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

Upon returning to the Duke of Zhao's residence, Zhao Yi first went to the study to change out of his everyday clothes and put on a light-colored straight robe.

"Knock knock!"

There was a knock on the door, and the coachman's voice came through: "Second Master, I have something to report."

Zhao Yi said, "Come in."

The coachman pushed open the door and came in. He was skilled in martial arts and had been specially assigned by the Second Master to drive the coach for the Second Madam.

"Second Master, when Second Madam was returning home from Qin's Cloth Shop today, a woman suddenly stopped her carriage and asked Second Madam to take her to see you."

While observing Zhao Yi's expression, the coachman continued, "I recognize her; she's the girl from Nanshui Lane."

Zhao Yi paused in adjusting his cuffs: "Who?"

He wasn't very close to even the younger sisters in the manor, let alone other unrelated women.

His first thought was that someone was deliberately framing him.

Seeing that his master truly did not remember the woman, the coachman reminded him, "Last February, you hosted a farewell banquet for General Qi at Mingyue Tower. You went to Nanshui Lane to buy General Qi's favorite Qiulu Bai tea. You happened to see thugs in the gambling den demanding payment. The gambler was going to use his daughter to pay off the debt, and you helped him out."

Zhao Yi frowned slightly, vaguely remembering that this had happened. The reason she had helped was because of a seven or eight-year-old boy.

The little boy cried his eyes out: "Please don't take my sister away, take me instead. I'm very strong, I eat very little, and I've learned martial arts from the older brothers who are guards. I can help you with your work. When I grow up, I'll join the army, make a name for myself, and give you lots and lots of money."

The little boy was thin and small, his hands gripping the thug's arms. The thug, on the other hand, was tall, burly, and strong, and for a moment he couldn't break free.

Zhao Yi saw that he was incredibly strong and ambitious, and that if he was properly trained, he would surely become a fierce general in time.

He then asked Jiang Mu to settle the matter and send the little boy to the military camp to become a Boy Scout.

A year later, I never expected there would be a sequel.

Zhao Yi asked, "What was Second Madam's reaction?"

The driver stammered, "Second Madam told me to drive the carriage and ignored that woman."

"..."

Zhao Yi dismissed the coachman and headed to Lanxue Garden.

Tingxue, who was guarding the gate, saw Zhao Yi step into the courtyard and called out, "Second Master."

Zhao Yi: "..."

He glanced calmly at Tingxue, then looked at the tightly closed door. His voice was clearly meant to warn the people inside.

Tingxue lowered her head guiltily, not daring to look at Zhao Yi.

With a "squeak" sound, the door opened.

Liu Yue bowed respectfully: "Second Master, you're back."

She explained, "Second Grandma is entertaining guests."

Zhao Yi said gently, "I'll go to the room first."

"No need, Yaoyao is leaving."

Shen Qingtan's soft voice came from inside the house.

Zhao Yi noticed a young girl standing next to her and was about to leave.

Qin Yao called out in a clear voice, "Brother-in-law."

Zhao Yi nodded slightly.

Qin Yao frowned as she looked at Zhao Yi's indifferent and aloof face. This person was too cold and heartless; he was clearly not a considerate person.

To put her mind at ease, Sister Shen even said that this man treated her very well.

Seeing Zhao Yi enter the house, Qin Yao took Shen Qingtan's hand, and the two went to the courtyard: "Sister Shen, I have saved up some money and bought a house in Jiangnan. When you are feeling down, you can go there to relax."

She planned to send someone to deliver the house deed and the remaining private savings after returning home.

There is no pain that money cannot heal; if it cannot be healed, it must be because there is not enough money.

Since Sister Shen's maternal family is practically non-existent, she will act as Sister Shen's maternal family from now on.

Shen Qingtan knew that Boss Qin did not keep Qin Yao in seclusion, but rather raised her like a man, often taking her with him to do business, intending to groom her as his successor.

Qin Yao didn't like doing business; she was fond of novelty and excitement, and used the guise of doing business to travel around.

Her unrestrained nature caused her to suffer greatly in her husband's family in her previous life.

Not to mention noble families, even women from humble backgrounds are expected to be well-behaved, gentle, virtuous, and know how to behave appropriately.

Master Qin has only three daughters. His eldest legitimate daughter and his illegitimate daughter have already married, and Qin Yao is left in the mansion to find a husband.

For reasons unknown, Qin Yao did not choose a husband in her previous life, but instead married far away in Jiangnan.

In this life, Shen Qingtan did not want her to marry far away: "If you take a husband in your own family, he will respect you. If I go to live in your house, he will not gossip. If you marry out, your husband's family has many rules and you will not be able to do many things by your own choice. If I go to live in your house, he might give you a hard time."

Qin Yao didn't care whether she married out of the country or took a son-in-law in, but when she heard Shen Qingtan say this, she felt a jolt of fear, and every strand of her hair and toes was filled with resistance.

"Then I won't marry out. I'll listen to Father and find a husband for myself at home." Qin Yao tilted her head and smiled sweetly at Shen Qingtan: "I'll stand up for you."

Shen Qingtan looked at her bright smile and reached out to pat her head.

so good.

The people she cares about are all around her, and everything is still the same as before.

After seeing Qin Yao off, Shen Qingtan returned to the room and saw Zhao Yi sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at the sewing basket placed to the side.

She sat beside him, about to remind him of the woman she had met earlier that day.

A clear, melodious male voice rang in my ears: "That girl has nothing to do with me."

Shen Qingtan was taken aback and looked at him in surprise, not expecting that he already knew about this.

Zhao Yi explained the situation to Shen Qingtan, and then said softly, "I bought her brother, not her."

Shen Qingtan hadn't expected such an inside story and voiced her concerns: "I think the timing of her appearance is too coincidental. You'd better investigate whether she's in trouble and wants your help, or whether she's being instructed by someone else."

Zhao Yi's brows furrowed, and no other emotions could be seen on her calm face, as if today's events were not worth taking to heart.

His fingertips traced the surface of the glass as he pondered whether she trusted him enough or simply didn't care.

Thinking this to himself, he asked frankly, "Don't you mind that I have a concubine?"

Shen Qingtan looked directly at him with her clear, bright eyes: "If Second Master is interested in taking a concubine, then my concern is insignificant to you."

Zhao Yi remained silent for a moment, just about to speak.

Shen Qingtan raised her eyes and carefully examined him. She raised an eyebrow slightly and teased, "Besides, judging from Second Master's physique, he doesn't seem like someone who can take a concubine."