Shen Ruoxi frowned upon hearing this, her heart filled with confusion.
She had only discussed this with her sister-in-law, who would certainly keep her mouth shut. So who let the news slip, allowing Old Mrs. Xu to find out?
After a moment's thought, she instructed calmly, "Let's go and take a look."
As soon as Shen Ruoxi stepped into Old Mrs. Xiao's Fulai Courtyard, she heard Old Mrs. Xu's loud and agitated voice: "Your Xiao Family actually wants to divorce Ruoxi? What are you trying to do? Bully our Shen Family because there's no one to stand up for us?"
Standing at the doorway, Shen Ruoxi was momentarily stunned. If she didn't know the enmity between her and Old Mrs. Xu, she might have truly believed that she was here to stand up for her and seek justice.
"In-law, what do you mean by this? When did we ever say we were going to divorce Ruoxi?" Old Mrs. Xiao's voice was filled with confusion.
Shen Ruoxi's heart tightened, afraid Old Mrs. Xu might say something shocking again, and she hurriedly pushed the door open and entered.
She greeted Old Mrs. Xiao and Old Mrs. Xu with respect: "Greetings, mother-in-law, greetings, grandmother."
Although she was extremely reluctant to call Old Mrs. Xu "grandmother," at this moment, she represented the entire Shen Family and had to temporarily put aside personal grievances.
Old Mrs. Xu, not yet forty, appeared astute and capable, with a pair of amorous eyes darting about. Despite her age, she still retained a certain charm.
As soon as she saw Shen Ruoxi, she began to act up again: "Ruoxi, you're finally here! The Shen Family, known for its loyalty, cannot be bullied by such a trivial family! This is simply outrageous! Don't be afraid; with your grandmother here, you have nothing to worry about."
Shen Ruoxi furrowed her brows. She had long predicted that once Old Mrs. Xu learned of the matter, she would definitely make a scene, as she feared Shen Ruoxi would return to the Shen Mansion.
Now it seemed her premonition was indeed correct.
Old Mrs. Xiao's face turned livid with anger. She had always valued face and would certainly not admit her family was insignificant.
Moreover, her grandson was now holding a prestigious fourth-rank position, youthful and accomplished with impressive military achievements. Who didn't know of him?
How could her Xiao Family be reduced to the insignificant household Old Mrs. Xu spoke of?
Shen Ruoxi said calmly, "Grandmother, I am doing well in the Xiao Family. No one is bullying me, and there is no talk of divorce. You mustn't speak recklessly."
Old Mrs. Xu's eyes flickered; had she really misunderstood?
It can't be!
With a benevolent and concerned expression, she said, "Ruoxi, don't be afraid. With me here, they won't dare to do anything to you!
If the Xiao Family doesn't give us the Shen Family an explanation today, I, this old lady, will risk my life to ask the Emperor to seek justice for you."
Shen Ruoxi only felt a headache, finding it hard to keep playing her part in this drama.
Therefore, the matter of her wanting to separate from Xiao Chengyi absolutely could not be revealed to her now.
Enduring her revulsion, Shen Ruoxi spoke gently, "Grandmother, you truly misunderstood. I haven't been wronged in any way.
My husband wants to take a concubine, and I agreed to it. There's no talk of divorcing the wife; don't listen to idle gossip."
Old Mrs. Xu finally asked skeptically, "Your sister-in-law met with you and then went home to clean the Shaohua Courtyard. If you weren't divorced and returned home, why would she suddenly clean up the room you lived in before marriage?"
Shen Ruoxi suddenly understood. This Old Mrs. Xu was quite quick-witted.
"Grandmother, you truly misunderstood. I did meet with my sister-in-law today and chatted casually.
She might have been reminded of the past when I was at home and felt nostalgic, so she thought of tidying up the courtyard I used to live in."
"Really?" Old Mrs. Xu was still a bit doubtful.
"Really."
"Then you're not upset about him taking a concubine?" Old Mrs. Xu fixed her gaze on Shen Ruoxi
Shen Ruoxi smiled and said, "What's there to be upset about? Isn't it common for men to have multiple wives and concubines?"
Old Mrs. Xu's amorous eyes swirled. Did she truly not care?
From her expression, there wasn't a trace of grievance or anger. Had she really overthought it?
She couldn't let Shen Ruoxi return to the Shen Family. All that she had worked hard to gain couldn't be ruined.
Moreover, this little girl was quite formidable.
She remembered once when she set rules for her mother. This little girl saw it and actually pushed her down, grazing her hand until it bled.
She even stood with hands on her hips, full of displeasure, stating, "If you dare bully my mother again, I won't be polite."
In her heart, she was quite dissatisfied and wanted to see how this girl would not be polite.
Once, she couldn't help but reprimand her mother a few lines.
However, after they left, she started feeling unwell, experiencing diarrhea until she was blacking out and extremely weak. It was then she realized deeply that this little girl was no ordinary person and not easy to deal with.
In the Shen Mansion, everyone kept their distance from her, except for this little girl, who not only wasn't afraid but also used various means, making her somewhat fearful of her.
She pondered to herself, if this little girl truly returned to the Shen Family, all her plans would be for naught, and some secrets might get exposed, so no matter what means she had to use, she absolutely couldn't allow Shen Ruoxi to go back to the Shen Family.
Old Mrs. Xu had always looked down upon Old Mrs. Xiao, so even if she accused them out of thin air, she didn't think much of it. She said coldly, "I misunderstood, in-law, but don't you bear some responsibility too? Divorcing and taking a concubine just two years after marriage is certainly not nice."
Old Mrs. Xiao was livid with anger. When she mentioned her grandson divorcing Shen Ruoxi, it was merely to intimidate her and, in passing, covet her dowry.
When she first heard Old Mrs. Xu mention divorce, she was shocked. But after observing their reactions, she suddenly realized that Shen Ruoxi and the Shen Family had orchestrated a good act!
Shen Ruoxi first went to see the Yang Family, deliberately had them clean the courtyard she lived in before marriage, and let the news leak for Old Mrs. Xu to know the Xiao Family intended to divorce her.
Old Mrs. Xu, with her fiery temperament, couldn't possibly let it go. She would surely come to demand an explanation.
Shen Ruoxi's goal was achieved. She wanted to use this opportunity to take control of the Xiao Family.
Shen Ruoxi's antics were never-ending!
But indeed, the Shen Family was of noble rank. Although she was the second wife of the Old Marquis, as the official Marchioness, her status and position naturally surpassed hers.
She truly couldn't afford to offend them, so Mrs. Xiao could only swallow her anger and said, "In-law, since Ruoxi agrees, let's not interfere with the young generation's matters."
Obviously, Old Mrs. Xu didn't want to pursue the matter further, as her only goal was to prevent Shen Ruoxi from returning to the Shen Family.
She asked, "Why isn't the grandson-in-law here yet?"
"I've already sent someone to notify him," Old Mrs. Xiao said with a smiling face.
Shen Ruoxi looked at Mrs. Xiao's expression of anger she dared not express, and in her heart, there were only four words — "bully the weak, fear the strong."
Looking back, she realized she had been too weak and agreeable, which was why she had been bullied so much.
She once thought that by giving her all, she could build a warm home. Looking back now, it was truly ironic.
After a while, Xiao Chengyi finally arrived and greeted them.
Old Mrs. Xu saw Xiao Chengyi and came straight to the point, questioning, "Grandson-in-law, you and Ruoxi haven't consummated the marriage, right?"
Shen Ruoxi frowned. Although Xiao Chengyi's face showed displeasure, he still tried to answer calmly, "There's no rush."
"No rush? Grandson-in-law, you went straight to the battlefield on your wedding night, leaving Ruoxi alone for two years.
She has been diligently serving your grandmother and mother at your house, yet you return with a pregnant woman. Isn't this excessive?
Since Ruoxi isn't upset, I won't delve into it, as it's your personal matter. But tell me, why haven't you consummated the marriage with your legitimate wife after being home for so long? What exactly are you planning?"
In Old Mrs. Xu's mind, only after they consummated would she feel at ease, as she still worries about Shen Ruoxi returning to the Shen Family.
Old Mrs. Xiao remained silent, pondering: Indeed, the matter of consummation should be resolved quickly.