Severing ties with family to marry the young marshal, his whole family chases me to the crematorium.

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows and onto the dining table, illuminating the hearty breakfast.

At this heartwarming moment, Si Jingnian learned from Shen Qingyao that she planned to return to Taiqing Temple in Lingzhou City.

At first, he frowned slightly, showing concern and hesitation, but after hearing the whole plan, he no longer insisted on stopping her decision.

However, to Shen Qingyao's surprise, Si Jingnian actually suggested that he go to Taiqing Temple in Lingzhou City with her.

This left Shen Qingyao speechless, as she had initially thought it was just a simple announcement of the itinerary. She muttered to herself:

"I'm not trying to run away or do anything bad, so why do I need someone to follow me all the time?"

So, she couldn't help but speak up:

"Isn't it necessary?"

Shen Qingyao's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction and helplessness.

However, Si Jingnian seemed completely oblivious to Shen Qingyao's disdain, nodding without hesitation and with unusual firmness in response:

“Absolutely necessary! The journey is long and there will be many inconveniences. I can take good care of you!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyao immediately realized that trying to reason with this stubborn person was probably a waste of breath.

Since that's the case, she decided not to argue any further and sighed softly, saying:

"Whatever you want! If you really want to come, then go ahead."

After saying that, she lowered her head and focused on drinking the steaming porridge in her bowl, ignoring Si Jingnian.

A brief and subtle silence fell over the dining table.

Not long after, Meng Shuqin, who arrived late, walked slowly into the restaurant with light steps.

As soon as she entered the room, she keenly sensed that something was amiss.

After scanning the room, she first saw Shen Qingyao, who was silently drinking her porridge without saying a word, and then noticed Si Jingnian sitting opposite her, whose expression revealed a hint of joy.

This combination of atmosphere filled Meng Shuqin with suspicion, wondering what had happened.

"What's going on with you two? Why are you both so quiet, not saying a word?"

Meng Shuqin frowned, a hint of displeasure on her face. She first glanced at Si Jingnian, then quickly turned her head away. When her gaze fell on Shen Qingyao, her eyes instantly sparkled like stars.

Si Jingnian was already used to his mother's obvious favoritism and double standards, but even so, at this moment he still felt as if he had been shot by an arrow.

Si Jingnian chuckled softly, muttering with a hint of helplessness:

"Mom, look at you! You've only just gotten a daughter-in-law, and you've already completely forgotten about your own son! Isn't that right?"

However, to Si Jingnian's utter surprise, such a casual remark earned him a merciless slap from Meng Shuqin.

With a sharp "smack," Meng Shuqin forcefully slapped her hand, then kept shaking her aching hand, her resentment towards Si Jingnian growing stronger.

Oh dear! She had completely forgotten what her own son did all day long; his muscular physique was as hard as a rock.

When she slapped him so hard, it was her own hand that ended up suffering and feeling the pain!

Shen Qingyao, who was standing to the side, took in everything. She keenly noticed Meng Shuqin's slight frown and then looked at Si Jingnian, who looked completely unconcerned. She couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Si Jingnian's gaze fell on Shen Qingyao's slightly upturned, crescent-shaped lips, as if he could discern her inner joy from that subtle curve.

He knew that this small expression meant she was in a pretty good mood, and with this discovery, the gloom that had been hanging over his heart seemed to be blown away a little by a gentle breeze.

Si Jingnian whispered to his mother:

"Mom, I plan to accompany Ayao back to Lingzhou City. We want to visit her master at Taiqing Temple."

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Shuqin, who was sitting to the side, nodded repeatedly without hesitation, indicating that she fully agreed with her son's decision, without showing the slightest bit of opposition on her face.

Immediately afterwards, Meng Shuqin responded earnestly:

"Yes, I think that's a good idea! Since we've encountered a problem, we have to find a way to solve it. Just relax and accompany A-Yao on this trip to find her master. Maybe they can find a good solution to the problem. After everything is settled, you two young couple can return home safely and continue your sweet and happy life."

However, perhaps out of concern for Shen Qingyao's feelings, he was afraid that what he had just said would cause her unnecessary thoughts.

After finishing her speech, Meng Shuqin paused briefly, carefully recalling each word she had just spoken, and repeatedly considering whether there was anything inappropriate.

After a moment, she seemed to suddenly realize something and quickly added an explanation:

"Jingnian, wherever you are, Mom hopes you will take good care of Ayao with all your heart. You must not let her suffer even the slightest grievance, understand? Mom will always be waiting for you to come home."

In fact, how could someone as intelligent as Shen Qingyao not understand her mother-in-law Meng Shuqin's good intentions?

She naturally understood that Meng Shuqin's words were deliberately spoken to her to reassure her and prevent her from overthinking.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingyao felt a warm current well up in her heart, and she was filled with gratitude for this considerate elder.

She just wanted to say that her mother-in-law was completely overthinking things; she wasn't that stupid as to not be able to tell the difference between sincerity and pretense.

"Mom, please don't worry! If Si Jingnian dares to mistreat me in the slightest, I will definitely run back to you to complain and tattle!"

Shen Qingyao's lips curled up slightly, her bright eyes sparkling with playful light, and her clear, bell-like laughter echoed in the air.

Her slightly exaggerated yet incredibly cute tone seemed to inject a fresh and lively atmosphere into the otherwise somewhat dull dining table.

Hearing the sound, Meng Shuqin looked over and saw her daughter-in-law, Shen Qingyao, smiling broadly and beaming with joy, clearly in a very happy mood.

Seeing this, Meng Shuqin's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. At the same time, she grew even more fond of this understanding and cheerful daughter-in-law.

"Alright! My dear Ayao, if that brat really dares to upset you, just hurry back to Mommy and tell her all about him. Then, Mommy will definitely teach him a lesson without holding back and help you vent your anger!"

Meng Shuqin responded with a smile, her words full of doting and protectiveness.

After saying that, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged a knowing smile, a heartwarming and harmonious scene that touched everyone's heart.

Seeing the loving mother and filial daughter-in-law in front of him, Si Jingnian couldn't help but feel happy too.

However, in order to appease this close-knit mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, he deliberately put on a pitiful and complaining appearance, muttering with a gloomy face:

"Oh my... Look at the way you're acting! It seems I have absolutely no status in this family!"

As soon as Si Jingnian uttered his half-joking, half-complaining remark, Shen Qingyao and Meng Shuqin burst into laughter, their bodies trembling with mirth.

In an instant, joyful laughter rose and fell, and the whole room was enveloped in a strong atmosphere of happiness.