RWNEFE -Chapter 455 Zhou Yunsui’s Scandal Is Exposed!

Shen Lanxi was unwilling to waste words with her. She stood up and said respectfully,
“Whether Yuantang can return home to stay is for the elders to decide. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.”

Shen Yuantang’s expression turned very unpleasant.

Zhou Xinrou said, “Go and take care of your work.”

…

Recently, Old Madam Shen had been overwhelmed dealing with the affairs of her two daughters, so the matter of the Tenth Princess was handled somewhat perfunctorily.

“Mother, if we tell the princess this, won’t we offend her?” Shen Shuniang asked thoughtfully.

Old Madam Shen said indifferently, “She’s only an unfavored princess. Even if we give her nothing and send her out, the imperial family wouldn’t say much.”

Ever since the palace had bestowed a plaque on their household, the old madam had grown far more confident.

“Lanxi has been busy lately and hasn’t been coming home much. You should also be careful—if there’s nothing important, don’t keep running to the Duke Protector’s residence.”

Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang’s expressions stiffened.

“Mother, we sisters finally came to the capital. Of course we want to spend more time in front of you, fulfilling our filial duty.”

Old Madam Shen was not fooled by their coaxing, but their show of filial piety still softened her a little.

“When you come next time, find out first whether Lanxi is at home. Come only when she isn’t. If you run into her and anger her, I won’t be able to protect you!”

A trace of displeasure flashed in the sisters’ eyes.

Earlier, they had persuaded their mother to help arrange matters for their families, but because Shen Lanxi had been stirring up the capital every day, making people uneasy, their mother had gone back on her word.

For now, they could no longer rely on their mother; they could only depend on the princess.

Two days later, Old Madam Shen went out to offer incense, and most of the women of the household accompanied her.

“Previously, Huangjue Temple was burned down by a fire. Who would have thought it would become even more prosperous afterward?”

Shen Congwen said, “Mother, that’s what they call ‘no destruction, no construction.’”

Old Madam Shen had come today to pray for blessings for her descendants. She intended to chant scriptures for an hour in a small private shrine to show her sincerity.

“You may go rest, or offer incense as you wish. After we have our vegetarian meal at noon and take a short rest, we’ll return to the residence.”

“Yes.”

Everyone except the old madam withdrew.

Madam Liu did not want to get involved with her two sisters-in-law, so she escorted her two daughters-in-law, who were about to give birth, to rest in the guest rooms.

Old Madam Shen had not summoned her two daughters today; they had simply run into her while she was leaving and came along together.

Most of the male family members were present today as well, and Shen Yuanxu had returned from the academy.

Zhou Yun­sui glanced toward a certain place, an idea stirring in her mind. She urged the person beside her: “Yuanxin, elder brother hasn’t been back from the academy for a long time. Go ask him how Bailu Academy is. Ask carefully—perhaps in a few days I can enter the palace and see if I can arrange for you to study there too.”

Shen Yuanxin did not really want to study, but when he thought of Shen Yuanxu’s current reputation among scholars, he felt tempted.

Who could have imagined that the rough soldier who once fought on the battlefield was now greeted by students with bows and addressed as “Teacher”?

After seeing Shen Yuanxin leave, Zhou Yun­sui found an excuse and took a maid to the guest rooms.

Not long afterward, a shadow quietly pushed open a door and slipped inside.

When Shen Lanxi was meeting an official from the Ministry of Works, a subordinate galloped in with a report.

“The matter on Zhou Yun­sui’s side has been taken care of.”

A cold glint flashed in Shen Lanxi’s eyes. “If anyone from the Shen family comes, tell them I’ve left the city.”

“Yes!”

Disaster struck the Shen family.

Old Madam Shen looked at Shen Yuanxin kneeling on the ground in disheveled clothing, and at the figure hiding under the bedding, and could no longer endure it—she fainted on the spot.

Screams, curses, and wails erupted one after another; the Shen household descended into chaos. Today was a day for worship, and many relatives of high officials and nobles were present. After the previous fire, Huangjue Temple had once again become famous—this time for scandal.

