RWNEFE -Chapter 323 Do You Know How to Write the Words “Ingratitude”?

Shen Lanxi looked at the pale-faced Prefect and shouted coldly, “Speak. Who ordered you to frame loyal officials and good generals?”

If not for the last shred of pride holding him up, the Prefect’s legs would already have gone weak and he would have collapsed to his knees.

“Stop talking nonsense! I am only handling the case according to testimony and evidence, following normal procedures. You are merely a woman—what do you know about how we conduct investigations? If you continue to interfere, don’t blame me for charging you with obstructing official business!” the Prefect shouted, thinking quickly in his panic.

Shen Lanxi let out a scornful laugh. “Whether you are incapable of investigating, or I am deliberately obstructing—everyone here can see and hear the truth.”

“If the Shuntian Prefecture cannot handle this case, I will immediately memorialize His Majesty and request a public trial!”

The Prefect panicked. Such a minor case alarming the Emperor—if His Majesty blamed him, would that not prove his incompetence?

“Shen Lanxi, are you the Prefect, or am I the Prefect? Do you investigate cases, or do I? If you don’t understand, stand aside and watch how I pass judgment,” he said, knowing inwardly that the matter had to be smoothed over and minimized.

Shen Lanxi sneered. “If I cannot investigate cases, then how was the Wei Family Army case solved? That case lay buried for six years, yet I uncovered the truth. Do you think a small embezzlement case could defeat me?”

The Prefect’s eyes flickered as he quickly replied, “One should not meddle outside one’s post. Shen Lanxi, don’t even think of overstepping your authority.”

Shen Lanxi glanced coldly at the murmuring crowd and said in a deep voice: “If I cannot clarify this matter today and restore justice to the Shen family, who knows what the people will think of us?”

“Our family finally cleared our name in the Wei Family Army case. We cannot allow ourselves to be wronged again!”

Hearing her speak with such righteousness in defense of the family, the members of the Shen family looked at her with complicated expressions.

“Today, the Shen family will file a complaint directly to the Emperor. We will strike the Dengwen Drum and let everyone know that someone is trying to frame our family again!”

The Prefect was drenched in sweat, wave after wave. Several times he tried to interrupt, but the force of Shen Lanxi’s presence pushed his words back.

“Lady Shen, I was only eager to clarify the case just now and spoke rashly. I ask Lady Shen to forgive my recklessness this time!” the Prefect said hastily, running up to her and bowing, afraid she would truly appeal to the Emperor.

Shen Lanxi looked at him with a faintly mocking smile. “I am just a woman who understands nothing. Naturally, when something happens, I must seek help from my family.”

The Prefect felt like crying. He had never expected Shen Lanxi to be so difficult to handle. Had he known, he would never have listened to those people who instigated him.

“Lady Shen, I was blind. Please be magnanimous and spare me!”

Spotting Shen Congwen arriving, the Prefect immediately turned to him for help.

“Lord Shen, for the sake of our being colleagues in court, please spare this humble official.”

Shen Congwen had not yet understood what was going on when the Prefect began flattering him.

The Prefect was a fifth-rank official, yet he was bowing and scraping before him; Shen Congwen found it quite pleasing.

“These are small matters. There’s no question of sparing anyone—just clarify things,” Shen Congwen said.

The Prefect quickly thanked him. “Thank you, Lord Shen, for your understanding. Please help persuade Lady Shen. I truly acted in haste today. Another day I will certainly visit personally to apologize.”

Shen Congwen glanced at Shen Lanxi, then went straight to Old Madam Shen.

“Mother, are you alright?”

Old Madam Shen, as if finally finding a pillar to lean on, tightly grasped her eldest son’s hand.

“I’m fine… As for this matter, ask Lanxi what should be done.”

She could already see that now Shen Lanxi had been dismissed, everyone was taking the chance to step on the Shen family.

Her eldest son was the Minister of Revenue—yet he could not even protect his own household?

When Shen Congwen looked at Shen Lanxi, his gaze turned cold.

“The Shen family is still under my authority. Since I have given the Prefect my word, I will keep it.”

The Prefect’s eyes darted between Shen Congwen and Shen Lanxi. Immediately he shouted: “Men! Bring in all those involved in the purchasing!”

“Investigate the records of where the purchasing manager bought the poison.”

“Bring seats for Lord Shen’s family!”

Che Mingyuan glanced at Shen Lanxi. Seeing that she remained calm and made no move to stop this, he felt slightly disappointed.

When it came to her own family’s affairs, in the end she had still softened.

An hour later, the constables returned one after another.

“My lord, those responsible for purchasing and the people from the grain and oil shop have all been brought in!”

“All pharmacies in the capital have been checked. No record of the poison’s source was found.”

The grain shopkeeper collapsed to the ground with a thud.

“My lord, I am guilty. Because of the Wei Family Army case, I harbored resentment toward the Shen family. That is why I plotted to frame them!”

The Prefect froze, then flew into a rage.

“Men! Give this man twenty strokes of the board first!”

This vile commoner had nearly caused him to be dragged before the Emperor and had humiliated him and offended the Shen family. He could not be spared lightly.

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Since the case has now been clarified, I will leave the rest to Prefect.”

The Prefect hurriedly stood and forced a smile. He had not expected that a mere woman could be so sharp-tongued and skilled in investigation. He had truly misjudged her.

Shen Lanxi left with the women of the Shen family, while Shen Congwen and the others stayed behind to handle the aftermath.

On the way back, Shen Yuantang finally could not hold back her question.

“Eldest Sister… have you been dismissed by the court?”

Shen Lanxi’s voice turned slightly cold. “Who told you that?”

Shen Yuantang, somewhat frightened, replied in a low voice, “Everyone is saying so.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Whether I’ve been dismissed or not, what does that have to do with you?”

Shen Yuantang’s face flushed red with embarrassment, then she protested unwillingly,
“After you were dismissed, people outside have begun to gossip about the Shen family!”

The mockery on Shen Lanxi’s face could no longer be concealed.

“So—you’re blaming me?”

Startled, Shen Yuantang hurriedly said, “That’s not what I mean. I only hope that in the future you will be more cautious in your words and actions.”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze turned icy as she looked at her.

“When I joined the army, you all enjoyed the benefits. Now that I have lost power, you begin to complain. Shen Yuantang—do you know how to write the words ‘ingratitude’?”

Shen Yuantang’s face burned scarlet as tears streamed down.

“Eldest Sister, I didn’t mean that. I was only trying to remind you. I was only concerned for your safety.”

Old Madam Shen quickly intervened to smooth things over.

“You are sisters of the same blood. If you have something to say, talk about it properly at home. Don’t argue in the street.”

Shen Yuantang threw herself into Old Madam Shen’s arms, choking with sobs.

“Grandmother, I didn’t mean it that way. I was only worried about Eldest Sister and wanted to remind her.”

How could Old Madam Shen not understand what Shen Yuantang was thinking? But to begin stepping on someone before anything had even happened—it was indeed unsightly.

And after what had just occurred at the Shuntian Prefecture, Shen Lanxi had subdued the Prefect with just a few words. Yuantang might be obedient, but how could she be so blind to the situation?