RWNEFE -Chapter 428 Mere Crooked Logic—Don’t Even Think of Shaking Her Dao Heart

Tears brimmed in Shen Yuantang’s eyes, and her gaze was filled with resolute determination.

The dense hatred in her expression struck Shen Lanxi’s very soul.

She had escorted the Shen family all the way, helping them escape pursuit time and again, helping them settle in Dongchuan, helping them survive amid war, helping them return to the capital and gain a firm foothold.

And in return, she received nothing but deep hatred.

At that moment, Shen Lanxi felt lost.

She returned to her room in a daze, looking blankly at everything around her.

Everything she had gained—was it right or wrong?

Should she never have come back at all?

A low knocking sound broke the silence. Shen Lanxi’s eyes slowly refocused, her gaze falling on the hidden door in the wall.

When she opened it, she saw Wei Dongzhu, Ban Sicao, Liu Yanhui, Shen Yuanxu, Shen Yuanjun, Shen Yuankun, and others.

“My Lady, the Eldest Prince has been secretly taken by His Majesty to the imperial estate,” Che Mingyuan reported.

A faint smile spread across Shen Lanxi’s face as her eyes shone while she looked at the people in the secret passage.

It was worth it.

Her return had been worth it.

Mere crooked reasoning could never shake her Dao heart.

“Let’s discuss matters.”

…

In the blink of an eye, Emperor Renxiao’s birthday was approaching, and the family members of the Fifth Prince of Xihuazhou arrived belatedly.

Zhou Ruyuan was responsible for receiving them. As Shen Lanxi passed by in haste, she glanced at them. On the surface, they had come to the capital to mourn, but in reality they were being escorted under guard—the situation of the Fifth Prince’s descendants was probably not good.

After that brief glance, Shen Lanxi withdrew her thoughts. Recently Zhou Ruyuan’s movements had grown bolder. The forces secretly controlled by Zhou Yunshang had all been replaced by his own people.

His ambition was becoming obvious. Shen Lanxi could sense it, and Emperor Renxiao certainly could as well.

“Lanxi, half of the Xihuazhou army has now been integrated. I’ve called you here to ask your opinion—who should train them?”

A glint flashed in Shen Lanxi’s eyes. “Before they are formally incorporated into the Imperial Guards, they remain under the Ministry of War. If Uncle is uneasy, you could have the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of Rites supervise.”

Emperor Renxiao nodded in satisfaction. Lanxi was not someone who tried to seize military power; he had been overthinking.

“Very well, we’ll proceed as you suggest. It follows proper regulations.”

Shen Lanxi continued, “Uncle, the memorial hall for the Wei family army has not yet been completed. Now that the realm is relatively peaceful, should Wei Dongzhu return to supervise its construction?”

Emperor Renxiao’s eyes shifted. He could not tell whether Shen Lanxi was testing him or genuinely proposing it, so he deliberately asked, “Do you have any plans for Wei Dongzhu?”

“None,” Shen Lanxi replied.

Emperor Renxiao softened his tone. “Lanxi, do you have feelings for Wei Dongzhu? If you do—”

Before he could finish, Shen Lanxi interrupted him.

“Uncle, there is no romance in my heart. If the world were already at peace, I would long ago have wandered freely like drifting clouds and wild cranes.”

What Emperor Renxiao thought, however, was whether a woman who held power could truly let it go as easily as she claimed.

He did not believe it.

Since she now said she had no intention of marriage, if she later proposed marrying Wei Dongzhu, it would count as deceiving the throne.

“Lanxi, your temperament is very much like your mother’s.”

Shen Lanxi answered respectfully, “How could I compare to Mother? She is someone untouched by worldly affairs, while I am but an ordinary person.”

Emperor Renxiao smiled. “Your character is good as well.”

Shen Lanxi smiled shyly.

“Right now there are few capable people in court. I’ll use Wei Dongzhu a while longer before letting him go build the memorial hall,” Emperor Renxiao said, already having plans in mind.

“Uncle is wise and farsighted. Keeping Wei Dongzhu must have its purpose,” Shen Lanxi replied.

Emperor Renxiao was very satisfied with her tact and ended his probing there.

“I intend to assign the other half of the Xihuazhou army to Wei Dongzhu and have him take charge of their training.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. “Wei Dongzhu serves Great Zhou with all his heart. He will surely be of help to Uncle.”

As soon as Shen Lanxi left, Emperor Renxiao summoned Wei Dongzhu.

“Minister Wei, I know your brilliance in warfare. Serving as deputy commander of the Imperial Guards in the palace is beneath your talents.”

Wei Dongzhu knelt and said devoutly, “I serve Great Zhou and am loyal to Your Majesty with all my heart. Whether deputy commander or gate guard, I accept it gladly.”

Emperor Renxiao praised him. “The men of the Wei family are truly loyal. I am greatly comforted.”

“I am willing to give my life for Your Majesty,” Wei Dongzhu replied.

Emperor Renxiao smiled. “Earlier I asked Lanxi whether she had feelings for you. She said there is no love in her heart.”

Hearing this, Wei Dongzhu lowered his head, his thoughts unreadable.

Emperor Renxiao’s eyes flickered as he continued, “Let me ask you—have you made any plans regarding marriage? The Wei family army has only you left. I cannot bear it.”

Before he could speak of arranging a marriage, Wei Dongzhu spoke first:

“Your Majesty, thank you for your favor. But I suffer from a hidden ailment and cannot bear to ruin a woman’s life.”

Emperor Renxiao raised his brows. What did he mean?

With restrained grief, Wei Dongzhu continued, “Earlier, in the northwest, I was ambushed and escaped from a fire. My foundation was damaged. I am the last of the Wei family army. After I die, there will be no Wei family army left.”

Emperor Renxiao cast a subtle glance below Wei Dongzhu’s waist and clenched his teeth inwardly.

So that was why neither Shen Lanxi nor Wei Dongzhu spoke of marriage.

“Though the imperial physicians may not be the best in Great Zhou, they are still among the finest. Let them examine you. Only you remain of the Wei family army—I feel guilty.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting me a physician,” Wei Dongzhu said.

The matter of marriage was dropped. Wei Dongzhu had already spoken openly, sacrificing his dignity as a man. If the emperor still forced a marriage—even to a princess—people would call him cruel.

“You may withdraw.”

Yet Emperor Renxiao still half doubted Wei Dongzhu’s words, which was why he sent a physician.

If Wei Dongzhu dared deceive him… a flash of ruthlessness crossed the emperor’s eyes.

The next day, the imperial physician reported:

“Your Majesty, General Wei’s foundation has indeed been damaged by the fire. Even medicine cannot restore it.”

Emperor Renxiao pressed his lips together and asked in a low voice, “Will this affect his ability to command troops?”

“It will not affect his command of troops,” the physician replied. “But he will never again be able to have children, nor perform the act required to produce them.”

After considering this, Emperor Renxiao said, “Do not let this matter be leaked. If it is…”

Feeling overwhelming pressure, the physician trembled. “I will keep it absolutely secret. If this matter leaks from my mouth, may my entire family perish and may I die a terrible death.”

“Prescribe him some medicines to strengthen his body,” the emperor ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

So the last surviving member of the Wei family army would end the line in Wei Dongzhu’s generation.

Emperor Renxiao sighed with mixed emotions.

At that moment, Wang Bao delivered news:

“Your Majesty, there is word from Consort Huan today—she is feeling unwell.”

Emperor Renxiao thought of her soft, graceful figure and frowned slightly. “Send a physician to see her.”

Wang Bao added, “The Office of Palace Affairs reports that Consort Huan has missed her monthly cycle by more than ten days.”

Emperor Renxiao froze for a moment, then joy spread across his face.

“Prepare the carriage. I will go see Consort Huan.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”