Chi Yan told her about the fire at the East Palace as soon as he returned.

"The main responsibility this time lies with the Xixin Division, which mixed in inferior carbon by using substandard materials. As a result, His Majesty fined the entire Xixin Division half a year's salary and also punished two of the managers."

Chi Yan paused in his play with her hair, his tone intriguing, "However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise; His Highness the Crown Prince has been released from confinement."

The Eastern Palace urgently needed repairs and was temporarily uninhabitable. The Crown Prince had suffered a loss and needed to be appeased, so Emperor Chongde took the opportunity to lift the Crown Prince's confinement.

After careful consideration, Shen Tangning realized that the fire was unusual and most likely caused by human intervention. However, since her cousin had been released from confinement, it was a blessing in disguise, and a hint of relief appeared on her face.

...

Shen Chang's funeral was simple and hasty. Firstly, the Shen family's property had been confiscated, so a grand funeral was not an option. Secondly, he had been convicted and died, so it was not appropriate to make a big fuss about it.

So no one else was invited to the funeral; the family set up a mourning hall to pay their respects before burying the person.

After several busy days, Shen Tangning looked somewhat tired and didn't want to move much once she got into bed.

When Chi Yan returned from his bath, she was already asleep. He moved gently onto the bed and tucked her in with the covers.

Perhaps sensing the heat, she instinctively snuggled into his arms. Chi Yan half-embraced her, placed a kiss on the top of her head, and felt very satisfied.

Winter is still the best.

In the middle of the night, he noticed something was wrong with the person in his arms. Looking down by the moonlight, he saw that Shen Tangning's brows were furrowed, she was trembling slightly, and her temples were soaked with cold sweat.

She had another dream.

...

This time, she dreamed of Shen Ci.

Amidst the swirling yellow sands beyond the Great Wall, Shen Ci was on his way to exile. Gone was his youthful spirit; he sat silently and dejectedly in the carriage, clutching a purse tightly in his hand.

Shen Tangning looked down and recognized it as the purse she had given to Shen Ci before she left.

She embroidered every stitch herself, and filled the purse with gold leaves. She had heard that the place he was going to was harsh and cold, and he wouldn't be able to come back for a year or two. Before he left, she specially gave him this purse, hoping that he would suffer less.

When she heard the devastating news of Shen Ci's passing, the person who brought back this bloodstained purse was gone; the gold leaves inside had vanished, leaving only this tattered, crumpled purse.

This is Shen Ci's only remaining possession.

Shen Tangning's face turned deathly pale in an instant. She quickly realized what was happening and her lips trembled as she tried to remind him to run, but it was too late, and he couldn't hear her at all.

"Sir, there seems to be some movement ahead."

The carriage stopped, and Shen Ci frowned slightly, lifting the curtain to look over: "What's going on?"

The road ahead was blocked by a rock, which conveniently blocked their way.

The driver's voice carried a hint of unease: "How did such a huge rock end up blocking our way? I've heard this area is rife with bandits. Are we going to be unlucky enough to run into one?"

They were escorting Shen Ci to his new post, and there weren't many people with him to begin with. So, they were bound to panic when faced with this situation.

Shen Ci, being a martial artist, also sensed something amiss; the surroundings seemed far too quiet.

He made a decisive decision and shouted, "Turn around!"

The driver hurriedly turned around, but it was too late. A sharp whistle rang out, and horses charged down the hillside, surrounding them.

There were about ten people, their heads covered, carrying knives, looking like they were up to no good.

The overwhelming number of people made Shen Ci's heart sink, but he still spoke politely: "What are you doing, heroes? I am on my way to Tianshui County to take up my post by imperial decree, and I cannot delay my duties."

If you have come for money, I am willing to leave behind my valuables; please do me this favor.