RWNEFE -Chapter 430 Threats from the Two Rebel Kings!

Shen Lanxi also received an invitation to the wedding. Ironically, she had only attended the Fifth Prince’s funeral the day before.

Emperor Renxiao was unwilling to wait even a single day longer.

“Send the invitation to the Old Madam and have her arrange for someone to attend.”

Shen Lanxi herself would certainly go as well; she just did not know how Emperor Renxiao would arrange things.

After all, the wedding and the conferral of the princely title were on the same day, and many matters needed to be handled. Zhou Rulin was the legitimate son of the late Empress, so in principle these affairs should have been managed by the Empress.

Unfortunately, ever since Consort Shu’s miscarriage, the Empress had continuously claimed illness and stayed out of public view. No matter how much Emperor Renxiao wanted to give Zhou Rulin a grand ceremony, he would not let the Empress force herself to manage it while ill.

Likewise, Consort Shu had also remained “ill” since her miscarriage. Moreover, that miscarriage had been caused because of the Eldest Prince’s consort; no matter how much Emperor Renxiao wanted to give face to his son, he could not have Consort Shu come out in illness to manage the wedding.

After much deliberation, Emperor Renxiao decided to hand the Eldest Prince’s wedding to the Ministry of Rites.

With the imperial decree conferring the princely title backing it, even if some details did not fully conform to ceremonial rules, the court officials would not be able to find major fault.

While on duty conducting inspections, Shen Lanxi saw guards hurriedly carrying an urgent dispatch—sent by express over eight hundred li—into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Not long after, she learned the contents of the dispatch.

“Your Majesty, the two rebel traitors are simply audacious beyond measure. This minister requests immediate deployment of troops to attack them!”

“I second the motion!”

“I second the motion!”

“That would be unwise. All our forces are currently committed to defending the fortresses. It would be inappropriate to withdraw troops from any front.”

“This matter must be considered carefully!”

“The two rebels dare to threaten the safety of Great Zhou. Their treacherous ambitions remain unextinguished—we must strike back fiercely, or won’t Great Zhou be at their mercy?”

In the great hall, officials argued endlessly, voices overlapping.

Emperor Renxiao had a splitting headache. His refraining from attacking the two rebels had already been an act of leniency, yet they shamelessly joined forces with others to threaten him!

He did have troops—but those two hundred thousand soldiers had not yet been fully brought under control. If they rebelled on the battlefield and defected to the two rebels, it would only make the rebels even more arrogant.

“Your Majesty, the two rebels also say they will send envoys to negotiate. They clearly do not take Great Zhou seriously. If those envoys dare to come, let them never return.”

“No, no—when two armies are at war, one does not kill envoys. That is an ancestral rule!”

“What rules? They no longer acknowledge our ancestors, so why should we acknowledge rules!”

“We cannot allow them to grow more arrogant!”

The arguing flared up again.

Overwhelmed, Emperor Renxiao instinctively looked toward Shen Lanxi.

She was a minister he relied upon; others might harbor ulterior motives, but she would not.

“Lanxi, tell us—what should be done?”

The hall fell silent at once. Some officials looked disdainful, some watched for amusement, others pondered, but no one interrupted.

“I believe we might employ a strategy of delay,” Shen Lanxi said.

The military officials gathered together and discussed quietly whether it was feasible.

The civil officials also formed their own cluster, whispering among themselves.

Emperor Renxiao pondered. “Delay brings resolution”—he understood her meaning.

But still…

“How exactly would we delay?”

The two rebels could not be allowed to remain forever.

Shen Lanxi spoke fluently, “Great Zhou’s reputation is illustrious, its power awe-inspiring in all directions. It so happens that Your Majesty’s birthday is approaching, and envoys from all quarters will surely come to offer congratulations. Why not change the date for receiving annual tribute and move it to the day of the birthday celebration? Then let the envoys of those two rebels witness the vast strength of Great Zhou, frighten them out of their wits, and see whether they still dare to be so arrogant.”

