Chapter 45: Contraceptive Soup, Zhao Yi's Concubine? (Two Chapters Combined into One)
Liu Yue was sorting boxes and crates when she heard this. She turned and said, "As soon as you entered the mansion, the Marquis of Cheng'en's wife called you over. According to me, she calculated the day of your return and came to the Duke's mansion to cause trouble for you and vent her anger on the one in the second wife's house."
Tingxue looked gloomy: "How about you claim to be sick and not come?"
After hearing this, Mother Liu couldn't help but look up at Shen Qingtan. She didn't know if it was the good feng shui of Longhua Temple, but after not seeing her for a few days, her complexion looked rosy, her skin was so white and tender that it seemed like water could be squeezed out of it, and she looked even more beautiful and bright.
Shen Qingtan gently stroked the cup with his fingertips, thinking, "My second sister has suffered a setback and is now bedridden. Mother finally came to the Duke's Mansion. I should go see her."
"Second Madam..."
"She wants to see me. No matter how I try to refuse, she will want to see me."
At that time, he was at a disadvantage and the initiative was in Mrs. Shen's hands.
"When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth." Shen Qingtan put down the teacup, his eyebrows and eyes were indifferent: "Dress me up and change my clothes."
——
Second room, Qingyun Garden.
Shen Mingzhu leaned sickly against the bedpost, with a red forehead band on her forehead, which made her face look even paler.
She told Mrs. Shen everything Shen Qingtan had done, and cried out in grievance.
"Zhao Jue is resentful of me and has been staying at Qiu Chan's compound for the past few days." Shen Mingzhu was panicking and said bewilderedly, "Zhongxia reminded me that Qiu Chan didn't use contraceptive soup, so I asked Mama Gao to send it over. Zhao Jue asked Mama Gao to tell me that contraceptive soup is harmful to the body and Qiu Chan is not allowed to drink it."
Madam Shen’s face darkened.
Shen Mingzhu felt both hateful and helpless: "Mother, he is taking revenge on me. He is deliberately trying to make Qiu Chan pregnant and make my life miserable."
Now that things have come to this, what can Mrs. Shen do? No matter how long her hands are, she can't reach her son-in-law's backyard.
Shen Mingzhu realized this. Although she resented Zhao Jue's ruthlessness and hated Qiu Chan for betraying her master, she hated Shen Qingtan, the instigator, even more.
She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, "Mother, will she come to see you? Will she excuse herself by saying she's sick?"
"I'm her mother. She's being so arrogant and refusing to come see me. So, as her elder, I should humble myself and go see her." Madam Shen poked her forehead. "You're always thinking of bad ideas. You're actually trying to drug Zhao Yi. If she dies from it and it's traced back to you, I can't protect you."
Shen Mingzhu was not convinced. If they had used more sophisticated means, how could they have traced it back to her?
She put the blame on Shen Qingtan: "If Shen Qingtan hadn't plotted against me, how could I be hated by my husband?"
Mrs. Shen comforted her, "Mother will seek justice for you."
At this time, Madam Gao came in and said, "Madam, the eldest lady is here."
Madam Shen’s face turned cold: “Let her in.”
Shen Mingzhu sat up straight, pinched herself secretly, and tears fell from her eyes in pain. She looked towards the door with a wronged look.
Mrs. Shen saw Shen Qingtan walking from the outer room into the inner room, and was about to speak when she was interrupted by Shen Qingtan.
"Second sister, you were ill. Why didn't you send someone to tell me? I'll ask for a favor from Grandmother and come down the mountain to take care of you sooner."
Shen Qingtan's eyes turned red with sadness, and she said distressedly: "Second sister, you are so stupid that you actually bought that kind of banned drug for me to take.
When you first returned to your roots, you were simple, innocent and kind. I really didn't expect you to do such a shameful thing.
I thought it was Qiu Chan betraying his master in order to climb up the ladder and get into his master's bed.
If I had known that it was you who planned it, I would have taken the blame on your behalf when my brother-in-law searched you, so as to avoid affecting your relationship as a couple.
Anyway, the Second Master is in poor health, and I don't know how long he can last. I'm counting on you to support me from now on. As long as you're innocent, I'm willing to do anything.
I've been worried about you these days. I can't eat or sleep well. I blame myself for not disciplining you well.
An elder sister is like a mother. If you go astray, I have an unshirkable responsibility."
Shen Mingzhu was stunned. This bitch was clearly turning the tables on her. She wished she would suffer a terrible end.
Mrs. Shen was shocked and looked at Shen Qingtan in disbelief, not because of her words, but because of Shen Qingtan's appearance at the moment.
Shen Qingtan's face was sallow, her lips slightly pale, and her eyelids were covered with dark circles. She wore a loose, ill-fitting white blouse with a pink skirt and a blue gauze bodice, which made her look frail.
She looked haggard, and it seemed that she was suffering more than Shen Mingzhu.
