RWNEFE -Chapter 438 Stirring Up Trouble

Seeing the conversation grow more and more outrageous, Old Madam Shen felt her vision darken.

“Second, third, and fourth daughters-in-law, hurry and stop their mouths!”

“If you don’t know how to speak, then don’t. You’ve disgraced yourselves all the way from Jiangnan to the capital!”

Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang exchanged glances. Something was wrong—something in this household wasn’t right.

“Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, stop talking!”

“Lanxi, was there nothing going on at court today? Why did you come back so early?”

“Steward, quickly tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes and stew a nourishing soup!”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the steward quickly accepted the order with a smile and hurried away.

The entire family’s reaction made Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang’s hearts skip a beat.

Only then ‘did they remember that before the Shen family’s troubles, they hadn’t interacted much with Lanxi. The few times they had seen her, she had always been polite and distant.

The tone they had just used might work with other nieces and nephews—but not with Shen Lanxi.

The more they thought about it, the paler their faces became.

“Lanxi, your two aunts haven’t seen you in a long time. They were just so happy that they forgot their manners.”

“Grandmother guarantees they won’t dare do it again.”

Old Madam Shen speaking in such a humble tone left Shen Shuniang, Shen Huiniang, and the children they had brought utterly stunned.

This wasn’t how one spoke to a granddaughter—it was like coaxing an ancestor.

“Look at my mouth!” Shen Shuniang said, pretending to slap her cheek lightly. “Lanxi, I’m sorry. Your aunt’s mouth is like this—sometimes what should be good words end up sounding bad.”

Seeing Shen Shuniang lower herself, Shen Huiniang hurriedly slapped her own face twice as well.

“Lanxi, I brought osmanthus chestnuts and glutinous rice from Jiangnan. I’ve already had them soaked. Tonight I’ll make Jiangnan-style osmanthus cakes and chestnut cakes for you.”

“And there’s ham and dried whitebait too.”

The two sisters tried hard to smooth things over.

Shen Lanxi said nothing, and the atmosphere froze.

“Grandmother, let the two aunts stay in your courtyard. There are some places in the Duke Protector’s residence that outsiders are not permitted to enter.”

Old Madam Shen quickly assured her, “Don’t worry. Grandmother will keep an eye on them and won’t let them wander about.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. “I still have to go out later. Don’t wait for me at lunch.”

“Alright.”

Shen Lanxi changed into plain clothes and soon left again.

…

“Mother, the way Lanxi acts—it’s terrifying,” Shen Shuniang finally dared to speak after Shen Lanxi had been gone for a while.

Old Madam Shen frowned and warned her daughters.

“If you want to live peacefully, don’t provoke her, understand?”

Shen Huiniang was unconvinced and began probing, “Mother, why? You’re an elder—why be so afraid of a junior? If this got out, people would laugh at us to death.”

Old Madam Shen rolled her eyes at them. “What do you know? If you have time, go outside and ask how the people of the capital talk about her.”

Did they think she wanted to act this way?

She was afraid—truly afraid.

“Mother, why go outside to ask? Can’t you just tell us?”

“Yes, what outsiders say won’t be as detailed as what you know. What if they talk nonsense—are we supposed to believe it or not?”

“That’s right, Mother, just tell us. Or we can go ask a few of our sisters-in-law.”

Afraid her sons might reveal her most embarrassing experiences, Old Madam Shen hurriedly stopped them and explained, “Lanxi is no longer what she once was. I don’t believe you haven’t heard of her deeds in Jiangnan.”

Shen Shuniang curled her lip. “We’ve heard some things—but they sounded rather exaggerated.”

Taking Dongchuan and the Northwest one after another? When the Shen family was still thriving, they had often stayed here and had never once heard of Shen Lanxi practicing martial arts.

“Mother, could it be that people exaggerated?”

“It must be that our Shen family is backing Shen Lanxi, right?”

“And even if not our family, then the Princess must be supporting her. What use is building such a reputation for a woman? It would be better to support the men of our family.”

“Yes, the Princess is far too biased. Mother and Elder Brother should have advised her.”

Seeing her daughters grow more and more ridiculous, Old Madam Shen struck the table again to warn them.

“What do you know? The Duke Protector’s residence was earned by Lanxi herself. It has nothing to do with the family.”

As for whether it had anything to do with the Princess—that was harder to say.

But it was also true that Shen Lanxi had long enjoyed favor in the palace; being favored was only natural.

Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang curled their lips. They didn’t believe it at all.

If women were truly that capable, what would men be for?

Women were naturally inferior to men. Not to mention going to war—even in farming, women’s strength was less than men’s.

Their mother must simply fear the imperial family, so she exaggerated Shen Lanxi’s importance.

“Mother, His Majesty governs the nation through filial piety. He dislikes those who disrespect their elders the most. Lanxi’s attitude toward you—if it spreads, people will surely criticize her.”

“Mother, Elder Brother serves in court and values reputation. Lanxi is still young and doesn’t understand many rites. Elder Brother, out of concern for appearances, surely won’t restrain her much. These younger members of the Shen family still need you to discipline them more.”

“How wonderful things were when nothing had happened to the Shen family before. The whole family was harmonious, and there weren’t so many taboos.”

“Exactly. I really miss those days. Back then everyone respected Mother, and when we came back to stay for a while, no one said anything.”

“Not like now—the whole family feels distant. We came, and they can’t wait to send us away. Who behaves like this?”

Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang went on and on. At first Old Madam Shen refuted and scolded them a few times, but in the end, whether from exhaustion or because their words had begun to sink in, she fell silent and merely listened.

…

As the date of Emperor Renxiao’s birthday banquet drew near, envoys from all directions had mostly arrived.

Only the envoys sent by the two rebel kings had yet to appear.

As usual, Shen Lanxi and Zhou Ruyuan were at the relay station to receive guests.

“In Lord Shen’s opinion, could it be that the two rebels are afraid of Great Zhou and won’t come at all?” Zhou Ruyuan asked.

Not only envoys but also officials from various regions had gathered, creating a scene of flourishing prosperity. Even Zhou Ruyuan felt stirred by it.

Shen Lanxi replied, “His Majesty has already sent people to investigate. There’s no need for us to be anxious.”

Zhou Ruyuan glanced at her, lounging in a corner and leisurely drinking tea. She had broken precedent by becoming a woman serving in court, yet she did not know how to cultivate influence. With only an empty title, she was destined not to go far.

If only the Imperial Guards under her command could be brought under his own command…

Thinking of the advice from Master Caolu, Zhou Ruyuan’s expression grew obscure.

Near noon, Bai Qingling arrived.

“Your Highness, Lord Shen.”

As officials responsible for receiving envoys, Zhou Ruyuan and Shen Lanxi were expected to accompany the guests at meals.

“Why have you come?” Zhou Ruyuan hadn’t expected Bai Qingling to appear and frowned subconsciously, glancing to the side.

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Princess Consort, you are truly as beautiful as a flower. Your Highness and the Princess Consort standing together are perfectly matched.”

Zhou Ruyuan felt stifled.

Bai Qingling’s smile was radiant, but a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes.