Shen Ruoxi's lips curled into a sardonic, cold smile as she heard Xiao Chengyi coolly command Chuntao and Xia Lian, "No need for formalities, leave, I wish to speak with the madam."
"General, allow this servant to report to my lady first!" Chuntao stood her ground.
Xiao Chengyi's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he spat out two words coldly, "Your lady?"
Chuntao was not afraid of him at all; a heartless man who changed his affections, she should have slapped him!
Without being obsequious or arrogant, she said, "Please wait, General, let this servant report first."
Xiao Chengyi felt a surge of anger within; her servant referred to her as "miss," indicating she never had any sense of being a wife!
He had been pondering on how to make amends with her, only to be met with such a response.
"Chuntao, Xia Lian, let the General in, and you two wait outside," Shen Ruoxi's voice came softly from inside.
She remained indifferent, causing Xiao Chengyi's temper to bubble over.
Only then did Chuntao step aside, but her eyes were filled with resentment.
If even a servant girl behaves so arrogantly, what does that say about her master?
Xiao Chengyi suppressed his anger and walked into the room.
She sat by the window, dressed in plain clothes, sunlight flowing through the lattice, illuminating her fair, jade-like face, with bright eyes and shining white teeth, naturally beautiful, her beauty is breathtaking.
At this moment, her eyes were slightly red, as if they had been washed by clear water, evidently the traces of tears, stirring anyone's heart with pity.
Xiao Chengyi couldn't help but recall the stunning impression she gave when they first met, softening his heart a little.
He shook his head secretly, if she would just show a bit of weakness, could he truly remain heartless?
Yet she is always so stubborn, if he hadn't seen her crying in secret upon her return, he'd almost believe she truly didn't mind.
Although he promised Zhen'er a lifetime together, he never thought of divorcing her; were she to be divorced and sent back home, her life would be over.
He planned to live well with Zhen'er, yet she would still manage the household, take care of everything, and if she wanted children, he would give them to her.
He felt he had already made great sacrifices, hence he said calmly, "Zhen'er is an orphan, without her help in the great victory at Chengyang Pass, I might have died long ago. If anyone can be credited for that victory, she is the first. Despite her contributions, she asks for no merit and is devoted to me, I cannot fail her."
Not failing her means failing Shen Ruoxi, how laughable, yet she felt no ripples within her heart anymore.
She said calmly, "General, please take a seat! Did I ever say I disagree?"
"You, you agree?" Xiao Chengyi's voice involuntarily rose, not understanding why he felt this way. Angered when she disagrees, and still angry when she agrees.
"How can I say no? Can you let go of her and the child in her belly?" Shen Ruoxi mocked.
Xiao Chengyi said gloomily, "It's good that you think that way."
Shen Ruoxi gave a slight smile and said, "But under this premise, I also wish to ask the General for one thing."
Xiao Chengyi felt a sneer rising in his heart; of course, she had conditions, did he really think she had seen sense?
He mocked, "Madam, you may as well state your terms."
Shen Ruoxi took a deep breath and looked straight at him, "I have committed one of the seven grounds for divorce, not bearing a child, just wish for a divorce paper, henceforth owing each other nothing."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengyi was startled.
Divorce?
He never had such a thought; even though he made a promise to Ning Zhen'er, he has always been seeking a solution.
Not bearing a child?
Wasn't that his angry words? They hadn't even consummated, how could she bear a child?
"Is this your retreat to advance strategy? You've learned to use such filthy tricks," Xiao Chengyi roared in anger.
"Hehe..."
Shen Ruoxi chuckled derisively, "General, you're overthinking this. I merely wish to fulfill you two. You two have deep feelings for each other, how could I, being the villain, be so inappropriate? Luckily, we haven't consummated, completing your beautiful story shall be a boundless virtue!"
Xiao Chengyi was seething with rage, he had been appeasing Ning Zhen'er's emotions, yet unexpectedly Shen Ruoxi pressed him this way.
"Shut your mouth!" he shouted harshly, "From the day I married you and brought you in, I never thought of divorcing my wife. I've already explained to you, yet you remain this jealous, it's simply unreasonable!"
Shen Ruoxi looked up with her wet eyes, sneering, "Jealousy is also one of the seven grounds, there are two clear reasons for divorce, I can surely be divorced cleanly!"
Something in his words had provoked Xiao Chengyi, his eyes instantly turned blood red like a wolf's, viciously glaring at Shen Ruoxi.
"Shen Ruoxi, don't you dare! Want to leave me to find your senior brother? Dream on! Consummate? I'll fulfill you right now!"
As soon as the words fell, he leaned down sharply, attempting to kiss her.
Although Shen Ruoxi's Inner Strength had been sealed, her movements were still agile; she gently moved her chair, dodging his kiss, her eyes flashed with anger, and she slapped him hard!
"Pa!"
The crisp sound of a slap echoed inside the room, not only stunning the people inside but also startling Chuntao and Xia Lian, who were eavesdropping outside. They almost simultaneously pushed the door open to come in.
Xiao Chengyi used his tongue to push against the painful left cheek from the slap, his eyes dark like water, his voice cold and sharp as a knife, "Get out!"
Shen Ruoxi's lips curled into a deeper mocking smile, "Hitting one's husband is yet another justifiable reason for divorce. With so many reasons, what is the General still considering!"
Xiao Chengyi suddenly laughed, a laugh filled with indifference and gloom, "Shen Ruoxi, the show's over, stop acting, else you might truly act yourself out of existence."
Knowing full well she was purposely provoking him, speaking against her real intentions, still, at that moment, he fell for it, unable to suppress the rancor in his body.
He gently closed his eyes. Divorced, she'll become a forsaken woman, despised by all.
Even a fool wouldn't do such a thing, her acting is clumsy, her intentions clear, using the divorce request to manipulate him, not letting him wed Zhen'er.
He wasn't going to let her succeed.
Shen Ruoxi felt even more amused, acting? He indeed was overly confident, she said calmly, "General, please go as you please, forgive me for not seeing you off."
"Shen Ruoxi, make this clear, this is my home."
"Your home?"
Shen Ruoxi thought mockingly, is there anything here not bought with her dowry, but she was truly too tired to argue.
"Is the General suggesting I should leave?"
Xiao Chengyi looked at her with a somber face, leaving a harsh remark, "Shen Ruoxi, well done, you really are something!"
With that, he turned on his heel and left.
Chuntao and Xia Lian were frightened pale, "Miss, are you really planning to let the General divorce you?"
"Divorce me? In your dreams!" Shen Ruoxi coldly laughed.
She was the legitimate daughter of the Loyalty Marquis Mansion, her mother was a First Rank decreed lady, her maternal grandfather was the Country Town Duke, how could she let a fourth-rank general divorce her? If anyone were to be divorced, it would be her divorcing him!
Only then did Chuntao and Xia Lian breathe a sigh of relief.
Chuntao laughed and said, "Miss, you really scared the wits out of this servant just now, I thought you truly wanted the General to divorce you.
Looking at his demeanor just now, he must've been quite frightened! For a fourth-rank general to marry you, Miss, it must have been a blessing earned over several lifetimes."
Shen Ruoxi sneered, "Frighten him? I don't have the leisure for that."