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

Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan had already retired for the night, but Zhao Jue had not yet returned to the second wife's new room from the banquet.

Shen Mingzhu sat on the lacquered canopy bed with carved grape patterns. The phoenix crown on her head made her neck ache and her back sore that she couldn't straighten up.

She secretly lifted her red veil and saw that the pair of dragon and phoenix wedding candles on the table were almost half burned, but there was still no sign of Zhao Jue returning.

Shen Mingzhu glanced around the room. The auspicious diamond-shaped window was covered with paper and decorated with a pair of large red "double happiness" characters.

Under the window stood a two-foot-wide ebony couch, on which sat a small table a Zhengde kiln blue-and-white lotus incense burner, its delicate fragrance wafting through the room with the wisps of smoke.

Her restless heart calmed down a little with the refreshing fragrance.

Shen Mingzhu's bottom hurt from sitting, so she shifted her position and saw the bright red gold-embroidered curtain with a hundred children hanging beside her, as well as the hundred children quilt beneath her. Her face instantly turned red.

But the thought that Zhao Jue had not yet returned stirred up some anxiety in her previously calm heart.

She worried that the matter of changing brides would cause complications and prevent her from marrying Zhao Jue as she wished.

Shen Qingtan enjoyed wealth and luxury for her for more than ten years, which made Shen Mingzhu jealous and resentful.

Zhao Jue should have been her fiancé, but because Shen Qingtan usurped her place, she couldn't rightfully marry him.

The mother said, "The Duke's mansion values ​​loyalty and integrity. Even if they knew that Shen Qingtan was not the Marquis's biological daughter, they would never agree to cancel the engagement and instead marry you to Zhao Jue."

Regardless, Shen Qingtan had been raised in the Marquis's mansion for over a decade and was no different from a young lady of high birth.

They had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: swapping brides.

The mother also said, "Zhu'er, don't take it too hard on Shen Qingtan. If you hadn't gotten lost, I wouldn't have adopted her."

Firstly, it would be a source of comfort for me, and secondly, it could facilitate a marriage alliance for the Marquis's family.

She will take your place in receiving the upbringing of a noble lady in the Marquis's mansion and arrange a good marriage for you, which will help consolidate the interests of the Marquis's mansion.

If you return, her marriage will naturally be returned to you.

Otherwise, if you were found at your age, it would be extremely difficult for you to marry into a prominent family and become a matriarch.

Zhao Yi won't live long. She'll be a widow soon after marrying into the family. From then on, she'll be confined to the inner courtyard of the mansion. How can she compare to you?"

Madam Shen did not think she was malicious. Shen Qingtan was just the daughter of a lowly wealthy merchant. If it weren't for Shen Qingtan's beautiful and lovely appearance, she would not have stolen her back to raise her.

If it weren't for her, Shen Qingtan would never have enjoyed the privileged life of a superior person. Now it's time for Shen Qingtan to repay the Marquis's kindness.

Shen Mingzhu was indeed comforted. The thought of Shen Qingtan marrying a sickly man who wouldn't live long made her feel a little better.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, footsteps came from outside the door, and a servant called out, "Third Master."

The next moment, the door was pushed open, and Zhao Jue entered, reeking of alcohol.

Shen Mingzhu nervously fidgeted with her fingers. When Zhao Jue used a jade ruyi to lift the red veil, she looked up at the handsome man. His bright red auspicious robes accentuated his strong and imposing physique, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Zhao Jue looked at her made-up face, which was no longer as pretty as usual, but had become charming and lovely.

His stern face softened slightly.

"Pearl, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I'll wait as long as you need to entertain your guests."

Zhao Jue smiled, brought over two wine cups, and handed one of them to Shen Mingzhu. The two then drank the nuptial wine together.

He said in a hoarse voice, "Grandmother knew it was you who was marrying me, and to avoid being laughed at, she canceled the wedding night pranks, which made you feel wronged."

"I'm not wronged." Shen Mingzhu said shyly, "Third Master, I'm very content to marry you."

Zhao Jue thought of the old lady's disappointed look, and the smile in her eyes faded: "You've had a long day, so I've asked the kitchen to prepare some food for you. Have something to eat first."

After saying this, Zhao Jue took out his undergarments from the cabinet and went to the bathroom.

Zhongxia, who had been waiting nearby, came over and helped Shen Mingzhu sit in front of the dressing table, removing the phoenix crown from her head.

Wan Dong placed a bowl of plain noodles on the table. Seeing Shen Mingzhu walk over, she took a damp cloth and wiped her hands clean.

Shen Mingzhu looked at the steaming noodles and smiled, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

Zhao Jue would prepare food for her, which means he must have loved her.

After finishing a whole bowl of noodles, she felt a little full.

Zhongxia brought Shen Mingzhu a cup of tea to rinse her mouth, and then cleaned up the table.

A moment later, Wan Dong came in from outside: "Second Miss, Qiu Chan and Chun Jiao have arrived."

Shen Mingzhu frowned: "Let them in."

In the late winter, she went to the door and called the person in.

Qiu Chan and Chun Jiao stood in front of Shen Mingzhu and curtsied: "Second Miss, the Eldest Miss sent us back to find our mistress."

Shen Mingzhu put down her teacup, glanced at the two of them, and asked with a hint of concern, "How is eldest sister? Is second brother treating her well?"

Qiu Chan assumed that Shen Mingzhu received the same treatment, so she didn't hide it.

She described in detail what had happened in the first wife's house to Shen Mingzhu.

Shen Mingzhu heard that Zhao Yi was worried that Shen Qingtan would get tired, so before going to offer a toast, he had someone remove the phoenix crown from Shen Qingtan's head. Then, worried that Shen Qingtan would be hungry, he prepared four or five exquisite dishes.

As she thought about how she had been wearing a phoenix crown, waiting hungry for most of the night, her face gradually darkened.

That bowl of warm, comforting noodles suddenly turned sour, making her heart ache.

Hearing the sound of water coming from the bathroom, she suppressed her anger and asked, "Second Brother isn't feeling well, so he must be taking a bath and resting first, right?"

Qiu Chan noticed that Shen Mingzhu's tone was off. She glanced at Shen Mingzhu and saw that she looked unhappy. She swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

“I’m asking you a question, you’re all like mummies with their mouths sawed off. What can’t you say to me?”

Shen Mingzhu felt a tightness in her chest, gritted her teeth, and sneered, "You only served Shen Qingtan for half a day, and you already don't know who your master is. You traitors, I'll sell you all off one by one tomorrow!"

"This servant wouldn't dare." Chun Jiao and Qiu Chan turned pale and knelt on the ground in fright: "Second Master let the eldest young lady wash up and rest first, while he went to the study to wash up."

These words stung Shen Mingzhu's ears, and she took a dislike to Qiu Chan and Chun Jiao, ordering them to get out.

She comforted herself: even if Zhao Jue is not as caring as Zhao Yi, he has a brighter future than Zhao Yi.

After comforting herself like this several times, Shen Mingzhu was still jealous of Shen Qingtan. Her face showed some dissatisfaction as she looked at Zhao Jue coming out of the bathroom, her almond-shaped eyes filled with resentment.

Zhao Jue, dressed in his undergarments, stood behind the screen. Seeing Shen Mingzhu's sorrowful expression, he frowned and said, "Are you feeling unwell? Then go wash up and go to bed early."

Shen Mingzhu didn't receive his comfort; instead, she was met with his unromantic urging her to wash up. All her anger turned into resentment, and she went to the bathroom, seething with frustration.

Never mind, Zhao Jue will live longer than Zhao Yi, so she won't be left to live a life of widowhood.