Chapter 291: Chapter 234: Repayment

Jun Moling had always harbored a deep-seated aversion towards Ning Zhen’er because her conduct was so independent and unconventional, entirely subverting the traditional image of women, a typical example of deviance and rebellion.

He deeply feared that this woman would lead his wife astray and even introduce her to some attractive young man, which would be completely improper.

However, today he had a slight change of heart about Ning Zhen’er.

Although he still couldn’t agree with her various actions, she truly lived her life on her own terms.

Her business was booming, and she was carefree and at ease. Even though she kept a lover, she never harmed anyone.

She lived her life the way she liked, relying on her own abilities.

In this world, expectations of women were always extremely harsh. When she thought about it this way, her ideas weren’t entirely without reason, truly nothing to be criticized.

Old Mrs. Xiao panicked when she heard that Ning Zhen’er was going to see the Emperor.

After all, the IOU in black and white was written by her grandson, and it couldn’t be denied.

Moreover, Ning Zhen’er today was not what she used to be; she was wealthy and powerful!

Reflecting on the past, Old Mrs. Xiao felt a bit of regret, mainly for the lost benefits.

Shen Ruoxi’s departure was already irreversible. After all, marrying the Prince, her noble status far surpassed her grandson’s.

But Ning Zhen’er, who was originally thought to have no background or support, was simply divorced because she believed that all the bad luck of the Xiao family was brought by this woman.

Unexpectedly, after leaving Xiao Mansion, she was able to earn a fortune and had the momentum to become the richest person in the Capital City.

Thinking of the immense wealth that nearly became the Xiao Family’s, how could she not be heartbroken!

The outside world said that the Xiao Family was an unfortunate place. Shen Ruoxi left Xiao Mansion and became a Princess Consort, and Ning Zhen’er, after leaving, was about to become immensely wealthy.

In contrast, they said Xiao Mansion was a place of bad luck, and Old Mrs. Xiao regretted it!

But when Old Mrs. Xiao was inexplicably slapped by Ning Zhen’er just now, she couldn’t swallow this anger no matter what.

Xiao Chengyi knew in his heart that this IOU was written by his own hand. If it became publicly known, the one losing face would ultimately be himself.

If it were brought up in front of the Emperor, besides repaying the debt, there was no other way, and it might even anger His Majesty.

“Grandmother, take out the notes.” Xiao Chengyi said.

Old Mrs. Xiao was still furious about being slapped by Ning Zhen’er and hesitated.

Mrs. Zhou spoke up at this time: “I’ll go get it.”

Old Mrs. Xiao wanted to warn Mrs. Zhou, but Mrs. Zhou lowered her voice and said: “It’s always been the case that debts must be repaid, nothing more to say.”

With those words, Mrs. Zhou turned to get the notes.

The gold nugget was pawned at the most famous Xiangyun Pawnshop in the Capital City, and it was pawned for one thousand taels of silver.

This price made Ning Zhen’er pause for a moment.

You have to know, pawnshops have their own rules, divided into complete pawn and temporary pawn.

Generally speaking, completely pawned items are priced at only one-tenth of their actual value, otherwise how could pawnshops make a profit?

Temporary pawn is merely storage, offering some silver, redeemable at interest. If not redeemed on time, the item becomes property of the pawnshop.

But gold nuggets, these things, usually make little gain or loss.

After all, they are essentially money, their weight determining their value.

The main purpose is still to be exchanged into loose silver for daily expenses.

Imagine carrying a gold nugget to buy rice, flour, grain, and oil, how would the shopkeeper give change?

Because of this, the price of gold nuggets is usually high.

After reading, Ning Zhen’er nodded slightly and said: “Alright, just pack one thousand taels of silver for me, the rest I will negotiate with the pawnshop myself, and I won’t ask you for the additional silver, I’ll take care of it.”

This is already the most considerate action.

Xiao Chengyi listened and immediately nodded, “Grandmother, have the accountant disburse one thousand taels of silver.”

At this moment, Old Mrs. Xiao stared fiercely at Ning Zhen’er, and after a long time, she spoke bitterly to her grandson: “Chengyi, our mansion at present has no money.”

Even if there is no money, the silver must still be given! Otherwise, the face of the Xiao Mansion would truly be lost.

Shen Ruoxi stood aside, silent, but Xiao Chengyi felt her eyes full of ridicule.

As if mocking his current downfall and incompetence, as if without her and Ning Zhen’er, the Xiao Mansion would be reduced to begging.

Making him feel more and more unbearable.

“Mother, you go and get it.” Xiao Chengyi knew there was still a sum of silver for his marriage preparation in the mansion.

Now with only three days left until the wedding, if this silver is spent, his marriage might become a laughingstock again.

But at this moment, he truly had no other option.

Mrs. Zhou naturally understood her son’s meaning, though she was extremely anxious inside.

Because once this one thousand taels of silver is spent, the mansion will no longer have the capability to host a grand wedding.

Her daughter, not yet married, had offended Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling and was sent to the Chaste Women Hall like her daughter, only released when the wedding date came.

Although it was a second marriage, she prided herself on being the daughter of a second-rank official, the Emperor decreed the marriage, so the ceremony must be grand enough.

If there is no silver, who knows what kind of trouble this grand wedding will provoke?

But right now, they came to claim their money, it must be repaid.

“Alright, I’ll go get it.”

As soon as Mrs. Zhou finished speaking, Old Mrs. Xiao knew which money she wanted to use.

This money absolutely cannot be touched; it’s meant for her grandson’s marriage. This time it’s an imperial decree, a truly suitable match, her future granddaughter-in-law is totally worthy of her grandson.

If this money is spent, what should they do?

Old Mrs. Xiao, who has always been capable of compromise, hurriedly said: “Zhen’er, during the time you were married to Chengyi, did I ever mistreat you?

And because of that, I even neglected Ruoxi. Here’s the thing, the money will definitely be returned to you, but could you wait a bit until after Chengyi’s marriage, and we will definitely repay you.”

Ning Zhen’er’s heart filled with a cold laugh; she knew too well why Old Mrs. Xiao was kind to her.

Wasn’t it because she had won military merits at the time, coupled with the belief that Shen Ruoxi was already Xiao Chengyi’s wife, so she was fearless and confident?

But she never imagined that Shen Ruoxi would be so resolute, giving them no opportunity at all, decisively separating from Xiao Chengyi.

If she had known it would end like this, would Old Mrs. Xiao still have treated her well?

Ning Zhen’er was absolutely certain, the answer undoubtedly was no.

Ever since Shen Ruoxi left the Xiao family, Old Mrs. Xiao regretted it deeply.

If she hadn’t still had her salary, she’d probably been bundled up and sent as an offering to Shen Ruoxi for venting her anger long ago.

Old Mrs. Xiao was nothing but an utter opportunist, entirely devoid of any genuine emotion, whoever was beneficial to the Xiao family, she treated them well.

Reflecting on her time at the Xiao Mansion, she had indeed heard what the servants said about Shen Ruoxi’s sacrifices for the entire Xiao family.

At that time, she didn’t care about anyone, completely captivated by Xiao Chengyi, even thinking herself to be a chosen one, regarding others as mere cannon fodder, paid no attention at all.

Thinking back now, she realized how truly foolish she was then.

Fortunately, she eventually awoke, otherwise, who knew how many foolish things she would have done!

“Old Mrs. Xiao, you say you treated me well? If I didn’t have my salary or hadn’t made any won deeds, would you still truly treat me well? Don’t say such nonsense anymore, I have long since severed ties with your Xiao family, repay the debt!”

Ning Zhen’er’s eyes were full of scorn, her tone cold and firm.

“Grandmother, don’t talk to such a shameless woman, it’s beneath you! Mother, go and get the money.”

Xiao Chengyi’s voice was devoid of warmth, speaking coldly.

Ning Zhen’er’s eyes flared with anger, “Such a woman? What kind of woman am I? Xiao Chengyi, you shameless person who doesn’t recognize someone after pulling up your pants.

I, Ning Zhen’er, have lived up to everyone, except you. I’ve become this way all because you forced me.

If it weren’t for you provoking me first, if it weren’t for you swearing you didn’t love Princess Consort Zhan, if it weren’t for you being so fickle, how could I have been entangled with a married man like you?

Have those promises you made been fed to dogs?

Now that I’ve long severed ties with you, what right do you have to insult me? Xiao Chengyi, the person I owe the least to is you!” Ning Zhen’er angrily rebuked.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep