Being personally questioned about her marital relationship by an elder, especially her most respected maternal grandfather, made it hard for Shen Tangning not to feel embarrassed.

"Cough...it's not that serious." Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she explained in a low voice.

Grand Tutor Xie nodded calmly: "That's true. You're the kind of person who can't get into arguments with people; you just choose to handle things in a cold and indifferent way."

Having her secret exposed, Shen Tangning suddenly felt uneasy, her ears turning bright red. She awkwardly changed the subject: "You still haven't told me what Chi Yan said to you?"

Grand Tutor Xie stopped teasing her and said seriously, "I originally thought that your husband was young and impetuous, eager for quick success and instant benefits, and lacked consideration in his actions. He was not a good match for you."

Her lips moved, and she couldn't help but speak up in defense: "Although my husband lacks some experience, he is not a bad person at heart, and Tang Ning doesn't believe in the concept of being a good match or not in matters of the heart..."

Before she could finish speaking, Grand Tutor Xie looked at her with a half-smile: "I haven't even finished speaking, and you're already defending me?"

Shen Tangning then realized her lapse in composure and awkwardly fell silent.

Grand Tutor Xie put away his smile and continued, "That was before he proposed the reforms. He came to me for the first time and sincerely analyzed the situation of the Xie family with me, advising me to take the initiative to avoid their sharp edge." At this point, he snorted lightly, "However, his suggestion was too presumptuous, so I scolded him severely and did not give him a kind look."

She imagined the expression Chi Yan might have had at the time, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up. Then, she paused, realizing something, and asked, "So you already knew about it long before Chi Yan proposed the reforms?"

Grand Tutor Xie raised an eyebrow and nodded: "That's right. He told me his initial thoughts and His Majesty's plans, but I don't think he's a good candidate. The power of the aristocratic families is so immense. Does he think he can shake a tree with just one person?"

Shen Tangning was slightly taken aback. It turned out that her maternal grandfather had known all along. She had always thought that Chi Yan had acted first and informed her later, forcing her and the Xie family to make a decision.

Unexpectedly, he had already tipped off his maternal grandfather beforehand, and he had never mentioned this to her.

"I thought he would give up after being rebuffed by me, but who would have thought he would come to me again." Grand Tutor Xie shook his head. At that time, Chi Yan had already proposed reforms in front of all the officials, and there was no room for maneuver.

Grand Tutor Xie was somewhat annoyed that Chi Yan, as his granddaughter's husband, had chosen to take this path and stand on the opposite side of the Xie family.

He looked at the young man in front of him and said in a slightly cold tone, "Leaving aside the Xie family, have you considered Tang Ning when you did this? As your wife and my granddaughter, how will she face herself in the future?"

Chi Yan raised his head, his eyes solemn: "I did this for Tang Ning."

Grand Tutor Xie almost laughed, then shook his head, his eyes growing colder: "You speak so grandly, but in the end, you're just after your own selfish desires, after climbing the social ladder!"

He had met one such person before, and that was Shen Chang.

“You’re right, I do want to climb the ladder.” Chi Yan’s attitude was frank, his eyes clear and unwavering. “But if I want to climb the ladder, I clearly have a safer way. Why should I choose such a thorny path that everyone will condemn?”

By choosing to be the first to stick his neck out, he could gain the emperor's trust, but he would also offend many more people, and a slight misstep could lead to his utter ruin.

Grand Tutor Xie paused slightly, only to see the other party bow deeply to him: "Grandfather, if it weren't me, someone else would have been the one to strike the Xie family. It is precisely because I know the significance of the Xie family to Tang Ning that I chose to come personally to protect the Xie family to the greatest extent possible."

Grand Tutor Xie stared at him for a long time: "Why should I believe your one-sided story? Chi Yan, this is not how negotiations work. You haven't made any preparations, yet you want me to put the entire Xie family on your shoulders. Isn't that a bit delusional?"

Chi Yan raised her head, her eyes slightly blank.

Not long after, Chi Yan came to see him for the third time.

This time, he brought a more meticulous plan, which also made Grand Tutor Xie truly accept this young man.

...

Upon hearing this, Shen Tangning's expression revealed a strange look.

She hadn't expected that Chi Yan had done so much behind her back.

Even with such a tight schedule, he still had time to catch cicadas for her in the middle of the night. Did he really think he was an impenetrable fortress?

A hint of admiration flashed in Grand Tutor Xie's eyes: "I thought before that you were calm and composed and acted in a proper manner, while he was too flamboyant and unrestrained, and not suitable for you."