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

As Madam Shen spoke, her expression became somewhat complicated.

The filigree inlay technique is extremely exquisite and intricate, bringing together the most skilled craftsmen of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and is specially designed to meet the needs of the nobles in the palace.

The craftsmanship of the pair of bracelets Shen Qingtan wore when she was a child was almost comparable to that of filigree inlay, which shows that her biological parents were no ordinary people and that they doted on her like a precious treasure.

Shen Qingtan felt reassured; this trip hadn't been in vain. She had obtained a pair of bracelets and gained a general direction, knowing where to find the person.

“Grandmother, I understand.” Shen Qingtan said in a low voice, “Although my eldest brother is not very reliable, he is clear-headed and will not let villains scheme against him again.”

Madam Shen frowned slightly, and then Shen Qingtan said, "You know my current situation. Second Master is in poor health, and I, a newlywed, have no say in the Duke's mansion and no ability to help my elder brother. I can only promise you that when my elder brother is in trouble, I will do my best to help him."

Madam Shen smiled and said, "Don't underestimate yourself."

Madam Shen suffered defeat every time she sparred with Shen Qingtan, which was a testament to Shen Qingtan's cunning.

Madam Shen did not expect Shen Qingtan to wholeheartedly protect Shen Shaoheng just because of the gold bracelet.

She was content with receiving a promise from Shen Qingtan.

At least this provides some protection for Shen Shaoheng.

As Shen Qingtan left Jufutang and walked to the front courtyard, she saw Marquis Chengen hurriedly returning to his residence.

His face was clouded with anger, as if he was suppressing a thunderous rage, and he went to the backyard.

Marquis Chengen seemed to sense something and looked back, only to see Shen Qingtan's departing figure.

His face grew increasingly gloomy as he strode toward Madam Shen's courtyard. He was stopped by Shen Shaohuai halfway there.

"Father, the imperial physician has examined Mother. She cannot be agitated at the moment and has taken her medicine and fallen asleep." Shen Shaohuai bowed and said, "I have something to tell you."

Marquis Chengen valued Shen Shaohuai highly and did not embarrass him. He turned and went to the study in the front courtyard.

The father and son entered the study, and Marquis Chengen spoke first: "You don't need to plead for your mother. What she did this time was really too much."

He quickly caught up with Shen Jizong and questioned him thoroughly, only to find out that it was Madam Shen who instructed Shen Jizong to expose the scandalous affair between Shen Shaoheng and Aunt Mei.

If Aunt Mei and Shen Shaoheng really had an affair, it would be one thing if she ruined Shen Shaoheng's reputation, but at least he would have lost face.

Unfortunately, Aunt Mei was innocent.

It's likely that Aunt Mei and Shen Shaoheng had already figured out Madam Shen's methods and were using a scheme to lure her into a trap before delivering a heavy blow.

“You know that Mother sometimes acts too aggressively, but her heart is to protect the title; she just used the wrong methods.”

Shen Shaohuai advised, "If you become estranged from your mother because of this, you will fall into the enemy's trap. Compared to what we need to do, the mistake your mother made is insignificant."

Marquis Chengen frowned and remained silent.

"Mother and Mingzhu should not break ties with Shen Qingtan, but Shen Qingtan has taken advantage of this, causing the two of them to suffer repeated defeats."

Shen Shaohuai analyzed, "My son means to first persuade Mother to put aside her grudges with Mingzhu and stop fighting with Shen Qingtan, so as not to involve us and affect the important things we are going to do."

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Chengen's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

“The most urgent task is to make Zhao Jue the heir of the Duke’s mansion, as agreed with him.” Shen Shaohuai’s gaze was cold and deep: “He took a concubine just a few days after his marriage and stayed in the concubine’s courtyard every day. This is a slap in the face to the Marquis’s mansion. You should use this opportunity to teach him a lesson.”

Marquis Chengen calmed down completely. The power struggle in the inner quarters was nothing more than a minor skirmish; the overall situation should be prioritized.

"Zhao Jue failed to secure the task of transporting the grain, and Prince Yu is very disappointed in him." Marquis Chengen said in a deep voice, "I will go to see Prince Yu tomorrow and ask the Imperial Concubine to invite Lady Zhao to the palace to discuss the matter of the Duke's Mansion requesting the title of hereditary grandson."

Consort Ling is the birth mother of Prince Yu. Now that there is no new empress in the harem, she is in charge of the six palaces.

She and Empress Yuanrong were very close friends, and she even shielded Empress Yuanrong from a knife attack, saving her life.

It was precisely because of this that not only did Emperor Jing'an treat her exceptionally well, but the Duke's Mansion also remembered her kindness.

Prince Yu was expected to be made crown prince, and he had many court officials who supported him, among whom was Marquis Chengen.

Shen Shaohuai felt a little relieved when he saw that his father had taken his words to heart.

Even if the father is dissatisfied with the mother, things won't escalate too much.

Shen Shaohuai pondered, "Once Zhao Jue becomes the heir of the Duke's mansion, if Shen Qingtan is willing to repent and work for us, then we will give her another chance. After all, she is the daughter-in-law of the Duke's eldest son's family, and with the General's Mansion behind her, she still has some value. If she is unwilling to let go of her resentment because of the wrong marriage, then we will use some means to expose her true identity."

Then we'll set up a trap and announce to the world that Shen Qingtan betrayed the Chengen Marquis's mansion, causing her to lose all her reputation.

Whatever the Marquis of Chengen does to her in the future, others will only say that Shen Qingtan deserves it, because she was the one who first betrayed the Marquis of Chengen's kindness in raising her.

Marquis Chengen agreed and said quietly, "She has changed a lot."

Shen Shaohuai's eyes flickered slightly, suspecting that Old Madam Shen had told Shen Qingtan about her background. Otherwise, it was just a case of mistaken marriage, so why would she go against them?

If Shen Qingtan were to hold a grudge against them because of her background, she would be an ungrateful wretch.

He decided to investigate Shen Qingtan's actions after she married into the Zhao State Duke's mansion.

-

When Shen Qingtan returned to Lanxue Garden, Zhao Yi was still on duty in the palace.

She personally put away the gold bracelet, then sat behind her desk and ordered Tingxue to grind ink.

She dipped a brush in ink, wrote a letter, and handed it to Tingxue.

"You must personally deliver this letter to Boss Qin," Shen Qingtan said solemnly. "Remember, do not entrust it to anyone else."

"Second Madam, this servant will certainly handle this matter properly."

Seeing her master's seriousness, Tingxue dared not be rash. She carefully stuffed the letter into her sleeve pocket and immediately went out of the mansion to find Boss Qin.

After taking care of the important matters, Shen Qingtan leaned back in her chair, staring blankly at the ceiling beams.

Suddenly, she remembered the government files, and her thoughts began to wander uncontrollably.

What was Zhao Yi's initial motive for investigating Shen Shaoheng?

Did he only begin his investigation because something happened at the Chengen Marquis's residence when she returned to her parents' home?

Shen Qingtan blinked very slowly; this was highly likely.

Because he treated her with all his heart.

She drifted into a daze, recalling all the things Zhao Yi had done for her since their marriage.

Until she heard a maid's voice outside greeting her, she subconsciously turned to look out the window and met his eyes through the spring blossoms.

A thought suddenly occurred to Shen Qingtan: she and her husband should have an honest talk with each other.