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

Chapter 138 Gu Zongci's Generous Gift

Zhao Yi was surprised that Shen Qingtan would pay attention to that divine tablet.

“I haven’t looked at it closely, so I’m not sure whose the ancestral tablet is. As far back as I can remember, every time I went to pay respects to my aunt, there was always another ancestral tablet behind hers.”

Zhao Yi coughed softly, paused for a moment, and then continued, "Every year there are several grand sacrificial ceremonies, during which the Emperor leads civil and military officials in performing the sacrificial rites. At that time, there will be no other ancestral tablets behind my aunt's tablet."

Shen Qingtan frowned slightly, a cloud of doubt rising in her mind.

Since Emperor Jing'an would remove the spirit tablet during a solemn sacrificial ceremony, why didn't he remove it on the anniversary of Empress Yuanrong's death?

Is it because they're family that they can be a little more casual?

She suppressed her doubts and looked at Zhao Yi with some surprise.

Because in her mind, he knew everything.

On the contrary, he was unaware of the divine talisman that was related to him.

Zhao Yi saw through her thoughts and smiled slightly, "The Emperor's favor towards me is unmatched by anyone in the entire court. It is precisely because of this imperial grace that I should be even more mindful of my conduct. I will not investigate what I should not know. As for what I should know, I will naturally find out when the time is right."

He raised his hand and gently stroked her soft hair: "Don't be too curious about the secrets of the palace."

As a child, he suffered from illness. He faced his mother's tearful eyes, his father's worried face, Emperor Jing'an's pain, and the imperial physician's life hanging over his shoulders. He tried his best to live as long as possible.

For him, just surviving was difficult enough, and he had no energy to care about anything else. He never sought out trouble for himself.

Later, he accepted his fate and stopped caring about external matters.

But fate brought her to his side.

Shen Qingtan understood Zhao Yi's previous thoughts. He had been told since childhood that he would not live long, so he had no desires and did whatever he wanted.

After marrying her, she became his responsibility, disrupting his peaceful life.

He learned to fight and to grab.

No longer content with desires and indifferent to fame and fortune.

Just to support her.

“The Emperor’s favor is a double-edged sword.” Shen Qingtan looked at his pale face and subconsciously moved closer to him. “If you were in good health, you would inevitably attract the jealousy of petty people.”

It was precisely because he was not expected to live long that the people in the palace tolerated his presence.

“Once some things are revealed, the surface calm can no longer be maintained.” Shen Qingtan smiled at him: “You’re right, when the time comes, you will naturally know.”

Whatever the hidden reasons behind Emperor Jing'an's favoritism towards Zhao Yi, as long as his feelings were genuine, that was enough.

Even if the outcome is bad, it's simply a matter of dealing with whatever comes our way.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Qin residence, and Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi got off the carriage together.

Upon seeing that it was Shen Qingtan, the doorman immediately and warmly invited her to the front hall.

The maid in the front hall said respectfully, "Second Master Zhao, Second Madam Zhao, please sit here and wait a moment."

After saying this, he arranged for someone to serve them tea, and then went to the study in the front yard to announce his arrival.

-

Inside the study, Boss Qin and Gu Zongci sat in armchairs, staring at each other.

Gu Zongci said politely, "Boss Qin, then I'll trouble you to give the items on the list to Tan'er."

Boss Qin gripped a list tightly in his fingers, his eyes bulging as he glared angrily at Gu Zongci.

I originally thought Gu Zongci was an upright person who wouldn't stoop to underhanded tactics, even in business competition.

But now Gu Zongci has given most of his shops in the capital to Shen Qingtan, and he even affectionately calls her "Tan'er".

It's as clear as day.

Boss Qin was filled with regret. He shouldn't have let a wolf into the house by introducing Gu Zongci to Shen Qingtan.

Now look what's happened, they're trying to steal his backer!

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Boss Qin glanced at the list again, the edges of which were crumpled from his grip. Gu Zongci was simply too extravagant. "Tan'er is of noble character and often says that one should not accept a reward without merit. Brother Gu, you and Tan'er are not very familiar with each other yet. It is inappropriate, too inappropriate, to suddenly give her such a large sum of money."

Gu Zongci knew it was inappropriate, but he also knew that Shen Qingtan was his niece and that he couldn't acknowledge her. He felt very guilty and wanted to treat her well in other ways.

After much deliberation, he decided to give Shen Qingtan more assets.

Although she had plenty, no one ever thinks they have too much money.

He didn't know much about Master Zhao and his wife, but as long as a woman had a lot of private property, her husband's family would always treat her better.

As for providing her with support and backing, we can only wait for her biological father to return.

“Brother Qin, this is my thank-you gift for Tan’er.” Gu Zongci’s serious face softened with a smile. “I know Tan’er’s character, so I specifically asked you to give it to her for me. You don’t need to say it’s from me; just say that you made a fortune in business and acquired many properties, and this is a bonus for her.”

Boss Qin's eyes widened, giving him a "do you know what you're saying?" look, and he said cryptically, "Brother Gu, have you had a doctor check your pulse these days?"

He said in a serious tone, "We are getting old and our minds are not so sharp. We are prone to making foolish mistakes, so I have the doctor check our pulse every day so that we can detect problems early."

Gu Zongci knew perfectly well that Boss Qin was implying that he had lost his mind.

But some things can't be said outright.

“I don’t like owing favors, and Tan’er will feel uneasy receiving this inheritance for no reason. After thinking it over, I came up with this compromise.”

Gu Zongci stood up, bowed to Boss Qin, and said, "Brother Qin, I owe you a favor this time."

Boss Qin had spoken with Gu Zongci and knew that he was an honest man who didn't like owing favors.

The fact that they performed such a solemn bow shows that they were serious about it.

He quickly said, "Since you are sincere, I will deliver it to Tan'er on your behalf."

"Thank you very much, Brother Qin."

Gu Zongci was about to ask Boss Qin about the news of the Duke of Zhao's mansion.

At this moment, a servant came from outside and said, "Master, the maid from the front hall has come to tell you that Master Zhao and his wife have arrived."

Boss Qin glanced at Gu Zongci.

Gu Zongci pointed to a wall: "Please invite someone to the tea room next door for a chat."

Boss Qin called out, "Go and invite them to the tea room."

"Yes." The attendant acknowledged the order and left.

After putting away the list, Boss Qin took Gu Zongci to the tea room next door, intending to say a few words to him.

To everyone's surprise, they saw Gu Zongci straightening his clothes and sleeves, and even smoothing his hair.

Boss Qin: "..."

He tentatively asked, "Brother Gu, what do you think of Tan'er?"

Gu Zongci replied without hesitation, "Indeed, as you say, there is no other woman in the world as intelligent as her."

Boss Qin looked at him in horror: "..." You didn't say that last time!

Before he could voice his doubts, Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi arrived.

As soon as the two entered, their eyes involuntarily turned to Gu Zongci.

Gu Zongci's gaze also fell on the two of them.

Mr. Qin keenly sensed the change in atmosphere and even felt that he was somewhat superfluous in the room.

"you……"

Three pairs of eyes turned to look at him simultaneously.

Mr. Qin said dryly, "You guys chat, I'll excuse myself for a moment."

After saying this, Boss Qin left the tea room and closed the door behind him.

Only the three of them remained in the room.

Zhao Yi was the first to bow: "Uncle Gu."