RWNEFE -Chapter 294 Shen Lanxi Presents More Treasures – Glazed Golden Beads!

Madam Miao’s temper flared instantly.

“You’re still blaming me? Was it me who stopped you from going back then? Fine, next time Shen Lanxi goes to battle, you go with her! Whoever tries to stop you will answer to me!”

Shen Congli was about to speak when he suddenly remembered that his two younger sons had also returned.

Madam Miao also realized this, and, flustered, grabbed a handkerchief from the table to press against her mouth.

She had been so angry, she had completely forgotten about her two sons.

Annoyed with herself, she quickly smiled and gestured for her two sons to sit down.

“Yuanpeng, Yuanhao, come, tell your father and mother about your time in the army. Did you get hurt? Did anyone bully you?”

Fourth Branch

Shen Congyi returned to his room in a rage, smashing things indiscriminately, terrifying Madam Tian into holding her breath.

“Why do they get all the benefits? Why do they get all the good fortune while we think of nothing? Even down to building a house, why didn’t you consider me? Father, mother, you’re biased! Just because the eldest brother married a princess, does that make him superior to us?”

Seeing Shen Congyi getting out of hand, Madam Tian nervously tried to intervene.

“Master, keep your voice down. Others mustn’t hear this!”

Shen Congyi resumed his smashing.

Shen Lanxi had slept exceptionally well. Although her room had not been drastically changed, all the furniture, doors, and windows were replaced with new, finely made wood. Her pillows and quilts were made of top-quality silk, and a subtle sleep-inducing incense had been used. The thoughtfulness was evident.

She woke early, before the sun had risen, full of energy.

Today she would go to the palace to offer thanks. The gifts for the palace needed to be prepared early. During the victory banquet the previous evening, she had hinted about the morning court, and the Renxiao Emperor had agreed she could attend the early audience today.

Her military rank had been promoted, so her old court uniform would no longer fit. Her new uniform would take a few days to complete, so she would wear the attire of a Northern Marquis.

Shen Lanxi took her first audience very seriously. This was a precedent for a woman participating in court affairs. No matter what others thought, she felt the exhilaration of blazing a trail.

By the time the Shen family got up, Shen Lanxi had already arranged the gifts for each branch and delivered them all to the matriarch for distribution.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, I’ll go to the palace early to present the gifts to His Majesty, so I won’t be eating at home today.”

In fact, she had already eaten at the Northern Marquis residence.

The matriarch, seeing that her granddaughter put her first, had already let go of much of her previous dissatisfaction.

“Go quickly, don’t be late!”

Shen Lanxi added deliberately, “Among the gifts for grandfather is a medicinal bead. I bought it at a high price from the Medicine King Valley—it can improve his senility.”

Old Master Shen had suffered a stroke over a year ago. While he had been treated in time, he now sometimes recognized people and sometimes didn’t. His legs and appetite were unaffected.

The matriarch felt a mix of emotions. Her granddaughter, far away fighting in the Northwest, still thought of her grandfather, while the sons and daughters-in-law in the capital hadn’t even thought to fetch medicine from the Medicine King Valley.

At times, she found it infuriatingly considerate; at others, she found it touching.

If her granddaughter always remained so filial and sensible, she could treat her even better.

“You still care for your grandfather. I’ll make sure he wears the medicinal bead. Go to the palace quickly!” There was genuine sincerity in the matriarch’s voice.

Once outside the Shen residence, Shen Lanxi’s smile vanished instantly.

“How is my mother’s situation?”

Chunxue looked uneasy. “Since we left the capital last time, the princess has been at the royal temple outside the city praying for blessings. She has not returned since.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes darkened. “Not even once?”

Chunxue replied with a subdued, “Mhm.”

Shen Lanxi boarded the carriage in a few strides and, midway, said, “Have someone keep watch on the royal temple.”

“Yes!”

Six years ago, Shen Lanxi had practically lived in the palace. At her appearance, the guards immediately recognized her and hurried over, flattering her nonstop.

“General, you’ve returned! Yesterday, I went to the city gate to welcome you as well—so majestic, so awe-inspiring!”

Shen Lanxi casually took a bead from her pouch and handed it over. “Catch some luck.”

The guard’s face lit up, his eyes practically glued to the bead.

“Oh, you flatter me.”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “This is a glazed bead from Persia, compensation to our Great Zhou. There’s a whole cart behind it, take it back for the children to play with!”

“Ah, if you say so, I must catch some luck!” The guard’s words were light, but the glazed beads were a tribute—rare enough to become a family treasure.

All gifts for the palace had to be inspected in advance. The inspectors received a benefit from Shen Lanxi and gave it only a cursory check before allowing it in.

Before the morning audience, Shen Lanxi had already sent word to Wang Bao.

“Your Majesty, General Shen is here. She’s brought three carts of items—one of spices, one of jewels, and one of leather goods, all specialties from the Northwest!” Wang Bao dusted his non-existent sleeve, smiling.

The Renxiao Emperor, expecting Shen Lanxi’s arrival, knew that every two months the Northwest sent specialty goods. Returning to the capital, she would surely bring even more.

“This child is truly filial!”

Wang Bao grinned. “Indeed, the warehouse can barely hold it all!”

Hearing this, the emperor laughed heartily.

“I love such filial children. When there’s an opportunity, I must reward her richly!”

Wang Bao posed dramatically. “Oh, General Shen will surely be delighted~”

The emperor laughed and summoned Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi carried a treasure box and began presenting her gifts to the emperor.

“Uncle, these are treasures I specially requested from Persia—the nation’s pride—glazed golden beads.” She opened the box to reveal six large, bowl-sized round beads.

“Uncle, these six beads are called Glazed Golden Beads because at night they emit a golden glow. Don’t believe me? Look.” She covered them with a black cloth. The once-transparent beads shimmered with streaks of golden light as she rotated them in her hand.

Even amidst the countless treasures in the imperial treasury, these six beads outshone them all.

The emperor, surprised, took them in his hand. Without the cloth, they were transparent, and even without the golden threads, they were a rare wonder.

“Marvelous! Truly unmatched in their wonder!” The Renxiao Emperor couldn’t put them down, examining each one carefully.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Uncle, there’s a story behind these six beads. One night in the Northwest, a streak of golden light suddenly crossed the sky. The place where it fell is where these six beads were found. The people of Persia call them Heavenly Beads. It is said that placing these six beads near one’s bed can extend life and restore youth.”