Chapter 292: Chapter 235: Mutual Resentment

Xiao Chengyi hated Ning Zhen to the core. If it weren’t for this woman meddling, how could he have separated from Shen Ruoxi?

Every time he thought about abandoning his beloved wife for such a fickle woman, he couldn’t help but be furious, wishing he could cut Ning Zhen into pieces.

At this moment, being accused by her again, the anger in Xiao Chengyi’s heart erupted like a volcano. He sneered continuously, "Ning Zhen, don’t think I won’t retaliate."

"A woman like you, who would sleep with any man, I must have been blind before, to be toyed with in the palm of your hand."

"I wish I could go back to the past and strangle you, you shameless wench! You have the face to accuse me? What good have you done? Do you sleep with every man?"

Ning Zhen had become immune to many words; after all, she wasn’t from this place, she just wanted to live happily.

Yet for Xiao Chengyi, she had done many shocking and outrageous things.

If it were modern times, she certainly wouldn’t have acted that way.

She despised the ancient women’s numerous disadvantages, their conservativeness, and deeply rooted feudal beliefs, which she loathed.

She always felt that nothing she did was excessive, because these women deserved to be oppressed, and coupled with this man’s sweet talk, she became the third party.

But now, these words were coming out of this man’s mouth, calling her worthless.

Her previous efforts and sincerity were not only a joke but also a self-inflicted wound.

Anyone could accuse her of being promiscuous, except for Xiao Chengyi who had no such qualification.

Furious, Ning Zhen raised her hand and slapped him.

Xiao Chengyi was not like Old Mrs. Xiao; he quickly caught Ning Zhen’s wrist, tightening his grip as if trying to crush it.

Ning Zhen’s face turned pale with pain, but she clenched her teeth, unwilling to bow to this scumbag.

"Young General Xiao, what an achievement, to raise your hand against a woman?" Shen Ruoxi’s voice came coldly, with a hint of disdain.

Hearing Shen Ruoxi’s voice, Xiao Chengyi immediately let go, feeling slightly uneasy, "Princess Consort Zhan, I usually don’t hit women, but for a bitch, it’s a different matter."

"Xiao Chengyi, you just wait!" Ning Zhen said fiercely.

Xiao Chengyi scoffed.

"Are you alright?" Shen Ruoxi asked Ning Zhen with concern.

Ning Zhen shook her painful wrist, enduring the pain, and said, "I’m fine. Scum like him won’t have a good end."

Xiao Chengyi glared at Ning Zhen without speaking.

Shen Ruoxi nodded slightly, then coldly said to Xiao Chengyi, "You not only hit women but also want to drive them to death. Xiao Chengyi, we haven’t settled the score with Xueyan yet!

Don’t forget, she has nothing to do with you, Xiao Chengyi. Now she’s with me, Shen Ruoxi."

Before Xiao Chengyi could respond, Mrs. Zhou walked in with the silver note.

She looked confused, not knowing what had happened, but it was clear the atmosphere in the room was tense, suffocating.

Suppressing her doubts, she calmly handed the silver note to Ning Zhen, and slowly said, "Military Guard Ning, although I truly despised you before, after Ruoxi left, it was you who earned money to support our Xiao Family.

For this, I thank you. I truly hope we don’t become enemies; after all, we were once family."

However, Old Mrs. Xiao angrily rebuked, "You useless thing, did you forget she just hit me? She even tried to hit Chengyi! Women like this, our Xiao Family will not coexist with her!"

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhen sneered, "I’ll return your grandson’s words to you. I don’t hit the elderly; I hit bitches! You deserved that slap for your loose tongue!"

Shen Ruoxi silently agreed; if Ning Zhen hadn’t acted, she would have, it was truly deserved.

Old Mrs. Xiao trembled with anger, her cloudy eyes full of malice, she gritted her teeth, "You wretched girl, you took the silver note, now we’re even. I want to see how long you can stay arrogant!"

