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

Zhao Yi seemed to know what the Duke of Zhao wanted to say, and he spoke first: "Grandfather, I originally did not want this title, but seeing that you are in good health and can still work hard for a few more years, I just wanted to relax for a few years and did not want to deal with the responsibilities that I should bear as the heir too early."

The Duke of Zhao, who had been looking excited, was speechless.

His old face turned red as he angrily said, "You've been talking for so long, how come you're not coughing or panting anymore?"

Zhao Yi said calmly, "These are probably your heartfelt words?"

Duke of Zhao: "..."

He feared that saying a few more words to this unfilial descendant would shorten his lifespan, so he waved his hand and said, "Go away quickly, go away quickly, I don't want to see you today."

Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan took their leave.

Only Duke Zhao and his wife remained in Shian Hall.

The old lady sighed, "Yi'er finally showed interest in competing, why did you have to make such a fuss?"

"Her Majesty wants our family to establish an heir and appoint someone based on merit." Duke Zhao deliberately misinterpreted Consort Ling's words, avoiding the main point, and said, "Isn't my assessment just in accordance with her instructions? We can consider it as repaying this favor."

Old lady: "..."

Consort Ling likely took Shen Qingtan's words to heart and did not use her favor to persuade the Duke's mansion to make Zhao Jue their heir.

He simply said, “The Duke is getting on in years and should be enjoying his retirement, but the family has not yet established an heir. You should advise the Duke to choose an heir so as to share his burdens. With the current status of the Duke’s mansion, there is no need to add anything more; it is enough to choose a virtuous and talented descendant to maintain the family’s prosperity.”

Consort Ling had a clever plan. She gave them advice, which gave the Marquis of Chengen's family an explanation, and she didn't have to repay the favor with anything else.

When it came to the old man, this cunning old fox simply treated Consort Ling's request to choose an heir as a favor to be repaid.

"What? Is there anything wrong with what I said?" Duke Zhao stroked his beard and directly quoted Zhao Yi: "Originally, I was in good health and wanted to work hard for a few more years before choosing an heir. If it weren't for Her Majesty's suggestion, why would we be choosing an heir today?"

Old lady: "..."

Consort Ling probably never dreamed that she would encounter such a rogue.

She remembered something important: "Half a month probably isn't enough, is it? It takes at least ten days to half a month to get from the capital to Jiangnan. By the time they see the clan elders, the deadline will have already passed."

“When the Marquis of Chengen’s mansion and the second branch of the family jointly arranged the marriage, I knew it was for the sake of the title, and I guessed that they would make a move soon.” Duke Zhao’s face was calm, and his voice was full of vicissitudes: “At that time, I sent people to the ancestral home to bring the elders of the clan back to the capital. Calculating the time, they should arrive in a few days.”

The old lady sighed. Zhao Yi was a man of great talent and a broad mind, and he was also the eldest son of the legitimate wife. He should have been the most suitable candidate. Unfortunately, he was often ill and his life was not long. There was much hesitation in the clan, and they were not very supportive of making Zhao Yi their heir.

Zhao Yi was also very indifferent to fame and fortune, and had little interest in titles.

Now that the Marquis of Chengen's mansion and the second branch are making a scene, they might end up getting themselves into trouble.

-

Shen Qingtan helped Zhao Yi back to Lanxue Garden, arranged for him to sit on the daybed, and instructed Jiang Mu to prepare the medicine.

Then, she went to the inner room and brought back a thin blanket to cover Zhao Yi's legs: "Besides coughing, is there anything else that's bothering you? Should we call the imperial physician to take a look?"

Zhao Yi coughed twice: "No need, just take the medicine."

Shen Qingtan remained silent for a moment, then slowly sat down beside him, gazing at the weariness in his eyes, her lips moving as if she had something to say.

"Don't overthink it." Zhao Yi saw through Shen Qingtan's thoughts and said gently, "I want the title myself, it has nothing to do with you."

Shen Qingtan simply didn't believe it: "You didn't want this title before."

Zhao Yi sighed inwardly. She was a thoughtful person. If she knew that he had fought for her, she would probably feel guilty and would want to make amends to him in the future.

"Have you ever heard of the eight-character mantra?" Zhao Yi said calmly, "Act without acting, contend without contending."

Shen Qingtan was taken aback.

Zhao Yi smiled and said, "It's not that I don't want to compete, but that I use non-competitive means to achieve my goals."

The more he said this, the heavier Shen Qingtan's heart felt.

If she hadn't experienced a lifetime, she probably would have believed him.

If he had fought for the title in his previous life, Zhao Jue would have had no chance.

"Is that so?" Shen Qingtan seemed to believe him and deliberately flattered him, "Young master, you have quite the skills."

Zhao Yi understood her teasing tone, but didn't argue back. He just watched her smile quietly.

Shen Qingtan felt her face flush under his gaze, turned her head slightly away, and asked softly, "Second Master, do you have a detailed idea about Grandfather's question?"

"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are the foundation of the nation, and none can be lacking. Clans focus on education, while agriculture, artisans, and merchants are not valued. If talents in these fields are properly cultivated, they will become the backbone of the clan in time." Zhao Yi said in a low voice, "Only when a family has a hundred flowers blooming can it be prosperous and thriving."

"Second Master, you're absolutely right." Shen Qingtan's eyes lit up: "Everyone in the clan can be sent to a private school for their first education, and then their talents can be allocated accordingly."

"If one has a talent for studying, one should pursue an official career. If one is interested in martial arts, one should practice martial arts and make a name for oneself in the future. If one is interested in crafts, one should hire someone to teach one of the various trades."

"As for those who have no talent, we teach them planting and animal husbandry skills. If these skills are developed, industry and agriculture can boost our clan's business."

"After all, we also need to train people to do business, and ask people to teach them business skills so that we can transport the surplus grain from farming and the items produced by craftsmen to various places for sale."

Nowadays, the skills of people in all walks of life are almost always passed down to their own children and grandchildren. They are not willing to teach others selflessly, for fear of teaching an apprentice and then starving the master.

Shen Qingtan counted on her fingers, listing her thoughts one by one.

If a clan has strong cohesion and cultivates talented individuals, it will naturally prosper.

Zhao Yi's gaze revealed approval: "Now the clan's situation is polarized, with some pursuing official careers and others farming. By changing the way we govern, we have found more ways for clan members to make a living, allowing everyone to play to their strengths in their respective positions, thus fundamentally solving the problem."

Perhaps admiring strength is an innate trait hidden deep within her bones; Shen Qingtan's gaze towards Zhao Yi changed, revealing a faint glimmer of light—that was her admiration for him.

She had only heard of Zhao Yi's exceptional knowledge before, but today she witnessed his vision and character firsthand.

He was not the kind of person who was arrogant and disdainful of others. On the contrary, his eyes held both the elegance of high culture and the poverty and hardship of the lower classes.

Shen Qingtan's eyes were clear and bright as she said softly, "Shall I get you a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone to write it down for you? Or can you tell me what to write and I'll write it down for you?"

Seeing the expectant look in her eyes, Zhao Yi smiled and said, "Okay, let's discuss it together."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtan couldn't help but smile: "I'll go get the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone right away."

Zhao Yi watched Shen Qingtan's departing figure. She was always dignified and composed, but at this moment her steps were very light, which showed that she was in a very happy mood.