RWNEFE -Chapter 459 Emperor Renxiao Shows His Hand to Shen Lanxi

Emperor Renxiao proved with facts that he was not only alive and well—he still had the strength to dismiss officials, rebuke the court, and bestow rewards upon Shen Lanxi.

The people in the Inner Cabinet once again fell into deep thought. Could it be, just like before, that this was another stratagem by the emperor to test their loyalty?

While they were arguing endlessly, Zhou Ruyuan returned to the capital.

After learning about the situation in the city, he immediately went to the palace to request an audience.

Obviously, he received the same treatment as the other officials—he was not granted one.

He then went to the Inner Cabinet, where he saw all the officials who were effectively under house arrest, working there.

Naturally, this included the three regent ministers.

“Left Chancellor, what exactly is Father thinking? How can he allow Shen Lanxi to behave so recklessly?” Even Zhou Ruyuan felt that Shen Lanxi had gone too far.

The higher one climbed, the colder it became. Even if the emperor elevated her to such a high position, she should have declined. Otherwise, it would be easy to climb up but difficult to step down.

He feared that when that time came, not even a single member of the Shen family would be left with an intact corpse.

“To be honest, we have just seen His Majesty,” the Left Chancellor said. “His Majesty greatly praised Shen Lanxi’s actions and even personally appointed her as the head of all officials.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Madness—his father must have gone mad, exalting a woman so highly. Was he not afraid of destroying the Great Zhou dynasty?

If that happened, history would record that Great Zhou was ruined by a woman, and the imperial clan would bear the infamy for generations. Father was truly muddle-headed!

“My lords, do any of you have a way to see Father?” Zhou Ruyuan only hoped to meet the emperor now and persuade him to change his mind.

The three regent ministers shook their heads.

“None of us can see His Majesty. To be frank, today all the officials gathered to request an audience. We did see him, but as you know, His Majesty acted decisively and dismissed six officials. His dragon body appears to be unharmed.”

At this point, they felt somewhat embarrassed themselves. Every time they thought of the emperor being carried out seated on the dragon throne, looking vigorous and energetic, they regretted their earlier suspicions and felt they had not considered matters carefully enough.

Zhou Ruyuan felt as if he had been slapped across the face.

He was a prince—the only adult prince in the capital.

Yet when something happened, his father had never summoned him. What a mockery.

“Then I will go see Shen Lanxi!” If he could not see his father, Shen Lanxi surely could.

And indeed, he found her.

“Prince of Zhen’nan, have you come here because the real culprit in the massacre of the Ministry of Rites official’s household has been caught?” Shen Lanxi asked with a smile.

Zhou Ruyuan felt another wave of humiliation.

Naturally, nothing had been accomplished. There were no witnesses or evidence, not even any warning before the crime. The official had been smooth and tactful, never offending anyone. It was an unsolvable case.

“If Lord Shen wishes to know about the case, I will report it later. For now, I wish to ask about Father’s illness.”

“His Majesty is well,” Shen Lanxi replied. “His health is gradually recovering. At noon he had a good appetite, and at this moment he is resting. Prince, it would be better not to disturb him.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s gaze grew colder, anxiety rising in his heart.

“I ask Lord Shen to help convey my request. As a son, I am truly worried about Father’s condition.”

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Since you insist, I will not dissuade you further. But His Majesty is indeed resting. Even I can only wait outside the hall. If you are willing to wait, then wait here. When His Majesty wakes, there will be movement inside.”

With things put so plainly, Zhou Ruyuan could say nothing more. He waited for over an hour, until his legs grew stiff.

At last, as Shen Lanxi had said, sounds came from inside.

Wang Bao approached Shen Lanxi with his hands tucked into his sleeves and complained, “My lady, you are quite good at avoiding work. His Majesty wishes to see you!”

Shen Lanxi pointed at Zhou Ruyuan. “The Prince of Zhen’nan seeks an audience.”

Wang Bao glanced at Zhou Ruyuan. “Very well, this old servant will pass on the request. But His Majesty wishes to rest quietly and may not see you.”

Even so, Zhou Ruyuan expressed his thanks.

Before long, a palace servant came out of the hall.

“Your Highness, His Majesty says you should return and rest well, and conclude the case of the murdered Ministry of Rites official as soon as possible.”

“His Majesty also says that once the case is concluded, he will grant you an audience.”

After delivering the message, the servant went back inside. Zhou Ruyuan stood with a tense expression, staring at the hall, then turned and headed for the inner palace.

There, he was turned away yet again.

Because he needed to remain close to care for Emperor Renxiao, Song Daoxi moved from the National Preceptor’s residence into the palace.

When Shen Lanxi entered, Song Daoxi was there as well.

“Your Majesty, this is medicinal incense. All medicines carry some toxicity. I feared that taking too many elixirs might harm Your Majesty’s spleen and stomach, so I specially developed this incense. Its medicinal effect enters through the skin and does not harm the body.”

After the incense was lit, Emperor Renxiao indeed felt much more at ease, even sensing a bit of strength returning to the right side of his body.

“The National Preceptor has been diligent. When I recover, you shall receive generous rewards.”

Seeing Shen Lanxi arrive, Song Daoxi withdrew to the side to tend the incense.

“Uncle, are you feeling any better?” Shen Lanxi asked as she poured him a cup of tea.

“Much better. The National Preceptor just said that this medicinal incense must be burned continuously for forty-nine days. During this time I must not see too many outsiders; people coming and going would carry away the medicinal effect.”

“I understand,” Shen Lanxi replied. “From now on, if there are matters to report, I will stand at the doorway and report them.”

Thinking of state affairs, Emperor Renxiao asked, “Is there anything happening in court?”

Shen Lanxi hesitated, which the emperor noticed.

“Speak plainly. Do not deceive me.”

“There were many memorials submitted today requesting the establishment of a crown prince,” Shen Lanxi said with concern.

Emperor Renxiao immediately grew furious.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Take a few breaths of the medicinal incense to steady yourself,” Song Daoxi urged.

The emperor inhaled deeply as instructed, and the fire in his chest gradually subsided.

“Uncle, don’t be angry. I have already suppressed those memorials. You are still in the prime of life, vigorous and accomplished. Those jumping clowns must not be allowed to take advantage of a tiger’s nap to stir trouble.”

Hearing Shen Lanxi defend him so staunchly, Emperor Renxiao’s mood improved. It was not in vain that he had overruled all objections to cultivate her.

“You have handled affairs of state well. Lanxi, I intend to give the position of crown prince to Prince Chen. What do you think?”

Shen Lanxi replied respectfully, “The throne belongs to you, Uncle. You are the ruler of all under heaven. Whoever you wish to give the throne to—you may give it.”

Emperor Renxiao was very satisfied with her display of loyalty.

“When Prince Chen met with misfortune while away, I was heartbroken. I have already sent people in secret to search for him. You must also dispatch some people to look. If he can be found, it will be an unparalleled merit for Great Zhou. Even if I am gone by then, you will have rendered the merit of assisting a dragon to the throne.”

Shen Lanxi frowned. “Uncle, do not speak such ill-omened words. I will quietly send people to search for Prince Chen. If it is done openly and others learn of it, I fear Prince Chen may be in danger.”

Emperor Renxiao nodded. “Go. I trust you will bring Prince Chen back to me safely.”

Shen Lanxi withdrew respectfully.

This was the first time Emperor Renxiao had spoken his true thoughts in front of her. The cards in his hand were nearly all played—it was almost time to reveal his final hand.