RWNEFE -Chapter 388 The Divorced Woman Could Offend the New Bride

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, her mind beginning to work.

“Your Ji Mansion must already hate me to the bone, right?” she asked with a smile.

Zhou Cheng’an did not hide anything: “Everyone at home is scolding Sister Lanxi, saying that you’re a woman, cruel and heartless.”

Shen Lanxi looked at him with interest: “Do you think what they say is right, or wrong?”

Che Mingyuan silently chuckled beside them.

“I only trust what I see. Nobody cares about my sister’s life or death, no one stands up for her. Only Sister Lanxi is willing to lend a hand.”

Shen Lanxi: “And if I really were as they say—stepping on your sister’s corpse to gain advantage?”

Zhou Cheng’an: “That I don’t care about. I only know the truth about my sister’s drowning back then has been revealed. My sister is dead. What’s left to exploit?”

There was one thing Zhou Cheng’an didn’t mention: he knew the lead investigator on the case was not Shen Lanxi.

Many commoners didn’t even know Shen Lanxi had anything to do with it. All they knew was that the Crown Prince acted decisively and swiftly to uncover the truth of the old case.

Shen Lanxi smiled: “Is it possible… that I want to clear the name of the Northwest Butcher Woman?”

Zhou Cheng’an answered firmly: “Absolutely impossible!”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly: “This young man really suits my temper.”

Che Mingyuan understood: “Your Highness intends to take him under your wing?”

Zhou Cheng’an’s heart leapt with joy.

Shen Lanxi considered for a moment: “Arrange it in the Capital Guard. Start with a post in the small Beijing Guard that protects the Imperial City.”

Zhou Cheng’an realized that Shen Lanxi now commanded the Beijing Guard and was ecstatic.

“Thank you, Sister Lanxi.”

Shen Lanxi reminded him: “I’m afraid your Ji Mansion won’t willingly let you join the Capital Guard.”

Zhou Cheng’an’s gaze was firm: “Even if they block me, I’ll fight them.”

Shen Lanxi: “Good! If anyone at home asks, just say you applied to the Capital Guard yourself. Don’t mention my name.”

Zhou Cheng’an nodded: “Understood.”

…

“News from the palace: Consort Shu is taking action.”

“She’ll surely make full use of this pregnancy. The question is, who will be affected.”

“News from the fake descendant of the King of Fury: the poison in that person’s body has been neutralized.”

“When he wakes, we’ll ask: stay or switch back? If he refuses to switch back, he must show sincerity!”

“Yes!”

“The fake King of Fury descendant is starting to lose patience.”

“No rush. Keep using the poison to see if we can lure the poison expert behind the scenes out!”

“Yes!”

…

Time flew, and it was the day of Shen Yuanxin’s marriage to the Tenth Princess.

Shen Yuanxin dressed early in his wedding attire, bowed to his parents and elders, and prepared to go meet the bride.

Everyone present, except Shen Yuanxin, smiled awkwardly.

It wasn’t the princess coming—no need to greet her with forced smiles.

“Father, I’m going to meet the bride.” Having spent over a month recuperating, Shen Yuanxin’s health had fully recovered. Because he hadn’t seen much sunlight, his skin was pale, giving him the refined appearance of a young gentleman at first glance.

Although Shen Congwen had been displeased about prior events, he had long since come to terms with them.

Yuanxin had been set up; he truly could not be blamed.

Blame lay with the schemer—but unfortunately, nothing had been discovered about the outcome.

“Go. From now on, you are the Imperial Son-in-law.” This title gave the family an added prestige.

“I’m off!”

Shen Congwen nodded.

To ensure the princess was properly received, he had borrowed favors from colleagues and friends and even sold valuable items in his study.

The family had truly gone all out this time, hoping for a smooth wedding without any mishaps.

Once Shen Yuanxin left, Shen Congwen began instructing the household in earnest.

“The princess will soon be brought home. She is of noble blood and strong-tempered. Everyone must restrain themselves. If you offend the princess, I will not plead on your behalf!”

Shen Lanxi knew this remark was directed at her.

“Lanxi, you are now a divorced woman. When the princess enters, stay in the inner courtyard.” Shen Congwen predicted that in today’s setting, Shen Lanxi would not dare to act recklessly.

If outsiders saw her bold and defiant nature, it would bring shame upon her.

Shen Lanxi’s smile was faint, almost teasing: “Father means that today, as a divorced woman, I may not even enter the Shen family gates?”

Shen Congwen naturally did not admit it.

“I only ask that you avoid drawing attention when the princess enters. You know your status. Bearing the name of a divorced woman, if you offend the newlyweds, can you bear the consequences?”

Divorced women were unlucky by nature. In any other family, she would not even be allowed inside.

Only the Shen family was so generous.

“Father, how can you speak this way of Eldest Sister?”

“Eldest Uncle, this is not right!”

“Eldest Uncle…”

Shen Congwen ignored the younger generation’s pleas, resolute in his stance.

“Today, the bride is a princess of Great Zhou. If she is angered, the Emperor will punish us. Who will bear the responsibility?”

His words left the younger ones hesitant to speak.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was icy: “Father, you should think carefully. Once I leave today, I will never set foot in the Shen family again!”

Shen Congwen’s face was full of rage: “You dare threaten your family? Shen Lanxi, aren’t you afraid of being expelled?”

Shen Lanxi: “Not afraid. Why not, then, take advantage of the fact the princess hasn’t arrived yet and formally sever ties?”

Shen Congwen was hopping mad: “Shen Lanxi, you rebellious, unfilial child! Have you forgotten who gave you life? How dare you sever ties! Aren’t you afraid heaven will strike you?”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes were cold: “If others are unjust to me, I will repay them in kind.”

“Shen Lanxi…” Shen Congwen shouted, pointing at her in fury.

The Shen family could no longer sit still. They quickly divided into two groups to reason with her.

“Eldest Sister, Father does not mean harm. He’s just concerned.”

“Eldest Sister, don’t listen to Father. We’ll do whatever we should do.”

“Eldest Sister, if Eldest Uncle wants to sever ties, we won’t recognize him either.”

~

“This damn girl… how did the Shen family produce such a brat?” Shen Congwen never expected Shen Lanxi to have no hesitation in front of so many outsiders.

He had wanted to assert his paternal authority, but Shen Lanxi publicly disregarded him, shaming him.

He should never have raised such a troublesome child!

“Big brother, calm down. It’s a happy day—why make trouble for yourself?”

“Big brother, why argue with a younger one? You know you can’t win in force or words. Why stir up trouble?”

“Big brother, the princess’s expression is bad.”

Shen Congwen quickly turned to look at Zhou Xinrou, who slumped weakly in her chair. Two small pangs of fear entered his heart.

“This is for Yuanxin and the princess. If anything goes wrong in their marriage, they’ll think back to today. Let’s see who really suffers!” Shen Congwen had long planned this excuse.

Old Madam Shen’s face was unpleasant, but she did not stop her eldest son.

In her heart, she knew the eldest son had reason, but she did not want to provoke Shen Lanxi.

After all, she was a woman who recognized no kin; she had already witnessed it during the trip to Dongchuan.