RWNEFE -Chapter 169 My Brothers—Only a Proper Wife!

So it was because His Majesty already knew the Eastern Liao King harbored rebellious thoughts that he specifically exiled the Shen family here?

No wonder the Wei family’s army provisions theft case was so huge—yet the Shen family was only exiled. It turns out the court had another plan all along!

“Master, we’ve finally been waiting for your arrival!” Liang Kuan threw himself to the ground, tears streaming.

“It was the Eastern Liao King who coerced us with our families. Otherwise, how could we, officials of the court, ever act against the law?”

Shen Lanxi didn’t entirely believe Liang Kuan’s words. In a situation like this, both sides were giving each other a way to save face.

She knew that even if a different rebel had come today, threatening and bribing, Liang Kuan would have still fallen to his knees, tears streaming, professing loyalty.

“Liang, you’ve worked hard. Wang Songbai has been thinking of you and his sister. If he weren’t occupied with urgent matters, he would have come personally to rescue you!”

Liang Kuan thought of Wang Songbai as the county magistrate of Baihe County—he must have already made contact.

“Thank you, Master!”

Shen Lanxi’s expression grew serious: “From today, Suiyuan Prefecture resumes normal administration. I also need to use your office to recruit soldiers—you will oversee the recruitment!”

Liang Kuan immediately obeyed.

Afterwards, Liu Yanhui and others coordinated with Liang Kuan. Within two days, they removed Ma Feng’s associates, concubines, secret agents, and hidden allies in Suiyuan. They confiscated large amounts of property, some grain, firewood, and weapons.

After taking Suiyuan, her army immediately turned the prefecture into an iron fortress. Not a single person—or even a bird—could escape the area.

Over the next two months, officials of all levels in Suiyuan’s jurisdiction came and went constantly.

Soldiers left in Baihe County were grouped in fifties and all assigned to spring farming.

In less than two months, all land in Suiyuan was cultivated. In the next half month, soldiers were assigned to constructing military forts.

After two months, whether the work was finished or not, everything stopped. All soldiers gathered in Suiyuan. The next target: Xiyue Prefecture!

Council Hall

“There’s an iron mine in Xiyue Prefecture. It must be heavily guarded,” someone noted.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze swept over Shen Yuanjing and the others: “Taking Suiyuan was too easy. The troops have grown complacent!”

Those who had become lax lowered their heads instinctively.

“General Hu, the left vanguard will take Xiyue Prefecture. Can it be done in a month?”

Wei Dongzhu calculated the time. If they rode hard day and night, they could reach Xiyue in less than half a month, leaving half a month to take the prefecture.

“Yes!”

Shen Lanxi: “Once the iron mine is secured, we’ll have weapons. But we still need horses. Any ideas?”

Xiao Fang’s eyes flickered. He stood: “I know a horse trader outside the borders. If we can contact him, getting 500 horses won’t be a problem.”

Five hundred was still too few. Shen Lanxi already had over 6,000 troops. Less than a hundred would have mounts—too few to march far.

If they had to travel on foot to distant places, they’d be exhausted before arriving. She needed horses—fast.

“Are there any stables near Suiyuan Prefecture?”

Liang Kuan: “There are, but the best horses have probably been requisitioned.”

Shen Lanxi relaxed slightly: “As long as someone skilled in horse care is available, the stables will soon have plenty of fine horses.”

Liang Kuan remembered someone: “One of my subordinates used to be very skilled with horse care, training, and veterinary work.”

Shen Lanxi: “Recruit him as a groom. If he does well, there will be generous rewards!”

“Yes, Master!”

During this period, an incident occurred.

One day, Shen Yuanjing was patrolling the streets and happened to rescue a young lady from a wealthy family in Suiyuan Prefecture. From that day on, she couldn’t stop thinking of him. The merchant contacted Liang Kuan, who dared not act without permission and reported it to Shen Lanxi.

“Master, I refused respectfully, but the merchant said that, success or not, he is willing to offer 500 sacks of grain…” Liang Kuan said cautiously.

Shen Lanxi smiled and asked him about the merchant: “This merchant is Liu Bochang. He has only one daughter. I suspect the marriage proposal is just an excuse to curry favor with me.”

Shen Lanxi thought the same.

Liang Kuan continued: “Liu Bochang is charitable and well-known in Suiyuan. He has six brothers, and his parents are still alive. Other branches of the family are prosperous; only his branch is small.”

“His wife passed away early. From what I know, she lived honorably—no concubines, no affairs, and no lingering in brothels.”

Shen Lanxi considered: “I won’t interfere. You’ve never mentioned this to me.”

Liang Kuan quickly replied: “I never did, Master.”

“Tell Yuanjing about it.”

“Yes.”

That afternoon, Shen Yuanjing found an opportunity to approach.

“Big Sister, Liang Kuan told me something today!”

Shen Lanxi: “What is it?”

Shen Yuanjing repeated everything Liang Kuan had said, then hesitated: “Big Sister, I also want to tell you something!”

“Go ahead.”

“The other day, I returned home on a day off. The house had bought a few maids, and two were placed in my room.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes grew cold as she ruthlessly cut to the truth: “Were they concubines or serving women?”

Shen Yuanjing’s face flushed red; he couldn’t answer.

Shen Lanxi’s expression hardened: “Yuanjing, call the other brothers and sisters here!”

Yuanjing’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurried to call them.

~

“My brothers—only a proper wife! No other women are allowed!”

“Whether you listen or not, I say this once: if any of you ruin things because of affairs in the inner quarters, I, Shen Lanxi, will show no mercy!”

Shen Lanxi’s first strict reprimand fell on her relatives, eyes landing on Shen Yuntang and the others.

“And the same for the women—if you bring trouble to the household, don’t blame me for wiping out your bloodline relatives!”

Everyone shivered, nerves tight.

“Big Sister, what if my future husband has multiple wives and concubines?” Shen Yuanxin suddenly asked.

Shen Lanxi: “You are my sisters—that is your leverage!”

“Before marriage, insist on conditions. No concubines. If they dare violate this, do you think I’m just for show?”

“Whether it’s punishment, beating, or divorce—it’s your choice!”

Shen Yuanxin’s eyes sparkled as she bowed: “Big Sister, I understand!”

That night, some servants took leave to quietly remove the extra maids in the rooms.

Shen Yuanjing didn’t mention the wealthy merchant’s daughter again until departure for Xiyue. Shen Lanxi called Liang Kuan: “If the marriage can’t happen, then make it a goddaughter relationship. I intend to adopt Liu Bochang’s daughter as a goddaughter. You go deliver the news to the Liu household!”

Liang Kuan left with his head spinning.

The council hall was terrifyingly silent.