RWNEFE -Chapter 473 Zhou Xinrou Refuses to See Shen Yuantang

Yuantang, true to her eldest sister’s thinking, always seemed to falter at critical moments—confused and slow to act.

“Grandmother…”

This time, Shen Yuantang was determined not to leave without achieving her goal. Since her sister had already taken care of Bai Qingling, why not finish it thoroughly? Was it really so hard to make Bai Qingling die in the imperial prison out of guilt?

Eldest sister really didn’t know how to handle matters!

Shen Yuantang pleaded repeatedly, and eventually, Old Madam Shen was persuaded.

“When Lanxi returns, I will mention it to her. But whether she’s willing to help you, grandmother cannot force her.”

In recent days, after studying Buddhist teachings with the master, she had learned one truth: nothing should be forced. Blessings come naturally. Forcing things only leads to loss.

Shen Yuantang was slightly displeased at her grandmother’s words.

Grandmother was the senior of the family. Just a word from her should be enough for Lanxi to comply, shouldn’t it?

“Yuantang, you should also speak with your mother. She has a closer relationship with your eldest sister than I do. Grandmother is old; there are many things beyond my strength,” Old Madam Shen said, though in her heart, she really didn’t care.

The master had analyzed it for her: in the future, their family and the Zhen Nan Wang (Prince of the South) would be adversaries. Even if not life-and-death enemies, there would inevitably be conflict; one day, the families would clash openly.

Now, because of Yuantang’s position as Secondary Princess Consort of Zhen Nan Wang, she was just adding trouble for Lanxi.

Their family currently relied on Lanxi’s support. This great tree could not fall.

Failing to get a definitive answer from Old Madam Shen, Shen Yuantang turned and went to see Zhou Xinrou.

But unexpectedly, she was refused entry.

“Why won’t Mother see me?” Shen Yuantang angrily glared at the servants.

“The Lady has just taken medicine and gone to sleep,” a servant replied softly and respectfully—but didn’t budge.

Shen Yuantang shouted, “Then I’ll wait outside her ear room! I’ll see her when she wakes!”

The servant repeated the same line: “The Lady has just taken medicine and gone to sleep!”

Shen Yuantang fumed. “How dare you, you dog servants! You block me from seeing my mother? Do you have the courage of a lion and a leopard?”

“Bring them here! Fifty lashes each and then sell them off!” Shen Yuantang had been in a good mood today, but after being stonewalled by Old Madam Shen and then refused entry here, her anger exploded.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that none of the servants respected her.

It must be because she had been busy taking care of the children recently—they had forgotten that she even existed.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry and tie them up!” Shen Yuantang bellowed, striding and pointing in commanding anger.

The Shen family servants, as if they hadn’t heard, each went about their tasks. In the blink of an eye, they had all scattered.

Shen Yuantang’s face turned black.

Even the servants didn’t respect her anymore? Very well… fine!

Shen Yuantang ordered the two maids beside her: “You two, come slap them for me!”

The two maids felt a pang of unease. They had clearly seen how things stood in the Prince Regent’s mansion.

If they acted, would they even be able to walk out standing?

“Are your ears deaf? Didn’t you hear me?” Shen Yuantang’s eyes blazed.

The maids, afraid to disobey, hesitated and slowly approached.

Shen Yuantang grew angrier.

“Useless things! Full of ideas in ordinary times, but when it counts, you’re worthless!” Shen Yuantang shoved them aside and raised her hand to slap the servants.

She swung—and the servant’s head didn’t even tilt.

Shen Yuantang’s hand hurt from the impact!

“You two dog servants! Move aside!” she roared.

“Move aside…”

“Your mistress commands you to move aside!”

Each time Shen Yuantang spoke, she slapped the servant again.

The servant never even furrowed her brow; her feet seemed rooted to the ground, unmoving.

“Dog servants, did you hear your mistress? Move aside! Or beware of losing your heads!”

Madam Miao, hearing the servants’ cries for help, rushed over.

“Yuantang, what are you doing?”

“Making a scene in front of your mother! How improper!” Madam Miao looked at the servant—face swollen and bleeding from the slaps—and felt a chill run through her.

The situation had gone completely out of control!

“Third Aunt, you came just in time. These two servants are blocking me! They won’t let me see Mother,” Shen Yuantang complained, pointing at the servants.

Madam Miao gave her a strange look. She couldn’t believe Shen Lanxi’s younger sister was so foolish.

She didn’t even consider: as mere servants, they wouldn’t dare act like that without their master’s orders.

Still, why wouldn’t the eldest sister see her own biological daughter?

“Yuantang, you are the lady of the house, the mistress. Don’t be angry at two servants. Come, let’s sit in Third Aunt’s courtyard.”

Shen Yuantang refused to go.

“Third Aunt, sell off these two insolent servants who disrespected me!” She stormed off in a huff, thinking of how the servants would now view her.

Madam Miao’s heart ached. She scolded the servants who had summoned Yuantang in her mind hundreds of times.

“They are servants in your mother’s courtyard. As her sister-in-law, I have no right to deal with them. Yuantang, listen to Third Aunt; she has something to tell you.”

After coaxing and a bit of trickery, Madam Miao finally got Shen Yuantang to leave.

By the time Shen Yuantang left, the two maids were carrying full hands of things.

Madam Miao, her face dark, sent the servants out the gate, then immediately summoned all the other servants and scolded them.

“This is the Prince Regent’s mansion! Anyone who dares make trouble here is showing no respect for the Prince Regent! Understand?”

She hadn’t said they couldn’t visit her. Showing no respect for the Prince Regent—whether they were beaten or sent away—was for the real authority in the mansion to handle.

…

News that Shen Yuantang had shown up reached Shen Lanxi immediately.

“My mother won’t see her?”

“Reporting, Prince, the commotion was loud, but the lady did not come out to stop her.”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow. “Understood. If she causes trouble in the mansion again, have her expelled immediately.”

“Yes!”

~

Emperor Renxiao was still hoping that Prince Chen would return to the capital soon, unaware that he would never return in this lifetime.

She didn’t need to act herself. As long as it was hinted that Emperor Renxiao intended to appoint Prince Chen, someone would act on her behalf.

Within a few days, news arrived via the dark guards that Prince Chen had been ambushed and killed by bandits in Zhongshan.

Wang Bao immediately delivered the news to Shen Lanxi.

“Should I inform His Majesty?” Wang Bao asked respectfully.

Shen Lanxi said, “Yes, do so.”

Wang Bao asked, “Will His Majesty’s health hold up?” He wasn’t worried for Emperor Renxiao’s sake, but feared that if he died, Shen Lanxi might struggle to control the court ministers.

Shen Lanxi lifted the corner of her mouth in a slight smile. “In the coming days, His Majesty’s condition will appear to improve.” Of course, it was only superficial.

Hearing this, Wang Bao felt both alarmed and uneasy.