Although hating Emperor Shunwu, the proper etiquette could not be abandoned.
Old Lady Mo knelt down first.
The eight sister-in-laws and Mo Hanyue followed suit upon seeing this.
He Zhiran did not want to kneel, but could not behave too differently either.
Luckily, the skirts of ancient people's dresses were wide, she pulled at her skirt to cover her legs and squatted behind everyone else.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees, upon investigation, Duke Mo Jiuye colluded with foreign bandits, embezzled military provisions, and conspired with court officials to commit treason.
His Majesty is benevolent, and considering Mo family's ancestral merits and contributions, spared them from death penalty.
Now all properties of Mo family shall be confiscated, servants sold off, and Mo family exiled to the northwest..."
Fortunately, Mo family was mentally prepared, so they were not shocked into collapse by such an unjust decree.
They did not even yell grievances.
Because they knew clearly, the Emperor genuinely wanted to punish Mo family, so even pleading would be futile.
Just by the people sent to confiscate their property, it was evident the Emperor did not intend for Mo family to have an easy time, otherwise he would not have sent Cao Ren, that scoundrel.
Old Lady Mo received the decree, and had just stood up with the women.
Cao Ren was already impatient and ordered the search to start, even claiming that not even mouse holes should be spared.
As for these women present, they would naturally need to be searched.
Looking at these flowers and jade-like beauties, a trace of lewdness flashed in Cao Ren's eyes.
"Hehe, considering I served in court with Mo Jiuye, I shall personally search you women's bodies.
Hearing Cao Ren's words, everyone instinctively retreated back a few steps.
Although they were widows, they were chaste. How could they allow a grown man to grope them?
Old Lady Mo was also furious, and solemnly said:
"Lord Cao, what you're doing goes against reason. Although my Mo family is convicted, these women can't be casually humiliated."
When saying this, she was prepared to die.
A woman's chastity is above all, she would rather die than let anyone humiliate them.
Cao Ren did not take Old Lady Mo's words to heart at all.
In his view, Mo family was now like locusts after autumn, even if they don't die now, they would die en route during exile.
"Old lady, don't reject a toast only to drink a forfeit, it's an honor that I'm personally searching you all. If you're unwilling, I don't mind letting all the officials search you together."
Old Lady Mo had a fiery temperament, how could she stand such vulgar words?
"Cao Ren, today I will fight you til the end."
As Old Lady Mo spoke, she pulled out the hairpin in her hair and lunged at Cao Ren.
After all, Cao Ren was a military officer, how could he be scared by a woman?
Seizing the chance to get rid of her, he might even earn the Emperor's praise.
Seeing Cao Ren had already assumed a defensive stance, He Zhiran swiftly pulled Old Lady Mo to safety.
Her action caused Cao Ren's kick to hit empty air.
Cao Ren glared at the one who ruined his plan.
This woman had her hair in a married woman's style, looking about 16 or 17. Delicate brows and eyes, wearing an aqua blue modest dress that complemented her fair skin.
She was truly a beauty, he didn't know there was such a beauty in the Duke's residence.
Cao Ren sized up He Zhiran for a few seconds, and immediately put on a smiling face.
"Hehe...I don't know which widow you are, my lady?"
If possible, Cao Ren planned to pull some tricks to bring this gorgeous woman into his household.
Seeing this kind of attitude, He Zhiran felt a wave of nausea.
Still, she maintained an icy stare at him.
"Cao Ren, you dare disregard court rules and harass convicted officials' families."
"Oh? The little lady is quite fierce, I'm harassing you now, what can you do about it?"
He Zhiran's expression did not change.
"Court rules state officials on duty cannot harm uncondemned families, and absolutely cannot harass convicted officials' families.
Now you're openly harassing me, are you not afraid of the Emperor's punishment?"
Of course Cao Ren was very clear on this court rule, he just always believed Mo family women wouldn't understand this, and that he could do as he wished without consequence.
He didn't expect a young and beautiful lady to recite court rules to his face with so many people present.
This made him somewhat nervous.
However, Cao Ren still would not give up, thinking the woman before him was just a young lady, intimidation would make her afraid.
"Silver tongue is useless before me, I'll say this now, as long as you obey me, we can negotiate the search, otherwise, don't blame me for not cherishing you."
He Zhiran had lived two lifetimes, and this was her first time seeing someone so shameless.
Now, she had already switched her dagger to a mini pistol.
As long as Cao Ren dared to make a move, she would absolutely not hesitate.
Although she had made preparations, He Zhiran still chose reason first.
After all, there were still so many Mo women present, if she shot and killed Cao Ren, it would certainly implicate them.
"Cao Ren, let me advise you, when Mo manor is exiled, our families will certainly come to send us off.
I'm sure you understand hidden troubles will come out, if any of my sister-in-laws mention this to their families after seeing them, do you know what consequences there will be?
Also, although Mo family property was confiscated and exiled, our maternal families were unaffected.
My father is at worst a Minister, if he doesn't see me when sending me off, then hears that I died by your hand, what do you think my father will do?"
Her words were powerful, making the sister-in-laws increasingly confident.
"Cao Ren, if my eldest brother doesn't see me when sending me off, he will certainly avenge me."
"My father too, if you insist on being stubborn, I will smash my head and die right here."
Seeing the Mo women's indignant manner, Cao Ren suddenly felt at a loss.
He never imagined these women were not afraid of him at all.
Especially the most beautiful one, who said her father was a current Minister.
Although she didn't outright say which Minister, he knew clearly in his heart.
Among Mo family's wives, only one was a Minister's daughter.
That was Mo Jiuye's new wife yesterday, Minister He Yuanming's daughter.
He Yuanming was a second rank Minister, how could he contend against him as a fourth rank officer?
Also, those Mo widows, their maternal families also held office, some even higher than him.
After thinking it over, Cao Ren decided to take the loss this time.
However, he didn't want to lose momentum.
"Humph! I'll let you all go just this once, considering you've been widowed for many years, quite pitiful."
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