Chapter 72: Chapter 23: Finding a Way to Enter the Arena

Shen Ruoxi hurriedly recounted everything she knew from the Capital Governor Mansion to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu’s expression remained serious. He said calmly, “Alright, I understand everything. Leave the rest to your senior brother. I’ll send you back to recuperate now, don’t worry about anything else.”

Shen Ruoxi lowered her voice suddenly, and cautiously asked, “Senior brother, don’t kick me out yet. Did you see the notice outside?”

This matter had already become the talk of the town in the Capital City, and Qin Yu naturally knew about it.

His gaze was piercing, staring directly at Shen Ruoxi, with a tone that left no room for disagreement, “I know. Little junior sister, what do you want to say?”

Under his intense gaze, Shen Ruoxi felt a little guilty, and her original intention to say that she wanted to participate in the martial arts challenge was swallowed back.

She knew well that if she really proposed to participate in the challenge, her senior brother would tie her up without hesitation. This was no joke.

So, Shen Ruoxi chuckled awkwardly and said, “I just think senior brother should give it a try; surely, no one can match you.”

Qin Yu had long planned to go to the front line, serving the country being his ambition.

His expression softened a bit, and he said, “Of course, I will go. His Majesty set the time to be ten days later to allow those heroes coming from afar enough time to reach the Capital City.

Little junior sister, remember what the master once said, ’The world is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, there is always someone better, and skies beyond skies.’ Your senior brother’s martial arts are still far from enough, so don’t become arrogant.”

Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi patted Qin Yu’s shoulder confidently and said, “Senior brother, I have faith in you; you’re sure to come out on top!”

That’s what she said, but in her heart, she was plotting how to hide from her senior brother that she also wanted to join the martial arts contest!

Qin Yu gave a slight smile and said, “I hope so. Well, let your senior brother send you back.”

Shen Ruoxi nodded in agreement, “Understood, thank you, senior brother.”

…

After returning home, Duchess Xu fell into deep thought, looking troubled.

Her daughter-in-law, Lin, noticing this, asked with a concerned smile, “Mother-in-law, what’s wrong? Is there something troubling you?”

Duchess Xu sighed slightly, narrating the matter of Old Mrs. Xu proposing to find a husband for Shen Ruoxi.

Lin, hearing this, slightly frowned and gently comforted, “Mother-in-law, Ruoxi has just returned to the Shen Family not long ago, this matter can perhaps wait a little. There’s no rush even if it’s a few months later. She is so outstanding, there’s no worry about not finding a good family. You’re too hasty.”

Duchess Xu shook her head helplessly, showing a bit of anger on her face, “Indeed, from a timing perspective, there’s no need to be so hurried. But that Xiao Family is really too bullying!”

Upon hearing this, Lin felt a tightness in her heart and hurriedly asked, “Mother-in-law, what exactly happened?”

Duchess Xu recounted indignantly, “A couple of days ago, Xiao Chengyi’s mother actually went to the gate of Shen Mansion and harshly criticized Ruoxi.

Today, that Xiao Chengyi again angered Ruoxi to the point of vomiting blood.

I originally planned to go to the Xiao Mansion today to get to the bottom of it. Are they bullying Ruoxi because she has no one to back her up?

Thinking about it now, I’d rather not go for the time being.

On the day before Ruoxi’s husband selection, I must personally visit Xiao Mansion to deliver this good news, to make Xiao Chengyi, Ruoxi’s ex-husband, have his say!”

Upon hearing this, Lin was instantly furious. The Xu Family was not only of noble status, but she was also the biological mother of the current Imperial Concubine, so how could the Xiao Family dare to bully Ruoxi like this? It was utterly disrespectful!

Her mother-in-law was getting on in years, nowhere near as fierce as she used to be, so she said softly,

“Mother-in-law, dealing with such petty folk doesn’t require your personal intervention; it’s enough to let your daughter-in-law handle it.”

Duchess Xu thought about it after hearing that she was the mother of the concubine, indeed more suitable.

“Alright, just go ahead as you see fit, you don’t need to be polite to them.”

Lin nodded, as if something occurred to her, and said in a low voice, “Mother-in-law, have you heard about the rumors outside?”

Duchess Xu was slightly taken aback and looked puzzled, “What rumors?”

Lin also felt helpless about the Emperor’s actions. Ruoxi had already been married for more than two years, yet among the Emperor’s many concubines, he still could not forget Ruoxi.

