RWNEFE -Chapter 280 Shen Yuanjing’s First Child Is Born!

Two days later, Xiling’s garrison commander Sun Maoshan was killed by bandits. Zhou Ruan expressed deep grief and even issued a military pledge, vowing that unless all the bandits in the northwest were completely wiped out, he would never return to the capital.

While Zhou Ruan was taking over Xiling City and busily handling affairs there, Shen Lanxi quietly returned to Huangtu City with great discretion.

“General, Zhou Ruan’s people have been keeping watch on our general’s residence. Should we find an opportunity to deal with them?” Liu Yanhui asked.

“No need to rush,” Shen Lanxi said. “Let them watch all they want. We’re going to Yuanjing’s place.”

Zhou Ruan had also sent people to monitor Shen Yuanjing’s residence. Fortunately, they had prepared in advance and entered through a secret passage.

Kang Zhu had grown noticeably plumper, her belly sticking out like an upside-down little pot. When Shen Lanxi saw her walking over, she immediately stopped her.

“You’re about to give birth any day now. We’re all family—there’s no need for such formalities.”

Kang Zhu smiled brightly, her face full of maternal warmth. As she spoke, one hand supported her belly.

“General, less than two days after you and Yuanjing left, the Second Prince sent people to take Zhou Yunyue away.”

Shen Lanxi already knew about this.

“Pay her no mind. If she left anything behind, don’t touch it—have the servants handle it.”

Kang Zhu shook her head. “She didn’t leave anything. The Second Prince’s people were watching closely when she left. The guards were strict—clearly acting on his orders. She didn’t dare make trouble.”

In the end, Zhou Ruan still had his misgivings.

“Take good care of your pregnancy,” Shen Lanxi said. “I’ve already arranged for experienced midwives and wet nurses.”

Earlier, Kang Zhu had asked her brother to bring over two highly experienced midwives from the Wala tribes, along with wet nurses. Her brother had said that Wala people were strong from childhood, like little calves, precisely because they drank Wala milk. People of the Central Plains might be cleverer, but in the end, they were not as robust as the Wala.

Since things had come to this, Kang Zhu naturally would not refuse. She quickly expressed her thanks.

“Thank you for thinking of me, Elder Sister!”

Shen Lanxi smiled and nodded. “Yuanjing mentioned earlier that you want me to name the child?”

Kang Zhu nodded without hesitation. “Yuanjing and I discussed it long ago. Without Elder Sister, there would be no us. Now that Elder Sister is a general, the name you choose will surely be impressive. We want to bask in your good fortune. Our child will be the very first to be named by Elder Sister!”

Shen Lanxi nodded and said seriously, “I won’t interfere with the other Shen descendants. But if anyone wants me to treat them as family, they must earn my acknowledgment. Otherwise, no matter who gives birth to the child, they will not be my kin in my eyes.”

Kang Zhu’s heart surged with excitement. “To have such a powerful relative like Elder Sister—it must be heaven’s blessing!”

Shen Lanxi glanced at Shen Yuanjing and made a solemn promise. “Any brother of mine must be devoted to one spouse for life. If Shen Yuanjing ever dares to take a concubine, I’ll cut off both his legs and send them to you!”

Shen Yuanjing jumped in fright and hurriedly explained, “Elder Sister, I wouldn’t dare! I’ll have only one wife in this lifetime!”

Shen Lanxi nodded in satisfaction.

Though Kang Zhu was happy, she dared not show it openly. What man didn’t have multiple wives and concubines? Even her own brother had more than ten women, let alone a family like the Shen.

Yet despite her thoughts, the way Kang Zhu looked at Shen Lanxi was little short of worshipping her like a deity.

Shen Lanxi still had official business to attend to. After chatting briefly with Kang Zhu, she left for the camp.

Shen Yuanjing originally wanted to stay home with Kang Zhu, but Kang Zhu herself refused. Among the Wala, there was no such thing as men accompanying childbirth. When women gave birth, men were usually out hunting, busy providing for the family.

Having the intention was enough—men still had their futures to consider.

Unexpectedly, late that night Kang Zhu began to feel unwell. When the maid at her side wanted to call for help, Kang Zhu stopped her and refused to let her go.

It wasn’t until morning, when the guards sensed something was wrong, that they hurriedly sent word.

Shen Lanxi and Shen Yuanjing rushed back to the Shen residence. Near noon, Kang Zhu safely gave birth to a baby girl.

When Shen Yuanjing heard the news, he was overjoyed and immediately shared it with Shen Lanxi.

“Elder Sister, I have a child—it’s a daughter!”

Shen Lanxi immediately bestowed the name she had long prepared.

“She shall be called Shen Emei—a heroine who yields to no man.”

Inside the birthing room, Kang Zhu gazed at the baby girl wrapped in swaddling clothes, her expression tinged with disappointment. Why wasn’t it a boy?

“If only you were a son, you could follow your father to the battlefield, achieve merit, and inherit the title.”

Now she could only pin her hopes on a second child.

Even after hearing that Shen Lanxi had named the child and sent many gifts for both mother and daughter, Kang Zhu’s smile remained forced.

Fortunately, Shen Yuanjing was very happy. He said their daughter would grow close to her great aunt in the future. Women could also practice martial arts, just like Elder Sister, and could still achieve merit and accomplishments. Only then did Kang Zhu’s mood finally improve.

Shen Lanxi stayed in Huangtu City for three days. When she left, she kept Shen Yuanjing behind.

“Kang Zhu has just given birth—she needs care right now. Stay and take good care of them first. Come find me afterward.”

Seeing Shen Lanxi’s resolute attitude, Shen Yuanjing could only nod.

“Even with servants, nothing compares to the care of one’s own family,” Shen Lanxi continued. “After Zhou Ruan recovers Xiling City, he’ll surely become overconfident. I suspect he’ll soon make a move against the three tribes.”

That was one of the reasons she left Shen Yuanjing behind—he now had a perfectly legitimate reason to stay.

“Elder Sister, Zhou Ruan has barely fought any real battles. Those cities fell into his hands without losing a single soldier—they were gains he reaped without effort. If he moves against the foreign tribes, he’ll definitely lose.”

“Don’t worry about that for now,” Shen Lanxi said. “Protect Kang Zhu and the child first. If he orders you to go into battle, find an excuse and don’t go.”

Shen Yuanjing memorized these instructions and watched as Shen Lanxi departed.

…

“General, when will we take back the military authority? I’m worried Zhou Ruan’s influence will seep too deeply into our Zhenbei Army and shake morale,” Liu Yanhui voiced his concern.

Shen Lanxi gave a cold laugh. “Zhou Ruan is a convenient excuse—we can still use him a few more times. When he’s truly outlived his usefulness, we’ll kick him out.”

Che Mingyuan frowned. “I’m afraid he’ll really manage to win people over by waving the banner of imperial authority.”

Shen Lanxi replied coldly, “If anyone in the Zhenbei Army can be won over, it means they don’t belong in the Zhenbei Army in the first place. Zhou Ruan can help us identify them.”

That said, people’s hearts were not so easy to control. Che Mingyuan feared that in the end, all their efforts might truly end up sewing a wedding dress for someone else.

Ten days later, Zhou Ruan returned to Huangtu City.

As soon as he arrived, he summoned Liang Shao, presented him with the imperial edict of amnesty, and said in a patronizing tone, “If you can help the Zhenbei Army retake the cities seized by the Turkic tribes, I’ll put in a good word for you before my father and arrange a post for you within the Zhenbei Army.”