In my previous life, I killed my whole family. In my next life, I killed the royal family.

Ding Jinxiu handed in the complaint and left happily. On the way back, she took her maids and servants to buy wine and meat to celebrate.

Hu Dingmin was looking around in the courtyard, anxiously waiting for news. When he saw Ding Jinxiu coming back, he ran up to her and asked, "Has the government received the complaint?"

"Yes, I answered it." Ding Jinxiu looked very happy.

"Very good." Hu Dingmin smiled.

Ding Jinxiu smiled affectionately and reached out to pull him, "Husband, let's have a drink to celebrate."

Hu Dingmin hesitated for a moment. He wanted Ding Jinxiu to serve him very much, and then he thought of Lu Fengyun's words, "You are not allowed to touch other people again." He pulled Ding Jinxiu aside and whispered in her ear, "At this time, you should go to the Huiguo Mansion more often. When the matter is settled, the position of the lady will belong to you."

"Well, my dear, I'm doing this all for you."

"As a husband, I know that Madam has done a great service."

Ding Jinxiu turned around and went to Duke Huiguo's Mansion again, and simply lived in the backyard of the mansion.

After receiving the complaint, Lord Xiao ran straight to the Ministry of Justice with it, "Sir, there is a big case coming."

After reading the petition sent by Lord Xiao, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice asked in surprise, "Lord Xiao, what do you mean by this? Do you still want to take this case?"

Lord Xiao smiled and said, "Sir, I think this case can be tried."

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice was puzzled by the case: "Master Xiao, there seems to be no need to try this case. The eldest branch of the Qi family has a title and money houses all over the country. They are much richer than the third branch. How can they take away their third branch's property? It is obviously a false accusation."

Sir Xiao shook his head: "Your Excellency is wrong. This case involves the Marquis' Mansion. If it is not handled properly and causes dissatisfaction in the Marquis' Mansion, the consequences will be disastrous." He pointed to the petition and said, "Sir, there may be a case within the case. If it is tried, the Marquis' Mansion can be cleared of all charges. If it is not tried, the one that will be offended will be..." He pointed in the direction of the Zongzheng Temple.

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice was startled and said quickly: "Master Xiao is right. This matter does need careful consideration. But...how should this case be tried?"

Lord Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, I think I should report to the Shangshu first and persuade him to agree to try this case."

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice nodded and said, "Okay, let's follow Lord Xiao's advice." He handed the petition to Minister Jiang.

After learning about this, Minister Jiang also felt that it was a bit tricky. He thought that although this case seemed simple, it involved the Marquis's Mansion and he had to be careful. So he decided to ask the emperor for his opinion in the court.

The next day, when he went to court, Minister Jiang reported the case to the emperor and expressed his opinion: "Your Majesty, I think this case concerns the reputation of the Marquisate and it is not appropriate to try it publicly. What do you think?"

The little emperor seemed to be confused when hearing this. He looked around with his eyes open but said nothing.

If it were in the past, Empress Dowager Lu would have defended the Qi Mansion with all her might, and might even have announced the closure of the case, saying firmly: "The Qi Mansion is a loyal and righteous mansion, how could they kill people for a mere little money?"

However, at this moment, she still held a glimmer of hope in her heart. If this was really true, then the money house under the name of the Qi family would be confiscated, and all of this would become hers.

Empress Dowager Lu then sat behind the little emperor, with a pearl curtain between them. She said with a serious face, "Since someone has filed a complaint, we naturally need to examine the case carefully."

She emphasized, "It must be a public trial, and there must be solid evidence." Then, she raised the corners of her mouth slightly and said with a smile, "Your Majesty and I both firmly believe that the Qi family is innocent, but we still have to convince people with reason, right? Hahaha..."

Duke Huiguo, who was standing in the front row, had a meaningful smile on his face.

Qi Lu and his son Qi Ze behaved very calmly and composedly.

