RWNEFE -Chapter 545 The Palace Family Banquet

If it had been anyone else, she would have scolded them for being unlucky.

But Zhou Xinrou was Shen Lanxi’s biological mother—a bond closer than her own as grandmother.

If her daughter was hosting a family banquet and she, as a mother, didn’t attend, it would be a slight to her daughter.

The old matriarch’s long-dormant curiosity for spectacle was piqued. She wanted to see if Shen Lanxi would treat Zhou Xinrou the same way she treated her sons.

In the blink of an eye, the Shen family arrived at the palace.

Shen Lanxi personally went to the palace gate to greet them, giving full respect to the senior members of the Shen family.

“Long live Your Majesty…”

Shen Lanxi said, “Rise.” She scanned her father at the very back, who looked extremely reluctant, and quickly turned her gaze elsewhere.

“Grandmother, our Shen family now has a flourishing line of descendants. In a few more years, we’ll truly become a great family.”

Compared to the usual words of “grandchildren fill the house,” she preferred a straightforward statement. Especially since transforming from a family with few heirs into a prominent clan was thanks to her, the matriarch.

“You children, hurry over and pay respects to His Majesty!” the old matriarch commanded.

The children, ranging from teenagers to toddlers still learning to speak, all lined up properly.

“Kowtow to His Majesty! Long live, long live, long, long live…”

Shen Lanxi looked at the sea of black heads on the floor, amused, and began counting.

“One, two, three… forty-five. Excellent!”

The old matriarch whispered, “Sixteen girls, twenty-nine boys. Those two girls belong to Yuanxin—don’t mistake them for Shen family children.”

Shen Lanxi raised her hand, and palace attendants brought forward several trays.

“These are gifts from me. Each is carved with the character ‘Shen.’ Wearing this jade pendant represents that you are members of the Shen family.”

Many of the Shen family noticed the dragon patterns engraved on the pendants—genuine imperial gifts!

“Hurry and thank His Majesty!” the old matriarch exclaimed, delighted. Shen Lanxi’s heart was indeed aligned with the Shen family.

A few days ago, there were rumors about establishing heirs. This act clearly hinted that she intended to adopt heirs from the Shen family.

Perfect—she wouldn’t let the throne pass to outsiders.

Shen Yuantang stood at the very end, neither stepping forward nor flattering anyone.

Previously, she had thought Wei Dongzhu was hypocritical; now she realized Shen Lanxi was no different.

Wei Dongzhu was also foolish. If Shen Lanxi truly cared for him, why hadn’t she married him yet?

Neither of them were any good.

“Yuanxin, these are for your two children. I heard you’ve already changed their surname to Shen?”

Shen Yuanxin looked surprised—her children, too?

“Yes… well…” Realizing she misspoke, Shen Yuanxin quickly corrected herself.

“Your Majesty, I don’t want my children tangled with that family anymore. From now on, they’re solely mine.”

Shen Lanxi patted her shoulder. “They are also children of the Shen family.”

Shen Yuanxin covered her face and wept quietly.

The old matriarch shot a sharp glance. “On a day of celebration, why are you crying?” she muttered. Had it not been for caution, she would have scolded them harshly.

Everyone seemed determined to bring bad luck to the day.

“Grandmother, don’t be upset. Yuanxin’s avoidance of her in-laws’ torment is a blessing. From Dongchuan to the Northwest, our family has endured hardship together, arriving here safely—very remarkable!”

The old matriarch recalled the exiled days in Dongchuan and let out a relieved sigh.

“You’re right. Our family has arrived together, intact. That’s indeed great fortune.”

“Your Majesty Auntie!” Shen Emei stepped forward and took Shen Lanxi’s hand.

Shen Lanxi paused, then smiled and held it firmly.

“Emei, do you miss your father?”

“I do. Father said if I miss him, I should write him a letter.”

Shen Lanxi, surprised, asked, “You already know how to write letters?”

Shen Emei proudly said, “Of course! When we were in the Northwest, I often wrote to my father. If he hadn’t stopped me, I would have even written to Your Majesty Auntie.”

“Really? So capable?”

Shen Emei snorted confidently, “Of course! I can ride horses, practice martial arts, hunt—I often went with my father to see the soldiers train.”

Shen Lanxi’s smile deepened. “Our Emei is so impressive. Next time, show me your skills, okay?”

“Sure, Your Majesty Auntie! Father says your martial arts are excellent. Can you teach me?”

“I can, but I don’t have much time. If you want to train, I’ll choose a skilled teacher for you.”

Shen Emei furrowed her small brows, thinking seriously. “Okay, Your Majesty Auntie, you can’t lie to me.”

Shen Lanxi chuckled. “Clever little one—you’re exactly that!”

Those following quietly watched the big and small walking hand in hand, remembering their conversation.

“Your Majesty, since childhood, Chongfeng has also loved martial arts. He’s strong and can eat two bowls of rice in one sitting,” Madam Liu said quickly, fearing Shen Lanxi would forget her grandson.

Although Shen Emei was from the main branch, she was a girl. Chongfeng was a boy.

The old matriarch glanced at Madam Liu and remained silent, as did the others.

Shen Congwen said sternly, “If we’re teaching the children martial arts, all will train together!”

Madam Liu, Madam Miao, and others brightened at the decision.

“Big brother…” they wanted to say, no wonder he was the head of the Shen family—but thinking of Shen Lanxi, they held back.

“Big brother considers everything carefully, always thinking of our Shen family,” Shen Congyi added with effort.

Shen Lanxi noticed and smiled, unchanged.

“The National Academy teaches both literature and martial arts. In the future, when Shen family children attend, they can learn all six arts of a gentleman.”

Weren’t they supposed to find a separate teacher? the Shen family muttered inwardly.

As they spoke, they arrived at the Taihe Hall.

Shen Lanxi let go of Shen Emei’s hand. When Emei tried to follow, the old matriarch quickly pulled her back with a sharp look.

That little girl is too bold, showing no proper feminine manners. Training in martial arts is for boys. Once back at the residence, let the eldest properly teach the children in the house—they need discipline!

At the banquet, everyone took their seats. Shen Lanxi glanced casually and noticed Wu Qingyu, placed farthest away.

She quietly withdrew her gaze and began chatting familiarly with the family.

“When conferring titles, I initially thought to give the uncles military ranks. But giving ranks would split them across different regions, preventing them from observing mourning before grandmother. I struggled over this for two days.”

“On one side was the uncles’ future, on the other was filial duty. Later, the younger men of the family persuaded me: the uncles are older now, they served faithfully in the army and endured hardships. Now that the world is stable, let the elders rest at home. Let the younger ones handle the work!”

The Shen brothers had been upset before over the title conferrals, privately grumbling that Shen Lanxi was “burning bridges.”

Little did they know, the one “burning the bridge” wasn’t her—it was their own children.