Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Home Destroyed

Xiao Chengyi was awakened by a high-pitched “Ah!”

He opened his eyes in a daze.

What greeted him was a vibrant celebratory red, a crimson wedding bed, crimson bedding, and gradually, his consciousness returned from the confusion.

How did he return to this bridal chamber? How did he fall into slumber? Xiao Chengyi had no recollection of it at all.

He only remembered Shen Ruoxi divorcing him, while he drank himself into a stupor.

“So noisy, can’t people get a good rest?”

Zhen’er turned over in dissatisfaction, whispering complaints.

Facing Zhen’er, a sudden inexplicable guilt surged in Xiao Chengyi’s heart.

He gently planted a kiss on her forehead, soothingly said, “It’s still early, you sleep a bit longer. I’ll go see what’s happening outside.”

Seeing his considerate manner, Zhen’er felt much of her frustration dissipate.

She spoke softly, “Brother Yi, from now on, we must love each other dearly. As long as you truly care for me, I believe we will have a happy and fulfilling life together.”

It must be said, Zhen’er is an exceedingly intelligent woman.

Instead of creating a scene, she empathetically looked forward to the future with Xiao Chengyi, which deepened his sense of guilt towards her.

It’s time to let go of Shen Ruoxi, Xiao Chengyi silently admonished himself.

Yesterday’s emotional turmoil might have just been his pride acting up.

Whether or not there was ever true love between them, how could a divorce not stir any feelings?

He took a deep breath, solemnly promised Zhen’er, “Rest assured, from now on, we will grow old together, sharing the rest of our lives.”

Hearing this, Zhen’er lightly nodded, a content and blissful smile gracing her face.

After getting up, Xiao Chengyi had just washed his face when he heard the urgent cries of a maid outside: “General, something terrible has happened! Old Mrs. Xiao suddenly fainted in the rear courtyard; please go and have a look!”

His heart tightened. He hastily dried the water droplets off his face and hurried to the rear courtyard.

However, what met his eyes left Xiao Chengyi dumbfounded.

The entire rear courtyard was in chaos, as if looted by bandits, not a single blade of grass spared.

At this moment, Old Mrs. Xiao had been revived by the crowd pinching her philtrum; she was wailing loudly, her immense grief revealing intense hatred, “Shen Ruoxi, you ungrateful wretch, how dare you leave my home in such disarray, I’ll never be at peace with you!”

Xiao Chengyi looked at all this, a complicated sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth, “Grandmother, would you like me to report this to the authorities?”

Old Mrs. Xiao faltered, then angrily said, “Using her dowry, so what? Was she not a member of the Xiao Family at the start? She divorces and wants to wreck the house? Let her wait, she’ll never have a good life in the future!”

Listening to his grandmother’s accusations, an inexplicable irritability surged in Xiao Chengyi’s heart.

In these two years of being away from home, the Xiao Mansion has fallen to such a state where even daily expenses rely on Shen Ruoxi?

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the waves within his heart, and slowly said, “Grandmother, since these things were procured with her money, it’s not unreasonable for her to destroy them.

I still have some savings and can find someone to repair it.”

“Such a woman should be dismissed!” Old Mrs. Xiao continued indignantly, “Even if the money was spent by her, we can repay her in silver afterward. But she messed up our home like this… it’s infuriating!”

“Grandmother, we were actually divorced.” Xiao Chengyi blandly corrected.

Old Mrs. Xiao paused, then furiously cursed, “So what if it’s a divorce? A woman like her is a discarded wench! She’ll never get married again, who would want a second-hand?”

Xiao Chengyi furrowed his brow, displeased with his grandmother’s insults towards Shen Ruoxi.

He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and said, “Grandmother, please stop. Rest assured, I will arrange for someone to repair the rear courtyard soon.”

Old Mrs. Xiao seemed to recall certain things, beginning to complain about Xiao Chengyi, “Chengyi, you too! How could you not let Zhen’er stay in another courtyard first, and then bring her back after you consummated your marriage with Shen Ruoxi?

Shen Ruoxi, rounded or flat, isn’t she at your mercy? Now she decisively divorces because she’s still a virgin, look at everything that’s ruined!”

Old Mrs. Xiao pounded her chest, face full of regret and heartache.

Her home, all destroyed by that contemptible woman Shen Ruoxi, she would never let it rest!

And that face, once deliberately ignored by Xiao Chengyi, involuntarily resurfaced in his mind now.

His and his grandmother’s thoughts differed; she valued his status and wealth,

whereas he thought, no matter what, they shouldn’t have divorced, and a deep regret welled up in his heart.

Back then, had he truly done as his grandmother said, at the very least, her departure wouldn’t have been so resolute, and his compensation might not have been just an empty promise.

Returning indoors, Zhen’er was already up, indifferent to the chaos Shen Ruoxi had caused at home.

Who was she? Those modern trinkets to her were like child’s play, easily she could earn a fortune.

“Brother Yi, don’t worry, once I put my mind to it, the position of the richest in the Capital City will soon be mine. In the future, you only need to count the money at ease.”

Xiao Chengyi was well aware of Zhen’er’s abilities and had no doubts about her success.

Although he didn’t pursue becoming the richest, abundant wealth indeed spared many trivial troubles.

“I trust you.”

…

In Shaohua Courtyard, Xu Ji sat with his legs crossed, eating snacks, looking displeased, “I say, cousin, you’ve been looking at it for an hour, and you’re not talking to me, I’m dying of boredom.”

Shen Ruoxi coolly replied, “If you’re bored, take a walk yourself, don’t disturb me.”

“Isn’t it because grandmother had me come over since you didn’t show up, saying I should help you, but half the day passed and I’ve only been drinking tea,” Xu Ji complained.

Chuntao laughed and explained, “Young Master, Miss has a lot to do upon return. These are accounts from the Shen Family’s shops; she needs to familiarize herself to manage well.”

“Such a hassle, leave it to the servants, if you lack money, I have it,” Xu Ji said carelessly.

“How much can you have?” Shen Ruoxi asked dismissively.

“Cousin, how about we ask Xiao Xuan and Lan Jue to go on a spring outing tomorrow? We can hunt too,” Xu Ji suggested.

“No time, not going,” Shen Ruoxi coldly refused.

“Cousin, you’re really not giving me face!” Xu Ji muttered in discontent.

Chuntao smiled lightly and said, “Young Master, you sure think ahead! Three men taking Miss on a spring outing, what would others think and say?”

“Yet we all went before, didn’t we?” Xu Ji showed slight confusion, puzzled as to why it had now become an issue.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep