RWNEFE -Chapter 205 Father, Do You Know Why You Can Return to the Capital?

Liu Shao told Shen Lanxi more about the Wandu Sect and its connection to the former empress. As dusk approached, she hurriedly prepared to leave.

“You’re a high-profile target now. Disappearing for too long might raise suspicion,” Liu Shao warned, clearly uneasy.

Shen Lanxi handed her a bead, about the size of a longan fruit.

“If you encounter something you can’t handle, take this bead to the Grand Eunuch Wang Bao. He will help you!”

Liu Shao slipped the bead into her pocket and quietly left.

Shen Lanxi went downstairs to the main hall, found a corner, and ordered a table full of dishes.

In the hall, out of ten people, seven talked about her, two about Zhou Ruyuan, and one about the Shen family.

Even though more than two years had passed, no one dared to mention the Wei Family Army.

“Did you see them meet at the city gate that day?”

“You saw them too?”

“I saw them, really did. They rode side by side, right past me.”

“They’re quite a match, a war hero and a female general, too bad…”

The “too bad” part was left to imagination. Speak too much, and you could break taboos and end up in the prison.

But even so, gossip like this was enough to set the common folk imagining.

“My third aunt’s little uncle’s elder niece’s nephew is on duty at the Zhen Nan Prince’s residence. Wow—Prince Zhen Nan is flourishing; even the kids call him ‘father’!”

Surprised voices rippled through the crowd.

“No need to ask, the child must belong to—”

Some made subtle hand signs, others understood immediately. Three times in one night—everyone in the capital knew.

Those speaking didn’t dare say it outright; those listening didn’t dare ask openly.

All the key details were exchanged through glances or hand gestures. After a long discussion, no one misspoke, yet everyone understood perfectly.

“What a pity—a god of war and a female general. If only these two could be perfectly matched…”

Hearing this, Shen Lanxi stood up and left.

As soon as she left, several people silently followed.

After walking through the bustling streets and returning home, it was already dark.

Hearing children crying from the main hall, she glanced in and then returned to her own courtyard.

The welcome banquet was officially prepared for her and Zhou Ruyuan.

The grand general in charge of pacifying rebellions had no official rank, but the Duke did. Yesterday, she had ordered Chunxue and Qiushuang to collect ceremonial robes from the Imperial Household Department. They went in the morning and returned in the evening.

Because of her tall figure, no alterations were needed. At night, she tried them on—they fit perfectly. She had scented them with avocado spices and wore them from the morning!

“Miss, how should we do your hair?” Chunxue hesitated.

Shen Lanxi: “Do it the same way other dukes do.”

Chunxue understood—it would still be a masculine style.

When the time was nearly right, the front courtyard sent someone to urge them along.

Previously, Shen Lanxi could go wherever she wanted, but this time they were going to the palace. The entire family had to attend.

They couldn’t let His Majesty think the Shen family was disunited.

The Shen family watched as Shen Lanxi emerged in her earl’s ceremonial robe. Some looked displeased, some jealous, some thoughtful.

“We’re going to the palace, and you dress like this?” Shen Congwen frowned deeply at her attire.

Shen Lanxi: “Father, you are a court official; you wear ceremonial robes when entering the palace. I am also a court official, so naturally, I must wear ceremonial robes!”

Shen Congwen felt like a fire was burning in his chest. Shen Lanxi, dressed as a man, was so glaringly inappropriate it hurt his eyes.

“You are a woman; you should dress like a woman!”

“Hasn’t His Majesty restored your status as a county princess? Why not wear a princess’s ceremonial robe?”

Shen Lanxi: “His Majesty allowed me to use both titles. Father, this is His Majesty’s decree. Do you oppose it?”

Shen Congwen hadn’t expected Shen Lanxi to pin such a high claim on him—how could he oppose His Majesty?

“Stop talking nonsense. I’m just saying that in important occasions, dress should be proper. Look at you now, neither man nor woman—you’re making the Shen family look ridiculous!”

Shen Congwen finally found an argument. The Great Zhou law had specific rules against bizarre attire.

At important events, like today’s welcome banquet, failing to dress properly could lead to punishment.

“Shen Lanxi, if you act recklessly alone, don’t drag the entire Shen family into trouble!”

Shen Lanxi: “The ceremonial robe I wear was personally granted by His Majesty. Do you dare say the robe made by the Ministry of Rites is improper?”

Shen Congwen was nearly livid. She twisted words to her advantage.

He was talking about her masculine appearance, not the robe itself.

“A woman should look like a woman. You dress like this—do you want everyone to think the entire Shen family is unruly and deviant?”

“Several of your younger sisters are of marriageable age. After this banquet, their marriages will be discussed. If you enter the palace dressed like this, how will others view our Shen family daughters?”

Shen Congwen finally found leverage to control Shen Lanxi.

“Don’t ruin your own reputation, and don’t drag your sisters down with you!”

Shen Lanxi stared coldly at the man who thought he had caught her fault and wouldn’t let go.

Shen Yuanjing and the other men hadn’t expected another argument to break out at home while they were arranging the carriages.

“Father, you can’t say that about big sister!” Shen Yuanjing stood up to defend her.

Shen Congwen glared at his son. “Unfilial wretch! If you ruin the marriage prospects of our Shen daughters and drag the family’s name through the mud, I’ll see if your conscience survives this life!”

Shen Yuanjing quickly asked Chunxue and Qiushuang what had happened.

“Stop, who told you to leave!” Shen Congwen nearly jumped up to shout as Shen Lanxi started to walk away.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze swept coldly over him: “Father, do you know why you were able to return to the capital?”

Shen Congwen froze, glaring in anger.

“Don’t say it’s just His Majesty’s grace. Don’t forget, the Wei Family Army’s provisions haven’t even been found yet.”

Shen Congwen and other Shen family members felt a chill run through them.

“Congwen, since His Majesty allowed it, he surely won’t hold it against you!”

“Don’t waste any more time. If we miss the appointed hour, no one can take responsibility!” The matriarch, experienced and shrewd, had been on edge since returning to the capital. After waiting these days without receiving an imperial order for punishment, she had reassessed Shen Lanxi’s value to the family.

This time, with a chance to repair relations, she happily maneuvered between her son and granddaughter, providing both sides with a graceful exit.

“Lanxi, your father cares for you. His words may be harsh, but it’s all for the safety of the Shen family!”

“Congwen, you’ve also become more cautious since returning. You overthink everything. Even matters already approved by His Majesty, you still fret. I know you’re afraid; being careful isn’t wrong!”

“Everyone, listen to me—this time, let it go!” The matriarch finished speaking and immediately urged the family to board the carriage.

Shen Congwen glanced angrily at Shen Lanxi: “From now on, any mistakes you make are yours alone to handle. Don’t expect the Shen family to bail you out!”