RWNEFE -Chapter 540 Wei Dongzhu’s Killing Intent

Shen Lanxi asked, “Was the illegitimate son killed by her?”

Wei Dongzhu stiffened. At the time, he had been too shocked and too eager to take Qiao Niang and the child away. He had completely forgotten to investigate the cause of the boy’s death.

“…Yes.”

He knew full well that his visit to the Criminal Prince’s residence had merely been for show. Shen Yuantang had acted against the child to lure him there.

There was no need to verify it—Shen Yuantang was the true culprit.

“Your Majesty, should she be punished?” Wei Dongzhu knew Shen Lanxi kept the Criminal Prince’s residence intact as leverage against Zhou Ruyuan.

Fortunately, only one illegitimate son had died—there were still four remaining.

“If Shen Yuantang isn’t separated from them, the remaining four may also be in danger,” Wei Dongzhu added, offering a reason that would not arouse suspicion.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze remained lowered on the table, as though seriously weighing his words.

Time passed. Just as Wei Dongzhu thought she might refuse, she finally spoke.

“She may leave the Criminal Prince’s residence—but she cannot move into the Shen family’s main household. Let her return to the old Shen residence. It has always been maintained. She can live in her former courtyard.”

Wei Dongzhu felt a quiet relief. Though she would not live with the Shen family, at least she would be free of the Criminal Prince’s residence.

Her demand to him had only been to leave that place. What happened afterward would depend on her. Blood ties were not easily severed—given time, grudges might fade.

“And the matter of her divorcing Zhou Ruyuan?” he asked, only realizing afterward that he might have overstepped.

“Denied. She schemed for so long to become Zhou Ruyuan’s principal wife. Now that she has achieved it, how can she abandon it so lightly?”

Seeing she had not noticed anything unusual in his question, Wei Dongzhu quietly exhaled.

After his shift ended, he went straight to the Criminal Prince’s residence.

The moment Shen Yuantang saw him, she knew she had gotten her wish.

“Move my belongings to the gate. Once I finish speaking with General Wei, we leave.”

“Yes.”

Her maid withdrew, leaving them alone.

Wei Dongzhu said, “His Majesty permits you to leave the Criminal Prince’s residence, but you are to live at the Shen ancestral home. And you are not permitted to divorce Zhou Ruyuan.”

Shen Yuantang’s smile froze, then turned sharp. “She could divorce Zhou Ruyuan—why can’t I?”

Wei Dongzhu answered mercilessly, “Perhaps because she never sought marital harmony with him. When he was at the height of his power, she divorced him decisively—abandoning wealth, abandoning protection.”

At that time, the Shen family had already been sentenced to exile. Her divorce had been swift and resolute—proof she had never cared for the title of princess consort, nor for Zhou Ruyuan himself.

Shen Yuantang laughed bitterly, almost crazed.

“So she mocks me for craving power? She can be cold and heartless even to her own family—what kind of person does that make her?”

Wei Dongzhu’s eyes turned venomous and icy.

“If you speak of her that way again, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Shen Yuantang looked at him and burst into wild laughter.

“Wei Dongzhu, what are you? You pride yourself on loving her deeply, yet you’re no different from those men who dote on concubines and neglect their wives—keeping a mistress and an illegitimate son in secret, treating Shen Lanxi like a fool in the dark!”

Rage exploded within him. He lunged forward, gripping her throat tightly. Murderous intent flooded his eyes.

“K-kill me…”

“If I die, see whether Shen Lanxi investigates my death.”

“You step into this residence—and I die right after…”

“Even if I’m dead, your secret of keeping another woman and child won’t stay buried. I’ll make sure everyone knows! Let’s see whether she casts you aside like she did Zhou Ruyuan!”

Wei Dongzhu’s eyes blazed with savage fury. He flung her aside. Shen Yuantang fell to the ground in a heap.

“I have fulfilled my promise. If you dare break yours, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Shen Yuantang lay on the floor watching his retreating back. The smile on her lips only widened, her laughter twisting her face into something grotesque.

Wei Dongzhu returned home with a dark expression. Qiao Niang and the child were hiding behind a curtain. Seeing it was him, they hurried out.

“General…”

“Father.”

The moment he saw his son, the frost on his face gradually melted.

“Why were you hiding?”

Wei Yan’s stomach growled loudly. Both mother and child lowered their heads awkwardly.

“You haven’t eaten?”

Wei Yan whispered, “Father… Mother and I didn’t dare.”

Seeing them bow their heads nearly to their chests, Wei Dongzhu sighed.

“I’ll have the kitchen send food.”

Qiao Niang hurried to arrange it.

Once she left, Wei Dongzhu asked softly, “Yan’er, tell Father—how did you and your mother end up in the Prince of Zhen Nan’s residence?”

It wasn’t that he distrusted Qiao Niang. He simply believed a child would not harbor hidden motives or lie.

“Father, what prince’s residence?” Wei Yan looked confused.

Wei Dongzhu clarified, “The place Father brought you from before—the one guarded by many men with blades who wouldn’t let you leave.”

“Oh—that place.” Wei Yan remembered. “It was that princess consort who brought Mother and me in.”

Wei Dongzhu’s eyes darkened. Judging by the timing, he had been in Shu at the time. Shen Yuantang must still have had freedom of movement then.

So she had forcibly taken them there?

How had she even known about Qiao Niang and the child? Could she have been the one who brought them from the northwest?

Did Shen Yuantang truly possess such capability—or was there someone behind her?

The thought chilled him further.

Whoever it was, this had clearly been premeditated. He would find that person.

After ensuring Qiao Niang and the child had eaten, Wei Dongzhu left again.

Much later—

“Mother, Father left again.”

“Yan’er, did you say what I taught you?”

“Yes. Mother is so clever—you even guessed what Father would ask.”

“Shh, Yan’er. Don’t tell anyone about this—especially not your father. Otherwise, we may never see him again.”

“Yan’er understands.”

“Your Majesty, news from Tianjin: Zhou Ruyuan and Wang Xiangyi are officially betrothed.” Che Mingyuan handed over the letter.

After reading it, Shen Lanxi set it aside.

“Everything is progressing as planned. Good.”

Che Mingyuan handed her a second letter from Tianjin—a secret dispatch only she could open.

After reading it, Shen Lanxi almost laughed.

“You should read this too.”

Che Mingyuan read it and couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

“Zhou Ruyuan is copying us—setting up factories and launching a newspaper? How interesting.”

Shen Lanxi sneered. “He looks down on me for being a woman, yet imitates ideas conceived by one. Hypocrisy at its finest.”

“Shall we leak news of his presence in Tianjin?” Che Mingyuan asked.

“Not yet. Wait until he formally takes control of the Tianjin navy.”

Understanding dawned on Che Mingyuan, and a flicker of shock crossed his eyes.

Could it be… that from beginning to end, their emperor’s true target had never been Zhou Ruyuan—but the Tianjin navy itself?