RWNEFE -Chapter 299 How Fast the Shen Family Turns!

The forty thousand heroic souls of the Wei Family Army were enough for Wei Dongzhu to go mad and wipe out the Shen family without hesitation.

“Lanxi, you must trust your father!” Shen Congwen said, then hurriedly turned to Wei Dongzhu with a pleading look.

“General Wei, the timestamp on this document doesn’t match the time I supposedly signed it. I swear, I never signed this document.”

Wei Dongzhu’s face remained calm and casual, but in his heart, he believed Shen Congwen.

This document had been prepared in advance by Lanxi and placed with him. The seal was made in front of him by a skilled craftsman, the handwriting was painstakingly copied by students from Qinglan Academy, and even the paper used was obtained right before his eyes.

At first, he didn’t understand why one would go to such lengths to forge a document—was it really to frame her father?

If that were true, it was utterly bizarre.

Now, after seeing how things unfolded, he finally understood. Lanxi had been foresighted.

Everyone in the Shen family who had authority was now gazing at Shen Lanxi, completely at her mercy. She had effortlessly taken control of the family.

A trace of amusement rippled in Wei Dongzhu’s eyes.

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Of course I believe my father.”

Old Madam Shen exclaimed, “Quick, quick! Bring a chair for Lanxi so she can sit and speak!”

Wei Dongzhu: “…”

Shen Lanxi sat steadily in the chair brought by her father and said in a composed tone, “This is clearly the work of enemies plotting against our Shen family, a setup to frame us.”

The Shen family nodded obediently, listening quietly to her explanation.

“But this document is an important piece of evidence in the Wei Family Army case. I cannot decide its fate alone.”

Shen Congwen quickly motioned for Wei Dongzhu to sit.

“General Wei, sit and speak. Quickly, sit and speak.”

Wei Dongzhu glanced at the tea cup placed before him by Shen Congwen and deliberately spoke coldly, “Four hundred thousand heroic souls of the Wei Family Army cannot have died in vain. I know the Shen family is innocent, but the world doesn’t. I imagine these past years in the Ministry of Revenue have been difficult for you, Lord Shen.”

Shen Congwen sighed deeply, “Although I am nominally the head of the Ministry, I am just a figurehead.”

Old Madam Shen began complaining too: “The Wei Family Army understood justice and were willing to trust us, but others do not think so. Look at the younger generation of our family—all of marriageable age, yet no man has come to propose. Even when a proposal comes for our daughters, the families are insignificant. They want us to provide more dowries openly and secretly. Seeing the daughters miss their proper marriage time, as grandmother, I cannot sleep from worry every day.”

The rest of the Shen family joined in with sighs and complaints.

Shen Lanxi said, “It is precisely because I know the Shen family is wronged that I am pursuing the investigation.”

Old Madam Shen dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Lanxi, I knew you were a good child.”

Shen Lanxi continued, “The matter of Wu will be resolved soon. As for the marriage arrangements of the sons and daughters of the family, I will find a way.”

One by one, the Shen family expressed their gratitude.

“Lanxi, you are truly thoughtful.”

“Lanxi, it’s thanks to you.”

“Lanxi, don’t worry. We will handle Wu properly, leaving no openings for outsiders.”

Wei Dongzhu reminded softly, “General, there are still matters in the army to attend to.”

Old Madam Shen waved him off: “Matters in the army are more important than family affairs. Lanxi, go handle them!”

Shen Lanxi rose: “Grandmother, Madam Wu is in your care.”

After Shen Lanxi left, the Shen family immediately surrounded Shen Congwen, pressing him about the signature and seal.

The next day, a formal invitation arrived from the Empress’s palace, inviting the Shen family to the Hundred Flowers Banquet three days later.

This was the first flower-viewing banquet hosted by the imperial family in six years, and also the first informal banquet in the capital.

During the chaos in the Northwest and Dongchuan, the Great Zhou Empire was unstable. The palace had been frugal, holding no banquets, and officials and citizens dared not be extravagant.

For the Hundred Flowers Banquet, it was a joyous occasion for every shop in the capital—they brought out their finest goods.

Previously, people in the capital dared not wear bright clothes, and many vibrant fabrics had piled up in the cloth shops. Now they could finally sell them.

The silver, gold, and cosmetics shops seized the opportunity to make profits.

Early that morning, Old Madam Shen took the women of the family shopping, claiming they were preparing to attend the imperial banquet, showing off to the fullest.

The young men and women of the family were dressed in their finest, parading outside.

Shen Lanxi sat on the second floor of a restaurant, glancing sideways at the Shen family outside the window.

“General, His Majesty has sent an edict to Dongchuan summoning Zhou Ruyuan back to the capital!” Chunxue read the note and then destroyed it.

A few days prior, she had already received an urgent report from Dongchuan. It was time for Zhou Ruyuan to return.

“Send an urgent message to the Northwest. Zhou Ruyuan is returning, and Zhou Ruan must be anxious staying there.”

Chunxue: “Yes!”

Another day later, Shen Lanxi received word that Madam Wu had been sent to a villa on the outskirts of the capital, and Zhou Xinrou had returned with her children.

Seeing her mother again, Shen Lanxi barely recognized her.

During their time in Dongchuan, her mother had been weak and ill. Upon returning to the capital, she went to a royal temple to recuperate. In six years, she had seen her mother only a few times.

The last time was in Dongchuan. Her mother’s wounds had not healed; avoiding outsiders, Lanxi had only glimpsed a profile through a door crack.

Now, her mother had changed noticeably. Healthy, wearing the coronet and robes of a commandery princess, she exuded great dignity.

“Mother.”

Zhou Xinrou glanced at her daughter calmly, then looked away.

“Prepare well for tomorrow’s Hundred Flowers Banquet!”

Shen Lanxi lowered her eyes; no one could discern her emotions.

“Yes, thank you for your concern, Mother.”

Zhou Xinrou turned and entered the house.

Shen Lanxi watched her mother’s figure recede, remaining silent for a long while.

The night before the banquet, Ban Sicao skillfully poured the tea from the cups into flowerpots in the corner.

“Enough already. How many times since returning to the capital have we poisoned tea? Everyone knows it won’t stop us, so why bother?” Ban Sicao tossed the tea cup out the window with disdain.

“Again, deadly poison?” Shen Lanxi asked with a smile.

Ban Sicao grumbled, “Your Northern Marquisate has been turned into a sieve by outsiders.”

Shen Lanxi replied, “We cleared some out when we returned to the capital—three died yesterday, four today. If this gets out, people will think my marquisate is a den of tigers and wolves.”

Ban Sicao: “If not tigers and wolves, then a nest of rats. Other families poison rats, but none as many as yours!”

Shen Lanxi: “Some people are putting everything on the line to kill me. After poisoning me, they will commit suicide, leaving nothing to trace.”

Ban Sicao worried for her.

“Who exactly are they? What grudge do they have? They’re not satisfied if they can’t kill you, right?”

Shen Lanxi tapped her fingers on the table, one by one.

“Although I don’t know who it is, one thing is certain: those who want to kill me are in the capital.”