Ning Zhen defiantly said, "I’m always ready!"

Mrs. Zhou sighed softly and chose silence.

At this moment, Xiao Chengyu’s gaze was firmly fixed on Jun Moling, unable to look away.

The chaos at home seemed unrelated to her; all she could think about was that even Shen Ruoxi, a woman in her second marriage, could become Princess Consort Zhan. How could she, a young maiden, not compare?

She didn’t think she was uglier than Shen Ruoxi, even felt better in every way.

She secretly resolved to first enter the Prince Mansion Zhan as a concubine and, with her own charm, make Jun Moling fall for her. Replacing Shen Ruoxi wouldn’t be far off.

With her mind made up, she slowly stood up, slightly bowed, and gently said, "Grandmother, Mother, Brother, when will retribution end? After all, we were once a family.

Whoever is wrong, an apology will suffice. If they refuse, compensation can be made. Don’t keep arguing endlessly."

After Xiao Chengyu finished speaking, the room fell silent, the tense atmosphere seemingly capable of forming ice.

Shen Ruoxi glanced sidelong at Xiao Chengyu, full of emotions.

Back then in the Xiao family, she cared a lot for this sister-in-law, and would give her anything she wanted without hesitation.

At the time, she believed that sincerity would be reciprocated. Unfortunately, what she got in return was Xiao Chengyu’s mockery and insatiable greed, even her brother’s betrayal felt like a joke, always eyeing her things.

Now, hearing these seemingly reasonable words from Xiao Chengyu, she just found it utterly fake and ridiculously laughable.

She didn’t believe the Nvzhen Hall would educate her well, and since she and her husband entered the Xiao family hall, her gaze unwaveringly followed her husband.

The stuff in her passionate gaze, others might not understand, but as a woman, she knew well, and could only mock silently in her heart.

Old Mrs. Xiao was taken aback, never expecting her granddaughter to be so similar to her mother, siding with outsiders, and was momentarily stunned.

Mrs. Zhou, however, felt gratified, thinking sending her to Nvzhen Hall was a wise decision; her daughter was taught well, at least with a clear sense of right and wrong.

Since hearing about Xueyan’s suicide, Xiao Chengyi has harbored some guilt within.

After all, he didn’t hope for Xueyan’s death; he had no romantic feelings for her, and didn’t care who she married. He just wanted to trouble Shen Ruoxi, never expecting her to actually confront him about it.

Though the situation was tricky, he was somewhat overwhelmed.

Now as a Standard Third-rank official, apologizing to a former concubine was absolutely impossible.

Moreover, those words from Xueyan, even if concocted by Shen Ruoxi, likely reflected her true thoughts as well. There’s no way he could swallow his pride to apologize.

Suppressing his inner anger, he said, "Indeed, I was inconsiderate regarding Xueyan’s matter, but her words were truly harsh, insulting me thoroughly. Let’s call it even.

Henceforth, I won’t have any dealings with her, let each go their way, and it will be clear."

Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi’s face was full of a ridiculing smile, "Even? I asked Xia Lian to check if you could consider it even, and you said no!

I’ll keep this in mind for now, and what about Xia Lian? You nearly choked her to death, Young General Xiao, you really hate me to the bone, determined to eliminate every maid around me. Where do you get the nerve?"

Xiao Chengyi intended to say he didn’t hate her, that he deeply regretted it and wanted her back day and night, but now wasn’t the time to reveal his true intentions. He needed to bide his time, so he could plan and scheme to win her back.

Steadying himself, he replied, "Princess Consort Zhan, I am not as you say. Xia Lian spoke out of turn first, I merely gave a small punishment to warn her, the Princess Consort mustn’t be partial."

Shen Ruoxi’s eyes filled with coldness, "Who’s the instigator here? Xiao Chengyi, if you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation today, I won’t let it go easily!"

With Shen Ruoxi’s words, the oppressive atmosphere in the front hall intensified.