“There are rumors outside that the separation between Ruoxi and Xiao Chengyi is related to His Majesty.

It seems His Majesty has never let go of Ruoxi and there’s even talk that she will eventually enter the palace as a concubine.”

Old Mrs. Xu had also mentioned this matter before, which was also one of the reasons Duchess Xu was eager to find a husband for Shen Ruoxi.

“I’ve heard about this too. That’s why the matter of selecting a husband for Ruoxi is urgent; later, let Zhen draft a list.

He is in the court and should know the character of the young men from each family well. Let’s fix the number around ten.”

Lin smiled lightly, “Mother-in-law, Ji is already of age, though three years younger than Ruoxi, but their age difference isn’t too much. Why not consider letting him marry Ruoxi, wouldn’t that make the families even closer?”

Duchess Xu smiled faintly, “You! How long have you been hiding this thought?”

Lin also laughed, “Back then Ji was young, but now Ji is of age; letting Ruoxi into the Xu Family would put both you and father-in-law at ease, and Ji keeps calling her cousin, he’d also get what he wishes.”

Duchess Xu shook her head, “Your maternal feelings towards Ruoxi, I’ve seen it and I’m pleased, but Ruoxi always sees Ji as her younger brother.

Moreover, these two children, they’re both lively, Ji even more playful and impulsive, and I, in fact, want to find someone who can truly take care of Ruoxi, who can embrace her.”

Lin felt regretful in her heart too, her son really can’t measure up to Ruoxi, “Looking at it this way, Ji truly doesn’t match Ruoxi.”

“It’s not a matter of matching, it’s that the two children are not suitable, don’t insist on pairing them.”

Lin thought about it and agreed, “Mother-in-law understands.”

Duchess Xu added, “Previously, we always considered Ruoxi’s predicament, trying our best to save face for the Xiao Family, always being lenient.

But we didn’t expect that they would take advantage and become more outrageous, so this matter of Ruoxi attracting a husband must be done well, hit Xiao Chengyi hard in the face, make the Xiao Family regret and no longer dare to provoke Ruoxi.”

Lin agreed, “When my husband returns, I will report this matter to him in detail.”

Duchess Xu, being older now, waved her hand with some fatigue, “That’s good, let me rest for a while and restore my energy.”

Lin knew well that her mother-in-law’s fatigue was all due to the Xiao Family’s affairs.

She said softly, “Mother-in-law, please don’t worry. Ruoxi has safely returned to Shen Mansion, finally escaping the Xiao Family’s den of wolves. The days ahead will surely be peaceful, so don’t fret over these matters any longer.”

Duchess Xu nodded her head and snorted coldly, “I certainly understand. I won’t let my old bones settle until the Xiao Family is well tormented.”

Lin smiled slightly upon hearing this.

Though her mother-in-law was getting up in years, she was still in robust health. She respectfully bowed and said goodbye before turning to leave.

In truth, Lin always felt it was a pity for Ruoxi and Lan Jue.

Her second sister-in-law’s temperament makes it difficult to get along with, and the main reason her mother-in-law opposed Ruoxi marrying Lan Jue was largely due to the influence of that second sister-in-law.

If her son’s character, talent, age, and conduct could compare to Lan Jue’s, she would not consider letting Ruoxi marry anyone else.

Lan Jue’s excellence was evident to them all, but unfortunately, that second sister-in-law simply did not like Ruoxi. Two such well-matched children, what a pity.

Lin must also make early arrangements, discuss with her husband, and keep the number of suitors at ten; they must be picked meticulously, it’s better to have less than to have subpar options.

…

Old Mrs. Xu lay on the couch, while Nanny Hou reported in a low voice, “For Shen Ruoxi’s husband selection, this old slave has arranged for the vegetable vendors to spread the word widely. With His Majesty’s many ears and eyes, he’s likely to take action upon hearing it.”

Old Mrs. Xu nodded in satisfaction, but when she thought of Cuicui and Chen Gun’s matter, her brow furrowed again, “Find Yan for me tonight.”

Nanny Hou hesitated, “Old Madam, this old slave heard from Old Liu in the backyard that there’s been some trouble with Manager Yan’s side, it seems government officials have even visited the distillery.”

Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Xu’s expression changed drastically, and she felt a wave of panic.

For safety’s sake, she had always instructed Manager Yan of the distillery not to have any contact with her; could something really have gone wrong?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep