RWNEFE -Chapter 479 Can Be Regent, Can Govern the State, But Cannot Be Emperor?

Zhou Ruyuan’s gaze was deep and unwavering: “I will rightfully take the position of Crown Prince!”

Jiang Wuyai said: “Now that Shen Lanxi governs the state, she’s unlikely to yield power!”

Zhou Ruyuan curled the corners of his lips into a smirk: “The only princes capable of challenging me are few, and they’re all in their fiefs—no real threat. The Sixteenth Prince’s palace coup may have failed, but it cleared all obstacles for me. Who would have thought that such a young boy would craft a wedding dress for me!”

Jiang Wuyai let out a wry smile: “I don’t know what the Wang family was thinking—no military power, no faction, yet they dared to stage a palace coup.”

Zhou Ruyuan sneered coldly: “Probably they wanted to fish in troubled waters. Too bad for them—they ran into Shen Lanxi.”

Thinking of Shen Lanxi, Zhou Ruyuan’s brow furrowed again.

At this point, he had begun to truly fear her.

“Prince, I think we shouldn’t return to the capital,” Jiang Wuyai said after much hesitation, still wary.

Zhou Ruyuan smiled calmly: “I know what you’re thinking. Even if Shen Lanxi governs the state, she is still a woman. I am of the imperial bloodline of Great Zhou, rightful heir. Even if Shen Lanxi wants to block me, she must see whether the people of the realm agree!”

Jiang Wuyai remained uneasy: “Prince, I think we’d be better off taking this chance to go to the Eight Princes’ territories, seize their connections and military power—that would be the smartest strategy.”

Zhou Ruyuan shook his head: “You’re overly cautious, sir. Shen Lanxi—does she look like she would rebel?”

A woman entering government service already broke the ancestral tradition—it was a monumental act. Would she dare claim the throne herself? Preposterous!

Jiang Wuyai repeatedly tried to dissuade him, but could not convince Zhou Ruyuan to march back to the capital.

…

“Mother, you can tell your people to stop now!” Shen Lanxi said, looking at the person sitting on the couch.

Zhou Xinrou lowered her head, hands pressed together at her forehead, lips moving as she silently recited Buddhist sutras.

Almost fifteen minutes later, Zhou Xinrou finally lowered her hands and opened her eyes.

“Lanxi, what are you saying? I don’t understand,” Zhou Xinrou asked in confusion.

Shen Lanxi spoke to herself: “I achieved, with minimal casualties, what others could not accomplish in a lifetime.”

Zhou Xinrou smiled gently: “My child is naturally unparalleled in wisdom. This world belonged to your father, and it rightfully belongs to you.”

Shen Lanxi: “What use is this world to me?”

Zhou Xinrou’s smile stiffened, then she forced a gentle smile: “How could it be useless? This world belongs to our family—we’re only taking back what is ours.”

Shen Lanxi: “Even taking back what is ours must be done methodically. If one seizes it through chaos, the rest of life will be spent making up for those losses. That’s not the way of a wise person.”

Zhou Xinrou stiffened, a dark shadow flickering in her eyes.

“Emperor Renxiao must not die—at least not yet!” Shen Lanxi said, then rose and left.

Zhou Xinrou glared at the closed door, voice icy: “Tell the palace to halt their actions!”

“Yes!”

…

When Zhou Ruyuan returned to the capital, the first thing he did was use his military achievements to secure Bai Qingling’s pardon.

Shen Lanxi watched the armored men returning in triumph below and found it amusing, unconcealed.

“Zhen Nan Wang, are you certain?”

Zhou Ruyuan: “I am certain.”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “Prince, your affection for the consort is truly deep!”

The ministers watched Zhou Ruyuan with eyes full of curiosity.

This was the Emperor’s personally appointed war god, the most relied-upon prince.

Yet in matters of the heart, he was so utterly foolish.

Is such a man really fit to be emperor?

Shen Lanxi continued: “Unfortunately, in matters of state, the Prince seems a little unclear.”

This spoke the truth in the hearts of the ministers.

Zhou Ruyuan’s face darkened instantly.

“Does the Regent King not approve?”

Shen Lanxi: “No, I agree. This trivial matter does not significantly affect the Great Zhou court.”

Zhou Ruyuan was frustrated.

Shen Lanxi: “The Prince traded military merit for the life of a condemned woman. That was a very favorable deal. But Bai Qingling’s nature makes her unfit to remain a consort. She even attempted to assassinate me—I will not spare her life, nor let her escape accountability.”

Zhou Ruyuan asked coldly: “What does the Regent King intend to do?”

Shen Lanxi slowly curled her lips into a smile: “Demote her to concubine status. What say you, Prince?”

Zhou Ruyuan was frustrated. Shen Lanxi was ruthless—she spared no one, not even relatives.

Making Bai Qingling a concubine was already lenient.

“Good!”

Shen Lanxi smiled brightly: “By imperial decree, I govern the state and may handle all court affairs in His Majesty’s stead. Does Zhen Nan Wang have any objections?”

Of course he did!

Zhou Ruyuan waited a moment. Seeing that no minister dared oppose, anger flared in his heart.

Was Shen Lanxi deliberately trying to create conflict between him and the ministers?

“No!”

The tone was clearly reluctant.

Shen Lanxi: “Prince, you contributed greatly in quelling the rebellion. Though you traded military merit for your beloved, it was still meritorious service. You may take a five-day leave to rest at your residence!”

Zhou Ruyuan still had one matter: “I wish to enter the palace to see Father and Mother.”

Shen Lanxi: “Naturally, Prince, simply submit the proper memorial as usual!”

After court, Zhou Ruyuan rushed to the palace prison.

The news quickly reached Consort Shu.

She was so enraged that she smashed every porcelain item in the room.

“Your Highness, the imperial physician says you must not get angry—please take care of your health!”

Consort Shu felt both sad and ridiculous. She had schemed her whole life for her son, only to end up with such a foolish, brainless man.

He had the military achievements that could have secured the crown prince position, yet he used them so easily to save the life of a concubine.

“I regret it…”

Her hysterical cries echoed through Chaoyun Hall, lingering for a long time.

…

“Once again, Zhen Nan Wang will disappoint those who support him!” Che Mingyuan said with amusement.

Liu Yanhu: “Who knows what he’s even thinking?”

Ban Sicao sneered: “What else? Just a stuffed pillow of straw—nobody can push him forward!”

Wei Dongzhu reminded Ban Sicao: “Be careful—last time he even investigated you.”

Ban Sicao shrugged: “I said it already—his head’s full of straw. And now, at this critical time, he’s still thinking about investigating me? Better to focus on expanding military power!”

Xiao Fang scoffed: “If he had any sense, would he have embarrassed himself by calling out three times in one night, letting the whole world know he dropped a watermelon and picked up a rotten leaf?”

Cheng Zheng wrote a few words: “Sooner or later, Prince will get his comeuppance!”

Qian Feng thought carefully: “He’s the most likely prince to be named heir!”

Xiao Fang snorted: “Heir my foot. If you ask me, just rebel already! Our Prince can be Regent, can govern the state—so why not Emperor too?”

The room suddenly fell silent.

Xiao Fang felt a chill as several pairs of eyes stared at him.

“Wait… did I say something wrong?” he muttered, nervous. Why is everyone looking at me like that? Scary…