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

Everyone could clearly see that Zhao Enhong was holding Zhao Yi's booklet.

With a "crack," the porcelain cup in the second wife's hand shattered on the ground, the sound crisp and jarring.

Her mind went blank, and she couldn't even see what Zhao Enhong was holding.

The second master was stunned, as if struck on the head with a blunt object, his eyes fixed on the booklet in Zhao Enhong's hand.

"impossible……"

Shen Mingzhu's face turned pale, as if someone had shattered her beautiful dream and dragged her out to face the cruel reality.

She refused to believe what she was seeing, feeling as if she were dreaming. She pinched her thigh, and the excruciating pain tore apart her heart, which was full of longing and hope.

The most incredulous person was Zhao Jue. He felt as if he had been thrown into the clouds, with countless stars within his grasp, only to be plunged into the abyss in the next moment.

He stared intently at the booklet in Zhao Enhong's hand.

This old man clearly accepted his generous gift and promised to pull strings for him, but in the end he betrayed him.

Zhao Jue believed that everyone's nature was to seek advantage and avoid harm. He promised Zhao Enhong that if he came to power, he would definitely arrange a future for his grandson and help him seek medical treatment and have children.

But Zhao Enhong wouldn't listen to any of that. He'd rather risk losing his family line than compromise his duty.

This overturned Zhao Jue's understanding of human nature, and he could not comprehend Zhao Enhong's actions.

"A reason," Zhao Jue said coldly, his face tense. "I need a reason."

“Sanlang, your strategy is not suitable for the development of a large clan. If it suffers a heavy blow and its foundation collapses, the entire clan will have to return to square one.”

The first clan elder analyzed the pros and cons of the two men: "Erlang's strategy is very good. He has discovered the expertise of each clan member, allowing each to play to their strengths and then forge their own path with the help of the clan. In the future, no matter who in the clan encounters difficulties, there will be hundreds or thousands of clan members who can help them."

The second elder said, "The whole clan jointly manages an industry, but there are only a few people in charge. Driven by interests, they are prone to disunity. I'm afraid that before we even face external threats, we will be plagued by internal troubles."

The third elder said, "Erlang's suggestion is exactly the opposite. The clan's members rely on their own abilities, thus eliminating the hidden dangers at the root."

"The position of leader has always been held by the capable, so how can there be disunity?" Zhao Jue was unconvinced: "We have established clan rules that anyone who does not follow the rules will be severely punished."

"Then why is Sanlang competing with Erlang for the title today?" Zhao Enhong asked with a smile. "Is Erlang incompetent, or is the ancestral inheritance not clearly written?"

Zhao Jue's face darkened, fearing that Zhao Enhong would reveal that he had bribed him, since the old man didn't play by the rules.

He clenched his fists tightly and said expressionlessly, "It's not that I'm competing with my second brother, but because my second brother is frail and sickly and cannot overwork himself, so I'm taking this opportunity to demonstrate my abilities so that you can all rest assured to entrust the title to me, and my second brother can focus on recuperating."

Zhao Jue reminded Zhao Enhong that Zhao Yi was in poor health and asked him to think carefully before choosing a successor.

"cough."

Zhao Enhong coughed briefly.

With that cough, Zhao Jue's taut nerves were stretched, as if a knife was hanging over his head.

No matter when or where, Zhao Enhong always had a smile on his face, making it impossible for people to figure out what he was thinking.

He's the kind of person who can be smiling and talking to people while ruthlessly stabbing them in the back.

“You have indeed done a very good job in filial piety. You are not only respectful to your elder brother, but also dutiful to your elders.” Zhao Enhong cleared his throat and smiled warmly, as if he were chatting casually. “As soon as I entered the capital, you visited me and brought some generous gifts. As an elder, I was ashamed that I had not prepared a gift for you, so I wrote a piece of calligraphy for you myself.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall changed their expressions.

In particular, the Duke of Zhao, the old lady, and the other three clan elders all shook their heads in disappointment.

The knife fell from above, severing Zhao Jue's taut nerves, and their disappointed gazes deeply stung his eyes.

Zhao Enhong, however, was completely unaware that the atmosphere had become subtle. He gestured to the servant beside him to give the calligraphy to Zhao Jue.

The servant presented the calligraphy to Zhao Jue: "Third Master, this is a piece of calligraphy from Master Zhao for you."

The veins on Zhao Jue's forehead throbbed; he wished he could snap the neck of the person before him. But not only could he not do that, he also had to respectfully accept the calligraphy.

"Thank you for the calligraphy, Elder." Zhao Jue accepted it with both hands, a smile on his face, and said frankly, "I know your grandson, and I came to visit you today simply to find out about his recent situation."

Zhao Enhong smiled kindly, with a hint of tolerance, and said nothing more.

The main hall fell silent once again.

The second wife's heart felt like it was being fried in oil; her face was ashen as she looked at the Duke of Zhao: "Father..."

Duke Zhao raised his hand, interrupting the second wife.

“I said that day that whoever gains the approval of the clan elders should be granted a title.” Duke Zhao stood up, exuding the dignified and upright aura of someone who had long held a high position: “Today, Zhao Yi’s strategy has won the approval of the clan elders, and he will be the heir to the Duke’s mansion from now on.”

"Cough cough cough...cough..." Zhao Yi stopped coughing, stood up and bowed: "This junior will certainly live up to the high expectations of the elders."

The second wife looked terrible, like a defeated rooster, radiating dejection.

Zhao Jue clearly realized that the moment Zhao Enhong spoke, his chances of winning were already slim.

Even now that the dust has settled, it is still unbearable.

Everyone in the household, especially, believed that the title would fall to him. He also firmly believed this and was even proud of it, but in the end, he became a laughing stock.

He looked at Shen Qingtan opposite him. Her eyebrows and eyes were calm, and the corners of her lips were slightly pursed in a small curve. She handed tea and a handkerchief to Zhao Yi beside her, showing no signs of being overwhelmed by honor or disgrace.

She did not show any signs of victory just because Zhao Yi received a title.

The calmer the eldest son's family was, the more it made the second son's family seem like a clown.

Zhao Jue couldn't stay a moment longer. Clutching the calligraphy in his hand tightly, he stood up to take his leave: "This junior has other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

He strode out of the main hall. The sunlight shone on him, but he felt no warmth; instead, a chill seeped into his bones.

Zhao Jue glared at the peeking servants with piercing eyes, knowing without a doubt how they would mock him.

Zhao Enhong!

He gritted his teeth, opened the calligraphy in his hand, and a line of words came into view.

Do not antagonize petty people, for they will find their own enemies. Do not flatter virtuous people, for they offer no favors without reason.

Zhao Jue's face instantly turned ashen. These words were a warning to him not to make enemies with petty people, because petty people naturally have enemies.

Furthermore, one should not use improper means to curry favor with virtuous and cultured gentlemen, because gentlemen will not bestow special favors upon others out of personal affection.

This calligraphy was like a slap in the face to Zhao Jue.