Because it involved a royal disgrace, the matter was quickly reported to Emperor Renxiao.

Overcome with rage, the emperor’s vision went black, and he fainted.

Fortunately, the palace attendants were already accustomed to such episodes. Wang Bao methodically arranged for someone to notify Shen Lanxi, seal off the inner palace, and have Wei Dongzhu strengthen the palace defenses.

The three regent ministers received news once again that Emperor Renxiao would not be holding court, and they gathered to discuss matters.

“Should we submit a memorial requesting the establishment of a crown prince?”

Wu Yanzhi said nothing.

After careful consideration, Liu Mingxin said, “Let someone submit a memorial first and see.”

To test the emperor’s attitude.

The Grand Preceptor and Wu Yanzhi both nodded.

This was not the first time the emperor had suspended court. Although he appeared to be in good health, repeated incidents like this made everyone uneasy.

There still had to be someone designated to inherit the throne, to avoid strife among the princes.

Gloom hung over the Shen household. The servants worked quietly, scarcely daring to breathe loudly.

Today Shen Yuantang was at home accompanying her mother. After persistent pleading, she had finally persuaded her mother to let her stay at the residence for a while.

Before noon, those who had gone out for worship returned, looking disheveled. Shen Yuantang immediately sent someone to inquire.

The news she received nearly made her so angry that her stomach hurt.

“Mother, how could you have agreed to Father taking a concubine back then?” Shen Yuantang said with resentment in her voice.

Zhou Xinrou had never expected Zhou Yun­sui’s affair to be exposed in such a manner.

After this incident, the Shen family’s reputation would certainly plummet—this was not what she had hoped to see.

“Call your father here!”

Shen Yuantang dared not say more in front of her mother and could only turn her anger toward Shen Yuanxin.

Such a scandal had erupted in the Shen family. Shen Yuanxin had allowed the princess to be publicly cuckolded—he couldn’t even control the people in his own room. What use was he?

When Shen Yuanxu heard the news, he hurried back as well. He had only just established himself at Bailu Academy and earned the respect of the students—why did his family keep dragging him down?

Zhou Yun­sui had married into the Shen family with ulterior motives from the start. A person like that could not be kept any longer.

Instead of going straight home, Shen Yuanxu went to find Shen Lanxi.

Toward evening, Emperor Renxiao woke up.

“I fainted again?”

Wang Bao lowered his head and carefully helped the emperor sit up.

“Your Majesty, you must not harm the dragon body over such minor matters.”

He skillfully opened a box and took out a pill.

“This was urgently sent by the Imperial Preceptor. He said Your Majesty should take it upon waking.”

Song Daoxi, who had previously been rewarded for successfully refining elixirs, had already been appointed Imperial Preceptor by the emperor.

“After delivering the medicine, the Imperial Preceptor hurried back to continue refining pills. He said he would prepare more elixirs to clear heat and regulate the vital energy for Your Majesty.”

After taking the pill, Emperor Renxiao felt his head clear considerably.

“The Imperial Preceptor’s pills are more effective than the imperial physicians’ medicines.”

Wang Bao flattered him: “That is because Your Majesty has a discerning eye and discovered such a talent.”

After bringing Song Daoxi back, the emperor had not fully trusted him and had ordered people to watch him day and night. Only after receiving reports that Song Daoxi occasionally took the pills himself had he felt reassured.

Now he felt fortunate that he had decisively ordered the Second Prince to bring the man back.

“Where is that wretch?”

Wang Bao said quietly, “She has been examined by the imperial physicians and is already pregnant. News from the Heavenly Prison says the child is not the prince consort’s.”

The emperor’s vision darkened again, and he quickly had Wang Bao bring another pill.

“That wretch—death would not be too good for her!”

Because of the previous incident, the royal family’s authority had already been damaged. Now that such a matter had occurred again, and so many people knew about it, even killing witnesses would not be enough to silence everyone.