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

Shen Qingtan looked at Gu Zongci through the gauze. He was tall and imposing, with a pair of deep eyes beneath his broad eyebrows. His facial features were resolute, making him look very stern.

She greeted him, "Boss Gu."

Boss Qin then introduced Shen Qingtan to Gu Zongci: "This is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Chengen's family, and now she is the second mistress of the Duke of Zhao's family, as well as the second owner of our Qin's Trading Company."

Gu Zongci nodded slightly: "Second Master, I have long admired your name."

Upon hearing the words "I have long admired your name," Shen Qingtan couldn't help but look at Boss Qin, suspecting that he was praising her to Gu Zongci.

Sure enough, Boss Qin flattered Gu Zongci, saying, "Boss Gu, seeing Miss Shen today is truly an eye-opener. There is no other woman in the world as intelligent as her."

My granary is stockpiled with grain, and she told me to exchange it for salt permits instead of exchanging them for silver to continue buying grain. Given the current harvest, a bumper crop is expected soon, and when grain prices drop, salt permits will become very valuable. What I hold in my hand isn't just salt permits, but a pile of gleaming silver.”

Gu Zongci had heard this phrase so many times he was practically sick of it. During the time he had worked with Boss Qin, he had told Shen Qingtan's story over and over again, never getting tired of it.

Gu Zongci deeply believed in his heart that this was karma and retribution.

Because more than 20 years ago, he had repeatedly boasted about his younger sister to Boss Qin, he silently endured it this time.

After all, it's really pathetic that a middle-aged man who has no one in his family to be proud of and can only show off to an outsider.

Adhering to the fine tradition of being lenient with oneself and strict with others, he unusually showed a little tolerance towards Boss Qin.

Gu Zongci looked Shen Qingtan up and down. He could not see her face because she was wearing a veil, but she exuded a gentle temperament that made him feel very comfortable.

Even so, he still said in a serious tone: "Although the Second Master is exceptionally talented and unconventional, I have seen the most intelligent woman in the world."

Boss Qin: "..." I miscalculated.

He forgot that in Gu Zongci's eyes, his rumored younger sister was the best in the world.

Even if it offends people with his words, he will still protect his sister's position.

Gu Zongci cupped his hands and said, "Second Master, your position in Boss Qin's heart is irreplaceable, and so is my sister's position in my heart."

Shen Qingtan didn't care and said with a smile, "It's only human nature. Everyone has their own preferences."

Upon hearing this, Gu Zongci's resolute and stern face broke into a smile.

Shen Qingtan felt that his smile gave people a strange sense of closeness.

Gu Zongci said to Boss Qin, "I'll go to the shop and wait for you."

"Alright." Seeing Gu Zongci leave, Boss Qin quickly lowered his voice and said to Shen Qingtan, "Don't take it to heart by taking it to heart by taking it to heart by taking it to heart. Back in Nanling Prefecture, there was a strange phenomenon: everyone was learning how to flatter and fawn. Why? Because those who knew how to flatter and fawn over Boss Gu's sister all got on board the Gu family's big ship and made a fortune. So some people even hired people to teach them how to flatter."

Shen Qingtan looked surprised and asked curiously, "And what about you?"

Boss Qin rubbed his hands together and chuckled dryly, "Among those people who relied on the Gu family, I'm the one who made the most money."

Shen Qingtan: "..." Just say that you're the best at flattery.

"No one has ever seen his sister. Whether she is as rare as he claims, we have no idea." Boss Qin's expression was somewhat mysterious. "Later, we heard that his sister married into a wealthy family. As for who she married, only a very small number of people know the inside story, and they all keep it a secret and dare not say it."

Shen Qingtan chuckled, finding it hard to believe that someone who seemed so serious and strict would actually dote on his younger sister so much.

She imagined Gu Zongci stepping out the door, followed by a long line of sycophants. The scene struck her as somewhat comical, yet she also found his personality rather endearing.

As for the person Gu Zongci's sister married, there must be other inside stories or taboos related to her identity that make it so difficult to talk about.

Shen Qingtan asked, "Uncle Qin, is there any news from Zhongyuan?"

