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

Shen Qingtan had long known that Shen Shaohuai was a hypocrite who cherished his reputation and cared a great deal about how others perceived him. Therefore, he was adept at handling matters and was best at smoothing things over.

Anyway, the knife wasn't actually stabbed into his body; he just used his words and gained a reputation for being righteous and understanding.

If she doesn't listen to advice, she'll be ungrateful and heartless.

Shen Qingtan lowered her eyes and said, "Second brother, I understand."

Seeing that Shen Qingtan listened to the advice, Shen Shaohuai couldn't help but offer a few more words of advice: "As the eldest sister, you should first humble yourself and go to your second sister to make peace."

The second sister is kind and gentle; a few kind words will make her forgive and forget.

She loves headdresses inlaid with gold and gemstones. Didn't the Emperor bestow some pearls and gemstones upon you?

Just pick a few things to appease her; she should be very happy and willing to make up with you.

Shen Qingtan sneered inwardly, thinking, "It's easy for someone standing there talking like they don't know what's going on."

He's really mastered the art of being generous with other people's money.

"Second Brother..." Shen Qingtan seemed somewhat unwilling, raising her eyes to look at Shen Shaohuai, as if afraid of angering him, and reluctantly replied, "I understand."

Seeing that Shen Qingtan listened to him, Shen Shaohuai was satisfied: "Go back to the manor as soon as possible."

Shen Qingtan nodded and lowered the carriage curtain.

Shen Shaohuai stood with his hands behind his back, watching the carriage drive away.

He believed that Shen Qingtan harbored resentment towards Shen Mingzhu because of the wrong marriage, and because her mother did not side with her, she also harbored resentment towards her mother.

The three women, mother and daughters, fought fiercely, which ultimately harmed the interests of the Marquis's mansion.

Only if the two younger sisters are of one mind with the Marquis's family can they secure more benefits for the family.

Even if Shen Qingtan didn't come to him today, as her elder brother, he would still step forward to have a proper talk with her and act as a peacemaker.

Shen Shaohuai's thinking was simple: as long as Shen Qingtan's background was not exposed, there would be no grudges that could not be resolved.

He thought of the mistress Shen Qingtan had mentioned, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes. He planned to cooperate with that woman to help her gain Zhao Yi's favor.

Firstly, it would ruin Zhao Yi's reputation.

Secondly, this would leave Shen Qingtan without any support in the Duke's mansion, forcing her to rely on the Marquis of Cheng'en's mansion to remove the thorns from her and make her obediently listen to them.

Shen Shaohuai dared not go over rashly. He called over his servant and gave him a few instructions, then sat in the carriage to wait for news.

-

Shen Qingtan's expression turned somber as she sat inside the carriage.

She took out a handkerchief and gestured for Liuyue to pour a bowl of water.

Liu Yue saw that her master had put on a grand show, but she didn't understand her intentions.

As she poured water, she asked, "Second Madam, doesn't Second Master not have any mistresses?"

Shen Qingtan dampened a handkerchief to wipe her face and said in a low voice, "Shen Shaohuai harbors hostility towards Zhao Yi and has always regarded Zhao Yi as a target to surpass."

But Zhao Yi was too outstanding and too dazzling. Before he became famous, no matter how well he performed, others could never see him under the shadow of Zhao Yi's brilliance.

In his heart, why did Heaven create both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang?

He deeply hated Zhao Yi and wanted to find Zhao Yi's flaws and drag him down into the abyss so that he could shine brightly.

I'm simply presenting Zhao Yi's 'stain' to him now.

The feud between her and the Marquis of Chengen's mansion had long been irreconcilable.

If they are not defeated before then, when her biological parents return to the capital next year, the Marquis of Chengen's mansion will definitely do everything in its power to kill her.

Shen Shaohuai is indeed very talented. After entering the Shuchang Hall, with the Marquis of Chengen paving the way, he will surely thrive in his official career.

Not to mention the decline of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion, it might even rise to a higher level because of him.

Shen Shaohuai is Madam Shen's life.

She will not let any of those who harmed her get away with it.

