RWNEFE -Chapter 218 The Marriage Envoy Departs—Disobedience Gets You Eaten by Wolves!

The old maids inwardly cursed Bai Qingling as a seductive vixen, but outwardly they said: “Your Highness, Madam Bai has just suffered a miscarriage. She must not cry.” Just a few words, lest she stir the prince’s heart too much—they couldn’t explain it to the Noble Consort if they did!

The two maids in the room hurried to stand by the bed, blocking Bai Qingling.

“Madam, lie down and rest.”

“Madam, do not speak, to avoid affecting your health!”

“Madam…”

Bai Qingling looked at the two maids gloomily. If she could move even slightly without pain in her abdomen, she wouldn’t tolerate these two shameless servants.

Outside, the two old hags kept invoking Noble Consort’s name. They were now servants of the prince’s residence; she was the mistress, they were subordinates, yet they treated her with no respect. Once she recovered, she would make sure they learned their place.

“Qingling, I’m going to the palace to send little Yu’er,” Zhou Ruoyuan said, then left.

The moment he stepped out, the maids sent word to the palace.

The prince was going off on a campaign, leaving the little vixen in the capital. Now it was up to the Noble Consort—inside the palace, there were plenty of ways for people to die quietly and without trace.

The journey to the northwest would be long, and by the time they arrived, winter would be approaching. Though not as cold as Dongchuan, the northwest’s winters were harsh.

Zhou Ruoyuan had conveniently sent a lot of supplies, and once the source of funds was secured, Shen Lanxi immediately had them pawned to raise money. All proceeds would be used to purchase necessary provisions.

Emperor Renxiao received the news immediately. Learning that she had pawned her dowry to buy supplies, he sat in the Imperial Study for a full hour, deeply moved.

Once Shen Lanxi received the imperial edict, preparations began at the Shen residence as well.

But the families preparing the most were actually the other branches.

“Mother, my sons Yuanxu and Yuankun are going off to campaign again. I want to buy them some supplies for the road,” said Madam Liu. This time, no one prompted her; after receiving the edict, she immediately approached the matriarch.

Old Madam Shen glanced at her, said nothing, and personally took the keys to the storehouse to open it for Madam Liu.

Soon after, Madam Miao and Madam Tian arrived. Their husbands and children were also in the army, and needed supplies for the journey.

“Second Sister, our eldest son stayed behind to study. Why not let Yuanpeng and Yuanhao stay too?” Madam Tian suggested.

Madam Liu rolled her eyes at Madam Tian: “Why don’t you let your son stay?”

Madam Tian was furious. If her son was willing to stay, why bother with such nonsense?

Madam Miao said: “In the army, the sword spares no one. If the fourth sister wants her children with their husbands in the army, she should just say so.”

Madam Tian rolled her eyes at Madam Miao: “My son and husband are only in logistics—they won’t be on the battlefield. I’m not worried about them. The real danger is for those fighting in the front lines.”

Madam Miao turned her head in irritation. If her sons were capable of studying, what else could she say? Besides, even if she wanted her sons to return, they had to be willing to come back!

As for that old Shen Congli, wanting him to come back—what would he do? Continue his chaos with multiple concubines in the rear palace? Better for him to stay in the army!

“My sons already hold important positions in the army. If they returned to study, they would have to start over. Better to stay in the army. Maybe one day, if they become generals, as a mother, I might even get a commendation,” Madam Miao said sincerely, venting at Madam Tian.

The three daughters-in-law bickered nearby, much to Old Madam Shen’s annoyance.

Her eldest daughter-in-law was particularly clever at avoiding chores. After the welcome feast, she went to the temple to chant prayers for the Empress Dowager—and had yet to return. All the mess fell on the old matriarch.

“Enough! If you want money, wait quietly. If not, go back to your rooms. Without your things, your sons and husbands will not starve!”

Seeing Madam Shen angry, the three immediately shut up.

That night, after Shen Congwen returned, Old Madam Shen summoned him to her room.

“Lanxi is about to depart for the northwest. Have you prepared anything for her?”

Shen Congwen frowned: “Mother, I just assumed office and am busy with numerous matters. You handle preparations for the eldest branch.”

Old Madam Shen looked at her son deeply, letting out a long sigh.

In the blink of an eye, it was time to depart. Since they had the marriage envoy, the departure had to be from the palace.

Shen Lanxi arrived early at the palace gates, where last night, preparations for the marriage procession had been completed.

The entourage arrived one by one. When the time was near, Princess Fifteen, Zhou Yunyue’s carriage, rolled out of the palace.

Emperor Renxiao stood on the city wall, overlooking the entire procession.

He could have stayed home today, but Shen Lanxi pawning her dowry to buy supplies yesterday had deeply impressed him.

He had come to see her off!

Shen Lanxi and her entourage performed the farewell bows toward the Imperial City, observing all departure protocols.

“Depart!”

The marriage envoy slowly set off.

“Your Majesty, Princess Fifteen has left. We should return. After breakfast, court will begin,” Wang Bao said.

Emperor Renxiao watched the departing procession silently.

“Wang Bao, do you think Shen Lanxi sensed I came?”

Wang Bao: “Of course she did. She must have felt the imperial presence in the city. That’s why she kowtowed three times toward the Imperial City.”

Emperor Renxiao chuckled lowly.

“You really know how to make me happy!”

“No, Your Majesty, every word I speak is the truth…”

…

After leaving the city, Shen Lanxi’s party met up with the soldiers outside.

“Are you sure you won’t stay behind for revenge?” Shen Lanxi asked Cheng Zheng.

Cheng Zheng wrote: “Absolutely. Missing this moment is no loss. Several years have already passed; a few more won’t matter. As long as Zhou Xiwu lives, as long as her children live, there will always be opportunities for revenge!”

Shen Lanxi: “Good. Let’s go!”

“Stay alert on the road. Wolves roam the northwest. Disobedient ones will be eaten!”

Xiao Fang, Cheng Zheng, and the others exchanged knowing glances. Understood.

“March quickly. Ensure arrival in the northwest within two months!”

“Yes!”

The warhorses charged like arrows from a bow, while the marriage envoy either walked or rode in carriages.

Shen Lanxi’s party suddenly pulled ahead, leaving the envoy behind.

“Princess, why are they all running off?” someone asked.

“Could they be abandoning us?”

Xiao Fang spurred his horse forward, shouting: “All foot attendants, get on the carriages! All ceremonial arms either go on the carts or be dropped!”

“Anyone left behind gets eaten by wolves. I will not stop to save you!”

After shouting, Xiao Fang turned to chase Shen Lanxi’s party.

Everyone in the envoy was stunned.

They were escorting a princess for marriage, not going to war.

Carriages can’t outrun warhorses!

Xiao Fang caught up with Shen Lanxi and reported with a smile: “General, everyone behind is in a panic!”