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

"Heng'er, even the emperor can break the law, let alone us, who are just the wives of court officials!" Madam Shen was so angry that she almost ground her teeth to powder. She never expected that someone would suddenly appear out of nowhere.

“Second Aunt is right.” Shen Shaoheng narrowed his eyes, then changed the subject, “We can’t expect her to drown herself and then find some unlucky guy to pay for it, can we? That won’t do. Second Aunt has a kind heart; she wouldn’t do such a cruel thing.”

Madam Shen's expression changed: "Heng'er, you..."

"Second Aunt, you don't need to investigate anymore." Shen Shaoheng pointed to the artificial hill on the other side of the pond: "There's a cave there. I saw her hiding inside drinking. I guess she was feeling guilty and, when she heard someone coming, she slipped and fell into the pond while trying to escape." He raised his chin and instructed the steward: "Go and take a look. Maybe there are wine jars inside."

The butler didn't move, but looked at Madam Shen.

Madam Shen was almost certain that Shen Shaoheng had killed Wei Mama, but unfortunately she couldn't reveal it. If she did, not only would there be no evidence, but the fire would also burn her as well.

She accidentally discovered that Shen Shaoheng was interested in Consort Mei, so she used tricks to help the Marquis of Chengen bring Consort Mei into his mansion, and then arranged for the two of them to have an affair.

Once it is revealed that Shen Shaoheng has an affair with his second uncle's concubine, even the old lady will not be able to protect him, and the title of Marquis of Chengen will naturally have nothing to do with him.

Moreover, this ambush could one day allow her to use someone else to do her dirty work.

Aunt Mei claimed to be ill and did not show up. Later, someone reported that Shen Shaoheng had secretly met with Aunt Mei, so she arranged for Wei Mama to lure Liu Yue to catch them in the act.

Shen Shaoheng and Aunt Mei will definitely kill Liuyue. Wei Mama will wait in the shadows until Shen Shaoheng succeeds, then "accidentally" stumble upon him killing someone, thus exposing their affair.

Kill two birds with one stone.

To everyone's surprise, it was Wei's mother who died.

Madam Shen was so angry that her liver ached, but she had no choice but to nod and agree to let the butler go over there.

The butler hurried to the artificial cave on the other side of the river and soon returned carrying a wine jar and a money bag: "Madam, the money bag has a red character embroidered on it."

Wei's mother's name was Wei Hong.

Madam Shen stared intently at the money pouch, remaining silent for a long time.

“Mother, why don’t we ask the officials to come and have the coroner investigate whether Madam Wei really drowned while drunk? She was an old friend of yours and she was very methodical. I don’t believe she would shirk her duties and sneak away to drink behind your back.” Shen Qingtan glanced at Shen Mingzhu and said softly, “My second sister is very saddened by Madam Wei’s death. If the real culprit is not found, it may affect the relationship between my sister and me.”

“Tan’er, there’s no need to report this to the authorities. Your mother believes your elder brother’s words; it was Wei Mama who accidentally fell into the water and drowned while drunk. She was secretly drinking wine behind my back, perhaps because she was heartbroken.” Madam Shen’s face was pale and she looked haggard, as if she didn’t want to dwell on this matter any longer: “If we go to the authorities, not only will we become a laughingstock in front of outsiders, but it will also damage your reputation. No matter how much Wei Mama means to me, she can’t compare to you.”

"Mother……"

“You don’t need to say anything more, Madam Wei… she has only herself to blame.” Madam Shen felt resentful, but had to suppress her anger. She instructed the steward, “Buy a thin coffin and bury Madam Wei.”

"Yes," the steward replied, then asked, "Everyone who came to Wanfeng Pavilion today is waiting outside. Do you still want to interrogate them?"

Following the butler's gaze, Madam Shen saw seven or eight servants cleaning and sweeping, none of whom were familiar faces: "The truth has come to light, let them all leave."

"Yes," the butler replied.

