The Empress's eyes showed worry: "You know Aci's personality. How could he understand so many complicated things? I'm afraid he doesn't realize his situation. That's what worries me!"

Yan Huai's eyes curved slightly: "I've observed that Aci's temperament has become much more composed, and Mother doesn't need to worry too much, isn't there still someone else?"

Her eyes flickered, and a sudden realization dawned on her: "You mean Tang Ning?"

——

"Should we let Aci and Yun'an spend some time together?"

Shen Tangning frowned, her eyes darkening. "It seems His Majesty hasn't completely given up on this idea."

Chi Yan shrugged: "We finally got a chance, why would we give it up so easily?"

He paused, raising an eyebrow meaningfully, "However, this might not be a bad opportunity. If we can get Princess Yun'an to give up this idea within this period of time, then things will be much easier."

She gave a slight smirk, but the smile didn't reach her eyes: "Not necessarily. She's determined to make things difficult for me, but expecting her to give up isn't that easy."

However, she will let Yun An know the price for provoking her.

Chi Yan nodded, then suddenly remembered something and said casually, "You and Chi Jingyu, you..."

Shen Tangning was taken aback, then looked at him calmly: "What's wrong? Why did you suddenly bring him up?"

He paused, then swallowed his words, replying casually, "It's nothing, I just think he seems to be mentally ill. You should stay away from people like him."

He was so righteous before, wanting to sever ties with her, but now he's acting like he's full of regret.

Chi Yan felt that this plot seemed familiar. Wasn't this the kind of "wife-chasing-after-the-cremation" plot he had read before?

Hmm, according to the common tropes in these novels, could he be the second male lead?

Chi Yan suddenly felt an itch in his fist.

Hearing his words, Shen Tangning couldn't help but laugh: "You're right, he really is mentally ill."

Hearing her tone, Chi Yan's irritation was instantly soothed, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

Thankfully, judging from the current developments, the "chasing after his wife" scenario shouldn't happen.

However, he really couldn't stand Chi Jingyu the more he looked at him.

I need to find a chance to beat him up...

Chi Yan had only thought about it casually, not expecting the opportunity to come so quickly.

——

Shen Tangning was worried that Yun An might harm Shen Ci, so she sent people to keep an eye on the Shen family's movements.

So, the moment Yun An invited Shen Ci to go shopping, Shen Tangning learned of the news.

Although it was called an invitation, the palace maid who delivered the message spoke with a rather arrogant tone:

"Our princess wants to go shopping and needs someone to carry her things. I'm sure Young Master Shen won't refuse such a small request, will he?"

Shen Ci immediately sensed that the newcomer was hostile. Given his usual temperament, he would have been furious the moment he heard those words.

Instead, he simply smiled calmly and said, "Okay."

—Author's Note—

I saw a reader's comment saying that I am suspected of plagiarizing the TV series "The Chef in the Flower Garden". First of all, I have never watched this TV series. You will never get rich by lying!

Secondly, her reasoning was also quite interesting: the male lead's character and personality were similar, and the female lead's personality was similar at a certain moment...

This is the first time I've heard of such a plagiarism detection technique. I watched a few clips out of curiosity, and the similarities are that the male lead is a playboy and the female lead encourages him to be more ambitious. I don't know anything else yet.

If plagiarism can be judged solely based on similar character settings and personalities, then online novels and TV dramas would probably be completely wiped out. After all, I first saw the trope of a spoiled brat being married off in "Wrong Carriage, Right Groom," so in that sense, everyone plagiarized from that show.

Are there any readers who have watched the drama who can share their opinions? If you've made it this far, you've probably read most of the book's plot. If I really plagiarized, I'd probably be exposed on various platforms by now. It's impossible that only a few people think there's a problem. Let's all be the judge!