Mrs. Shen originally wanted to use the fact that Shen Qingtan did not take good care of Shen Mingzhu as an excuse, but Shen Qingtan looked so terrible that if she criticized him too much, it would get out that Shen Qingtan would be the victim again, and she would have a reputation for being mean.
Especially since Shen Qingtan said that "an elder sister is like a mother", she was at fault for not teaching Shen Mingzhu well.
What about me as a mother?
The responsibility is even greater, how can you have the nerve to blame Shen Qingtan?
Shen Qingtan's words shut up Madam Shen.
Madam Shen's face turned ugly as she pointed out another purpose of this trip: "Qiu Chan, who served you, has become a member of the second house. I brought two maids here today. You can pick one and take it back. If you like both, you can take them both back."
When Shen Mingzhu heard that her mother was going to put someone into Shen Qingtan's room, the depression in her heart dissipated, and she couldn't help feeling a little gloating.
The people trained by their mother are not easy to deal with. If they enter Shen Qingtan's room, they will definitely cause chaos.
"Mother, the people you choose are naturally all outstanding. I don't dislike any of them." Shen Qingtan praised Madam Shen, and then changed the subject: "But my second sister is sick now, and she needs someone more capable around her."
Madam Shen frowned and was about to speak in displeasure.
Shen Qingtan was the first to offer advice: "Second sister and her brother-in-law are not on good terms, and Qiu Chan is at odds with Second sister. Naturally, they will not try to consolidate their favor for her, but will instead compete for her favor.
Mother, why not send the two maids you brought with you to your brother-in-law's room to consolidate the favor for your second sister?
My brother-in-law is currently recovering from his injuries, and my second sister has sent someone she cares for him. My brother-in-law knows that my second sister is a generous person, and perhaps this can help ease the relationship between the couple."
Shen Mingzhu was watching a show when she didn't expect a fire to burn on her head.
As she listened to Shen Qingtan's sharp words, her eyelids twitched and her face darkened.
Every word Shen Qingtan said was carefully considered for her benefit, but every word hit her in the chest, and she couldn't find any fault with it.
I'm so angry!
Mrs. Shen looked at Shen Qingtan with a heartfelt look, and her chest ached with anger.
Shen Mingzhu held her head in pain and fell on the pillow. "I have a headache. You all should go back. I want to sleep for a while."
She was afraid that if Shen Qingtan continued talking, Madam Shen would really send someone into Zhao Jue's room.
Shen Qingtan's face was filled with worry: "Mother, second sister..."
"That's enough." Madam Shen interrupted Shen Qingtan anxiously, fearing that she would say something that would hurt Shen Mingzhu's heart again. She said sullenly, "You must be tired from the journey. Go back and rest early."
Shen Qingtan wanted to say something but stopped, pursed his lips, and left with a depressed look.
As soon as she left, Shen Mingzhu immediately turned over and sat up: "Mother, we are no match for Shen Qingtan, unless we tear our faces apart."
"How can you break up with her? In the eyes of the world, you've gotten a huge advantage by marrying the physically strong Zhao Jue. If you break up with Shen Qingtan again at this time, what will others think?"
"Otherwise, we will reveal Shen Qingtan's life experience..."
"Idiot!" Madam Shen interrupted her and said sternly, "Proving that Shen Qingtan is not the daughter of the Shen family, isn't this telling the world that there's something fishy about you marrying Zhao Jue?"
Shen Mingzhu clenched her fists and turned her head away from Mrs. Shen.
Madam Shen held her throbbing head and said exhaustedly, "You take good care of yourself. I'll take care of Shen Qingtan."
Shen Mingzhu didn't even raise her head and was angry with her.
Madam Shen pressed down the corners of her lips. She didn't have the energy to coax her, so she led her people away.
Just as I walked out of Qingyun Garden and passed by the waterside pavilion, I heard the maids talking.
"Did the wife of the Marquis of Cheng'en just scold the Second Mistress? How strange! It was clearly the Third Mistress who made the mistake..."
"I think the wife of the Marquis of Cheng'en is partial. When the Third Madam was ill, she brought a bunch of expensive supplements. When the Second Madam was ill, she only got a scolding. It's really pitiful."
"Second Madam is quite pitiful. Even for such a big event as changing her groom, she didn't cry or make a fuss. Just now, she came out of the second room with red eyes. I saw her secretly wiping away tears. It looked like she had suffered a great injustice."
"I don't think the wife of the Marquis of Cheng'en is as kind as people say. She might be a hypocrite."
Madam Shen's face turned green with anger. How could she not understand that Shen Qingtan was deliberately ruining her reputation!
The little bitch was playing tricks on her.
Madam Shen looked towards the backyard of Duke Zhao's mansion, a dark light flashed in her eyes, and she left with a tense face.
——
Shen Qingtan returned to Lanxue Garden, took some bath beans to wash his face, and sat on the kang feeling refreshed.
