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

Chapter 246 Young Master Gu Invites You Over

Shen Qingtan stared at the pebbles at the bottom of the steps, then slowly raised her eyes to look at them.

A figure appeared at the doorway, wearing a blue-faced, fanged mask and holding a long spear, which he wielded with great power and skill.

After showing off his marksmanship, Shen Lue slung the spear over his shoulder, lifted his mask to reveal a set of bright white teeth, and asked, "Little sister, isn't your third brother cool?"

Looking at his sweaty face, Shen Qingtan saw a smile that was brighter than the blazing sun, dispelling the gloom in her heart.

Her eyes softened, and she smiled, saying, "Third Brother, your marksmanship is really cool."

Shen Lue received praise and became even more radiant.

He threw his spear to the ground and rushed over to Shen Qingtan's side: "Sister, there is a custom in the border town. Every year during festivals, there is a grand blessing ceremony. The local officials carefully select a group of young girls, who wear masks of little lucky babies and dance the blessing dance."

He raised his arm to wipe the sweat from his temples: "I'm a grown man, I can't exactly dance, can I? I'm just showing off this gun technique to pray for my brother-in-law's well-being."

Shen Qingtan stared blankly at Shen Lue. From the moment she saw him appear wearing a mask, she knew he was deliberately trying to make her happy.

Who would have thought that the seemingly simple-minded and careless third brother was actually extremely thoughtful? Every gift he gave them was unique and showed his care in every detail.

For example, the longevity turtle I specially gifted last time, and today's special blessing spear technique.

“Third Brother, you performed a blessing dance for Second Master, he will surely be safe and sound.” Shen Qingtan took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to him. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something and suddenly asked, “Third Brother, do Eldest Brother and Second Brother know about your blessing dance?”

Shen Lue took Shen Qingtan's handkerchief, wiped his face haphazardly, and said with considerable confidence, "Of course I don't know."

Such an embarrassing thing should be left for the younger sister to see alone.

If the other two people knew, who knows how much they would laugh at him.

Shen Qingtan's lips twitched, and she pressed her finger to her lips, calling out to Shen Lue's back, "Big brother, second brother, you've arrived."

Shen Lue was stunned for a moment, then blankly followed Shen Qingtan's gaze and looked behind him.

Shen Du and Shen Zhu stood at the gate of the courtyard like two guardian deities.

His thick, dark eyebrows twitched: "When did you two get here?"

Shen Zhuo raised an eyebrow: "Not long, around the same time as you."

Shen Lue's eyes widened suddenly.

This time, Shen Zhuo surprisingly didn't laugh at him.

Shen Du glanced at the tightly closed door and walked steadily to Shen Qingtan.

"Manman, you wanted to know about the customs of Liangzhou, but due to your brother-in-law's illness, it was inconvenient for you to go there." Shen Du said gently, "My eldest and second brothers have found a place where the layout is exactly the same as in Liangzhou. Would you like to go and take a look?"

A warm feeling welled up in Shen Qingtan's heart. Her brothers, fearing that she was still thinking about Zhao Yi, tried their best to cheer her up and take her out to relax.

She shook her head: "Brother, let's go tomorrow."

Shen Du fell silent for a moment.

Over the years, he had never been with another woman, let alone knew how to win her over.

He looked at Shen Zhuo beside him, as if asking him for advice.

Shen Zhuo frowned, his expression mirroring that of someone caught in a perplexing puzzle.

Seeing her brothers racking their brains to coax her, Shen Qingtan felt a little relieved.

She explained, "Brother, Second Master was detoxified today, and I haven't adjusted my mindset yet. I'm not in the mood to enjoy the scenery right now, and I'm afraid I'll disappoint you all."

Hearing this, Shen Du's eyes softened: "It's alright, then we'll go tomorrow." After a pause, he added, "Mother has prepared breakfast, will your elder brother take you to eat?"

Shen Qingtan nodded: "Okay."

-

The night was cool and still, and Shen Qingtan lay in bed, wide awake.

Since their marriage, she had rarely slept separately from Zhao Yi, and had long been accustomed to having him by her side. Now, suddenly separated from him, with his fate unknown, she had worries on her mind and could hardly sleep.

She got out of bed, chose a material, and wanted to embroider a sachet, but her mind was blank, and she had no idea what pattern to embroider.

She tried to copy Buddhist scriptures to calm her mind, but she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, and her heart was becoming increasingly unbearable.

Shen Qingtan lay back on the bed, disheartened, and tossed and turned until dawn.

Liu Yue came in to help Shen Qingtan get up. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, she said with concern, "Second Madam, you didn't sleep well. Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Shen Qingtan pressed her temples: "I'm going out with my brothers today."

Liu Yue stopped trying to persuade her and helped Shen Qingtan with her makeup.

After Shen Qingtan finished her meal, she came out of the courtyard and saw her three older brothers standing in a row at the door waiting for her.

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, have you been waiting long?" Shen Qingtan smiled. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

Shen Du, Shen Zhuo, and Shen Lue barely slept last night, keeping watch over Shen Qingtan with worry in their hearts. They stood outside the courtyard and noticed that the lights in the house kept going off and on, then off again, several times.

They subtly observed Shen Qingtan's expression, noticing her listless demeanor.

"We've already eaten," Shen Du asked. "Is it alright for us to go out today?"

“Sure,” Shen Qingtan urged, “Let’s go.”

The three brothers rode horses and escorted a carriage to a mansion.

Shen Qingtan stood at the entrance of the main house, turning around to see her brothers standing motionless beside her.

Shen Du seemed a little nervous, his face tense.

Shen Zhuo unconsciously tugged at the tassel of the sword at his waist.

Shen Lue rubbed his large hands together: "Sister, open the door."

Shen Qingtan took in the expressions of the three people and was very confused. This house was very ordinary, no different from the house she lived in, and she could not see any border-style features.

She suppressed her doubts and pushed open the door with both hands.

The scene inside the room gradually came into view; the huge sand table almost occupied the entire room.

The sand table features snow-capped mountains shrouded in mist and clouds, a vast and majestic desert, a desolate Gobi, imposing passes, and cities brimming with the charm of rural life.

The entire microcosm of Liangzhou is perfectly replicated on the sand table, offering a complete view.

Shen Qingtan stared at the wisps of smoke rising from the beacon tower, as if she could see the majestic scene of iron horses galloping and conquering all directions.

Her brothers went to great lengths to present her hometown, the place where she was born and raised, to her.

Her mind was no longer blank; she had a deep understanding of the place where she was born.

Shen Lue pointed to the city where the flag was located: "Sister, our home is here."

Unable to suppress her emotions, Shen Qingtan turned around and hugged Shen Du beside her.

Shen Du was stunned. After a long while, he raised his hand and gently embraced Shen Qingtan.

Shen Lue's eyes widened. He was the one introducing the younger sister, so why was she hugging her older brother instead of him?

-

After Shen Qingtan and her brothers went out for a while, she stayed in the house for the next few days, embroidering sachets for Zhao Yi.

She was convinced that as long as she finished embroidering the sachet, Zhao Yi's illness would be cured.

On this day, the last stitch of the sachet was completed.

Tingxue rushed in, "Second Madam, Young Master Gu requests your presence."