RWNEFE -Chapter 408 Shen Lanxi Is Promoted to First-Rank Duke Protector of the State

Seeing the Renzhao Emperor’s expression start to shift again, Wang Bao hurried forward to support him.

“Your Majesty, the Grand Princess claimed that you were being impersonated, and I pointed out that she was the rebel impersonator. Otherwise, how could she have spoken such words of rebellion and disobedience?”

The Emperor felt much more at ease. If his daughter wasn’t being impersonated, then someone must have been stirring her on behind the scenes. Otherwise, how could she commit such rebellious and improper acts?

“Reasonable. Once the treacherous rebels are captured, I will personally interrogate them.”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

Shen Lanxi stood atop the city wall and shouted, “The Grand Princess Zhou Yunshang acts against all norms, committing heinous and impious deeds, provoking both gods and men! Heaven and Earth decree her destruction!”

“His Majesty, knowing that you were misled by the Grand Princess, has decided to pardon you for the past. Return home at once, so as not to be used as leverage against the Emperor!”

The civil and military officials exchanged glances once again at Shen Lanxi’s words.

Could it really be true? What if it were fake?

But they weren’t actually loyal to the Grand Princess or the Fifth Prince, were they? The law does not punish the masses, and with so many of them, if His Majesty truly blamed them, who would govern the state afterward?

For now, they chose to believe her and deal with the consequences later.

Just as the officials were about to leave, Zhou Yunshang issued an order: “Seize them!”

“Anyone who tries to leave today will be executed without mercy!”

The officials froze. They had brought the Grand Princess in to pressure Shen Lanxi with her royal blood, but inviting a god proved easier than dismissing one. Now, they had unwittingly led themselves into a trap.

Zhou Yunshang waved her hand again, signaling her private soldiers forward.

But instead of attacking the city, she arrogantly ordered, “Bring all the families of the Imperial Guards! I want to see how long the men inside can hold out.”

The officials were terrified. Now she was using the Imperial Guards’ families to threaten the soldiers inside. Who would be next?

Regret washed over them—they had schemed so much, only to make a “wedding robe” for someone else.

“Shen Lanxi, if you do not open the gates, don’t blame me for giving you no chance!” Zhou Yunshang shouted recklessly.

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly. “I will open the gates, but first you must answer a question.”

Zhou Yunshang, feeling pleased with herself, thought: Shen Lanxi is so arrogant, yet she’s now under my control.

“Ask, but whether I answer is up to my mood.”

Shen Lanxi: “When did you and the Fifth Prince collude?”

Zhou Yunshang sneered, “Collude? What do you mean by collude?”

“My bond with the Fifth Prince is one of deep sibling-like loyalty. How could a selfish woman like you possibly understand?”

Shen Lanxi: “Since you two are so loyal, let’s make a bet.”

Zhou Yunshang snorted coldly and said nothing.

“We’ll bet on whether the Fifth Prince will rescue you if you fall into prison.”

Zhou Yunshang’s face darkened. She shouted angrily, “How dare you! Even facing death you talk so much. Once my plan succeeds, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

Shen Lanxi smirked and made a hand signal.

Zhou Yunshang’s private soldiers turned and formed a line, stepping back.

“What are you doing? I haven’t ordered you! How dare you move?”

The palace gates opened, and two columns of Imperial Guards emerged from the palace.

Wei Dongzhu raised his hand. “The Grand Princess attempts to force the palace and rebel. Seize her and imprison her in the Heavenly Prison!”

“Yes!”

Zhou Yunshang screamed, “How dare you?”

“Cut down the Shen family immediately!”

But the private soldiers seemed deaf to her commands, standing still.

Zhou Yunshang’s face drained of blood. Impossible! Her own troops, how could they disobey?

Wei Dongzhu said coldly, “The Grand Princess’ private soldiers are already in the Heavenly Prison. Once she enters, they will be reunited.”

Cold sweat poured down Zhou Yunshang. How could this be?

Her uprising had been decided on the spot. How could Shen Lanxi’s forces have reacted so quickly?

“Conspiracy… it’s all a conspiracy!”

“Shen Lanxi, you framed me… it’s you!”

She finally understood—but it was too late.

Zhou Yunshang stumbled to the ground, wailing in anguish.

An hour later, Shen Lanxi returned to report to the Renzhao Emperor.

“Your Majesty, the Grand Princess clenched her teeth and did not utter a word.”

The Renzhao Emperor said coldly, “It’s all my fault for raising her ambition.”

Shen Lanxi: “According to reports from the search of the Grand Princess’ mansion, they encountered resistance. After capturing the private soldiers, a large cache of weapons, armor, and silver was found there.”

The Emperor’s eyes moved. “Leave the mansion search to others for now. Lanxi, today the Shen family was frightened—return to the mansion first and calm them.”

Shen Lanxi: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

After taking down Zhou Yunshang, she ordered the Shen family returned home.

No sooner had she left the palace than the Renzhao Emperor was attacked.

Before she could reach her own door, the Emperor had urgently summoned her back.

“Uncle, who attacked you?” Shen Lanxi ran to his side.

Wang Bao answered for the Emperor: “The culprit committed suicide immediately after the attack.”

Shen Lanxi said grimly, “It must have been a spy who infiltrated earlier.”

The Emperor’s shoulder was injured, bleeding heavily, but not life-threatening. His already weak constitution was further strained.

“Lanxi, you must save the Crown Prince.”

Shen Lanxi: “Don’t worry, Uncle. Even if it costs my life, I will retrieve the Crown Prince from the Fifth Prince’s hands.”

After speaking, the Emperor’s eyes half-closed, and he drifted into sleep.

Wang Bao handed Shen Lanxi an imperial edict: “For your meritorious service in rescuing the Emperor, Shen Lanxi is granted first-rank nobility, promoted to Duke Protector of the State.”

Shen Lanxi accepted the edict with both hands.

News of the assassination attempt quickly spread, but no one dared to test her this time.

Civil and military officials all hid at home, fearing another trap like last time.

“His Majesty appoints the Left Prime Minister, the Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion, the Senior Tutor, and Shen Lanxi to jointly handle state affairs!” Wang Bao read the edict, ignored the commotion, handed it to Shen Lanxi, and left calmly.

Shen Lanxi: “The Fifth Prince has entered the capital under the pretense of attending to illness with troops. Lords, is there a way to counter him?”

The officials, each previously having personal agendas, immediately set them aside, focusing solely on this matter.

“The Fifth Prince left his fief without summons, which is an act of rebellion. I believe troops should be dispatched to suppress him!”

“I concur!”

“I have concerns—how many troops does the Fifth Prince have? How many do we have in the capital?”

Shen Lanxi’s question immediately sobered the officials.

“Who knows how many troops are currently in the capital?” she asked.

The civil officials all looked to the military officials.

The military, led by Zhao Zheng, were underwhelming; Zhao Zheng was merely a titular Marquis of Yong’an, all show, no substance.

Just as the civil officials withdrew their disappointed gazes, Zhao Zheng wobbled forward.

“Besides the Capital Guard and the Imperial Guards, there is also the City Defense Army.”

“The Capital Guard and Imperial Guards are commanded by Lord Shen; the City Defense Army is under the command of the Zhen Nan Wang. Their numbers should be recorded in the military registry.”