RWNEFE -Chapter 307 Appointed Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review

Bai Qingling naturally knew it was just an excuse. She immediately looked at Zhou Ruyuan with concern.

“My Prince, is our little Yu’er all right? I’m so worried about him. Could you let me enter the palace to see our child?”

Zhou Ruyuan had already exerted great effort just to keep the Emperor from acting against Bai Qingling. Who would have thought that when he returned to court in triumph, his father summoned him not to ask about the war in Dongchuan, but to order him to properly “deal with” Bai Qingling?

“Properly deal with” sounded pleasant, but in reality it meant quietly getting rid of her.

Out of regard for their past feelings and for the child, Zhou Ruyuan had risked contradicting his father—and being reprimanded—to protect Bai Qingling. This had already disappointed the Emperor greatly.

How could he possibly allow Bai Qingling to go to the palace now, much less appear in public?

“Qingling, Father Emperor is very dissatisfied with our performance in Dongchuan. He’s very displeased. You should stay quietly in the residence these days and not go out.”

This was essentially placing Bai Qingling under house arrest.

Although Bai Qingling herself did not wish to go out—she felt the Prince’s residence was the safest place, and that if she left, any random accusation could cost her life—hearing these words from Zhou Ruyuan still made her feel deeply wronged.

“Ruyuan, the failure in Dongchuan can’t be blamed on us…”

Zhou Ruyuan had already heard too many comforting words from Bai Qingling in recent days. He did not want to hear them anymore.

If she continued, he would be forced to reveal his father’s true attitude, and the one embarrassed would be her.

“Qingling, don’t say any more. Just remember what I told you. When little Yu’er is better, I’ll speak to Mother and have the child brought out so you can see him.”

The impatience in Zhou Ruyuan’s tone pierced Bai Qingling.

She knew he had gone to the Shen family’s banquet that day. He must have seen Shen Lanxi—that was why he was treating her like this.

Shen Lanxi… again Shen Lanxi. Clearly she and the Prince were the ones in love; Shen Lanxi was the one who had intervened and taken her husband. Why couldn’t the people in the palace understand?

Just because Shen Lanxi was of high status while she herself was merely a commoner without title? If Shen Lanxi were not the Marquis of Zhenbei, not the Great General of Zhenbei, would everything be different?

…

On the second day after Shen Yuanxu’s wedding, the entire Shen family gathered for breakfast.

With eyes swollen like rotten peaches, Madam Liu ate silently and then went to see her daughter-in-law.

Her son had already warned her in advance; from now on she dared not make decisions on his behalf again.

What kind of household was like hers? She hadn’t even held a grandson yet, but she was already holding a daughter-in-law in her arms. And her son was utterly unconcerned, saying that a daughter-in-law raised by his own hands would surely be cherished and not mistreated when she grew up.

Bah! At her age, if she lived long enough to see that girl grow up, it would already be a blessing.

Thinking of her son sleeping alone in his room, with no one to care for him, Madam Liu’s tears fell again. Afraid the other sister-in-laws would laugh at her, she walked away even faster.

When breakfast was nearly finished, Old Madam Shen spoke, somewhat lacking confidence.

“Xinrou, you are the eldest daughter-in-law. You must pay more attention to the marriages of the younger generation. I am old and have limited energy. From now on, their marriages will depend on your help.”

Zhou Xinrou smiled faintly. “As it happens, in a couple of days it will be the birthday of my elder sister, the Empress, who is also the Marchioness of Jining. Her youngest son is not yet betrothed. He has a good character, and I hear they are arranging meetings. At that time, let some of the younger ones from our family go with my calling card.”

Old Madam Shen felt that losing face this time had been worthwhile and nodded in satisfaction.

That day, Emperor Renxiao kept Shen Lanxi behind and indirectly asked whether she had any official position in mind.

Shen Lanxi knew the Emperor’s fox tail had finally been revealed. The meaning behind his words was clear: she would not be allowed to return to the northwest.

All that talk about the capital being far from the northwest and fearing she would miss her family—it was all empty words.

Shen Lanxi pretended to take it to heart, delivered a speech full of filial piety to the Emperor, and then stated her position.

“Uncle, have you forgotten? I still have a task unfinished.”

Emperor Renxiao was taken aback. What task?

“Uncle, allow me to report the progress of the case of the Wei family army’s stolen provisions.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, finally recalling an imperial decree he had once issued.

That decree had originally been meant to drain Shen Lanxi’s military merit; he had never expected her to take it seriously. After so long, what could possibly still be uncovered?

Shen Lanxi spoke of the massacre at Mosang Town and of the figure called Zhou Tianzi, concealing the matter of the two Ministry of Revenue documents and the two transport convoys.

“Unfortunately, those dead soldiers were likely raised from childhood. Not only were they ruthless, they welcomed death. I exhausted every method and only managed to pry out the name ‘Zhou Tianzi.’ I couldn’t keep them alive.”

When Emperor Renxiao heard the name “Zhou Tianzi,” his face instantly darkened.

That man called himself “Son of Heaven”—then what was he?

It was a blatant challenge to imperial authority, an attempt at rebellion.

He had never expected that behind the theft of the Wei army’s provisions lay a plot to overthrow the state. Thinking of the later military chaos in the northwest and the rebellion in Dongchuan, the Emperor felt a chill run down his spine.

This traitor intended to throw Great Zhou into chaos and seize the opportunity.

At this thought, Emperor Renxiao’s gaze fell on Shen Lanxi. If not for her sudden appearance in Dongchuan, Great Zhou might already have changed hands.

His expression softened. That traitor had calculated everything—yet had overlooked a single woman.

Imagining the man’s fury behind the scenes, the Emperor felt a sense of satisfaction and exhaled deeply.

“Lanxi, it is not your fault. Everyone in court knows the Wei army case was considered ironclad. For you to have traced it to Mosang Town and uncovered the name Zhou Tianzi is already a great achievement.”

Shen Lanxi said regretfully, “Without concrete evidence, it cannot be used to clear the Shen family’s name.”

Seeing that she was still intent on clearing her family, the Emperor relaxed again.

It was good that she thought of vindication—it meant she still held Great Zhou and its ruler in her heart.

“Lanxi, I appoint you Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. You will specialize in investigating the Wei army case. You must drag this Zhou Tianzi out for me!”

“Your servant accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty.”

After she left, Emperor Renxiao immediately summoned a trusted subordinate.

“Go at once to Mosang Town and verify whether what Shen Lanxi said is true.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Carrying the decree, Shen Lanxi took Che Mingyuan and went straight to the Court of Judicial Review to assume her post.

Seeing an old acquaintance again, Wei Jie was filled with emotion.

Che Mingyuan had come along this time for two reasons: first, to thank Wei Jie for recommending him; second, to serve as Shen Lanxi’s adviser and take up a position at the Court together with her.

“Lord Wei,” Shen Lanxi said, presenting her letter of appointment.

Wei Jie examined it according to procedure. In truth, who would dare forge such an appointment—especially when the person presenting it was Shen Lanxi? The inspection was merely a formality for the sake of appearances.

Che Mingyuan intentionally downplayed his relationship with Wei Jie. Since Shen Lanxi’s return to the capital, this was his first public appearance.

Wei Jie ordered a subordinate to file the documents and, under the pretext of other business, dismissed several informants planted by outsiders. Only then did he speak to Che Mingyuan.

“Brother Che, should I now be addressing you as Lord Che?” Wei Jie joked.