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

Shen Qingtan seemed oblivious to the second madam's veiled remarks and asked in surprise, "Second Aunt, didn't you already know about the dowry list? Back then, Second Sister..."

Realizing she had let something slip, she pursed her lips.

The second wife's smile froze: "Before your second sister got married, she had never attended any banquets held by other families. When she was recognized by her ancestors, the Marquis's mansion hosted a banquet for the wives of officials. I only saw her once then, so how could she have told me about her dowry list?"

Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "Yes, Second Sister isn't a fortune teller who could have predicted that we would become mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, so she revealed the dowry list to you early on."

She sighed softly, "Either my second sister was deliberately teasing me and lying to me about the dowry list, or I misheard."

"Your second sister is just teasing you." These words startled the second wife, who was afraid that Shen Qingtan would say something shocking again. She quickly said, "I'm going to the pawnshop to check the dowry now."

"Thank you for your trouble, Auntie."

“We are family, there’s no need for such polite words.”

Before leaving, the second wife asked again, "Which pawnshop?"

Shen Qingtan replied: "Dechang Pawn Shop."

The second wife's eyes flickered slightly as she bid farewell to the old lady before leaving with her entourage.

Shen Qingtan did not leave, but came to the old lady's side. When she saw her kind and loving face, she couldn't help but say softly, "Grandmother, my private matters have disturbed your peace."

The old lady was as clear-headed as a mirror. When Shen Qingtan and Luo Lingzhi were exchanging witty remarks, she took in their expressions and understood who was right and who was wrong.

"Tan'er, it's not your fault, you don't need to feel guilty." The old lady held Shen Qingtan's hand and pulled her to sit on the stool next to her: "Our Duke's Mansion has wronged you. You suffered injustice in the marriage, and your dowry was also embezzled."

Shen Qingtan knew she couldn't hide this from the old lady, so she decided to be frank.

She thought the old lady would resent her, but she didn't expect the old lady to be so clear about right and wrong.

"In the deep courtyards of mansions, there is no room for innocent and straightforward people. They either grow up through many hardships or die young. Having cunning and shrewdness is not a bad thing, as long as one can distinguish between good and evil."

The old lady was deeply moved, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. She said earnestly, "You are too gentle. I was always worried that you would be bullied. Now that I see that you can protect yourself and keep your things, I am relieved."

Shen Qingtan was deeply moved: "Grandmother..."

“As people get older, they tend to nag, which young people don’t like to hear.” The old lady raised her hand to smooth Shen Qingtan’s disheveled hair and stared at her for a while. “It’s almost noon, so I won’t keep you for lunch.”

Shen Qingtan said sincerely, "My granddaughter-in-law likes to listen to the teachings of her elders. They are the experience of your half a lifetime. With a little guidance from you, she can avoid many wrong paths."

The old lady was stunned.

Shen Qingtan smiled faintly: "The fifteenth will be here in a few days, and I will come to pay my respects to you again."

The old lady watched Shen Qingtan's receding figure, the light in her eyes gradually dimming.

Seeing the old lady's forlorn expression, Madam Wei knew that the old lady had seen Shen Qingtan and was reminded of the eldest young lady who had died in childbirth.

She couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you invite Second Madam to have a meal?"

“Yi’er is sickly and the imperial physician has determined that he will not live long. He is indifferent to fame and fortune, without desires or ambitions. Even so, the second branch is still not at ease and regards him as a stumbling block in the struggle for power, targeting him at every turn.” The old lady’s gaze turned cold: “If I treat Tan’er differently, the first branch will not have a peaceful life.”

Once Wei Mama thought about the current situation in the mansion, she could understand the old lady's predicament.

"What a misfortune for our family," the old lady sighed softly. "I wonder how long this superficial peace in the mansion can last."

-

On her way back to Lanxue Garden from Shian Hall, Shen Qingtan encountered the First Madam who was rushing over.

"Tan'er, did Luo Lingzhi bully you?" The First Madam came to Shen Qingtan's side and carefully examined her face.

Seeing her listless expression, the First Madam's eyes were filled with anger: "This woman is a troublesome evil spirit, haunting me all day long."

We usually don't bother with her, but she's become increasingly arrogant and dares to bully us. Does she really think we, the eldest son's family, are pushovers?

After saying this, the First Madam left with a cold expression and her maid.

Seeing that the First Madam was heading towards the Second Branch of the House, as if she was going to settle scores with the Second Madam, Shen Qingtan quickly grabbed her arm: "Mother, Second Aunt can't bully me."

"Tan'er, you don't need to compromise." The First Madam thought that Shen Qingtan wanted to settle things peacefully and did not want to make a big fuss: "I just look down on Luo Lingzhi's low-class and despicable methods. As long as she does not cross my bottom line, I do not take her seriously. It is not that we are afraid of trouble."

“I really haven’t been wronged. Second Aunt is the real ‘victim’ now.” Seeing that the First Madam didn’t believe her, Shen Qingtan thought for a moment and decided to take her to see the play: “Did you bring the right cards? I’ll take you somewhere.”

Seeing Shen Qingtan's mysterious expression and the cunning glint in her bright eyes, the First Madam became curious and followed Shen Qingtan out of the manor without fully understanding what was going on.

Shen Qingtan brought the First Madam to Dechang Pawnshop. There were two veiled hats in the carriage. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law put on the veils, and the light gauze covered their faces. They got off the carriage one after the other and entered through the back door of the pawnshop.

Liu Yue arrived at the pawnshop ahead of time to make arrangements, and the shopkeeper was waiting for them in the backyard.

The moment Shen Qingtan took over the pawnshop, she replaced everyone inside and out; now everyone is her person.

"Miss, our 'distinguished guest' has arrived." The shopkeeper respectfully invited Shen Qingtan and the First Madam to a room where fruit and tea were laid out on the table. "There is a small window in this room that allows us to peek into the room where the transaction is taking place."

Shen Qingtan nodded, signaling the shopkeeper to leave.

The shopkeeper left the room and closed the door.

Only the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and their personal maid remained in the room before the First Madam removed her veil.

She looked around the spacious, bright, clean, and exquisitely luxurious room: "Tan'er, is this a shop under your name?"

“A pawnshop.” Shen Qingtan looked at the First Madam’s surprised expression, as if she didn’t understand why she had brought her to a pawnshop, and smiled, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The First Madam suppressed her doubts, took a sip of tea, and her gaze fell on a small window on the wall. Remembering what the shopkeeper had said, she guessed that Shen Qingtan had brought her to see the transaction.

Just as she expected, a familiar voice came from next door: "You guys are going too far! We just pawned it last night, and in just one night, you're demanding an exorbitant ransom that's several times more than the pawned amount. Why don't you just rob us!"

The First Madam's brow twitched. Was the person she was dealing with her "victim" second brother's wife?