Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Returning to the Shen Mansion

As Xiao Chengyi led Shen Ruoxi to dodge the sharp tip of the spear, the person holding the spear leapt down from the horse.

He looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, dressed in flamboyant clothes, and angrily scolded Xiao Chengyi: “Xiao Chengyi, let go of my cousin!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a sound of horse hooves approached rapidly from afar.

The crowd followed the sound only to see a team of guards neatly lined up, surrounding a luxurious carriage whose door slowly opened.

First to step out was an elder dressed in magnificent robes and wearing a dazzling golden crown.

Though advanced in age, his steps were firm and his presence was still commanding.

Afterward, a noble and dignified elderly lady stepped out slowly.

The onlookers gasped; this was none other than Xu Ding, one of Dayi Country’s founding heroes and one of the renowned Three Dukes in the court, known as the Country Town Duke!

Beside him was his wife, Mrs. Cheng.

Xiao Chengyi stood still in shock, while Shen Ruoxi’s nose tingled, and she let go of Xiao Chengyi’s hand, stepping forward a few steps as tears streamed down: “Unfilial granddaughter Shen Ruoxi, greets grandfather and grandmother.”

Duke Xu’s eyes watered, and Old Mrs. Xu tightly embraced Shen Ruoxi, tears welling up uncontrollably: “My dear little heart!”

Shen Ruoxi nestled tightly in her grandmother’s embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Watching the grandparent and granddaughter cry so uncontrollably, Duke Xu felt an overwhelming sourness and his eyes grew wetter. Nearly unable to hold back his tears, he scolded softly: “Alright, what kind of conduct is it to cry like this!”

Only then did Old Mrs. Xu pat Shen Ruoxi’s shoulder, her voice choked, “Ruoxi, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t stop her tears, nodding while tears continued to fall.

Duke Xu looked at Xiao Chengyi who was standing aside, and said sternly: “Ruoxi, don’t be afraid, with your grandfather here, let’s see who dares to touch you!”

Xiao Chengyi’s heart raced; the intimidation of Duke Xu wasn’t something anyone could withstand. He steadied himself, stepped forward, and respectfully saluted: “Grandson-in-law greets grandfather and grandmother.”

As soon as he finished, “slap!” a crisp sound of a slap echoed.

This slap was swift and fierce, knocking Xiao Chengyi’s groom’s hat askew, and his cheek swelled instantly.

However, Xiao Chengyi seemed to feel nothing, he just quietly watched Xu Ji who hit him.

“If cousin still feels unsatisfied, feel free to hit again,” Xiao Chengyi said calmly.

A curse nearly escaped Xu Ji as he angrily shouted: “Xiao Chengyi, do you have no shame? My cousin has already severed ties with you, how dare you address my grandparents as grandfather and grandmother?

Get lost quickly! If you dare to spout nonsense again, I shall take your life today!”

Xiao Chengyi faintly smiled bitterly, face? What does it cost? He was about to lose his wife, so what use was face?

He clenched his hands tightly, and after a long time, said in a low voice, “There is a misunderstanding between Ruoxi and me. I married a concubine because Zhen’er saved my life. Years ago, I promised Madam Shen I would take care of Ruoxi for life, and I won’t break that promise.”

Shen Ruoxi always considered Xiao Chengyi somewhat gentlemanly; he acknowledged his love for Ning Zhen with openness, which she thought was frank. She really hadn’t expected Xiao Chengyi to be so shameless and disgusting! How dare he mention her mother and his promise?

She randomly wiped away the tears on her face, took a deep breath to calm her heart, then spoke each word clearly: “Xiao Chengyi, tearing apart our relationship benefits none of us. I don’t hate you; instead, I’m grateful.

You taught me a lesson, letting me see the wrong path I took, and fortunately, it’s not too late to turn back.

You should leave! Both of us know there’s no possibility between us anymore, and I do not lie. If you and Ning Zhen can grow old together, I would truly admire you, but your current actions just disgust me.

Xiao Chengyi, I sincerely wish you a happy marriage and a bright future.

In the future, as mountains and rivers keep us apart, may we each be well and never meet again.”

With that, she turned to her cousin: “Cousin, if he dares to entangle again, don’t hesitate.”

“Don’t worry, cousin. You should first accompany grandmother back to your Shen Mansion, I will handle everything here.”

Xu Ji finished speaking, sweeping his Snake Gall Silver Spear and glaring fiercely at Xiao Chengyi.

Shen Ruoxi gently took Old Mrs. Xu’s hand, “Grandmother, let’s go back first.”

Old Mrs. Xu nodded.

At this moment, Xiao Chengyi felt as if his heart had been emptied by a wild wind, hollow and bewildered, at a loss.

Didn’t he love her anymore? Why?

Watching her about to get on the carriage with Old Mrs. Xu, he wanted to call out, to ask her to come back so they could talk it over, but his throat felt blocked by a wad of cotton, unable to make a sound.

“Shen Ruoxi, please wait a moment, I have something to ask you.”

Pei Xuan suddenly rushed out of Xiao Mansion, breathless and full of urgency.

However, Shen Ruoxi didn’t look back, only responded coolly: “Prince Pei, it is hard for me to answer your question, grandmother, be careful, let’s go.”

“Hmm, hmm!” Old Mrs. Xu replied gently, and the two got into the carriage. The driver snapped the whip, and the carriage drove away raising dust.

Pei Xuan stomped anxiously, muttering discontentedly: “Shen Ruoxi, you’re not a true friend!”

After a pause, he called his sedan chair bearers, instructing: “Quickly, to the Shen Mansion.”

Xu Ji was about to ask Pei Xuan what he wanted with his cousin when

he noticed Pei Xuan had already hurriedly left and could only let it go!

Over here, Xia Lian was methodically directing the servants to load items onto the carriage one by one.

Duke Xu saw this and instructed his grandson: “Quickly lead the people to move all your cousin’s things, not leaving a single item for the Xiao Family.”

“Yes!” Xu Ji said loudly, putting Xiao Mansion in a barren state.

Shen Ruoxi returned to Shen Mansion and embraced her grandmother tightly, and they wiped each other’s tears away, both crying and laughing, expressing their mutual longing and concerns.

Shen Ruoxi’s eldest sister-in-law Yang Family and fifth sister-in-law Zou Family were so excited they could hardly contain themselves.

As soon as Shen Ruoxi stepped inside, they eagerly set off firecrackers, joyously celebrating her rebirth, the entire mansion immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Upon hearing that Shen Ruoxi had returned and that the Emperor had granted her the Marquis position, Old Mrs. Xu’s face turned pale with anger.

Everyone knew she was returning to Shen Mansion but kept it from her and put on a performance for her.

The more Old Mrs. Xu thought, the angrier she became, resulting in the destruction of the teaware in the room. The servants dared not advise until she finally calmed down.

“Clean it all up!”

After saying this, she tidied her clothes and headed to the front hall.

Old Mrs. Xu’s arrival made the grandparent and granddaughter, who were chatting, look up.

Shen Ruoxi curled the corner of her mouth; Old Mrs. Xu’s brow furrowed, feeling a pang of annoyance.

Greeting her, Old Mrs. Xu cautiously sat down, forcing a dry smile: “In-laws, now that Ruoxi has safely returned, you can rest assured.

I will arrange meticulously to ensure the maids and servants in the mansion serve her wholeheartedly.”

Old Mrs. Xu listened, inwardly scoffing, well-acquainted with what kind of person Old Mrs. Xu was, and responded blandly: “In-laws, you must be getting on in years, perhaps your memory isn’t quite good.

The Marquis of Shen Mansion is Ruoxi, you shouldn’t overstep and forget her identity.

This child is sentimental but does not tolerate the slightest impurity.

You had better have everyone in the mansion act cautiously; if they make a mistake, she won’t recognize even close relatives!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep