RWNEFE -Chapter 310 He Had Never Seen Such a Clever Shen Lanxi!

Yesterday they had visited the neighbors of the gate guards. Today, Shen Lanxi planned to dig deeper into those men’s backgrounds.

Since the men had no relatives, they could only start with the soldiers who had been on duty with them.

Shen Lanxi led Zhou Ruyuan straight to the city gate.

“Lord Shen, where exactly are we going? Could you inform me in advance?” Zhou Ruyuan asked, displeased that Shen Lanxi acted entirely on her own, making decisions without consulting him.

Shen Lanxi replied calmly, “If I remember correctly, the imperial edict in my hand specifically appoints me to investigate the Wei Army case.”

Zhou Ruyuan hadn’t expected her to leave him no face at all. Keeping a straight face, he said, “His Majesty also issued an edict ordering me to assist Lord Shen in the investigation.”

Unhurried, Shen Lanxi said, “Very well. If Your Highness has any objections regarding this case, feel free to raise them.”

Zhou Ruyuan smiled confidently. The night before, he had discussed matters with his advisers for half the night precisely to secure the leading role in the investigation.

“I believe we should focus primarily on tracking their escape routes.”

Shen Lanxi gave a light laugh. “My view is exactly the opposite. Since our opinions differ, why don’t we separate here and each conduct our own investigation?”

Zhou Ruyuan looked at her coldly. “His Majesty ordered us to investigate together.”

Shen Lanxi’s tone sharpened, her words striking directly without concealment. “Then when our opinions differ, whose view should prevail? Who takes the lead?”

Zhou Ruyuan thought to himself, Naturally, I should lead.

But aloud he said, “Of course, we follow whoever has the better reasoning.”

Shen Lanxi asked, “Based on what?”

Zhou Ruyuan’s gaze flickered. “We can debate it. Whoever makes the more convincing argument is followed.”

Shen Lanxi glanced at Che Mingyuan, who immediately stepped forward.

“Yesterday, Lord Shen already sent people to investigate their escape routes. Those men deliberately confused matters, leaving in different directions. Although Lord Shen believed sending people in every direction would be like searching for a needle in the sea, she still dispatched teams. This morning they all returned—without any results.”

Zhou Ruyuan was displeased that Che Mingyuan spoke to him instead of Shen Lanxi.

“Since you already sent people, why was I not informed?”

Che Mingyuan replied, “All the case files are in the Court of Judicial Review. Your Highness may consult them at any time.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s face darkened further. It was obvious Shen Lanxi wanted to shake him off and investigate alone.

Whether for merit or for pride, he resolved to solve this case and make Shen Lanxi see him in a new light.

“Very well, proceed according to your arrangements. But next time there are plans, be sure to inform me in advance. Father Emperor has ordered that this case be reported to him daily in written form.”

Che Mingyuan bowed. “Yes.”

Next, Shen Lanxi personally questioned everyone who had interacted with those gate guards—from close acquaintances to those who had merely exchanged a few words, interrogating them one by one.

Zhou Ruyuan watched from the side. At first, he found it dull and tedious, but gradually he became absorbed, listening and observing intently.

Shen Lanxi tirelessly repeated each question several times. If a person’s answer differed from a previous one, she would immediately probe deeper.

He had never seen such a perceptive Shen Lanxi.

The entire morning passed quickly. At noon, Wei Dongzhu arrived.

“I’ve reserved a table at Guangxing Tower. Their braised pork with preserved vegetables is famous throughout the capital. If we go now, the dishes should just be ready,” Wei Dongzhu said with a smile, looking at Shen Lanxi.

She smiled faintly. “I happen to have an hour’s rest at midday.”

Watching the two of them chatting and smiling so intimately, Zhou Ruyuan felt anger slowly rise within him.

If not for the Shen family’s misfortune, Shen Lanxi should now have been his wife.

And now, right in front of him, she spoke and laughed with another man. Was she deliberately trying to provoke him?

No wonder she had been so cold and sharp that morning—she must still resent him.

“Your Highness, I have an appointment. I’ll be going to lunch now,” Shen Lanxi said, turning to leave.

Zhou Ruyuan said, “I just heard you mention Guangxing Tower. Since today is our first time working together, allow me to host and treat both Lord Shen and General Wei.”

Wei Dongzhu smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Ruyuan.

“There’s no need to trouble Your Highness. I’ve already reserved a table. Lanxi and I have matters to discuss—it wouldn’t be convenient for Your Highness to join.”

Hearing Wei Dongzhu address Shen Lanxi directly by name, Zhou Ruyuan could no longer conceal his jealousy.

“Lanxi… are you still angry with me?”

Wei Dongzhu’s expression instantly turned cold.

“Your Highness, please mind your words. Lord Shen and Your Highness have long had no relationship,” Wei Dongzhu said, stepping half a pace in front of Shen Lanxi.

Those around them clearly sensed the tension.

One was her former husband; the other was the general who had followed her from Dongchuan all the way to the northwest. It was plainly the former husband taking offense at a rival admirer.

“Wei Dongzhu, let’s go,” Shen Lanxi said.

A moment earlier Wei Dongzhu had been bristling with hostility; the next moment he turned and followed her at once.

A dignified man obeying a woman so readily—clearly their relationship was not simple.

Recalling the rumors circulating in the capital about the two of them, people began whispering and speculating.

Zhou Ruyuan watched the two of them leave one after the other, his face black with anger as he flicked his sleeve and walked away.

The incident of the three parting unhappily on the street was soon split into multiple versions and spread rapidly throughout the capital.

The most widespread rumor claimed that while in the northwest, Shen Lanxi and Wei Dongzhu had already pledged themselves to each other in private. Wei Dongzhu, enraged for the sake of a beauty, had willingly remained behind the scenes and handed over immense military merit to Shen Lanxi.

It was said that Shen Lanxi’s title of Marquis of Zhenbei was undeserved—that as a woman she had fraudulently claimed military achievements and deceived the emperor, a crime of the highest order.

Imperial Palace

Emperor Renxiao looked at Wu Yanzhi and said in a low voice, “The recovery of the northwest was a great achievement. I do not wish to see memorials tomorrow speaking of ‘unmerited titles.’”

Wu Yanzhi had long known such accusations would not truly threaten Shen Lanxi. He had come for another matter.

“Your Majesty, in full view of the public on the streets, many people witnessed Shen Lanxi angering the Prince of Zhen’nan over Wei Dongzhu. She is, after all, a woman—she ought to exercise restraint in public.”

Emperor Renxiao nodded.

The next day, memorials impeaching Shen Lanxi for failing to observe proper feminine conduct piled onto the emperor’s desk like falling snow.

In court, Emperor Renxiao casually reprimanded Shen Congwen with a few words, then brushed the matter aside.

Shen Congwen returned home with a dark expression, only to find an even more infuriating matter awaiting him.

“Master, Bailu Academy has sent a letter saying the young masters of our household are not suitable to study there, and that there’s no need to prepare for enrollment.”

Shen Congwen nearly fainted upon hearing this.

“It must be that the academy heard of Shen Lanxi’s rebellious conduct on the streets, which is why they refuse to accept Shen family disciples. Quickly—bring Shen Lanxi to me!” Shen Congwen shouted, red with fury, looking as if he wanted to devour someone.

Meanwhile, Shen Lanxi encountered a thorny problem of her own.

The six witnesses being held in the Court of Judicial Review’s prison had all died overnight.

Each and every one had been poisoned.

After examining the bodies, Ban Sigao said, “It was Duanhun Powder. It was taken with food, and they simply fell asleep and died. That’s why there was no disturbance at all when they died.”