She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Madam Zhao left Shen Qingtan alone and dismissed the maids who were serving her.

"Tan'er, you should know about Yi'er's situation. What are your thoughts?" Old Madam Zhao took Shen Qingtan's hand and made her sit down beside her. "Tell your grandmother about it."

“Grandmother, all I want right now is to find the Sage of Medicine to cure my husband’s illness. I have no other thoughts for the time being.” Shen Qingtan could feel the old lady’s affection for her and smiled slightly. “Even if my husband is healthy, I don’t want to get pregnant so soon. I still want to spend some more time with him as a couple.”

She has too many things to do. If she were pregnant now, how would she have the energy to deal with the Marquis of Chengen's mansion?

Madam Zhao stared at Shen Qingtan for a while, and when she was sure that she was not affected by Shen Mingzhu, she was relieved.

“We elders are happy that you and Yi’er have such a good relationship.” Madam Zhao raised her hand to smooth the hair at her temples and said in a kind tone, “Our Duke’s Mansion and the Emperor are both sending people to find the Sage of Medicine, hoping that the Bodhisattva can show his power and bless Yi’er’s recovery.”

Shen Qingtan said firmly, "It definitely will."

"This child has suffered so much since he was a child. When he was only two or three years old, he would obediently swallow bowl after bowl of bitter medicine without the adults having to rack their brains to coax him. He would only cry secretly when the pain was severe. Who wouldn't feel heartbroken seeing him like that? He was just too adorable."

Madam Zhao couldn't help but mention Zhao Yi's childhood to Shen Qingtan: "He was quiet from a young age, and he would never utter a word about anything that was forbidden. Every day, besides reading, he would practice calligraphy and play chess with his teacher."

Shen Qingtan seemed to be able to imagine that scene, and a bittersweet feeling welled up in her heart.

He was seriously ill since childhood, probably because he couldn't eat this or that, and he couldn't go out to play with other children; he could only stay in his room.

What was she like when she was a child?

They are a bit greedy, a bit playful, and a little spoiled.

It's absolutely impossible for someone to do what Zhao Yi did.

Shen Qingtan knew that Madam Zhao mentioned these things in the hope that she would be more understanding of Zhao Yi.

She sniffed and said softly, "I've heard that some people experience hardship before happiness. My husband has gone through the hardship, and from then on, all his days will be sweet."

"Yes, you're right." Old Madam Zhao smiled: "Yi'er's suffering is about to end and her happiness will come."

Shen Qingtan exchanged a few more words with Madam Zhao before getting up to leave Shian Hall.

She led Liuyue out of the courtyard and immediately saw the Fourth Madam standing at the gate.

"Tan'er..." The Fourth Madam's words stopped abruptly. Staring at Shen Qingtan's slightly red nose, she frowned and said, "The Second Branch is full of shallow-minded and worthless people. What kind of pleasant words can they possibly say? Just let it go in one ear and out the other. Don't take it to heart."

Shen Qingtan shook her head: "Fourth Aunt, I didn't take it to heart."

"Just you wait and see. They're laughing so smugly now, but they'll have plenty of days to shed tears later." Fourth Madam, linking arms with Shen Qingtan, said mysteriously, "Fourth Aunt, are you going to have some fun?"

Shen Qingtan was startled and quickly declined, saying, "Fourth Aunt, I... I won't go."

“How dare I take you to the theater again? If my second nephew finds out, he won’t allow you to associate with me anymore.” The fourth madam was afraid that Shen Qingtan was still thinking about Shen Mingzhu’s pregnancy, so she wanted to take her out to relax: “There’s a horse farm in Xishan. I’ve invited a few of my girlfriends. Shall we go play Chuiwan? If you don’t want to play Chuiwan, there’s also Cuju and horse racing there.”

"Fourth Aunt, shall we go play another day?" Shen Qingtan was thinking about Zhao Yi: "I have some things to do today."

The fourth madam was a sensible person and did not press her further: "Then when you have some free time another day, you can send a maid to deliver this message to me."

"Okay," Shen Qingtan said softly, "Fourth Aunt, thank you."

"Don't be so formal. We don't need such formalities between us." The Fourth Madam fanned her cheek with the handkerchief in her hand: "If you really want to thank me, when Zhao Qiyuan returns to the capital, and I don't like him anymore, you can have your second nephew kick him out of the capital."

After leaving those words, the Fourth Madam swayed her slender waist and left.

Shen Qingtan felt somewhat helpless. Although the Fourth Madam seemed to reject Zhao Qiyuan, she probably cared about him in her heart.

She walked a few steps and saw Zhao Yi standing under a golden osmanthus tree, calmly watching her.

Shen Qingtan raised an eyebrow: "Second Master, are you waiting for me on the way back to Lanxue Garden?"

Zhao Yi's brow twitched; this was a situation she couldn't let go of.

He said in a gentle tone, "I specially waited for you to go back together."

Shen Qingtan tilted her head slightly and smiled at him, her eyes sparkling, seemingly a little smug because she had heard a truth from him.

He stared at it for a while, then slowly smiled, truly displaying the temperament of a little girl.

The couple returned to Lanxue Garden together, and Shen Qingtan saw Zhao Yi sitting on the daybed. He wasn't holding a book as usual, but looked preoccupied.

After washing her hands with bath soap, she came to Zhao Yi's side: "Second Master, are you thinking about what happened at Shi'an Hall just now?"

Zhao Yi looked up at Shen Qingtan's bright and refined face. Even though her features had matured, she still looked a little immature.

He originally planned to give her the divorce papers after he passed away, thus restoring her freedom.

But today she said that she has no one else to rely on but him.

He sensed a pang of sadness in her words, which inevitably touched him.

Later, when they were at Shian Hall, Shen Mingzhu, knowing that Shen Qingtan would not have children after marrying him, still used the issue of children to provoke her.

Zhao Yi hadn't thought that much about it until he saw Shen Qingtan being publicly exposed, and then he truly realized something.

No matter how well he does, if he can't give her a child, she will have to endure a lot of grievances.

This was the first time Zhao Yi felt a sense of powerlessness.

He said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I made you suffer today."

“I have not been wronged today; on the contrary, I have received a lot of care from many people.” Shen Qingtan said sincerely, “I have always been clear about what I want, and I will not let anyone or anything shake my principles.”

Looking into her clear eyes, Zhao Yi made a decision and said in a low voice, "There is something I need to tell you."