*
In the afternoon, Shen Tangning went to the Xie family.
She was hosted by her two sisters-in-law. The younger generation of the Xie family consisted entirely of men, and she was quite familiar with her two cousins-in-law.
"You're here, why bring any gifts? You haven't been back for so long, are you treating us like outsiders?" Her older sister-in-law gave her a reproachful look and teased her with a smile.
My second cousin's wife, who had a more fiery temper, immediately turned her head and sneered, "Could it be that she's here to apologize on behalf of her husband?"
The atmosphere froze. Her eldest cousin's wife pinched her, her face embarrassed: "What nonsense are you talking about? Tang Ning, your second cousin's wife is just outspoken, please don't take it to heart."
Shen Tangning had anticipated this situation.
Chi Yan's proposed reforms were an open challenge to the powerful families, including the Xie family. They were about to ruin their own livelihood, so how could they give her a friendly look?
Now the rumors outside are even worse, saying that Chi Yan will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder, and can even turn his back on his in-laws without mercy.
Putting everything else aside, her father had already sent someone to invite her once, but she refused with some excuse.
Shen Tangning said calmly, "Second cousin-in-law is right, I am indeed here to apologize."
It's always better to talk things out openly than to create problems later.
Unexpectedly, she was so self-righteous. The other person glared at her angrily, her face suddenly turning red: "Shen Tangning, we haven't treated you badly in the past, have we? But look at what your husband has done!"
My cousin's wife looked a little serious and pulled her to sit down: "Alright, calm down first."
My second cousin's wife sat down, but her mouth still didn't stop, like a firecracker: "How can I stay calm? Who wants to be stabbed in the back by a relative? Do you feel comfortable with that?"
My cousin's wife pursed her lips and remained silent.
Shen Tangning lowered her eyelashes. Both of her cousins-in-law came from prominent families. Chi Yan's actions involved not only the Xie family, but also their maternal families.
She could completely understand her second cousin's feelings. She was straightforward and always wore her emotions on her sleeve. In her previous life, when the Xie family was massacred, she was the first to stand up and fight back, and she died the most tragically.
"Would you two be willing to listen to what I have to say?"
The eldest cousin's wife softened her expression: "Sit down and let's talk."
Shen Tangning sat down and gestured for the servants in the room to leave before slowly speaking: "His Majesty has long been determined to rectify the trend of powerful aristocratic families dominating the country. Even if it wasn't Chi Yan, someone else would have set the precedent."
Second cousin's wife clenched her fists, her tone sarcastic: "How can those be the same? He's your husband, and he's related to the Xie family in some way. What are you expecting us to think?"
Shen Tangning said calmly, "It is precisely because Chi Yan is doing this that we have the opportunity to protect the Xie family to the greatest extent possible, and even the maternal families behind my two cousins."
Both of them were taken aback.
My second cousin's wife looked suspicious, and slowly suppressed her anger.
The eldest cousin's wife looked somewhat serious and couldn't help but ask, "Tang Ning, what do you mean by that?"
“Take the Xie family as an example.” Shen Tangning’s tone became a little somber. “Now, my maternal grandfather is renowned, and his status in the court and among the people even far surpasses His Majesty’s. The students of the Imperial Academy all regard him as a role model for scholars. If this continues, my two cousins-in-law might as well guess what kind of fate the Xie family will face?”
The eldest cousin's eyes widened slightly, and she murmured, "His achievements are so great that they threaten the master."
My second cousin's wife also turned slightly pale.
They were all raised as mistresses from a young age, so they understood things very quickly.
She gritted her teeth: "Even if Your Majesty is going to take action, you must silence the public!"
Shen Tangning chuckled lightly, but her eyes were cold: "What if we frame the Xie family with a fabricated crime? His Majesty is the ruler, and we are his subjects!"
My second cousin's eyes widened, and she felt all her strength drain away, collapsing into the chair.
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