Chapter 174: Chapter 116: Aura Unleashed

Everyone turned to look, only to see a woman dressed in lavish attire approaching gracefully.

Her figure was graceful and enchanting, and the silks and satins shimmered under the sunlight, exuding sheer luxury.

On her face, the proud expression seemed innate, and her exquisite makeup added a touch of icy allure.

A group of maidservants followed closely behind her, making quite the spectacle, drawing the attention of everyone present.

The woman glanced disdainfully at Shen Ruoxi and the others, a slight sneer tugging at the corner of her mouth, as if to express that the people before her were as insignificant as ants.

The Zou Family’s expression slightly frowned, thinking to themselves: This Cheng Caiyun really doesn’t miss any opportunity to suppress her.

Seeing that it was the County Princess approaching, Mrs. Cui, Elder Grand Tutor’s wife, quickly pulled Mu Jinxuan over with a smile to greet Cheng Caiyun.

“Mrs. Cui, Elder Grand Tutor’s wife, Miss Mu, no need for formalities,” Cheng Caiyun said amicably.

The Yang Family also hurriedly pulled the Zou Family to greet her.

However, Cheng Caiyun snorted coldly, her gaze sweeping over the two, seemingly ignoring their salutation.

Mrs. Cui, Elder Grand Tutor’s wife, secretly chuckled, and Mu Jinxuan was even more smug.

Cheng Caiyun had heard some of the grievances with the Shen Family, thinking this time she would surely make the Shen Family suffer.

The faces of the Yang Family and Zou Family immediately turned extremely unsightly, seething with anger inside.

But Shen Ruoxi took a step forward slowly, gracefully saluting Cheng Caiyun with a half-bow.

In truth, given her rank and her future as the noble Princess Consort Zhan, she was not obligated to greet Cheng Caiyun. But considering Cheng Caiyun’s mother was the Eldest Princess and also Jun Moling’s aunt, and that Cheng Caiyun was her future cousin, this salutation was purely a gesture of goodwill.

Logically, when Shen Ruoxi gave Cheng Caiyun a half-bow, Cheng Caiyun should have reciprocated.

But she stood motionless, not even sparing Shen Ruoxi a glance.

She harbored no desire to be involved with the Shen Family and was secretly resentful of her cousin for marrying Shen Ruoxi, a woman who had been divorced.

Therefore, she looked down on Shen Ruoxi in her heart.

The Yang Family and the Zou Family were utterly furious, about to explode when Shen Ruoxi hastily cast them a glance to keep calm.

Due to the commotion, many ladies had gathered around.

The crowd buzzed with whispers and murmurs.

Some newcomers, unaware of the situation, curiously inquired of those beside them.

While others, only partially informed, began spouting nonsense, freely speculating on the twists and turns of the matter.

The main reason was that many young ladies envied Shen Ruoxi because she had won the man whom all the prominent women in the Capital City wanted to marry.

“Do you know who that is? I’ve heard Miss Mu is to become Prince Zhan’s concubine. But Marquis Shen is jealous!

You all know, she was previously despiteful of concubines, which led her to divorce General Xiao.

I’ve heard she’s once again opposed to Prince Zhan taking a concubine, forcing an engagement on Miss Mu instead.

Miss Mu is full of grievances and Shen Ruoxi is overbearing. I just saw the Shen Family people even hit Miss Mu.”

“Good heavens! This Marquis Shen is too domineering! Relying on her father’s and brother’s glorious war exploits, she is simply lawless. Who is Prince Zhan? Does she, the future princess consort, think she can monopolize him?”

“It’s a tragedy for a prince to marry such a woman.”

Mu Jinxuan heard these discussions and became increasingly smug.

Yang Family’s and Zou Family’s anger crooked their noses.

“County Princess Cheng, were you just accusing my fifth sister-in-law?” Shen Ruoxi suddenly asked mildly.

Cheng Caiyun sneered, “Wasn’t I? Did this County Princess say anything wrong?”

Shen Ruoxi’s mouth lifted slightly, “County Princess Cheng, do you know what really happened just now?”

Cheng Caiyun was stunned. She didn’t really know, only noticing they were arguing, and the Zou Family seemed to have slapped Mu Jinxuan.

“Today is the birthday banquet of my mother, the Eldest Princess. There shouldn’t be any disputes. Doesn’t Marquis Shen know that?”