All the officials in the court shouted in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"

But they all knew clearly in their hearts that even the Queen Mother was probably dissatisfied with the Qi government.

The Qi family's money houses were opened all over the country, and the Qi family became a big fat sheep, so fat that no one wanted to take a bite.

After discussion among the officials, the case was scheduled to be tried publicly at the Jingzhao Prefecture Yamen three days later.

Qi Mansion

The Qi family sat in the main hall of the front yard, discussing with Old Master Qi the case in which Ding Jinxiu had sued their eldest son's family for murder and robbery.

Old Master Qi looked annoyed: "This idiot Ding was taken advantage of by others, and made outsiders laugh at our Qi Mansion."

He was worried again, "What if the people behind her use false evidence to harm our government? That would cause a disaster."

Qi Lu said: "Come and keep an eye on our bank." Everyone present understood what he meant.

Even Empress Dowager Lu, who owned the whole world, set her sights on the Qi Mansion's money house.

Pei suggested, "Why not give 20% of the shares to that person?"

"No." Qi Wan waved her hand. "Mom, she wants all the money houses. Giving her 20% of the shares won't be enough to satisfy her."

Pei asked: "What should we do then?"

"It's not a big deal, Mom, don't worry." Qi Wan said with a smile.

She secretly said in her heart: "If Empress Dowager Lu is not content and listens to the instigation of Duke Huiguo to harm the Qi family, I might as well let you die early and reincarnate."

Old Master Qi was furious. "I knew that the damn girl took after her grandmother and mother. She is heartless and talks nonsense."

He took out a piece of paper and slapped it on the table, "Give it to her in public in the classroom."

Qi Wan stood behind him, picked up the paper from the table, unfolded it and took a look, "The head of the Qi family announces that from now on, all members of the third branch of the Qi family will be expelled from the family."

This means that the third branch of the Qi family can never appear in the Qi family's genealogy, nor can they enjoy the Qi family's incense.

When alive, you are helpless and when dead, you become a lonely ghost.

The whole family lowered their heads and said secretly, "It serves you right."

For someone like you who has no family to protect you, no matter how high an official you become, you won't go far.

Qi Lu was a little worried. "I'm afraid that the Ding family has backers to help them. It's hard to guard against hidden arrows. I'm afraid that our Qi Mansion will be in trouble."

Qi Yuan was furious and said, "I heard that Ding's husband is on good terms with the eldest son of the Lu family's eldest branch, and he teamed up with the Lu family to plot against our Qi Mansion."

Qi Ze nodded, "It can be seen that the Queen and Duke Hui are on the side of the Ding family and the Lu family."

"Alas, a tall tree attracts the wind." Pei sighed.

Qi Wan advised: "Don't worry, everyone. A trial depends on evidence. Even if they can fabricate evidence, it is still fake. Those officials have been in officialdom for a long time, they know it in their hearts and their eyes are bright."

"I hope so." said Old Master Qi.

At this moment, the thing he regretted most was marrying a stepwife. If he could go back on time, he would never marry again.

Old Master Qi cursed inwardly, "Ding and her children have never done anything good except causing trouble for our Qi Mansion."

After discussion, no one from the Qi family except Old Master Qi and the Pei and Zheng families would show up.

Qi Wan disguised himself as a man and, protected by Qi Yuan, went to court to hear the case. "Let's go together, so if anything happens we can discuss and deal with it immediately." Qi Wan said this to his family.

The family members also agreed, "Ah Wan will be protected by Wu Yi and can go to watch the trial."

Qi Wan returned to Yilan Courtyard and made some arrangements for Wu Yi, "You go to do the work tomorrow, don't worry about my safety."

"Yes, master." Wu Yi bowed and did as he was told.

Before doing anything, Wu Yi told Fei Yang, "You must protect your master well."

"Don't worry!" Fei Yang folded his arms and smiled, "I really hope someone can touch the master and let the master see my ability."

Wu Yi reminded, "Don't show up now."

"I know." Feiyang said.