RWNEFE -Chapter 405 Rumors Everywhere

The court had been suspended for three days, and the ministers were getting anxious.

Those backing them behind the scenes were even more anxious.

The palace consorts and former officials all came to Shen Lanxi, demanding an audience with the Renzhao Emperor.

“Shen Lanxi, you’re blocking us—are you plotting rebellion?”

“We want to see His Majesty! Shen Lanxi, are you keeping us from him on purpose?”

“Shen Lanxi, you’re a woman meddling in state affairs—this is against the natural order!”

“Arrest Shen Lanxi! Restore proper law and governance! Return the Great Zhou to clarity and order!”

…

“Sir, if they keep this up, something bad might happen,” Che Mingyuan said worriedly.

Shen Lanxi’s smile was faint and unreadable. “Let them make a fuss. This fire isn’t big enough yet; it’s not time to extinguish it.”

Che Mingyuan’s face was full of concern. Even if Shen Lanxi found him annoying, he couldn’t stay silent.

“Sir, it is easier to guard against the words of the people than against rivers flooding!”

Shen Lanxi said, “Wait and see. In a few days, the real show will begin.”

~

“Sir, the Prince of Zhen’nan has arrived. He wants to see you,” the Imperial Guards reported.

Shen Lanxi said, “Bring him in.”

Zhou Ruyuan entered, feeling disoriented. Although he had seen Shen Lanxi not long ago, it felt like ages had passed.

Sitting at the desk, Shen Lanxi seemed close, yet he felt a great distance between them.

“Lanxi.”

Shen Lanxi looked up. “Prince of Zhen’nan, it’s still more proper to call me Commander Shen or Lord Juding.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes flickered with pain. “Do we really have to speak like this?”

Shen Lanxi said, “If you dislike the formal title, you can call me ‘Big Sister,’ like Yuantang does.”

Zhou Ruyuan stiffened, and his hand clenched under his sleeve.

“Lanxi, the matter with Yuantang was a misunderstanding. I wouldn’t touch her.”

Shen Lanxi interrupted, “Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, it doesn’t concern me. If your visit is only to make ambiguous statements, please leave—I have many official duties to attend to.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s face fell. Nothing he said could undo the harm he had caused Lanxi.

He regretted not understanding his own feelings sooner; perhaps then he wouldn’t have…

“Sir, the third round of night patrols is complete,” Wei Dongzhu entered.

Zhou Ruyuan looked at him quietly, fists clenched again.

Shen Lanxi said, “After a cup of tea, we’ll begin the fourth round.”

“Yes.”

Wei Dongzhu did not leave. Instead, he walked to Shen Lanxi’s desk as if declaring his authority and poured himself a cup of tea.

Zhou Ruyuan gritted his teeth and turned his gaze away.

“I came to see Father,” he said.

Shen Lanxi asked, “Prince of Zhen’nan, did you see the notice at the palace gate personally written by His Majesty?”

Zhou Ruyuan did not reply.

Of course he had seen it. His mother was anxious and had already urged him over a dozen times, fearing that if palace affairs changed and he was late, he would regret it for life.

Shen Lanxi said, “His Majesty has decreed that, unless for matters of state, no one may see him. May I ask if your visit is regarding an important matter?”

It was not.

Zhou Ruyuan said, “I heard Father was unwell, so I came to visit.”

Shen Lanxi said, “The notice explicitly forbids palace consorts from seeing princes and princesses.”

Zhou Ruyuan frowned. “As a son, how can I not see my ailing father?”

Shen Lanxi replied coldly, “I am only following His Majesty’s orders. Please do not put me in a difficult position, Prince of Zhen’nan.”

Zhou Ruyuan looked at her silently and asked, “Could you send a message to Father for me?”

Shen Lanxi said, “Please speak.”

“Tell him to take care of his health and recover soon.” He paused, then continued, “If I can’t see Father, perhaps I can see Mother?”

Shen Lanxi: “No. His Majesty decrees the Inner Palace closed.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes darkened. “Can I at least send a message to Mother?”

Shen Lanxi: “Yes.”

Zhou Ruyuan: “The same message as for Father. Tell Mother to take care of herself and not to worry too much.”

Shen Lanxi: “That is acceptable. I will deliver it.”

Zhou Ruyuan glanced at Wei Dongzhu, frowning. “Could you dismiss the attendants?”

Shen Lanxi: “No.”

Wei Dongzhu calmly poured himself another cup of tea, giving Zhou Ruyuan a deliberately challenging look.

Zhou Ruyuan’s expression instantly darkened.

Wei Dongzhu was doing it on purpose—definitely on purpose.

Shen Lanxi said, “Prince, if you have something to say, speak freely. Wei Dongzhu is not a stranger.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s face grew even darker.

Seeing he would not speak, Shen Lanxi decided to dismiss him.

“Since the Prince of Zhen’nan has nothing to say, please leave. I have many matters to attend to.”

Zhou Ruyuan felt a tightness in his chest, a faint pain.

If the Shen family had not faced turmoil, they would now be the enviable perfect couple. Instead, they were at odds, as if standing in enemy ranks, ready to fight to the death.

Zhou Ruyuan once again felt what it was like to lose what should have been his and see it in another’s possession.

After Zhou Ruyuan left, Wei Dongzhu finally spoke.

“I don’t like the way he looked at you just now.”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly. “Precious jewels are exquisite and rare; anyone who sees them wants to possess them. He thought I was just a stone—a discarded stone he wouldn’t care about. But if a stone produces a gem, he would regret losing it and even try to reclaim it.”

Wei Dongzhu: “You mean, if you really were just a stone, he would never have looked at you that way?”

Shen Lanxi: “Naturally.”

What twisted logic!

But upon reflection, it seemed quite reasonable.

Still, he didn’t fully agree with her. Whether stone or gem, she was herself.

No matter what Zhou Ruyuan clung to her for, he wouldn’t allow it.

Later, a few more ministers demanded an explanation from Shen Lanxi at the palace gates. Since she refused to see them, rumors began spreading among the people:

“His Majesty hasn’t held court for a long time. Could something have happened to him?”

“Perhaps he’s being held under house arrest by Shen Lanxi, seeking revenge for the Wei Family Army incident.”

“This is not something a mere woman could accomplish alone. Shen Lanxi must have powerful backing.”

“His Majesty’s life is in danger!”

Spurred by the rumors, someone could not sit still.

From thousands of miles away, the Fifth Prince, citing concern for His Majesty’s illness, rushed from his fief to the capital.

Zhen’nan Prince’s Mansion

“Where is the Prince?” Shen Yuantang asked, holding two maids with food boxes.

Two guards blocked the doorway, one on each side.

“The Prince has ordered that no one enter the study.”

Shen Yuantang’s eyes flashed with anger, quickly suppressed.

“I personally prepared a few of the Prince’s favorite dishes. Hurry and report this. If the dishes get cold and the Prince eats them unwell, see how he punishes you!”