Chapter 176: Chapter 118: Standing Up for My Fifth Sister-in-law

The Eldest Princess glanced casually at Ruoxi, her heart full of disdain, feeling that this Ruoxi truly did not know her place and had reached the extreme of being ill-mannered.

After all, today was her own birthday banquet, and such relentless behavior really made her find this future niece-in-law utterly disagreeable.

However, thinking that this was ultimately a squabble among juniors, she chose silence and said nothing.

Cheng Caiyun was initially taken aback, sharply sensing that the situation wasn’t right, then she gnashed her teeth and said, “Today is my mother’s birthday, and it was the Zou Family who acted first, that’s their fault.”

Ruoxi merely smiled faintly, her expression composed and resolute, “Just now that Miss Mu, shockingly called out my name in front of everyone, then cursed me for being jealous, claiming that the Prince will eventually discard me.

As the host, County Princess Cheng not only ignored this but also blamed my fifth sister-in-law, even falsely accusing me of striking someone. Shouldn’t she reflect on this herself?

I am indifferent to such idle gossip, but if my deceased brother who died heroically on the battlefield knows.

Knowing that the mother of his child is being bullied in the Shen Family, falsely accused, and oppressed everywhere, how could his spirit in heaven rest in peace? Would he not feel heartbroken because of this?”

Today, Ruoxi was determined to stand up for her fifth sister-in-law.

Her fifth sister-in-law, at a young age, became a widow, living a hard life with her daughter in the Shen Family all her life.

Even so, she still had to suffer such humiliation, and as the one in power in the Shen Family, if she couldn’t protect her well, it would indeed be too cowardly.

The mention of her deceased husband by Ruoxi also touched the always strong-hearted Zou Family, whose eyes turned red in an instant.

She bit her lip tightly, struggling to hold back the tears that were about to burst forth.

She was only in her twenties this year, and she really didn’t know how she would sustain the long years ahead.

When everyone heard Ruoxi mention the brother from the Shen Family who died bravely in battle, each one of them fell silent instantly.

They were once lively beings, yet now turned into cold, bloodied corpses on the battlefield.

If such a tragedy happened to themselves, they really did not know if they could bear it.

The atmosphere fell into a heavy silence, a hint of anger flashed across the Emperor’s face, and he sternly said, “County Princess Cheng, is what Marquis Shen said true?”

Cheng Caiyun bit her lip tightly, “Cous…”

She was just about to utter the words ’Cousin Brother’ when she caught the sight of the Emperor’s face, somber to the point it could drip water, and she quickly changed her address, “Your Majesty, it was merely a jest on my part.”

Ruoxi sneered, “A jest? County Princess Cheng is indeed skilled with words, good at absolving herself.

Clearly both sides were present, yet you solely reprimand my fifth sister-in-law.

Though the Eldest Princess is a senior, we are visiting the Princess Mansion for the first time, is this the so-called hospitality of the Princess Mansion?”

Ruoxi actually brought her into it too, instantly turning the color of the Eldest Princess’s face extremely unsightly.

This Ruoxi, how could she be so unrelenting, today was her birthday feast, does she really want to turn this good banquet into a complete mess?

“Marquis Shen, I am after all your senior, and Caiyun also your future cousin, we are all family, let’s settle this for my sake!

Now the banquet is about to start, shall we head in together?”

The Eldest Princess, though her tone was fairly polite, her dark gaze oppressed all around, the atmosphere instantly grew heavy, a somewhat stifling pressure in the air.

“Reconciliation is certainly fine, but County Princess Cheng must apologize to my fifth sister-in-law.

Eldest Princess, I apologize, today was not my intention to disrupt your birthday banquet, but your daughter, she did not wish to let things rest, instead began by reprimanding and blaming us.

Truth be told, as the host displaying such an attitude, the guest truly has no need to stay any longer.” Ruoxi straightened her back, her gaze firm, showing no signs of backing down.

Jun Moling’s heart skipped a beat, his parents had died early, this aunt was always the one he revered.

At this moment, Ruoxi’s attitude apparently pushed the relationship to its most tense moment.

The Eldest Princess, hearing this, indeed flew into a rage, laughing in anger, “Marquis Shen, it seems our Princess Mansion is indeed too small to accommodate the great Buddha that is your Shen Family.”

The Emperor standing to the side couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.

After all, the Eldest Princess is both his and Prince Zhan’s aunt, and Ruoxi even dared to confront her, what to do now?

“Aunt.” Jun Moling was just about to explain a thing or two for Ruoxi, but was abruptly interrupted by Ruoxi.

“Prince Zhan, please wait, this matter is a grievance between our Shen Family and County Princess Cheng.

Eldest Princess, there’s no need for anger, you wish to protect your daughter, tell us to leave the Princess Mansion, that’s fine.

But today, unless County Princess Cheng apologizes to my fifth sister-in-law, we will absolutely not leave.” Ruoxi’s voice was clear and resolute, ringing throughout the courtyard.

The Eldest Princess froze in place, how did this conversation turn into her driving them away?

“Aren’t you done yet.” Cheng Caiyun said angrily.

From childhood to adulthood, she had never been driven to such a point by anyone, her face now dark as if capable of dripping water, her furious eyes as though wanting to devour Ruoxi whole.

The surrounding guests were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to utter a single word more at this moment.

The air seemed to solidify, the tense atmosphere making breathing difficult.

Ruoxi spoke calmly, “Today, in the presence of the Emperor, the Eldest Princess, Prince Zhan, and all the gentlemen and gentlewomen, let’s settle this account clearly!

We came with full-hearted blessings, but who would have thought, Old Mrs. Cui and Miss Mu were the first to provoke trouble.

People like this, who ruin the Eldest Princess’s birthday, and County Princess Cheng turns a blind eye.

Instead, she lays accusations on us, allow me to carefully ponder over the reason.

Recollecting, back when my fifth sister-in-law confessed to my fifth brother at the hunting ground, with all sorts of talk flying around.

Some praised her for being fearless in love, brave and unflinching; but others scolded her for being shameless, without a woman’s reserve.

Looking back, acts like these were seemingly done by the former Empress before.

And what the former Empress received, however, was only a voice of praise, to the extent that their love story became a celebrated tale.

Thus, my fifth sister-in-law’s brave love pursuit should indeed be commendable as well.

In the face of love, one should bravely confess love, what fault is there?

The men of the Shen Family fight bravely, most dying on the battlefield, while the Shen Family itself felt like the sky was falling and the earth was splitting.

However, four years ago at the former Empress’s birthday, who was it that called my fifth sister-in-law a jinx, a curse?

And three years ago, at my grandfather’s birthday banquet, who spoke maliciously, accusing my fifth sister-in-law of shamelessness, deserving of widowhood?

Last year at the Princess’s centennial banquet, when my cousin painstakingly prepared a pair of Jade Qilins as a gift, who made reckless remarks, claiming it was a thing of ill omen, corrupting the Princess with misfortune?

The Shen Family were loyal and brave, shedding blood for this country.

Could even the widows of these heroes not be protected?

How did they become harbingers of ill fortune? As the one in power in the Shen Family, I didn’t wish to bring up these distressing matters at the Eldest Princess’s banquet.

But County Princess Cheng did not miss a single opportunity to slander my fifth sister-in-law.

Is it truly believed that the Shen Family is without anyone? Allowing others to insult at will?

Or is it that Eldest Princess insists on protecting your daughter, not giving the Shen Family a proper explanation?”

At this moment, Ruoxi’s voice, originally soft and sweet, became sonorous and forceful, each word seemed like a heavy hammer, striking firmly into everyone’s hearts.

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