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

Zhu Yu twisted her right ankle and stumbled towards Shen Shaohuai, losing her balance.

Shen Shaohuai quickly took a step back.

Zhu Yu missed her target and was about to fall to the ground when, in a panic, she grabbed the gold-inlaid jade sash around Shen Shaohuai's waist with both hands.

Shen Shaohuai's expression changed drastically. He bent down to tightly protect his belt, freed one hand to grab Zhu Yu's arm, and pulled her up with a dark complexion.

Zhu Yu stumbled and fell into Shen Shaohuai's arms.

When Madam Shen arrived, she witnessed Zhu Yu throwing herself into Shen Shaohuai's arms.

Enraged, she rushed over, ripped Zhu Yu away, and slapped her across the face.

Zhu Yu's head was knocked to one side, her face burning with pain, and she looked at Madam Shen with tears streaming down her face.

Madam Shen glared at him angrily: "You shameless thing, you have an improper relationship with Zhao Yi, how dare you seduce my son."

In order to keep Shen Shaohuai from being distracted and to focus on the imperial examinations and his official career, she had servants serving him all around him.

Two years ago, a concubine was arranged for Shen Shaohuai to relieve his stress.

Now that he has passed the imperial examination with flying colors and entered the Hanlin Academy, it is finally time to arrange a marriage for him.

How can we let such a despicable person ruin our reputation?

“Even beggars outside are more innocent and noble than you. How dare you aspire to be related to my son?” Madam Shen said sternly. “If you tarnish my son’s reputation, you’ll be in deep trouble!”

Zhu Yu felt a strong hatred rising in her heart after being treated so scornfully by Madam Shen.

In particular, she recognized Luyin, who was by Madam Shen's side. It was this person who had come to her door some time ago, urging her to ask Zhao Yi for a formal title.

At that time, Green Field claimed to be from the Duke's Mansion and pulled out a pair of cards.

She believed it to be true and foolishly went to find Zhao Yi.

She was threatened by Zhao Yi as a result. She originally wanted to escape from the capital, but Luyin stopped her again: "Miss Zhu, you stopped the Second Master's carriage on the street. The Second Madam is sitting in the carriage. The Second Master will naturally treat you coldly. Otherwise, if a fight breaks out, it will affect the relationship between the two families."

Second Master will definitely give Second Madam an explanation, and you will be the one who has to sacrifice yourself.

"Second Master is scarening you, but it's for your own good. If you don't believe me, observe for two days. If Second Master isn't willing to let you go, our Madam will protect you."

Zhu Yu was indeed unwilling to give up, so she stayed in the capital. Yesterday, she hid outside to observe the situation on Nanshui Street, but no one came looking for her, so she returned home this morning.

Unexpectedly, a young nobleman came to her door, claiming to be Shen Qingtan's brother, and wanted to apologize to her for what she had done.

Seeing that he was gentle and refined, and a noble young master from a noble family, much more approachable than Zhao Yi, Zhu Yu's mind immediately began to stir.

She pretended to twist her ankle and fall into his arms, but before she could do anything, Madam Shen, who had rushed over, slapped her across the face.

With tears in her eyes, Zhu Yu glanced at the people in front of her and realized that Lü Yin had lied to her from beginning to end.

Shen Shaohuai is Madam Shen's son, while Luyin is Madam Shen's maid. How could they be from the Duke's mansion?

This group of people are deliberately using her as a pawn to deal with Shen Qingtan!

Zhu Yu was on the verge of tears: "Madam, I..."

"Think carefully about what you should say and what you shouldn't say, lest you bring trouble upon yourself with your words." Madam Shen glanced at her reddened palm and said coldly, "Your brother is quite successful in the army."

Zhu Yu's face turned deathly pale.

Madam Shen turned around and saw a crowd gathered at the alley entrance watching the commotion; her face turned pale.

Suppressing her anger, she said to Shen Shaohuai, "Let's go back to the manor."

Shen Shaohuai looked unwell and followed Madam Shen into the carriage: "Mother, your fuss today has attracted many onlookers. If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined."

"You actually blame me? If you hadn't been secretly associating with Zhu Yu, I wouldn't have gone to all this trouble to find you."

Madam Shen interrogated her, "Why did you come here to find her?"

Shen Shaohuai trusted Madam Shen and did not hide anything: "Zhu Yu has a connection with Zhao Yi. I wanted to help her gain Zhao Yi's favor. He brought a mistress into the mansion and gave her the title of concubine, which tarnished her reputation."

Zhu Yu remembers my kindness and can be used by me, so dealing with Zhao Yi will be a piece of cake.

Shen Qingtan married into the Duke's mansion and turned against you all, simply because she had the Duke's mansion backing her up.

If she loses Zhao Yi's respect, she will be left helpless in the Duke's mansion and will have no choice but to rely on us. How could she dare to go against you then?

Unfortunately, before Shen Shaohuai could even discuss the cooperation, it was ruined by Madam Shen.

Madam Shen was taken aback. Was today's matter unrelated to Shen Qingtan?

Because Shen Shaohuai and Zhu Yu were working together, the two had close contact in private, which led to rumors.

Shen Qingtan would love for Shen Shaohuai's reputation to be ruined, so why would she kindly tell her?

Suddenly, Madam Shen thought of another possibility.

Shen Qingtan deliberately tipped her off, using her to sabotage the cooperation between Shen Shaohuai and Zhu Yu!

“This woman is wicked; you must not associate with her anymore.” Madam Shen was even more furious after learning the whole story: “She pretended to cooperate with you, but in reality, she wanted to seduce you.”

Shen Shaohuai was not a blockhead; he saw through Zhu Yu's intentions as she lunged at him.

"I was really careless today."

Shen Shaohuai couldn't help but advise Madam Shen: "If things aren't going well with Zhu Yu, you should stop for now and stop fighting openly and covertly with Shen Qingtan."

Otherwise, if we push her further and further away, how will she possibly seek any benefit for the Marquis's mansion?

Wouldn't that be a complete waste of all the effort we put into nurturing her?

Madam Shen outwardly agreed.

Shen Shaohuai breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon returning to the mansion, the two were stopped by the steward: "Madam, Second Master, the Marquis requests your presence in the study."

The mother and son exchanged a glance, each lost in their own thoughts, and went to the study.

The servant waiting at the door of the study saw the two of them, bowed, and then opened the door.

Madam Shen stepped into the study and saw Marquis Chengen standing by the window with his hands behind his back.

She walked over with a smile: "My lord, you..."

With a loud "slap," Marquis Chengen slapped Madam Shen hard across the face.

A bright red handprint appeared on her face.

Madam Shen was stunned by the blow, covered her face, and looked at Marquis Chengen in disbelief.

"You're more trouble than you're worth!" Marquis Chengen rebuked angrily, "You used that woman to deal with Shen Qingtan, and not only did you fail, you even dragged your son into it."

Upon returning to the mansion today, he was immediately invited to the old lady's courtyard.

The old lady overheard some rumors and scolded him as soon as she saw him: "Even though Erlang has entered the Shuchang Hall, he can't let himself go. He actually spread rumors about stealing someone's mistress. Not only has he lost face for the Marquis's mansion, but if the censor impeaches him, his future will be ruined."

He's studied for so many years, yet he's not as sensible as Heng'er.

As his father, you must discipline him properly and not let him disgrace the family.

The Marquis of Chengen's most valued son was actually less desirable than a cockfighting and dog-racing playboy in the old lady's eyes, which was a slap in his face.

"Originally, Mother treated Huai'er differently, but now she sees him as a lecherous scoundrel." Marquis Chengen was furious and pointed at Madam Shen, saying, "Look what you've done!"