RWNEFE -Chapter 414 First Rank—Princess Lanxi!

Emperor Renxiao was stunned. What did she mean?

Shen Lanxi said, “Back when the Shen family was exiled, I couldn’t bear the blow and my hair turned white overnight. At that time I had to support the family and couldn’t let outsiders notice, so I used ink to dye my hair black to hide it for a while.”

Emperor Renxiao felt a mix of emotions as he listened. He was moved by how hard life had been for this junior relative, and at the same time felt that the two of them shared a similar fate.

She continued, “Later I discovered that although ink could dye the hair black, as soon as it met water or sweat it would run and stain the face. Then, on the road of exile, I met a merchant who sold cosmetic powder. His family was a centuries-old lineage, but its members often went white-haired early. So they specially developed a hair-dye paste. After applying it, it won’t fade when wet, and over time you only need to reapply it to the newly grown white hair.”

Emperor Renxiao found it hard to believe such a miraculous thing existed and stared curiously at Shen Lanxi’s hair.

Right in front of him, Shen Lanxi loosened her hair.

“Uncle, in order to remember the hardships of exile, when I dyed my hair I deliberately left a strand in the middle as a keepsake.”

The emperor saw it clearly—amid the black hair on the top of her head, there really was a streak of white.

No wonder she often styled her hair like a man’s; it was to cover that strand.

Wang Bao took the dye paste to the imperial physicians for examination. After confirming it was non-toxic, he nodded to the emperor.

“How is it applied? Lanxi, quickly help me dye my hair,” Emperor Renxiao said excitedly. He was so delighted that even the news of his son’s death the previous day seemed less important.

He had many sons, but there was only one throne.

Just one rebellious son—he could not be allowed to shake his rule.

After demonstrating once, Shen Lanxi began teaching the palace maids step by step.

Two hours later, Emperor Renxiao looked at his dried, black hair in the mirror and was momentarily dazed.

Had his hair always been this black?

“With this black hair, Your Majesty looks more than ten years younger,” Wang Bao exclaimed in amazement.

Standing before the bronze mirror, the emperor also felt completely different.

He had already tested it—the black dye truly did not fade.

Lanxi really was the one who solved his worries.

At that moment, Emperor Renxiao knew how he would reward Shen Lanxi.

Lanxi’s character was worthy of being compared to a princess.

No sooner had Shen Lanxi returned to her residence than an imperial edict arrived.

“By the Mandate of Heaven… Shen Lanxi is hereby bestowed the title of Princess Lanxi, ranked First Grade, granted a princess’s residence, and a fief of one thousand households…”

Wang Bao smilingly handed the edict to Shen Lanxi.

“Congratulations, Princess Lanxi. You are the first princess of a different surname in Great Zhou—truly cause for celebration!”

Shen Lanxi personally presented generous gratuities to the attendants who had come to deliver the decree, giving each of them a share.

“His Majesty says such a great event should be celebrated. However, since the Fifth Prince met with misfortune at Yanghe, it should be done discreetly.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. I understand,” Shen Lanxi replied.

After seeing Wang Bao off, Shen Lanxi read the note he had secretly left and casually tossed it into the brazier.

“On the surface, His Majesty does not intend to pursue the Fifth Prince’s matter, but the two hundred thousand troops he brought are to be taken over by the court.”

Che Mingyuan asked, “Will His Majesty send you to take over?”

“By rights, that should fall under the Ministry of War. Most of Zhou Ruyuan’s forces have been sent to the southwest—he certainly won’t miss this opportunity.”

Che Mingyuan smiled. “After the Fifth Prince’s affair, His Majesty is clearly wary of princes holding military power. This is the time for us to remain still.”

Shen Lanxi curled her lips in a smile. “Exactly.”

After all, she now had a holiday.

“How are my father and grandmother?”

Che Mingyuan said, “You’ve been so busy with official duties that you haven’t visited in a long time. If the court officials get the chance, they’ll certainly accuse you of being unfilial.”

“Then I’ll go fulfill my filial duty,” Shen Lanxi replied.

The news that Shen Lanxi had been granted the title of princess did not cause much of a stir.

After all, the emperor had already appointed her as an assistant regent. A mere princess title could hardly compare to the real power of a regent entrusted with the state.

No matter how grand the title or how large the fief, it was mostly nominal—little of it would actually be received.

The court was poor, and the treasury empty; everyone in the capital knew this.

The Ministry of Revenue submitted memorials for funds three times a day; stacked together, they were said to be as high as a roof.

“The Protector Duke has returned!” The gatekeeper ran in from afar to announce the news.

Recently, the Shen household had been shrouded in gloom. Especially after Shen Lanxi left the capital to rescue the Crown Prince, the emperor had placed the Shen family under semi-confinement in the name of protection.

The gates of the Shen residence had not been opened for a long time.

Behind Shen Lanxi followed several guards carrying gifts, most of them imperial rewards marked with the royal insignia.

“Has Grandmother’s health improved?”

Shen Lanxi had the items placed in the courtyard.

“These are all rewards from His Majesty. Grandmother may distribute them as she sees fit.”

When Old Madam Shen saw the goods, much of the gloom in her heart dissipated.

“My granddaughter has worked hard—you’ve grown thinner and darker.” Distribute them? Those ingrates didn’t deserve her good things. Later she would have someone move everything into her own storeroom.

“His Majesty sent me on assignments before, so I didn’t have time to look after things at home.”

“State affairs come first,” Old Madam Shen said. “Your grandmother is here to watch over the family.”

Noticing that some festive decorations in the house had not yet been removed, Shen Lanxi chatted with her for a while.

“Yuanxin and Yuanruan have both married, and several other girls have wedding dates coming up. So we didn’t take down the decorations—just to keep the festive air.”

“Grandmother, they should be taken down,” Shen Lanxi reminded her, then told her about the Fifth Prince’s death.

“Although everyone in the capital knows the Fifth Prince rebelled, if His Majesty does not speak, who would dare say anything?”

Old Madam Shen was deeply shocked, then sighed in relief. “Fortunately, such news hasn’t spread. The common people know nothing.”

“For the upcoming marriages of my younger sisters, we should be cautious. If His Majesty announces a period of mourning, the dates must not conflict.”

Old Madam Shen took note and quickly ordered servants to remove all the red cloth and lanterns from the courtyard.

“Store them in the warehouse. If nothing happens, we can use them again.”

Shen Lanxi smiled. “With Grandmother as the family’s anchor, I feel much more at ease handling matters outside.”

Old Madam Shen secretly glanced at Shen Lanxi. Seeing her smile without any trace of resentment, she slowly withdrew her gaze.

After leaving her grandmother’s courtyard, Shen Lanxi went to her mother’s residence.

“Mother, Lanxi has returned,” she said, having the gifts she brought placed to one side.

Zhou Xinrou glanced at them casually and then looked away. “It’s good that you’re back. Rest well.”

“I’ve made Mother worry. His Majesty has granted me a few days’ leave.”

Zhou Xinrou looked at her daughter. This child was becoming harder and harder to understand.

“You may go back now. Yuantang will be here soon.” If the two met, they would only quarrel again—it was exhausting.

“I won’t disturb Mother’s rest,” Shen Lanxi said, withdrawing.

As she left, she ran into Madam Liu.

Recently, Madam Liu, Madam Miao, and Madam Tian—the three sisters-in-law—had been busy arranging the younger generation’s marriages, so busy they were nearly dizzy.

The wedding dates of the sons and daughters in the family were all clustered together, and everything had to be managed by the three of them.

Among them was the marriage of Madam Liu’s second son, Shen Yuankun. She had been worrying about whom to consult about it.

“Lanxi, wonderful—I finally ran into you,” Madam Liu said happily.

“Second Aunt, is something the matter?”

Madam Liu slowly put away her smile, her face filling with worry.