The Old Mrs. Xiao was so infuriated by Shen Ruoxi that she was left with a splitting headache, feeling as though she couldn't even drink her medicine, and her legs started to feel uncomfortable as well.
She was just about to instruct Nanny Yu to leave her alone for a moment of peace when the door was suddenly pushed open.
Xiao Chengyu barged in, her face full of anger.
Initially, she thought that after complaining to her brother, Shen Ruoxi would surely be punished, but what she saw was that the woman returned unharmed to her Bamboo Pavilion.
"Grandmother, why did Shen Ruoxi not only refuse to give me the hairpin but also abused me, and yet she returned to her room as if nothing happened?"
Old Mrs. Xiao was already troubled by this matter, and upon hearing Xiao Chengyu's words, her anger flared up.
"What good does it do to tell me? She now acts like a carefree landlord, watching our family struggle and not lifting a finger to help.
In all these years, I really treated her well for nothing, can't believe that even within the family there must be all these calculations, why bother separating yours from mine? She's almost infuriating me to death!"
Xiao Chengyu hadn't expected Shen Ruoxi to have the audacity to make grandmother so angry, she asked in astonishment, "Why doesn't my brother do anything? She bullies me and disobeys you, and they just let her off like that?"
Old Mrs. Xiao rubbed her temples, her face filled with resentment and anger as she said, "Don't mention your brother, useless man.
Shen Ruoxi really is an ungrateful wretch! Does she not know how I treated her all these years? I protected her, doted on her.
And yet here she is, causing a scene just because your brother is about to take a concubine, even daring to contradict me, having no manners at all."
"Why doesn't my brother do something? Just let her run wild?" pursued Xiao Chengyu.
Remembering the embarrassing scene with her grandson earlier, the fury in Old Mrs. Xiao's heart ignited like dry kindling.
The useless wretch, after just a few harsh words from her, he cowered and retreated, even giving her back the dowry, was he out of his mind?
From ancient times, it was said that a chicken marries a chicken, a dog marries a dog, that substantial dowry bears the name Xiao, it's not Shen Ruoxi's.
"Chengyu, hurry up and leave me in peace! Let me have some quiet."
Xiao Chengyu bit her lip, her heart filled with even more resentment, from today on, she is completely at odds with Shen Ruoxi.
"Grandmother, I'm leaving now." she said, full of unwillingness.
Old Mrs. Xiao waved her hand irritably, and Xiao Chengyu left.
Watching her granddaughter leave, Old Mrs. Xiao pressed her temples, thinking that no matter what, she must get hold of Shen Ruoxi's dowry.
Entering the doors of the Xiao family, everything Shen Ruoxi possesses belongs to the Xiao family, and if she thinks she can use it to manipulate them, she's absolutely out of her mind, she needs a lesson to wake up.
...
Unburdened, free of troubles, Shen Ruoxi had a good night's sleep, waking up feeling refreshed.
After washing up, she picked up a short sword and walked light-heartedly to the backyard.
Xiao Chengzhao and Xiao Chengkun were already in the backyard practicing their martial arts routines, and as they saw Shen Ruoxi approaching gracefully, they greeted in unison, "Sister-in-law!"
Shen Ruoxi smiled and nodded in response.
Xiao Chengkun, being introverted and reticent, after calling her sister-in-law, buried himself in his practice without speaking further.
Whereas Xiao Chengzhao was the complete opposite, naturally glib and cheerful, he approached smilingly, "Sister-in-law, did I perform this move correctly?"
Shen Ruoxi watched closely as he executed the Double Wind Piercing Ears move and couldn't help but laugh softly, "Very good, Chengzhao, you will become someone great in the future."
Embarrassed by her praise, Xiao Chengzhao said, "Thank you for the compliment, sister-in-law."
She was just about to offer guidance to Xiao Chengzhao on the importance of a straight posture when practicing, when a maid hurried over, paying her respects: "Young Madam, the Old Mrs. requests your immediate presence in the front hall, His Majesty has sent an edict."
Shen Ruoxi's heart jolted suddenly, instinctively fearing it might be the decree for her separation from Xiao Chengyi.
However, upon entering the front hall, she realized it was not the case.
A wave of indescribable melancholy surged within her, accompanied by strands of annoyance.
But she could only follow Old Mrs. Xiao's family, respectfully welcoming this sudden decree.
This decree was sent for Xiao Chengyi and Ning Zhen'er.
The Emperor not only appointed Xiao Chengyi to command the elite Patrol Camp in the army but also bestowed upon him one thousand taels of patterned silver as a generous reward.
Even more unbelievably, the Emperor unprecedentedly appointed Ning Zhen'er as a sixth-rank Military Guard, allowing her, a woman, to hold an office in the military.
This news was like thunder from a clear sky, leaving not only Ning Zhen'er herself in disbelief, but even the Old Mrs. Xiao was so astonished that she felt like she was in a dream.
Previously, due to Xiao Chengyi's connections, her attitude towards Ning Zhen'er was somewhat considerate, coupled with the fact that Ning Zhen'er was pregnant, she had afforded her some measure of face.
However, deep down, she always held a disdain for Ning Zhen'er.
But at this moment, Old Mrs. Xiao's mood was completely different, overwhelmed with joy, almost beyond control.
For a woman to hold a military post, it was unprecedented in the Dayi Country, bringing immense honor to the entire family.
Even the old general and Xiao Chengyi's father, during their lifetime, had only held a fifth-rank official position, but now with Ning Zhen'er's appointment, Old Mrs. Xiao was ecstatic.
Ning Zhen'er herself never imagined that the Emperor would appoint her as a military officer.
As she saw the gleam of joy in the eyes of the Xiao family, a sense of unparalleled triumph filled her heart.
Look, she was not the kind of woman who merely stayed in the inner courtyard, now finally she had made them see her in a new light.
She finally felt she had avenged the disgrace of being looked down upon by them before, raising her head in pride.
"Sister-in-law, you are truly amazing!" Xiao Chengyu did not hesitate to praise, "I always said, you are my brother's great noble benefactor.
Unlike some people, narrow-minded, petty, inexperienced, and always squabbling over trivial matters."
Xiao Shaohuan, with veiled sarcasm, praised Ning Zhen'er while stepping on Shen Ruoxi.
Shen Ruoxi smirked coldly but did not retort.
Old Mrs. Xiao, at this moment brimming with enthusiasm, straightened her back and said to Ning Zhen'er, "Zhen'er, from now you are the steward of the Xiao Mansion, all the affairs, big or small, are for you to decide."
After speaking, she deliberately cast a glance at Shen Ruoxi, her disdain evident, seemingly conveying, "Did you think the Xiao family could not thrive without you? Look, with Zhen'er, our Xiao family is even more glorious."
Only now did Shen Ruoxi realize what kind of family she had married into?
No sincerity at all? Nothing but misplacement of feelings, fortunately, it still wasn't too late.
However, amidst this jubilation, only Mrs. Zhou showed displeasure.
She muttered softly, "This woman should be content staying at home nurturing her husband and educating her children, how can she be involved in these matters of fighting and killing all day long?
Moreover, Zhen'er is pregnant, how can she take up the position of a Military Guard? She should stay home and take care of her pregnancy, that is the right path."
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Xiao glared and scolded, "What do you know! Zhen'er, as a military general, of course, receives a salary from the court, how can she be compared to you delicate ladies in the inner courtyard?
She is now recognized by the Emperor, it's truly an immense honor for our Xiao Family, indeed bringing glory to our ancestors!"
Shen Ruoxi's lips curled into a mocking smirk, her gaze towards Xiao Chengyi and Ning Zhen'er full of disdain, "Then I should really congratulate Young General Xiao on marrying such an outstanding heroine."
Xiao Chengyi's eyes deepened, catching her calm expression, inexplicably displeased by her words and demeanor.
Ning Zhen'er's fingers tightened, clearly she was the most dazzling star to be admired, yet always overshadowed by a useless woman from the inner courtyard.
The cold sneer and disdain in her eyes tore at Ning Zhen'er's high pride.
Suddenly, she wiped her lips with a smile, but her eyes were cold and calculating, "Brother Yi, I don't understand! With my new official rank, does Sister Ruoxi have to bow to me in the future?"