RWNEFE -Chapter 268 Kang Zhu is Pregnant, Shen Lanxi Strikes at the Heart!

Shen Lanxi said she would submit a memorial to the court, but after Liang Shao left, she put the matter aside and clearly stated that she would only submit it two weeks later.

“Cheng Zheng, I’m leaving this matter to you!”

Cheng Zheng immediately wrote down the date.

Five days later, Wei Dongzhu sent word again: Zhou Ruan had successfully paired with the daughter of the Hailing City commander.

Shen Lanxi had just stored the remaining five hundred loads of grain from Xiling City in the warehouse. Seeing how smoothly things had gone, she couldn’t help feeling a bit excited.

“Send orders: when the Second Prince returns, reward the entire army!”

“Yes!”

Although the grain had been exchanged by Zhou Ruan, it was important to let the Northern Garrison know in advance that she had made the decision.

With the Northwest King keeping the Tujue tribes in check, they were no longer a threat.

Shen Lanxi breathed a sigh of relief and decided to handle some domestic matters.

Zhou Yunyue had been assigned to Shen Yuanjing’s backyard, living in the same house as Kang Zhu. Since the arrangement, Kang Zhu had come to see her. She didn’t speak directly, but her intentions were obvious.

A few days earlier, Shen Yuanjing had brought her good news: Kang Zhu was pregnant.

This was the first child for the next generation of the Shen family. Shen Lanxi had Chunxue prepare a variety of supplements and jewelry, arranging six trays in total, which were then grandly delivered to Kang Zhu.

Kang Zhu had been following Shen Yuanjing in the army. Since becoming pregnant, she had finally put aside military duties to stay home and nurture her child.

Earlier, when Zhou Yunyue entered the house, Shen Yuanjing had already explained the situation to Kang Zhu. Outwardly, Kang Zhu had agreed graciously, appearing reasonable and magnanimous, but privately, her jealousy had already boiled over.

The two maids beside Kang Zhu had come with her from Wala. After Zhou Yunyue moved in, she had secretly sent them to gather information. Unfortunately, the Shen household staff were as tight-lipped as dead ducks.

Kang Zhu feared that if word got back to Shen Yuanjing, he would think her petty and jealous and take offense. This anger had been bottled up until Shen Lanxi’s arrival.

“Big Sister, I’m straightforward, a daughter of the steppe, I can’t hold back. I just want to ask, what exactly are you planning to do with that Zhou Yunyue?” Although she called Shen Lanxi “Big Sister” affectionately, Kang Zhu still felt considerable fear toward her.

The day Shen Lanxi had split Abu Khan’s first warrior in two with her companion star sword, her ruthless reputation had spread across all the steppe tribes.

If Shen Yuanjing hadn’t constantly praised Shen Lanxi and brought her rewards, Kang Zhu would have already been too intimidated to stand.

Seeing Kang Zhu’s unease, Shen Lanxi smiled: “Just treat her as someone inconsequential. Whatever she does has nothing to do with you or Yuanjing.”

Kang Zhu was confused, her heart beating faster. That was the Princess of Da Zhou—could she really be treated as nonexistent?

“You’re showing already.” Shen Lanxi smiled at Kang Zhu’s belly.

Kang Zhu quickly focused, no time to think about anything else, and gently placed her hand on her stomach.

“From what I can see, the birth isn’t close yet.”

Shen Lanxi: “When I came in, I saw the courtyard was empty. If there are any flowers or plants you like, just tell the steward.”

“A few days ago, a merchant caravan passed through Wala. I had some unique items from there brought over. Once they arrive, I’ll have them delivered to you.”

Kang Zhu was overwhelmed with gratitude. She hadn’t expected this “Big Sister” to be so considerate to family in private.

Besides the wedding day and the daily visits to the army, this was the first time they had spoken like this privately.

“Thank you, Big Sister. I have no relatives in Da Zhou; you’re like my own sister.”

Shen Lanxi joked: “Yuanjing must have done a lot of good deeds in his previous life to have found such a spirited and lovely wife!”

Kang Zhu blushed at the comment.

“Yuanjing is wonderful too,” she murmured shyly.

Recalling her brother’s previous life, Shen Lanxi teased: “Wonderful? If you knew how he was back in the capital, you’d probably have run far away.”

Kang Zhu’s curiosity was piqued, and she immediately asked Shen Lanxi to describe Yuanjing back then.

The two chatted for over an hour until a commotion outside caught their attention.

“General, it’s at the Jinhe Courtyard.”

The Jinhe Courtyard was where Zhou Yunyue lived.

Kang Zhu’s face darkened, full of displeasure.

Shen Lanxi reassured her: “You’ve been talking for so long; you must be tired. Rest, and I’ll see what’s going on over there.”

Kang Zhu wanted to go too. She had long disliked Zhou Yunyue. Previously, someone had blocked her from going; now, with Shen Lanxi present, no one would dare to deny her.

“Big Sister, I’ll go with you. I’m the head lady of this house. With someone new in the backyard, I should go see.”

Shen Lanxi did not stop her.

“Good.”

When they arrived at Jinhe Courtyard, Zhou Yunyue was exhausted and had to be helped onto a chair, sitting at the gate and confronting the guards.

“I am the Princess of Da Zhou! When my Second Brother returns, I’ll have your heads!”

“Stopping me is rebellion. When I return to the capital, I’ll annihilate your nine clans!”

Zhou Yunyue was utterly exhausted, pausing twice mid-sentence. Her threats lost all their force.

“General!” The guards saluted as Shen Lanxi arrived.

Shen Lanxi: “You’ve been loyal and diligent. When the reassignment comes, go to Mr. Cheng for the imperial edict. Take the one that restricts the Zhou family to the backyard.”

“Yes!”

This edict came directly from Emperor Renxiao. Did Zhou Yunyue dare claim to outrank the emperor?

“Shen Lanxi…” Zhou Yunyue screamed when she saw her.

Shen Lanxi deliberately elevated Kang Zhu, stepping aside and pointing: “This is Kang Zhu, a princess of Wala, wife of my brother Shen Yuanjing, and your Madam. When you see her, you bow and call her ‘Madam’!”

This was a true strike to the heart.

Zhou Yunyue flew into a rage, standing up: “I am not a concubine! How dare you say I, the Princess of Da Zhou, am a concubine! Shen Lanxi, you are disrespecting the royal family—treasonous and outrageous!”

Shen Lanxi laughed: “Forget it—you’re not a concubine, so no concubine’s etiquette is required. The edict only says to let you enter Shen Yuanjing’s backyard; it says nothing about status. You have no title or rank, so by protocol, you may not appear before Madam!”

This cut even deeper.

Zhou Yunyue’s vision darkened with fury. If it were anyone else, they would have looked pale. But she appeared flushed, making her look even more coquettish.

“Shen Lanxi, are you blind? She’s a barbarian woman—what kind of head lady is that? I am the Princess of Da Zhou, and you, a Da Zhou citizen, side with foreigners? What are you scheming?” Zhou Yunyue clutched her chest, tilting back in the chair.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes were ice-cold: “Zhou, you cowardly, self-preserving fool, how dare you question the emperor? Are you challenging the imperial edict, or trying to provoke war between Da Zhou and foreign tribes? What is your intention?”