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

Shen Qingtan gripped the dossier tightly in her hand.

Zhao Yi secretly investigated Shen Shaoheng's case and uncovered the wrongful conviction he was accused of, using various means to obtain the government's files for her.

This shows what?

Zhao Yi had already seen through her purpose, knowing that she wanted to instigate a conflict between Shen Shaoheng and Madam Shen, and to make them compete for the position of heir.

So he stepped in to help her?

Only now did Shen Qingtan understand why Zhao Yi insisted that she bring Jiang Mu and Jiang Chao along.

Not only was he worried that she would be bullied in the Marquis's mansion, but he also wanted to provide her with the simplest and most effective solution when facing Shen Shaoheng's disadvantage.

If Madam Shen hadn't mentioned Fangniang, Jiang Mu wouldn't have given her this letter, and she wouldn't have known what Zhao Yi had done for her.

Shen Qingtan suppressed the turmoil in her heart and looked up at Shen Jizong: "Uncle, the fact that you have become an elder of the clan shows that you are a person of high moral character and great prestige. Every word you say carries great authority and weight."

Shen Jizong was paid by Madam Shen to do this, and he exposed the affair between Shen Shaoheng and Aunt Mei.

Before this, Madam Shen was certain that the matter would succeed, as long as it was verified that Aunt Mei was not a virgin.

Finally, she added that this was at the behest of the Marquis of Chengen, and that he would certainly receive a share of the benefits once the deed was done.

He only dared to accept the money and do the job after making sure there would be no mistakes.

Who knew that, before Aunt Mei and Shen Shaoheng could prove their innocence, Marquis Chengen, who was on the same side as them, would first turn their ship upside down and step in to protect Shen Shaoheng and Aunt Mei.

Upon hearing Shen Qingtan's words, his face, as thin as old tree bark, tightened, and a bad premonition arose within him.

But Shen Qingtan's next words surprised him.

"You accused my elder brother of having an affair with Aunt Mei, and that he killed Fangniang to silence her, fearing the secret would be exposed." Shen Qingtan asked, "Did Fangniang die on the Lantern Festival?"

Shen Jizong feared that he would be disgraced today, lose his reputation, and be removed from his position as clan elder.

Shen Qingtan's words, however, gave him a glimmer of hope.

She is Madam Shen's daughter, so she should be on Madam Shen's side, right?

Shen Jizong quickly glanced at Madam Shen's face and saw that she was also very unwilling. He weighed his options and said, "Grandniece, you should know very well that on the day Fangniang died, her relatives came to the Marquis's mansion to cause trouble."

At this point, Shen Jizong sighed: "Never mind, the Marquis will not pursue this matter. I am just a clan uncle, and I cannot interfere in the family affairs of your Marquis's mansion."

Shen Qingtan nodded and turned to look at Madam Shen: "Mother, I must have misheard that day. Fangniang was already dead when her relatives came to cause trouble?"

Seeing that the Marquis of Chengen's face had turned pale, Madam Shen guessed what he was thinking. Whether the matter between Shen Shaoheng and Aunt Mei was true or false, he would only investigate it privately.

She didn't know what Shen Qingtan was up to, but she couldn't contradict herself.

"It's been over a year since the incident, and I don't remember the exact words. I only remember that when Madam Wei came back, she told me that when she went to visit Fangniang with her relatives, Fangniang had already passed away." Madam Shen used the same old story, her expression somber, and said, "That family came to the Marquis's mansion to cause trouble because they wanted money."

"I see." Shen Qingtan nodded in understanding, then raised the dossier in her hand and changed the subject, saying, "The relatives came to make trouble in the morning, but the official records show that Fangniang died in the afternoon."

Madam Shen and Shen Jizong's expressions changed simultaneously.

Shen Qingtan frowned and said, "Mother, you have been deceived by that wicked servant. Fangniang was not forced to death by my elder brother."

Madam Shen's face turned pale, her eyes fixed on the dossier in Shen Qingtan's hand, and cold sweat broke out on her back.

Shen Qingtan seemed oblivious to Madam Shen's increasingly grim expression, and instead looked at Shen Jizong, who was drenched in cold sweat.

“Uncle, it seems you have believed the rumors.” Shen Qingtan said in a serious tone, “You publicly accused my elder brother of moral failings without verifying whether the matter was true or not. If Father hadn’t trusted my elder brother and if there hadn’t been this case file as evidence, my elder brother would never have been able to hold his head up in the future, and Aunt Mei would have died unjustly. As an elder of the clan, you should have maintained your dignity and been careful with your words and actions to deserve the respect of your relatives.”

This long passage came crashing down on him, almost concluding that he was deliberately framing Shen Shaoheng.

Shen Jizong knew he had offended the Marquis's family and could foresee his fate.

His palms were sweating profusely, and he slumped in his chair, unable to utter a single word.

Shen Qingtan deliberately asked again, firstly to ensure that they couldn't change their story about Fangniang's cause of death and thus couldn't make any further accusations.

Secondly, it was a deliberate reminder to Madam Shen and Shen Shaoheng that there was something fishy about Fangniang's death, and that they could investigate it thoroughly, which might play a key role in bringing down Madam Shen in the future.

As for the third...

Shen Qingtan handed the dossier to Marquis Chengen: "Father, please take a look."

Marquis Chengen took the dossier and confirmed that it was indeed from the government.

He recalled what Shen Qingtan had gotten out of Madam Shen. Anyone with a brain could guess that Fangniang's death was very likely related to Madam Shen.

Madam Shen could shift the blame to Wei Mama, but once things escalated, it would be beyond his control.

Besides, he didn't want his family's dirty laundry to be aired in public.

Marquis Chengen glanced at Shen Qingtan with a cryptic look before returning the dossier to her.

"As previously agreed, I will submit a memorial tomorrow requesting that Shaoheng be made heir apparent." The Marquis of Chengen concealed the coldness in his eyes, and a hint of gentleness appeared on his serious face: "Shaoheng used to be very playful. If he becomes the heir apparent, he will have a responsibility on his shoulders, and he will surely change his ways."

Madam Shen suddenly looked up at Marquis Chengen, never dreaming that he would agree so easily.

Another elder looked at the dejected Shen Jizong, shook his head slightly, and said, unwilling to get involved: "Since you have made your decision, I will take my leave now."

After saying that, he got up and left without waiting for anyone else to speak.

Shen Jizong hurriedly chased after him, hoping that the clan elder would plead for him.

Having received a satisfactory answer, Old Madam Shen said nothing more, but her gaze towards Madam Shen was filled with a chilling coldness.

Before leaving, she specifically said to Shen Qingtan, "Tan'er, fresh green plums have been sent from the estate. Take a basket of them back with you later."

This was the first time Shen Qingtan had seen such a kind and gentle expression on Old Madam Shen's face. She softly replied, "When I return to the manor later, I will bring people to your place to get some plums."

Madam Shen smiled and nodded, then called Shen Shaoheng away, intending to question him about his relationship with Aunt Mei.

Shen Shaoheng's frivolous smile had long since vanished, and he left with the old lady, his expression gloomy.

Marquis Chengen was already used to his mother's indifference towards him. As soon as the old lady left, he called a nanny with a gloomy face and went straight to Aunt Mei's courtyard.

He walked straight into the inner room, saw Aunt Mei lying on the bed, and said, "Examine her body."

Aunt Mei looked at the menacing people and her face showed panic: "Lord...Lord...ah..."

The old woman roughly dragged the person into the bathroom for inspection.

When Madam Shen rushed over, she heard Aunt Mei crying from the bathroom.

Immediately afterwards, the nanny who was examining the body came out with a pale face.