RWNEFE -Chapter 458 Bestowed the Title of Grand General Who Stabilizes the Nation, Grand Marshal of All Under Heaven

Just when everything seemed to be developing in a favorable direction, Shen Lanxi revealed her fangs.

“The military examination and the civil examination—arrange for our people to be placed in them.”

“How many should be arranged?” Che Mingyuan felt uneasy when he saw the look in Shen Lanxi’s eyes.

Shen Lanxi raised the corners of her mouth. “As many as we can arrange.”

Che Mingyuan wiped the sweat from his brow and hurried off to make the arrangements.

Earlier, Zhao Zheng had asked her a question: when would Qian Feng and the others be recalled?

Now was the time.

“Arrange for Xiao Fang, Qian Feng, Cheng Zheng, Madam Song, Liu Baodai, and the others to enter the capital.”

“Yes!”

It was obvious—their lord had no intention of letting the capital remain peaceful.

The next day, Zhou Qiwou suddenly entered the palace carrying a letter. Half an hour later, she came out again in great haste.

The following day, Zhou Qiwou took her children and returned to Jinmen to attend a funeral. Liu Binglin, the father of Liu Chengen, commander of the naval transport fleet, had suddenly died of illness.

Emperor Renxiao, remembering the old minister, specially ordered personnel from the Ministry of War to escort them.

This time, unlike before, Shen Lanxi made a high-profile appearance to participate in arranging the military examinations, personally supervising the selection. She was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground.

Amid this outward calm, Emperor Renxiao issued an order recalling the First Prince.

Relations in court became subtle once more, and attention began to drift, intentionally or not, toward Zhou Ruyuan.

Zhou Ruyuan returned home in a heavy mood. Even the news that Shen Yuantang had given birth to a boy failed to cheer him.

Bai Qingling saw this and knew the household was in a difficult position. That night, she arranged for another concubine—one who was not yet pregnant—to attend him.

“Your Highness, the household has gained a son, and several concubines are already with child. With our family flourishing in heirs, shouldn’t we report this happy news to the palace?” Bai Qingling said, thinking of the son who was still in the palace and had not yet been brought back.

In the past, upon hearing such news, he would have gone to the palace immediately to report it.

But now?

He felt his father the emperor would probably not be pleased—though his mother, perhaps…

“Tomorrow, come with me to the palace and report it. You haven’t seen Yu’er for some time either.”

Bai Qingling’s face lit with joy. “Thank you, Your Highness. With you, I am content in this life.”

Seeing her gentle and obedient appearance, Zhou Ruyuan felt a warmth rise within him and pulled her into the inner chamber.

But in Bai Qingling’s misty eyes, hatred burned fiercely.

No matter how much the prince favored her, her body could no longer bear children. The palace was pressing constantly; each time Consort Shu summoned her, rules were imposed while people repeatedly emphasized the importance of producing heirs.

If not for the prince’s future, those wretched women would never have been allowed to share his bed, nor bear his children.

Two days before the military examinations, Emperor Renxiao suddenly received news: the First Prince had fallen from his horse, his life and death unknown.

In court, Emperor Renxiao spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed unconscious.

Civil and military officials panicked, and all the imperial physicians were mobilized. It was not until noon that Emperor Renxiao finally awoke, but half his body no longer obeyed him.

Officials crowded outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, anxiously waiting to hear about his condition.

The first thing Emperor Renxiao did upon waking was struggle to say through clenched teeth:

“Lanxi… summon Lanxi!”

Wang Bao immediately sent people to fetch her.

Under the watchful eyes of all the officials, Shen Lanxi entered the inner hall.

“Uncle, what happened? How did you become like this?” Shen Lanxi’s face was filled with concern.

“Uncle, I’ll have people invite physicians from Medicine King Valley to treat you at once!”

With difficulty, Emperor Renxiao said, “The court… I leave it to you…”

“You… stabilize the nation…”

Shen Lanxi said gently, “Uncle, don’t speak. Lanxi understands. I will guard the court and the capital well. I promise that before your illness is cured, the capital will remain peaceful.”

After only a few sentences, the emperor was already gasping with exhaustion. He still had things he wanted to say—about his illness…

“Uncle, don’t worry. I will not let news of your condition leak out.”

Emperor Renxiao finally relaxed, his clenched jaw loosening.

Lanxi was a good child—she understood what he meant.

He closed his eyes in exhaustion.

Wang Bao stationed guards and then went outside to proclaim the edict:

“By the Mandate of Heaven… Shen Lanxi is hereby granted the title of Grand General Who Stabilizes the Nation and Grand Marshal of All Under Heaven, commanding all the armed forces of Great Zhou. By imperial decree!”

Shen Lanxi said, “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this great grace.”

The civil and military officials stared at Shen Lanxi in shock.

What was the emperor trying to do?

Shen Lanxi must have coerced the emperor—otherwise he would never make such a mad decision!

To let a woman command all the armies of Great Zhou—madness, sheer madness!

News of Shen Lanxi’s appointment quickly spread throughout the capital.

At the same time, word that Emperor Renxiao had vomited blood in the palace also began to circulate quietly.

After assuming power, Shen Lanxi issued her first order: seal off the inner palace. No one was permitted to enter or leave, and archers were stationed—so tightly that not even a bird or a bee could fly out.

Second order: the city gates were to be strictly guarded. From that day on, all who entered or left were to be rigorously questioned. Archers were deployed—no carrier pigeons or hawks were to leave the capital.

Third order: from that day forward, all officials were to lodge in the inner council offices to handle state affairs and were not permitted to return home.

Fourth order: under the pretext of protection, the residences of all officials were surrounded.

The final order was issued in front of all the officials. One sentence was enough to silence anyone who had intended to object.

In this tense atmosphere, the military examinations began.

With Shen Lanxi holding the palace, the examinations were handed over to Wei Dongzhu and Zhao Zheng.

Orders were issued swiftly, and execution below was just as rapid. When Zhou Ruyuan returned from investigating a case, what he saw was a capital sealed tight like an iron barrel.

“Your Highness, we must not enter the city. Entering now would be like sheep walking into a tiger’s jaws,” Jiang Wuya said, immediately stopping Zhou Ruyuan when he noticed something unusual at the city gates.

His mother and family were all inside the capital—how could he not return?

What exactly had happened? Why had he received no notice?

“Wait. We’ll observe for a day tomorrow before deciding whether to enter.”

“Yes.”

The medicine provided by Song Daoxi proved effective. Emperor Renxiao regained some sensation in half his body, and his mood improved. Listening to Wang Bao’s reports, he was finally able to rest and recuperate in peace.

He was very satisfied with Lanxi’s arrangements. Only in this way would his sons be prevented from rushing to the capital under the pretext of attending to his illness.

Were they really coming to attend to him? Each of them was probably wishing he would die sooner and yield the throne.

Zhou Ruyuan waited outside the capital until the military examinations were over before deciding to enter.

“It’s only that the defenses are stricter. The common people can still come and go freely. Today the top three in the military examinations paraded through the streets wearing flowers—it’s very lively inside.”

Even from several hundred meters away, he could hear the sound of gongs and drums.

Jiang Wuya was still worried. “Your Highness, caution is best.”

Zhou Ruyuan could no longer wait. “We enter today. I, too, want to know what exactly has happened inside!”

Jiang Wuya could only follow helplessly.

By coincidence, that very day officials challenged Shen Lanxi. She decisively brought Emperor Renxiao out, letting everyone see that he was still alive—and alive quite well.

The emperor flew into a rage, dismissed several officials, and in front of the entire court praised Shen Lanxi, appointing her as the foremost among the regent ministers.