"You little bastard! Where do you think you're going?"
...
The trees before her eyes grew incredibly tall, their branches lush and verdant, as if they could swallow her whole; the world appeared distorted and magnified many times over.
Something about the surroundings is not right.
Shen Tangning instinctively flinched, a sharp pain shooting through a certain area. She saw several "giant" children baring their teeth and claws as they chased after her, and her body reacted swiftly.
He took off running!
The aggravation of the pain caused Shen Tangning to let out a gasp—
Meow~
She froze, somewhat unable to believe that the sound had come from her own mouth!
However, the child behind her kept chasing after her, and she had only one thought in her mind:
We absolutely cannot let it fall into their hands!
She charged ahead recklessly, leaping and bounding with unprecedented lightness, her heart pounding in her chest, as if it would burst out of her throat and crash into someone's arms.
She dirtied her clean brocade boots, leaving a conspicuous plum blossom mark. Almost immediately, the atmosphere around her sombered.
She thought to herself, "It's over."
Then, she was lifted up by the back of her neck, and her moist, dark eyes were caught off guard by a probing gaze.
The man undoubtedly possessed a handsome and striking face, with deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and an expression that revealed neither joy nor anger. His lips, which she had kissed countless times, were coldly upturned as he casually observed her.
It was a banquet at the pool.
Yet it felt somewhat unfamiliar; this cold and profound temperament, this seasoned ability to keep one's emotions hidden, were things she had never seen before.
She caught a glimpse of the barely perceptible fine lines at the corners of his eyes and deduced that he was at least close to forty.
Chi Yan stared at her for a long time before calmly commenting, "So ugly."
"!"
Shen Tangning almost immediately bristled, her round eyes filled with disbelief. He actually said she was ugly?!
She flailed her short legs trying to scratch him, but Chi Yan frowned and pulled her away, saying, "You're filthy, don't touch me."
The official beside him, observing the situation, extended his hand: "This stray cat came from who knows where. It might hurt you, sir. Perhaps you should leave it to me to handle?"
Chi Yan didn't reply, his lazy gaze sweeping over the few chubby kids standing there, their faces flushed red. The person beside him immediately waved:
"You guys, come here."
A few little kids reluctantly approached, their uneasy eyes secretly glancing at Chi Yan, stammering and not daring to speak.
Even though they are young, they know people, not to mention that their elders have repeatedly warned them that it doesn't matter if they cause trouble, but there is one person in Yanjing who cannot be offended.
"Greetings, Your Excellency the Grand Secretary."
The cat in his arms was restless, probably because the position made her uncomfortable. She struggled a few times, and Chi Yan's brows furrowed even more tightly. He had no choice but to change his position to support her, but his eyes still showed disdain.
Unexpectedly, the kitten finally stopped fussing. It was no longer on guard and nestled comfortably in his arms.
For some reason, he suddenly smiled.
The officials nearby thought they had seen a ghost.
However, what happened next was even more unexpected.
Chi Yan looked up at the children and asked with interest, "Whose cat is this?"
The group looked at each other and shook their heads.
Chi Yan nodded in satisfaction. "Then she's mine now."
And so, the Grand Secretary gained a little darling by his side.
It wasn't a person, it was actually a cat.
At first, everyone was incredulous, but they gradually accepted it and then earnestly instructed the younger generation in their families:
We must not offend the Prime Minister, and even more so, we must not offend the Prime Minister's... cat!
*
Shen Tangning was lazily licking her fur; she couldn't help it, it was her body's instinct, and she couldn't control herself.
She was still very beautiful after washing herself; almost no one could resist her charm, including that old man, Chi Yan.
When she saw Shen Ci again, her heart was already at peace. He skillfully picked her up and kissed her, and was about to continue when Shen Tangning raised her paw to hold him down, glancing at him sideways to indicate that she should stop.
Shen Ci was puzzled: "Little thing, weren't you quite enthusiastic towards me at first?"
Shen Tangning sneered inwardly. Of course she would be enthusiastic about someone who had come back to life after being dead.
But that night, when she was showering Shen Ci with attention, Chi Yan didn't even let her sleep in the bed, coldly and ruthlessly telling her to sleep in the study.
This old man is incredibly jealous; he even targets cats. He's absolutely insane!
However, considering his advanced age and single status, Shen Tangning reluctantly accepted this minor flaw of his.
"A-Ning, come here."
Shen Tangning flicked her tail, skillfully jumped onto Chi Yan's lap, and nestled down in a comfortable spot.
Chi Yan casually brushed her fur with his fingers: "What brings you here?"
Shen Ci's eyes seemed to want to say something but hesitantly asked, "Why did you have to give a cat such a name?"
It's hard not to think of a certain person.
Chi Yan paused for a moment, then smiled and replied, "I'd be happy to."
"Alright." Shen Ci forced a smile, found a place to sit, and suddenly looked dejected. "My elder sister's death anniversary is coming soon. Are you going to pay your respects?"
Chi Yan goes there every year, which is why he asked this question.
Shen Tangning looked up, while Chi Yan lowered his eyes, remaining silent for a moment: "Go."
She noticed the change in his mood and subconsciously licked his hand, an awkward attempt to comfort him.
Who are you trying to fool with that long face? I'm right here, aren't I?
Shen Ci gazed at his profile, rendered in a play of light and shadow, and said, almost as if possessed:
"If only my older sister had married you back then."
If that were the case, she wouldn't have died.
The room was quiet; no one spoke.
Shen Tangning curled up awkwardly. Was it too presumptuous to discuss this in front of her?
Even now, she still doesn't know how Chi Yan felt about her in her past life, but he was willing to collect her remains, risk his life to save Shen Ci, and kill Chi Jingyu and Shen Chang...
Perhaps, in his eyes, she was still somewhat special?
Time passed so long that Shen Tangning thought he wouldn't answer Shen Ci's nonsense, when Chi Yan suddenly chuckled softly, his voice very calm:
"Then she probably doesn't like me."
Shen Tangning was taken aback. Why did he think that?
When Shen Tangning died, Chi Yan and Shen Ci were trapped in the distant northern border and unable to escape. They were outnumbered and outmatched, and it would be difficult for them to overthrow the Third Prince, who was also the new emperor.
Therefore, it was necessary to develop one's own power, but no one expected that Shen Tangning would die like this.
His heart was damaged, and he died in depression.
That's what outsiders say, but she was poisoned to death. Before she died, nobody knew what kind of life she was living.
Someone used their own death to clear her name, allowing her to rest in peace.
After a silent sigh, Shen Ci changed the subject: "I'm saying you're getting on in years, shouldn't you be settling down? How about I introduce you to a few?"
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