Liu Yue thought of Shen Shaohuai's personality; he valued his own interests above all else.

It was clearly the master who was wronged, yet the Marquis's mansion made things difficult for the master first.

He deliberately ignored this, forcing his master to compromise and resolve the grievances between the two sides.

If Shen Shaohuai knew that his master already knew about his true identity, wouldn't such a cold-hearted hypocrite be the first to kill his master?

Liu Yue said worriedly, "If he really cooperates with Zhu Yu, what will happen to you and Second Master?"

Shen Qingtan straightened her sleeves and said casually, "They won't cooperate."

They'll just fight like dogs.

-

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a teahouse built along the river. Shen Qingtan got off the carriage and went to a private room on the second floor.

Liu Yue knew that Shen Qingtan's second letter was addressed to Madam Shen.

Will Lady Cheng'en come?

Liu Yue remembered that her master had angered Madam Shen at the Duke's mansion, and she was not sure if Madam Shen would keep the appointment.

Shen Qingtan said with certainty, "She will come."

Sure enough, Madam Shen arrived shortly afterward with Green Grass and Green Kite.

Shen Qingtan got up and walked towards the door. She saw that Madam Shen was wearing a topknot, with a gold pheasant hairpin inlaid with jewels, a gold ruby ​​hairpin, and a pair of flower hairpins on both sides. The jewels and jade in her hair made her look radiant.

"Mother, you've arrived." Shen Qingtan took Madam Shen's arm and led her to sit down at the table. "I've ordered a pot of your favorite Maojian tea."

Madam Shen glanced at the table and saw several delicate pastries, including a cherry preserve with a few rose petals in the middle, which looked delicious.

She had eaten there a few times; although it was delicious, it was quite expensive.

Madam Shen wondered what tricks Shen Qingtan was up to.

She asked warily, "You invited me to the teahouse today just for this cherry preserve?"

"I just want to see my mother. If I go back to the mansion to see you, people will see that I often go back to my parents' home, and who knows what rumors will spread."

Shen Qingtan placed a cherry preserve on Madam Shen's plate and sighed, "Yesterday, someone stopped my carriage, and people have already started spreading rumors and gossip."

With a cherry in her mouth, Madam Shen knew that Shen Qingtan was referring to Zhu Yu.

She chewed slowly, lost in thought.

Could it be that Shen Qingtan invited her out to test her?

"I've heard about that." Madam Shen swallowed and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "What exactly happened with the person who stopped your carriage?"

"It's probably a misunderstanding, isn't it?" Shen Qingtan hesitated, seemingly having some reservations.

Madam Shen frowned upon seeing this and said, "Between mother and daughter, is there anything we can't say directly?"

“Because it’s a rumor, I’m afraid that if I tell you, it will upset you.” Shen Qingtan paused and said vaguely, “There are rumors outside that not only that girl stopped my carriage, but also that she was seen having contact with my second brother.”

Madam Shen's expression changed: "What did you say?"

“Mother, don’t worry. Maybe someone saw that Second Brother entered the Shuchang Hall and deliberately spread such rumors to ruin his reputation.”

Shen Qingtan sighed and said, "I didn't take it to heart at first, but people's words can be a real problem. I thought I should let you know. If the rumors spread, you'll have a way to deal with it."

Madam Shen initially suspected that Shen Qingtan was deliberately stirring up trouble and using her to deal with Zhu Yu.

But such matters can be easily investigated and the truth will come out, so Shen Qingtan doesn't need to resort to such clumsy methods.

On second thought, was this rumor spread by Shen Qingtan?

However, Green Shade, who was standing to the side, seemed to have thought of something and whispered in Madam Shen's ear, "Second Master left the manor early this morning. Usually, after returning from the General Affairs Office, he would stay in the Old Madam's courtyard for an hour."

Madam Shen's heart sank, and she could no longer sit still. She even ignored Shen Qingtan beside her and hurriedly left the teahouse, getting into a carriage and heading to South Water Street.

Upon alighting from the carriage, Madam Shen's face turned ashen at the sight before her.