"I've already sent a message to inquire, and it will probably take a few more days to get news," said Boss Qin. "Don't worry, I'll go to the Duke's mansion to find you as soon as I receive the news."

"Okay." Shen Qingtan looked at the fabric shop next to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, where Gu Zongci was inspecting it carefully. "Uncle Qin, you go ahead and get busy. Don't keep Boss Gu waiting."

After saying goodbye to Shen Qingtan, Boss Qin nodded to Madam Qin before leaving.

Shen Qingtan and the First Madam entered the Hundred Treasures Pavilion together and were invited to the second floor by the shopkeeper.

The First Madam instructed, "Bring up all the new goods that have just arrived at the shop, preferably unique styles."

The shopkeeper responded and went downstairs, summoning three or four people who carried the jewelry upstairs and laid it all out on the table.

He said respectfully, "You two esteemed guests, these are all newly arrived styles. You won't find another one like them in the entire capital."

The First Madam glanced at the octagonal table, where jade, pearls, and gold ornaments dazzled the eye.

She picked up a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with butterflies and peony patterns, nodded in satisfaction, and then looked at the jade hairpins with mandarin ducks playing among lotus flowers next to her, which she also liked very much.

She asked, "Tan'er, do you like these jewelry pieces?"

Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "The styles are all quite nice."

Seeing that Shen Qingtan liked it, the First Madam waved her hand generously: "Shopkeeper, pack them all up and send them to the Duke's Mansion."

Shen Qingtan was stunned and quickly advised, "Mother, there are too many. Even if I wear a different one every day, I still can't wear them all. Besides, after a while, when new styles come out, these will look old-fashioned."

"You silly girl, you can save these for your own private life. You don't have to wear them all." The First Madam gave the shopkeeper a look, signaling him to pack up the items, and then said earnestly to Shen Qingtan, "Next time a new style comes out, just buy the new ones. Don't think you have too many. Keep whatever anyone gives you. These things are in your own hands. When you encounter difficulties, they will be your foundation. Isn't that more practical than those who just talk a good game?"

Shen Qingtan was stunned, never expecting the First Madam to say such a thing.

"Besides, you're my only daughter-in-law, and everything you have will be yours in the future," the First Madam said definitively. "I'm just giving you a little in advance; you can't refuse now."

Looking at the First Madam's smiling face, Shen Qingtan reluctantly accepted her gift.

Anyway, she's been a member of the Zhao family her whole life, and it would seem distant to politely refuse the kindness of her elders.

Besides, they are family, so she can also give them gifts back.

The First Madam was very happy to see that Shen Qingtan no longer refused, and then she took her to other shops.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law returned to the carriage, their legs aching from exhaustion, and leaned against the carriage wall in relief.

The two glanced at each other casually, and seeing each other's unladylike behavior, burst out laughing.

The First Madam thumped her arm: "Today was enjoyable, but I'm too tired. In the future, please ask the shopkeepers to send them to the mansion for us to choose from."

Shen Qingtan had never shopped with her elders before, whether in her past life or this one; this was the first time.

She said, "Mother, I feel very happy today."

The First Madam caught a glimpse of Shen Qingtan's gentle smile and said without the slightest hesitation, "Then I'll come again next time."

The carriage stopped at the Duke of Zhao's residence. Shen Qingtan first escorted the First Madam back to Jingde Hall, and then returned to Lanxue Garden.

When Liu Mama saw Shen Qingtan return from the main room, she quickly said, "The Yongyi Marquis's Mansion has sent an invitation. The Yongyi Marquis's wife will be celebrating her fiftieth birthday in half a month, and they invite you to a banquet."

Shen Qingtan raised an eyebrow when she saw the invitation Liu's mother handed her, and said, "You specially sent one to me?"

"Yes." Madam Liu pursed her lips. "The Earl's family only needs to send one invitation to the Madam, but they went out of their way to send one to you. I wonder what the Earl's family is up to."

Shen Qingtan glanced at the red-based, gold-powdered post, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.

What else could they be planning?

It's definitely a crooked idea!