RWNEFE -Chapter 370 The Crown Princess Deliberately Provokes

A handkerchief so exquisitely crafted should have been kept as a collectible or family heirloom—how could it be casually used?

Shen Lanxi was openly showing off to them. Did she really think the emperor would always favor her? If that were true, why had their family been exiled before?

The emperor had seen the value in Wei Dongzhu by her side and wanted to use her to control him.

Zhou Yunshang’s face shifted constantly as she widened her eyes, determined to see just how long Shen Lanxi could remain so arrogant.

“Lanxi, you must remember everything so clearly—surely it’s because of Princess Yunxue, right?” Zhou Yunshang’s words carried a sharp edge as she launched another attack.

Shen Lanxi candidly admitted: “Indeed. I used to have many things on hand and was careless, giving away a lot of good items. Unfortunately, since I returned from the Northwest to the capital, only Zhou Yunxue has come to see me!”

At the banquet, several people’s eyes began to shift uncomfortably.

Zhou Yunshang’s expression stiffened for a moment before she forced a light, casual smile: “You said it so nonchalantly just now—I thought perhaps your relationship wasn’t good?”

Shen Lanxi: “It isn’t, but she’s a bit better than the others who’ve taken my things.”

Those who had once taken Shen Lanxi’s possessions turned pale.

Even Zhou Yunshang herself had taken items from Shen Lanxi, yet she had never admitted it. So many fine items—why had the Empress Dowager only given them to Shen Lanxi? She had only glanced at them, and Shen Lanxi had bestowed them like charity.

A princess of a kingdom, needing alms from a lowly person?

Jealousy spread again, and Zhou Yunshang’s mind grew clouded. If not for reason restraining her, she would have already confronted Shen Lanxi.

“Lanxi, you’ve misunderstood us sisters. It’s not that we don’t come to see you, it’s just that you’re so busy with your duties—we wouldn’t dare disturb you!”

Chen Suizhu sneered sarcastically: “Your residence is full of men—how could we even go there?”

Shen Lanxi: “Ah, so you were afraid that associating with me would tarnish your reputation.”

Chen Suizhu flustered: “You—”

“Enough, enough, why argue again? Aren’t today’s flowers beautiful enough? Everyone, focus on the flowers!”

Zhou Yunshang cursed Chen Suizhu silently in her heart. Once again, a few words and Shen Lanxi had led the conversation wherever she wished.

“That’s Yuantang, isn’t it? Truly like a flower, so lovable!” Zhou Yunshang, having no leverage over Shen Lanxi herself, had to go after her family instead.

“Eldest Princess, you flatter me. Yuantang is humble, nowhere near the grace of the queen of flowers—you, Eldest Princess, are far more distinguished!”

Zhou Yunshang’s eyes flickered, her smile deepening at the corners of her mouth.

“The Zhen Nan Wang has great military achievements, and you are beautiful. Although I haven’t seen you two together, I can imagine how well-matched you are.”

Shen Yuantang’s face flushed with shyness: “Eldest Princess, you overpraise me.”

Zhou Yunshang: “We all thought Lanxi and the Zhen Nan Wang…what a pity. Luckily, you’ve made up for that shortcoming!”

Shen Yuantang’s smile froze. What did that mean?

The Crown Princess, watching the spectacle with delight, said: “The Shen family is fortunate; the Zhen Nan Wang son-in-law didn’t end up elsewhere!”

The Shen family women’s faces darkened. Had the Eldest Princess hosted this flower-viewing banquet just to openly humiliate them?

Shen Lanxi: “A few days ago, when investigating the Crown Prince’s assassination case, I examined the files carefully. I noticed that the situation Crown Princess mentioned is quite similar to ours. The secondary consort in the Crown Prince’s mansion—that’s your sister, isn’t it?”

The Crown Princess’s expression changed. Her estate was remote; no one in the capital would know about her household unless they deliberately investigated. She had overlooked Shen Lanxi’s position as commander of the capital guards.

“Our Shen family is different from the Crown Prince’s mansion. At least, we haven’t married both daughters to the same prince—no shared husband, no forced cohabitation!”

The Crown Princess, furious, stood up and pointed at Shen Lanxi: “How dare you openly discuss the royal family! Guards, slap her!”

Two palace maids immediately stepped forward behind the consort, while Chunxue and Qiushuang didn’t hesitate either.

“Shen Lanxi, how dare you defy your superior!” The Crown Princess’s eyes shone, as if she had finally caught a handle, staring straight at Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi: “Today’s flowers are indeed beautiful, just not red enough.”

At first, no one understood what she meant. But when Chunxue, Qiushuang, and the two palace maids began slapping the two others, leaving them bleeding, everyone gasped.

Shen Lanxi casually remarked: “Still not enough.”

Chunxue and Qiushuang struck again.

It was a one-sided beating; the two palace maids couldn’t resist.

The women were terrified, yet speculated: Crown Princess had deliberately provoked this. Once Shen Lanxi severely harmed two palace maids, the accusation of disrespecting the consort would be solidified.

Sure enough, Crown Princess erupted.

“Shen Lanxi, how dare you commit violence openly? Do you still respect the royal family? Are you planning rebellion?”

Shen Lanxi looked at her quietly. If her gaze could be condensed into a word, it would be: idiot!

“Guards, quick, come here!”

“Eldest Princess, you saw that, right? Shen Lanxi allowed her people to strike my maids—if no one was there, would she have killed me too?”

Zhou Yunshang’s eyes flashed with impatience. She hadn’t invited Crown Princess today—why did she come and stir trouble at her banquet? If her father found out, she would be scolded.

“Calm down. After all, we’re all family. Don’t make a big scene over a few words.”

Her plan had been verbal sparring—this way her father wouldn’t be alarmed, and no one could use it against her.

Yet Crown Princess, that fool, ruined it.

“Eldest Princess, you must testify for me! Shen Lanxi spoke rudely first, so I had my people teach her a lesson. You must go with me to see Father and Mother—let them judge in my favor!”

Zhou Yunshang’s expression immediately darkened.

Idiot! She wants to die, don’t drag me into it!

“Lady of the Yong’an Marquis, and other ladies present, you heard it too. I’m going to see His Majesty now; you must testify for me!”

Those attending the banquet began to regret coming. They didn’t want to get involved in this mess.

“Eldest Princess, have your household troops seize Shen Lanxi and bring her to the palace!”

The Eldest Princess’s expression began to crack.

“Eldest Princess, hurry and give orders!” If she had no troops or guards, she wouldn’t have needed to use the princess’s household forces.

The Crown Princess called repeatedly, but the Eldest Princess did not act, her face darkening.

“Eldest Princess, what do you mean?”

Zhou Yunshang cursed Crown Princess hundreds of times in her heart. That fool, don’t drag me into your stupidity!

“I feel this trivial matter doesn’t need to bother Father.”

“Father deals with countless matters daily. To trouble him over something like this and cause him worry—that would be unfilial.”