RWNEFE -Chapter 413 Emperor Renxiao Turns White-Haired Overnight!

Three days passed, and news of Shen Lanxi’s successful secret rescue was quietly delivered to Emperor Renxiao.

The emperor was overjoyed, and even his complexion improved noticeably. When he attended court, he gave people the impression of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness.

In the secret letter Shen Lanxi sent back, it was stated that the Crown Prince was unwell and would need to recuperate outside for a period of time.

Not long after receiving this message, Emperor Renxiao obtained another confidential report: the Crown Prince had been severely tortured, and Shen Lanxi was secretly searching for renowned physicians to treat him.

“Is his life in danger?” The emperor cared only about this. As long as his life was safe, everything else could be recovered with time.

“There is no danger to his life, only some damage to his appearance. Shen Lanxi also said she feared Your Majesty, having only just recovered from illness, might be frightened by the news.”

Since this was said by his most trusted personal shadow guard, Emperor Renxiao naturally believed it. This was already the last force he could freely command.

After careful consideration, the emperor personally wrote an order summoning Shen Lanxi back.

The Crown Prince was to be settled in a safe place locally to recuperate, while Shen Lanxi alone should return to the capital.

He had already been suppressing the Third Prince for a long time. If he continued to do so, resentment might arise.

At such a moment, it was time once again for Shen Lanxi—his sharpest blade—to step onto the stage.

The two of them had irreconcilable old grudges; even if they confronted each other, the court officials would have nothing to say.

After receiving the order, Shen Lanxi immediately began arranging Zhou Rulin’s recovery.

“The Crown Prince has suffered greatly and has still not regained consciousness. You must swear to protect his safety with your lives.”

Just as Zhou Rulin was about to awaken, he heard Shen Lanxi saying this.

Smelling the strong scent of medicinal ointments, he realized he had been saved. His body and mind suddenly relaxed, and he fell unconscious again.

Shen Lanxi shot Ban Sicao a look. The latter waved the fragrant medicine in his hand and nodded.

He administered the drug; she was at ease.

It would ensure Zhou Rulin heard everything she had said.

“His Majesty has summoned me back to the capital. We will set out immediately.”

The others in the room nodded silently. Only after leaving did Ban Sicao voice his doubt.

“Will anyone become suspicious? After all, the Crown Prince has been in our hands from beginning to end. He hasn’t even met the Fifth Prince.”

Che Mingyuan fanned himself, full of confidence. “Even if it wasn’t so, the Crown Prince would certainly say it was.” As for whether the Crown Prince might secretly investigate later?

Heh… even if he found out the truth, what could he do?

Ban Sicao clicked his tongue, understanding at once.

Those who played at political schemes were far more ruthless than those who played with medicine.

When Emperor Renxiao saw Shen Lanxi’s slightly darkened face, he said with concern,
“Lanxi, you’ve suffered.”

“It was no hardship. To ease Uncle’s worries and to ease Great Zhou’s worries is an honor for Lanxi.”

The emperor’s heart softened again.

“This time your merit is truly great. I can hardly think of any reward suitable for you. Go back and rest at your residence for a few days. After I discuss it with the Ministry of Rites, I will grant you a proper reward.”

Shen Lanxi immediately showed a frightened expression. “Uncle, there’s no need. I rescued the Crown Prince only to relieve your worries, not for reward.”

The emperor liked hearing that.

She had worked so hard, and he had already promised before she set out—naturally, he would not treat her poorly.

But what reward to give really required careful thought.

She was already a first-rank duke. Above that was the rank of a king of a different surname.

Few of his own sons had even been granted princely titles—how could he grant such a title to Shen Lanxi?

Shen Lanxi returned to the Protector Duke’s residence with a pile of rewards.

As soon as she got back, people reported to her what had happened in the capital during her absence.

“The Crown Prince’s consort has passed away. His Majesty has ordered the Second Prince to escort a successor of Guigu into the capital…”

“And there is another matter: the Prince of Zhennan is in contact with the daughter of the Vice Minister of War, seemingly intending to take her into the prince’s residence.”

Shen Lanxi said meaningfully, “It’s time for Bai Qingling to return.”

Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the successor of Guigu, news arrived that the Fifth Prince, Zhou Yunhao, had died of illness.

After reading the letter, Emperor Renxiao felt a sharp pain in his head and fainted again.

Wang Bao hurriedly summoned the imperial physicians. After much effort, they finally managed to revive the emperor.

The emperor dismissed everyone and sat in silence for a long time. At some point he fell asleep. When he awoke groggily, he saw Wang Bao staring at him in terror.

“What is wrong with me?” the emperor asked.

Wang Bao’s frightened gaze fell upon the emperor’s head of white hair, and his heart trembled with fear.

What was to be done? The emperor was in the prime of life, the very time to accomplish great ambitions and govern diligently—how had he suddenly taken on the appearance of an old man?

“Your Majesty… this old servant dares not speak,” Wang Bao said, his legs weakening as he knelt.

The emperor pointed angrily at the attendants behind him. “You, speak!”

All the servants in the room fell to their knees in shock.

Too terrifying—the emperor had turned white-haired overnight. Could this be some kind of omen?

“Guards! Drag these deceivers out and behead them!” the emperor roared in fury.

Wang Bao’s eyes widened. Forgetting all propriety, he hurriedly cried out, “Your Majesty, you mustn’t call anyone—please, don’t!”

Just as the emperor was about to flare up again, Wang Bao crawled forward on his knees and whispered a few words.

White hair?

How could he possibly be completely white-haired?

The emperor staggered to the bronze mirror and saw, to his horror, that the man who had a full head of black hair yesterday now looked like an old man with silver hair.

“Impossible… how could this be? It’s fake—all fake…” The emperor smashed the mirror in agitation.

Wang Bao hurriedly reminded him, “Your Majesty, the urgent matter now is to suspend court and then discuss countermeasures.”

The emperor was nearly driven mad. There were natural disasters, wars, now the death of his son, and his own hair had turned white overnight. Was this Heaven’s punishment?

Was he truly meant to issue a self-accusation edict?

“Your Majesty, when you were ill before, memorials urging the appointment of a Crown Prince were already numerous. In your current state, this must absolutely not be known by the court officials.”

The emperor came back to his senses. A solution had to be found quickly.

“We must first find a way to conceal this head of white hair.”

Wang Bao hesitated, then said, “Among the common people there are wigs, but the workmanship is crude and obvious at a glance.”

The emperor’s eyes lit up. “Summon Lanxi to the palace.”

Wang Bao immediately sent someone to deliver the message.

“Lord Shen is indeed resourceful and filial toward Your Majesty. Surely she will have a way.”

The emperor felt somewhat reassured.

Shen Lanxi entered the palace carrying a box of items. Now everyone in the palace knew that she was in a position of blazing favor and flourishing prestige; no one dared stop her. Wherever she passed, people treated her with exceptional respect.

She arrived unimpeded at the emperor’s bedchamber and, like presenting a treasure, took out the contents of the box.

“Uncle, I’ve already heard from the messenger. I’ve brought a solution.”

The emperor relaxed, feeling as though a great stone had been lifted from his heart.

Curiously, he looked at the bottles and jars she had taken out. “What are these?”

Shen Lanxi said helplessly, “Uncle, I’m afraid you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. In fact… I have the same trouble as you.”