RWNEFE -Chapter 483 Southwest Unrest

Shen Lanxi’s rise to power attracted visitors to the Shen family with treasures in hand, like fish flooding a river.

Because of this, she made a point to return to the residence after court.

“Father, there’s no one guarding the house; I’m afraid something might go wrong!” Shen Lanxi spoke matter-of-factly, not even glancing at the awkward Shen Congwen.

Shen Congwen, now unable to bear seeing Shen Lanxi return home, felt a tightness in his chest every time he had to bow to his daughter during court.

“Say what you have to say. Don’t beat around the bush—I know you well enough.”

Shen Lanxi smiled lightly. “Tomorrow, Father should stay home and oversee the household. Keep those who want to send gifts or take shortcuts entirely outside the mansion.”

Shen Congwen’s expression changed; she didn’t want him appearing in court anymore.

“Shen Lanxi, I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the head of the ministry. You want me to handle such trivial matters at home—aren’t you afraid people will say you’re wasting talent?”

Shen Lanxi arched her brow, amused. “Go ahead, say it!”

At the sight of her smile, Shen Congwen felt a chill, his legs going weak.

Although Shen Lanxi had not killed anyone directly in court, she had made them witness executions.

Thinking of the various deaths he had seen at the execution grounds yesterday, his stomach churned.

“Ugh…”

He couldn’t hold it.

Clutching his mouth, Shen Congwen limped out, running.

Shen Lanxi called out loudly: “Since Father does not oppose it, then it’s agreed. If Father has the time, write down the names of those who bring gifts; when I have free time, I’ll conduct searches of their households one by one!”

The only response was a thunderous sound of vomiting.

The next day at court: “Vice Minister of Revenue, Shen Congwen, has acknowledged that he is unfit for the position and requests a one-year leave to study at home. I have already approved it!”

Shen Lanxi was merciless even to her father.

Truly ruthless.

Shen Congwen was indeed unfit; he should study at home properly.

Shen Lanxi continued: “Although Shen Congwen has not formally resigned from the Vice Minister position, he is returning home to study—a decision that still shows courage!”

The ministers: “……”

“However, the Ministry of Revenue handles many affairs; it cannot go without leadership for even a day. Does anyone have recommendations?”

Wei Jie, Minister of the Court of Justice, stood up: “I recommend Liu Yanhui.”

“I also recommend Liu Yanhui.”

“I do as well…”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes darkened as he stared at Liu Yanhui. This person must be a Shen Lanxi loyalist.

“Prince of Zhen’nan, do you have any objections to Liu Yanhui being appointed Vice Minister of Revenue?”

Zhou Ruyuan scanned the people who had stood.

Half the court had agreed. Shen Lanxi asked him deliberately—did she want to hear him oppose it?

Would she even fear if he did oppose?

“Liu Yanhui is young and inexperienced,” Zhou Ruyuan thought coldly.

He wanted to see how Shen Lanxi would counter his words.

If she defended Liu Yanhui, the ministers would witness firsthand how Shen Lanxi practiced nepotism.

Shen Lanxi nodded: “Indeed. While Liu Yanhui is capable, his youth is a limitation; he needs a few more years of experience.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s brief look of shock flashed—she wasn’t promoting her own people?

Shen Lanxi considered and said: “Chang Ping, a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, is capable of handling the position of Vice Minister regardless of age or experience.”

Before she finished speaking, Chang Ping collapsed to the ground with a thud.

A windfall from the sky, just dropped on his head without warning?

Shen Lanxi’s eyes swept over him: “Chang Ping, do you refuse?”

Chang Ping immediately knelt properly, clasping his hands instinctively: “Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity!”

The court fell silent.

Chang Ping quickly corrected himself: “The Prince Regent is wise!”

After court, Zhou Ruyuan’s face was as black as coal.

Was the throne about to change hands in the Great Zhou Court?

His father still ruled—was a regime change imminent?

This could not continue!

Back at the residence, Bai Qingling approached Zhou Ruyuan.

“Prince, in the capital, we are entirely at Shen Lanxi’s mercy. We must find a legitimate reason to leave the capital.”

This was what Master Jiang had said before. He could not persuade the Prince himself, so he sought her help, hoping to influence matters from her side.

She felt grateful to Master Jiang. Even now, when she had fallen to such a low point, he still remembered the life-saving favor and helped her.

Normally, Zhou Ruyuan would not listen, but now he did. After reassuring Bai Qingling, he immediately contacted Jiang Wuyai.

Jiang Wuyai said: “Our power base is in the Southwest. Recently, the border tribes there have been restless. If war breaks out, we can use pacifying the rebellion as a pretext to leave the capital.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes darkened. As he listened, his hands clenched involuntarily.

Is leaving the capital truly the only way?

He was the most likely prince to inherit the Great Unity throne. If he left the capital, what if his father passed away while he was away?

Jiang Wuyai continued: “Once we accumulate enough strength, even if we must raise troops in the name of purging corruption, we will be unstoppable!”

Zhou Ruyuan was persuaded and immediately wrote to his old followers in the Southwest.

“My Lord, isn’t this like letting the tiger return to the mountain?” Che Mingyuan worried.

Ban Sicao made a hand-chopping gesture: “Shall we arrange an accident along the way?” The word “accident” was learned from Shen Lanxi.

After all, when traveling, there are snakes, insects, rats—accidents can happen.

Shen Lanxi said: “No need. This is an opportunity for him—and for us as well.”

Che Mingyuan analyzed: “He will go Southwest and dominate a region, turning it into a fortress.”

Shen Lanxi said: “The Southwest has been restless for years. We can use him to strengthen it, giving us time to quell the internal unrest.”

Wasn’t the Eight Princes’s rebellion already pacified?

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was fierce: “The two traitors, Prince Cheng and Prince Dongliao, cut our territory, committing treason against the throne—their crimes are unforgivable!”

Che Mingyuan realized he had been too focused on the present and had forgotten these two entirely.

Three days later, the court received urgent news: unrest had broken out in the Southwest.

“Daring barbarians, provoking the authority of Great Zhou—they don’t know their place!” Shen Lanxi fumed, scolding the Southwest generals.

“How can they not even defend the Southwest passes? What is the Southwest army doing?”

Zhao Zheng stepped forward: “Prince, I request the imperial order to go pacify the Southwest.”

Zhou Ruyuan frowned. What was Zhao Zheng plotting?

Shen Lanxi’s gaze swept over Zhou Ruyuan and Zhao Zheng, then she appeared deep in thought.

The Left Prime Minister said: “My Lord, I think the Prince of Zhen’nan should go. He has long guarded the Northwest and understands the terrain and local tribes.”

Zhao Zheng argued: “My ancestors also fought in the Southwest. I understand it as well.”

Wu Yanzhi said: “You said it yourself—that was your ancestors, not you.”

Zhao Zheng was momentarily speechless.

Zhou Ruyuan, to avoid alarming anyone, had not asked the ministers for support. Unexpectedly, Wu Yanzhi stepped forward to help him at this moment.

Shen Lanxi glanced at Zhou Ruyuan: “His Majesty is not in good health. Whoever is sent still requires imperial approval.”