RWNEFE -Chapter 356 Emperor Renxiao and Zhou Xinrou

Zhou Ruyuan glanced at the steward. The steward understood immediately and began clearing the crowd with the palace guards.

In a very short time, the people gathered in front of the Zhen’nan Prince’s mansion had been driven away.

Shen Yuantang, seeing herself being ignored, grew even angrier, struggling with all her strength.

“Let her go!” Shen Lanxi commanded.

The female guards efficiently untied her.

“Prince, they’re all bullying me~” Shen Yuantang cried as she ran toward Zhou Ruyuan.

The Shen family’s faces changed repeatedly at the sight.

Shen Lanxi said, “I’ll ask the prince one thing: did you send her to me to demand the task of suppressing the Nanning pirates?”

Zhou Ruyuan’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Shen Yuantang.

“No. I never told her anything about court affairs!”

Shen Yuantang’s eyes reddened at the word never.

“Prince, I only wanted to help you.”

Zhou Ruyuan hadn’t expected her to be so bold as to go directly to Shen Lanxi. Any sympathy he had felt earlier for her being manipulated vanished in that moment.

“I never told you about the Nanning pirate suppression. Where did you hear about it?”

Shen Yuantang shrank back, her eyes avoiding his.

Shen Lanxi said, “If it wasn’t the prince who sent her, then please manage your household better. My Juding Residence isn’t a place just anyone can enter.”

Zhou Ruyuan understood the warning, a bitter curve forming on his lips.

“I will strictly manage the household from now on.”

Shen Lanxi nodded coldly and called the Shen family to leave.

Almost immediately after they arrived back at the Shen residence, a message came from the Zhen’nan Prince’s mansion: the women of the rear household were forbidden from leaving without permission.

“Big Sister, what’s wrong with Yuantang?” Shen Yuanqing murmured, lowering his head.

Shen Lanxi replied, “People change as they grow up.”

Shen Yuanqing frowned, confused: “But even if they change, they shouldn’t become this unreasonable, right?”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly: “Today, she dared to come to my residence demanding a task for Zhou Ruyuan. Next time, she could risk the Shen family’s safety for him.”

“No way! Yuantang is a bit headstrong, but she wouldn’t do something to tarnish or destroy our Shen family!” Old Madam Shen couldn’t believe it.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was distant: “Do you know how many eyes in the capital are watching our family? She’s no longer a child—how could she not understand that?”

No one in the Shen family responded.

“I’ve warned the household more than once: at the entrance to my mansion, at least ten spies loiter every day, all sent to find faults with us. She completely ignored it!”

Old Madam Shen moved her lips but only managed a heavy sigh.

Shen Lanxi stood: “I still need to go to the palace. Grandmother, I leave the household matters in your care.”

The elderly lady had neither the heart nor strength to refuse.

…

“Uncle, it wasn’t that I insisted on complaining. It’s just too infuriating…” Shen Lanxi truthfully recounted today’s events.

Emperor Renxiao had just received the report and hadn’t yet spoken when Shen Lanxi entered the palace.

“Please forgive Yuantang this time. Her foolishness is entirely my fault as her elder sister. If punishment is necessary, punish me instead!”

Though anger still lingered, the emperor’s fury was tempered by Shen Lanxi’s loyalty to the crown and the court.

“Enough. You may speak.”

Shen Lanxi wore a look of deep guilt.

“You grew up in the palace and later went to Dongchuan, so you didn’t have much time to spend with Yuantang. The responsibility for her guidance falls on your mother, not you.”

Shen Lanxi lowered her head in silence.

“Go home now, and ask your mother to come to the palace.”

“Uncle, if punishment is necessary, punish me. Don’t punish my mother!” Shen Lanxi said earnestly.

Emperor Renxiao: “Go, I will handle it myself.”

After leaving the palace, Shen Lanxi went straight to the royal temple.

“Mother, His Majesty requests your presence in the palace.” Shen Lanxi recounted the day’s events.

Zhou Xinrou faced away from Shen Lanxi, one hand holding prayer beads, the other striking the wooden fish, chanting sutras continuously.

“Mother…”

A court lady stepped forward to intervene.

“Your Highness, perhaps wait. The princess won’t stop until she finishes this scroll of sutras. If she stops, her heart would not be sincere.”

Shen Lanxi quietly withdrew, the lady following.

“Is Mother comfortable here in the temple?”

The lady replied softly: “Yes. This is a royal temple, supported by the court. The princess is noble; no one dares treat her carelessly here.”

Shen Lanxi nodded and walked around casually.

“Since Mother dedicates herself to quiet cultivation, as her daughter, I must ensure her comfort. If any repairs are needed in the temple, send someone to fix them. Have them collect the funds from Juding Residence.”

The lady flattered her: “Your filial piety is exceptional. The Bodhisattvas in the temple see it and bless you. You will live safely, with a life of honor and prosperity.”

Accompanied by the lady, Shen Lanxi toured the temple, offering a substantial donation at the main hall. By the time she returned, Zhou Xinrou had finished her sutra scroll.

“Mother…”

Zhou Xinrou joined her hands, gazing devoutly at the Buddha statue.

“I understand. Let’s prepare to go to the palace and meet His Majesty.”

Shen Lanxi lowered her gaze: “Mother, I only wish to keep Yuantang out of the princes’ political strife.”

Zhou Xinrou closed her eyes: “I understand. Yuantang must have been misled. I will go to the palace to explain to His Majesty.”

Shen Lanxi: “It’s enough that you understand, Mother!”

Half an hour later, they parted ways at a fork in the road: one heading to the palace, the other toward Juding Residence.

Zhou Xinrou watched the carriage fade from view before lowering her eyes.

“Bring the rouge and lip color.”

“Yes!”

As she neared the palace gates, a small sedan chair emerged.

Zhou Xinrou dismounted and was assisted into the sedan. Palace attendants concealed her behind bamboo curtains and carried her skillfully into the palace.

Inside the palace’s private chamber

“Your Majesty, Xinrou is here!” She abandoned her serene temple demeanor, presenting herself like a young daughter, placing her hands into the emperor’s outstretched ones.

“Xinrou, if I didn’t summon you, would you refuse to come to see me?” Emperor Renxiao’s voice came softly.

“No, Your Majesty, Xinrou meant no disrespect. I only wished to avoid causing you difficulty,” she replied, quietly weeping.

The emperor sighed, slowly folding his hands.

“Xinrou, I know you still blame me.”

“No, Xinrou wouldn’t dare. How could Xinrou blame Your Majesty? If not for Your Majesty, I would probably have already been executed with the Shen family.”

Renxiao embraced her tenderly: “I know how much you suffered. If not for the Empress Dowager arranging the marriage, today you would stand beside me as empress, the Mother of the Nation.”

“Your Majesty, it is fate that separates us. I do not blame you. Now, even in my dreams, I cannot wish for more…”