RWNEFE -Chapter 468 Bai Qingling Is Captured

Zhao Zheng didn’t immediately refuse. Instead, he asked suspiciously, “Really?”

The Vice Minister of War felt a surge of joy and said, “The Marquis of Yong’an is the foremost among all generals. Having you take charge is perfectly fitting!” Of course, this honor technically belonged to the former Marquis of Yong’an; it had nothing to do with the current one.

“Very well. Since you gentlemen think so highly of me, I’ll give it a try. Let’s hope the Second Prince can cherish the court’s opportunity and turn back before it’s too late!”

Shen Lanxi nodded and continued the meeting.

“Yesterday, I was attacked in an assassination attempt. It has now been confirmed that the assassins were all from the Southwestern Army. I request the Zhen’nan Prince to give me an explanation!”

The officials blinked in surprise. Here were two princes, finally facing off.

Zhou Ruyuan frowned immediately: “Impossible. Most of the Southwestern Army is stationed at the border. Without imperial orders, they would not act on their own. Outside the city, the garrison includes only a few of my personal guards from the Southwest; the rest are the original troops and newly recruited soldiers.”

Shen Lanxi curled her lips into a cold smile: “They claimed they were acting under the orders of your princess consort, sent to assassinate me!”

The court erupted in shock!

Even if Shen Lanxi was known for seeking revenge, the Zhen’nan Prince and his consort had humiliated her so publicly—how could she not retaliate?

She had to have endured watching the two of them together every day; of course, she would look for an opportunity to strike back. And now, she had it.

From this incident, it was clear that Shen Lanxi was not only vengeful but also extremely petty and resentful.

“Impossible! The princess consort hardly ever leaves the mansion. How could she have ordered an assassination? Besides, she has no authority to command anyone in the Southwestern Army or the city garrison. Without my order, who would dare send so many men for her?”

Zhou Ruyuan didn’t believe it. Bai Qingling, while clever and calculating, was meticulous about major matters; she would never make such a careless mistake.

Shen Lanxi lowered her voice: “These people claimed they were placed outside by Bai Qingling in the Southwestern Army. Zhen’nan Prince, if the testimony is true, this constitutes maintaining a private army.”

By law, officials with meritorious titles could maintain palace troops, but only within strict limits. Maintaining a private army was strictly prohibited—doing so was considered treason!

Zhou Ruyuan immediately shouted in protest: “False! The testimony is false. Someone must be trying to frame my Zhen’nan Prince Mansion!”

Shen Lanxi said: “This case will be investigated jointly by the Court of Justice and the Ministry of Justice. Zhen’nan Prince, since this matter concerns you, you must avoid conflict of interest. I have arranged it this way. Do you have any objections?”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Shen Lanxi. Her decision to hand the case to others for investigation made him uneasy.

Could it really be true?

If Bai Qingling was truly responsible, it could spell disaster for the Zhen’nan Prince Mansion.

Shen Lanxi continued: “One more thing—the envoys sent by the two rebellious princes can now be allowed to leave the city. If they were not envoys sent during wartime, they would never have survived!”

Zhou Ruyuan’s mind was completely focused on Bai Qingling orchestrating the Southwestern Army to assassinate Shen Lanxi. He heard her words but was momentarily distracted, not registering their full meaning.

“Gentlemen, if there are matters, present them. If not, court is dismissed!”

The officials remained silent. Wang Bao raised his voice: “Dismissed!”

Silence filled the Small Cabinet.

Previously, the regent ministers had looked down on Shen Lanxi, thinking they could easily push her out of court. But now she had become the Regent Prince, outranking them all.

From today’s proceedings, it was clear that the Small Cabinet would soon become nominal and powerless.

“Chancellor—”

“Minister Liu—”

“Grand Tutor—”

“Today in court, Shen Lanxi is arrogant and domineering, overshadowing us men and trampling our honor into the dirt. We cannot let this go!”

“Shen Lanxi surely intends to rebel. A woman appearing in politics is one thing, but now she seeks to control the court—she’s like a hen trying to command the heavens!”

“We must unite to drive her out of court…”

“Why are the three of you silent?” The officials anxiously looked around. Normally, they followed the three regent ministers as the court’s compass, but not one of them spoke.

Wu Yanzhi snorted coldly: “What’s there to say? Don’t you see? Great Zhou is about to descend into chaos!”

“Chancellor, don’t speak so alarmingly!” cried an official.

“Whether it’s alarmist or not, just ask the other two—won’t you know?” Wu Yanzhi sat silently, scheming.

“Grand Tutor, you are the foundation of this court. You must stand up and drive Shen Lanxi out! We will follow your orders!”

Mei Nanhua scoffed, seeing the officials’ inability to grasp the situation.

“You’re about to face a war, yet you’re still worried about trivial matters. Lives are at stake, and you care about the fact that Shen Lanxi is a woman? None of you even understand women!”

The named officials paled.

Liu Mingxin sighed: “His Majesty’s condition is clearly serious!”

The officials remained silent, all looking to the three regent ministers, waiting for them to take charge.

“The most important thing is to confirm His Majesty’s condition. We must see him and verify whether the decree granting the title of Prince was truly issued by him!”

All the officials nodded in agreement.

If His Majesty was well, then pressing Shen Lanxi would be wrong. If something had happened to him, then it would be a matter of saving the emperor—a question of great merit versus great crime.

“We must find a way to get news of His Majesty!” Liu Mingxin declared.

Wu Yanzhi and Mei Nanhua nodded. That very day, they mobilized their connections and began to gather intelligence on the Yangxin Hall.

News of the Renxiao Emperor’s condition was quickly obtained.

“His Majesty was poisoned by the Empress? Is the Qi family planning rebellion?”

“I think the Empress aims to become Empress Dowager, luckily she was discovered.”

“Lucky? His Majesty was poisoned with Green Silkworm venom! Have you forgotten how the previous Empress died?”

Most deadly of all, there was no antidote for this poison.

This news soon reached Zhou Ruyuan. Unfortunately, he was already overwhelmed, and the news only made him more anxious.

“Shen Lanxi seems to have someone on her team who knows a lot about poisons from the Ten Thousand Toxins Sect?” Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes flashed with cold light.

Could it be that Shen Lanxi poisoned Father? No—if she had, the Empress would never have confessed.

He wished he could get news from the harem. His mother must know the truth.

“Your Highness, the princess consort has been taken away by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Justice.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s face darkened instantly.

“Weren’t they supposed to question her in the mansion? Why take her out?”

The guards hesitated, unsure how to answer.

Zhou Ruyuan hurried to the rear courtyard.

Officials from the Court of Justice and the Ministry of Justice were escorting Bai Qingling out of the mansion.

“Your Highness, save me! I am innocent! Someone is trying to frame me!”