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

In the main room of Mingde Hall, the second wife picked up a large soft pillow from the huanghuali geometric patterned Luohan bed and slammed it to the ground.

"They're all unreliable. In the end, we still have to rely on ourselves. What use are they!" the second wife said bitterly. "Today, that sickly fellow stole the limelight. That Qi fellow doesn't even know how smug he is!"

The second master's smile vanished, replaced by a worried expression. He said, "Father is a pillar of the court and someone the Emperor respects. Although Consort Ling can use her favors to influence Father's choice of successor, she can't do anything about it if Father doesn't follow her advice. After all, such matters can't be brought into the open."

"What should we do then? Even bringing up Consort Ling is useless, and other avenues are even less likely to work." The Second Madam said regretfully, "If we had known this would happen, we wouldn't have trusted the Marquis of Chengen so easily. If Jue'er had married Shen Qingtan, we wouldn't have suffered our parents' dislike, and perhaps Jue'er would already be the heir by now."

The second wife's words were like poisoned needles, piercing Shen Mingzhu's heart with fine, dense thorns. Her nails dug deep into her palms as she restrained her emotions.

The second master sighed. He knew his son's true worth very well, unlike the second madam who blindly believed that Zhao Jue was a rare young talent with both literary and martial prowess.

Although Zhao Jue was skilled in martial arts, he lacked strategic thinking and was clearly no match for Zhao Yi.

“It’s not like there’s no other way.” A glint of light flashed in Zhao Jue’s eyes: “I have other ideas about the method Zhao Yi proposed at Shian Hall. I can improve upon his suggestion and add some of my own thoughts.”

“Yes, your grandfather didn’t say you couldn’t use Zhao Yi’s method.” The second madam suddenly regained her energy and said confidently, “Jue’er, you must think of a brilliant way to steal the limelight from that sickly fellow.”

“If Zhao Yi’s suggestion turns out to be less brilliant than ours, it will only make you seem more capable than Zhao Yi.” The second master found it more and more feasible as he spoke, pointing at Zhao Jue with his finger: “Your father is not very learned, so you should go ask your father-in-law for help tomorrow.”

Zhao Jue knew he was no match for Zhao Yi in strategy, so in this important matter concerning the succession of the title, he readily set aside his pride.

He said flexibly, "I will go to the Marquis for help tomorrow."

Shen Mingzhu's heart stirred slightly, and she softly suggested, "Grandfather also said today that whoever gains the approval of the clan elders will be designated as the heir. Could we... perhaps try to influence the clan elders?"

The group exchanged glances, and everything was understood without a word.

Afterwards, they made careful plans.

After making a decision, Zhao Jue followed Shen Mingzhu back to Qingyun Garden.

After all, he had to give the Marquis of Chengen some face when he asked him to do something, and he couldn't be too cold to Shen Mingzhu.

Although Shen Mingzhu disliked Zhao Jue for his lack of ability, she had already married him and could only be of one mind with him, still hoping to repair their marital relationship.

Seeing Zhao Jue return to Qingyun Garden with her, she finally smiled. She instructed her maid to have the kitchen prepare some nourishing food so that she could spend the evening getting to know Zhao Jue better.

She was always worried that Qiu Chan hadn't drunk the contraceptive soup, and she was afraid that Qiu Chan would give birth to a child out of wedlock and slap her in the face.

But Zhao Jue didn't come to her room, so she could only worry anxiously.

Now that Zhao Jue has finally come all this way, she must seize the opportunity to conceive a legitimate son as soon as possible.

Therefore, Shen Mingzhu served Zhao Jue with special tenderness and care after he finished his meal.

Then she bathed in fragrant water, put on a brightly colored bodice, and then draped a light outer garment over it, before shyly approaching the bed.

Zhao Jue lay on the bed and saw that Shen Mingzhu was dressed lightly. He said coldly, "I have an injury on my back. Go to sleep early."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Shen Mingzhu's head. Her face turned pale instantly, and all the shyness in her heart turned into humiliation. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

She didn't know if Zhao Jue was truly still recovering from his injuries, or if he intended to leave her to live a life of widowhood. If so, how was she any different from Shen Qingtan?

-

Zhao Jue was focused on his title and had no interest in romantic relationships, especially since he was still injured.

After returning from Longhua Temple, he deliberately stayed in Qiu Chan's courtyard to embarrass Shen Mingzhu. At that time, he was injured and slept in separate beds with Qiu Chan.

He closed his eyes, ignoring Shen Mingzhu's grievances.

The next morning, he went to the Marquis of Chengen's residence and discussed countermeasures with the Marquis. After spending several days writing down a plan, he was finally relieved after confirming that it was correct.

On the fourth day, Zhao Jue received news that the clan elders had returned to the capital.

The clan elder did not move into the Duke's Mansion, but lived in a small house in Ning'an Lane.

He took his completed proposal and carefully selected gifts and set off for Ning'an Lane.

Zhao Jue knocked on the door, introduced himself, and the doorman respectfully led him to see the clan elder.

The elder is now seventy years old, with silver hair and beard, and a kind expression, unlike the sternness of the Duke of Zhao.

Zhao Jue adopted a very humble posture, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and bowed deeply, saying, "Junior Zhao Jue greets you."

"So you are the brave and resourceful young general from the Duke's mansion?" The clan elder looked Zhao Jue up and down, smiling very kindly. "Your grandfather wrote a letter to the clan detailing your glorious deeds. Many young people in the clan take you as their role model and are determined to learn martial arts to join the army and bring glory to their family."

When Zhao Jue heard the clan elder praise him so highly, his anxious heart instantly calmed down.

He vaguely knew why his grandfather did not make Zhao Yi his successor; one of the reasons was that Zhao Yi was frail and sickly, and the clan elders did not approve of him.

Emperor Jing'an issued numerous proclamations seeking renowned physicians for Zhao Yi, and precious medicinal herbs were sent to Zhao Yi's hospital in a continuous stream. What if Zhao Yi was not destined to die and was actually cured?

That's why he was anxious and went to fight with Zhao Yi.

Among the grandchildren of the Duke's mansion, besides Zhao Yi, he is the only one who is presentable.

Moreover, according to the patriarchal system of succession, the eldest son of the legitimate wife is often sick and has little chance of survival, so the title is inherited by the second son of the legitimate wife.

He is the most legitimate one.

Zhao Jue had a better idea of ​​what to do, and quickly handed over the plan he had written: "Elder, my grandfather is testing us. This is the plan I have come up with. Please take a look."