Li Shiqian hadn't expected A Cai to back out halfway through at a time like this. He immediately raised his voice.
"A Cai, think carefully. You came here with us to file a complaint. If you suddenly claim that we forced you, then you'll be guilty of making a false accusation. You'll be punished for it."
Li Shiye hurriedly added, "That's right. Think it through. You can't just say whatever you like."
Shen Huizhao looked at Le Shan, Haode, and First Mistress Li in surprise. He hadn't expected the young woman to be nothing like he'd imagined.
Hearing the four Li brothers about to shout in court, he immediately roared, "Silence!"
He brought the court gavel down. Once everyone had quieted, he looked at A Cai in surprise and asked, "Is this true?"
As soon as Shen Huizhao finished speaking, A Cai replied with absolute certainty, "My lord, the four brothers Li Shiqian, Li Shida, and the others forced me to do this. My son can testify as well. I ask you to judge the matter fairly."
Li Shiqian and Li Shida hurriedly protested. They knew that if the accusation was proven, they would face the same punishment they'd intended for their victim.
At the time, the rule of punishing false accusers with the penalty they'd sought to impose was generally considered very fair.
In other words, if you accused someone of a crime and they proved their innocence, you would receive the punishment you'd tried to bring down on them.
Now, the four Li households had joined forces to accuse First Mistress Li of causing the fourth branch of the Li family to die out and scheming to seize its property.
So, once their false accusation failed, all four households' property would have to be transferred to the fourth