RWNEFE -Chapter 166 If Family Betrays Me, the Crime Is Doubled

Shen Yuanjing’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t respond.

Shen Lanxi lowered her voice: “If they ever betray me, because they are my family… the punishment will be doubled! Understand?”

Shen Yuanjing’s expression turned cold. He immediately nodded.

“I understand, Eldest Sister. It definitely won’t happen!”

Shen Lanxi lifted the corner of her mouth in a small smile. “I remember the day after tomorrow is Second Uncle’s rest day?”

Shen Yuanjing nodded, though a hint of doubt crossed his eyes.

Shen Lanxi continued: “Our family has finally gained a foothold in Dongchuan. It’s time we start thinking about the continuation of the clan!”

Shen Yuanjing froze for a moment, his eyes moving as he said, “I’ll go tell Second Uncle later!”

Shen Lanxi nodded approvingly. “Good brother, go handle it!”

Having just left, Shen Yuanjing hadn’t had time to dwell on anything else, but once outside, he paused, lost in thought.

Back in the capital, he had once been betrothed to a girl from the Hanlin family—they grew up together, practically childhood sweethearts. If it weren’t for the case of the stolen military grain pay from the Wei family, they would have married next year.

He still remembered the Hanlin family steward handing over the divorce notice at home. He had kept it for some time, but it disappeared at some point—perhaps during a refugee escape, or when encountering sea bandits.

Though only a few months had passed, everything in the capital felt like it belonged to a past life.

Many memories were now hazy.

~

A heavy snowfall had halted Eastern Liao King’s pursuit and frozen most of Da Zhou’s lands.

Rebellious regions ceased uprising, negotiation zones paused talks, and armies returned to their garrisons.

Their only task now was clearing snow and stockpiling grain and firewood.

Shen Lanxi’s jurisdiction was particularly effective at controlling ingress and egress, but fortunately, she had prepared in advance. Wagons of grain and firewood were still being transported into Baihe County.

With Wei Dongzhu and others overseeing, only the transporters knew about the massive deliveries; no one else was aware.

Shen Lanxi was drafting military fort layouts when Wei Dongzhu entered, holding a clay jar. Seeing a kettle on the stove, he dropped a few tea leaves in.

“Have some hot tea.”

He placed a steaming cup before her.

Shen Lanxi set down her ruler and looked up. “Everything’s stored in the warehouse?”

Wei Dongzhu nodded: “All accounted for. My men personally guard the warehouse.”

Shen Lanxi stood and flexed her wrists.

“This snow came just in time.”

Wei Dongzhu raised an eyebrow. In all of Da Zhou, probably only Shen Lanxi would consider this snow timely.

“How’s the training of the new recruits?”

Wei Dongzhu replied, “Give me another month, and I guarantee they’ll be able to fight in battle, charging and killing enemies!”

Shen Lanxi smiled. “You’re impressive.”

Wei Dongzhu removed his mask, revealing a face reddened by the cold. Even with a mask shielding from wind and snow, the piercing chill cut deep.

Shen Lanxi sat on a small stool and tossed a sweet potato onto the stove.

Wei Dongzhu warned: “You can’t use an open flame; otherwise, it’ll burn. Let me move the coals and place it carefully.” He used tongs to remove some coals, waited for the flames to die, and then placed the sweet potato on top.

“You know how to eat!” Shen Lanxi had roasted sweet potatoes before, but lacked the patience to arrange the coals so precisely.

Wei Dongzhu chuckled: “I grew up in the northwest; that’s how we roasted sweet potatoes in winter!”

Shen Lanxi didn’t want to talk about the northwest, but Wei Dongzhu had brought it up himself.

“My name is Wei Dongzhu, not Hu Zhu.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t press it.

“Using an alias is safer when traveling,” he explained, though he had already decided to reveal his true identity.

“I’m from the Wei family army,” he stated firmly.

Shen Lanxi feigned surprise. “You’re part of the Wei family army?”

Wei Dongzhu straightened his chest and pronounced each word clearly: “My father is Wei Qianfan. I am Wei Dongzhu, a Major General of the Wei Family Army!”

Shen Lanxi tilted her head. “The Wei Dongzhu known as swift as lightning in Silver Wood Depot, moving like a dragon?”

If anyone else said that, Wei Dongzhu would have smiled bitterly at the exaggeration. But coming from Shen Lanxi, it carried an odd feeling.

“Yes. I am that Wei Dongzhu,” he said, studying her reaction.

But to his disappointment, her face showed no shock or surprise. Apart from a brief flicker at the start, she remained calm.

“Are you here for revenge?” Shen Lanxi asked casually.

Wei Dongzhu hurriedly clarified, fearing misunderstanding: “No. I know the stolen grain pay had nothing to do with your family!”

Shen Lanxi smirked: “You never know. What if it was us? If we hid it and waited for the right moment, our family could become the wealthiest in Da Zhou!”

Wei Dongzhu couldn’t help but chuckle, then quickly composed himself: “I believe it’s not you. At first, I followed you with revenge in mind, but later realized you were not like the rumors. I became certain the Shen family did not steal the grain!”

Shen Lanxi asked: “Then why tell me now instead of staying hidden?”

Wei Dongzhu thought: I don’t want to hide it from her anymore.

“I realized staying anonymous isn’t a solution. My face may be scarred, but it hasn’t changed much. Sooner or later, someone would recognize me. Better I admit it myself than have others reveal it.”

Shen Lanxi sipped her tea lightly—a fine Mingqian Longjing.

“You’re not afraid I’ll kill you to silence you?”

Wei Dongzhu answered confidently: “I think it’s more advantageous to be one of your generals than to be silenced!”

Shen Lanxi asked: “Do you want to find the real culprit behind the theft?”

Wei Dongzhu: “I dream about it every night!”

Shen Lanxi looked at the mask on his hand: “From now on, when you travel, keep that mask on your face.”

Wei Dongzhu understood her meaning.

“Someday, I will personally take revenge on them!”

For now, wearing the mask meant he could only be Hu Zhu. Though slightly disappointed, he felt lighter than before.

Wei Dongzhu began instructing military strategy. Anyone allowed by him could attend.

After clearing snow from the main roads, the garrison troops began their scheduled lessons.

Mornings consisted of half an hour of literacy, followed by drills. Midday included meals and half an hour of rest, then half an hour learning basic wound care, followed by drills, and once a day, combat exercises—repeating until nightfall.

The next day, the same routine continued.

No one worried about food, and they valued the lessons. No disturbances occurred—even over trivial matters.

Especially after Shen Lanxi’s inspections, the garrison was at its quietest.

To be blunt, even local thugs behaved with tails tucked in.

After executions and dismemberments, any heads with spikes weren’t raised—they were already withdrawn back into their necks.