Chapter 161: Chapter 103: Shen Ruoxi Gets Slapped

The days passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already July.

The auspicious date for Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling’s marriage was set for August 16th.

This time of year was regarded as just right, allowing her to wear the intricate and luxurious wedding dress without the bother of stifling heat.

Shen Ruoxi seldom ventured out, only appearing in public for social engagements she absolutely couldn’t avoid.

In the Capital City, many women harbored jealousy toward her.

After all, she was blessed with stunning beauty, and despite being a second wife, she was marrying Prince Zhan.

And who exactly was Prince Zhan? He was the foremost object of admiration among the women in Capital City, his allure even surpassing that of Lan Jue.

How could they not envy this twice-married Shen Ruoxi for marrying Prince Zhan?

Lan Jue had achieved the top scholar position in the Spring Examinations, and Shen Ruoxi had always wanted to send him a gift.

However, whether to avoid suspicion or for other reasons, he hasn’t shown up.

Furthermore, his marriage was settled long before Shen Ruoxi’s, scheduled for the 26th of this month, and the bride was Lin Xuening, Prime Minister Lin’s granddaughter.

Shen Ruoxi racked her brains and finally decided to use jasmine tea, incense herbs, and various sleep-soothing and calming medicines, complemented with silk, to meticulously craft a Mandarin Duck Pillow for the couple.

On this day, Shen Ruoxi was focused on embroidery inside her room when, suddenly, the door was flung open.

Only to see Yang and Zou entering with unpleasant expressions.

Zou’s demeanor was fairly calm, holding onto Yang tightly, seemingly trying her utmost to persuade her not to act impulsively.

But Yang harshly pushed her aside, her lips white as paper, harshly questioning Shen Ruoxi, “Ruoxi, I’m asking you, was it you who let the commander of Liuzhou City, Chunyu Che, the murderer of your father-in-law, husband, and brothers-in-law, escape?”

Shen Ruoxi was momentarily stunned, realizing that after all, it was difficult to keep this matter a secret for long.

She bit her lip and said anxiously, “Sister-in-law, please let me explain.”

Zou also quietly urged from the side, “Sister-in-law, listen to Ruoxi’s explanation first, don’t be so angry.”

Yang’s lips trembled continually as she shouted angrily, “What is there to explain? I’m just asking you, is it true or not?”

Shen Ruoxi’s eyes reddened slightly, with faint tears shimmering in her eyes. She nodded gently, “Yes, but Sister-in-law…”

However, as Shen Ruoxi was about to explain, she heard a crisp “smack” as Yang’s palm, full of fury, landed solidly on her face.

Shen Ruoxi’s cheek immediately bore a clear handprint, and her head was turned to the side, her hair disheveled.

“Sister-in-law, what are you doing?” Zou exclaimed in shock, quickly stepping forward, full of concern, to check Shen Ruoxi’s slapped face.

Shen Ruoxi’s expression did not change. She softly used the tip of her tongue to press against her stinging cheek, calmly and slowly speaking, “Sister-in-law, twenty thousand soldiers of the Shen Family Army died on the battlefield, and among them were my father, my brothers, and uncles. Do you think I’m not upset?

I’ve always said there’s more to it, Chunyu Che is also a victim, he’s not what you think!”

“I don’t care what hidden truths there are! All I know is he’s the commander of Liuzhou City, the son of Beichang’s dog emperor, and he led the troops that killed twenty thousand Shen Family soldiers, so he must pay for their lives! Shen Ruoxi, you have deeply disappointed me.”

Yang had completely lost her senses, shouting hoarsely, her face contorted with anger.

“Someone come.” Shen Ruoxi suddenly shouted.

Instantly, several servants poured into the room. “Escort the First Young Madam and the Fifth Young Madam back to their rooms. Without my permission, no one is to let them out.”

Shen Ruoxi’s voice was firm and decisive.

Yang widened her eyes in disbelief, “Shen Ruoxi, it’s already generous of us to accept you, an outsider married into the Shen family, and now you dare to act so recklessly?”

Zou always believed that Shen Ruoxi had her understanding in her actions, holding great trust in her, quickly persuaded, “Sister-in-law, don’t say that, Ruoxi is part of our Shen Family.”

Yang let out a bitter laugh, “Don’t say what? Fifth sister-in-law, think carefully, what was the Shen family originally like? You should know very well!

Except for the sixth and seventh brothers who haven’t married yet, how joyously did we five sisters-in-law live together.

But since the incident with the Shen family, the second sister-in-law was forced by her family to remarry, the third sister-in-law went mad and was taken back by her family, the fourth sister-in-law died for her husband, leaving Yun’er without parents at a very young age.

Every single one of these is a searing hatred!

She said let the enemy go and just let him go, who does she think she’s worthy of? And now she even wants to imprison us, and you dare to speak for her.” Yang grew more agitated as she spoke, tears brimming in her eyes.

Zou couldn’t comfort her, opened her mouth, wanted to say we have to trust Ruoxi, but ultimately said nothing, just joined her in shedding tears.

Shen Ruoxi squinted her eyes, a cold gleam in her gaze, coldly said, “Sister-in-law, I don’t intend to imprison you two. Please remember, even though I’m married, I still bear the Shen surname, and in this family, I can still make decisions.

I just want you two to calm down first, after you have calmed down, I will explain everything to you.

Right now, you are too emotional to listen to anything I say.

You’re in pain because you’ve lost your husbands, but what about me? Not a single one of my parents or brothers survived, so my pain is even greater than yours. Please go back to your rooms and calm down.”

“If you don’t explain things clearly today, I won’t leave! Mother-in-law, father-in-law, husband, and brother-in-law are all gone, I, as the elder sister-in-law, have the responsibility to discipline this unworthy daughter of the Shen family.” Yang stiffened her neck, showing no intention of backing down.

“Take them back to their rooms.” Shen Ruoxi’s voice was as cold as ice as she addressed the Shen family’s servants.

The servants hurriedly led Yang and Zou away upon hearing this.

Yang was still unwilling to leave, Zou desperately pulling her, only then did she leave.

The room instantly fell into silence as Shen Ruoxi secretly rejoiced that the three maids weren’t in the room, otherwise there would be far more trouble.

Shen Ruoxi sat listlessly in the chair, as if time stood still.

After a long time, she finally couldn’t control it, tears streaming down her face.

In fact, she understood her sister-in-law’s thoughts, she indeed had ample reason to kill Chunyu Che.

However, she herself owed Chunyu Che two lives, how could she bear to make such a ruthless decision?

Furthermore, Chunyu Che was merely a scapegoat in the end; how could she lose her conscience just to vent her anger?

But inside, she was extremely upset, the grievance engulfing her like a tidal wave.

However, all of this could only be borne by her alone.

She knew for sure they would never understand her actions, in fact, many times, even she fell into deep self-doubt.

Her face still burned with pain, she had no choice but to apply medicine, as it would be hard to explain if anyone saw her like this.

Yet things didn’t go as expected, as she was seen by the three maids.

Seeing their mistress’s swollen red face, each of them stared in shock, wide-eyed.

Shen Ruoxi lied that she accidentally injured herself, but how could they easily believe it?

Under Shen Ruoxi’s authority, they dared not say more, but secretly vowed to find the culprit who dared to slap their mistress.

At night, Shen Ruoxi tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

Her mind was in turmoil, constantly questioning whether her actions were right or wrong?

Had she truly become a criminal in the Shen family? Were her parents, brothers, and uncles unable to forgive her from the other side?

Just as she was caught in these troubling thoughts, suddenly, came a faint knocking on the window.

This sound was strikingly clear in the stillness of the night, causing Shen Ruoxi’s heart to tighten.

She held her breath, listening intently, and the knocking came again, twice.

Shen Ruoxi pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately got up to walk slowly toward the window.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep