RWNEFE -Chapter 188 Shen Congwen Restored to Office, Shen Family Cleared of Guilt!

Shen Lanxi curled her lips in a smile: “It’s a deal!”

Ban Sicao stayed behind in the army to recover from his injuries.

~

“General, Wu Tong has come to see me three times these past few days. The first two times were just meals; the third time, he tried to subtly ask how many troops we have in total,” Shen Yuanxu reported truthfully.

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow: “And how did you answer?”

Shen Yuanxu: “I said we have a total of fifteen thousand troops, and we’re still recruiting. But recruitment is limited—we can’t get enough men, so we’ll have to recruit women!”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes flickered: “Lead him to the brothel.”

Shen Yuanxu nodded and went to arrange it.

A month later, Peng Rong arrived, accompanied by the members of the Shen family.

In front of Shen Lanxi, Peng Rong read the imperial edict aloud once more: “Regarding the Wei family’s military provisions case, there are too many doubts; it was not the Shen family’s doing. Shen Congwen is hereby restored to office, and the Shen family is cleared of all charges. After the campaign concludes, they shall return to the capital with General Shen for rewards.”

The Shen family, except for the eldest branch and a few children from the third branch, were all present.

Peng Rong smiled as he put away the edict: “His Majesty has restored the status of Princess Minrou. Along with General Shen and the rest of the family, she will return to the capital to report on her duties.”

Old Madam Shen, black-faced, was helped down from the carriage. The fast ride had nearly shaken her old bones apart.

Shen Lanxi respectfully took the edict in both hands: “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the great favor!”

Peng Rong smiled, placing the edict in her hands: “His Majesty has also restored your status as Princess Lanxi, showing his deep affection for you!”

Shen Lanxi: “I suppose His Majesty loves what his mother loved. When the Empress Dowager was alive, she treated me like a granddaughter, and His Majesty treats me like a child!”

Peng Rong paused for a moment, eyes flickering, then quickly smiled: “Yes, yes. His Majesty respects the Empress Dowager and regards her as his mother; naturally, he extends that care to you as well!”

Shen Lanxi: “Sir Peng, you’ve traveled far and worked hard. Rest first; once I’ve settled my family, I will host a proper welcome for you.”

Peng Rong: “Very well!”

No sooner had they sent Peng Rong off than Madam Liu and others rushed to Shen Lanxi.

“Lanxi, we can go back to the capital! When will the campaign end? We need to hurry back!” Madam Liu urged impatiently.

Shen Lanxi: “Second Aunt, I’ll let Yuanxu explain it to you.”

“Liu Yanhui, arrange rooms for them.”

“Grandfather, Grandmother, right now Eastern Liao King, Prince Cheng, and the Northwest King are all nearby, watching like hawks. Don’t go out unless necessary—otherwise they might capture you to force our troops to retreat. You know what happened to Eastern Liao King’s family, don’t you?”

“What happened?” They had just arrived from Hongliu Garrison and knew nothing!

Shen Yuanjing: “Grandma, the Dongliao royal family members were shot dead by orders of Eastern Liao King!”

The Shen family all inhaled sharply.

Seeing Old Madam Shen’s face about to turn grim, Shen Yuanjing quickly gave a signal to Shen Yuanxu and others to take the family away.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, it’s really chaotic outside. Don’t go out. Earlier, someone sent a fake letter claiming you were captured and we should surrender. When we rushed over, we realized it was a trap!” Shen Yuanjing began improvising.

“Later, our eldest sister got angry and ordered that if any such letters arrived again, they should all be shot with arrows…”

The Shen family remained on edge the entire way. Hearing Shen Yuanjing’s account, not a single one argued, obediently following him to their assigned courtyard.

Peng Rong rested for two days. Not seeing Wu Tong around, he inquired and found everyone evasive—they were clearly hiding something.

Wu Tong had recently been indulging in the pleasures of the city, probably unaware which direction the army camp’s gates faced.

“Sir, something’s wrong! Hurry back! His Majesty has sent a new supervising officer!” Wu Tong’s attendants finally found him at Chunmanlou, after searching several establishments.

Wu Tong was drunk, left hand around one woman, right hand around another, floating in the pleasures of the night.

Hearing the attendants, he didn’t process it. Only when they repeated it did he wake with a start.

“A new supervising officer? Who?”

Attendants: “The Capital Guard’s leader, Peng Rong!”

Wu Tong stumbled, shouting and cursing, as the attendants supported him back.

Peng Rong had waited patiently but grew impatient. Finally, he saw Wu Tong arrive.

“Sir Peng, I didn’t expect it to be you!” Wu Tong hurriedly saluted.

Peng Rong frowned at Wu Tong’s overwhelming stench of alcohol, eyes flicking with disdain.

“Drinking during the day, Lord Wu? You really are busy!”

Wu Tong had already prepared his excuse on the way: “Today is my day off. The army is boring, and I miss my family, so I had a couple of drinks. Sir Peng, please don’t blame me!”

Peng Rong knew Wu Tong was lying but didn’t expose him. They would be colleagues for some time, and Peng Rong was new—he couldn’t afford to offend a well-established man in the army immediately.

“Since it’s your day off, and you hadn’t received the edict, that’s understandable.”

Hearing about the edict, Wu Tong broke into a cold sweat, sobered completely.

“Thank you for your understanding, Sir Peng! When we return to the capital, I will properly thank you!”

“I’ll write to my uncle in the capital: Sir Peng works tirelessly, diligently inspects, and strictly fulfills his supervisory duties—a true model for us!”

Wu Tong’s uncle was the Left Chancellor. In the capital, Wu Tong often leveraged his uncle’s name for gain—including this position as deputy supervising officer, which his uncle had helped arrange. He needed to maintain the uncle’s prestige.

“His Majesty in the capital also praised Deputy Wu for his thoroughness!” Peng Rong improvised.

Hearing that His Majesty mentioned him, Wu Tong felt as if he had just downed two buckets of adrenaline, utterly thrilled.

“I shall not fail His Majesty’s trust!”

Peng Rong’s purpose in finding Wu Tong was to inquire about the campaign army. Seeing him pledge loyalty, this was the perfect moment to ask.

…

“Mother, judging by Yuanjing and the others, who knows when this battle will end? How long must we wait?” Madam Tian complained.

Old Madam Shen glared at her: “You upset because you didn’t return to the capital with the eldest branch?”

Seeing Old Madam Shen’s tone, Madam Tian hurriedly explained: “I was just scared!”

Madam Liu, unable to tolerate her pretense, called her out: “No, you’re just jealous that the eldest branch is enjoying life in the capital, without us!”

Madam Tian, angry and embarrassed, shot back: “And you’re not jealous? Didn’t you watch the eldest branch leave, eyes practically glued to the carriage?”

Old Madam Shen’s face darkened as she scolded: “All of you are fools, don’t know what’s good for you—everyone, shut your mouths!”

Madam Liu and Madam Tian quickly clamped their mouths shut.

Old Madam Shen cast a stern glance at them: “Do you think the eldest branch went to the capital to enjoy themselves?”

Madam Liu and Madam Tian: Isn’t that the case?

Old Madam Shen, filled with worry, only prayed for the campaign to end soon.

She folded her skilled hands in a gesture of admonition and said: “Amitabha! I tell you, from now on, all of you must recite scriptures and pray in your rooms until our entire family safely returns to the capital. Do you hear me?”