RWNEFE -Chapter 344 Shen Lanxi Fans the Flames, Turning the Poetry Banquet into a “Minor Spring Examination”

As soon as news of the poetry banquet spread, the scholars gathered in the capital began discussing it among themselves. In the end, they came to regard this banquet as a kind of “minor spring examination.”

The Grand Tutor’s residence, which had recently been rather deserted, once again became crowded with visitors—everyone hoping to obtain a qualification to enter the poetry banquet.

No one knew where Shen Congwen had heard the news, but early that morning he sent someone to find Shen Lanxi.

“Yuanxu will definitely be able to attend the poetry banquet, but the family can’t just care about Yuanxu and ignore the other sons.”

Shen Lanxi listened quietly.

“Although there was an imperial decree before that, apart from Yuanxu, the other male members of the family are barred from the imperial examinations—but it never said they couldn’t attend the poetry banquet. Lanxi, you are a daughter of the Shen family. In the future, you’ll surely need the support of your brothers. This time, you must make sure that all the Shen family’s men are allowed to attend the banquet.”

Shen Lanxi had barely sent Shen Congwen away when she immediately entered the palace to lodge a complaint against him.

“Uncle, my father is asking me to bend the law for personal gain. There’s no justice in this world—Uncle, you must stand up for me…”

Emperor Renxiao’s mouth twitched. A daughter reporting her own father—she really could go all out.

And Shen Congwen truly had bad luck. Threatening his own daughter—he really had the nerve.

“Lanxi, don’t cry. Leave this matter to me,” the Emperor said.

With the token granting her free entry to and exit from the palace—returned to her by Emperor Renxiao—hanging at her waist, Shen Lanxi left the palace in high spirits.

Wang Bao couldn’t stop picking at Shen Lanxi’s faults.

“Your Majesty, this Shen Lanxi comes to trouble you over every little matter. Isn’t she afraid of exhausting you?”

The Emperor smiled and lightly scolded Wang Bao.

“Her mother spends all year lingering in temples, and her father is muddle-headed and biased. If she doesn’t come to me to complain, who else could she turn to?”

Wang Bao said in a sharp voice, somewhat displeased, “She’s just relying on Your Majesty to back her up…”

The Emperor merely smiled and continued reviewing memorials.

Not long after Shen Lanxi left to inspect the poetry banquet venue, Emperor Renxiao issued an edict:

Officials of fifth rank and above could bring their family members to the banquet. Other scholars could enter without examination if recommended by renowned officials or scholars. Those without recommendations could be admitted after passing an assessment by the Ministry of Rites.

When Shen Lanxi left the capital, she had only informed the Emperor and the Shen family, and no one else.

As a result, when Zhou Yunxue came to visit, she found no one home.

She tried to inquire about Shen Lanxi’s whereabouts from the residence guards, but of course learned nothing. In the end, she had no choice but to leave a servant behind to keep watch and returned home, looking dejected.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the poetry banquet arrived. Starting two days earlier, scholars and nobles had already begun arriving.

By the day itself, the outer grounds were packed with people. Hawkers and peddlers sold goods nonstop, creating the flourishing scene of a prosperous age.

On the high platform, Shen Lanxi presented an item to Emperor Renxiao.

“What is this?” The Emperor looked curiously at the tube-like object made of bamboo.

Everything Shen Lanxi had given him before had been a treasure. This must be one as well—he just didn’t know what it was for.

Shen Lanxi lifted the tube and placed it to her right eye, demonstrating.

“Uncle, I happened to find this while strolling outside. It’s called a ‘telescope.’ From here, you can see things thousands of li away clearly. I thought such a fine object would only suit someone of your noble status.”

Intrigued, Emperor Renxiao took it and tried looking through it himself.

“Mm… indeed, it’s a good thing.”

The street scenes beyond the high walls appeared clearly before his eyes.

Shen Lanxi spoke as if thinking entirely for his sake:

“Uncle, as the ruler of a nation, although you wish to share joy with the people every day, you must consider security and other concerns. Now with this mirror, you can see the people living and working in peace—it’s no different from sharing joy with them.”

The more the Emperor looked, the more he felt her words were true. What ruler did not wish to leave his name in history, to be remembered as a wise sovereign of a golden age?

And the standard of such a golden age was precisely that the people lived in peace and prosperity.

Watching the lively scene outside, Emperor Renxiao became so absorbed that he nearly forgot Shen Lanxi was still standing beside him.

It wasn’t until Wang Bao reminded him that the poetry banquet was about to begin that he reluctantly handed the telescope to Wang Bao.

“Keep it safe. After returning to the palace, remind me to take it out again. Today I stand on the high platform to see the prosperity; tomorrow I will stand on the city walls to look upon the whole of Great Zhou.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wang Bao replied.

Shen Lanxi accompanied the Emperor to attend the banquet. The civil and military officials and scholars participating were already present and had been waiting for some time.

Someone secretly raised his head to catch a glimpse of the Emperor—but instead, his attention was drawn to Shen Lanxi standing behind him.

No matter whether the rumors about Shen Lanxi outside were true or false, there was one thing no one doubted:

She was deeply favored by the Emperor.

Today Shen Lanxi wore a duke’s uniform, with her hair arranged in a man’s style. Such a simple outfit, yet it made all the women present turn red with envy.

Even those wearing the robes of princesses, commandery ladies, or titled noblewomen were completely overshadowed by Shen Lanxi’s jet-black ducal attire.

After receiving permission from the Emperor, Mei Nanhua stepped onto the high platform and announced the official start of the poetry banquet.

As soon as the examination question was revealed, the scholars eagerly began speaking one after another, all hoping to leave an impression before the Emperor and the assembled officials. The atmosphere was like water poured into hot oil—instantly explosive.

The Shen family was present in full attendance today. Even Shen Lanxi’s reclusive mother had come.

Shen Congwen, intending to promote his future sons-in-law, had also brought them along.

Shen Lanxi swept her gaze around and also saw Zhou Yunxue. Standing beside her was her husband, Fang Wenting.

Only, Zhou Yunxue was seated, while Fang Wenting stood.

Members of the Marquis of Jining’s household had come, as well as the Grand Academician’s family, the Left Chancellor’s family, and all those with ties to the Shen family.

The morning passed quickly. A few promising scholars were called forward by Emperor Renxiao and asked their names, a scene that greatly stimulated the other scholars present.

During the midday break, groups of scholars gathered together, chattering and debating.

Shen Lanxi had originally arranged to have lunch with Wei Dongzhu, but when the Shen family sent someone to call her, she brought Wei Dongzhu along to dine with them.

Seeing Wei Dongzhu and Shen Lanxi sitting together again, the Shen family members were already used to it. After brief greetings, they began eating at separate tables.

“Why isn’t Yuantang here?” Shen Lanxi suddenly asked.

Shen Yuanqing said in confusion, “She was just here a moment ago.”

“I saw her earlier too. Perhaps she went to change clothes.”

“She’ll probably be back soon.”

Shen Congwen, still harboring resentment toward Shen Yuantang, said casually, “Let’s eat first. The poetry banquet will resume shortly. None of you performed much this morning—make sure to seize the opportunity this afternoon.”

Hearing this, the Shen family’s young men quickly lowered their heads and ate, not daring to say another word.

Shen Congwen, however, kept talking once he started, speaking entirely about the afternoon’s banquet, his tone full of frustration at their lack of achievement.

Even after lunch ended, Shen Yuantang still had not returned. Shen Lanxi quietly sent someone to look for him.

Just after dispatching the person, someone suddenly rushed over in panic.

“My lady—something’s wrong! Something has happened!”