RWNEFE -Chapter 367 Marquis of Yong’an, Zhao Zheng!

Shen Congwen, normally too lazy to deal with mundane matters, only realized the situation when Madam Liu spoke.

“Second younger sister-in-law, you handle the arrangements!”

Madam Miao: “The Shang Princess also has a formal betrothal, so the gifts need to be prepared too.” Not only prepared—they must be decent and proper.

Madam Tian: “The household’s money isn’t much left.”

Shen Lanxi stood: “Since there’s nothing more urgent, I’ll go on duty. The Capital Guard still needs to close the case regarding the incident involving the princess at the Shen residence.”

Ignoring Shen Congwen’s iron-dark expression, Shen Lanxi turned and left.

…

“Sir, Wu Tong did not go to the Left Chancellor’s residence after waking,” reported a guard.

Shen Lanxi: “No need to monitor there. After an incident like this at the Shen residence, he surely wouldn’t want to get involved.”

“Yes!”

She hadn’t expected that the carefully prepared grand gift she arranged would be intercepted by Shen Yuanxin. Truly, she had underestimated him.

However, one person inadvertently benefited from this incident—the Eldest Princess was freed from confinement.

“Withdraw the people from Xishan.”

“Yes!”

~

Once the Eldest Princess was freed, she immediately held a flower-viewing banquet, inviting female guests from across the capital. The Shen family received an invitation, and one was sent specifically to the Juding Gong Mansion.

“Sir, isn’t this a flower-viewing banquet? Why does it say it’s to commemorate a former friend?” Che Mingyuan immediately suspected the invitation had ulterior motives.

Shen Lanxi: “She wants to use Zhou Yunxue as a pretext to get me to the princess’s residence.”

Che Mingyuan: “Will you go?”

Shen Lanxi: “Put it on hold. I’ll decide that day.”

“Yes!”

The next day, rumors about Lady Yunxue circulated among the daughters of prominent families.

“Didn’t they say Lady Yunxue’s reputation was ruined when she died?”

“The examiners couldn’t even bear to look…”

“Apparently she was treated so badly she was unrecognizable; the Ji Wang Mansion shut its doors.”

“Such disgrace—anyone in that situation would be ashamed to show their face.”

“Stop talking, the Zhao family is here!”

Shen Lanxi looked at the approaching figure, her eyes showing curiosity.

Since the Yong’an Marquis’s household lost its military power, they had lived a secluded life. Their only heir, with a physical defect, never appeared publicly.

If she hadn’t seen him before when the Northern Army returned to the capital, she might not have recognized him at all.

They had no prior interactions; the only connection was Zhao Zheng’s former fiancée, Zhou Yunxue.

“Master Shen!” Zhao Zheng called out as she passed.

Shen Lanxi knew this encounter was not coincidental. Even if it weren’t, she would make it appear so publicly.

“And you are?”

Zhao Zheng: “Zhao Zheng, Marquis of Yong’an.”

Shen Lanxi frowned, thinking for a moment: “Although I’ve been back in the capital for some time, I’m not very familiar with the sons of prominent families.”

Zhao Zheng: “My father is Zhao Qinggeng. I inherited the title three years ago.”

Shen Lanxi smiled slightly: “That explains it.”

Zhao Zheng’s legs were naturally uneven, causing him to sway as he walked.

He reached Shen Lanxi in a few steps, his tone calm but tinged with reproach.

“You were close to Lady Yunxue; I thought you two were good friends.”

Shen Lanxi: “Not exactly. When the Shen family was exiled, the Ji Wang Mansion didn’t intervene.”

Zhao Zheng was momentarily stunned but soon suppressed his emotions.

“That was my mistake.”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “It’s not your fault; it has nothing to do with you!”

Zhao Zheng found himself unsure how to continue.

“I know why you came. You want to say that we were close, and now that I hear someone speak ill of her, tarnishing her honor, and I didn’t stop them, I appear heartless and unprincipled.”

If Shen Lanxi had never mentioned that the Shen family was exiled without the Ji Wang Mansion’s plea, Zhao Zheng could have spoken with certainty. Now, any words from him seemed rude.

“Forget it—just pretend I never said that,” Zhao Zheng said, feeling guilty and turning to leave.

Shen Lanxi’s smile vanished; her gaze became cold as she questioned him.

“If you truly cared for Zhou Yunxue and wanted to protect her, why didn’t you step forward to marry her when she fell into the water? You two had a betrothal, didn’t you?”

Zhao Zheng’s expression tensed; he was momentarily stunned.

Shen Lanxi: “I hate those who speak of being helpless and constrained, then blame others when circumstances change.”

Zhao Zheng’s face showed discomfort; he immediately retorted: “You aren’t in my position. How can you understand my difficulties?”

“You’re a woman—you don’t bear a family’s responsibility. I’m a man; I must support the Yong’an Marquis’s household… Never mind, why am I telling you this? You wouldn’t understand.” Zhao Zheng forced a bitter smile and left.

Shen Lanxi’s words were cutting: “Ridiculous. People always make excuses for themselves. Students blame the late-night study for being late to class. Merchants claim business is bad to avoid paying taxes. Couples growing distant blame a failing relationship. You say I can’t understand because I’m a woman. But I am a woman—what else is different? I can’t fight on the battlefield? I can’t give advice on state affairs?”

“I don’t know how hard it is to support a sparsely staffed marquisate, but I do know that our Shen family, with two residences, manages weddings, funerals, and prosperity with ease!”

Zhao Zheng’s face went ashen—he hadn’t expected a woman to lecture him so thoroughly.

“Shen Lanxi, I’ve already apologized to you. Why must you press me so?”

A woman—what could she possibly know? Did she understand how much the Yong’an Marquis was feared by the Emperor? She knew nothing!

Shen Lanxi snorted coldly: “I advise you to continue keeping a low profile in your residence. Otherwise, if someone notices you defending Zhou Yunxue, they will spread that you still harbor feelings for her!”

Zhao Zheng glared: “Yunxue suffered enough! Why must you sully her name even after she’s gone?”

Shen Lanxi: “I never mentioned Zhou Yunxue; it’s you who keeps speaking for her. I’m a woman—I don’t care about officialdom, and I’m not afraid of slander. If the Yong’an Marquis says anything unpleasant, go ahead; I’ll have my attendants record it and report to the Emperor tomorrow. The court officials will surely praise your loyalty!”

Zhao Zheng’s face was now dark as iron. Shen Lanxi only dared speak like this because Wei Dongzhu was nearby; otherwise, she might already have died in Dongchuan.

“Hmph!” Zhao Zheng snorted coldly and left, swinging his sleeve.

She had only received the invitation yesterday, yet the matter of Zhou Yunxue was already being spread, and Zhao Zheng had come—not by coincidence.

“Check who has recently had contact with Zhao Zheng.”

“Yes!”

The matter was so conspicuous, clearly intended to draw her to the flower-viewing banquet.

Just as she returned to the mansion, the palace guards delivered something.

“Sir, this was sent from the Eldest Princess’s residence. It’s said to be something that Lady Yunxue once kept there.”