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

Madam Shen paused in stroking Shen Mingzhu's hair, her probing gaze falling on her face.

Unable to withstand Madam Shen's sharp gaze, Shen Mingzhu hurriedly lowered her head and offered a clumsy excuse: "I... I'm just afraid they'll find their way to the capital, just like you haven't given up on me all these years..."

Madam Shen looked at her evasive eyes, knowing perfectly well what was going on: "They are commoners, we are officials, how can they possibly fight against us?" Her upturned lips revealed sarcasm: "One is a noble family, the other is a lowly merchant. Shen Qingtan is not stupid, she knows who to recognize as her parents."

Shen Qingtan was already three years old when she was stolen away. She was old enough to understand things and made a fuss all day long, wanting her parents and brother.

The little girl wore a brocade dress of exquisite gold, with a delicate gold bracelet on each wrist, a necklace around her neck, and even her shoes were inlaid with round, flawless pearls, showing how meticulously and preciously she was raised.

She tried her best to coax the little girl, but no matter what rare or unusual things she offered, the girl wouldn't buy it.

When they returned to the capital, they dared not take the child directly back to their residence. Instead, they stayed in a villa on the outskirts of the capital, locking Shen Qingtan in a dark room and letting her cry and fuss as she pleased.

After being confined for four or five days, Shen Qingtan fell seriously ill and almost couldn't hold on. In the end, she survived by sheer luck, forgot about the past, became very timid, and loved to cling to her.

By this time, when they finally had the energy to deal with Shen Qingtan's biological parents, the place was already deserted, and all they knew was that their surname was Gu.

Madam Shen said quietly, "She can't escape my grasp."

For no apparent reason, a chill ran down Shen Mingzhu's spine.

-

As Shen Qingtan came out of the courtyard, she was met by a tall, thin old woman wearing a blue cotton jacket and a light blue cotton vest.

The old woman's face was covered in wrinkles, her eyes drooped, and her cheeks were sunken, giving her a somewhat vicious and cruel appearance.

This is Wei Mama, who serves Madam Shen.

Shen Qingtan's breath hitched, and her fingers, hidden in her sleeves, dug into her palms.

In her past life, Zhao Jue's confidant set fire to her villa, revealed the truth, and then left.

Mother Wei emerged from the shadows, coldly watching her suffer the agony of being burned alive: "Madam, out of consideration for our more than ten years of mother-daughter relationship, has asked me to see you off."

Your father and brothers held high-ranking positions and enjoyed great wealth, and they have been suffering the pain of losing their beloved daughter.

Madam can empathize with this, and will have our own daughter recognize them as godfather and godmother on your behalf.

You can go in peace now.

“Young Miss,” Madam Wei bowed, her face devoid of respect, and said with a forced smile, “As the eldest daughter of the Marquis’s household, you must always remember your status. When you go out, you must have maids by your side, otherwise others will think that the Marquis’s household is mistreating you…”

"Snapped--"

Shen Qingtan raised her hand and slapped Wei Mama across the face: "Wei Mama, you are my mother's wet nurse, and I was just showing you some respect. I never expected that this would embolden you and make you forget your status and the rules of the Marquis's mansion, and commit such an act of insubordination. If outsiders see this, they will think that there is no hierarchy in our Marquis's mansion, and that even a wicked servant can ride on the head of his master."

Wei's mother was stunned by the beating. She covered her burning face and looked at Shen Qingtan in disbelief.

Shen Qingtan rubbed her wrist and said coldly, "Your mother is kind-hearted and can't bear to punish you unruly servants. This slap is on my behalf to teach you a lesson. I hope you will behave yourself in the future and not disgrace your mother or gain a reputation for being lax in managing your subordinates."

Madam Wei gritted her teeth and had no choice but to swallow her anger and say, "This old servant will obey your teachings."

Shen Qingtan gave her a cold glance and left calmly.

Mother Wei stared at Shen Qingtan's back with venomous eyes. She couldn't believe that this usually gentle and kind-hearted girl would act so arrogantly in front of her.

She was brought to the Chengen Marquis's mansion as part of Madam Shen's dowry, and thus did not suffer this hardship.

Suddenly remembering something, Wei's mother looked in the direction Shen Qingtan had left and gave a cold smile: "Just wait and see how smug you are."

Shen Qingtan walked a distance and looked back at Furong Garden, where she saw Wei Mama's back as she entered the courtyard.

Madam Shen has a gentle and compassionate face, but a heart of a viper.

Wei's mother was Shen's knife, committing countless evil deeds.

Today, I slapped Wei's mother to vent my anger. Even if I complain to Madam Shen, Madam Shen will not seek justice for Wei's mother.

After all, she still has value to Madam Shen, so she will definitely not break off relations.

Shen Qingtan was worried about her biological parents, but she dared not make any rash moves.

They are just merchants now, and if they disturb Madam Shen, it will only bring them utter disaster.

A year and a half later, they must have had a chance to return to the capital with their whole family, and become a force that Zhao Jue and the Marquis of Chengen feared.

Wait a little longer, until she is fully grown, then she will go to find them.

Shen Qingtan took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

"Miss!"

Two joyful voices rang out, and Shen Qingtan looked up to see two maids running over quickly.

She exclaimed in delight, "Tingxue, Liuyue!"

After I got married in my previous life, I never saw them again.

“Miss, you have been wronged.” Tingxue’s eyes reddened as she said with self-reproach, “If I had escorted you to your wedding, you would not have married Master Zhao.”

Liu Yue didn't say anything, but silently shed tears.

"Don't worry, you two. Second Master treats me very well. Don't say such things again." This wasn't the place to talk, so Shen Qingtan didn't say anything more and glanced at their feet: "Are your injuries fully healed?"

“That’s all,” Liu Yue replied, then hesitated before continuing.

Shen Qingtan said softly, "Liu Yue, do you have something to say to me?"

Liu Yue glanced at the impatient Ting Xue, then whispered in Shen Qingtan's ear, "Miss, Ting Xue and I were not injured by accident, but by Wei Mama, who serves Madam."

Shen Qingtan looked down at her reddened palms and regretted not slapping them a few more times.

“Miss, this marriage… is not an accident.” Liu Yue glanced around, worried that someone might be overheard, so she didn’t elaborate, only reminding her, “You must be careful.”

“I know what I’m doing.” Shen Qingtan’s gentle eyes revealed a hint of coldness: “From this moment on, you will stay by my side and no matter what happens, you are not allowed to leave my side for even a moment.”

Listening to the snow and the flowing moon should be heard.

The three, master and servant, went to Jufutang.

As soon as she arrived at the courtyard gate, Shen Qingtan saw a handsome man come out of the house. He was wearing a blue velvet Taoist robe with a narrow collar and wide sleeves. The collar was loosely open, revealing a bit of his collarbone. He exuded a strong fragrance of perfume and had the demeanor of a dashing rogue.

"Little sister Tan, don't you know how to greet your big brother?"

Shen Shaoheng stood in front of Shen Qingtan, staring intently at her voluptuous and radiant face. His gaze slid over her chest and landed on her slender waist. He then pressed his tongue against his cheek.

He said flippantly, "It's still the Duke's mansion that nurtures people. Sister Tan has become even more beautiful in just a few days since she got married there."