Liu Yue said with a beaming expression, "Second Madam, what you said was so satisfying. I was so angry when I saw that mother and daughter that my mouth was twisted with anger."
Shen Qingtan deliberately annoyed them so that they would not cause trouble for her during this period.
She ordered, "Liu Yue, go to the trunk and get one of the Second Master's undershirts. I'll take your measurements."
"Okay." Liu Yue hurried to the inner room and quickly took out a shirt: "Do you want to make clothes for the Second Master?"
"I should have made clothes and shoes for my husband, but now I haven't even embroidered a small purse for him." Shen Qingtan unfolded her undergarment and took out a cloth ruler to measure it. "Summer is coming soon, I will make him a undergarment."
Liu Yue put away her smile. The fact that her master cared about the Second Master showed that the couple had a harmonious relationship. She should be happy.
But Erye's body...
She secretly hoped that her master would not care about the Second Master and that they would just maintain the superficial relationship as a couple. Even if she lost him one day, she would not be too sad.
Tingxue also thought of this and shrugged her face.
Shen Qingtan didn't know what the two maids were thinking. After measuring the sizes, she went to ask the eldest lady for a match and then went out of the house to Qin's Cloth Shop to select the material.
Liu Yue and Ting Xue exchanged glances and followed Shen Qingtan to the cloth shop with heavy hearts.
The carriage stopped at the door of Qin's cloth shop. The coachman placed the wooden ladder. Liu Yue got off the carriage first and stood beside it to help Shen Qingtan get down.
Tingxue protected him behind him.
Shen Qingtan entered the cloth shop wearing a veil hat. When the shopkeeper saw her appearance, he knew that she was either rich or noble, so he approached her attentively.
"Madam, we have just received a piece of fine brocade. Would you like to take a look?"
Shen Qingtan took out a half-moon jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it to the shopkeeper: "I want the best white satin. Bring it to the second floor for me to choose."
The shopkeeper saw the jade pendant and was stunned for a moment, then smiled even more enthusiastically: "So it's the second boss, please come upstairs."
While entertaining Shen Qingtan, he ordered the servants to go to the warehouse to get the materials.
Shen Qingtan sat at the table and took off the veil on her head.
The shopkeeper quickly poured tea for Shen Qingtan.
The servant brought the cloth.
The shopkeeper introduced: "Second Master, this material is no worse than the tribute satin sent to the palace. It feels smooth and cool, soft and delicate, and is very suitable for summer wear."
He unfolded an inch of material and showed it, saying, "You can see it drapes very well and has a nice sheen."
Shen Qingtan touched the material and found it was indeed as the shopkeeper said. She agreed, "The quality is good. How are the sales?"
"A couple of days ago, a textile manufacturer came to our door with some fabric, offering to work with us. I thought it was a good idea, so I sent a message to our boss, who approved it and decided to keep it here for sale.
Only ten pieces arrived, and the boss took one back home, intending to make a dress to try it out, and if there were no quality issues, he would sell it out.
The shopkeeper explained the origin of the cloth and then asked, "Would you like to take one home with you?"
Shen Qingtan nodded slightly: "Okay, please, boss, get two horses and bring them back to me."
"Okay!" The shopkeeper prepared the cloth quickly and handed it to Liu Yue who was standing beside him.
Shen Qingtan picked out a few pieces of brightly colored brocade and asked the servants to send them to the carriage.
When the master and servants came out of the cloth shop, they saw a light figure running towards them, throwing himself into Shen Qingtan's arms and hugging her tightly.
"Sister Shen, I haven't seen you for a long time. I didn't expect to run into you at the cloth shop today." Qin Yao let go of Shen Qingtan, hugged her arm instead, and said with a bright smile: "Shall we go to the restaurant and sit for a while?"
Qin Yaosheng has a round face, and under her curved eyebrows, she has a pair of black, watery eyes that are crystal clear. When she smiles, deep dimples appear on her cheeks, making her lively and cute.
In the previous life, it was heard that Qin Yao met the wrong person and was divorced and sent back to the Qin family. She was then implicated and had her property confiscated and was executed.
Shen Qingtan felt a pang of pain in his heart. He poked the dimple on her cheek with his index finger and said with a smile, "Why don't we go to the restaurant today? Will you come back home with me? Let's get acquainted with the place first. If you want to see me in the future, just give me a letter."
Qin Yao was not a reserved person. She looked at Shen Qingtan with sparkling eyes and smiled sweetly: "I was just thinking of visiting the Duke's Mansion to see if my brother-in-law treats you well."
Shen Qingtan felt soft-hearted and took her into the carriage, instructing the driver to return to Duke Zhao's Mansion.
The carriage had just been driving for a while when it suddenly stopped.
The driver said outside: "Second Madam, a woman has stopped the carriage."
Shen Qingtan frowned, and just as he lifted a corner of the curtain, he saw the woman begging with a sad face, "Second Madam, please take me to see the Second Master."
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