Abandoned Wife? Her Starlight Shall Blind You!-Chapter 78 - 29: Selecting Noble Sons

Chuntao looked at Shen Ruoxi with a face full of helplessness and said, "Miss, I originally intended to report in advance, but Young Master just wouldn’t listen and barged right in."

Xu Ji, looking completely nonchalant, casually said, "Do I need to announce before entering my cousin’s room? Cousin, quickly look at what I’ve brought for you?"

Shen Ruoxi had long grown used to Xu Ji’s recklessness.

Her gaze fell on the stack of scrolls Xu Ji was holding, and she slightly furrowed her brows, asking in puzzlement, "What are these?"

She had loved to play with weapons since childhood and knew nothing about famous paintings.

Xu Ji sat beside her, opened the scrolls mysteriously, and said excitedly, "Cousin, look at this."

Shen Ruoxi took a closer look. The painting depicted a tall and handsome young gentleman. Stunned for a moment, she curiously asked, "Who is this person? Why do you want me to look at him?"

Hearing this, Xu Ji laughed heartily, proudly explaining, "This is one of the promising young men my father picked for you, each one an outstanding individual.

Take this one, for instance. Remarkable—he is the Princely Heir of Wu An, the same age as you, born on the same day. He is talented in both literature and martial arts, and he is exceedingly handsome.

In the Capital City, aside from Cousin Jue, he is the second most admired noble young master among the ladies of the boudoir."

Shen Ruoxi finally saw through Xu Ji’s intentions for the day, feeling a sudden headache. She frowned deeply and asked discontentedly, "What are you up to with such nonsense? Hurry and put those portraits away. Do you think my place isn’t messy enough already?"

Xu Ji, however, confidently explained, "Cousin, you’ve misunderstood me. This whole arrangement was made by Grandmother and my mother, and the selection was personally made by your uncle, my father.

They picked twenty young gentlemen for you to select ten to your liking. The grand matchmaking event is tomorrow."

Isn’t this sheer nonsense?

Shen Ruoxi suddenly realized why the Emperor would sneak into her boudoir at night to question her.

She had been clueless, yet the Emperor’s words hit the mark—she was to choose a husband.

"Choose what? You’re all just meddling!" Shen Ruoxi said, a bit annoyed.

Xu Ji put on an innocent face and explained, "Cousin, if you have any opinion, go tell Grandmother.

Grandmother knew that Xiao Chengyi angered you almost to the point of vomiting blood and was about to go to the Xiao Family to settle scores, but my mother stopped her.

She’s almost seventy, and as the saying goes, seventy is rare. How much more time could she have?

She just hopes you find a man ten thousand times better than Xiao Chengyi and live a happy life. Only by venting the frustrations of everyone who cares for you can she be at peace.

Can’t you fulfill her small wish?"

Shen Ruoxi pursed her lips and remained silent.

She had to admit that Xu Ji knew her too well. He understood her deep feelings for her grandmother, making it impossible for her to refuse her request.

Since marrying into the Xiao Family, she had almost severed ties with them in pursuit of so-called happiness.

Even when they were filled with concern and longing, they could only hear about her through others, choosing not to disturb her.

Now, having suffered a great injustice and returned home, how could her family not feel heartache and sorrow?

Despite not holding much resentment herself.

She only blamed herself for not seeing the true nature of Xiao Chengyi, a scoundrel.

She was grateful she’d left in time and avoided sinking further into the quagmire.

However, her family’s thoughts were different.

They felt she wasn’t worth it, they were saddened for her, and they felt aggrieved by her ordeal.

After all, she’d played a good hand so poorly!

"Ji, what role do you play in all of this?" Shen Ruoxi glared at him and asked.

Xu Ji touched his nose, awkwardly replying, "My idea, of course, was to beat Xiao Chengyi up, but the family wouldn’t allow it. They said the best revenge is for you to live happily.

So I support this, but as you know, I have no say in the family. I can only cheer on."

Shen Ruoxi rubbed her tightly locked brows forcefully. What should she do about this matter?

Accede to grandmother’s wishes, yet presently she has no heart for matchmaking.

Dealing with Xiao Chengyi had already exhausted her; besides, she’s really afraid of running into another Wang Chengyi or Li Chengyi like him?

But thinking of her grandmother’s old age, how could she bear to let her worry about her again?

Her closest people now were her maternal grandparents, who only had her in their thoughts.

Shen Ruoxi finally compromised and casually browsed through the pile of portraits. Each man’s appearance was dignified, with extraordinary bearing.

Suddenly, she was shocked to see Pei Xuan’s name on the list. She couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, "Why... why is he here too?"

Xu Ji chuckled lightly and said, "Isn’t this for you to choose? Our Prince Xuan is one of the few notable noble young men in the Capital City, he must be included."

Shen Ruoxi shook her head helplessly and casually picked ten portraits, "These will do."

Since it’s grandmother’s wish, let her be happy.

As for whether they’d hit it off, it wasn’t just up to her to decide—the men had a choice too, didn’t they?

Moreover, these noble young masters were of high status, who would be willing to marry into the Shen Family?

Their presence was merely to give her grandparents and uncle and aunt some face.

"Grandmother said you should choose seriously—brushing it off like this won’t do," Xu Ji reminded her.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi glared at him in slight displeasure, "Since childhood, I’ve been with my master, and returned home at fourteen. Then the family underwent changes, and just as the three-year mourning period ended, I married Xiao Chengyi. How many young masters do I know in the Capital City? Aren’t you making things difficult for me?"

Seeing this, Xu Ji chuckled dismissively and said, "Cousin, don’t I count? I know these people’s backgrounds very well. Leave it to me—I’ll help you choose."

Shen Ruoxi thought for a moment, feeling it was also good to let him choose. At least he could pick reputable noble young gentlemen.

Grandmother always believed she deserved anyone, so she picked heirs from noble families.

Frankly, who doesn’t have a title to inherit, and who would be willing to marry into the Shen Mansion?

"I can’t care for those of low status. Don’t find another small and humble family like the Xiao Family," Shen Ruoxi cautioned.

Xu Ji, with confidence, "Cousin, rest assured! The people I selected have notable identities. Trust me with this."

After careful consideration, weighing the pros and cons, Xu Ji finally selected ten noble young gentlemen meticulously and felt quite satisfied.

"Cousin, take a look at how these ten are?"

Shen Ruoxi glanced over them briefly, a smile tugging at her lips, secretly pleased.

Great, none of these ten men were of illegitimate birth, which meant they probably wouldn’t wish to become the Shen Family’s son-in-law.

"Cousin truly has an eye for the right ones. The selections suit my taste," Shen Ruoxi praised with a smile.

Xu Ji felt proud upon hearing his cousin’s praise. How could those he selected be unworthy?

However, soon he frowned.

For some reason, he felt as if his cousin’s expression was as though she had already achieved her objective.

After a while, he shook his head. Impossible! He must be overthinking it!