This matter reached Chuntao's ears, who casually expressed her thoughts beside Shen Ruoxi.
Upon hearing that someone unfortunately caught a cold and the condition was so severe that it was beyond salvation, Shen Ruoxi immediately decided to go with Chuntao to check it out.
When they arrived, the servants were preparing to place her in a coffin.
Shen Ruoxi, seeing this, hurriedly stepped forward to stop them and conducted a careful examination.
She discovered that Xueyan was just temporarily holding her breath and was not actually deceased.
Thus, she personally administered acupuncture for treatment, and after a few needles and several bowls of meticulously prepared medicine, miraculously, Xueyan awakened, astonishing everyone present.
The old madam, however, didn't pay much attention upon hearing this, thinking that Shen Ruoxi's medical skills must have been a stroke of luck.
After all, they were unaware of Shen Ruoxi's adept skills and proficient medical expertise.
Seeing Xueyan recover, Shen Ruoxi assigned her to be responsible for cleaning the Ancestral Hall and tending to the flowers and plants.
Xueyan was filled with gratitude and tears; she already enjoyed tranquility, and now, although life was simple, it was fulfilling and satisfying.
After Ning Zhen'er said those words, she looked provocatively at Shen Ruoxi, trying to find a crack in her calm as water face, but always returned disappointed.
In the face of Ning Zhen'er's provocation, Shen Ruoxi maintained her calm and composed demeanor.
"Young Madam, help me, help me!" Xueyan once again kowtowed to Shen Ruoxi for help.
Shen Ruoxi, having saved Xueyan's life before, held an unexplainable emotion for her.
She turned to Ning Zhen'er and asked calmly, "Ning Zhen'er, you intend to sell her off, how much silver do you want?"
Ning Zhen'er was puzzled, "Huh?"
Shen Ruoxi repeated, "Ning Zhen'er, I'm asking, how much silver do you want to sell her off?"
Ning Zhen'er couldn't help but laugh, "Ruoxi sister, do you know who she is?"
Shen Ruoxi smiled slightly, "It doesn't matter who she is, I just want to know how much silver is needed to buy her."
"A thousand taels of silver," Ning Zhen'er replied.
Upon hearing this, Xueyan lifted her head fearfully, "Young Madam Ning, how could a servant like me be worth so much money?"
The usual price for a maid, if it reached forty to fifty taels of silver, would already be considered a reasonable price given her decent qualifications.
Quoting a thousand taels of silver was undoubtedly an exorbitant demand, an outrageous asking price.
"Chuntao, give Young Madam Ning a silver note of one hundred taels," Shen Ruoxi instructed faintly.
Ning Zhen'er was taken aback, her tone cold, "Ruoxi sister, I clearly said a thousand taels of silver."
Shen Ruoxi sneered, tossing the silver note in front of her, "Here's the money. If you have any objections, you can have Xiao Chengyi come argue with me. Where's the deed of sale? Give it to me."
Ning Zhen'er's eyes turned cold, "Ruoxi sister, don't forget, when you handed over all the accounts of the household to me, it was my decision that counted.
Mentioning my husband is useless, it must be a thousand taels of silver, otherwise, take her away and continue to sell her."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi suddenly laughed, she approached step by step, her eyes full of sarcasm, "You think you're in control? Who do you think you are! Daring to say you call the shots here?
You're nothing but Xiao Chengyi's plaything, where are the customary marriage formalities? Where are the matchmakers and betrothal gifts? If it weren't for my generosity, a woman like you should have long been condemned by the clan, locked in the Ancestral Hall and drowned! Yet you think you're in charge!"
Ning Zhen'er's eyes widened, her jaw dropping.
She always championed freedom, pursued democracy, always looked down on ancient, conservative women with no autonomy.
Especially after the Emperor granted her an official rank, the Xiao family's attitude towards her changed dramatically, almost elevating her to the skies.
She felt even more that she was a chosen one, destined to become renowned, to remain in history, admired and revered by all.
She had already envisioned herself becoming a monumental figure, worshipped by all around.
However, at this moment, she was being trampled by Shen Ruoxi, suffering such harsh tongue-lashing and felt utterly incredulous.
Her fingers were icy, her lips trembled with rage, and she shouted angrily, "Shen Ruoxi, you've finally shown your true colors! A plaything? How ridiculous, he loves me now, I'm carrying his child!
What does your status matter? It's those who aren't loved that are unnecessary! And soon I'll have it all, Brother Yi will marry me with bride wealth and sedan chairs, you shouldn't utter folly."
Shen Ruoxi chuckled, "Soon? How soon? Don't forget, no matter how nicely you put it, you're still nameless and rankless now. Wait until your 'soon' is realized before showing off in front of me, while now I am the only wife of Xiao Chengyi, don't issue orders in front of me, because you're not worthy!
You think why don't I bother with you? It's because neither you nor Xiao Chengyi means anything before my eyes! Allow me to say again, bring the deed of sale."
Ning Zhen'er's face flushed, "I won't give it today, Shen Ruoxi, stop using status to pressurize me, because I don't care, I only know that Brother Yi loves me, and you, Shen Ruoxi, will soon become a discarded wife!"
The corner of Shen Ruoxi's mouth curled up slightly, with a hint of a smile, she said faintly, "Ning Zhen'er, initially I thought fighting for love was understandable, I agree that being loved gives one confidence, but have you ever thought, might my today become your tomorrow?
But there's a fundamental difference between us.
I never had hope for Xiao Chengyi, but you're different, you think he will belong to you forever!
But you must remember, loving is not hard, it's eternal love that's difficult, the love you pride yourself in, have you considered whether another woman might soon appear, leaving you beaten thoroughly?"
Ning Zhen'er clenched her fingers tightly, refuting, "Stop trying to drive a wedge between us? Brother Yi and I fought side by side, in the midst of war we developed feelings for each other, we experienced life and death together, such deep affection, how could you understand?"
Shen Ruoxi smirked mockingly, "Perhaps I truly can't fully comprehend, but doubts linger in my heart. If your relationship is so unbreakable, then why are you so harsh toward Xueyan?
What are you worried about? Worried that Xiao Chengyi might rekindle old feelings because she was once his concubine maid?
Your confidence is such that even I, the rightful wife, you don't fear, then why fear a former concubine maid of Xiao Chengyi?"
Ning Zhen'er, exposed by Shen Ruoxi, her face alternated between red and white. She wanted to rebuke but couldn't find the right words.
Though Shen Ruoxi seemed gentle and quiet, well-read and courteous, it was unexpected that her scolding would be so merciless and sharp, far from the typical demeanor of a noble lady.
After a long pause, she laughed coldly, "Shen Ruoxi, naturally I'm not afraid, but don't you find it awkward to keep such a woman around?"
"I've said, I don't have hope for Xiao Chengyi, about you, I don't care, let alone him…"
Suddenly, an eerie atmosphere arose around, Shen Ruoxi raised her head in surprise, not far away, a man walked over, tall and lean, with a sturdy build, stepping heavily and slowly towards them...