Madam Shen looked around at everyone and said sternly, "Not a single word of what happened today is to be spread. If anyone is heard gossiping, they will be severely punished!"

Everyone was silent.

The butler dismissed everyone.

Madam Shen instructed Green Shade, who was beside her, to see Mother Wei off.

In a short while, the people at Wanfeng Pavilion dispersed, leaving only Madam Shen, Shen Qingtan, Shen Mingzhu, Aunt Liu, Aunt Hu, and Shen Shaoheng.

Shen Shaoheng stared at the spot where Wei's mother had lain, his eyes filled with gloom.

Today, he was so aroused by Shen Qingtan that he sent a message to Aunt Mei, asking her to meet him secretly in the cave at Wanfeng Pavilion.

But halfway through their task, they heard someone approaching, seemingly having stumbled upon their affair, and then ran away gruffly.

He glimpsed a piece of blue cloth skirt through the crack, hurriedly chased after it, picked up the money bag, and then saw Wei's mother's furtive figure against the artificial hill, wearing the same blue cloth skirt.

He immediately ordered his servants to seize the woman, poured a jug of strong liquor into her mouth, and pushed her into the pond to silence her.

At the time, he didn't think much of it, but the frightened Aunt Mei reminded him: "Master, since neither of us is present today, Madam is probably keeping an eye on us."

The eldest master died young, and the title fell to the current Marquis. I have heard that once you come of age, I will ask that you be made the heir apparent.

Now that you are twenty-two years old, the Marquis has not yet requested a title for you; he may have changed his mind.

If they discover our affair, the old lady won't be able to protect you, and I'll only have death as a consequence.

Shen Shaoheng didn't believe it and retorted, "I rarely attend these banquets, so why would Second Aunt suspect that we have something going on?"

"What if my entry into the manor was arranged by Madam?" Aunt Mei's eyes were filled with tears. "I was just a courtesan in a brothel. The Marquis only saw me once before taking me into the manor. If he liked me, why has he only visited my courtyard a few times? I've seen too many men; I could tell at a glance that the Marquis wasn't a womanizer." She said fearfully, "My lord, if you wanted to take me as a concubine, you could easily find out who you truly cared for with a little inquiry."

Shen Shaoheng wasn't stupid; after hearing what Aunt Mei said, he figured out most of the story. Madam Shen knew he was interested in Aunt Mei, so she deliberately brought her into the mansion to lure him into making a mistake, and then get rid of him.

The fact that Wei's mother was keeping watch at Wanfeng Pavilion was probably to find something to use against her.

Shen Shaoheng was not interested in the title, but since Madam Shen had harmed him so much, he was determined to fulfill her wish and fight for it.

"Second Aunt, you'd better keep an eye on the people around you, or who knows who will die under mysterious circumstances next time."

Shen Shaoheng threw down those words, put his hands behind his back, and swaggered away.

Madam Shen's face turned ashen with anger. She took a deep breath to suppress the intense hatred in her heart.

“Mother, I shouldn’t have scolded Wei Mama…” Shen Qingtan was interrupted by Madam Shen before she could finish speaking: “Tan’er, you don’t need to blame yourself. It’s not your fault. Today, your mother and Zhu’er misunderstood you and hurt your feelings.”

“Mother, I don’t blame you.” Shen Qingtan’s eyes glistened with tears as she said sadly, “It’s just… I’m very sad that you don’t trust me.”

"I apologize to you. I was wrong. It was Wei Mama's affair that really hurt me. I lost my temper and judgment for a moment." Madam Shen personally picked up the box that Luyin had placed on the ground. "You remember that I love to eat Jade Bean Cake, but I suffered a great injustice here. What do you want? I will make it up to you."

She knew that Shen Qingtan was soft-hearted and extremely filial, so she would not ask for any compensation.

"I dare not fail my mother's kindness." Shen Qingtan pursed her lips, looking as if she had been forced to accept the offer but could not refuse: "I want the pawnshop on Shun'an Street."