RWNEFE -Chapter 448 Shen Lanxi Takes on the Heavy Responsibility of Raising Grain Supplies

Shen Lanxi was furious and immediately mocked them in return: “So you’ve probably been waiting a long time for a chance like this—to frame me, haven’t you!”

The three regent ministers stood there, full of righteous airs, looking as if they were unwilling to associate with Shen Lanxi at all.

Wu Yanzhi sneered. “Lord Shen certainly has sharp eyes and a sharper tongue. I just wonder whether you’ll be able to resolve the disaster you’ve caused.”

Shen Lanxi, unable to hold back, said, “It’s only next year’s grain supplies. Is it really worth it for you to disregard even the dignity of Great Zhou?”

The Grand Tutor snorted coldly. “Easy for you to say. Only someone who doesn’t understand the hardships of the common people would claim that food is unimportant.”

Liu Mingxin clasped his hands behind his back, looking proud. “She’s not just talking big. Lord Shen is so capable—surely she has a way to obtain grain without befriending the Yue Kingdom.”

The Grand Tutor said disdainfully, “If she can obtain the grain, this old minister will resign from my post as regent and retire to my hometown at once!”

Wu Yanzhi quickly added, “Grand Tutor, don’t be rash. Anyone can say fine-sounding words. What matters is seeing real grain with our own eyes.”

Liu Mingxin said, “Lord Shen, if you can find a way to obtain the grain, I will kneel and admit my fault in front of all the civil and military officials!”

Wu Yanzhi fanned the flames from the side. “Lord Liu, there’s no need to go that far. Everyone knows that grain supplies are the top priority now. If Shen Lanxi could really obtain them, we wouldn’t have to treat a small country with such courtesy.”

Emperor Renxiao looked at his bickering pillars of state and felt exhaustion seep into his bones.

Just as he was about to stop the argument, Shen Lanxi, already fuming, fell straight into the trap laid by the three old foxes.

“It’s just grain, isn’t it? If I can obtain it, you’d better remember what you’ve said!”

The three regent ministers were unconcerned.

“Of course. If you can obtain the grain, the three of us could even acknowledge you as our superior,” Wu Yanzhi said lightly, his tone full of disdain.

“Fine. Let His Majesty bear witness. If I fail to obtain grain by next year, I will be stripped of all my official posts and never step outside my residence again!”

“Good!” The three regent ministers had wanted exactly those words from Shen Lanxi.

Emperor Renxiao felt uneasy. He was relying heavily on Shen Lanxi at the moment; how could he allow the others to gain dominance alone?

“Lanxi, since you have already made such a bold promise, I will not stop you,” he said.
“But grain supplies are no trivial matter. I order the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers to fully cooperate with you. If there is a way to obtain grain, you may command them as you see fit, second only to me.”

The expressions of the three regent ministers changed slightly.

“This concerns the dignity of Great Zhou. The three of you must put aside your differences and assist with all your strength!”

Since the emperor had spoken, they could only agree. As for truly helping when the time came—that was another matter.

Although the matter of grain supplies had been pushed onto Shen Lanxi in the form of a wager, the issue of the courier stations remained unresolved.

“Lanxi, from now on, you are responsible for preparing next year’s grain supplies. The matter of the courier stations will be handed to the Prince of Zhennan.”

Hearing this, Shen Lanxi understood that the emperor was making preparations on two fronts.

“This minister accepts the decree!”

…

An hour later, news of Shen Lanxi’s wager with the three regent ministers had already spread among the people.

The story passed from peddlers and porters to traveling merchants, and from merchants it quickly spread from the capital to all regions.

In less than half a month, nearly all of Great Zhou knew that Shen Lanxi had single-handedly taken on the burden of raising grain supplies.

There were those who sneered, those who doubted, those who were pessimistic, and those who believed she was doomed.

Not a single person believed Shen Lanxi could succeed. Most thought her final fate would be confinement in a secluded residence.

Meanwhile, following Emperor Renxiao’s instructions, Zhou Ruyuan first pursued negotiations; if talks failed, other measures would be considered.

