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

Zhao Yi frowned slightly: "What did he find out?"

“We didn’t find anything.” Jiang Mu’s expression was a bit strange. “After all, Second Madam was just complaining to him that you were keeping a mistress on Nanshui Street. She didn’t instigate him to go to Nanshui Street to find Zhu Yu, nor did she arrange for anyone to contact Zhu Yu. It was entirely their own evil intentions that led to their downfall.”

Zhao Yi: "..."

"On the contrary, he discovered that the Lady of Chengen Marquis and Shen Mingzhu were making things difficult for and persecuting the Second Mistress at every turn, while the Second Mistress had not done anything to them."

Jiang Mu continued, "The only thing she did was to side with reason rather than her own family when the Marquis of Chengen's mansion was choosing its heir."

Zhao Yi inexplicably recalled Shen Qingtan's description of her as "weak and helpless." While she was indeed helpless, the description of her as weak and helpless remained to be verified.

"That hypocrite Shen Shaohuai probably thinks that our Second Mistress is ungrateful and maliciously taking revenge on the Chengen Marquis's Mansion."

Jiang Mu curled his lip and said disdainfully, "This time the truth is all laid out before him. Let's see if he still dares to claim to be righteous and condemn Second Madam."

Zhao Yi scoffed, "He'll blame your Second Mistress for being petty, actually arguing with your mother and younger sister. She shows no respect for elders and no love for the young; it's a violation of the Marquis's family's teachings over the years."

Jiang Mu: "..." Master's assessment of the hypocrite was truly spot on.

Zhao Yi asked, "Is there anything else?"

Jiang Mu quickly replied, "I recently spotted refugees outside the city gates. I only saw a few scattered individuals a couple of days ago. But when I escorted Jiang Chao out of the city today, I found that the number had doubled."

He looked puzzled and asked, "Didn't the imperial court open the granaries to relieve the people during the famine last year? All the regions have survived, and the newly planted grain is almost ready for harvest. Why are there still refugees?"

Zhao Yi asked thoughtfully, "Where did these people come from?"

Jiang Mu said, "Judging from the accent, it sounds like they're from Guanzhou."

“Guanzhou…” Zhao Yi’s eyes were deep as he instructed, “Continue to follow up on this matter.”

"Yes." Jiang Mu accepted the order and left.

Zhao Yi was concerned about the refugees outside the city, and even more so about the letter of divorce he had written to his wife, so he set off to the front courtyard to find Duke Zhao.

After the servant guarding the study paid his respects, he said, "Second Master, the Duke is out entertaining guests and has not yet returned to the manor."

Zhao Yi nodded slightly: "If the Duke returns early, you can go to Lanxue Garden to deliver the message. If he returns late, there is no need to deliver the message."

The servant agreed.

-

The next morning, Liu Ruojiao prepared a generous gift, carefully prepared a visiting card and a gift list, placed them in a gift box, and took a carriage to the Duke of Zhao's mansion.

The maidservant dismounted first, knocked on the gate, handed the gift box to the gatekeeper, and asked the gatekeeper to help announce the arrival.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, Tingxue came out from the side door and said respectfully, "Miss, Second Madam instructed me to come and fetch you."

Seeing this, Liu Ruojiao guessed that Shen Qingtan had calmed down.

She tentatively asked, "Tingxue, is my visit today in any way that might bother my older cousin?"

Tingxue replied, "When you delivered the invitation, Second Madam had just seen off a guest. As soon as she saw that it was you, she immediately arranged for a servant to come and fetch you."

Liu Ruojiao was immediately relieved. She knew that Shen Qingtan was kind-hearted and wouldn't really ignore her.

She entered the mansion with Tingxue, and as they passed through the hanging flower gate and stepped into the backyard, they first heard people talking.

"These past two days, quite a few guests have come to visit Second Madam. Could it be that Second Master has been invited to be named the heir apparent, and the women of the household have come to offer their congratulations?"

"This matter is also related to Second Master. I heard that the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai was investigated, and now there is a vacancy. Although the official rank is low, it is a very lucrative position, and many people are eyeing it. However, those who have been able to sit in this position throughout history are all the emperor's confidants. Second Master is favored by the emperor, and they want to use Second Master's connections, hoping that Second Master can help recommend them."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruojiao's mind began to race.

The reason why the Salt Commissioner was a lucrative post was because this position was responsible for investigating corruption within the Salt Transport Bureau.

It is precisely because of this that many people rush to offer bribes and can also use official silver to lend money at interest rates, thereby enriching themselves.

Her father held a sinecure, but if he could get the position of Salt Commissioner through Shen Qingtan's connections, her family wouldn't need to curry favor with others; they could simply wait to be fawned over and flattered.

Having made up her mind, Liu Ruojiao silently followed Tingxue to Lanxue Garden. As soon as she stepped into the house, she sweetly called out, "Big Cousin!"

Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "Jiaojiao, what brings you here today?"

"Big Cousin, I've come here specifically to apologize to you." Liu Ruojiao gestured for the maid to give the gifts to Tingxue, then went to Shen Qingtan's side and affectionately took her arm. "Big Cousin, you know what kind of person I am. I've always been unruly since I was little. I was impulsive that day, but it was because I'm close to you that I became a bit presumptuous. The words I said to you were all because I lost my temper and reason."

Shen Qingtan fell silent.

Liu Ruojiao's heart was in her throat, and she said anxiously, "Big Cousin..."

Shen Qingtan interrupted her, saying, "Ever since my second sister was recognized by her ancestors, you've become much more distant from me and spend more time with her. You two share similar interests and can talk to each other, so it's only right that you listen to her."

“I didn’t. Big Cousin, I’m closer to you.” Thinking of that lucrative job, Liu Ruojiao gritted her teeth and pledged her loyalty to Shen Qingtan: “Besides apologizing, I have something else to tell you today.”

Shen Qingtan looked up at her, waiting for her to continue.

Liu Ruojiao whispered in Shen Qingtan's ear, "You and your second cousin didn't get into the wrong bridal sedan chair in the chaos. It was the Marquis's mansion that deliberately arranged this marriage between you. Your cousin is very protective of you, his older sister. After learning the truth, he went to question your aunt. Your aunt was afraid he would ruin things, so she ordered him to be tied up and sent to Guanzhou overnight."

Shen Qingtan's expression changed, and she slammed her hand on the table: "Shut up!"

She looked at Liu Ruojiao with a cold gaze: "Cousin, I thought you were just young and naive. But now it seems you have malicious intentions, trying to sow discord between me and my parents!"

“Big cousin, you can ask my cousin if you don’t believe me,” Liu Ruojiao said anxiously. “Our Liu family’s ancestral home is in Guanzhou, and my cousin is being kept in the ancestral home.”

Shen Qingtan's face turned cold, and she directly ordered him to leave: "Tingxue, I'm a little tired. Please escort Miss Tingxue out of the mansion."

Liu Ruojiao regretted that she had messed up and felt panicked and scared.

On second thought, once Shen Qingtan investigates, she will find out that what she said is true.

"Big cousin, I'm the only one who truly wants you to be well."

After saying this, Liu Ruojiao left with her maid.

As Shen Qingtan watched Liu Ruojiao's departing figure, she couldn't help but think of that somewhat unruly young man.

So, there are still people in the Marquis's mansion who will seek justice for her?

At this moment, Liu Yue came in from outside and whispered in Shen Qingtan's ear, "The people you sent out to investigate the Chengen Marquis's mansion with Third Master Zhao have sent word from Guanzhou."