After the banquet, despite the warm invitations from Mr. and Mrs. Chi, the Feng family father and son politely declined the invitation to stay overnight.

They stayed in Yanjing for more than just a day or two; what kind of talk is it for them to stay at the Chi family's house for an extended period of time?

Anyone who didn't know better would think that poor relatives were coming to freeload!

There was nothing else Chi's mother could do but ask the driver to take them to the inn. Before they left, she earnestly told them not to hesitate to ask if they needed any help.

Shen Tangning's eyes flickered slightly, and she gave Chi Yan a wink. The latter paused, then casually inquired of Chi's mother, "Mother, is there something you need for Second Uncle's sudden arrival in the capital?"

Mother Chi smiled and said, "Your two uncles are planning to move their businesses from Jiangzhou to Yanjing. That's why they sent your second uncle over to scout things out first. And your cousin, your uncle is planning to have him take the imperial examination. Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—it has to be a promising career path!"

Knowing that she must be happy, Chi's father patted her hand and smiled, "It would be a good thing if we really moved to Yanjing. It would be much more convenient to move around in the future!"

Shen Tangning's eyes flickered, her gaze deepening imperceptibly:

Now that you mention it, she remembered that in her previous life, the Feng family had also visited her. However, as the eldest son's wife, she didn't know much about the second son's family and didn't pay much attention to them.

Looking back now, perhaps it was because of this incident.

In the end, however, the Feng family failed to move to Yanjing.

Because of Chi Yan's death, the second branch of the family fell into a slump, and the Feng family rarely appeared again. She only heard from someone that the Feng family seemed to have committed some crime and their property had been confiscated.

The entire Feng family, young and old, were exiled to the frontier.

She suddenly opened her eyes wide, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear black and white eyes.

Upon closer reflection, the timing of the Feng family's downfall is quite subtle, occurring shortly after Chi Yan's death. Could these two events be related?

"A-Ning?" She snapped out of her thoughts and met Chi Yan's teasing gaze. "What are you thinking about so seriously?"

His eyes and brows were languid, with a hint of a smile spreading from the corners of his eyes and brows, giving him a somewhat unconventional and unrestrained air.

Seeing his lively and vivid appearance, Shen Tangning quickly lowered her eyes and forced a smile: "It's nothing."

A shadow fell silently into her eyes, and she thought to herself:

Regardless, Chi Yan is her man, and anyone who wants his life will have to get past her, Shen Tangning, first.

Chi Yan frowned almost imperceptibly, but didn't press the matter further.

...

Back in his room, Chi Yan thought of Feng Zhiwen and stroked his chin: "Did my cousin offend you?"

Shen Tangning had something on her mind, and after a moment of thought, she slowly said, "What do you mean? Did he complain to you?"

She was genuinely surprised, as she considered it a minor matter, since she didn't consider herself perfect and couldn't please everyone.

Since the other party doesn't really care about her anyway, she might as well just leave them alone.

But the fact that Feng Zhiwen secretly complained to Chi Yan is quite intriguing.

"He said you were a bit cold towards him." Chi Yan's tone was somewhat teasing, clearly indicating that he didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

He would be uncomfortable if his wife were to be overly intimate with a strange man.

However, he was a little curious. Shen Tangning was always good at putting on a show, and his cousin was simple-minded. What kind of conflict could these two possibly have?

Shen Tangning glanced at him, her tone meaningful: "Your cousin is quite interesting."

After saying that, she turned and went into the house without offering any further explanation.

Chi Yan raised an eyebrow and followed.

*