From an outsider's perspective:

They weren't familiar with each other at all.

They even became particularly distant because of the differences between men and women.

Even Kong Qing, standing to the side, sighed inwardly:

Both of them are quite good at pretending.

Shen Zhiyi hoped he would leave quickly, but fortunately he didn't stay long after dinner: "The Duke and his wife have just returned to the capital, so I won't disturb your rest any longer."

"It's getting late, Your Highness should go back and rest early." The Shen family members all saw him off as he left the mansion.

As he passed by Shen Zhiyi, their hands brushed lightly against each other...

Shen Zhiyi's breathing tightened slightly as she pondered when he was about to do something. Zhou Xuance, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, slipped something into her hand.

What... what is this for?

She was also worried that her family would see the two of them acting strangely, and Zhou Xuance had already taken a big step to distance himself from them. Shen Zhiyi was secretly annoyed and could only put the things into her sleeve.

Peeking inside, I discovered it was a small purse. Upon opening it, I found it contained woven five-colored silk threads.

Shen Zhiyi vaguely recalled that when he was still Xiao Zhongxuan, he had been weaving this...

It has now been woven into a bracelet, but things have changed and people are no longer the same.

She quickly put the purse away and followed her family into the hall.

Shen Muzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, we've gotten rid of this plague."

"You scoundrel!" Shen Chongde almost threw a teacup at him. "This is the capital, not the northern frontier. We must be even more careful with our words. A single wrong word could bring disaster to the Shen family."

"Father, I understand." Shen Muzhi pursed his lips. "I always felt that he had ill intentions."

Shen Chongde stroked his beard, deep in thought.

Chen Zhiyi, feeling guilty, picked up his cup and drank tea.

“He’s been purging the army lately, could he be targeting the Northern Army?” Shen Chongde could only think of this possibility.

"That kid..."

"Are you trying to harm me?!"