Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

The stars and moon shone brightly.

Xiao Fang placed a forged letter in Su Wenbin's study.

The handwriting on the letter was imitated perfectly, and it only said:

"It seems that the grain has been targeted. Tomorrow night at 11 PM, it must be transported to the Xicang military granary for temporary shelter. It cannot be delayed any longer."

After making the arrangements, his figure disappeared into the night.

That night, countless people tossed and turned, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.

Yun Shuyao never expected that Su Wenbin, who thought he had been exposed, would carry out the framing of the Qin family ahead of schedule in order to protect himself.

The next morning.

When the Qin family's vermilion gate was smashed open with a loud bang, the people in the dining room were only halfway through their meal.

Grandpa Qin has finished preparing it. At seventy-three years old, he can't eat much anymore.

He sat in the main seat with his eyes still clear and bright. He loved watching the younger generation together, having a lively and fun time.

"The Qin family committed a heinous crime by selling inferior, old grain as new grain to the imperial court!"

By order of the Ministry of Justice, the main culprits in the military rations case, Qin Yuanshan, Qin Shi'an, the accountant, and others, are hereby apprehended!

The soldiers' roars were like thunderclaps, and armored figures surged into the courtyard, the sound of clashing sword sheaths piercing the air.

Old Master Qin's hand trembled, and the chopsticks slipped to the ground. He slowly raised his head and watched as the leading official took out his waist token.

His slightly cloudy eyes were first filled with astonishment, then a layer of grief and indignation welled up inside.

"My Qin family has been imperial merchants for generations, supplying grain to the court for centuries, and we have never once used inferior goods!"

He tried to stand up with his cane, but two soldiers held him down by the shoulders.

"You can't frame someone like this! I want to see the Minister of Justice! I want to see Su, the procurement officer in charge of receiving the grain!"

"father!"

Qin Shi'an rushed out from the inner courtyard. He had just finished checking the delivery slips for the military rations with the accountant and was still holding the official receipt stamped with the official seal in his hand.

"On what grounds are you arresting people? The military rations were just shipped yesterday, and every batch has the signature of the supervising officer!"

The officer sneered and waved his hand:

"Enough nonsense! The evidence and witnesses are all there. Whether you did it or not, go to the Ministry of Justice and talk to the torture instruments!"

As the shackles snapped shut on Qin Yuanshan's withered wrists, the old man jerked back, his cane slamming heavily to the ground.

"My Qin family has a clear conscience before Heaven and Earth! We have done right by the imperial court! You are innocent!"

Qin Shi'an wanted to argue, but the soldiers tied his hands behind his back, and the cold iron shackles made his wrists ache.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered his niece's dream, and his heart sank into despair.

Although the timeline was brought forward significantly, is the outcome ultimately unchangeable?

Cries and screams soon came from the backyard.

The Qin family's direct descendants, the accountant, and several old colleagues in charge of storing military rations.

They were all dragged out one by one, and in the blink of an eye, more than a dozen people were tied up.

"Take them all!"

The officers and soldiers pushed the crowd out.

The oldest man, Old Master Qin, was being held up by two soldiers, and even though he was staggering, he received no pity whatsoever.

He looked at the account books scattered all over the floor, and at his family members who were crying and being stopped, and offered no words of comfort.

As soon as the escorting team turned out of the alley where the Qin family lived, they were surrounded by onlookers.

Qin Yuanshan and Qin Shi'an were pushed to the front, their shackles dragging on the stone pavement with a harsh sound.

The old man's long gown was torn askew, and his gray hair was disheveled and stuck to his sweaty forehead.

With each step he took, he had to laboriously lift his head to look at the crowd of people pointing around him.

His lips moved as if he wanted to shout something, but he was stopped by the officer's stern rebuke.

"It's them! The Qin family! I heard the military rations they sent to the border were all moldy!"

"They deserve to make this kind of dirty money!"

"A businessman is a businessman; he may look respectable, but he's all about money!"

Foul language rained down on them without mercy, someone spat at them, and rotten vegetable leaves flew through the air and landed on Qin Shi'an's shoulder.

He suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes sweeping across the crowd. The military ration receipt in his hand had long since been taken away.

