Chapter 294: Chapter 237: Xiao Chengyu’s Wild Schemes

Xiao Chengyi is truly able to bend and stretch, Shen Ruoxi thought to herself.

In that case, the upcoming matters are easier to handle.

Although Ning Zhen’er disliked Xiao Chengyi, it must be said, he’s always been proud. The only one who could make him bow and relent like this could probably only be Shen Ruoxi.

Before, she still felt somewhat bitter in her heart.

After all, she truly liked Xiao Chengyi and made many mistakes because of him.

Especially when she truly realized that Xiao Chengyi’s heart was entirely occupied by Shen Ruoxi. At that time, if she could have understood earlier and decided to leave him, she wouldn’t have ended up so hurt.

She compromised again and again, continuously lowering her bottom line, even getting into conflicts with others over him.

Thinking back now, it really was self-inflicted misery, purely deserved.

But now, she has truly let go. Such a scoundrel is not worth a bit more of her attention.

"Since Young General Xiao is so sincere, I will speak frankly.

Xueyan is already married and has sent a letter back, so this matter is settled.

However, considering that she once was driven to hang herself by your coercion, you need to apologize to her face-to-face and promise that there will be no further entanglements between you, truly ensuring closure.

As for Xia Lian, you strangled her nearly to death, we won’t ask you to apologize, just require compensation for medical expenses, emotional damages, and nutritional costs totaling five hundred taels!

Only then can this matter be put to rest!

Finally, I must solemnly remind Young General Xiao that there are no longer any relations between us, and I hope Young General Xiao will not stir up trouble in the future.

If there is a next time, this Princess Consort will not be lenient."

Xiao Chengyi’s face instantly turned extremely unsightly.

Having him, a dignified third-rank official, apologize in person to a former concubine like Xueyan was something he couldn’t swallow.

As for those five hundred taels of silver, they made him furious; getting extorted for five hundred taels just for a pinch is simply a daylight robbery, why didn’t she go steal it?

Only because he’d used his wedding’s money to return Ning Zhen’er’s gold, where would he have extra money now?

Old Mrs. Xiao, upon hearing it, nearly fainted on the spot; this was undoubtedly a blow upon blow.

"Five hundred taels of patterned silver? Ruoxi, Chengyi indeed was wrong to hit people and should offer compensation, no amount is too much.

But Chengyi is about to marry, and we truly don’t have the silver at home, can we make a small compromise?" Mrs. Zhou pleaded sincerely.

To Mrs. Zhou, Shen Ruoxi still held a measure of respect.

After all, in the Xiao Family, only her former mother-in-law treated her sincerely.

She just had no authority and was too indecisive, too cowardly to stand up for her.

But her sincerity was real, and that was enough.

So, Shen Ruoxi’s tone remained courteous, "Mrs. Xiao, there is absolutely no room for flexibility in this matter. If you do not agree, this Princess Consort will not let it go easily..."

Xiao Chengyi shoved "let it go easily" right back at her, his sad eyes looking directly at her, with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"Princess Consort Zhan, when mistakes are made, we should indeed bear the consequences. Very well, I will gather the silver for you later.

But there’s a saying, ’To know one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest good,’ I shall remember these words and never repeat my mistakes, I ask that Princess Consort Zhan rest assured."

Shen Ruoxi keenly felt there was more to his words, while Jun Moling beside her turned stern-faced, thinking to himself, does this young man still not give up?

To know one’s mistakes and correct them? Jun Moling would not give Xiao Chengyi that chance.

Shen Ruoxi had achieved her purpose today; after all, she couldn’t really kill Xiao Chengyi. As long as he would apologize to Xueyan and extort some silver, letting the Xiao Family bleed a little, that was justice.

"Very well, go gather it, this Princess Consort shall wait." Shen Ruoxi’s expression was calm, yet her tone was unequivocal.

Xiao Chengyi gave Shen Ruoxi a deep look, then turned and left.

Jun Moling glared angrily, really wanting to gouge out this young man’s eyes, daring to be so presumptuous, did he think he didn’t exist?

Shen Ruoxi understood and didn’t want things to escalate too much.

After all, Xiao Chengyi was favored by the Emperor, and Yan Zhen had just been relieved of his title as General of the Country; who knows who will fill this vacant position.

Therefore, prudence was necessary at this time, not too much publicity.

Not long after, Xiao Chengyi somehow managed to gather five hundred taels of silver and handed it to Shen Ruoxi.

Shen Ruoxi signaled Mi Er to accept it, then left with Jun Moling.

The Xiao family escorted them out to the gate, watching as their carriage gradually drove away into the distance.

Xiao Chengyi still appeared lost in spirit, as if his soul had been extracted from his body.

Mrs. Zhou said angrily yet helplessly, "Had you known this day would come, why make those choices?"

Xiao Chengyi remained silent, while Old Mrs. Xiao looked displeased, "Chengyi’s mother, how can you always side with outsiders?"

But surprisingly, Mrs. Zhou retorted, "Grandmother, if Chengyi keeps persisting in his stubborn ways, what will become of him?"

Xiao Chengyi waved his hand helplessly, "Let’s go back."

Xiao Chengyu suddenly smiled and said, "Grandmother, Mother, Yu’er has something to say to both of you."

Which was quite strange, and upon hearing it, the others nodded.

Everyone returned to the main hall, and Xiao Chengyu spoke with disdain, "What’s so great about Shen Ruoxi? Their Shen Family has no one now. She only acts so arrogant because of Prince Zhan. I have a way to make her lose face."

Mrs. Zhou had hoped her daughter had learned well in Nvzhen Hall, never expecting to hear such words. Her face instantly sank, "Chengyu, what nonsense are you talking?

Has Ruoxi wronged our family? Those jewelry and silk you wore before, weren’t they all from her? How can you say such heartless things!"

"As my brother’s wife, wasn’t it only right for her to give me those things? I used her items as a favor to her, but then what?

She actually separated from my brother, making chaos in our family, even sent me to the Chaste Women Hall, and now, she bullies us with her Princess Consort status.

This kind of woman, we should never let her off easily." Xiao Chengyu spoke with a face full of resentment, without a trace of guilt.

Mrs. Zhou shook with anger, unable to understand how she could still be so unreasonable.

But at this moment, Old Mrs. Xiao laughed out loud, "Chengyu, you are right, don’t listen to your mother. Now, tell me, what are you planning to do?"

When Xiao Chengyi heard this, he sneered coldly, "Are you all tired of living? Even if what Chengyu said is reasonable, do you think Jun Moling will let the Xiao Family have a good outcome if he finds out about your schemes against his wife? Watch out for being executed to the last member!"

The moment these words "executed to the last member" came out, Old Mrs. Xiao’s heart gave a fierce jolt, then she shouted at Xiao Chengyi, "Don’t scare everyone here, Chengyu, go on."

"Then I will marry into the Prince Mansion as a concubine. What does Shen Ruoxi have? The Prince will definitely favor me, then the position of Princess Consort Zhan will be mine, and as for her, Shen Ruoxi can only end up being dismissed." Xiao Chengyu raised her head, speaking boastfully as if everything was already assured.

Mrs. Zhou felt her daughter must have gone mad, the past half year in the Chaste Women Hall had clearly twisted her mind.

But Xiao Chengyi merely scoffed, "The Prince will favor you? What makes you think the Prince will favor you?

Are you more beautiful than Shen Ruoxi, or are your martial arts superior? You should look in the mirror to see your worth."

However, Old Mrs. Xiao thought differently. She felt her granddaughter made sense.

In her eyes, her granddaughter was outstandingly beautiful, an unmarried lady; just in terms of reputation, she was far superior to Shen Ruoxi.

Indeed!

If her granddaughter could enter the Prince Mansion as a concubine, slowly winning Jun Moling’s heart, perhaps the position of Princess Consort might really land on her granddaughter’s head.

And Shen Ruoxi, a woman cast aside, Jun Moling would sooner or later dismiss her. By then, she could step on Shen Ruoxi hard, truly taking pride and washing away past humiliations!

At this thought, a proud and sinister smile appeared on Old Mrs. Xiao’s face, as if everything would indeed go as she wished.