Chapter 202: Chapter 145: Words That Kill and Break the Heart

Shen Ruoxi listened to those heart-wrenching words, thinking she had already become immune.

Yet when such words came crashing again, her heart still felt as if struck by a heavy hammer, the pain as sharp as a knife, piercing straight into her chest.

Her fingers clenched tightly, her knuckles turning pale, her gaze filled with grief and indignation.

The men of the Shen Family all died in battle, fighting to protect the nation to the last man, but all they received in return was this ruthless slander.

She couldn’t help but think sadly, if the spirits of the Shen Family Army knew, how cold their hearts would be.

Her eyes reddened, waves of endless sadness surged to her heart, as if about to drown her completely.

The Eldest Princess widened her eyes, disbelief filling her face.

She never imagined such venomous words could come from her own daughter’s mouth.

The sharp “smack!” shattered the deathly silence.

Cheng Caiyun’s face instantly swelled and reddened on one side, she clutched her painful cheek, her eyes full of confusion and disbelief.

Dazedly, she watched as the Emperor hurriedly stepped down from the dragon throne, bewildered.

The Emperor’s anger had not subsided, his eyes rounded as he viciously said, “Cheng Caiyun, I intended to plead for leniency for you and your cousin, but unexpectedly you show no remorse! How dare you curse Loyalty Marquis’s entire line of loyalty!

I would pay my respects at Loyalty Hall, light incense, who do you think you are, daring to spout wild defamations against them!”

“No need to pack anything, Qi Lin, take her to Jingci Temple at once, those pleading for her go with her, never to step into Capital City again!” the Emperor shouted angrily.

Qi Lin had never seen the Emperor so furious. He immediately said coldly, “County Princess Cheng, please!”

“Mother.”

Panicked, Cheng Caiyun looked towards her mother, her eyes filled with plea and terror.

“You are my mother, I have no daughter like you! Father Emperor, I am ashamed before the ancestors of the Jun Family.” The Eldest Princess shouted mournfully, her voice full of despair and regret.

Lan Jue stood aside, never daring to lay his eyes on Shen Ruoxi, fearful he would lose control and cry.

Throughout this journey, Shen Ruoxi not only had to endure the immense pain of losing loved ones but also face unwarranted criticism from others, even her own aunt was so cold and unfeeling.

Jun Moling tightly held her hand, his eyes reddened, lips trembling with anger, he truly wanted to strangle Cheng Caiyun.

They fought life and death on the battlefield, for the country’s peace, the common people’s happiness, countless soldiers shed blood on the frontier, their bodies wrapped in horse hides.

But now, in the rear, facing such treatment? Their families, whom they fought desperately to protect, being treated with such injustice and bullying?

This is not just one person’s sorrow, how many more are there like Cheng Caiyun?

This is simply the nation’s sorrow!

Realizing her words were wrong, Cheng Caiyun was now in complete panic.

She searched frantically, seeking someone to save her, when Xu Jingwan slowly approached.

“Your mother didn’t teach you, let me teach you.” Xu Jingwan’s voice was icy and resolute.

“Smack! Smack!” The crisp sound of slaps echoed, Xu Jingwan swung forcefully, slapping Cheng Caiyun left and right.

She slapped until her hands were numbed, while Cheng Caiyun’s cheeks were swollen and covered in bloodstains, blood streaming from mouth and nose.

Shen Ruoxi watched this scene in mild shock, filled with confusion.

Usually, Xu Jingwan would criticize her, even considering her an ill-omened person.

What happened today? She actually stood up for her.

“If you dare show up before me again, I’ll hit you every time I see you.” Xu Jingwan yelled angrily, her voice trembling with rage.

After hitting, Xu Jingwan began to cry herself, she couldn’t imagine those sharp words had actually come from her own mouth.

Ever since the incident two days ago, she began self-reflecting continually, thinking about how in such a crisis, Shen Ruoxi managed to save herself and trap Cheng Caiyun, protecting both her own and her son’s reputation.

