Chapter 289: Chapter 232: Confronting Them at Their Door

A few people headed to the Xiao Family together.

Early in the morning, Xiao Chengyi was anxiously waiting in the mansion.

Xiao Chengyu had already returned from Nvzhen Hall, and indeed, she had changed a lot.

The previously loud and boisterous nature had subdued considerably, her manners now exuded elegance, and she appeared much calmer, with her words being more concise.

Even though she had become much thinner, which pained Mrs. Zhou’s heart, her daughter had become elegant and tranquil, bringing her a sense of relief.

Mrs. Zhou’s heart remained a bit tense, as there was indeed a debt owed to Shen Ruoxi by the Zhou Family.

If it weren’t for Chengyi’s excessive actions this time, she wouldn’t have approached, having previously avoided him as if he was the plague.

Yet, Old Mrs. Xiao was indifferent to the matter, always relying on her age, thinking what could a prince and princess consort possibly do?

At her advanced age, should anything happen to her, the Xiao Family would certainly demand an explanation, showing a defiant attitude.

The entire family was waiting in the hall, and upon hearing that Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling had arrived, they quickly got up to greet them.

In the courtyard, they met with Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling.

The members of the Xiao Family all paid their respects.

Jun Moling merely said coldly, “No need for excessive courtesy,” and then stepped into the Xiao Family’s front hall.

This was Xiao Chengyu’s first time seeing Jun Moling, and she was instantly dumbstruck, completely overwhelmed by his presence and appearance.

Previously, she had heard about his bravery, his genius, practically a deity of Dayi Country, unmatched for centuries.

She had also heard he was the most handsome man in the Capital City, and she had scoffed at the notion, thinking that such a person marrying a woman who had been married before was surely exaggerated.

But now, seeing Jun Moling with her own eyes, she was completely enchanted by him.

She felt wholly discontent, unable to understand how Shen Ruoxi, a woman with a prior marriage, could marry such an outstanding man.

Yet, she maintained an elegant demeanor, for indeed, her temper had been tempered significantly during her half-year stay in Nvzhen Hall.

The life there was so dull and suffocating that just the thought of it nearly drove her mad.

But she endured it all, and now was the time to test her perseverance.

She desperately wanted to make her presence known to Jun Moling, but he hadn’t even spared her a glance.

However, she silently told herself that there was still time, and opportunities would surely come.

Due to all the furniture in the room being smashed by Xiao Chengyi, Old Mrs. Xiao had no choice but to move items from her own room and Mrs. Zhou’s room to avoid the front hall looking too empty and chaotic.

However, the front hall and the inner room had their differences; the inner room was small and the items were delicate, while the front hall was spacious.

This arrangement made the place look somewhat mismatched, distinctly showing a sense of a small household.

But it was indeed unavoidable, as they couldn’t allow the vast front hall to be empty and cold.

Xiao Chengyi originally thought that it would only be Shen Ruoxi coming this time, or her bringing Jun Moling.

He never expected Ning Zhen’er would also dare to come.

This fickle woman, unrepentant and still spewing slander against him, filled him with a surge of anger the moment he saw her, wanting to strangle her.

Additionally, remembering what Xueyan had said yesterday about being inadequate and quick, his anger only grew.

This was a matter of male pride, and besides, he harbored thoughts of rekindling his past with Shen Ruoxi.

The Xiao Family also noticed Ning Zhen’er’s arrival, and Old Mrs. Xiao immediately gave Xiao Chengyi a warning glance, clearly indicating: Keep calm, don’t get angry, let her handle it.

Xiao Chengyi, full of resentment, could only suppress his anger towards Ning Zhen’er.

The host and guests sat down, and Old Mrs. Xiao, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, said, “Prince, Princess Consort, may I know the purpose of your visit to the Xiao Mansion today?”

Shen Ruoxi, with a faint expression, replied, “Didn’t Young General Xiao tell Old Mrs. Xiao? I sent him a letter, he should be aware.”

Old Mrs. Xiao was momentarily at a loss for words, then continued to speak with an indifferent tone, “Chengyi did mention it, could there be some misunderstanding among you?”

Shen Ruoxi gave a cold laugh, “Today, this Princess Consort has come to see Young General Xiao. This matter has nothing to do with Old Mrs. Xiao and Mrs. Xiao.

Unless Young General Xiao is weaned yet, needing his grandmother and mother to step in.”

Old Mrs. Xiao’s face changed abruptly, while Xiao Chengyi pressed his lips together and said, “Whatever the Princess Consort wishes to say, say it to me, and do not involve the innocent.”

Shen Ruoxi’s mouth curled into a mocking smile, “Very well then, I’ll say it to you. Does General Xiao not intend to explain what happened yesterday to this Princess Consort?”

Xiao Chengyi feigned ignorance, “What happened yesterday? Was it returning what belonged to Xueyan? Those were her belongings, what wrong did I commit by returning them to her?”

Shen Ruoxi nodded slightly, her eyes involuntarily carrying a sharp edge, “If that’s the case, when I sent Xia Lian to deliver a message asking you to sever ties with Xueyan completely, why did you refuse?

You made Xueyan wait for you! Surely you owe me an explanation for that!”

Xiao Chengyi’s face turned ashen, and he looked at Shen Ruoxi with an aggrieved and resentful gaze, “Did you know what Xueyan wrote in the letter?”

Shen Ruoxi gave a faint smile, though it never reached her eyes, her voice frostily cold, “Xueyan isn’t literate, naturally this Princess Consort wrote it for her, did she say anything incorrect?”

Xiao Chengyi bit his lips hard, leaving deep marks from his teeth.

She actually dared to say he was no better than a male whore worth only four copper coins; did she truly hate him so much?

“Does the Princess Consort think a letter like that would allow me to reconcile with her? She’s defying authority, and no matter how low my position is, I am still a third-rank official in the court; how can I tolerate such impertinence from a concubine?” Xiao Chengyi exclaimed angrily, his gaze full of indignation.

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a sardonic smile, “I know what Xueyan wrote, was it excessive? It doesn’t seem excessive, because you, Xiao Chengyi, are alive and unharmed.

But I don’t know what you returned to her yesterday, enough to make her hang herself on her wedding day, what exactly did you give her?”

As Shen Ruoxi spoke, her tone unconsciously turned severe, her piercing eyes seemed capable of stabbing through a person.

Seeing this, Jun Moling, worried about her excessive emotions, gently brushed her hand, using a tender action that silently comforted her: My lady, don’t be angry.

Upon hearing that Xueyan had hanged herself, Mrs. Zhou’s face turned paper-white.

She had guessed that this kind of humiliation was unbearable for most women; ultimately, her son did go too far.

Xiao Chengyi was also stunned, did Xueyan really hang herself? His eyes flashed with astonishment and disbelief.

“How is she?” Mrs. Zhou urgently asked, her voice trembling, full of guilt.

She had made the decision to choose her as her son’s concubine, never expecting Xueyan to have such a miserable fate. It was her own fault.

“Luckily, when she sent everyone away and I thought something was wrong, I went back and saved her, but does Young General Xiao have nothing to say about nearly causing a death?” Shen Ruoxi’s eyes were cold and piercing, directly confronting Xiao Chengyi.

Xiao Chengyi was about to explain that it was never his intention, he didn’t mean to drive Xueyan to death; he just wanted to make her suffer and see him.

But before he could speak, Old Mrs. Xiao disdainfully snorted, “Princess Consort, such an unvirtuous woman deserves to die. It’s said that a virtuous woman does not marry a second husband, she has already lost her chastity, how can she remarry?

Suicide to preserve her name is right; from the moment Chengyi abandoned her, she should have died!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep