Chapter 194 One Point of Insult, One Point of Retaliation
They left the Xiao residence.
Lu Zhaoruo could hear Geng Qionghua's words echoing in her ears: "Your dear ex-husband, Shen Lang, fell in love with me at first sight and tried every means to please me. This jade pendant... was a token of love that he personally gave me!"
Several years ago in Jizhou, although she had been on good terms with Geng Qionghua, Shen Rongzhi and Geng Qionghua rarely met. When they did have some interaction, it was mostly just polite exchanges.
If Geng Qionghua's statement is true.
So.
Shen Rongzhi is truly hiding his true abilities very well!
He then gave away the jade pendant he had carved himself to other people...
She was completely oblivious to their deception, just like a fool, and didn't realize it until her tragic death in her previous life!
Her heart ached with bitterness mixed with hatred.
Fortunately, she has completely severed ties with Shen Rongzhi.
Just then, a voice called out from behind: "Madam Lu, please wait."
Lu Zhaoruo turned around and saw Chang Hong, Meng Xi's attendant, walking quickly towards her.
Chang Hong bowed respectfully and said in a low voice, "Madam Lu, my eldest son has prepared some tea in the waterside pavilion in the adjacent courtyard and would like to invite you to come and chat."
Lu Zhaoruo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Dalangjun?
Meng Xi?
It really was him.
From Granny Yang's unusual behavior to Dongrou being precisely led to the scene, this intricately linked scheme was by no means a coincidence.
This eldest son of the Meng family appears to be world-weary and aloof, but in reality, he is deep in thought and ruthless in his methods.
Dongrou asked softly, "Wife, are you going?"
She reassured the worried Dongrou, "It's alright, you can wait here."
Then, she calmly turned to Chang Hong and said, "Please lead the way."
Changhong bowed and led the way.
Throughout the journey, he couldn't suppress his admiration and excitement, and couldn't help but sigh softly, "Madam Lu, please forgive my bluntness... What happened today has truly convinced me!"
He glanced back at Lu Zhaoruo's calm profile, his tone becoming increasingly sincere: "To be honest, I witnessed your spirit a few months ago in Jizhou City. You stepped forward and calmed that wild horse in no time, your technique swift and your demeanor composed."
"Later, I heard from the storyteller that you had taken your husband's entire family to court, and I admired you even more. My husband is of noble status, and many people want to take the opportunity to curry favor with him. But you... you knew your husband's status, yet you never had the slightest intention to befriend him. When you did meet, you were always polite and distant."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo smiled gently and said, "Changhong, you flatter me."
Changhong felt much more relaxed and became more talkative, speaking with sincerity: "To be honest, my wife, there are only two people in this world whom I truly admire! One is you, Madam Lu, and the other is my eldest son!"
Hearing his extremely serious words, Lu Zhaoruo simply nodded slightly and smiled without saying a word.
The pavilion overlooks the water, with its windows wide open. A gentle breeze sweeps across the pond, bringing a refreshing coolness.
Meng Xi stood alone by the window, his slender and upright figure accentuated by his cloud-gray casual clothes.
He gazed at the shimmering water, his eyes reflecting a detached indifference towards everything around him.
Hearing footsteps behind him, he didn't turn around, his voice so calm it was completely unresponsive: "The play, is it to your liking?"
Lu Zhaoruo stopped five steps behind him, her clear gaze falling on his back, and went straight to the point: "Granny Yang was instructed by you to deliberately splash Dongrou with water and then lead her to that room, where she 'coincidentally' stumbled upon the scandal, was that right or wrong?"
Meng Xi slowly turned around, his pale face devoid of joy or anger, only his deep phoenix eyes swept across her face with a half-smile, his tone carrying a hint of innocence: "What makes you say such a thing, Madam Lu? Such baseless speculation is an attempt to slander me."
Lu Zhaoruo ignored his pretentious words and said directly, "When Young Master Meng was in Jizhou, he already knew that Shen Rongzhi was not dead, that I had taken his entire Shen family to court, and that I had personally smashed that chastity arch. But after you returned to the Meng residence, you didn't mention a word about it."
"Now that I think about it, your silence and cold observation were just waiting for me to come to the capital, so you could watch me become a pawn on your chessboard and put on the show you wanted to see?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Xi's eyes held an even deeper amusement. He gently shook his head and corrected her, "No, Madam Lu, you are mistaken. You are not a chess piece."
He paused, his voice low and clear, "You and I are both outsiders... spectators."
Lu Zhaoruo frowned.
Meng Xi took half a step forward, his gaze locking onto her: "Could it be that, seeing Geng Qionghua's pretense completely exposed and her reputation ruined, Madam Lu... felt no pleasure whatsoever?"
"What do I care about the feuds within the Meng family's inner quarters?"
Lu Zhaoruo met his gaze, her voice cold, "I only hope that next time you plan something, you can be more discreet and not involve my servant and me in the scheme again."
Meng Xi chuckled softly: "How could it be unrelated to you? Geng Qionghua deceived you first, using your 'chastity' to gain favor with her own virtue; she spread rumors everywhere that Shen Rong died at sea, and even instigated the Empress to bestow a memorial arch, attempting to bind you for life. This time you came to the capital, she simply wanted to use you again to regain her dignity."
He spoke slowly: "And you went to the banquet today precisely to expose her hypocrisy and settle things with her. In truth, what we both seek is to make her pay the price for her lies and scheming."
Then he added, "Besides, she and your ex-husband had a secret affair years ago that they couldn't tell outsiders. My actions are to help you see the truth and vent your pent-up feelings. Isn't that... actually helping you?"
Lu Zhaoruo's gaze remained calm, unperturbed by his words: "She took advantage of me first. I exposed her in public in the flower hall, stripping her of all pretense and dignity. As for whether she had an affair with her late husband, I don't know the truth. Even if it is true, I feel nothing. This grudge is over for me."
Her voice rose a few decibels as she questioned, "But how can the bloodshed caused by Lord Meng's subsequent arrangements be attributed to me? How can you say he helped me?"
Her tone was firm and clear: "I, Lu Zhaoruo, have my own standards for how I conduct myself. I will repay people as they treat me. I will give back a bit of kindness and retaliate against a bit of mistreatment."
Meng Xi paused for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "An eye for an eye... Madam Lu's 'standard' is indeed fair. In this world of entangled grudges, few people can live their lives as an impartial ruler."
He changed the subject, asking, "Why are you so eager to distance yourself from her... could it be that you've developed some pity for her?"
No.
Lu Zhaoruo answered decisively and without hesitation, "Others have their own karma to bear. They have brought this upon themselves."
Upon hearing this, a heavy, unyielding sorrow crept into the usual aloofness and indifference in Meng Xi's eyes.
He was about to speak when his face suddenly turned pale, his breath hitched slightly, and he subconsciously raised his hand to his chest, suppressing the familiar dull pain. He repeated in a low voice, his voice weaker than before: "Yes... he brought it on himself."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