The Yue Kingdom’s envoy, now given a way to step down gracefully, immediately began earnest peace talks with Zhou Ruyuan.

Soon, Emperor Renxiao’s birthday arrived.

The progress in negotiations with the Yue Kingdom pleased him greatly.
All conflicts seemed to have been suppressed.

On the day of the birthday banquet, the entire capital celebrated. Emperor Renxiao’s health had also improved somewhat, and he smiled as he toasted with the court officials and envoys.

Music and dancing filled the air; the sound of flutes and zithers echoed everywhere. It was a scene of perfect peace and prosperity.

Unbeknownst to all, behind this tranquil scene, Wei Dongzhu had spent the entire day arresting suspicious individuals.

The day after the banquet, Wei Dongzhu reported the matter to Emperor Renxiao.

“Your Majesty, while on duty yesterday, I discovered many suspicious people. Several of them were even colluding with foreign tribes.”

The emperor had just taken an elixir; his face was flushed and his complexion unusually rosy.

“Have you identified which foreign groups they belong to?”

Wei Dongzhu named several countries. Seeing that the Yue Kingdom was not among them, Emperor Renxiao did not take it too seriously.

“Investigate this matter in secret. Those rebels have been plotting unrest for more than a day or two. Fortunately, you intercepted them for me.”

Wei Dongzhu replied, “It is my duty, Your Majesty. I dare not claim any credit.”

Emperor Renxiao blinked his somewhat clouded eyes and thought for a moment. “Now is not the time to move against them. Don’t let them escape. Once you find out everything, simply pretend we know nothing and let them leave the territory of Great Zhou safely.”

Wei Dongzhu understood and immediately went to carry out the order.

As for the two traitors’ people, Emperor Renxiao had no intention of letting them off easily.
This matter still required careful consideration.

“Tell the Prince of Zhennan to keep those two traitors’ men occupied—delay them as long as possible. If they clamor to see me, find excuses to send them away.”

“Yes, I will pass on the message at once.”

After being relieved of her duty receiving envoys, Shen Lanxi gained two days of leisure.

Returning to her residence, she had just planned to gather everyone for a discussion when, no sooner had she arrived, she was summoned by the Old Madam.

“Lanxi, about your fifth aunt’s son and Liang Xinyi’s daughter—what should be done?”

Shen Lanxi frowned. “Why haven’t the two aunts left yet?”

Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang, who were named directly, immediately looked displeased. Who would dare speak so bluntly about elders? Shen Lanxi was simply too unfilial.

“They’ve come from far away,” the Old Madam said. “Who knows when they’ll visit again… I don’t even know whether I’ll have the chance to see them in the future, so I let them stay a few more days.”

Shen Lanxi cast a cold glance at the two aunts. “Since the matter is already settled, Grandmother can handle the arrangements.”

A hint of delight appeared on Shen Shuniang’s face, and she said somewhat smugly,
“Lanxi, when your cousin gets married, there must be a grand banquet in the residence. Invite all your acquaintances to come and share a cup of wedding wine.”

Shen Lanxi looked at her with a faint smile. “What does your son’s marriage have to do with the Duke Protector’s residence? If you want a banquet, hold it in your own home. A concubine-born daughter of the Shen family getting married isn’t worth hosting a feast—just let the family have a simple reunion meal together.”

Shen Shuniang froze, her smile stiffening.

“How could it have nothing to do with the Duke Protector’s residence? Our home soll’s far away; naturally the banquet should be held here.”

Shen Lanxi frowned and said coldly, “Is a legitimate daughter of the Shen family taking a husband into the family?”

Shen Shuniang’s face immediately fell.

“Lanxi, my son is your cousin—your grandmother’s own grandson!”

Shen Lanxi gave a derisive laugh. “So what? I’ve never heard of a grandson from the maternal line occupying his mother’s clan’s residence to hold a wedding banquet. Is Jiangnan so destitute that you have no household left?”

“Even if you were truly destitute, you should rent or purchase another residence outside to hold the wedding—not occupy the Shen family’s home!”