RWNEFE -Chapter 309 There’s a Traitor Among Us!

Zhou Ruyuan was in a very foul mood today. It seemed as if everything was going against him. Every time he learned where Shen Lanxi was and rushed over, she had already moved somewhere else.

After several fruitless attempts, his face had turned so dark it was hard to look at.

“Your Highness, Lord Shen probably doesn’t yet know that you’ve been assigned to assist in the investigation. Why don’t we first send a visiting card to her residence and explain the matter?” a subordinate suggested.

Zhou Ruyuan felt this made sense. The case was of great importance—if Shen Lanxi didn’t take it seriously, there would be no way to account to the emperor.

And Shen Lanxi being busy at the moment was only natural.

“Very well. Go deliver a card. On it, invite Shen… Lord Shen to meet tomorrow morning at the Court of Judicial Review.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

While Wei Dongzhu was in the middle of his work, he received a message from Shen Lanxi. As soon as he finished for the day, he went straight to the Marquis’s residence to wait.

By the time he arrived, Cheng Zheng was already there. Liu Yanhui, Shen Yuanjing, and the others arrived one after another.

He glanced around—everyone currently in the capital had come.

After exchanging greetings, Liu Yanhui spoke first: “What major event has gathered all of us together?”

Almost everyone’s gaze turned to Wei Dongzhu.

Wei Dongzhu said helplessly, “Don’t look at me. I don’t know what’s happened either.”

Liu Yanhui frowned. “Something big must have happened in the capital today.”

Cheng Zheng wrote: “If you all don’t know, I certainly don’t know either!”

Liu Yanhui said, “Should I send someone to make inquiries?”

Shen Yuanxu replied, “Better to wait. Perhaps before your messenger returns, Lanxi herself will be back.”

That was reasonable.

At dusk, Shen Lanxi stepped through the gates of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence.

With a bang, the gate closed behind her, and Liu Yanhui and the others quickly came out to greet her.

Surrounded by the group as they walked inside, Shen Lanxi said, “A major incident occurred in the capital today.”

She then explained how the gate guards had left the city together and disappeared.

Wei Dongzhu asked, “Do we know which direction they went?”

Che Mingyuan replied, “There are all kinds of rumors, none verifiable. They most likely disguised themselves when leaving the city and acted cautiously. Even if we knew the direction, it might have been deliberately misleading.”

He still held a stack of witness testimonies, which he distributed to everyone once they entered the room.

Shen Lanxi said, “Everyone has been busy all day. Let’s eat first, then discuss matters afterward.”

Wei Dongzhu was already extremely anxious, but she was right—everyone was exhausted, and there was no need to rush.

They set aside the testimonies and silently ate a quick dinner before moving to the council hall.

Shen Lanxi’s first sentence was: “There’s a traitor among us.”

The room erupted in shock.

“I released the information and sent a report to the palace at the same time. Of all moments, those men fled precisely then. That can only mean someone leaked the news that I had found witnesses.”

The task of finding witnesses had been entrusted solely to Wei Dongzhu, who had been more dedicated to it than anyone.

“Wei Dongzhu, you owe me an explanation,” Shen Lanxi said, her gaze inscrutable as she looked at him.

Wei Dongzhu felt bitterness in his mouth. He had handled everything so secretly—how had the news still leaked?

“You are all people who have followed me since Dongchuan. I will not suspect you. But I hope that through this matter, we can purge certain people around you.”

Shen Lanxi took a deep breath. “Previously, I was focused only on expansion, so our ranks became uneven in quality. This is a good opportunity to streamline.”

“Yes, my lord,” everyone responded.

At the same time, a purge began within the imperial palace.

“All those living alone are to be transferred out of the capital on assignments.”

“Investigate thoroughly—even those whose wives have died are to be transferred out.”

“Those with both parents alive, large families, and wives and children are to be reassigned into palace vacancies.”

In a single afternoon, the palace guard underwent a major reshuffle. Nearly half of the original personnel were replaced.

Nominally, they were being transferred out of the capital on duty. In reality, once they left the city, they were secretly detained and interrogated.

For a time, the entire capital was filled with tension and unease.

Bai Qingling endured thirst and hunger until Zhou Ruyuan returned. Only then, as if seeing a savior, did she open the mechanisms in her room and allow the maids to come in and serve her.

“Where is the prince?” Bai Qingling asked a guard.

“Madam, His Highness went to the study as soon as he returned,” the guard answered truthfully.

After ordering dinner to be prepared, Bai Qingling went to the study.

“My lord, you’ve worked hard all day. Please wash your hands and come eat first.”

Several advisers in the study looked awkward, unsure whether to leave or stay—they had just been summoned by the prince.

Zhou Ruyuan said, “You go ahead and eat. I’ll eat later.”

Bai Qingling’s smile stiffened. That wouldn’t do—she had to eat with him.

“My lord, no matter how busy you are, don’t exhaust your body. Little Yu’er is already in poor health. How can I bear to see you neglect your own well-being?”

At the mention of her son, her eyes slowly reddened.

Zhou Ruyuan looked at her sorrowful expression and sighed silently.

“You all go eat as well. Afterward, return to the study to continue our discussion,” he told the advisers.

They tactfully withdrew at once.

Bai Qingling endured the growling of her stomach and quickly began serving Zhou Ruyuan dishes.

“My lord, these are all your favorite foods. When we were in Dongchuan, conditions were harsh and we couldn’t eat such things. Now that we’ve finally returned to the capital, I must make sure you regain your strength.”

Seeing her concern, Zhou Ruyuan’s heart softened, and he finally picked up some food for her as well.

“You should eat too. Don’t just look after me.”

Bai Qingling lowered her head, pretending to be deeply moved, and quickly ate.

When the prince was not in the residence, she didn’t dare drink even a sip of water or eat a single bite of food there. Only when she ate at the same table as him did others not dare to harm her.

Over these past days, Bai Qingling had alternated between hunger and fullness, and she had visibly lost weight.

Soon… just endure a little longer. This time, Shen Lanxi will surely die.

Early the next morning, Zhou Ruyuan arrived at the Court of Judicial Review with his men.

Almost as soon as he arrived, Shen Lanxi also appeared.

“Lord Shen.”

“Prince of Zhen’nan.”

After exchanging formal greetings, Shen Lanxi went straight to the point.

“Today we will continue investigating and visiting the homes of the missing gate guards. I’ll have to trouble Your Highness to accompany us.”

Zhou Ruyuan looked steadily at her calm, composed manner. “It’s my duty. How could it be a trouble?”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly and took the lead in leaving the Court.

Watching her stride ahead briskly, Zhou Ruyuan hurried after her, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

“Lord Shen’s fame in the northwest has long reached Dongchuan. I’ve been hoping for another chance to spar with you.”

Shen Lanxi glanced at him oddly. “I’m available at any time. We could even do it now.”

Zhou Ruyuan froze, forcing an awkward smile. “Official business comes first.”

At the side, Che Mingyuan and the others struggled to keep straight faces, barely suppressing their laughter.

Who would have thought that the great War God of Great Zhou would feel intimidated when facing a woman? If outsiders heard of this, the title of War God might have to change hands.