RWNEFE -Chapter 223 They’ve All Been Poisoned!

Han Mingxuan, the Commandant of Hailing City, personally received the marriage convoy, but treated Shen Lanxi and Zhou Yunyue in two very different ways.

Han Mingxuan treated Zhou Yunyue as the honored guest, using the highest ceremonial protocol of Hailing City to entertain her. That evening, during the banquet, he deliberately did not invite Shen Lanxi.

Nie Shuanghai tactfully reminded him: “Commander Han, where is General Shen?”

Han Mingxuan sneered: “I am hosting the Princess. If she wants to come, she can come herself. A female officer—does she really think I should personally greet her?”

In Han Mingxuan’s mind, a female officer was no different from the palace maids or eunuchs accompanying a dowry—titles only, nothing more.

He, a high-ranking commander stationed here, didn’t even consider it necessary to personally summon her. She simply didn’t have that status.

Nie Shuanghai awkwardly said: “But His Majesty did appoint her as the supreme commander of our marriage convoy.”

Han Mingxuan snorted disdainfully: “The most honored person in the convoy is the Princess—a royal descendant. A mere woman… does she think she can surpass the imperial family?”

Nie Shuanghai sensed things were going awry and didn’t dare argue further.

Meanwhile, the officials from the Ministry of Rites thoroughly enjoyed the banquet—watching the performances, tasting the food, and enjoying the music and dance—a scene of carefree festivity.

“Princess, I’ve looked. Shen Lanxi didn’t come!” Zilan whispered to Zhou Yunyue.

Zhou Yunyue sneered: “Shen Lanxi? What is she? An ignorant, foolish wretch. My status is supreme—only she is blind not to see. If not for Father…” She darkened at the thought.

No need to dwell on it now. After tonight, Shen Lanxi would understand exactly whose authority she was challenging—and perhaps think twice before being so arrogant again.

“Commander Han, your reception is extremely meticulous. Tomorrow I will have someone write to the Emperor to commend you!”

Hearing this, Han Mingxuan was overjoyed. After years stationed in Hailing City, he had finally received a chance for recognition!

“Commander Han, where is General Shen?” Zhou Yunyue asked again, deliberately.

Han Mingxuan hesitated, then said: “She must be tired from the journey. General Shen probably doesn’t wish to grace us with her presence.”

A woman, daring to call herself a general? Never before in history!

Zhou Yunyue feigned sympathy: “I see. General Shen must be feeling unwell. After all, she’s a woman, riding like the men all the way here—it must have taken a toll on her body.”

Han Mingxuan paused, then quickly said: “Shall we send her some tonics, Princess?”

Zhou Yunyue thought carefully: “Send a bowl of brown sugar water—consider it a reward from me!”

Han Mingxuan’s eyes gleamed, understanding the tension. The Princess and Shen Lanxi were clearly at odds.

“Understood. I shall have it done immediately, Your Highness!”

Zhou Yunyue nodded in satisfaction.

…

“Send her brown sugar water?” Shen Lanxi said, her half-smile filled with a chilling glare.

Xiao Fang: “General, shall I return the favor with some blood gourds?” This was their bandits’ code; “blood gourds” meant heads.

Shen Lanxi turned to Ban Sicao: “You said they’re holding a banquet?”

Ban Sicao: “The officials and soldiers’ wives in Hailing City all attended.” No one had come to summon them.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes flickered. She let out a long, low sigh.

“The merchant girls sing on, unaware of their kingdom’s doom, singing past the river with the Court Lady’s flowers.”

“Our Great Zhou is already riddled with wounds, yet they sing and dance as if all is well, blind to the stench of wealth and meat in the noble houses!”

Ban Sicao opened his mouth to suggest slipping them some medicine, but Xiao Fang tugged him back.

“Don’t interrupt—the General hasn’t finished.”

Shen Lanxi continued: “Heading northwest, danger lies all around. Outsiders are watching hungrily, and the mountains are filled with wolves. Danger is ever near!”

“We must give them a warning—keep them tense as sparrows, alert at all times, leaving no opening for enemy spies!”

Ban Sicao: What does that mean?

“Why are you tugging me?” Ban Sicao looked at Xiao Fang’s back, thinking mischievously about slipping him some medicine.

Xiao Fang, without looking back, said: “Didn’t you hear the General? Keep them tense. Spies… openings for them!”

The hint was obvious. Could it be clearer?

“Meaning what?”

Ban Sicao didn’t know yet—he had joined Shen Lanxi’s ranks late and missed the formation of the righteous unit.

Soon, he understood.

“Old Xiao, don’t worry. Once my medicine takes effect, they’ll all go down naturally~”

Xiao Fang rolled his eyes: “It’s the commotion I want. Keep your good medicine for yourself. Let’s just give them a little croton seed, enough to make them dash to the latrines!”

Ban Sicao, looking wronged: “Old Xiao, what do you think I am? I sell medicine, not food! I’ll make them look poisoned but won’t actually kill them! That’s natural. You wouldn’t understand our craft—stop talking nonsense!”

Xiao Fang: “…I’m never going out with you again.”

Over half an hour later, Nie Shuanghai staggered into the courtyard where Shen Lanxi was, begging for help.

“General… help…”

Shen Yuanjing stopped him: “The General has already gone to rest. What is it? Speak quickly.”

Nie Shuanghai, breathless: “They’ve all been poisoned! Everyone’s been poisoned!”

Shen Yuanjing’s expression changed. He immediately said seriously: “Wait here—I’ll inform the General.”

Nie Shuanghai’s stomach grumbled loudly, his face paling.

“Brother, I can’t hold it… I need to hit the latrine first…”

Shen Lanxi had been busy handling the grain and supplies. A westward army without provisions is meaningless.

The Dongchuan farming initiative was beginning to bear fruit; they couldn’t let others steal it. The disguised merchant-soldiers transported only food.

The route was difficult, but her Third Senior Brother had cleared it in advance.

Back when she departed for Dongchuan, arrangements had been made, using two-thirds of the money earned from selling charcoal to secure the route.

Two years later, the route was finally usable.

Shen Lanxi received a letter from Third Senior Brother and was very pleased.

“Fifth Brother, this is a letter for Dongchuan—have Xiaoxue deliver it!”

Feng Wu appeared like a phantom and took the letter!

Since leaving the capital, Feng Wu and the people of Peach Blossom Valley had hidden in the shadows, ready for action.

On the surface, Shen Lanxi led only a hundred men, but the hidden force far exceeded that.

About fifteen minutes later, Shen Lanxi had Chunxue carry the now-cooled brown sugar water to the banquet.

The banquet had descended into chaos. The city’s doctors had been called—everyone had the same conclusion: they’d been poisoned!

Han Mingxuan struggled to contain the stomach pains, his face blackened with anger.

“Investigate! Find the poisoner immediately!”

Before he could finish speaking, he couldn’t hold it and…

Zhou Yunyue was even more embarrassed. She was a princess of Great Zhou, yet in front of so many commoners she had been humiliated. Damn it! Whoever had poisoned them—if she ever found out—she would annihilate their entire clan!