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

Ding Jinxiu floated out of the crowd as lightly as a butterfly. Her appearance was like an incense burner, emitting an intoxicating fragrance that permeated the air.

Her makeup is gorgeous and charming, like a blooming flower, exuding charming fragrance.

She was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with exquisite patterns embroidered on them, sparkling with dazzling light. Her hair was filled with various precious pearl hairpins, which swayed gently with her steps, making crisp jingling sounds.

"My concubine greets you all." Ding Jinxiu said tenderly, her voice as sweet as the chirping of an oriole, which made people feel pity and love for her.

She bowed slightly, her movements graceful and elegant, like a noble princess.

However, her bright big eyes flickered restlessly at the officials present, revealing a hint of charm and teasing.

The officials present, whether they had once taken concubines, frequented brothels, or owned skinny horses, could tell from Ding Jinxiu's behavior and eyes that she was not a decent woman.

They secretly knew that this woman had a special identity and background, different from ordinary women. This cognition made them more curious about Ding Jinxiu, but also alert.

She must have something to rely on to dare to openly tease officials in the government hall.

"This case will be a tough battle." Lord Jiang from the Ministry of Justice said secretly, his heart filled with worry that he might be implicated.

Lord Xiao slammed the gavel and shouted at Ding Jinxiu, who was winking at the officials, "Plaintiff, tell me who you are suing and what you are suing for."

He solemnly announced, "You must follow the rules in court and not make a noise in the court, otherwise you will be punished for contempt."

"Yes, sir." Ding Jinxiu said coquettishly and winked at Lord Xiao.

Lord Xiao glared and wanted to lose his temper.

Seeing this, Ding Jinxiu quickly spoke up and explained the case, "Sir, I am the daughter of the third wife of the Qi family. A few months ago, Qi Lu arranged a boat for my father when he went to Yangzhou to take up his post. After we boarded the boat, he sent someone to capsize it and tried to drown our family of four. Fortunately, I was saved by my benefactor and survived."

"But my poor parents and brother drowned in the river." Ding Jinxiu choked up.

"I have come here to sue the Qi Mansion for killing my third wife's people and stealing her property. I want to punish them according to the law. Please, sir, make the decision for me!" Ding Jinxiu knelt down crying.

Lord Xiao did not ask her to get up, but shouted, "Bring the defendant."

Qi Lu strode in.

All the officials in the hall stood up and saluted Qi Lu, "My Lord."

Qi Lu clasped his fists in return, "I'm sorry to trouble you all."

Lord Xiao said politely: "General Qi, someone has filed a complaint against your Qi Mansion, so I summoned you here. Please understand and forgive me."

Ding Jinxiu muttered dissatisfiedly: "Are they protecting each other?" Her voice was just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Qi Lu took out a piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Mr. Xiao, "Family matters first, then business."

He explained, “This is a clan-by-clan book written by my father.”

Lord Xiao read it out in public, "The Qi family's patriarch wrote that the Qi family will expel all four members of the Qi family from the Qi family. Life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor are determined by heaven, good and bad are determined by oneself, and have nothing to do with the Qi family!"

"Ah!" Everyone exclaimed. Anyone who was expelled from a family would have a bad ending. It was like a sheep thrown on a mountain by a flock of sheep. There were many big beasts that wanted to eat it.

They could make a man lose everything he had and sell himself into slavery.

It can make a woman helpless and become the lowest kind of prostitute.

Therefore, many people who have committed crimes would rather be punished by family rules than be expelled from the clan.

When Ding Jinxiu heard that she was expelled from the Qi family, her face became distorted with anger. She cursed, "Old man Qi is so old that his brain is muddled. He actually divorced his wife and expelled his children and grandchildren. He is not afraid of being struck by lightning."

"Shut up! How dare you disobey your superiors? Believe it or not, you will be punished with a stick." Lord Xiao pointed at Ding Jinxiu and scolded.

Before the Qi family was convicted, it was still the Qi family, and Old Master Qi had a noble status.

Ding Jinxiu was expelled from the family because of the third branch, so she had no scruples in the hall and talked nonsense as much as possible.

She shouted, "Qi Lu and his son have always been planning a rebellion."

Qi Lu did not refute, but only suggested: "Write down everything she said."

The reason is, "After this lawsuit, this marquis will sue Ding Jinxiu for false accusations of serious crimes."

Master Xiao gestured to the several lawyers who were recording the cases in the hall, "Write down everything you said."

"Yes, sir." The legal advisors stood up and saluted.

They immediately divided the work, "One recorded the plaintiff's words, one recorded the defendant's words, and one recorded what the adults said."

The case went to trial.

Lord Xiao asked Ding Jinxiu, "Since you are suing the Qi family for murder and robbery, please bring out the witnesses and evidence."

Ding Jinxiu was indeed well prepared. She took out an account book and said, "This is the account book of the third branch and the Lu family who made 100,000 taels of silver from their business. My father took it with him when he took office, but he was killed by the eldest branch of the Qi family and the silver was taken away."

Lord Xiao called, "Call the witnesses."

The people watching the trial whispered, "Is this true?"

"If it's true, Qi You still owes my casino one thousand taels of silver?" The casino owner whispered to the others, "Isn't this obvious? The Lu family is in collusion with this woman."

"How cruel! No wonder the Qi family wants to expel her family from the family."

The officials present certainly knew that the Lu family was in cahoots with this woman.

The housekeeper of the Lu family came out to testify. He lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Sir, the third branch of the Qi family is doing business with the Lu family. This is true." The shopkeeper of a shop of the Lu family also came to testify. He stood straight and said with a firm look in his eyes, "It is true that they are doing business together."

Lord Xiao looked at them coldly and ordered, "Sign your name on the testimony and bear the consequences."

Their faces turned pale in an instant, and they picked up the pen with trembling hands and signed their names on the paper. They held on, not daring to make any sound, as if they were afraid that the truth would be discovered if they made a sound.

They were in the capital and had seen trials. They knew the consequences of perjury very well: light punishments included 100 canes, with only breathing in but no breathing out. Heavy punishments included confiscation of property, exile, and death on the way.

Why is the sentence so severe?

You came out to disrupt the trial and make a fool of the adults. How can we not punish you severely?

"Plaintiff, where is the evidence of murder?" asked Lord Xiao.

Ding Jinxiu was delighted, knowing that the critical moment had come. She immediately perked up and said loudly, "Your Excellency, I have evidence!" Then she took out an envelope from her bosom and handed it to the bailiff next to her with both hands.

Mr. Xiao took the envelope, opened it and took a look, frowning slightly. He looked up at Ding Jinxiu and asked, "Is this the evidence you mentioned?"

Ding Jinxiu nodded quickly and said, "That's right, sir. This letter records the crimes committed by the third branch of the Qi Mansion. Please take a look."

Lord Xiao lowered his head and read the letter carefully. The letter was written by Duke Huiguo. In the letter, he promised, "This case will be judged according to what the plaintiff said, and the official will be promoted. This is also the Queen Mother's intention."

Ding Jinxiu was secretly delighted to see Lord Xiao reading the letter seriously. She knew that as long as Lord Xiao was employed by Duke Huiguo, the Qi family would be convicted. According to the law, the Qi family must compensate the victim's family for all their property. She was the only one left in the third house, so the huge compensation would naturally belong to her. Thinking of this, Ding Jinxiu couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.