Chapter 172: Chapter 114: Invitation to the Eldest Princess Mansion’s Banquet

Shen Ruoxi was taken aback upon hearing this, silently pondering to herself: Could it be another Xiao Chengyi?

Nowadays, the Prince’s concubine affair is spreading like wildfire. Although the Prince taking a concubine is not impermissible, she, as the main wife, hasn’t yet entered the door, and the concubine already has a covetous gaze.

Even though her marriage to the Prince is merely a contractual agreement, it concerns Shen Ruoxi’s reputation, so how can she not feel anxious?

Seeing Shen Ruoxi’s expression change abruptly, Lan Jue immediately felt somewhat regretful for his unguarded words.

He quickly said, “Ruoxi, this matter is just a rumor and hasn’t been confirmed yet. Cousin will certainly handle it, so don’t worry.”

Shen Ruoxi forced a smile that seemed unconcerned, saying, “I naturally won’t easily believe it.”

Actually, she herself was aware that she had already developed feelings for the Prince. Even though she married Jun Moling to prevent entering the palace, her heart still felt an uncontrollable bitterness.

Lan Jue couldn’t help but feel a touch of jealousy, only because Shen Ruoxi had always been indifferent towards Xiao Chengyi, departing without hesitation, never having any attachment.

But now, facing rumors about the Prince, she was so different. She had finally developed feelings for someone else.

Upon careful reflection of their upcoming marriage, her feelings for the Prince were understandable.

Lan Jue could only strive to cast aside that uncomfortable feeling and said softly, “Let’s talk about Xiao Chengyi! He has divorced Ning Zhen, and the Emperor granted him another marriage. It seems he will be married soon.”

Regarding Xiao Chengyi, Shen Ruoxi had always been unwilling to deal with it, but every time, she couldn’t avoid the topics related to him.

She genuinely didn’t want any further entanglement with Xiao Chengyi, only hoping he would behave after this marriage.

Nonetheless, she still harbored some curiosity, asking, “So, who is he marrying this time?”

Lan Jue usually disliked discussing others’ affairs, always feeling it was not what a gentleman does.

However, at this moment, facing Shen Ruoxi’s inquiry, he still opened his mouth to speak: “It’s Minister of War’s daughter, He Hongying. This woman is quite a handful.

She previously married General Lu Kelu. One year ago, General Lu died heroically on the battlefield, and she was widowed. The Emperor sympathetically arranged her marriage to Xiao Chengyi.”

Shen Ruoxi frowned slightly, asking further, “What makes her quite a handful?”

Lan Jue lightly shook his head, saying, “This woman is extremely troublesome, causing chaos within the Lu Family. Old Mrs. Lu was nearly driven to death by her anger. Henceforth, only Xiao Chengyi’s family will bear the burden, we can just watch the excitement from the side.”

Shen Ruoxi nodded lightly, genuinely unwilling to have anything further to do with the Xiao family’s affairs.

At this moment, Lan Jue took out an item from his pocket, saying, “Ruoxi, this is a new wedding gift prepared for you by cousin. I hope you won’t dislike it; the Mandarin Duck Pillow you gifted is particularly favored by cousin.”

Although Shen Ruoxi felt uncomfortable when mentioning the Mandarin Duck Pillow, it was fine as long as he liked it, since it was gifted to him.

“As long as cousin likes it.”

After speaking, she saw him holding a pair of extremely dazzling Luminous Pearls, large and bright, extraordinarily precious, even glowing phosphorescently during the day, smooth and translucent.

Shen Ruoxi quickly thanked Lan Jue and asked Chuntao to store them safely, before Lan Jue took leave.

Days passed by neither slow nor fast.

One day, the Shen Mansion received an invitation from the Eldest Princess Mansion, stating that tomorrow is the Eldest Princess’s birthday, sincerely inviting Shen Ruoxi and the two young misters from the Shen family to attend the banquet.

The Eldest Princess is the current Emperor’s paternal aunt, and also Jun Moling’s paternal aunt. Since her birthday banquet invitation has been sent, there is no reason not to attend.

Shen Ruoxi immediately replied to the messenger, promising to attend the banquet tomorrow.

Zou Family slightly frowned upon receiving this news.

As it turns out, the Eldest Princess’s daughter, Cheng Caiyun, had quite a feud with her.

This matter needs to trace back to the Royal Hunt six years ago.

Back then, Cheng Caiyun fell in love with Zou Family’s husband at first sight, who is also Shen Ruoxi’s fifth brother.

However, even before she could find a matchmaker to propose, Zou Family boldly confessed her love directly to Shen Ruoxi’s fifth brother at the hunting grounds, startling even the previous Emperor.

