The market was bustling, crowded with people, intertwined with the sound of hooves and vendors shouting, engulfed in the smoky atmosphere.

The outside of the Capital Mansion was crowded with onlookers. They all craned their necks to look inside.

"Hey, is Elder Cao really in there?"

"Indeed, very fierce. He brought his stepmother and stepbrother here, all tied up. This case has been taken over by He Yushi, and since the Imperial Censorate doesn’t have its own office, the trial is being held here. He Yushi rushed over from the execution ground upon hearing the news."

"Before He Yushi could follow the questioning procedures, Elder Cao pulled out a confession letter, with the fingerprints of the Cao Family members on it."

The crowd was abuzz with conversation.

"You can’t blame Elder Cao for not considering old ties; though he is a man and hasn’t suffered much from that incident, being schemed against by his own family is like having a dead fly in his mouth, unable to spit it out."

"It’s just pitiful for Second Madam Cao, marrying into such a family and being treated so poorly."

Inside, He Xuran just...

This was the fastest case he ever adjudicated, even before the Shu Family arrived to testify. He had ended the session right after sitting down.

Upon receiving the news, the Cao Clan Elders, accompanied by other seniors, stormed into the Cao Family, their faces ashen.

"This unfilial descendant!"

The Cao Clan Elders, though white-haired, were vigorous, their eyes sharp as they pounded the ground with their canes.

"This unfilial descendant!"

Taking a heavy breath, he said to the Old Madam Cao, who was struggling to stand to greet them.

"If I were you, I would’ve already punished him by family law, breaking his leg with a stick. How can you tolerate his nonsense?"

The Old Madam Cao looked gloomy, extremely uneasy.

This unease was even stronger than when she heard Cao Qian was no longer managing the Cao Family.

But she couldn’t articulate what it was.

Understanding the principle of shared glory and disgrace, the Cao Clan Elders were ashamed too,

And even more sinister.

"It’s a family scandal!! Sensible people would have already helped cover it up. If the Shu Family wants to make a fuss, let them. Yes, He Yushi is capable, but what’s there to fear? As long as the Cao Family doesn’t acknowledge it, we just need to proclaim outside that the Shu Family’s daughter is loose, secretly seducing the elder brother behind our backs, and has the face to bite back by reporting to the authorities, pinning the crime firmly on her."

"Does right and wrong matter so much?"

"She’s just a woman. Even if she behaves properly in her chamber, keeping her duties, the mere hint from us about her unremarkable looks will invite endless gossip."

"What waves can the Shu Family and He Xuran stir up?"

"If she can’t bear it and takes her life, then it will be over, simplifying everything!"

The Cao Clan Elder spit on the ground.

"It’s thanks to your family Elder Cao’s capabilities! I’ve never seen anyone so willing to expose his weaknesses! To be so ruthless to his stepmother and stepbrother, disregarding everything, making everything known to the public! Bringing down the Cao Family’s reputation!"

"Alright, alright, what’s the use of saying this now?"

An elder of similar age tugged at his sleeve.

"Things have come to this, who knows how the decision will turn out. But with how Cao Qian is today, when he returns, we should give him a good lesson."

Though he mentioned teaching, it was just to maintain his dignity.

After all, within the Cao Family, the most capable child was Cao Qian.

Even if it infuriated him, they would still rely on him in the future.

Just then, a family servant who had been stationed at the government office ran back, not daring to rest all the way, his forehead drenched in sweat.

Disregarding propriety, he rushed in unannounced, tripping over the threshold and hitting the ground heavily.

Bang went the sound.

All along quiet and silent, the Old Madam Cao finally stood up anxiously to ask.

"What’s the verdict?"

"Speak quickly!"

The servant didn’t dare feel the pain.

"It wasn’t Mr. He who made the judgment."

"Our Lord, upon entering the court, stated the laws were not comprehensive, and though there were precedents, they favored men. The penalties weren’t severe. The man’s family would throw some money around, apologize, take a few beatings, and that was it."

"He didn’t want to trouble He Yushi who was enforcing the law impartially, but he felt a deep regret for Second... Second Madam."

The servant trembled: "He also accused the mistress and the second master of framing the family woman, morally depraved and shameless, involving a court official, a crime of the highest degree, unforgivable. Besides the punishment of thirty beatings at the office, he would expel the two from the family registry, banishing them to Lingnan, never to return."

Everyone was shocked.

Why was it so severe?

"Has he gone mad?"

That’s his own brother!!

Even if there was resentment against the stepmother, in recent years, he’d cleaned up plenty of messes for the second brother, the whole Cao Family sucking his blood, but...

But that’s not worthy of such punishment.

After all, they were family.

The clan elder was breathless with anger.

"This bastard!"

The Old Madam Cao staggered. Her eyes were dim, collapsing onto the chair behind her.

"Injustice, such injustice!"

But the servant wasn’t finished.

Fearing the master’s wrath, he knelt his head hard against the ground.

"Anyone in the Cao Family who knew of the matter would be held as accomplices. Seeing as the Old Madam is aged, our Lord took your thirty lashes on your behalf."

"Our Lord said while he too was a victim, protocol and morals couldn’t be ignored. Besides the corporal punishment, he decided to give half of the Cao Family’s assets to Miss Shu under his jurisdiction, considering this matter to somewhat shield Old Madam, yet still gravely sinful, voluntarily requesting..."

His voice became softer and softer.

His body began to tremble.

The clan elder could no longer listen: "He’s gone against the family! Gone against the family! He’s going to ruin the Cao Family!"

"Though he’s a junior, he inherited his father’s title, meaning he’s the pillar of the Cao Family. Even I must call him Lord upon meeting."

"Yet he doesn’t protect the family or assume the responsibilities of the head, choosing to act recklessly! If I had known... had known, we shouldn’t have given it to him back then!"

"You all were muddled too! Knowing his character, how could you..."

He wanted to continue.

Interrupted sternly by the Old Madam Cao.

"The clan elder’s words are too many. My family is not for you to meddle in."

"You’ve gained quite a few benefits over these years. If the second would inherit the title, would you be so carefree!"

"Now you’re blaming me?"

She always knew how to weigh pros and cons.

"The situation is as it is; no need to speak those useless words anymore. If you’re capable, speak before Qian!"

"The second branch is thoroughly defeated! Neither you nor I can protect it."

Given the circumstances...

It’s better to think about what to do next.

The Old Madam Cao was also resentful.

Yet she prided herself on being wise.

With the second branch unable to produce an heir, she didn’t see a need to clash with Cao Qian for the sake of the second branch, straining the relationship with the grandchildren.

In the future, the family’s honor and disgrace all rested with Cao Qian.

The Old Madam Cao, with deep-set eyes, asked the servant: "Have you reported everything?"

"...No."

The servant took a deep breath: "Our Lord declared at the office that he would request the Holy Emperor to strip him of his title."

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam Cao’s vision darkened, nearly fainting.

The servant: "He also asked the servant to bring back a message."

He shakily repeated verbatim.

"If you can’t let go of the second branch and wish to accompany them to Lingnan, you may pack your belongings now. If not inclined, move to the old residence and live there; since you’re older, go there to eat vegetarian, recite prayers, and find peace."