Shen Zhiyi was drinking tea when her father's words startled her. She choked on her tea and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing twice.

"Were you scared?" Shen Muzhi was sitting next to her.

"This man is notoriously ruthless. He used to be at odds with my father, but now he's suddenly showing goodwill. I always feel he has ulterior motives. People are being arrested everywhere in the capital lately, and the atmosphere is tense. It's hard to say whether he has designs on our Shen family."

"And you even said there's nothing in our family that he'd be interested in?"

...

Shen Zhiyi coughed as she stood up. "Father, Mother, it's getting late. You must be tired from your journey. You should rest early."

Everyone dispersed, and only after Shen Zhiyi returned to his room did he reopen his purse. He stared at the woven five-colored silk for a long time, wondering what he wanted to do and what he desired.

It's impossible between them.

His Majesty will never allow them to be together.

Why did he have to do this?

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and she quickly hid the five-colored silk. "Who is it?"

"It's me," came Xu Yunyi's voice.

"Mother," Shen Zhiyi hurriedly got up to open the door, "Why are you here so late?"

"It's been so long since I've seen Zhiyi. Mom wants to sleep with you tonight, is that alright?"

"sure."

Shen Zhiyi gestured for her mother to sit down and had a maid bring her another light blanket. Xu Yunyi merely glanced at her indifferently until the mother and daughter lay down together on the same bed before she slowly spoke: "Zhiyi..."

"Um?"

"You've suffered because your parents aren't here regarding the Song family matter."

"Mother, it's all in the past. It's my fault for misjudging people. I almost fell out with you and Father over such a scumbag. When I married him, you and Father were the subject of much gossip, and now you're divorced..."

When Shen Zhiyi thought of how her parents had died because of her in her previous life, her throat tightened with emotion.

"It's not your fault." Xu Yunyi turned over, facing her daughter, and gently hugged her.

"Leaving aside the fact that Song Yuxiu was very good at hiding his true feelings, even if he didn't have a mistress at that time and was sincere towards you, people's hearts are fickle, and who can guarantee that he will always be the same towards you?"

"You don't need to pay attention to what outsiders say. If you meet someone you like who is good to you in the future, don't reject them. There are so many men in this world, there will always be someone who treats you sincerely."

"Even if you don't meet someone like that, your parents can still support you for the rest of your life."

Listening to her mother's words of comfort, she felt even more distressed, and leaning against her mother, her eyes unconsciously welled up with tears again.

**

Shen Zhiyi and her mother had a private conversation that lasted half the night. They woke up a little late and only learned during breakfast that their father and elder brother had gone to court. Only their younger brother, Shen Qi'an, was engrossed in a military book early in the morning.

"Madam, these are visiting cards from various families..." Xu Yunyi's maidservant presented a pile of cards.

When my father returned to Beijing, there were quite a few people who wanted to curry favor with him.

Apart from the Wen family, no one else was allowed to enter the Duke's mansion.

While her mother was talking to Madam Wen, Shen Zhiyi held hands with Wen Qing and whispered something to her.

After the Wen family left, the mother suddenly asked, "When did you and that girl Qingqing get back together?"

Ever since Shen Zhiyi married Song Yuxiu, she has gradually distanced herself from Wen Qing.

“I’ve met Lilan before. I was foolish before, focusing all my attention on the Song family and neglecting the people who truly care about me.”

Wen Qing had advised her countless times that Song Yuxiu was not a good man.

I was head over heels in love at the time, so naturally I couldn't stand hearing that.

Moreover, her father was merely a former Grand Tutor, of no help to the Song family, and Song Yuxiu had also whispered in her ear that she should not associate with him.

"Wen Qing is a good girl," Xu Yunyi said with a smile. "You're on good terms with her, but do you know if she likes your brother?"

“Mother,” a hint of surprise flashed across Shen Zhiyi’s eyes.

“Jingchuan is not young anymore and has long reached the age to get married. Qingqing has not thought about marriage for many years. Just now, Madam Wen subtly inquired whether your elder brother had a girl he liked. I am not stupid, how could I not know what the Wen family is thinking?”

“Sister Wen must like Big Brother,” Shen Zhiyi said.

“When your brother comes back, I’ll ask for his opinion. While your father and I are home, we’ll finalize the marriage.”

"good."

Shen Zhiyi liked Wen Qing and naturally hoped that she would become his sister-in-law.

When Shen Jingchuan returned from court, Xu Yunyi asked for his opinion.

Wen Qing is well-educated and knowledgeable, and although she is the only daughter of the Wen family, she has no arrogance. He has no objection to this. "I may go to war at any time. On the battlefield, there is a high chance of death. I am afraid that it will delay her."

“She’s very good…I can’t let her suffer.”

Xu Yunyi said frankly, "If you understand that she is wronged, you should treat her even better."

"I know."

"After the Dragon Boat Festival, I will send someone to the Wen family to propose marriage."

Xu Yunyi was overjoyed, finally solving her eldest son's lifelong marriage problem.

Proposing marriage naturally requires a matchmaker, preparation of betrothal gifts, and many other matters. With many people watching the Duke's mansion's movements, the news of the Shen family's intention to form a marriage alliance with the Wen family spread quickly.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the Shen family was having a family reunion when they suddenly heard that someone from the palace had arrived, and everyone knelt down to pay their respects.

His Majesty's tall attendant came in person.

In gratitude for Shen Chongde's contributions to the country, a special imperial meal was bestowed upon him on the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Shen family members knelt to express their gratitude for the Emperor's grace.

After Gao Daban left, Shen Chongde opened the food box and found that it contained a bowl of owl soup.

There was an ancient custom of bestowing owl soup on the Dragon Boat Festival to warn ministers against being disloyal and unfilial like owls. However, since the founding of the Great Gan Dynasty, there has never been a custom of bestowing owl soup.

Your Majesty's actions...

This is a warning to the Shen family!

Shen Zhiyi pondered deeply. Since his father and brother returned to the capital, he had always behaved in a proper and disciplined manner, and even rarely interacted with court officials. Why was His Majesty warning his family?

Is it truly true that the wrath of Heaven is unpredictable?

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