Chapter 80: The Duke of Zhao's Question
Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi looked at each other and saw understanding in each other's eyes.
Duke Zhao is about to establish his successor.
"Grandfather has his own considerations. He wouldn't just pick an heir out of a favor." Zhao Yi coughed intermittently and said comfortingly, "This matter is of great importance, affecting the prosperity of the entire family. Grandfather would rather be called ungrateful than be worthy of the ancestors who laid the foundation for this family."
Shen Qingtan stared at Zhao Yi. There was a calmness and coldness in his eyes, as if he had no desires or requests because he was indifferent to life and death.
There are four branches in the Duke of Zhao's mansion. The first branch has only one son, Zhao Yi, and the second branch has only one legitimate son, Zhao Jue. As for the other illegitimate children, they are not qualified to compete for the title.
"Let's go." Zhao Yi got off the bed.
"Second Master." Shen Qingtan subconsciously grabbed his sleeve.
Zhao Yi paused, lowered his eyes to look at the tender white hand on his sleeve, then raised his eyes to look at her face, and saw that she looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
He asked gently, "Do you have any other concerns?"
Shen Qingtan stared at his unusually pale face. His thin lips were not their usual light white, but had a light bluish hue, making him look even sicker than before.
She originally wanted to say: You compete with Zhao Jue, and we will deal with it slowly when the time comes.
As long as Zhao Yi is willing to fight for it, no matter what tricks Zhao Jue plays, he will have no chance of winning.
It can be seen that he looks pale and weak, and it seems that he cannot bear the slightest bit of fatigue.
She couldn't bear to let him drag his sick body to compete for power with Zhao Jue.
Shen Qingtan sighed in his heart, but didn't say it out loud.
She planned to counter the situation later and delay the process of establishing the successor.
The eldest lady probably doesn't want Zhao Jue to get the title. They can discuss and make a decision together when the time comes.
"It's okay." Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "I just asked you to wait for me."
Zhao Yi raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes lightly sweeping across her bright face, his smile pure and flawless, as if he really just wanted him to wait.
He didn't say much, just stood there waiting for her, and then the two of them went to Shi'an Hall side by side.
When they arrived at Shi'an Hall, everyone was there except those who were on official business.
The seating arrangement was different this time, with people from each room sitting together.
Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi sat next to the eldest lady. When she raised her eyes, she met Zhao Jue's gaze.
He sat in the armchair with a majestic air. There was no trace of the gloom from yesterday between his brows. Instead, he seemed to have a hint of smugness, as if he was determined to obtain the title.
Shen Mingzhu noticed that Zhao Jue was staring at Shen Qingtan. She already had an old grudge against Shen Qingtan in her heart, and now she had a new hatred added to it.
Even though she made a fool of herself in the palace today, she didn't think she was worse than Shen Qingtan.
After all, her background is nobler than Shen Qingtan's, but her talent is not as good as Shen Qingtan's, because Shen Qingtan has been cultivated in the Marquis' Mansion since childhood.
If she had not been stranded in the countryside and had grown up in the Marquis' Mansion, her talent would definitely have surpassed Shen Qingtan.
Not to mention making a fool of herself in front of the noble, Shen Qingtan couldn't even see the noble because of her humble background.
Shen Mingzhu hated Shen Qingtan even more in her heart for stealing her glory, especially since she was scolded by the old lady today, and the second lady also scolded her and punished her to kneel in the ancestral hall.
Perhaps God was protecting her. When she was being punished, Duke Zhao sent someone to invite them to Shi'an Hall.
The second wife guessed that the heir was to be established, so she exempted her from punishment.
She felt that her luck was about to change. After Zhao Jue inherited the title, she would become the mistress of Duke Zhao's mansion and would definitely drive Shen Qingtan out.
By then, Zhao Yi had already died of illness, right?
Who would support a widow?
The more Shen Mingzhu thought about it, the more complacent she became, and she looked at Shen Qingtan with contempt in her eyes.
A pheasant is a pheasant. Even if it is covered with a layer of phoenix skin, it can never become a real phoenix.
"You are all here." Duke Zhao looked around, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces. He spoke in a deep voice, "I have invited you here today because I have an important announcement to make."
As soon as these words came out, everyone had different expressions.
The master looked unusually serious, with a frown on his face, and no one knew what he was thinking.
The eldest lady glanced coldly at the second wife, and she guessed clearly in her mind that the Duke of Zhao's sudden establishment of an heir must be related to the second wife.
The second master was smiling and looked relaxed.
The Second Lady was very proud. As expected, it was only because of Concubine Ling's intervention that Duke Zhao would so readily ask her son to be the heir to the Duke's Mansion.
Her eyes were filled with joy as she glanced at Shen Qingtan lightly, thinking that after the Duke's Mansion fell into her son's hands, she must get back the hundreds of thousands of taels of silver with interest.
The third master and the third lady looked at Zhao Yi, then at Zhao Jue, and finally at their son beside them, and lowered their heads silently.
The Fourth Lady looked as if it had nothing to do with her, and no matter who became the heir, it would not hinder her.
"I am now over seventy years old, and I am no longer able to manage many worldly affairs. I must entrust the title to the younger generation." Duke Zhao took in everyone's expressions and spoke slowly, "The Zhao Mansion has yet to appoint an heir. According to patriarchal tradition, the eldest son should be appointed as the heir to the title."
The Second Madam was anxious and said quickly, "Father, since ancient times, whether it is the crown prince or the grandson, the eldest son has always been chosen as the heir. But if the eldest son is sick and can't be saved, the second son will be chosen as the heir."
Although Zhao Yi's life will not last long, the second wife will feel uneasy as long as Zhao Yi is alive.
The imperial physician predicted that Zhao Yi would not live past the age of ten, but Zhao Yi lived to be over 20 years old.
Who knows how long he can hold on?
"Father, the next head of the Duke's Mansion will determine the family's prosperity and survival. He must either be exceptionally talented and capable, bringing glory to the family through his career. Or he must achieve great success and become famous."
The Second Master stood up and continued, "Although my nephew is exceptionally talented and possesses the demeanor of a gentleman, he is frail and in poor health. He can't even go on duty and has taken leave to recuperate at home. If he were to be named heir to the title, how would he have the energy to deal with all the worldly affairs and social engagements?"
As soon as the words fell, the room fell into silence.
Duke Zhao looked at the second master with a serious look.
The Second Master's heart was in his throat, and he swallowed nervously. Just when he was about to give up, Duke Zhao looked away.
"You're right. The success or failure of a family depends on its heir. This person must not only be exceptionally talented and capable, but also have a broad mind. He must not be narrow-minded or lack the capacity to tolerate others."
Duke Zhao paused, then changed the subject, "Then let me ask you, given the current situation of Duke Zhao's Mansion, how can we break through this impasse and make the family more prosperous?"
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