Xu shouted, and immediately a constable dragged in a short, shifty-eyed, bruised and swollen middle-aged man.
When Granny Shi saw the man, she was instantly terrified.
That was the man who sold her "King Yama's Chase" that day, nicknamed Black Third.
“Lord,” Constable Xu bowed and said, “This man has been arrested for selling banned drugs. There were two portions of ‘Yanwangzhui’ that he sold. One portion has been recovered. According to the confession of this Black Third, the other portion was bought by someone from the Pingyin Earl’s Mansion.”
"..."
The third brother was so afraid of being beaten that he didn't dare to roll his eyes.
God the hell, he confessed that it was bought by someone from the Pingyin Earl's Mansion! He was just selling medicine, how would he know who the buyer was?
But when these officials found him, they beat him without saying a word, and they beat him so badly that his bones were broken.
After that, Officer Xu asked him expressionlessly, "Was the person who bought this 'King Yama Chase' from the Yin family?"
The third brother was beaten until he saw stars, but he still subconsciously shook his head.
Then he got beaten up a second time.
This time it was even more ruthless. Officer Xu knocked out one of his teeth and then asked expressionlessly, "Did the Yin family buy 'King Yama's Chase' from you?"
"..."
Hei Lao San didn't dare to shake his head anymore and hurriedly nodded. Then he was escorted by two constables all the way to the Yin residence.
"That's utter nonsense!" Yin Wenxiao retorted angrily.
"Could it be that Officer Xu has come here with his men to humiliate my son and me because he thinks my Pingyin Marquisate is in decline?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Officer Xu, in a businesslike manner, said, "Please, Lord, quickly gather all the people of the Yin family in the front yard so that this Black Third can identify them one by one."
"Senior brother---"
At this moment, Qin Yu, who had been taking care of his mother's emotions, finally calmed her down and walked towards Officer Xu.
He had already understood from those few words that it was indeed the Yin family who had gone to the black market to buy banned drugs to harm his sister.
As a military officer, he felt a chill run down his spine.
He was not afraid of the swords and shadows on the battlefield, and he felt it was his duty to protect his country.
However, Qin Yu couldn't imagine what kind of environment his sister was living in, given the shady dealings of the women in the inner quarters.
"Junior brother," Officer Xu bowed to Qin Yu.
Although the two are fellow disciples, strictly speaking, Qin Yu is now a fourth-rank military officer, and etiquette cannot be disregarded.
Qin Yu asked, "Was it really someone from the Yin family who bought this 'King Yama's Chase'?"
Officer Xu: "Absolutely no exaggeration. I have investigated this matter thoroughly. The Regent has given the order that if those banned drugs are not recovered, I can forget about being the head constable of Shuntian Prefecture."
"..."
Old Madam Yin slumped in her chair, sensing that at her age, her reputation was in jeopardy.
"It's her! It's her!"
The third brother, who was being held down by two constables and about to be taken outside to identify someone, somehow managed to break free of his restraints and even ran a few steps forward, pointing his finger forcefully at Granny Shi, who was slumped at the feet of Old Madam Yin.
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