RWNEFE -Chapter 337 Promoted to Duke of the Great Cauldron, Commander of the Capital Guards!

Wang Bao said, “They have not returned yet. Judging by the schedule, they should be back soon. The day before yesterday we even received a message by carrier pigeon, but some things cannot be written in a letter.”

Although Emperor Renxiao was unwilling to admit it, the pigeon message had already given the answer. Nothing was written on it, yet that itself was the answer.

The next day, Shen Lanxi entered the palace again. As the victim of the assassination attempt, it was perfectly reasonable for her to come and press for progress.

“Uncle, this is some aged ginseng I just received. Although it’s not as good as the previous one, it’s still rare—at least four or five hundred years old. If it’s ground up and used for foot baths, the effect should still be good!”

Emperor Renxiao looked at the two old ginseng roots in the sandalwood box. Each one was over a meter long, and with the roots spread out, they stretched three to four meters.

Such fine things, used just for foot baths—wasn’t she clearly trying to please him?

“Lanxi, you are thoughtful,” Emperor Renxiao said. The raging anger in his heart seemed to be cooled by a stream of water, and he finally felt less restless.

Shen Lanxi said, “Uncle, if Wang Xiangrong’s matter is difficult to handle, then just imprison him for a few years.”

A flicker passed through Emperor Renxiao’s eyes, and he sighed. “Lanxi, you have suffered a grievance.”

Shen Lanxi lowered her eyes, clasped her fists respectfully, and said, “For the stability of Great Zhou, a little grievance means nothing to this minister.”

In fact, as early as the day before, after Zhou Qiwou had left, Emperor Renxiao had already made his decision. Wang Xiangrong could not be dealt with for the time being. Dongchuan had only recently been pacified; more turmoil could not be allowed.

“Lanxi, Great Zhou is in a precarious state right now. I have wronged you.”

“Uncle, please don’t say that. If you had not suppressed the opposition and allowed me, as a woman, to enter the court, I would not be where I am today, and the Shen family would never have been rehabilitated. It was you who gave the Shen family a chance to live. I once swore that as long as I live, I will pledge my life in loyal service to Great Zhou!”

Emperor Renxiao was moved once again. All his sons combined could not compare with Shen Lanxi.

“Lanxi, rest assured. I will give you an explanation for this matter.”

Not long after Shen Lanxi returned, an imperial edict arrived at the Zhenbei Marquis’s residence.

“By the Mandate of Heaven… Shen Lanxi has rendered meritorious service in quelling the rebellion and has consecutively solved the case of the Wei family army’s stolen provisions, capturing traitors and contributing to the stability of the state. She is hereby conferred the title of Duke of the Great Cauldron and appointed to command the Capital Guards. Respect this!”

Shen Lanxi said, “This minister receives the decree!”

After the eunuch delivering the edict left, Che Mingyuan and the others stared at it as if it were a rare treasure.

“My lord, you are now a duke!” Che Mingyuan exclaimed. With anyone else, he would not have been so astonished.

But for Shen Lanxi, as a woman, to be ranked among the dukes and marquises—this had never happened in Great Zhou’s history.

Ban Sicao said, “If our lord has already become a duke, is the next step to be made a prince?”

In the past, Che Mingyuan would not have dared imagine such a thing. Now, he felt it might be possible to think about it.

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “His Majesty has granted me the title of Duke of the Great Cauldron—it’s obvious he wants me to sever ties with the Zhenbei Army.”

That single sentence made everyone fall silent.

“So that’s the intention… then this title of duke isn’t even worth having.”

“Does that mean our lord can no longer openly command the Zhenbei Army in the future?”

“What a calculation…”

Shen Lanxi sneered. “I rose from an unknown nobody to my current position, and I believe in only one thing.”

“In the face of absolute strength, schemes and intrigues are nothing but paper tigers.”

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

Shen Lanxi continued, “Gentlemen, what you need to do next is organize the first imperial examination after the great upheaval. As for me, it’s time to meet the Capital Guards.”