Shen Ruoxi suddenly laughed, “Are you suggesting that if someone bullies me at the Eldest Princess’s Mansion, the hosts like you would ignore it?

Must every matter be endured silently? The way guests are treated in the Eldest Princess’s Mansion, I’ve learned a lesson!”

Accused with such a serious charge, Cheng Caiyun’s face subtly changed. However, she still sneered, “Actually, I saw clearly that the Zou Family hit Miss Mu just now.”

With someone standing up for her, Mu Jinxuan hurriedly whimpered, “County Princess Cheng, indeed I received a slap from the Fifth Young Madam Shen, I hope you will seek justice for me.”

“The Shen Family is so powerful, relying on its loyalty to act violently in the Eldest Princess’s Mansion, truly ignoring the Eldest Princess.”

“Isn’t it? Clearly, they hit someone, and now act so aggressively, do they really think the Loyalty Marquis’s grand accomplishments are a Death Exemption Token?”

“Today being the Eldest Princess’s birthday, she is Prince Zhan’s elder, yet Marquis Shen dares question the County Princess, showing no respect. She indeed is fierce; we cannot afford to provoke the future Princess Consort Zhan.”

They spoke in a sarcastic tone, only out of indignation over why Shen Ruoxi could marry Prince Zhan.

Shen Ruoxi’s gaze coldly swept over the whispering young ladies, her eyes chilling.

Those young ladies shivered slightly under her gaze as if their thoughts were exposed, and dared not speak further.

Then they heard Shen Ruoxi’s voice rising, clear and firm, “Today, as guests, we indeed should not provoke any trouble. However, if anyone dares to slander me, show no respect to this Marquis, then let them not blame me, Shen Ruoxi, for turning ruthless!

Even in front of His Majesty or the Eldest Princess, I will demand justice. Who dares to casually slander my Shen Family?”

Her voice was cold, her presence intense, each word powerful and resonant, making all present feel a bit intimidated, leaving no one daring to speak.

However, Cheng Caiyun, feeling self-assured, relied on the public opinion being in their favor, with the victim Mu Jinxuan by her side, determined to trample Shen Ruoxi underfoot. She raised her head defiantly, “Marquis Shen, slander? What slander?”

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a cold smile, her gaze piercing, “Fine, today I’ll clarify everything. When I married General Xiao, he solemnly promised my late mother never to take a concubine.

But he returned from the battlefield two years later with a woman, intending to raise her as a wife. Such a deceitful person, how could I possibly keep him for another year?

Going forward, if anyone dares to use this affair again, as long as I hear it, I will silence her! I will make sure she cleans her mouth!” People watching couldn’t help but cover their mouths instinctively, afraid of inviting trouble.

Shen Ruoxi’s cold gaze swept over them once again, continuing, “Prince wants to marry Miss Mu as a concubine, I knew nothing of it from start to finish, nor could I have possibly discussed it with Prince.

She, appointed to marriage by Prince, misplaced her anger on me and showed disrespect, my fifth sister-in-law hit her, she had it coming!”

At this moment, Mu Jinxuan’s face was pale as paper, biting her lip tightly, not daring to defend herself.

Shen Ruoxi suddenly changed her tone, loudly questioning, “County Princess Cheng, as the daughter of the Eldest Princess, how dare you reprimand my fifth sister-in-law without distinguishing right from wrong, falsely accusing her of finding trouble. County Princess Cheng, won’t you explain this?”

Despite feeling slightly undermined by Shen Ruoxi’s powerful demeanor, Cheng Caiyun stubbornly stated, “Indeed, Zou Family hitting someone is wrong!”

Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi turned abruptly, looking at Mu Jinxuan with piercing eyes, her voice solemn, “Was it wrong for her to hit you? Do you want to repeat what you said earlier?”

That gaze seemed able to see through one’s thoughts, and being stared at by it made Mu Jinxuan feel tense, her legs shaking involuntarily.

Unexpectedly, Mu Jinxuan suddenly knelt, clenching her teeth, with tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, “Marquis Shen, Prince and I are in love, he said he wants to marry me as a concubine. Please, show mercy and consent! In the future, I will serve sister wholeheartedly.”

These words caused an uproar, and before Shen Ruoxi could respond, someone interjected, “Exactly, such a jealous woman…”

Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi’s eyes narrowed sharply.

She waved her arm slightly, and with a light movement, a leaf magically appeared in her hand.

Then, without hesitation, she flung the leaf from her hand instantly…

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