RWNEFE -Chapter 328 Has Shen Lanxi Died?

It would have been better not to mention it. The moment it was brought up, Shen Congwen’s face darkened.

He couldn’t very well tell his mother that he hadn’t even been allowed into the palace gates before someone sent by the Emperor warned him to suspend attending court and stay home to care more for his daughter.

How could Shen Lanxi have such great influence?

The Emperor was clearly putting on a show for the military officers. After all, Shen Lanxi was publicly credited as the general who had recovered Dongchuan and the northwest.

“Mother, I’m concerned about Lanxi, so I have no heart for attending court,” Shen Congwen said.

No one understood a son better than his mother. The moment her eldest son’s expression changed, she already knew what had happened.

Lanxi must still be very useful to the Emperor. Even if the whole family were tied together, they could not compare to her alone.

Realizing this, Old Madam Shen felt a shock in her heart and quickly recalled how she had treated her granddaughter in the past.

After thinking it through, she let out a breath of relief. Fortunately, she had always been a kind and considerate grandmother. She had treated Lanxi better than any of the other juniors in the family.

But once she settled her mind on that, her worries returned.

“Lanxi… my poor granddaughter…” The old lady began crying again, clutching her handkerchief.

Shen Congwen stood at the doorway, pacing with a dark expression.

When Shen Yuanjing and the other younger members saw their grandmother crying, some made solemn vows, others wept loudly.

Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought Shen Lanxi had already died and that preparations for the funeral were underway.

The people Zhou Ruyuan had sent to keep watch could hear the thunderous crying even from outside the gate and hurried back to report.

She mustn’t die—judging from the prince’s tone, the Emperor clearly did not want Shen Lanxi to die.

Liu Yanhui couldn’t take leave, but he came to the Shen residence during his day of rest.

The aides who had accompanied Shen Lanxi back to the capital first went to thank the Emperor as ordered, then rushed nonstop to the Zhenbei Marquis’s residence.

Before even stepping through the gate, they were already on the verge of kneeling and wailing.

“General… slow down on your journey…”

“What will the northwest do without the General guarding it…”

“General, without your great name suppressing Dongchuan, the bandits and raiders will surely cause chaos…”

“General, rest in peace…”

Hearing this from inside the gate, Old Madam Shen was so angry her chest burned.

“Lanxi isn’t dead yet! Hurry and stop them outside!”

Shen Congwen didn’t want to go himself and turned to order his son and nephew.

“Yuanjing, Yuanxu—you go!”

Who knew whether those rough soldiers might cause trouble?

By the time the news reached Zhou Ruyuan, it had already changed twice.

“Your Highness, Shen Lanxi is dead!”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes widened, almost like a madman.

“How is that possible? Didn’t the imperial physicians say she could last over a month?”

The informant quickly explained, “Many people have gone to the Zhenbei Marquis’s residence to mourn.” If she weren’t dead, why would there be mourning? She must already have died.

Zhou Ruyuan’s mind went blank. He stood stunned for a moment, then suddenly dashed out the door.

Bai Qingling was about to call him to breakfast. Seeing him rush out, she hurriedly called after him.

“Your Highness, at least eat breakfast before you go!”

Zhou Ruyuan didn’t even stop and was out of the residence in the blink of an eye.

Bai Qingling’s face instantly darkened.

“Where did the prince go?”

When the servants told her the news of Shen Lanxi’s death, her eyes lit up, and the next moment she burst into manic laughter.

“Dead—good! Good that she’s dead!”

Shen Lanxi was finally dead!

However, before she could laugh for long, her attendants reported the latest developments at court.

“The news of Shen Lanxi’s poisoning has reached the northwest, and unrest is brewing again. Two rebel princes are waiting for chaos there to seize the opportunity. The southwestern tribes are also stirring. His Majesty nearly collapsed from anger in court today!”

Bai Qingling could no longer laugh.

…

Zhou Ruyuan rushed anxiously to the Zhenbei Marquis’s residence. Before he even got close, he heard thunderous wailing and stumbled a couple of steps.

“Impossible… how could she be dead? She was fine just yesterday!” he muttered as if possessed.

“Wasn’t she formidable? She recovered Dongchuan and the northwest. In such dangerous battles she survived unharmed—how could a mere poison bring her down?”

At first his heart felt hollow, then waves of pain began to twist through it.

At that moment, he finally understood—he liked Shen Lanxi. He truly loved her.

But he had realized it too late.

Too late.

“Lanxi…” Realizing his feelings, Zhou Ruyuan dashed toward the residence.

He refused to believe she had died just like that.

Alive, he wanted to see the person; dead, he would see the body.

But just as he reached the gate, Shen Yuanxu blocked him.

“Your Highness, the Marquis of Zhenbei isn’t dead. There’s no need to offer condolences. Please go back.”

Shen Yuanjing was also explaining to others, “My elder sister isn’t dead. There’s no need for mourning. Everyone, please go back.”

Zhou Ruyuan: “…”

“Not dead?”

The two brothers nodded. “No.”

The next second Zhou Ruyuan shouted, “You mean she isn’t dead?”

The brothers stared at the man who was shouting and laughing at the same time, momentarily speechless.

By the time they reacted, Zhou Ruyuan had already run inside.

When Old Madam Shen saw him, she immediately put on a heartbroken expression.

“Lanxi… my poor granddaughter…”

Zhou Ruyuan had wanted to go inside at once, but seeing the old lady crying so bitterly, he paused to comfort her.

“Old Madam, Lanxi will surely be fine.”

Old Madam Shen covered her face with a handkerchief, crying as if her heart were being torn apart.

Zhou Ruyuan glanced at her, then at the room, and finally went inside.

The old lady’s crying gradually quieted.

“Has Lanxi improved?” Zhou Ruyuan asked the imperial physicians urgently.

They shook their heads. “We have already used acupuncture. The antidote must be found as soon as possible.”

Zhou Ruyuan looked at Shen Lanxi, whose complexion was beginning to darken, and felt as if his heart were being roasted over a fire.

“How is Lanxi? How is she?”

Another anxious voice sounded from outside the door, and Zhou Ruyuan’s face immediately darkened.

Wei Dongzhu entered. Just as he was about to speak, Zhou Ruyuan stopped him coldly.

“Lanxi is gravely ill. Your shouting will disturb her rest.” He had completely forgotten that his own voice had been no quieter when he first came in.

Wei Dongzhu’s eyes were red, his appearance dusty from travel.

“Your Highness, I am only concerned about Lanxi’s health. With so many people here, even if her rest is disturbed, it isn’t only me disturbing her.”

Zhou Ruyuan stiffened and said coldly, “Lanxi and I are betrothed. It is only proper for me to wait here for her to awaken. General Wei, after paying your respects, you should leave.”

Wei Dongzhu looked at him coldly. “I have only heard that Lanxi divorced Your Highness long ago. I have not heard that she is betrothed to you.”

“You—” Zhou Ruyuan glared angrily.

“I will not argue with you. When the imperial decree of betrothal arrives, it will be clear who is closest to Lanxi.”

Wei Dongzhu clenched his fists tightly, grinding his teeth.

Seeing this, Zhou Ruyuan finally felt a sense of triumph.

“I am now going to the palace to report Lanxi’s condition to my father. General Wei, you look travel-worn and unfit to visit the sick. You should go back, wash, and rest.”