At this moment, they were filled with grievances, but no one would listen to their explanation.

"We don't!"

Qin Shi'an roared, but his voice was drowned out by the curses.

"The military rations were good! They were switched!"

"Still trying to argue!"

The soldier next to him kicked him hard.

"You'll have your day when you get to jail!"

Qin Yuanshan was startled by the kick and trembled all over. He suddenly stopped and straightened his back with all his might.

Despite the heavy shackles and the piercing gazes around him, he slowly raised his head.

Looking towards the direction of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the last glimmer of light in his cloudy eyes slowly went out.

That was the family he had helped with all his savings, the place where his daughter had entrusted her life to.

As court officials, they were the most well-informed; it was impossible for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion not to have heard the news.

But at this moment, the vermilion gate was tightly shut, without the slightest sound.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

When Qin rushed into the study, Yun Chongshan was leisurely practicing calligraphy.

The blinding sunlight reflected off his cold, hard profile, making even his voice seem icy.

"How dare you show your face here?"

Without looking up, he flicked his fingertips, creating a sharp stroke.

"Weren't you quite assertive yesterday?"

"Slamming down chopsticks, sealing off your private funds—where's your swagger now?"

Qin Shi didn't bother to wipe the tears from her face. She rushed over and tried to grab his sleeve, but he avoided her with disgust.

"Sir! Please have mercy!"

Her voice trembled uncontrollably, and stray hairs clung to her tear-streaked face.

"My father and brother have been arrested! They say the Qin family used inferior materials, replacing military rations with stale and moldy grain..."

"That's impossible! Our Qin family has been imperial merchants for generations, relying on integrity! This must be a misunderstanding!"

Yun Chongshan scoffed, finally raising his eyes and glaring at her like a knife.

"A misunderstanding? This case was personally overseen by His Highness Prince Yi. There are witnesses and physical evidence. You're telling me it's a misunderstanding?"

He slammed the wolf-hair brush down on the table.

"I advise you not to go around shouting that you've been wronged."

Who dares to question the cases investigated by His Highness Prince Yi?

The Qin family is greedy and has committed disgraceful acts! Now they want to implicate our Duke's mansion?

"No, sir, my father and brothers must have been framed!"

Qin was so anxious that she stamped her feet, and tears streamed down her face.

"My lord, please lend a hand. His Highness Prince Yi will surely reopen the investigation for your sake."

Have you forgotten? Back then, when the Yun family elders forced you to repair the ancestral hall, my father delivered 100,000 taels of silver overnight.

When members of the Yun family entered government service, it was always my elder brother who provided them with sums of money to help them make connections and smooth things over.

And what expenses in the manor over the years could have been covered without the Qin family's subsidies?

They've certainly done their utmost for you and for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!

Qin stared intently at Yun Chongshan, a last glimmer of hope still lingering in her eyes.

"Even for the sake of these favors, please help the Qin family, okay?"

"As long as you step in, you can definitely clear the Qin family's name!"

"mutual affection?"

Yun Chongshan seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. He suddenly stood up and looked down at her.

"You dare to talk to me about feelings?"

If it weren't for you back then, making that life-saving grace known to everyone.

As the heir of the dignified Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, how could I marry a lowly merchant's daughter like you?

Do you know how much criticism and ridicule our public has endured over the years?

"Now that your family has committed a heinous crime, it's already a great blessing that your household hasn't been implicated!"

He paused, his tone growing even colder.

"It is a disgrace for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to have in-laws like you!"

I advise you to sever ties with the Qin family as soon as possible, and stop causing trouble for the Yun family!

How could you say that?

Qin was struck dumb, staggered back a step, and stared at the man in front of her in disbelief.

"They are my family! How can I sever ties with them when I'm in trouble!"

"What family?"

Aunt Feng, who had been listening outside the door for who knows how long, walked forward in a coquettish voice, reached out to straighten Yun Chongshan's clothes, and spoke with sarcasm.

"Madam, please consider the bigger picture."

The Qin family committed no ordinary crime. If they were to implicate the Duke's mansion, wouldn't that ruin the Yun family's reputation for generations?