Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Perhaps More Than One Man

The chill of early spring lingered; at this moment when warmth was beginning to overcome cold, this afternoon the sky was particularly overcast.

Considerately, Chuntao brought a shawl for Ruoxi and gently urged her not to wander far.

Ruoxi nodded slightly, her gaze resting on the horizon, her heart beating with uncertainty, unsure if a spring rain would descend tomorrow, disrupting their planned outing.

After two years away, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity upon returning home.

Especially the rear courtyard; the scenery seemed to have changed somewhat, Ruoxi suspected this was likely the handiwork of Old Mrs. Xu.

However, she wasn’t too concerned about it.

Not far away, several servants were chopping wood with their shirts off.

Seeing Ruoxi approaching, they hastily put on their clothes and knelt down in fear to greet her.

Ruoxi gestured for them to dispense with formalities and continued on her way.

Once Ruoxi had gone, the servants whispered among themselves, “Looks like from now on the Marquis will be in charge of this household, right?”

“Will Old Mrs. Xu relinquish her power that easily? Don’t forget that the stewards of the Shen Family are all her men.”

“You’re right, even if the Marquis has returned after getting married, she’s still young, gaining authority in the Shen Family won’t be easy. That Old Mrs. Xu is really quite cunning!”

Watching her graceful figure leave, they all felt a tinge of worry.

Ruoxi intended to bypass what seemed like the servants’ quarters, yet unexpectedly, a man walked toward her.

He knelt to greet her, saying, “Greetings, my Lord Marquis.”

Ruoxi scrutinized him; he seemed to be around thirty, with a fair face, but his eyes darted uneasily, leaving an uncomfortable impression.

“Who are you?” Ruoxi inquired.

The man replied, “I am responsible for the stables, called Chen Gun.

This area is somewhat messy and dirty; I should take the Marquis to see another place.”

Ruoxi shook her head, “No need, I’m just strolling, you don’t have to follow me.”

The man insisted, “It’s best if I accompany you, my Lord!”

“It’s really unnecessary.” Ruoxi’s tone carried a hint of coldness.

However, just as Ruoxi lifted her leg to leave, she felt the hem of her skirt being stepped on, causing her to stumble slightly.

The man hurriedly said, “Be careful, my Lord.” He seemed to want to extend his hand to support Ruoxi.

Ruoxi’s eyes turned cold, her body straightened immediately, and with a deft step, she created a distance between him and herself.

“My Lord, are you alright?” Chen Gun’s eyes flashed as he asked concernedly.

Ruoxi’s face was frosty, just about to speak, when a woman’s angry voice came from the side, “Chen Gun, you spend half a month or a month without coming home, turns out you’ve found a woman outside! I’ve caught you red-handed today!”

Ruoxi frowned and looked over, only to see a woman storming toward her, raising her hand as if to slap her.

How could Ruoxi let her approach so easily? Her eyes were cold and deep, and with a light step, she swiftly dodged the attack.

“You mad woman, you’re utterly insane! This is the Marquis!” The man’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he grabbed the woman, trying to make her kneel and apologize to Ruoxi.

The woman seemed a bit bewildered by the scene in front of her, “Wasn’t she said to be nearly forty? How come she’s so young?”

Ruoxi’s heart tightened, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes, “Forty?”

Upon hearing this, the man immediately slapped her, “Are you tired of living? What nonsense are you spouting?”

The woman didn’t expect him to hit her; she started to throw a tantrum, reaching to scratch his face, “Chen Gun, you bastard, it’s bad enough you took a mistress, but you dare hit me too! I’ll fight you to the death!”

Ruoxi slightly curled her fingers, scrutinizing the man before her, comparing his height and build with the person she saw last night; they indeed bore some resemblance.

She slightly furrowed her brows; could it have been him last night? He didn’t run away but dared to remain in the rear courtyard?

But Ruoxi quickly realized something was amiss; this man was not the one from last night.

She had exchanged glances with that person last night, whose eyes were cold and lifeless, imparting an inexplicable sense of chill, while this man’s eyes were full of frivolousness.

Moreover, their temperaments were entirely different.

This man was merely an ordinary individual, while the person from last night seemed like one soaked in ice, devoid of any warmth.

“You’re insane! She’s the Marquis of the Marquis Mansion, just returned! Are you trying to die?” The man anxiously explained.

“I don’t care if she’s the Marquis; you’ve abandoned my son and me, what do I have to fear? I’ll fight you to the death!” The woman continued her tirade.

Ruoxi suddenly spoke coldly, “Stop fighting, tell me your name. Since you’re suspecting your husband of being involved with another woman, if you have proof, I can help you.”

The woman, her hair disheveled and face marked with spots of blood, suddenly froze, seeing her husband’s purple face, she seemed to come to her senses.

She fell to her knees, trembling as she spoke, “My Lord Marquis, it was my momentary folly, please, with your magnanimity, forgive me!”

“I’ve heard that the Shen Mansion is headed by an old lady living alone; it seems all the men chosen in the mansion are robust and strong…”

“You’re simply spouting nonsense!” Chen Gun interrupted anxiously, hurriedly defending, “My Lord Marquis, please don’t listen to her nonsense, I have nothing to do with Old Mrs. Xu!”

Classic maid trying to cover up, Ruoxi smiled faintly, “Since there’s no issue, you should properly explain to your wife.

The Marquis still has matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany you further.”

Saying this, she gave that person a deep look.

In his panicked, sweat-covered demeanor, she finally turned and left.

Behind her, Chen Gun’s exasperated and furious voice could be heard, “You foolish woman, you’ve really ruined me, everything is over!”

“And what you’ve done isn’t allowed to be spoken of?”

“You’re still spouting nonsense!”

Ruoxi curved the corner of her mouth into a slight, disdainful arc, silently pondering: The household affairs are far more complicated than I imagined; this Old Mrs. Xu surely holds quite a few scandals worthy of anticipation!

She came back to Shaohua Courtyard, finding Chuntao waiting at the entrance, whose face immediately beamed with a bright smile upon seeing her return, “Miss, you’re finally back!”

Ruoxi lightly laughed, “This is my home, what are you worried about?”

Chuntao seemed about to speak but stopped, and Ruoxi knew full well. Old Mrs. Xu was someone who always wielded authority through her age and status. Her sudden return home, given her personality, she would never allow her own words to prevail, which meant the struggle had just begun.

“Go fetch Uncle Feng for me,” Ruoxi instructed.

“Alright!” Chuntao nodded in agreement and turned to call Uncle Feng.

Uncle Feng, an old hand of the Shen Family, soon hobbled over, and upon seeing Ruoxi, was moved to kneel and greet, “Greetings to the eldest young lady!”

“Uncle Feng, what’s this for? Get up!” Ruoxi quickly helped Uncle Feng to his feet.

Uncle Feng, named Feng Hai, now in his fifties, indeed looked much older than before.

“Uncle Feng, I see many new faces at home; where are the old people of the mansion?” Ruoxi inquired.

Feng Hai sighed, remaining silent for a while before speaking, “Ah, eldest young lady, the matters within, it’s truly a long and complicated story…”

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