He took a deep breath, his face ashen: "Why don't you just strangle me?"

Asking him to study is like asking him to die!

"Too late!" Shen Tangning sneered. "We're in the same boat. We share the same fate, and I can't afford to be worse off than Shen Xiwei from now on! Do you understand what I mean?"

Chi Yan shook his head and said earnestly, "One shouldn't be so competitive."

Those beautiful eyes suddenly glared at him, and he looked embarrassed and dejected: "I'll go sleep in the study."

Shen Tangning frowned, her eyes brimming with tears: "On our wedding night, you abandoned me to sleep in the study. Did you want me to become the laughingstock of the entire Chi family?"

Sleeping in the study isn't allowed either?

Chi Yan's eyes suddenly lit up, and she became shy: "Then I can..."

Shen Tangning: "Sleep on the floor."

Chi Yan: "...Oh."

I might as well sleep in the study!

*

Early the next morning.

There was a knock on the door, and Xueqing's voice came from outside: "Miss, is the young master awake? This servant will help you with your washing and dressing."

Shen Tangning opened her eyes and sat up: "Come in."

She glanced at the person lying on the ground in a "spread-eagle" position. Chi Yan was sleeping soundly, and the noise hadn't woken him up at all.

She thought to herself, thankfully he doesn't snore, otherwise she really would have sent him to the study.

Xueqing looked at the person on the ground, only surprised for a moment, then walked past without changing her expression.

She put down the washbasin, soaked and wrung out a towel, and handed it to Shen Tangning, asking with concern, "How did you sleep last night, Miss?"

Shen Tangning nodded: "It's acceptable."

Xueqing felt relieved and smiled. "Things aren't doing too well in the east courtyard." She lowered her voice. "I heard that quite a few things were broken in the Lady of the Marquis's courtyard."

Shen Tangning's lips curled slightly. "You can't stand it already?"

It's still early.

In her previous life, on their wedding night, Chi Jingyu abandoned her to sleep in the study. The Lady of the Marquis gave her gifts to appease her on the surface, but openly and secretly accused her of being incompetent in keeping her man.

What a joke! His heart isn't even with her; does he expect her to keep him tied to her waistband?

She scoffed lightly, slowly wiping her hands, then remembered something: "Oh right, after you've paid your respects, remember to go to the east courtyard and retrieve my dowry."

A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes. "Take the inventory list with you. The Marquis's estate is so vast, and the Marquis's wife is upright and honest; she would certainly not keep a single thing to herself."

She knew all too well that although the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion appeared prosperous on the surface, it was actually struggling financially.

They consider themselves refined and disdain material possessions, yet they insist on putting on a show of wealth and don't understand the importance of increasing income and reducing expenditure.

She brought a considerable dowry, most of which was used to cover up her financial difficulties.

In this life, with Shen Xiwei's dowry, who knows how long it will last for them to squander?

"Go wake up your son-in-law; we still need to serve tea to your parents later."

Xueqing went to call for help as instructed. Chi Yan turned over, covered her head with the blanket, and continued to sleep. Xueqing looked helpless and felt indignant for her young mistress!

What hope is there in life after marrying such a person?

Having no other choice, Shen Tangning came to invite him personally. She lifted the covers, glanced at him coldly for a while, and said gently amidst Chi Yan's impatient expression, "Husband, get up."

Chi Yan jolted awake, completely dispelling her drowsiness!