Chapter 12: Warning and Confiscation of Property

“What? You allow yourself to pounce on me and tear at me, but you won't allow me to fight back properly?”

Shen Xiangwan let out a light sneer. Far from feeling remorse, she acted with complete righteousness. The one who provokes first is the villain; since she was the one who started the trouble, they shouldn't blame her for being heartless. Her principle in life had always been: if others do not provoke me, I will not provoke them; but if others provoke me, I shall surely destroy them!

“I—I’ll fight you to the death... Ah!”

“Quiet!”

Wang Lan instantly lost her reason. Like a madwoman, she made a move to rush forward and tear at her, but before she could even take a step, a whistling sound cut through the air. The whip in Tian Yi's hand lashed violently against her. Her luxurious clothing instantly split open, and a bloody wound appeared on her well-maintained skin. Trembling from the pain, she let out a piercing scream.

“Mother!”

“Lanlan!”

“Third Daughter-in-law.”

Everyone reflexively glanced at Tian Yi and the blood-stained whip in his hand, their eyes tinged with a hint of dread and fear. Wei Jinghong and their children stepped forward again, while the Old Madam, standing with the members of the Second Branch, let out a low cry but did not advance. Who knew if Tian Yi would swing the whip again?

“All of you, behave! Get in line, now!”

It wasn't that he didn't see the blatant fear in their eyes and hearts. Tian Yi roared fiercely, and before leaving, he cast a warning glare at Shen Xiangwan.

“...”

With Wang Lan's bloody lesson as a precedent, no one dared to cause more trouble, and they quickly lined up as he commanded.

Having returned to the front, Tian Yi nodded with satisfaction. With a wave of his hand, two groups of soldiers carrying winnowing baskets approached them. “Hand over all your valuables! Anyone who dares to hide anything will be beaten to death on the spot!”

“Sob...”

No one dared to defy their orders. Everyone obediently removed their valuables and placed them into the baskets, and the women could not help but begin to wail.

“Mother, Chenghe, Ling'er, please take off your jewelry and ornaments first,” Shen Xiangwan whispered, looking back at them. They could only avoid suffering by cooperating as much as possible so that no one could find an excuse to pick on them.

“Mhm.”

The mother and two children nodded in unison. They were not fools and were well aware of their current predicament.

“Are you An'an? I am your Second Aunt. Your Little Uncle has things to do; may I hold you?”

Seeing the small toddler being held by Wei Chenghe looking at her curiously, Shen Xiangwan smiled slightly and reached out to affectionately pinch his nose. In the 28th century, humanity had made massive breakthroughs in technology and medicine, having unlocked parts of the mysteries of genetics. Every adult over the age of eighteen could receive a primary genetic potion for free to unlock the first level of the genetic lock and obtain superpowers. However, at the same time, it was difficult for those with superpowers to conceive naturally; the higher the power, the lower the chance of conception. Thus, human infants were extremely precious to them.

“Ugh...”

The toddler was clearly a bit shy of strangers, shaking his head and hugging Wei Chenghe's neck tightly.

Seeing this, Zhao Yuping hurriedly said, “Don't be afraid, An-ge'er. She is your Second Uncle's wife and your aunt. She will love you just like we do in the future.”

“Eh?”

Looking up at her and then cautiously glancing at Shen Xiangwan, the toddler whispered, “Aunt... Auntie.”

“Aww, our An'an is so good.”

Shen Xiangwan responded happily and reached out to take him directly into her arms. The toddler stiffened reflexively, but then quickly wrapped his arms around her neck instead of crying.

Noticing a small jade pendant hanging from his waist, Shen Xiangwan brushed her hand past him while no one was looking, and the jade pendant vanished instantly. The soldiers carrying the baskets came before them, and the group took turns dropping their removed ornaments into the baskets. The soldiers did not leave immediately; instead, they scrutinized them from head to toe until they were certain no other valuables remained before turning away.

[End of Chapter]