Emperor Renxiao nodded.

“Let the two rebels understand that Your Majesty has not sent troops against them out of compassion for the people, not out of fear, and certainly not out of fear of rebellion.”

“Great Zhou’s forces are mighty, and talent abounds. Your Majesty commands countless elite soldiers and capable generals—any one of them could crush the rebels with a single finger.”

The civil officials murmured; this was indeed a good way to subdue the enemy without fighting.

The military officials also whispered among themselves; this would be an excellent opportunity to display the might of the army.

“I believe Lord Shen’s words are reasonable,” said the civil officials.

“We also believe Lord Shen’s words are reasonable,” said the military officials.

Seeing both civil and military officials express agreement with this delaying strategy, Emperor Renxiao went along with it.

“After court is dismissed, the regent ministers, Shen Lanxi, and the Ministry of War officials are to remain.”

An official then spoke up: “Your Majesty, Prince Zhen’nan is the war god of Great Zhou, his fame spreading far and wide. If he participates in this matter, the deterrent effect will certainly be even greater.”

Emperor Renxiao looked at the official, a trace of displeasure flashing in his eyes, though his face showed an expression as if he had just remembered.

“Prince Zhen’nan has recently been occupied with arranging matters for the Fifth Prince’s family. I nearly forgot.”

“Prince Zhen’nan shall remain as well.”

“Yes,” Zhou Ruyuan replied.

There was still more than a month before Emperor Renxiao’s birthday, so arrangements could still be made in time.

After more than an hour of discussion, it was finally decided that Shen Lanxi and Zhou Ruyuan would be responsible for security and defense, while Prince Chen would handle reception.

The regent ministers would supervise and fill any gaps, and the Ministry of War would assist.

More detailed divisions of responsibility would be arranged later by the regent ministers.

Between Prince Zhen’nan and Prince Chen, Emperor Renxiao outwardly appeared to treat both equally.

When Shen Lanxi returned to the residence, she found the household in a cheerful atmosphere.

Shen Yuantang approached with a gift in hand, looking obedient. “Elder Sister, Yuantang knows she was wrong. I’ve brought a gift to apologize to the family. Please forgive me, Elder Sister.”

Shen Lanxi looked at the exquisite set of hair ornaments in the box without speaking.

“Is Elder Sister still unwilling to forgive me? Then next time I come, I’ll carry a bundle of thorns on my back and plead for forgiveness in the ancient manner,” Shen Yuantang said pitifully, wiping her tears.

“Lanxi, Yuantang has already admitted her mistake to us,” the Old Madam said, having received benefits and now speaking on Shen Yuantang’s behalf.

Madam Liu and the others, however, saw Shen Lanxi’s expression and did not dare to speak lightly.

“Elder Sister, I know I shouldn’t have lost my temper at that concubine, but I couldn’t help it. Do you know what she looks like?”

“I don’t blame Father, but I couldn’t refrain from venting anger on Mother’s behalf, so I acted that way. Elder Sister, I was wrong—I won’t dare do it again!” Shen Yuantang looked completely sincere in her apology.

Shen Lanxi slowly curved her lips into a smile. “I accept your goodwill.”

Chunxue stepped forward and put away the hair ornaments.

“I also understand what you mean,” Shen Lanxi added.

Shen Yuantang’s brows twitched, her eyes flickering.

Today she really had come to apologize sincerely. She had humbled herself so much—surely Elder Sister would forgive her now?

“Elder Sister, I’ve already gone to see Mother. She said I’m still young and inexperienced, and that she will teach and guide me more in the future.”

Shen Lanxi followed her words smoothly. “In that case, your punishment will be this: every morning and evening, you are to go pay your respects to Mother and listen to her teachings.”

Shen Yuantang hesitated, saying nothing.

“What? You’re unwilling?”

Shen Yuantang quickly replied, “Elder Sister, I’m already married into the Prince Zhen’nan’s residence. Going in and out depends on Bai Qingling’s mood. I’m afraid that if I come every day, she may not agree.”