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

Chapter 257 1 thing drops 1 thing

Shen Qingtan was very sensitive to the word "Pei": "Pei?"

She asked, "Yaoyao, is this Pei your friend?"

“We’re not friends.” Qin Yao denied it outright, saying without any concealment, “I met him when I went to Jiangnan to inspect the shops.”

Shen Qingtan's heart skipped a beat. In her previous life, Qin Yao had married far away to Jiangnan, suffered all kinds of mistreatment in her husband's family, and was eventually divorced, her reputation ruined.

Now she knows this man surnamed Pei, who happens to be from Jiangnan.

“He treated me very well, and I even considered taking him as my son-in-law. But he came from a scholarly family and was the eldest son of the family, so he definitely wouldn’t give me, a merchant’s daughter, the opportunity to marry into the family.”

Qin Yao tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Shen Qingtan: "Sister Shen, don't worry, I won't marry far away, I'll only take in a son-in-law who lives with me."

Looking into her dark, bright eyes and innocent smile, Shen Qingtan couldn't help but reach out and pat her head.

"Sister Shen, what's wrong?" Qin Yao realized something was amiss.

“A relative of the Duke’s family has come to visit. He is also surnamed Pei and is from Jiangnan. He came to the capital to discuss marriage with Wan’er. Unfortunately, he is of bad character and too frivolous. The old lady thinks he is not a good match and does not intend to betroth Wan’er to him.”

Although Shen Qingtan said this, there was no trace of regret on her face.

Qin Yao wasn't stupid, and asked bluntly, "Is he Pei Wuyan?"

Shen Qingtan nodded slightly.

Qin Yao thought of how Pei Wuyan had come to the capital to discuss marriage, but had lied to her, saying that he had come to the capital for her sake. Her fair and pretty face immediately turned red with anger.

Then, she said with relief, "Luckily, I was only thinking about finding a son-in-law, otherwise I would have really been deceived by him."

Let this man enjoy the blessings of having two women.

He gained both power and wealth.

“Pei Wuyan’s goal is clear. I don’t know if he is after the Qin family’s wealth or if he is deliberately getting close to you because of our close relationship.”

Shen Qingtan cautioned, "Yaoyao, he is not a good match. No matter how sweet his words are or how well he treats you, don't be fooled by him."

Qin Yao is carefree and seems unaffected by any troubles.

But she's not stupid.

Whether it's for Sister Shen or for the Qin family's fortune, Pei Wuyan will definitely come knocking again.

Qin Yao's eyes darted around, determined to make him reveal his true colors and see who could fool whom.

The two women were far behind when they were talking. When they arrived at the entrance of the front hall, they saw that Mr. Qin and Mrs. Qin were completely relaxed.

Shen Qingtan led Qin Yao into the front hall, where they heard the Princess of Zhenbei say, "Nowadays, merchants in the Great Zhou Dynasty transport goods from the south to the north for sale, and then transport northern goods back to the south for sale, or they trade with neighboring countries in incense, rhinoceros horn, ivory, pearls, jade, cattle, and sheep. In recent years, some merchant ships have gone overseas. My family has merchant ships that go to sea; I wonder if your family is involved in overseas trade?"

This was Mr. Qin's area of ​​expertise, and he calmly said, "The Qin family's merchant ships went to sea last year, mainly to transport porcelain, silk, lacquerware and the like overseas. In particular, the celadon porcelain fired in our own kiln is exquisite and elegant, and it sells the best."

The group chatted about their businesses overseas, creating a harmonious atmosphere filled with laughter.

Qin Yao looked at her father, who had been clumsy when they entered the mansion, with a smile on his face as he chatted amiably with the Princess of Zhenbei.

She looked at the Princess of Zhenbei, whose hair was piled high and who was dressed in a blue robe. She was extremely beautiful, with a charming and graceful demeanor. She was gentle and approachable, without any airs.

Qin Yao understood that the Princess Consort of Zhenbei was specifically looking after their family, and immediately relaxed.

Princess Zhenbei noticed Qin Yao. The little girl was pretty, with a round, fair face and a pair of clear, bright eyes, pure and innocent.

Qin Yao blushed slightly as the Princess of Zhenbei stared at her, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Princess Zhenbei smiled gently: "Manman said you have a lovely personality, and I liked you the moment I saw you. It's true, I feel very compatible with you."

Qin Yao was so flattered that she didn't know how to respond. She smiled sweetly at the princess, revealing two shallow dimples on her cheeks.

Looking at his daughter who could only giggle foolishly, Boss Qin couldn't help but rub his forehead.

A short while later, the three Shen brothers appeared in the front hall.

They heard that the Qin family took good care of Shen Qingtan, and that Qin Yao and Shen Qingtan were close friends, so everyone prepared a gift for her.

Qin Yao looked at the aloof and taciturn Shen Du, the listless and lazy Shen Zhuo, and the thick-browed and big-eyed Shen Lue, and finally her gaze fell on Shen Qingtan's beautiful and bright face. She hugged the gift in her arms tightly.

A thought popped into her mind: Sister Shen's brothers were also her brothers.

Qin Yao smiled and called out, "Big brother, second brother, third brother, thank you for the gifts."

The three Shen brothers, suddenly having an adopted younger sister: "..."

Instead of joining in the festivities with their elders, they sat in a side room.

Qin Yao sat to Shen Qingtan's left, Shen Zhuo sat to Shen Qingtan's right, and Shen Du and Shen Lue sat opposite them.

The maid brought tea, fruit, and snacks.

Shen Lue took a slice of melon and placed it on Shen Qingtan's plate: "Little sister, this melon is sweet. I put it in an ice bucket to freeze it, so it's especially refreshing. Try it."

Then, he casually took a petal and gave it to Qin Yao.

Shen Qingtan frowned slightly as she looked at the melon on the plate.

She shouldn't eat cold things during her menstrual period.

Suddenly, a hand took the melon from her plate.

Shen Qingtan turned her head and saw Shen Zhuo take a bite.

Noticing Shen Qingtan's gaze, Shen Zhuo turned his head to look at her: "What are you looking at? Can't I eat?"

Seeing his stubbornness, Shen Qingtan deliberately said, "This was given to me by Third Brother. If Second Brother wants some, he can go get it himself."

Shen Zhuo didn't even lift an eyelid: "It's too far, I'm too lazy to carry it."

Qin Yao stared at Shen Zhuo's slender arms, then looked at the melon that he could easily reach out and grab, clearly bullying Sister Shen.

"Sister Shen, does Second Brother always bully you?" Qin Yao placed a bunch of grapes on Shen Qingtan's plate, deliberately provoking him: "Never mind, we still have Eldest Brother and Third Brother."

She'd rather stand up for herself than steam buns; if someone provokes her like that, she'll fight for her position.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhuo's face darkened, and he couldn't eat the melon in his hand.

He glared coldly at Qin Yao: "Who's your brother?"

Qin Yao immediately realized what he meant when she saw his reaction.

So it turns out he wasn't bullying Sister Shen, but just saying one thing and meaning another?

“Sister Shen’s brother is my brother.” Qin Yao took a bite of melon, her cheeks puffed out, and looked at him with her round eyes: “Second brother.”

Shen Zhuo: "..."

Shen Qingtan watched Shen Zhuo's discomfiture with a smile on her lips.

-

In the quiet and elegant teahouse, Zhao Jue and Pei Wuyan sat facing each other.

Zhao Jue pushed a booklet in front of Pei Wuyan: "I can't enter the Duke's mansion now, please help me with this matter, Brother Pei."