RWNEFE -Chapter 514 Emperor Renxiao Recovers; Shen Lanxi Personally Sets Out for the Southwest!

The civil and military officials looked at one another, every face filled with disbelief.

Liu Yanhui continued, “Yanghe Town—rice yields have reached as high as 1,500 jin per mu. In Chizhou, sweet potatoes yield up to 5,000 jin per mu. Gold nuggets have been dug from the river channel in Fuma Town, and fifteen coal mountains have been discovered in Heishan Town…”

By the time Liu Yanhui finished reading his long report, the officials were already numb.

With a festive expression, Liu Yanhui added, “Everyone immediately said these are auspicious omens. From now on, Great Zhou will surely enjoy favorable weather and everlasting peace!”

Even Shen Lanxi felt her blood surge with excitement.

“Good, good, good!”

She said “good” three times in a row.

“The people of Great Zhou will never have to go hungry again. With such prosperous omens, one day Great Zhou will surely command all the Nine Provinces and become the overlord of the four seas!”

The officials had only just recovered from their stunned state when Shen Lanxi’s grand speech left them dizzy again.

She… she… how could she possess such ambition?

Those were words the emperor should speak—words men should speak.

They should not be coming from the mouth of a woman like Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi said, “Quickly arrange for the auspicious goods to be sent to the capital for sale, so the people of the capital may also share in their fortune.”

Liu Yanhui replied happily, “Yes.”

Shen Lanxi shook her head. “No—not only the people of the capital should share in the fortune. Let all the people of Great Zhou benefit!”

“Draft an edict: the auspicious goods sent to the capital may be sold along the way. Be sure that every citizen of Great Zhou receives a share of this blessing!”

“Yes!”

The officials were speechless.

This court session was impossible to continue…

…

Victorious reports kept arriving one after another. The entire nation celebrated, and with the appearance of auspicious signs, the Great Zhou army advanced with unstoppable momentum.

Soon, reports of victory poured into the capital like falling snow.

Now, every time Shen Lanxi attended court, the first thing she did was have Wang Bao read the latest victory reports.

For several days, the court was so quiet it was as if no one else were present—only Shen Lanxi speaking at length.

Then, amid all this celebration, an urgent report from the southwest was quietly delivered to the palace.

After reading it, Shen Lanxi’s face turned cold. She immediately wrote a letter and sent it away by messenger eagle.

The next day in court, the officials expected another round of victory reports, followed by Shen Lanxi’s speeches and a few flattering remarks before dismissal.

But to everyone’s surprise—

Wang Bao announced, “Disturbances in the southwest. It is suspected that the Prince of Zhen’nan has colluded with foreign tribes, murdered our Great Zhou envoy, and is attempting to launch a rebellion!”

The officials’ eyes widened instantly.

“How is that possible? The Prince of Zhen’nan is the most promising candidate for the throne—why would he rebel?”

“He is a prince, a war god of Great Zhou. Why would he collude with foreign tribes?”

“Could this be false information released by the tribes to sow discord between the court and the prince?”

“The tribes are cruel and cunning; we must verify the source of the news carefully.”

“The Prince of Zhen’nan is foolish…”

“I’ve heard that when he left, he took with him the criminal who attempted to assassinate the prince regent. That criminal must have bewitched him.”

“That must be it!”

“Consort Shu, the princess, and the prince’s heirs are all in the capital. Would he really disregard even his own children?”

The officials argued noisily.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze darkened, and suddenly she left the court.

An uproar broke out among the officials.

“What?”

“Why has the Regent left?”

“Could it be she was angered by the Prince of Zhen’nan and that woman?”

“The Prince of Zhen’nan is foolish…”

“That woman is a calamity. I said long ago she should not be kept…”

“What should we do? Should we dismiss court?”

Wang Bao was still standing there. Since he had not announced dismissal, who dared to leave?

Half an hour passed. Just as the officials were growing impatient and were about to ask the three chief ministers to inquire, Shen Lanxi returned.

Behind her was someone else.

When they saw who it was, the officials were so shocked their eyes nearly fell out.

“Your Majesty…”

“It’s His Majesty…”

The officials cried out and fell to their knees.

Emperor Renxiao stood upright. Aside from being thinner, with a longer beard and a sterner expression, he looked almost exactly as he had before falling ill.

The emperor had recovered!

Shen Lanxi said, “I had no choice but to disturb Uncle’s recuperation.”

Emperor Renxiao raised a hand slightly to help her up. “From now on, Shen Lanxi need not kneel in my presence.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace.”

Emperor Renxiao sat upon the dragon throne, his gaze dark as he looked at the officials below.

“Rise, all of you.”

The officials stood, overjoyed.

Emperor Renxiao said, “Previously, when my health was poor, the Regent handled state affairs. The Regent has worked tirelessly and rendered great service to Great Zhou. I remember it all.”

Shen Lanxi replied modestly, “I would not dare. These were merely my duties.”

Emperor Renxiao continued, “The Regent has already told me she wishes to go personally to the southwest to investigate. I have granted permission.”

The officials looked at Shen Lanxi with complicated expressions. Even some of the older ministers who once disliked her and wanted her expelled from court now gazed at her differently.

Emperor Renxiao added, “I trust the Prince of Zhen’nan. He has always been intelligent and dutiful, and his military achievements are numerous. He would never collude with foreign tribes.”

The officials remained silent, still shocked by the news that Shen Lanxi would personally investigate the situation.

Shen Lanxi said respectfully, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will certainly uncover the truth and clear the Prince of Zhen’nan’s name.”

Emperor Renxiao said, “If you need anything, speak freely. I look forward to your early return.”

Shen Lanxi bowed. “I accept the decree and thank Your Majesty.”

…

News of Emperor Renxiao’s recovery was rushed into print by tabloids, and bookstores began selling them that very day.

Storytellers were already linking the auspicious omens with the emperor’s recovery, fabricating one fascinating version after another.

Next came the news that Shen Lanxi would personally lead a campaign.

In truth, the court had no troops to give her, but with the approval of both Emperor Renxiao and Shen Lanxi, the Ministry of War spread an enormous lie:

“Shen Lanxi will lead four hundred thousand troops, marching in place of the emperor!”

“Extra! Extra! Shen Lanxi leads four hundred thousand troops in place of His Majesty!”

The news spread through the streets at lightning speed. Soon, Shen Lanxi received a letter delivered by a servant from her residence.

On it was written only a single word: Return.

It could not have been written by her grandmother or the others. Only her mother would write something so simple and direct.

“You continue handling affairs. I’ll go back for a while.”

Now that Emperor Renxiao had recovered, she could no longer remain in the palace. This was the perfect opportunity to move back home.

“Lanxi, I heard His Majesty has recovered?”

When she returned to the residence, everyone had gathered, including Shen Yuantang.

“Yes. His Majesty has recovered. From now on, he will preside over the morning court.”

Quite a few faces changed.

If the emperor had recovered, would he begin settling accounts with their family? Lanxi had been so domineering before—effectively controlling the court, her achievements overshadowing even the ruler. Would the emperor tolerate that?

“Lanxi, is it true that you’re taking four hundred thousand troops to the southwest?”

Shen Lanxi replied, “It’s true. The Prince of Zhen’nan is suspected of colluding with foreign tribes in the southwest to launch a rebellion. His Majesty has ordered me to verify the situation.”