Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Words That Pierce the Heart

In the afternoon, Shen Ruoxi went to find her two sisters-in-law.

Although everything seemed fine on the surface, she still had a few doubts that needed to be resolved.

The three of them sat together, and Shen Ruoxi asked straightforwardly, “Eldest sister-in-law, fifth sister-in-law, I would like to ask, which managers are responsible for handling these three shops?”

The sisters-in-law took the account books, carefully reviewed them, and gave a clear answer: “Manager Sun, Manager Tan, and Manager Yan are in charge.”

After listening, Shen Ruoxi pondered for a moment and then instructed, “Let’s not make this public for now. In a few days, I will personally visit the shops to conduct a detailed audit.”

The two sisters-in-law couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Ruoxi, have you discovered something wrong?”

Shen Ruoxi shook her head slightly, explaining, “It’s not that there’s an obvious problem, but I have a hunch that what Old Mrs. Xu mentioned about exploiting benefits is likely hidden within these three shops.”

The sisters-in-law heard and nodded in understanding.

Yang Family sighed and said, “Actually, most of the Shen Mansion’s businesses are managed by Old Mrs. Xu’s relatives.

Even though we are the legitimate daughters-in-law, it’s hard to intervene. Once Old Mrs. Xu loses her temper, with her crying, making a scene, and threatening, we have no way to deal with her.”

Shen Ruoxi didn’t blame the sisters-in-law for their helplessness. After all, Old Mrs. Xu was a senior, and even her own mother had to endure her oppression while alive, let alone them, the granddaughter-in-law generation.

Moreover, Old Mrs. Xu’s unruly and unreasonable behavior was well-known in the family. To maintain family harmony, they could only turn a blind eye.

Shen Ruoxi let out a cold laugh and said, “Now that I’m back, I certainly won’t allow her to continue her wrongdoings.”

Recalling her previous methods for dealing with Old Mrs. Xu, the sisters-in-law couldn’t help but laugh, agreeing, “She’s dealt best by you.”

Shen Ruoxi then switched to a lighter topic: “By the way, tomorrow Ji suggested that we all go for a relaxing outing in the hills, bring along Qing’er, Yun’er, and Xiang’er, so the kids can see the world outside.”

However, upon hearing about the trip to the outskirts, Yang Family and Zou Family both shook their heads, expressing refusal.

Yang Family said, “I’m not going; you take the children to have fun.”

Zou Family echoed, “I’m not going either.”

Shen Ruoxi knew they both came from prestigious families, the Emperor showing them grace and understanding their difficulty, her mother was also open-minded, giving them a chance to remarry, but for the children and their deceased husbands, they chose to stay at the Shen Mansion.

Especially Zou Family, who married the fifth brother at just sixteen, and they spent a year of happiness together.

The year the fifth brother died in battle, Xiang’er had just been born and was nursing, and she got through it alone, and it’s been five springs since.

In those years, the hard work and dedication of her sisters-in-law truly made her heartache.

“Tomorrow, I’ll set off for Medicine Spirit Valley to ask my master to release the seal on my Inner Strength, if not for this, how could I let that scoundrel escape last night?

I’m going to Medicine Spirit Valley, how can a few men take good care of three children?

The stress at home has been heavy for the children, bringing them some relief would be beneficial.”

“A few men? Who are they?” The two looked surprised and asked out of curiosity.

“It’s Ji, Cousin Jue, and Pei Xuan,” Shen Ruoxi explained.

“Is it appropriate for us to go together?” The two gave a wry smile.

“What’s not appropriate? Ji is a younger cousin, Lan Jue is an older cousin, as for Pei Xuan, if not for my master saying no more disciples after recruiting me, he almost became my junior, we’re all family, very appropriate,” Shen Ruoxi said with a smile.

Seeing that the two still had concerns, Shen Ruoxi chuckled, “Eldest sister-in-law, you used to be a daughter of a military general, could ride horses and wield spears, why are you so apprehensive now?

Fifth sister-in-law, when pursuing the fifth brother, you were known all over Capital City for being straightforward and bold, why are you backing down now from just going up a mountain?”

The words made both of them laugh.

Especially Zou Family, gently nudging Shen Ruoxi and complaining, “Back then, the whole Capital City was talking about me, and now you’re making fun of me with it!”

“I’m not making fun of you, I just think it’s good to go out and walk around sometimes. Xiang’er is already five, at an age of innocence and love for play, perhaps the future won’t afford such carefree times.

No matter what, with eldest sister-in-law taking care of Qing’er, and Xiang’er having your love, but Yun’er? She has no parents, and although she keeps quiet, her heart must harbor much bitterness.

Now is the time of spring in March, with everything reviving, why not let the children also relax and enjoy?”

Yang Family listened, responding with a smile, “Alright, then let’s go!”

Zou Family also concurred, “Okay, but with us all gone, won’t Old Mrs. Xu take it out on Cuicui?”

“She shouldn’t, as she is always cautious, fearing we might have set a trap for her deliberately, wouldn’t dare to act rashly.

However, there’s always a possibility for unexpected occurrences; it’s not the odd thousands but the unfortunate chance that troubles. If she gets desperate, there’s no guaranteeing her actions.

I’ve already had Shen Da and Qi Kui secretly protect Cuicui, ensuring nothing goes wrong.”

Shen Da and Qi Kui were people around Shen Ruoxi’s father, highly skilled in martial arts, among the top masters in the mansion, with them there, naturally nothing would go wrong.

Upon hearing this, the two released their worry, “Then it’s settled.”

…

Xu Ji leisurely walked towards the Prince Mansion in the southern city; the guards at the door recognized him and respectfully addressed him as “Young Master,” intending to go in and report.

Xu Ji gestured with a wave, indicating it was unnecessary, lazily saying, “No need, I’m here to see my cousin, I’ll just go in.”

“The princely heir is still in class,” the guard replied.

“I know, I’ll wait for him in Second Aunt’s room.”

The Princess Consort of southern city, Xu Jingwan, nearly forty this day, was as gentle as an orchid in temperament, her face still radiant like a hibiscus.

“Greetings to Second Aunt,” Xu Ji dutifully bowed.

Seeing Xu Ji’s arrival, the Princess Consort of the southern city smiled gently, “No need for formality, Ji, come sit. What made you think of visiting Second Aunt suddenly?”

Xu Ji thanked her for the seat, respectfully saying, “Grandmother asked me to help Cousin with some tasks; she’s been looking at account books all morning, I found it a bit boring, so I came to play with Cousin. When will he finish his lessons?”

Xu Jingwan’s face slightly darkened, her tone carrying a trace of discontentment, “Ji, you’re already grown, soon to establish a family and career, why always run to your cousin’s place?

Husbands taking concubines is common; your cousin being so jealous even petitioned the Emperor to decree a divorce, now becoming an abandoned woman, don’t you fear it will tarnish your reputation being so close to her?”

Xu Ji stood up abruptly, utterly incredulous, “Second Aunt, do you realize what you’re saying?

It’s Xiao Chengyi who’s gone too far; you, as Aunt to my cousin, how can you speak such hurtful words!

Abandoned woman? My cousin is now a Marquis personally appointed by the Emperor. It’s she who discarded Xiao Chengyi, not him abandoning her!

Moreover, I hold a proper relationship with my cousin, how is my reputation tarnished? Why would you say such a thing?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep