Chapter 168: Chapter 110: Drunken Words and Drunken Thoughts

Shen Ruoxi had not yet opened her mouth to address her sister-in-law and fifth sister-in-law when Yang Family suddenly grabbed her hand, a look full of guilt on her face.

Her eyes reddened, her voice trembling as she said, “Ruoxi, it’s all my fault, elder sister-in-law hit you without distinguishing right from wrong, I truly deserve a thousand deaths! Hit me back, just hope you can forgive elder sister-in-law!”

Upon finishing, she forcefully took Shen Ruoxi’s hand and slapped it onto her own face.

Shen Ruoxi was momentarily stunned, hastily withdrawing her hand, her face full of bewilderment and helplessness, “Sister-in-law, don’t be like this! I never blamed you, what is this all about?”

Her heart was filled with doubt, this sudden change was truly too great, leaving her confused.

At this moment, Zou Family walked forward with a smile, gently holding Shen Ruoxi’s hand, speaking softly, “Ruoxi, today someone invited us to the opera, originally sister-in-law didn’t want to go, it was I who begged her to go along, thinking it would be good to ease our minds.

Who would have thought, at first we didn’t pay attention, but the more we listened, the more we felt something was wrong, that’s when we found out about the whole situation regarding Chunyu Che, turns out we misunderstood you.

On the way here, sister-in-law kept reproaching herself, hitting herself, regretting endlessly.”

Shen Ruoxi was still at a loss, her brows furrowed tightly, confusedly asking, “Fifth sister-in-law, I still don’t understand, an opera? Who composed it? Why am I getting more and more confused.”

Zou Family smiled faintly, her eyes radiating warmth and relief, “At first, we also didn’t know who arranged it, finally we asked and found out, it was Prince Zhan.

He really has a heart, actually caring so much about the relationship between us sisters-in-law, showing us the origin of events, this time you truly married the right person.”

Upon hearing “Prince Zhan,” Shen Ruoxi’s heart couldn’t help but stir, murmuring softly, “Prince Zhan.”

Her thoughts began to drift far away.

“Previously we were always worried, after all, the rumors about Prince Zhan weren’t very good.

They said he was twenty-five and didn’t have a single woman by his side, was there something wrong with his health?

Now it seems we overthought it, maybe it’s because he was waiting for you, fate is really quite wonderful.” Zou Family continued.

A touch of bitterness overflowed in Shen Ruoxi’s heart, she knew well, the reason he was twenty-five without a woman by his side was not waiting for her, but because he had someone else in his heart.

However, during these days of interaction and contact, she was truly touched.

He genuinely cared about her, regardless of the starting point of this affection, his kindness towards her was tangible and real.

Thinking of this, Shen Ruoxi’s eyes slightly reddened, her heart a mix of feelings.

She should be content, as perhaps no other woman has made Prince Zhan care so much, yet she is truly greedy!

Still wanting to replace the woman in his heart, to become the woman he loves most.

Seeing that Shen Ruoxi’s face did not have much joy, instead showing a trace of indescribable melancholy, made Zou Family even more puzzled, involuntarily asking, “Ruoxi, what’s wrong?”

Shen Ruoxi tried to adjust her emotions, suggesting, “We sisters-in-law haven’t gathered for a drink in a long time, let’s have the kitchen prepare some wine and dishes today, and not return until we’re drunk.”

“Alright!”

Yang Family and Zou Family agreed in unison.

After the three children had eaten and slept peacefully, the atmosphere of the banquet grew increasingly lively.

Shen Ruoxi was already bleary-eyed with drunkenness, still tightly holding the wine cup, loudly saying, “Elder sister-in-law, fifth sister-in-law, it’s really hard on you two.

So young, yet guarding the Shen Family through these long years, it’s too unfair to you.

If you think of marrying out, I, Shen Ruoxi, even if exhausting everything the Shen Family has, will certainly let you marry out gloriously! I toast you a cup.”

Yang Family gently shook her head, eyes full of tenderness.

Zou Family extended her hand trying to take away the wine cup from her hand, teasingly saying, “Ruoxi, you can’t drink anymore, how drunk have you gotten? Don’t talk nonsense, this is our home, where can we go!”

Shen Ruoxi, however, seemed as if she hadn’t heard, still talking to herself, “I, really feel particularly sorry for you. I used to be really muddled!

