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

Shen Qingtan could feel Shen Shaoheng's gaze on her, as if worms from the gutter were sticky on her skin, making her feel nauseous.

He was the eldest son of the Marquis of Chengen, born to the eldest branch of the family. On the way back to the capital to take up his post, the eldest master and his wife were killed by bandits, leaving only the infant Shen Shaoheng. He was adopted by Madam Shen and was greatly loved by the old lady.

Madam Shen indulged him in every way, and he became ignorant and incompetent, indulging in cockfighting, dog racing, and philandering.

Many maids in the mansion were abused by him, but Madam Shen covered it up for them all.

This was Madam Shen's deliberate attempt to flatter and kill, since the title was originally inherited by the eldest son's family. Because the eldest son of the Shen family died young, the title was inherited by the current Marquis of Chengen.

If Shen Shaoheng becomes successful, the title will not be inherited by Madam Shen's son.

"Brother, please have some self-respect."

In her past life, when she was locked in a separate courtyard, she overheard the old women gossiping about Shen Shaoheng's affair with the concubine of the Marquis of Chengen, which ultimately led to his removal from the Shen family's genealogy.

Shen Qingtan walked past Shen Shaoheng and entered the courtyard.

Ignoring Shen Qingtan, Shen Shaoheng stared at her with a gloomy gaze. Her graceful figure and exquisite curves aroused his desire. He turned and headed towards the backyard.

Shen Qingtan glanced back in the direction Shen Shaoheng had left, then looked away and prepared to go inside.

Hongxing, the maidservant beside the old lady, came out and said, "Miss, the master came by just now and made the old lady so angry that she felt dizzy. The old lady took her medicine and rested. She left a message saying that you don't need to pay your respects and should spend more time with the madam."

Shen Qingtan wasn't surprised. The old lady's favorite person was Shen Shaoheng, and she hoped he would inherit the title. She had always been indifferent to her other grandchildren.

Unfortunately, Shen Shaoheng was disappointing and greatly disappointed the old lady.

She said softly, "Please give my regards to my grandmother, and I will not disturb her rest."

After saying this, she returned to her room before marriage and waited for a servant to announce her arrival before going to the side hall of the outer courtyard for her meal.

The women sat at one table and the men at another, separated by a screen.

Shen Qingtan met Madam Shen at the door, but Wei Mama was not with her.

Madam Shen smiled gently at her and asked with concern, "Tan'er, you don't look well. Didn't you get enough rest?"

Not a single word was mentioned about Mother Wei.

Shen Qingtan touched her face with the back of her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Sleeping too much makes me feel uncomfortable."

"You still act like a little girl." Madam Shen affectionately took Shen Qingtan's hand and pulled her to her seat.

Shen Mingzhu bit her lip, suppressing her anger as she sat to the left of Madam Shen.

Marquis Chengen had four brothers born out of wedlock, all of whom were appointed to official posts outside the capital, and all of them brought their families with them.

Besides Madam Shen, Shen Qingtan, and Shen Mingzhu, the only other people present at the banquet were the two concubines and one illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Chengen.

Shen Qingtan remembered that Marquis Chengen had three concubines, and the newly acquired one was only eighteen years old and did not come to eat.

"Aunt Mei isn't feeling well, so she won't be coming to avoid upsetting you two," Madam Shen said, wiping her hands clean with a handkerchief. "Let's eat."

Aunt Liu and Aunt Hu stood behind Madam Shen, serving her food and attending to her meal.

Liu Yue picked up a dish that was closest to Shen Qingtan and placed it on the small plate in front of her.

As Shen Qingtan held her chopsticks, she vaguely heard a voice from next door: "Why isn't Heng'er here?"

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she ate her meal at a leisurely pace.

The dishes in front of her didn't suit her taste, so Shen Qingtan touched her chopsticks a few times and then stopped eating.

Liu Yue brought out the tea, preparing to serve Shen Qingtan a mouth rinse.

"what--"

Suddenly, her arm was bumped, and tea spilled onto her skirt.

Madam Shen looked up.

Liu Yue's face turned deathly pale, and she knelt down with a thud: "This servant did not hold the teacup properly and disturbed the masters. Please punish me."

Madam Shen put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with the handkerchief handed to her by Aunt Liu: "Today is the joyous day of the young lady and son-in-law returning home. You are also a capable person by Tan'er's side, so I will exempt you from punishment."

Liu Yue kowtowed gratefully: "This servant thanks Madam for her mercy."

"Don't be so clumsy next time, or you might hurt your master," Madam Shen warned, then waved her hand and said, "Go and change your clothes."

Liu Yue looked at Shen Qingtan, and seeing Shen Qingtan nod, she respectfully said, "This servant will go right away."

Shen Qingtan handed her a handkerchief: "Wipe it off."

Liu Yue thanked him softly, clutched the handkerchief in her hand, and retreated with a pale face.

He returned to the servants' quarters to change his clothes, casually rolled up his dirty clothes and stuffed them into his bundle, then hurriedly went back to the side hall to find Shen Qingtan.

Just as they reached the waterside pavilion, Shu Yue stopped them: "Sister Liu Yue, the eldest young lady has finished her meal. She and the eldest son-in-law went for a walk at Wanfeng Pavilion to digest their food. She asked me to wait for you here and let you know."

Liu Yue stared intently at Shu Yue. The two of them, along with Ting Xue and Yan Xue, had followed Shen Qingtan since childhood, serving her closely until her marriage.

Now, apart from her and Tingxue, Shuyue and Yanxue have married and stayed in the Marquis's mansion.

Facing Liu Yue's gaze, Shu Yue pinched her index finger hard with her thumb, suppressing the urge to escape. She blinked and asked blankly, "Sister Liu Yue, what's wrong with you? Don't you believe me?"

"Why do you ask me that?" Liu Yue tapped Shu Yue's forehead with her index finger and said with a grin, "We grew up together, and I know you better than anyone. I don't trust anyone else except you guys."

Shu Yue's expression relaxed, and she smiled: "Miss loves my cloud cakes the most. I made some yesterday, and I'll bring them to you later."

"Alright." Liu Yue asked, "Is there anything else you want to say to me?"

Shu Yue shook her head and urged, "Go and serve the young lady quickly. We have something to talk about later."

Liu Yue waved her hand: "Then I'll be going now."

Shu Yue stood there, watching Liu Yue head towards Wanfeng Pavilion, clenched her fists tightly, and turned away.

-

Side hall.

Shen Mingzhu folded an embroidered handkerchief in her hand, glancing at Shen Qingtan from time to time. She saw Shen Qingtan lower her long, curled eyelashes, drinking tea gently and quietly, patiently waiting for Liuyue and Tingxue.

Madam Shen glanced out the window; the bright sunlight shone on the lush green leaves, carrying a warm spring atmosphere.

She suggested, "The weather is nice today, shall we go for a stroll in the garden?"

Shen Qingtan put down her teacup and said worriedly, "Mother, Liuyue hasn't returned from changing her clothes yet. Tingxue went to look for her, but she's nowhere to be found. I'm worried that something might have happened to them, so I'd like to go find them first."

Madam Shen frowned: "Perhaps something has delayed things. I'll send someone to urge them on..."

"Madam! Madam!" A terrified voice interrupted Madam Shen's words, followed by a rough-looking old woman rushing in, panting heavily, "Something terrible has happened!"