Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"Aren't you afraid that your grandmother will use your marriage to control you after you return to Beijing?" Yun Shuxuan looked at Shen Chuning with concern and asked softly.

Shen Chuning just shook her head slightly, and a hint of determination gradually appeared in her bright eyes.

She slowly began to speak, "Before, I stayed in the Third House for too long, and I had to rely on myself for everything. But now it's different. An Ning has a father and a mother. I believe that my father and mother will definitely not watch someone push An Ning into the fire pit."

Yun Shuxuan couldn't help but feel relieved. She gently stroked Shen Chuning's hair and said softly but firmly, "Silly child, even if it means risking my life, I will definitely protect you and will never let anyone hurt you."

On the other hand, Shen Chengliu and Shen Chengbai did not show much resistance to returning to Beijing.

Especially Shen Chengliu, he even had some expectations in his heart.

However, Shen Qinghe was reluctant to leave Yun Shuxuan and repeatedly told him to finish his business after returning to Beijing and bring Shen Chuning back as soon as possible.

The day of departure finally arrived. After Xie Xiuqi and Xie Xinyan heard the news, they rushed to see him off.

After getting the consent of the elders, Xie Xiuqi walked towards Shen Chuning and motioned her to go aside and talk for a few words.

The two walked side by side, gradually moving away from the crowd.

Although the crowd could not hear what they were talking about, they could see their actions, so it was not considered rude.

At this moment, Xuanying, who was standing in the dark, saw this and subconsciously wanted to take a step forward to catch up with the two people who were walking further and further away in front.

However, just as she was about to take action, she was grabbed by Xuan You beside her.

Xuan Ying frowned tightly, and asked Xuan You beside him impatiently: "Why are you pulling me?"

Xuan You quickly lowered his voice and responded, "Didn't you notice that the young lady just shook her head at us? If we rashly follow her now, I'm afraid she'll annoy us."

However, Xuanying was still unwilling to give in. She anxiously argued, "But Xie Xiuqi clearly has serious feelings for the young lady. If we don't keep a close eye on him, and if anything goes wrong, the Second Young Master will be furious, and you and I can't afford to deal with that."

After hearing this, Xuan You paused for a moment before saying, "That being said, Xie Xiuqi seems like a respectable gentleman, and they're not too far away from us, so I don't think anything unexpected will happen. Furthermore, the Young Master has instructed that, while ensuring the young lady's safety, we must not act against her wishes."

The two looked at each other, both feeling helpless.

In the end, they had no choice but to watch from afar, while secretly preparing themselves. Once they found Xie Xiuqi doing something inappropriate, they would immediately rush forward to stop him.

Fortunately, from beginning to end, Xie Xiuqi behaved well and stood quietly in front of Shen Chuning.

Xie Xiuqi asked softly, "After leaving this time, will you come back?"

Shen Chuning shook her head slightly, sighed softly, and replied, "Who can predict the future?"

Hearing this, Xie Xiuqi smiled slightly and said slowly, "It doesn't matter if you never come back. After the New Year, I will go to the Imperial College to study."

Shen Chuning raised her eyebrows slightly and asked in confusion, "Taishan Academy is in no way inferior to the Imperial College in terms of reputation and faculty. Why do you suddenly want to go to the Imperial College?"

Xie Xiuqi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile. He replied softly, "A few years ago, when I passed the Jieyuan exam, the Imperial College extended an invitation. Unfortunately, I was young and frivolous at the time and didn't take it seriously. However, today, after careful consideration, I find that the Imperial College is actually not bad. More importantly, it will allow me to be closer to you."

After saying this, he stared at Shen Chuning closely.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuning took a small step back, a look of astonishment crossing her face. She hesitantly said, "Master Xie, perhaps there's some misunderstanding between us? While it's your freedom to choose where to study, if it's just for me, there's no need to transfer from Taishan Academy to the Imperial College."

Xie Xiuqi quickly waved his hands and explained, "Miss Shen, please don't misunderstand me. This is all just wishful thinking on my part. I never expected a response from you. The reason I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart today is simply because I don't want to hide my feelings any longer."

He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind to say this.

Hearing Xie Xiuqi's frankness, Shen Chuning didn't know how to respond for a moment.

She stood there in a daze, her eyes wandering, her heart a tangled mess.

At this moment, Xie Xiuqi noticed her silence and assumed she didn't fully understand what he meant, so he added, "There's one more thing. Uncle Shen originally told me not to tell you about this for now. But after much consideration, I think you should know. Yesterday, I gave Uncle Shen a jade pendant that's been passed down from our ancestors. Aunt Shen will probably bring it with her to the capital this time as a token of our engagement."

Shen Chuning's face instantly darkened to the point of looking as if water could drip out of it. She stared at him with wide eyes, glaring angrily. She said in an icy voice, "Engagement token? How come I never knew I was engaged? This is absolutely ridiculous! I'll go talk to my father and mother right now and have them return the jade pendant to you."

After saying that, Shen Chuning turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute!" Before he finished speaking, Xie Xiuqi took a step forward and stood firmly in front of Shen Chuning.

He originally thought that he could face Shen Chuning's reaction calmly. After all, he had already prepared himself mentally for rejection.

But when he saw her resolute and ruthless rejection, his heart seemed to be suddenly grasped by an invisible hand.

At the same time, Xuan You and Xuan Yinger, who had been guarding in the dark, saw Xie Xiuqi's actions, and they flashed and flew in front of Shen Chuning, separating her from Xie Xiuqi.

Xie Xiuqi looked at the two people who suddenly appeared and realized that he had been too reckless today.

Through the gap between the two of them, he said to Shen Chuning: "Listen to my explanation."