But this time even if I’m married, I’ll come back to my parental home whenever I want, no one can stop me.”

Yang Family sighed lightly, earnestly saying, “Ruoxi, from now on you will be Princess Consort Zhan, you mustn’t be so willful.

You need not worry about matters at your parental home, with sister-in-law and fifth sister-in-law here, just rest assured. We seek nothing else, only to raise these three children well.”

Zou Family nodded repeatedly, adding, “Yes, Ruoxi, don’t worry about this matter, just live your own life, I see Prince Zhan really likes you.”

Suddenly, Shen Ruoxi’s voice carried a sob, slurred with tears, “No, he doesn’t like me, he treats me well only because I saved him, and out of responsibility, do you know what responsibility is?

That’s because the Shen Family Army was annihilated in his hands, a whole twenty thousand lives! So he feels guilty, feels indebted to me, Shen Ruoxi, indebted to our Shen Family, that’s why he treats me so well.

However, I am so greedy! I hope he likes me, but he has a girl he likes in his heart, even the things she gives make him pine for her, I am jealous.”

Yang Family and Zou Family were stunned listening to her complaint.

Zou Family furrowed her brows, saying, “Ruoxi, this isn’t right!”

Yang Family hurriedly interjected, “What nonsense are you thinking? Today I heard the guard Mi Yi at the Prince Mansion mention, the prince waited until twenty-five to marry, all for you, and now that he can marry you, he’s almost crazy with joy.”

Shen Ruoxi shook her head vigorously, her expression sorrowful, her speech becoming slurred and unclear, “It’s not true, they’re deceiving you.

Just because the object that woman gave him fell into enemy hands, he recklessly charged in to retrieve it, caring not for his life.

And it was at that time I saved his dying self. If it weren’t for me, he’d be dead by now.

He’s merely grateful to me, it’s just responsibility, in fact, I know it well in my heart, we have made things clear, it’s me harboring inappropriate thoughts.”

Finishing, she picked up a cup of wine again, and without hesitation, poured it down.

Yang Family looked puzzled, murmuring, “This child? Has she misunderstood something?”

Zou Family shook her head, seeing that Shen Ruoxi was about to continue drinking, hurriedly snatched the wine jug, saying, “Ruoxi, you really can’t drink anymore. Chuntao, Xia Lian, Xueyan, quickly support your young lady back to her room, and prepare some hangover soup.”

“Understood.” Several maids responded, cautiously supporting Shen Ruoxi.

The young lady had never drunk like this before, normally knowing her limits, behaving appropriately.

Yet today, as if burdened by heavy thoughts, drank without restraint, making the three maids feel distressed.

Chuntao took off her coat, Xia Lian and Xueyan supported her from both sides.

At this moment, Shen Ruoxi was in a drunken haze, her steps faltering, yet still shouting to continue drinking.

Yang Family and Zou Family followed closely behind, full of concern.

Finally managing to help her to bed, Chuntao hastily fetched clean water, gently wiping her face and hands.

Seeing her gradually falling asleep, only then did Yang Family and Zou Family slowly exit her room.

Outside, the moonlight was like water, Zou Family full of worry, murmuring to herself, “Ruoxi must have something on her mind.”

Yang Family frowned, self-reproach evident on her face, “It’s all my fault, believing those untrue words, hearing only parts and believing them, I truly deserve to die.”

Zou Family lightly shook her head, sighing, “It shouldn’t be just because of this. At an available time, let’s visit Prince Zhan Mansion to find out the truth.

Prince Zhan is an upright person, we think he won’t deceive us. I’ll ask him one thing, if he truly likes Ruoxi, then this marriage we accept;

If it’s just for some life-saving grace, out of some damn responsibility, then this marriage, even if we have to overstep our bounds, we will never let Ruoxi marry him.”

Yang Family nodded firmly, her eyes full of determination, “Yes! Our Ruoxi is such an outstanding girl, countless young gentlemen are lined up waiting to marry her.

I will definitely find her a suitor who loves her wholeheartedly, must not let her be hurt by love again.”

Zou Family fully agreed, the two walked slowly away in the silent night, with care and tenderness for Ruoxi.

The night grew deeper and quieter.

A dark figure, however, like a ghost, darted into Shen Ruoxi’s Shaohua Courtyard.

He quietly approached the window, gently tapping on the window pane.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep