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

Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a mutual understanding.

The Duke of Zhao is about to establish his successor.

“Grandfather has his own considerations and will not casually choose an heir just because of gratitude.” Zhao Yi coughed a few times intermittently and comforted him, “This matter is of great importance and concerns the rise and fall of the entire family. Grandfather would rather be scolded by the world as an ungrateful person than be worthy of the ancestors who laid the foundation for this family.”

Shen Qingtan gazed intently at Zhao Yi. His eyes were calm and indifferent, as if he had taken life and death lightly and was therefore without desires.

The Duke of Zhao's mansion has four branches. The eldest branch has only one son, Zhao Yi, while the second branch has only one legitimate son, Zhao Jue. As for the other sons born out of wedlock, they are not qualified to compete for the title.

"Let's go." Zhao Yi got off the bed.

"Second Master." Shen Qingtan subconsciously grabbed his sleeve.

Zhao Yi stopped in her tracks, looked down at the delicate white hand on her sleeve, then looked up at her face and saw that she looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

He asked gently, "Do you have any other concerns?"

Shen Qingtan stared at his unusually pale face. His thin lips were not the usual pale white, but had a bluish tinge, making him look even more sickly than before.

She originally wanted to say: You compete with Zhao Jue, and we'll deal with it slowly later.

As long as Zhao Yi is willing to fight, no matter what tricks Zhao Jue plays, he will have no chance of winning.

His face was pale and his body was weak; it seemed that he would not be able to withstand even the slightest exertion.

She couldn't bear to let him, with his ailing body, compete with Zhao Jue for power.

Shen Qingtan sighed inwardly, but ultimately did not say it aloud.

She planned to deal with each move as it came and delay the process of establishing an heir for the time being.

The First Madam probably doesn't want Zhao Jue to receive a title either; they'll discuss the decision together when the time comes.

"It's nothing," Shen Qingtan said with a smile. "I just wanted you to wait for me."

Zhao Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping lightly across her bright face. His smile was pure and innocent, as if he really just wanted her to wait.

He didn't say much, just stood there waiting for her, and then the two of them walked side by side to Shian Hall.

When they arrived at Shian Hall, everyone except those who were out on business was already there.

This time the seating arrangement was different; people from different rooms sat together.

Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi sat next to the First Madam. When she looked up, she met Zhao Jue's gaze.

He sat in the armchair with an air of grandeur, the gloom of yesterday gone from his eyes, replaced by a hint of smugness, as if he were determined to obtain the title.

Shen Mingzhu noticed that Zhao Jue was staring at Shen Qingtan. She already harbored old grudges against Shen Qingtan, and now she had a new one to add to her resentment.

Even though she made a fool of herself in the palace today, she didn't think she was any worse than Shen Qingtan.

After all, her background was more noble than Shen Qingtan's, but her talent was not as good as Shen Qingtan's, because Shen Qingtan had been cultivated by the Marquis's mansion since childhood.

If she hadn't been forced to live in the countryside and had instead grown up in the Marquis's mansion, her talent would definitely have surpassed Shen Qingtan's.

Shen Qingtan would never embarrass herself in front of a noble person, let alone, given her lowly birth, she would never even get to see one.

Shen Mingzhu felt even more resentful towards Shen Qingtan for stealing her glory, especially since she had been scolded by the old lady and the second madam, who also punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall.

It was as if the heavens were protecting her, for when she was being punished, the Duke of Zhao sent people to invite them to Shian Hall.

The second wife guessed that an heir was about to be established, so she spared her from punishment.

She felt that her luck was about to change. After Zhao Jue inherited the title, she would become the mistress of the Zhao State Duke's Mansion and would definitely drive Shen Qingtan out.

Zhao Yi must have died of illness long ago by then, right?

Who would stand up for a widow?

The more Shen Mingzhu thought about it, the more smug she became, and her gaze toward Shen Qingtan was filled with disdain.

A pheasant is a pheasant; even if it wears the skin of a phoenix, it can never become a real phoenix.

"You're all here." Duke Zhao looked around, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, and said in a deep voice, "I've invited you all here today because I have an important matter to announce."

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

The old man's expression was unusually serious, his brows furrowed, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

The First Madam glanced coldly at the Second Branch of the family, knowing perfectly well that the Duke of Zhao's sudden establishment of an heir must be related to the Second Branch.

The second master smiled broadly, looking completely relaxed and at ease.

The second wife was very pleased with herself. As expected, it was only after Consort Ling intervened that the Duke of Zhao so readily requested that her son be named the heir to the Duke's mansion.

Her eyes were filled with joy, and she glanced lightly at Shen Qingtan, thinking to herself that once the Duke's mansion fell into her son's hands, she would definitely get back those tens of thousands of taels of silver with interest.

The Third Master and Third Madam looked at Zhao Yi, then at Zhao Jue, and finally at their son beside them, silently lowering their heads.

The fourth wife acted as if it were none of her business, and it didn't matter who the heir was.

"I am now over seventy years old, and I am no longer able to manage many worldly affairs. I must entrust the title to the younger generation." The Duke of Zhao took in everyone's expressions and said slowly, "The Duke of Zhao's mansion has not yet established an heir. According to the patriarchal tradition, the eldest son of the legitimate wife should be the heir to the title."

The second wife became anxious and quickly said, "Father, since ancient times, whether it is the heir apparent or the grandson, it is indeed the eldest legitimate son who is chosen. However, if the eldest legitimate son is sick and cannot be saved, the second legitimate son will be chosen as the heir."

Although Zhao Yi's life was short, the Second Madam remained uneasy as long as he lived.

The imperial physicians predicted that Zhao Yi would not live past the age of ten, but he lived to be over twenty.

Who knows how long he'll stay on that breath?

"Father, the next head of the Duke's Mansion is crucial to the rise and fall of the family. You must either be exceptionally talented and capable, bringing glory to the family in your official career, or you must achieve great things and make a name for yourself."

The second master stood up and continued, "Although my eldest nephew is exceptionally talented and possesses the qualities of a gentleman, he is physically weak and currently unable to even perform his regular duties, having taken leave to recuperate at home. If he were to be named the heir to the title, how would he have the energy to handle all the worldly affairs and social obligations?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Duke Zhao looked at the Second Master with a deep gaze.

The second master's heart was in his throat, and he nervously swallowed. Just as he was about to break down, the Duke of Zhao looked away.

“You’re right. The rise and fall of a family depends on its heir. This person must not only be outstanding in talent and ability, but also have a broad mind. He must not be narrow-minded or lack the capacity to tolerate others.”

Duke Zhao paused for a moment, then changed the subject, saying, "Then I will test you: given the current situation of the Duke Zhao's mansion, how do you plan to break the deadlock and make the family even more prosperous?"