RWNEFE -Chapter 343 The Empress Proposes a Poetry Banquet

“They will definitely make a move when they meet. Keep an eye on Zhou Qiwou’s side. Among the poison experts over there, only you can handle them,” Shen Lanxi said, her voice forced into calmness.

Ban Sicao already knew how important this matter was to Shen Lanxi, so he naturally intended to give it his full effort.

“I’ll head back right now.” Before leaving, he glanced at Shen Lanxi’s injured hand and still set down a bottle of wound medicine.

Shen Lanxi sat in a daze the entire night. It wasn’t until the next morning, when daylight flooded in and a ray of sunlight fell on her face, that she suddenly felt as if a lifetime had passed.

“My lady, it’s time to go to work,” Chunxue said softly from outside the door.

Shen Lanxi rose briskly. By the time she opened the door, she already looked energetic—no one could tell she had not slept all night.

In the morning she went to the Capital Guard, in the afternoon to the Ministry of Rites. After finishing work, she followed her usual routine and returned home. That evening, someone from the Shen residence came: the Old Madam invited her over for dinner.

“Lanxi, regarding Yuantang’s matter, your mother has already gone to the palace to plead for mercy. We owe the Empress a favor for this. In a few days, the palace will hold a poetry banquet. The Empress’s intention is that, since you are now the chief examiner of the imperial examinations, you should preside over this banquet,” Old Madam Shen said, looking at Shen Lanxi with hope.

If this matter were handled well, the favor owed to the Empress by the Shen family would be considered repaid.

Shen Lanxi glanced around and asked, “Where is Mother?”

Old Madam Shen replied somewhat awkwardly, “Your mother said the Shen household has been unsettled today, so she went to the temple to burn incense and pray for blessings for our family.”

Fearing that Shen Lanxi might misunderstand, the old lady hurriedly added, “Your mother has always been kind-hearted.”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze turned faintly cold. “The poetry banquet was something Mother agreed to on the Empress’s behalf. If she goes, I’ll go.”

Old Madam Shen didn’t think much of it and casually agreed, “I’ll send someone to inform your mother in a while.”

Shen Lanxi nodded.

With one misfortune after another striking the younger generation of the Shen family, everyone was uneasy. Only a few people came to dinner that day.

Shen Lanxi chatted briefly with Shen Yuanxu, and after the meal she returned to her own residence.

The next day she entered the palace to have an audience with the Emperor.

“Uncle, Her Majesty the Empress cherishes talent and is holding a poetry banquet. I truly feel ashamed of myself,” Shen Lanxi said, looking self-reproachful.

Emperor Renxiao had already heard about the poetry banquet from Wang Bao and had thought it was just another harmless gathering, as usual. He hadn’t expected Shen Lanxi to react so strongly.

“Lanxi, you are already doing very well. Don’t belittle yourself,” the Emperor said. Shen Lanxi’s daily routine—going to the Capital Guard in the morning and the Ministry of Rites in the afternoon, merely making an appearance and leaving everything else unattended—actually satisfied him greatly.

“Uncle, this poetry banquet is being held before the imperial examinations. Its significance is extraordinary,” Shen Lanxi said with an impassioned tone, speaking as if deeply concerned for the country and its people, every word ringing forcefully.

“The imperial examinations are meant to select worthy talents for Great Zhou. Over the past six or seven years, our dynasty has lost countless capable people. Even though I am just a woman, I know the examinations are like crossing a single-plank bridge—only a handful can make it across.”

The Emperor nodded, curious to hear what she would say next.

“I think it’s a pity that those who are eliminated simply return home. Why not use this poetry banquet to select more capable people for you, Uncle, and for Great Zhou? That would be the true meaning of the banquet.”

Emperor Renxiao studied her thoughtfully, turning the idea over in his mind.

“Will the poetry banquet be presided over by the Empress?” he asked. If so…

“Uncle, the Empress intends for me to preside. But you know I have no talent for literature. That’s why I came to ask you to appoint someone else as host,” Shen Lanxi said, looking as if she desperately wanted to push the task onto someone else.

The Emperor reached a decision.

“For the imperial examinations, you will serve as chief examiner and Grand Preceptor Mei as deputy. For this poetry banquet, you will be the deputy, and Grand Preceptor Mei the chief. What do you think?” The Emperor was well-versed in the art of balance—appearing to placate the court while in fact benefiting himself as ruler.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Uncle, that arrangement is excellent. If those sour scholars at the banquet make things difficult for me, set questions to embarrass me, I might not be able to resist beating them to death.”

The Emperor shot her an exasperated look, but in the end only laughed.

“You, you… where is there any trace of a proper lady in you now?”

Shen Lanxi rolled her eyes. “I don’t intend to marry. Why should I pretend to be gentle and demure—for whom would I be acting?”

A glint flashed in the Emperor’s eyes, but he merely smiled without replying.

At an early court session, Emperor Renxiao announced the poetry banquet and entrusted Grand Preceptor Mei Nanhua with the responsibility.

“Your Majesty,” someone said, “if such a grand event is held in the palace, I fear it may not accommodate so many people.”

The Emperor nodded. “Then where do you all suggest it be held?”

As the officials began making recommendations, Zhou Ruyuan, who had been outside the city for days, returned.

“Your Majesty, the high platform has been completed. I have returned to report.”

The Emperor suddenly thought again of the descendants of Prince Li, and his expression darkened slightly.

Left Chancellor Wu Yanzhi immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I believe that high platform would be the perfect ready-made venue.”

The Emperor signaled for him to continue.

“That platform was originally built so the common people could watch executions. Why not use it first as the venue for the poetry banquet? After the banquet, scholars from all over the land can witness the execution there as well, to set the record straight and uphold righteousness.”

More than just upholding righteousness—it would serve as a warning to all.

Let the scholars of the realm see the fate of those who challenged imperial authority and committed treason.

This proposal pleased the Emperor greatly.

“Then let the Prince of Zhennan and General Wei jointly take charge of security at the venue,” Emperor Renxiao declared, settling the matter with a single decision. Both ruler and ministers were satisfied.

Only one person, in the central palace, smashed a teacup in anger.

Because of the poetry banquet and the execution of Prince Li’s descendants, Wei Dongzhu had only just returned to the capital and now had to leave again.

“Lanxi, I’ve already heard that His Majesty has arranged a marriage for Zhou Ruyuan,” Wei Dongzhu said, unable to suppress the joy at the corners of his mouth.

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly and had someone bring out the clothes she had prepared earlier. She also asked Chunxue to pack two boxes of pastries from the kitchen.

“I had these made after you left last time. I don’t know if they’ll fit.”

Wei Dongzhu looked delighted and quickly said, “They’ll fit. As long as they’re from you, they’ll fit.”

Shen Lanxi teased, “I didn’t make them myself. How do you know they’ll fit?”

Wei Dongzhu, rarely at a loss, scratched his head and laughed foolishly. “If you had made them yourself, I would have treasured them and never worn them. Since they were made at your instruction, I certainly won’t cherish the workmanship of others.”

Shen Lanxi looked at him with a bright smile. Wei Dongzhu straightened his back carefully, lowering his head slightly so she could look more closely.

“Go on,” she said. “In a couple of days I’ll go to the high platform in advance, in my capacity as deputy examiner.”

Wei Dongzhu’s eyes lit up. “I’ll wait for you!”

Shen Lanxi watched him leave with a smile. This time, he turned back every few steps—anyone could see his reluctance to part.