Chapter 342: At Ease

Chapter 342: At Ease

After hearing Mrs. Cao's story, not only Princess Jianing but also Xiao Yuchen felt they had truly broadened their horizons that day.

The Duke's household was straightforward, and the relationship between Xiao Huai and Tang Shuyi had always been close, both before and now; thus, they would not hear of such absurd rumors. Even in private conversations with friends, such scandalous and contemptible matters were seldom discussed.

However, Meng Xiuzhen's ways were incorrigible. Despite Liang Jian'an and the Second Prince being deceased, and her divorce from Liang Jian'an, she continued to stir trouble behind the scenes without any benefit to herself, an act of sheer idleness.

"How should we proceed, my lord?" asked Princess Jianing to Xiao Yuchen. The matter implicated old grievances with the Duke's household, so she felt it was inappropriate to decide alone.

Xiao Yuchen glanced at Mrs. Cao, who knelt on the ground, weeping profusely, and said, "Handle Mrs. Cao as you see fit; as for Meng Xiuzhen... I will make a decision after discussing it back at the household."

Meng Xiuzhen was a minor issue, but the people and matters she involved were not insignificant. There was the Meng family, the noble consort Liang, and Pan Bin of Pingyang Marquis's household, all of which required careful consideration.

Princess Jianing had also taken this into account. She nodded and then said to Mrs. Cao, "I have only one requirement for you: sever all ties with my father. Don't claim you have no choice if he seeks you out. If you stay within your residence without venturing out, he cannot possibly come looking for you inside, can he?"

Of course, she would not let the Duke of Duan off either.

Mrs. Cao dared not resist any further, "Yes, I shall not engage with His Lordship again, I will not step beyond my threshold nor the second gate."

"You may rise," said Princess Jianing.

Mrs. Cao pushed herself up with one hand, but due to kneeling for too long, she stumbled and fell back down. Xing'er glanced at Princess Jianing, saw her composed expression, and quickly stepped forward to help Mrs. Cao to her feet.

"Lady Cao begged for mercy from Princess Jianing," Lady Cao bowed to Princess Jianing again, "I will return home and not venture out again."

Princess Jianing waved her hand dismissively, and Lady Cao was helped out by Xing’er. At this moment, Chunxi took the cue to leave as well, leaving only Xiao Yuchen and Princess Jianing in the room.

Xiao Yuchen pondered whether to explain Li Biqin to Princess Jianing, but if he were to explain, he did not know how to start. Meanwhile, Princess Jianing felt embarrassed about these familial issues and was somewhat worried that the Duke Dingguo and his wife might be displeased with her because of this incident.

Although she thought that if this marriage alliance truly did not work out, she would find a way to break it off, she had to admit that this match was advantageous, and she did not want any complications to arise.

Both of them were preoccupied, creating an awkward atmosphere. Finally, Xiao Yuchen was the first to break the silence; he turned to look at Princess Jianing, lowered his gaze, and organized his thoughts before speaking, "I... my previous involvement with Miss Li... Miss Li..."

Even though he had thought about what to say, when it came to speaking, he still did not know how to explain. Indeed, he had harbored deep feelings for Li Biqin, but there had never been any intimacy between them.

But how could he convey this?

Princess Jianing had not expected him to bring this up. Did she care about Li Biqin? To a certain extent, yes; her fiancé had once protected another woman with utmost care, hiding her at great risk, which showed the depth of his affection.

But that was all in the past, and dwelling on it would only cause her unnecessary worry. She had never been madly in love with anyone and did not wish to subject herself to such torment. She simply wanted a peaceful and harmonious life with a partner.

"There's no need to speak of the past, my lord; let bygones be bygones. We shall not mention it again in the future," she said.

Xiao Yuchen breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled, saying, "Alright, we shall not speak of it again."

He was indeed fortunate; Princess Jianing was so magnanimous.

"My father has engaged in such vile deeds, causing you concern as well," said Princess Jianing once more.

"Not at all," Xiao Yuchen quickly replied, "Please do not treat me as an outsider. Your father is your father, and you are you. Moreover, you need not worry about my parents' opinions; my mother is very fond of you."

Princess Jianing was also reassured and smiled, saying, "Tell the Lady of the Duke that I will visit your residence to offer my New Year greetings the day after tomorrow."

"Certainly."

After chatting for a while longer, Xiao Yuchen went to continue drinking tea with his friends, while Princess Jianing returned to Prince Duan's residence.

………

Mrs. Cao leaned wearily against the carriage wall, contemplating her life thus far. Born into an official's family as the legitimate daughter, she was pampered since childhood. Had she met a good man, her life would have been perfect. All her misfortunes began the moment she set her heart on Ren Jianshu.

Therefore, she harbored a deep hatred for Ren Jianshu and everyone in his family.

"Madam, should we inform Lady Meng about today's incident?" Xing'er asked Mrs. Cao in a soft voice.

Mrs. Cao let out a cold laugh, "No."

Reflecting upon it now, Meng Xiuzhen introducing her to Prince Duan couldn't have been with good intentions. Had she not gotten entangled with Prince Duan, none of today's events would have happened.

As the carriage clattered into the Ren residence, she was greeted with a gateway adorned in festive decorations, radiating joy. Mrs. Cao's rage erupted like a volcano. Ren Jianshu owed his success to her Cao family; how dare everyone in the Ren family live so well while she was trampled upon and lived in such suffocation.

Flipping the carriage curtain aside, she stepped down and strode towards the mansion's main entrance, where the young doormen hurriedly bowed to her, "Madam, welcome."

Mrs. Cao looked up, her eyes narrowing at the grand plaque inscribed with 'Ren Residence' hanging above the door. A mocking smile played upon her lips as she stepped inside, heading toward the banquet hall. The fury in her heart electrified her nerves, even dulling the pain in her legs.

Soon, she entered the banquet hall to find a lively scene, her mother-in-law, an elderly woman, laughing and chatting with guests, accompanied by her cousin and concubine. Mrs. Cao walked over with a sneer and stood before the elder Mrs. Ren, saying, "Mother, it's rather improper to bring a concubine to such an occasion, isn't it?"

Her words hushed the entire banquet hall, as many guests looked on with excited anticipation. The elder Mrs. Ren hadn't expected her sudden return, let alone a public confrontation.

Pointing at Mrs. Cao, she exclaimed angrily, "Mrs. Cao, is this how you speak to your elders?"

Ignoring her, Mrs. Cao turned to her cousin, the concubine Ji, whose face was flushed with tears, and commanded, "Disrespectful creature, kneel!"

Terrified and aggrieved, Ji rose to her feet, glanced at the elder Mrs. Ren, and knelt down, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, "Please punish me, madam."