RWNEFE -Chapter 406 Zhou Yunshang Is Pushed Forward by Civil and Military Officials

The two guards stood firm, refusing to budge an inch.

Shen Yuantang’s face darkened, fury burning inside her. Even her servants were showing no respect—if she were the Prince of Zhen’nan’s legitimate wife, how dare they behave like this?

“Prince, I have a report for you!” Shen Yuantang shouted into the house.

After a moment, the door creaked open.

Zhou Ruyuan’s face was cold and frowning as he looked at the commotion outside. He had originally treated Shen Yuantang with consideration out of respect for Shen Lanxi, but now he couldn’t believe her lack of propriety.

“Why aren’t you at the Shen residence? What are you doing here?” Zhou Ruyuan asked coldly.

Shen Yuantang froze. Was the Prince blaming her for returning home too often?

“Prince, I am your secondary consort and should reside in the Zhen’nan Prince’s mansion. But because there were recent issues at the Shen residence, which have now been resolved, I naturally returned to manage the affairs of the mansion properly.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s tone grew colder. “I asked you, what is your purpose in coming here?”

Shen Yuantang’s heart skipped a beat. Why was he speaking to her so sternly? She must have misheard.

“Prince, I’ve heard about the happenings in the palace, so I inquired with my family and quickly brought the information to you.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes flickered. “What information?”

Shen Yuantang’s eyes brightened as she smiled. “His Majesty is in good health. There’s nothing wrong.”

Zhou Ruyuan lowered his gaze, thinking carefully about who had gone to the palace gates to make a fuss. He realized that the Left Chancellor and several close confidants of his father hadn’t gone.

If Father were seriously ill, they would be the first to worry.

Now, not only were they unconcerned, but they even avoided the situation—clearly, they knew what was happening.

“Tell me carefully everything you learned,” Zhou Ruyuan said, his tone softening.

A smile appeared on Shen Yuantang’s face. She said in a coy voice, “I’ve also prepared some delicious dishes.”

“Bring them in,” Zhou Ruyuan said, turning to enter the room.

Shen Yuantang shyly followed.

Inside the palace, the consorts were panicked. Using the excuse of paying respects to the Empress, none of them wanted to leave.

“Your Majesty, what should we do now?”

“Shen Lanxi is in charge of the palace now. How are we different from being imprisoned?”

“Could it be that Shen Lanxi has gone rogue?”

“We can’t wait until we’re given white silk or poisoned wine to find out, can we?”

“If we’re going to die, at least we want to die knowing why! Your Majesty, you are the Empress—please support us and make decisions for us…”

Was Qi Yingqun not anxious?

She was, indeed.

Her aides were scattered across the palace, every courtyard in the inner palace had Imperial Guards stationed, and her intelligence network was completely blocked. No news could come in, and none could go out.

There was no way Shen Lanxi could have this much power without someone backing her.

Who could it be?

Even if, at the extreme, there really was a plot to rebel, they wouldn’t dare harm her as Empress.

Once His Majesty passed, she would become the Empress Dowager.

But being controlled and manipulated in this way—how uncomfortable it felt! Perhaps one day a white silk cord would be around her neck, while the outside world would think she followed His Majesty willingly.

“Useless lot, crying won’t help. All this noise is giving me a headache,” Qi Yingqun said, pressing a hand to her forehead. Suddenly, an idea came to her.

That afternoon, Shen Lanxi received news from the inner palace that a consort had fallen seriously ill and needed the Imperial Physicians.

Shen Lanxi sneered coldly. “Approved.”

At night, a figure crept into the Grand Princess’s mansion.

“Princess, His Majesty is indeed seriously ill and may not have long to live.”

Zhou Yunshang smiled grimly. “Good. I was worried he wasn’t ill. Shen Lanxi really is audacious!”

“Consort, go notify our people. When the Fifth Prince returns to the capital, we strike.”

Wang Minxing bowed and carried out the orders.

Soon, the sons of many officials learned that the Renzhao Emperor’s days were numbered, and they passed the news to their elders.

The next day, all officials gathered outside the palace gates, citing “clearing the court of corruption” as their reason, and denounced Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi did not appear. The officials, enraged, actually tried to storm the palace.

The Imperial Guards were ordered to stop them, but in the scuffle, three civil officials were accidentally injured.

The officials were momentarily shocked, then began discussing bringing reinforcements and the princes.

Unfortunately, the information they received from the city outskirts reported that Zhou Ruyuan had been injured in the head and leg during training and had not yet awakened.

Currently, the only adult prince in the capital was Zhou Ruyuan; the others were too young and confined in the inner palace.

One official suddenly suggested having Zhou Yunshang step forward to take charge.

“The Grand Princess is the eldest princess of our Great Zhou, wise and virtuous, never at fault. It is most fitting to have her step forward and preside over the situation!”

“But the Grand Princess is a woman; I fear it may be inappropriate.”

“Why inappropriate? Shen Lanxi is also a woman. She isn’t even of royal blood and became Lord Juding. The Grand Princess is of direct royal lineage; how is that inappropriate?”

“Indeed, in terms of status, the Grand Princess is most suitable.”

Zhou Yunshang was quickly pushed forward, standing outside the palace gates to confront Shen Lanxi.

“Shen Lanxi, are you plotting rebellion?” Zhou Yunshang approached slowly under the ceremonial guards, her face full of arrogance.

“I am the royal Grand Princess. I now suspect you of abusing your power to imprison my father and stage a rebellion!”

“Grand Princess, when we came to reprimand her earlier, Shen Lanxi did not allow the palace gates to be opened. Clearly, she insists on acting on her own and resisting to the end.”

“Grand Princess, Shen Lanxi is already lawless, showing no respect for hierarchy. Good advice has no effect on her anymore.”

Zhou Yunshang sneered. “Guards, bring her forward!”

A group of soldiers appeared, and immediately the Shen family members were pushed outside the palace gates.

The civil and military officials looked at each other, not daring to speak loudly.

Zhou Yunshang said, “Shen Lanxi, if you don’t come out, don’t blame me for harming your family!”

The Shen family huddled together in terror.

Even Shen Congwen, injured in his leg, was brought by Zhou Yunshang’s palace soldiers.

The women of the family clung to each other, crying.

They still hadn’t fully comprehended what was happening—how did they suddenly get dragged here?

It seemed the Grand Princess intended to use them to threaten Shen Lanxi.

They had become human pawns to pressure Shen Lanxi.

The palace gates remained closed, and Shen Lanxi appeared atop the palace wall.

“Zhou Yunshang, you brought my family here to coerce me into opening the palace gates. Are you plotting rebellion?” Her cold voice carried down to the city below.

Zhou Yunshang sneered arrogantly. “The one plotting rebellion is you!”

Shen Lanxi: “You claim I’m rebelling—do you have evidence?”

Before Zhou Yunshang could answer, the civil and military officials began to speak against her.

“Shen Lanxi, why is there no news at all of His Majesty?”

“Even if His Majesty were unwell, the princes and palace ministers should still be informed of state affairs.”

“Now we cannot even see His Majesty. Do you dare say you are not the one obstructing this?”