The next day, Xueqing helped Shen Tangning with her washing and dressing, carefully examining her for a few moments before asking curiously, "Did you sleep well last night, Miss?"
As if remembering something, she pursed her lips into a slight smile: "It's acceptable."
Xueqing was puzzled, but it seemed she was in a good mood?
This is truly strange. Ever since she had a falling out with her son-in-law, the young lady hasn't smiled for several days.
Just as she was wondering, she heard Shen Tangning say calmly, "Wear that silver-red outfit today."
Xueqing looked up in surprise, then instantly understood: "Who is Miss going to visit?"
She lowered her eyes: "You'll find out when the time comes."
...
As the carriage entered the street and passed through a bustling area, a few whispers drifted over from a teahouse:
"Look at the sky, it doesn't look like it's going to rain at all."
"Exactly! I think these officials are just wasting their time and causing trouble!"
Inside the carriage, Shen Tangning raised her hand, and Xue Qing cleared her throat to signal the driver: "Stop the carriage."
The driver stopped the carriage by the roadside, and Shen Tang listened quietly.
"I heard this was the idea of that top scholar! Although he is very knowledgeable, can he really be so knowledgeable about everything from astronomy to geography that he is more professional than the people in the Imperial Observatory?"
"That's right, isn't this ridiculous! It's said that the imperial court even plans to relocate the people living downstream. It's the busy season in the fields, who would want to move?"
"If you ask me, everyone has their own expertise. If it's not something you're good at, then don't get involved, or you'll just make yourself a laughingstock!"
Xueqing clenched her fists, her face showing indignation: "What do these people know? Who are we doing this for? We're just doing good deeds and getting no reward!"
Shen Tangning remained relatively calm, a playful smile curving her lips: "Your son-in-law made a bet with the Minister of Works and signed a death pact before His Majesty. Tell me, who do you think is most eager for him to be scorned by everyone right now?"
Xue Qing's eyes widened suddenly: "Minister of Works?"
Shen Tangning's eyes darkened: "The louder the voices opposing Chi Yan are right now, the more confident he becomes."
She paused, her tone becoming somewhat sarcastic, "But he doesn't even consider that if things really happen, the backlash will come back to haunt him in the hundreds or thousands."
A glint of light flashed in Xue Qing's eyes: "This is called lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!"
Shen Tangning lightly tapped her forehead with her fingertip: "Let's go."
The carriage set off again, arriving at the gate of the Xie residence.
The gatekeeper recognized her and came to greet her. Shen Tangning dismounted and stood still, asking, "Is my maternal grandfather at home right now?"
She came to visit Grand Tutor Xie today because he was on leave at home.
The gatekeeper nodded: "The old master is probably in his study right now."
Shen Tangning, familiar with the place, arrived at the study and waited for the servant to announce her arrival. She was somewhat apprehensive, fearing that her maternal grandfather would refuse to see her.
But her worries were undoubtedly unnecessary, and soon the servant invited her in.
Upon entering the house, I saw my maternal grandfather sitting by the window practicing calligraphy. He was nearly eighty years old, and his health was still relatively good, though his hair was almost entirely white, giving him a refined and otherworldly air.
Her mother was his youngest daughter.
Shen Tangning stepped forward and bowed respectfully:
"Tang Ning pays respects to her maternal grandfather."
Grand Tutor Xie only spoke to her after he had finished the last stroke of his brush: "Sit down."
Shen Tangning sat down opposite him, her eyes subtly observing him as she organized her thoughts.
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