Chapter 81: Chapter 32: Shameless Beyond Belief

When Xiao Chengyi heard these words, he was stunned for a moment, his face turning pale as paper.

His fingers clenched tight, a dry smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. His voice trembled slightly as he said, “Choosing a husband? Aunt, you must be joking. Ruoxi has always had me in her heart. There’s a misunderstanding between us, which I’ve already explained and apologized for.”

Zhen’er’s complexion was even paler than Xiao Chengyi’s. From the moment he addressed Lin as “Aunt,” her heart began to sink.

The promises of loyalty and eternal love now seemed to her like a cruel joke.

He still harbored fantasies about Shen Ruoxi, so what was she to him?

Had she truly married the wrong man?

Before Lin could speak, Zhen’er couldn’t help but question harshly, “Xiao Chengyi, what exactly do you mean?”

The words Shen Ruoxi had once said echoed in her ears: Chengyi could abandon her, and he could abandon you too, Ning Zhen’er!

She didn’t take it seriously at the time, but now she felt a harsh slap in the face.

Xiao Chengyi patiently explained, “Zhen’er, even if Ruoxi and I divorce, a woman’s reputation remains a heavy burden. She will be looked down upon.

I assure you, after bringing her back to the Xiao family, in this life, I will only have you and Ruoxi as my wives. Your status will be equal, and I will do my best to make sure you don’t have to meet.”

Zhen’er’s fingers were as cold as ice. As someone who had traveled through time, she truly felt she was the main character, capable of anything. She believed the man she chose would be utterly devoted to her, infatuated with her.

It turned out it was all a mirage, the various reasons he spoke of were merely excuses to cover his true feelings.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, from the day she married Xiao Chengyi, she clearly knew he loved Shen Ruoxi. All his actions indicated this.

Instantly, her heart was filled with unspeakable bitterness, emotions flooding her almost to the point of drowning.

She could have achieved greater things, why fight for a married man, ending up in a situation of being backstabbed and ashamed?

The one not loved is the third party, and she was slapped hard by this saying, how laughable!

Lin’s tone was icy, “Xiao Chengyi, don’t be so full of yourself. Look down on Ruoxi? You’ve thought too much, others look down on your Xiao family!

Your Xiao family is now notorious, everyone shuns it like the plague, what you say is truly laughable!

Let me be honest, the gentlemen visiting the Shen Mansion tomorrow, which one isn’t from a prestigious family and outstanding in appearance? I will personally seek justice for Ruoxi for all the unfairness she suffered at the Xiaos!”

Lin’s tone was filled with sarcasm and disdain, making the entire hall even more uncanny.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengyu stood up angrily and loudly retorted, “Mrs. Xu, your words are biased.”

Before she could finish, Mrs. Zhou interrupted angrily, “This is not for you to interfere!”

She quickly wiped the sweat from her forehead, turned to Lin and said, “Mrs. Xu, Chengyu is spoiled by me, I apologize for her rudeness, please forgive her.”

Then, Mrs. Zhou turned to Xiao Chengyu and sternly commanded, “Apologize to Mrs. Xu at once!”

Interrupted by her mother, Xiao Chengyu was already dissatisfied, and now she was full of resentment, “I didn’t say anything wrong!”

Mrs. Zhou, seeing this, was about to rebuke her again when Lin asked her to stop with a wave of her hand.

Lin looked at Xiao Chengyu with interest, her expression indifferent as she said, “Miss Xiao’s quick words give me a new perspective. Since you have more to say, please continue.”

Mrs. Zhou, anxious, was sweating profusely on her forehead. Who is she? She’s the biological mother of Consort Xian. If she suffered any slight at the Xiao Mansion, and complained to the Consort, who whispered to the Emperor, the Xiao family really wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences!

She glared at her daughter, eyes filled with warning, signaling her to speak with prudence.

At home, Xiao Chengyu was always arrogant, and having been interrupted earlier by her mother, she was already displeased.

Now, seeing Lin encourage her to speak further, how could she hold back? She spoke, “Mrs. Xu, since ancient times, which man doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? My brother marrying a co-wife, why is this a big deal? Why must Shen Ruoxi insist on divorce?

As Xiao family’s daughter-in-law, isn’t the dowry part of the family? Shouldn’t she spend some of it? She wants to leave, just leave, why do we have to dismantle our entire family for her?

If she divorces, she should leave half of her dowry for my brother. Why should she take it all?”

Mrs. Zhou was almost jumping with anger. She really wanted to give this inconsiderate daughter a slap.

But at this moment, she could only suppress her anger, courteously speaking to Lin, “Mrs. Xu, the child is young and ignorant, speaking out of turn, please overlook her words!”

Lin’s face wore a slight smile, her eyes but her eyes held a hint of cold disdain, and she slowly said, “Is this what you all think?”

Although Old Mrs. Xiao felt the same as her granddaughter, she could only repeatedly deny, “Mrs. Xu, those are just the rash words of a child, we hold no such intention.”

Lin tried her best to restrain herself, but anger still flickered in her eyes.

She casually asked, “Miss Xiao, since you harbor such resentment, what do you think Ruoxi should do?”

Without hesitation, Xiao Chengyu answered, “If she is willing to bow her head, admit her mistakes, and apologize to my brother, grandmother, and mother, my brother can let bygones be bygones, and continue to acknowledge her as a Xiao family daughter-in-law.

She needs to restore our family’s reputation and must never disobey her elders in the future. Besides, she must listen to my brother.

She should also try her best to meet all my demands. Only then might we consider forgiving her and allowing her to return to the Xiao family.”

The surroundings fell silent, Mrs. Zhou sighed deeply with her eyes closed. She finally realized she indeed had been too indulgent with Xiao Chengyu, allowing her to speak thoughtlessly and recklessly.

Lin watched the scene in exasperation, laughing at the absurdity.

Even she, an aunt with no blood relation, was infuriated to the point of smoke coming out of her ears. If her own in-laws knew, they’d be out for blood. Such bullying!

She couldn’t help but think of the life Shen Ruoxi must have endured before, facing such oppression from the Xiao family, otherwise Xiao Chengyu wouldn’t speak such mindlessly arrogant words.

Lin turned her gaze to Xiao Chengyi, speaking coldly, “Xiao Chengyi, your Xiao family’s actions have truly opened my eyes.

Regarding Ruoxi selecting a husband, I’ve come to personally inform you. Before leaving, there’s still something I need to do!”

Xiao Chengyi hurriedly apologized, “Aunt, Chengyu is young and ignorant, this is indeed my fault. I will personally apologize to Ruoxi. As long as she returns to the Xiao family, I will treat her doubly well.”

Lin let out a cold laugh, taunting, “No need, our Ruoxi cannot afford to reach such heights as your Xiao family. Bowing and apologizing? Really, who gave you the face?”

After speaking, she turned to Zhen’er, mocking, “Military Guard Ning, I’ve heard the Emperor say you’re a remarkable woman comparable to men. I thought you were some extraordinary lady? Is this the man you’ve taken back from someone else? Ha ha…”

Faced with Lin’s taunts, Zhen’er’s face turned pale, her fingers nearly breaking in her grip, but she did not respond.

Lin, unconcerned, looked at Old Mrs. Xiao and Mrs. Zhou, her tone indifferent, “Old Mrs. Xiao, Mrs. Xiao, I see Miss Xiao is already of marriageable age.

Since she thinks it’s normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, I will enthusiastically act as a matchmaker for her.

Last Spring Examination’s second best, He Fengfa, is erudite and talented, handsome in appearance, and currently serves as a fifth-rank Compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

His wife died last year due to illness, and the family has three concubines.

Such conditions should meet Miss Xiao’s requirements, and having her marry Lord He as a subsequent wife seems appropriate!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep