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

"Yaoyao."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Shen Qingyao's face lit up with surprise. She turned around abruptly and almost bumped into the other person.

"Senior Sister, what are you doing here?"

The person who came was none other than Ruan Hongshuang, Shen Qingyao's senior sister at Taiqing Temple.

Ruan Hongshuang wore a light gray-blue Taoist robe with small gold flowers, her hair was styled in a simple bun, and she had a warm smile on her face.

Seeing Shen Qingyao, her eyes were filled with joy and happiness. She naturally pinched Shen Qingyao's cheeks with both hands, her face full of affection.

“Little Yaoyao, why did you come here? Well, I’ve come here for the same reason.”

Shen Qingyao touched her ear somewhat embarrassedly. She had been silly to ask such a question.

"Senior Sister, I miss you so much!"

Ruan Hongshuang smiled and ruffled Shen Qingyao's hair with a delighted expression.

"Silly girl."

Shen Qingyao and Ruan Hongshuang walked and chatted as they entered the tent that had been set up.

By this time, a considerable number of people had gathered here, many of whom were wearing Taoist robes of various colors.

About an hour later, a few more people arrived.

When they gathered, Shen Qingyao took a quick look and realized that there were fifty or sixty people going down into the tomb this time.

About twenty of them were practitioners from various schools of Taoism, and there were even monks and shamans.

Shen Qingyao found Si Jingnian and discovered that he still had a dark expression on his face, and no matter what Shen Qingyao said, his attitude remained indifferent.

In the end, Shen Qingyao stopped trying to make a fool of herself and shut her mouth.

Si Jingnian glanced at Shen Qingyao with a resentful look, but ultimately said nothing.

As soon as the tomb door opened, Shen Qingyao couldn't help but furrow her brows tightly.

"Secretary Chen, we can't go down into this grave."

Before Shen Qingyao could speak, Ruan Hongshuang spoke first, her tone full of seriousness.

Ruan Hongshuang's words drew everyone's attention.

"This humble monk also believes that this tomb should not be visited."

Just then, a monk also stood up and agreed with Ruan Hongshuang's words, with a hint of worry in his eyes.

Shen Qingyao turned her head to look at Si Jingnian, but ultimately said nothing.

Shen Qingyao had seen Si Jingnian's attitude towards that secretary just now, and his official position was definitely above Si Jingnian's.

Although she didn't approve of going down into the tomb, as Si Jingnian's nominal family member, she didn't want to put him in a difficult position.

Besides, she knew that Ruan Hongshuang was personally brought by that secretary. Since he could personally invite Ruan Hongshuang, he naturally understood her abilities, and he would likely listen to her.

Si Jingnian felt Shen Qingyao's gaze and couldn't help but turn his head to meet her eyes.

He originally wanted to ask Shen Qingyao, but thinking about what happened in the car, he swallowed his words back in a fit of pique.

When Shen Qingyao saw Si Jingnian looking over, she was about to speak to him when she noticed that he coldly looked away, and a surge of anger immediately ignited within her.

She didn't expect Si Jingnian to be so petty. All she did was call him stupid, why was he so vengeful?

Meanwhile, only one monk agreed with Ruan Hongshuang's words. The others, for various reasons, even though some felt that the tomb was indeed very dangerous, ultimately said nothing.

When Secretary Chen heard what Ruan Hongshuang and the monk said, he looked conflicted, and a struggle appeared in his eyes.

"No! This is a task assigned from above; we must go down into this tomb."

Secretary Chen finally gritted his teeth and made the final decision.

Ruan Hongshuang frowned, her face full of disapproval. She hadn't expected that even after she had said the tomb was dangerous, Secretary Chen would still insist on going down.

Shen Qingyao couldn't help but frown. She knew Ruan Hongshuang's abilities best. If she said that it was not possible to go down into the tomb, then it must be very dangerous inside.

"Secretary Chen, this tomb is extremely ominous. If we go down, I'm afraid everyone will be in grave danger. We must not go down."

Ruan Hongshuang remained undeterred and hoped to persuade Secretary Chen to change his mind.

“I agree with Senior Sister’s opinion; we really can’t go down into this tomb.”

In the end, Shen Qingyao couldn't resist and walked over to Ruan Hongshuang's side.

When Secretary Chen saw Shen Qingyao suddenly walk over, a look of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Who are you? Who sent you?"

Secretary Chen looked at Shen Qingyao with displeasure, his eyes somewhat cold.

Ruan Hongshuang stepped forward and grabbed Shen Qingyao. Just as she was about to introduce Shen Qingyao's identity, she was interrupted by a voice.

"Secretary Chen, this is my wife, Shen Qingyao."

Si Jingnian walked over with neither arrogance nor servility and took Shen Qingyao's hand, a perfectly timed smile on his face.

Upon hearing Si Jingnian's words, Secretary Chen's displeasure vanished, replaced by surprise and joy.

"Oh? So you're General Si's wife. They're a perfect match, a match made in heaven."

Si Jingnian's smile froze slightly upon hearing this, then vanished in an instant, making Shen Qingyao, who had been staring at him, think she had misread it.

“Secretary Chen, my wife is a disciple of Taiqing Temple in Lingzhou City. She and this Senior Sister Ruan are from the same sect. Since you invited Senior Sister Ruan, you must recognize her abilities. Now, my wife, Senior Sister Ruan, and this master all believe that this tomb is not suitable. Why don’t you reconsider?”

Although Si Jingnian was still sulking with Shen Qingyao, he was able to distinguish between what was important and what was urgent when it came to serious matters.

He had witnessed Shen Qingyao's abilities more than once. Since she said that the tomb could not be descended, there must be a reason why it could not be descended.

Upon hearing Si Jingnian's words, Secretary Chen's hesitation became even more pronounced.

Just when everyone thought that Secretary Chen would give up his decision to go down into the tomb because of Si Jingnian's words, he seemed to have made up his mind, his expression firm, determined to go down into the tomb.

"We have to go! Otherwise..."

Secretary Chen didn't say anything more, and no one knew what would have happened otherwise.

Shen Qingyao and Ruan Hongshuang both frowned, their faces showing unusually solemn expressions.

Seeing Si Jingnian's puzzled look, Shen Qingyao sighed, her mood somewhat heavy.

"Si Jingnian, this tomb is extremely ominous and dangerous."

Shen Qingyao's solemn expression made Si Jingnian's heart sink, but he knew very well that Secretary Chen was unlikely to change his mind.

"Ayao, I'll talk to Secretary Chen in a bit, and you can meet us up there."

Si Jingnian pondered for a long time, feeling somewhat regretful. If he had known the tomb was so dangerous, he wouldn't have brought Shen Qingyao along.

Do you think I, Shen Qingyao, am a coward who fears death?

Shen Qingyao's expression darkened slightly, and she rolled her eyes at Si Jingnian with some displeasure.

When Si Jingnian realized that Shen Qingyao had misunderstood him, he was speechless, but he still patiently explained.

“I’m worried about you getting hurt. At least one of us has to stay outside. If I don’t make it out… at least Mom still has you. If something happens to both of us, Mom won’t be able to handle the shock.”

Shen Qingyao knew perfectly well that Si Jingnian was doing this for her own good, not wanting her to go on the adventure, but she couldn't bear to wait outside.

"Then you stay outside, I'll go in."

Si Jingnian smiled and reached out to ruffle Shen Qingyao's hair, his eyes full of affection.

"I need to stay by Secretary Chen's side. Don't worry, I'm quite skilled, and I also have the jade pendant you gave me. I'll be fine."

Shen Qingyao shook her head again, refusing to stay outside no matter what.