Just as they arrived at the door, a servant boy, looking hesitant, said, "Second Madam, the Lady of the Marquis requests that the Second Young Master go to Furong Courtyard."
Shen Tangning subconsciously exchanged a glance with Chi Yan, finding this action rather intriguing.
If they have received the news and are preparing to offer their congratulations, there is no need to prevent them from taking a break and make them go to the old lady's place.
Madam Chi didn't think too much about it and said cheerfully, "That's right, such a happy occasion should make Mother happy too!"
Shen Tangning felt that her mother-in-law was too optimistic, but she didn't know the situation at the moment and couldn't offer any advice.
We can only take it one step at a time.
When the group arrived at Furong Home, they found that the atmosphere was not as joyful as they had imagined; instead, it was heavy.
Realizing something was amiss, Madam Chi's smile slowly faded.
Lady Hou was sitting to the left of the old lady. Hearing the sound, she looked up and her eyes fell on Chi Yan, her expression ambiguous: "Oh, Yan-ge'er is back?"
Chi Yan felt a chill run down his spine, as if her gaze was like that of some cold-blooded animal, icy and slippery, waiting for an opportunity to bite into his fatal weakness.
Seeing that Chi Yan was stunned and had not reacted for a long time, and was no longer as cynical as before, Shen Tangning's expression revealed an inexplicable coldness.
She felt something was amiss and couldn't help but reach out and tug at his sleeve, whispering, "Husband?"
Chi Yan then came to her senses, composed herself, and stepped forward.
Suppressing her doubts, Shen Tangning stepped forward to greet the old lady.
The old lady didn't rush to wake them up, but squinted at Chi Yan and asked, "I heard you came back as the top scholar in the provincial examination?"
Her words didn't sound like she was happy; instead, they sounded like a sarcastic and critical interrogation.
Shen Tangning's eyelids twitched slightly, and she thought to herself that the visitor was indeed up to no good.
People outside didn't believe Chi Yan could pass the exam, and by the same token, they didn't want to believe it either.
Madam Chi is not stupid. She knows what the whole family was like when Chi Jingyu passed the high school entrance exam, and what the situation is like now that her son has passed the exam.
She realized that this wasn't a congratulation at all; it was clearly an interrogation!
Chi Yan straightened up, neither humble nor arrogant: "Grandmother, I have been blessed by our ancestors and have lived up to your high expectations by passing the imperial examination with the highest honors."
Eagerly anticipated?
The old lady?
That's a joke.
The old lady felt a lump in her throat, then suddenly slammed her hand on the table, her face contorted with anger: "Chi Yan, how dare you! Do you even know what the crime of cheating in the imperial examinations is? Are you trying to drag the entire Chi family down with you?"
The harsh reprimands and interrogations came unexpectedly, giving Chi Yan no chance to defend himself.
Madam Chi was shocked. She looked at the old lady with a look of astonishment, gritted her teeth and squeezed out, "Old Madam, what evidence do you have to prove that Ayan cheated? You can't just say things like that without evidence!"
The old lady sneered repeatedly: "If it weren't for cheating, with your son's abilities, how could he have passed the imperial examination with top honors?"
Madam Chi felt as if needles were pricking her heart, and her face paled: "Why not? Ayan also passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve!"
Lady Hou's eyes darkened slightly as she spoke up to comfort her, "Sister-in-law, please don't get too agitated. Mother is just worried that Yan-ge'er might go astray in a moment of confusion."
What a blatant misguided path!
This still shows she suspects her son!
Shen Tangning frowned slightly: "Grandmother, Aunt, this list of candidates for the imperial examination has been reviewed by the Ministry of Rites before it was posted. If my husband's title is truly illegitimate, the people in the Ministry of Rites are not fools. What do you think?"
The old lady's face was ashen, and she couldn't answer for a moment. The lady next to her pretended to be puzzled: "I'm also curious. Usually, the messenger bringing good news would have arrived by now. Why is he so late?"
Shen Tangning's eyes trembled slightly: "..."
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