Che Mingyuan immediately began planning. “The Capital Guards can command a thousand troops, and a duke is allowed to maintain three hundred household soldiers. These will all be in the open.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. “The Capital Guards are responsible for patrolling and protecting the capital. Although their numbers are not large, they possess one special privilege—they can freely enter and exit the city gates.”

Everyone suddenly understood.

The next day, Shen Lanxi went to report to the Capital Guards. The deputy commander, Sun Feng, saw that Shen Lanxi, a mere woman, was to command such a large force, and he was deeply unconvinced.

“Lord Shen, although our Capital Guards are not as famous as the Imperial Guards, we also serve His Majesty and are responsible for the safety of the capital. There can be no negligence. Every day we patrol the city and eliminate hidden dangers. From spies sneaking into the capital to assassinate officials, to fires in commoners’ homes—we handle it all. It is very hard work.”

Shen Lanxi looked at Sun Feng, whose face plainly showed refusal. He was trying to make her retreat in the face of difficulty.

“Our Capital Guards do not support idlers. If you want to earn our respect, you must speak with strength. Otherwise, not a single man below will accept you. If you think sitting in the commander’s seat means you can command us, that is a grave mistake,” Sun Feng said arrogantly.

Shen Lanxi laughed lightly. “So if I defeat you, then no one will object to my taking the commander’s position?”

Sun Feng sneered inwardly and answered decisively, “That’s right. In our Capital Guards, strength has always been respected. If you cannot even fight, you do not deserve to enter the Capital Guards.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Enough talk. Let’s have a match.”

Sun Feng was startled. He had not expected Shen Lanxi to show no fear at all and accept the challenge so readily.

Looking at her, she didn’t seem like someone who could fight. What if he injured her and was blamed from above?

“If you want to fight, start with my subordinate. Only after defeating him will you be qualified to fight me,” Sun Feng said. It was not that he looked down on women—rather, the Capital Guards were all men. Having a woman as commander would make them the laughingstock of others.

Especially the Imperial Guards, who always relied on their status as the emperor’s personal guards to look down on them. If those arrogant fellows found out, the Capital Guards would never be able to hold their heads up again.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “So fighting upon entering the gate is a rule of the Capital Guards? I understand now.”

Sun Feng lifted his chin and answered at once.

Shen Lanxi smiled again. “In the future, if anyone wants to join the Capital Guards, let the preliminary assessment follow this rule.”

Sun Feng was taken aback, his expression turning somewhat ugly. She really thought of herself as commander already? They hadn’t even fought yet—whether she could stay was still uncertain.

Sun Feng’s subordinate asked, “My lord, will you not use a weapon?”

Shen Lanxi said, “From now on we’ll all be colleagues. Blades have no eyes—it wouldn’t be good to injure anyone.”

The subordinate fell silent. …All right.

Just as all the on-duty Capital Guards gathered to watch the excitement, Sun Feng’s subordinate suddenly flew backward in a graceful arc and crashed heavily to the ground.

Even Sun Feng, standing closest, hadn’t seen how Shen Lanxi had made her move. It was simply… over.

Sun Feng silently examined Shen Lanxi. This time he no longer dared to be arrogant, and his gaze changed to that of one opponent measuring another.

“I underestimated you,” he admitted frankly.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “You may use a weapon.”

Sun Feng unfastened the saber at his waist and tossed it aside to a subordinate.

“Ridiculous. I, Sun Feng, never take advantage of others—much less take advantage of a woman.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Deputy Commander Sun seems to look down on women.”

Sun Feng frowned. “It’s not looking down on them. Women are naturally weaker; men are strong and powerful. How can men bully women?”

Shen Lanxi said, “That still sounds like looking down on women. But since you say you won’t bully them, that at least shows you’re an upright person.”

Sun Feng curled his lip. What did she mean, ‘at least’?