RWNEFE -Chapter 185 Prince Cheng and Eastern Liao King Claim the Throne!

There was one possibility—perhaps the Wandu Sect was somehow connected to the death of the former empress fifteen years ago!

Knock, knock, knock—someone tapped at the window.

“Enter!”

Feng Wu stepped in.

“Do you want me to deal with him?”

Shen Lanxi: “No need. He might still be useful for now. Fifth Brother, have Sixth Senior Sister go to the capital to investigate the former empress’s death, the Wandu Sect, and all the poison experts who have been in the capital over the past fifteen years.”

Feng Wu: “Understood.”

By the next night, even more people had arrived in Liuzhou.

“General, Eastern Liao King’s army has set up camp eighty miles west of Ganzhou Road!”

Shen Lanxi: “Keep a close eye on Eastern Liao King. See if he sends anyone to contact Prince Cheng!”

“Yes!”

Just as she expected, in less than half a day, a scout returned with news.

“Eastern Liao King has sent an envoy to Prince Cheng.”

Shen Lanxi: “Investigate further!”

Another day passed and no further news had arrived. Zhao Chengkai was getting impatient.

“General Shen, don’t forget His Majesty’s secret order!” His words were both a reminder and a warning.

Shen Lanxi: “Do you, Supervisor Zhao, have any insights? If so, speak freely.”

Zhao Chengkai’s face stiffened. He had only been urging Shen Lanxi to quickly deploy troops or assassins; he had no intention of giving advice.

“No!”

“Then keep it to yourself!” Shen Lanxi said mercilessly.

Zhao Chengkai felt as if he’d just been slapped in the face—his anger nearly uncontrollable.

“General Shen, I’m only reminding you out of goodwill!”

Shen Lanxi: “After so many victories, do I really need you to remind me?”

Had she been too lenient with Zhao Chengkai?

“If you have an idea, speak up. I won’t stop my soldiers from executing it!”

Zhao Chengkai had plenty of ideas, but he refused to share them with Shen Lanxi.

The mission the emperor entrusted to her—if she failed, it would prove her lack of ability.

A person without ability—how could they command an army?

“General Shen, you jest. I am only a supervisor. Planning strategies and leading troops in battle is your duty, not mine!”

He wasn’t in her position, so he had no right to dictate her orders.

Shen Lanxi: “Then your reminders are unnecessary. Do I need them?”

Zhao Chengkai’s face turned red with rage—he was about to explode.

A woman is just a woman—bickering, petty, no courage!

Shen Lanxi glanced at him. Seeing him frustrated yet powerless to stop her, she smirked coldly.

“Follow my orders and wait for the right opportunity!”

“Yes!”

Afterwards, Zhao Chengkai immediately sent a letter to the capital, dispatched via messenger hawk, and, fearing accidents, arranged for an urgent eight-hundred-mile delivery—racing day and night toward the capital.

Two days later, shocking news spread along Ganzhou Road: Prince Cheng declared to the world that the current emperor had illegitimately ascended the throne, and to cover up the death of the former crown prince, had cruelly poisoned the former empress!

The news spread rapidly, shaking the entire Zhou Dynasty!

The former crown prince and Prince Cheng both shared the bloodline of the late empress. The former crown prince, Zhou Chengyun, had been highly anticipated since birth, his name “Yun” symbolizing the hope he would inherit the nation’s fortune and unify the realm.

Zhou Chengyun grew up talented in both civil and military matters, clever and resourceful, overshadowing all other princes. Unfortunately, during the coup of King Li, the former crown prince died defending the imperial carriage at the hands of King Li, paving the way for the later Zhou Chengqian—the current Renxiao Emperor.

Prince Cheng’s declaration that the former crown prince’s death was suspicious stirred the nation once again.

Two days later, Prince Cheng announced he would ascend the throne in five days, inheriting his late brother’s posthumous title as the Loyal and Brave Emperor.

Hearing this, Zhao Chengkai could no longer restrain himself and confronted Shen Lanxi.

“General Shen, are you really going to watch the rebel ascend the throne, disturbing the foundations of our Zhou Dynasty?”

Shen Lanxi: “Tell me, how am I supposed to fight tens of thousands of Prince Cheng’s troops with my five thousand?”

Zhao Chengkai’s face flushed with anger.

“If we fail, we die! Loyal ministers and generals are ready to give their lives for Zhou at any moment!”

Shen Lanxi: “I am not ready, nor are my soldiers. If you’re ready, go yourself!”

Zhao Chengkai’s trembling finger pointed at her in fury.

“I said women cannot be generals! You’re cowardly, unworthy of the title of pacification general granted by His Majesty. I will submit a memorial accusing you of retreating from battle!”

Shen Lanxi: “Fine! I’ll lend you my five thousand troops—go fight Prince Cheng to your death. After you die, I’ll petition the emperor to posthumously honor you!”

Zhao Chengkai nearly spit blood from anger.

Who wants a posthumous honor?

“General Shen, you are the true pacification general. If you dare retreat, I will exercise my supervisory powers and behead you!”

Shen Lanxi sneered: “Give you a little rope, and you really think you can dye the workshop!”

The snickers from Liu Yanhui and the others showed their complete disdain for Zhao Chengkai—they saw him as nothing more than a clown. Did he really think he was someone important?

“General Shen, you dare insult me? I am His Majesty’s appointed!”

Shen Lanxi coldly stared at him: “If you weren’t appointed by His Majesty, you would be dead before you even arrived!”

Zhao Chengkai, enraged, drew his sword.

In an instant, dozens of swords were drawn and pointed at him.

Zhao Chengkai was stunned—he was supposed to be His Majesty’s appointee, and now these men were pointing swords at him, as if they were pointing swords at the emperor himself!

“Do you intend to rebel?”

Shen Lanxi sneered: “Kill you first, then Wu Tong!”

What did that mean?

Zhao Chengkai realized the danger and tried to flee.

The moment he turned, he was pierced straight through.

He looked down in disbelief: “If you dare kill me, don’t you fear the emperor’s punishment?”

Liu Yanhui laughed: “Did we kill you? You, Supervisor Zhao, sought glory, attempted to assassinate Prince Cheng, and when it failed, were cut to pieces by Prince Cheng’s men!”

Shen Lanxi: “Correct!”

Zhao Chengkai’s eyes widened in disbelief, dying unwillingly.

Qian Feng dragged him out like a dead dog.

“I was tired of hearing this dog whine. Killing him brings peace!” Shen Yuanjing said.

Shen Lanxi: “Send an urgent report to the capital—Supervisor Zhao died serving our Zhou Dynasty!”

“Yes!”

After Prince Cheng claimed the throne, Eastern Liao King did not lag behind; he also proclaimed himself emperor and immediately issued a rather ridiculous edict to openly accept concubines!

“One is busy claiming the throne using his brother and mother, the other busy claiming the throne looking for women to bear children. What’s going on with the Zhou royal family?” Liu Yanhui wondered.

Cheng Zheng wrote: “The more chaos, the better!”

Qian Feng: “General, should we signal the beacon? Combined, Prince Cheng and Eastern Liao King have over three hundred thousand troops; we have only five thousand.”

Shen Lanxi: “No need. Wait a little longer.”

Liu Yanhui’s eyes flickered: “Why hasn’t Wei Dongzhu returned yet?”

Speak of the devil—the next day, Wei Dongzhu returned!

“General, the Northwest King wishes to form an alliance with us!”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze fell on him: “Any conditions?”

Wei Dongzhu: “No conditions. The Northwest King is already bringing his army along the Ganzhou Road and will arrive before nightfall tomorrow!”