Shen Ruoxi’s fifth brother was also somewhat shocked at the time, but felt favorable towards such a bold and straightforward girl as Zou Family, and immediately pleaded to the Emperor for marriage.

After this incident, Zou Family gained a reputation for being bold.

Cheng Caiyun was nearly driven half insane with anger, just hating herself for not being as “shameless” as Zou Family, resulting in losing the chance to marry Shen Ruoxi’s fifth brother, and thus, was deeply dissatisfied.

Since then, even though she soon married into another family, she still harbored resentment over this matter.

In the following days, she frequently caused trouble for Zou Family, constantly taunting and mocking.

Even though Zou Family rarely stepped out of Shen Mansion, Cheng Caiyun always seized every opportunity to humiliate her.

Until Zou Family’s husband died heroically on the battlefield, Cheng Caiyun still refused to let her go, even verbally attacked her, saying such a shameless woman like Zou Family brought bad luck to her husband, or else Shen Ruoxi’s fifth brother wouldn’t have died young.

Zou Family was deeply troubled over this matter, she truly did not want to attend the Eldest Princess’s birthday banquet.

After all, the invitation was for three people, and now Shen Ruoxi, as Jun Moling’s fiancée, would be inappropriate not to attend.

Shen Ruoxi was a fearless sort and reassured Zou Family, “Fifth sister-in-law, you just go with peace of mind. No matter what County Princess Cheng is, if she dares to provoke and cause trouble, I won’t easily let her off!”

Yang Family also said, “We will face her openly with dignity, what’s there to be afraid of? This doesn’t suit your character; I just don’t believe she can make any trouble.”

Upon hearing this, Zou Family smiled, indeed, in her youth, she acted capriciously, doing whatever she wanted, otherwise, she wouldn’t have confessed her love for her husband. Becoming a woman, she instead grew timid, unlike herself.

“Okay, tomorrow we will go. I just don’t believe she can do anything to me?” Zou Family vowed.

“Indeed!”

Shen Ruoxi and Yang Family agreed.

The next day was bright and sunny, the sky was vivid, the golden sunlight sprinkling across the earth, bestowing a soft halo upon everything observable.

Shen Ruoxi carefully groomed and dressed herself.

She lightly swept her brows, tinted her delicate lips, and wore an elegant and exquisite dress, enhancing her captivating beauty.

Together with her eldest sister-in-law Yang Family and fifth sister-in-law Zou Family, they boarded the carriage, heading to the Eldest Princess Mansion.

Upon arriving outside the Eldest Princess Mansion, many carriages had already lined up before the gate, one after the other, lively bustling.

Evidently, numerous officials had brought family members to attend the banquet.

Just as Shen Ruoxi alighted from the carriage, she unexpectedly made eye contact with a woman.

In that brief exchange, Shen Ruoxi was startled. The woman’s gaze was bold and unrestrained, scrutinizing her as if evaluating merchandize from top to bottom.

The woman’s eyes revealed contempt, yet seemed unable to find anything to criticize, so gradually her eyes overflowed with resentment and jealousy, leaving Shen Ruoxi bewildered in place.

Having met few ladies in the Capital City, she couldn’t deduce who this person might be, nor why she harbored such intense hostility towards her.

The woman was dressed in a luxurious pink silk gown, her makeup exquisitely detailed, and the jewels in her hair sparkled luminously, clearly well adorned, indeed a standard beauty.

Watching her and a lady enter the Eldest Princess Mansion, Shen Ruoxi puzzledly turned to her elder sister-in-law and fifth sister-in-law, asking, “Eldest sister-in-law, fifth sister-in-law, do you know her?”

Yang Family and Zou Family took a glance and shook their heads.

However, Yang Family quickly focused on the totem of the carriage the woman had just entered.

She carefully observed the totem on the carriage, pondering for a moment, saying, “The lady who went in, looks like Mrs. Cui, but Mrs. Cui has only three sons, no daughter; whom could she bring along?

As for who this girl really is, I honestly don’t know.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi’s heart fluttered, recalling her cousin mentioning Mrs. Cui’s granddaughter.

Only regrettably, she hadn’t asked for her name then, truly a shame.

However, Shen Ruoxi quickly felt relieved, smiling lightly and said, “Eldest sister-in-law, Fifth sister-in-law, regardless of who she is, let’s hurry inside, lest we keep the Eldest Princess waiting.”

Yang Family and Zou Family nodded in agreement, thereafter the trio followed the steward of Eldest Princess Mansion into the inner hall gracefully.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep