RWNEFE -Chapter 543 The Officials Petition

Shen Lanxi played with the children. “Is that so? Did your father say you were brave?”

Shen Emei, completely unafraid, replied, “Yes, Father said I’m like Aunt Emperor. Aunt Emperor is very brave and very capable.”

Shen Lanxi’s face lit up with delight as she held Shen Emei’s tiny hand. “Is that so? Did your father say anything else about me?”

Shen Emei furrowed her little brows, thought for a moment, and said, “Father said Aunt Emperor is the best big sister in the world.”

Hearing this, Shen Lanxi’s heart swelled with joy. She took off the jade pendant from her waist and hung it around Shen Emei’s waist.

“This is a gift from me. With this jade pendant, you and your brothers and sisters can walk proudly through the capital!”

Shen Emei hugged the jade pendant happily, refusing to let go.

The accompanying officials, observing Shen Lanxi’s attitude, constantly speculated about the imperial will.

His Majesty was approaching the age of thirty, and yet unlike other women—many of whom would already be grandmothers—she still had no heirs.

Judging by her behavior, could she be thinking of adopting Shen Yuanjing’s children?

It wasn’t surprising that they were overthinking. The heir to the throne ensured the stability of the state; only when His Majesty had a successor could he suppress the ambitions of those tempted to rebel.

They dared not interfere in the emperor’s marriage, but the matter of an heir had to be put on the agenda.

Shen Lanxi herself had no idea that her momentary joy was being interpreted in hundreds of different ways by the ministers.

She personally delivered the children to the Shen household. After they paid respects to the matriarch, she returned to the palace.

The old matriarch’s eyes were already filled with thoughts of great-grandchildren; she could hardly wait for Shen Lanxi to leave.

Normally, when children returned to the capital, the Shen family elders would escort them to the palace to meet Shen Lanxi.

Now, with the male elders absent, they would have to wait until the elders returned before entering the palace.

Just as she entered the palace gates, news arrived.

“At first, the Lin family in Jichuan indeed feared the Shen family and treated Shen Yuanxin with care. But seeing that Shen Yuanxin offered them no advantage and continued giving birth to daughters, Lady Wang Lin began to subtly oppress her.”

As for poisoning, secret attacks, and other mistreatment, no investigation had confirmed it.

“Your Majesty, the Shen family went to Jichuan and caused quite a commotion in the Lin household. One of the concubines who was pregnant fell during the conflict, bled uncontrollably, and could not be saved.”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow. “Were you bribed by Shen Yuantang?”

The secret guard immediately knelt.

“I was not, Your Majesty. I serve only you faithfully.”

Shen Lanxi’s expression turned icy. “Then do not sugarcoat it. Speak the truth.”

After assessing the Shen family’s position in the emperor’s mind, the guard reported truthfully.

“That concubine was deliberately pushed by Shen Yuantang during the chaos. The four members of the Shen family beat up Lin Cheng, recovered Shen Yuanxin’s dowry and children, made the Lin family sign a divorce document, and on their way out threatened the Lin family, saying their careers were ruined.”

Shen Lanxi: “I understand. You may withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even a fair and decisive emperor could not handle domestic Shen family affairs with the same immediacy as other matters; household disputes required delicate management.

Soon, the Shen family submitted a memorial to the palace. It stated that Shen Yuantang had gone to Jichuan to defend her sister’s interests, doing so with great effort, and hoped Shen Yuanxin could stay with the Shen family for protection.

“Hmph, she’s certainly found herself a ladder in this matter,” Shen Lanxi muttered, tossing the memorial aside.

Shen Yuantang did not yet realize that Shen Lanxi had seen through her plan. She happily sent someone to the old residence to pack, while Shen Lanxi, under the pretense of accompanying Shen Yuanxin, openly stayed behind.

The Shen family’s offspring from the northwest had returned to the capital, and there was someone else keeping a close eye.

“Master, our Qingyu is growing day by day. When will the Shen family give an answer?” Madam Liang worriedly asked. Even though she later had other children, she still thought of her daughter who had been sent to the Shen household.

Though Hu Jinyu often visited the Prime Minister’s residence with the child under the pretext of outings, no mother could help but wish to raise her child nearby. Hence, she cared more for Wu Qingyu than her other children.

Since Shen Lanxi ascended the throne, Wu Yanzhi had restrained himself, cautious in every step. Under the title of Prime Minister, he slowly relinquished official duties.

In reality, it was not so much a reduction as a division of authority. Over time, his power would be hollowed out. Once the sly were gone and the dogs cooked, as an old minister of the previous dynasty, what fate could await him?

So upon hearing Madam Liang’s remarks about the Shen family, he immediately became impatient and warned her sternly.

“I warn you: anything involving the Shen family, you best not touch. If it brings deadly trouble to the household, I will be the first to push you forward to take the blame.”

Madam Liang trembled in fear, then scoffed: “Shen Lanxi became emperor thanks to your support. Without it, could she have sat on the dragon throne properly?”

Wu Yanzhi, seeing she ignored his warning, raised his hand to slap her, then sagged in defeat and lowered it.

“I thought the same at first!” he said with a frustrated sigh.

Madam Liang dared not speak again, sitting silently.

At first, Wu Yanzhi assumed Shen Lanxi would rely on him in the palace. But one by one, matters spiraled beyond control. By the time he realized it, all was out of his hands.

He was now bound to Shen Lanxi; she was powerful, and he could not climb down from the ship anymore.

“In short, mark my words—you are not to covet the Shen family. Tomorrow I’ll ask Che Mingyuan about it.”

Madam Liang did not take his words seriously. Men would sacrifice anything for power.

She had already been denied her daughter, and now he would not even let her inquire. She could not rely on him.

Wasn’t it said that the Shen family’s offspring from the northwest would return to the capital soon? This was the perfect chance to gather information.

The next day in court, the officials submitted a petition.

“The matter of heirs concerns the foundation of our Great Zhou. We earnestly request Your Majesty to designate a successor promptly to reassure the people!”

All the ministers in the hall stared at the speaking official.

Such audacity! Had he forgotten why His Majesty had been titled Emperor Chongwu?

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was deep, her presence cold and firm, yet her words were not harsh.

“I will consider your proposal carefully. I am still in my prime. Tell me, how many more years of governance do you think I have?”

The ministers knew the official was in trouble.

To push for an heir now was essentially wishing for the emperor’s early death.

The official realized his mistake and, trembling, knelt immediately.

“Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand more years!”

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. Hearts rose to throats.

Would Shen Lanxi finally unleash her wrath on the Golden Throne?

A hum of laughter broke out.

“The other officials are rigid, but you… you know how to be smooth!”

The official, frightened, hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, I speak only what others dare not, to admonish you. Even if I anger you, I must speak boldly!”

Shen Lanxi raised a corner of her mouth. “You sure know how to talk. Good and bad, you say it all alone!”