At that moment, her attitude towards Shen Ruoxi subtly changed.

Seeing Shen Ruoxi’s heartbroken appearance just now, her own heart hurt too, prompting her to rush forward and hit Cheng Caiyun severely, just to vent some anger.

Xu Jingwan met Shen Ruoxi’s reddened eyes, unable to suppress her emotions, tears bursting forth, “Oh, my child!”

After speaking, she suddenly tightly hugged Shen Ruoxi.

Lan Jue standing aside tried hard to look up, wanting to stop his tears, but they uncontrollably rolled down.

Shen Ruoxi was not used to such close contact, especially from her aunt who always looked down on her.

She forced back her inner sadness, calmly saying, “Thank you, Aunt, Ruoxi is fine, mere words can’t bring me down.

Why should I die? I must live, and live well, because that’s exactly what they want to see.”

Jun Moling’s heart ached as if sliced by a blunt knife, he clenched his fists, striving not to let his tears fall.

Soon, the carriage was ready, and two rough handmaidens mercilessly dragged Cheng Caiyun up.

Cheng Caiyun cursed “dog servants” while screaming hoarsely “Mother, save me.”

The Eldest Princess slowly turned her eyes away, forcibly enduring the heart-wrenching pain, adamant not to pay her any heed.

Her heart was filled with sorrow, she never anticipated that she spoiled her to such an extent.

This is not ordinary bad, it rotted from the root.

Now that she thought, the Emperor and Prince Zhan were really merciful, at least sparing her life.

No wonder Princess Consort Cheng of South City hit her, deservedly so! She herself wanted to kill her.

Watching as Cheng Caiyun was dragged away, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study Room was oppressively tense.

The Emperor suddenly found himself speechless, his gaze fell on Xu Jingwan tightly hugging Shen Ruoxi, and a sense of desolation arose in his heart.

“Prince, if you can’t protect Ruoxi, then this marriage…” Xu Jingwan actually intended to break off the engagement for Shen Ruoxi.

Jun Moling looked firmly at Xu Jingwan and said in a serious tone, “South City Princess Consort, today’s sudden incident was indeed hard for me to foresee.

You say I can’t protect Ruoxi, I absolutely disagree. Besides, she is surnamed Shen, the ruler of the Shen Family, everything is at her command.

This occurred at your residence, you bear responsibility, but Ruoxi is unharmed, I won’t pursue further.”

After saying this, he took Shen Ruoxi’s hand and said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, we take our leave.”

The Emperor nodded slightly, lowered his eyes slowly, even though no longer harboring much hope, the feeling of envy couldn’t help but rise.

Why was it him, Jun Moling?

Lan Jue’s gaze was equally desolate, he stood up, respectfully bowed, “Your Majesty, I take my leave.”

The Emperor watched his demeanor, a sense of shared fate rising in his heart.

He truly couldn’t understand, obviously they grew up together, could have been even more closely related, why did he too marry someone not in his heart?

Jun Moling led Shen Ruoxi into the carriage, holding her hand tightly, speaking in a gentle voice, “If you feel sad, cry it out, don’t hold back, I’ll certainly have Cheng Caiyun dealt with, she’s violated my taboo today, won’t spare her.”

Shen Ruoxi gazed at him, he felt worse inside!

Since entering the battlefield, facing life and death, going through countless dangers, hovering near death’s door, his body covered in scars.

Yet others despise them so.

“I’m not that fragile, it’s been a long time, not easy to knock me down.” Shen Ruoxi struggled to smile.

Her smile was uglier than crying, Jun Moling’s heart felt like frying in oil, agony causing spasms.

As he gently embraced her, his voice was low and tender, “Before me, you don’t need to be strong, cry if you want to.”

Originally, Shen Ruoxi thought she had adjusted her mood, yet at this moment, within his warm embrace, feeling his genuine heartache and sorrow.

Thinking that only she remained from an originally whole family, all her strength crumbled instantly, unable to repress the inner sadness, tears bursting forth.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep