RWNEFE -Chapter 357 They Will All Pay With Their Lives!

Shen Lanxi sat on the rooftop, staring blankly into the distance.

So this was the relationship between them… even so, why would they poison their own daughter?

Could it be that she was Emperor Renxiao’s daughter? Did Emperor Renxiao know?

If she married Zhou Ruyuan, they would try to poison her—but Yuantang married Zhou Ruyuan and didn’t face the same danger? Was Yuantang really her father’s child?

Inside the house, no one spoke. Only the disgusting sounds of debauchery and entanglement remained.

She had thought that by watching her mother closely, she could uncover the truth behind the poisoning. But when she lifted the veil, all she saw was utter chaos.

The more she uncovered, the more questions appeared before her. Which was the real truth?

Zhou Xinrou stayed in the palace until early the next morning, leaving as the first light broke.

Shen Lanxi thought of Wang Bao, who had been kind to her since childhood. In a flash, she slipped into a secluded palace wing.

“Keep an eye on Wang Bao and Emperor Renxiao. I’ll have Fifth Brother send someone to help you!”

“Alright, be careful yourself.”

…

After leaving the palace, Zhou Xinrou returned to the Shen residence.

“What’s going on with Yuantang?” Zhou Xinrou asked, her face dark.

Her kind and gentle demeanor was only a disguise—this was her true face.

“Mistress, Miss Yuantang was summoned by Consort Shu into the palace. She also had a servant given by the consort with her. After being provoked with a few words, she went straight to the Juding Residence.”

A harsh gleam flickered in Zhou Xinrou’s eyes: “Consort Shu’s hand has reached too far.”

“Mistress, Miss Yuantang also has a servant planted by Bai Qingling.”

There was not a trace of maternal love in Zhou Xinrou’s eyes; only impatience and cruelty.

“She brought it upon herself. Throwing herself at a man, no matter the consequences, she deserves what comes.”

Her subordinates understood—they were abandoning Miss Yuantang.

“Fine. Make sure she is watched. She must not step outside the Zhen’nan Prince’s mansion again. Even as her mother, this is my final mercy!” Zhou Xinrou said impatiently.

Two days later, joyous news came from Chaoyun Hall: Consort Shu was pregnant.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Renxiao sent many gifts to Consort Shu and stayed several nights at Chaoyun Hall to show her honor and favor.

Shen Lanxi received secret intelligence: there might be a force in the hands of the descendants of the late Prince Li. The goal of taking them down was to seize this force.

Her mother’s ambitions were perhaps far-reaching.

Shen Lanxi felt a flicker of anticipation—what surprises might her mother bring?

…

“Lanxi, the Crown Prince has been secretly brought into the capital!” Wei Dongzhu came to report to Shen Lanxi.

Outwardly, he was overseeing the construction of a shrine, but secretly he had been carrying out Shen Lanxi’s orders.

“Emperor Renxiao’s public support for Zhou Ruyuan may just be a facade!” Shen Lanxi was already about seventy to eighty percent certain of this.

Wei Dongzhu could not understand this either.

“The emperor openly supports the Third Prince, drawing resentment from the other princes. Many were sent to their fiefdoms once they turned six. Only Zhou Ruyuan and Zhou Ruan grew up in the capital.”

“Zhou Ruan is clever in appearance but foolish inside; anyone can see it. Only Zhou Ruyuan is a serious rival to the other princes.”

Wei Dongzhu followed this line of thought: “Perhaps the emperor wants to support both the Second and Third Princes, but the Third Prince’s talent far surpasses the Second.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes gleamed: “The Crown Prince is the late empress’s son. After age six, he too was sent to his fiefdom, remaining unnoticed.”

Wei Dongzhu frowned: “If the emperor always intends the Crown Prince to succeed, why support Zhou Ruyuan as a War God? Isn’t that risky?”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze shifted: “The title of War God came only after he seized the Southwest army.”

Wei Dongzhu finally understood. He had thought Zhou Ruyuan’s War God title was simply due to imperial favor.

But having interacted with Zhou Ruyuan, he knew the title was hollow—he was not invincible.

Shen Lanxi smirked: “Spread the news of the Crown Prince’s return to the capital.”

Wei Dongzhu mirrored her smile: “I’ll have someone arrange a meeting between Zhou Ruyuan and the Crown Prince.”

Shen Lanxi’s smile widened.

Within two days, news of the Crown Prince’s arrival spread like wildfire in the capital.

Shen Lanxi, still on her month-long break, remained secluded.

“Milady, someone sent a letter via carrier pigeon.”

Shen Lanxi opened it, her face darkening. That same day, she disguised herself and left the capital.

Two days later, Shen Lanxi arrived at the magistrate’s residence of Xishan County.

She looked at Zhou Yunxue on the bed, frail and pale, and fed her a medicinal pill, waiting for her to wake.

Soon, Zhou Yunxue opened her eyes.

“Lanxi… you’re here!” Her voice was barely audible.

Shen Lanxi noticed blood seeping through the pillow and slowly curved her lips, grabbing her hand.

“Yunxue, I’m here.”

Zhou Yunxue gave a bitter smile: “Thank goodness for you.”

Shen Lanxi had Lan Jie and Hu Ge brought over.

“They’re asleep. The doctor checked them—they’re fine.”

Zhou Yunxue smiled wretchedly: “I’ve failed you.”

Shen Lanxi held her hand tight: “You haven’t wronged me. Don’t say that.”

Tears streamed from Zhou Yunxue’s eyes: “I have been jealous of you… I have hated you.”

Shen Lanxi’s face bore a calm smile: “That’s because I’m too good, too outstanding. Those who are outstanding will always attract jealousy.”

“People often say one thing but do another. I have been jealous, I have hated—but only in my mind. I never acted on it.”

Light and laughter returned to Zhou Yunxue’s eyes, burning as if to consume her final moments.

“I want you to care for Lan Jie and Hu Ge—they are good children.”

Shen Lanxi picked Zhou Yunxue up and carried her to the door.

Outside, the Fang Wentings knelt, and seeing Zhou Yunxue, they seemed to find a savior, crawling forward to plead.

Zhou Yunxue was placed on a soft chair, her eyes shining with a strange light.

Shen Lanxi said, “Rest easy. They will all pay with their lives!”

Zhou Yunxue watched quietly.

“Don’t worry—they won’t accompany you in death. We’ll keep your resting place pure.”

Zhou Yunxue regretted deeply, but it was too late.

She was grateful to have received Shen Lanxi’s pigeon message, so even in despair, she still saw hope.

“Lanxi… thank you.”

Shen Lanxi: “No need. Just watch quietly.”

Zhou Yunxue forced her eyes wide open, her expression terrifyingly rigid, like someone unwilling to die in peace.

“One by one—advance to your death!” the death order sounded.

The first brought before Zhou Yunxue was Fang Wenting.

“Fang Wenting, you listened to the prince consort’s orders, defiled Princess Yunxue’s purity, and used vile means to force her into marriage. After marriage, you showed no remorse, favoring concubines over your wife. Cutting you down with a single sword is too lenient. First, sever your limbs, let you watch the Fang family perish because of you—and then die yourself!”