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

Chapter 260 The Big Wedding

Zhao Jue stepped into the courtyard and saw Shen Mingzhu sitting by the window mending clothes.

The last rays of the setting sun shone on her profile, adding a touch of spring-like gentleness, making it hard for anyone to feel any aversion towards her at that moment.

Before he was expelled from his clan, he was rebuffed by Shen Qingtan and, because of his frustration, he was often drunk.

In order to win his heart, Shen Mingzhu dressed up as Shen Qingtan and even imitated her every word and action to seduce him.

When he came to his senses and recalled what he had done while drunk, it felt like a dream.

"Third Master."

Shen Mingzhu spotted Zhao Jue and met his somewhat dazed expression. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled the last few nights at the Duke's mansion.

While Zhao Jue was half-drunk, she handed him a glass of wine laced with a drug powder, which would cause him to hallucinate and forget everything after he sobered up.

After all, she was faking her pregnancy, and if she didn't use any tricks, she would be exposed once she had sex with him.

"Have you had dinner out?" Shen Mingzhu put down her needlework and came out of the house. "If you haven't had dinner, I'll go to the kitchen and get you something to eat."

“No need.” Zhao Jue’s gaze fell on Shen Mingzhu’s lower abdomen, and he said in a low voice, “Your pregnancy is more advanced, and it’s very difficult for you to take care of my mother. I’ve arranged a small courtyard for you outside, which is very close to the clinic and is suitable for you to rest during your pregnancy.”

Shen Mingzhu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Are we going to move out together?"

"You can move out on your own, and I'll buy you a few maids to serve you. Just tell the maids what you want to eat or use."

Zhao Jue, feigning concern for Shen Mingzhu, said, "If you live with my mother and have several maids serving you, it will cause gossip."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhu was overjoyed: "Third Master, if I move out, what will happen to my mother-in-law?"

Zhao Jue patiently replied, "I have my own plans."

Shen Mingzhu didn't think much of it. It would be good for her to move out and live alone, so that it would be easier for her to "give birth" to a child.

She asked, "When am I moving out?"

Zhao Jue said, "We'll move tomorrow."

Shen Mingzhu readily agreed and walked into the house, saying, "Third Master, I'll go pack my clothes."

Zhao Jue stared at Shen Mingzhu's back, his eyes gradually hardening.

To protect his reputation, he wouldn't divorce Shen Mingzhu, so he could only imprison her in the outskirts of Beijing.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, he needed to marry Yue Niang as soon as possible.

Fearing that his secret would be exposed, Zhao Jue planned to talk to his parents and tell them that he was about to get married.

The second wife was already heartbroken and lay lifelessly on the bed waiting to die, ignoring Zhao Jue's words.

The second master pulled Zhao Jue to the door: "Why do you suddenly want to get married again? Shen Mingzhu is pregnant with your child. Are you going to divorce her?"

“She’s carrying my child, I can’t divorce her.” Zhao Jue instructed, “Father, once Yu Niang enters the family, the fact that I’ve been married will be impossible to hide. If she asks, just say that Shen Mingzhu and I have divorced.”

The second master went through it in his mind, but there wasn't a single young lady named Yu Niang in the capital.

Zhao Jue revealed Yue Niang's background: "She was an orphan who came to the capital to seek refuge with relatives, bringing her family business with her."

Upon hearing the word "family business," the second master's eyes lit up instantly, and he rubbed his fingers together, saying, "Son, your father is a little short of money right now..."

"I'll give you money once Yu Niang enters the household," Zhao Jue said. "Marry her within three months."

Upon hearing this, the second master immediately became anxious.

By the time his son married his new wife, Yue Niang had already been snatched away.

-

At the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, Shen Qingtan was feeding Zhao Yi a bowl of minced meat porridge.

When Jiang Mu came in from outside, he saw Shen Qingtan scoop a spoonful of porridge, blow on it to cool it down, and then feed it to Zhao Yi.

Since the Second Master was cured of the poison, the Second Madam has taken care of him personally, never entrusting it to anyone else.

At this moment, Jiang Mu suddenly had a thought.

He's getting on in years; it's time for him to get married.

Zhao Yi took a sip of porridge and looked up at Jiang Mu.

Jiang Mu was startled and quickly said, "Second Master, Second Madam, Third Master has sent someone to Wuping Lane to propose marriage. The wedding date is set for one month from now."

Shen Qingtan asked in surprise, "A month later?"

"Third Master said that Yue Niang is all alone and urgently needs a house to stay in. It would take at least a month to set up a temporary house. They will get married sooner or later anyway, so it would be better to get married as soon as possible so that Yue Niang will have a place to stay."

Jiang Mu smiled and said, "If Yue Niang's parents were still alive, he wouldn't be afraid that Yue Niang would be bullied. He would follow the proper procedures and marry Yue Niang into the family through the traditional betrothal ceremony."

According to the normal betrothal ceremony, it would take at least half a year before the wedding.

Zhao Jue wanted to swindle Yue Niang's money, so how could he wait?

He used the excuse of wanting to give Yue Niang a home to marry her as soon as possible.

Yue Niang had always felt that marrying Zhao Jue would make her a burden to him.

He married her without hesitation, and even considered it for her sake, so she didn't refuse him out of tactlessness.

Shen Qingtan did the math in her head, and a month seemed like it would be about right.

She put the bowl of porridge aside and continued, "Where is Shen Mingzhu?"

"Third Master rented a small courtyard in the suburbs of Beijing, and Third Madam lived in the courtyard." Jiang Mu frowned. "There were guards in the courtyard, and they didn't allow Third Madam to step out of the courtyard. Third Madam made a fuss, and in the end, the old woman locked her in the house."

Shen Qingtan sneered inwardly, whether in her past life or this one.

Zhao Jue's methods have really not improved at all.

To make room for the newcomers, the old guard is imprisoned, and then eliminated when the time is right.

The harsher he was on Shen Mingzhu, the more advantageous it would be for her.

Shen Qingtan instructed, "Keep an eye on it."

"Yes." Jiang Mu left the room.

Shen Qingtan brought a glass of water for Zhao Yi to rinse his mouth.

Zhao Yi took the teacup from her hand and placed it on the cabinet next to her.

"What are your plans for the day your third brother gets married?"

“Of course, we’ll give him a big gift.” Shen Qingtan smiled and said, “He’ll definitely like it.”

Zhao Yi smiled and gently patted her head.

It was quite noticeable that her mood had improved.

-

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was Zhao Jue's wedding day.