RWNEFE -Chapter 549 Shen Chengfeng and Wu Qingyu Betrothed

The maid could no longer offer comfort—after all, the matter concerned the young master’s safety.

“Use the palace’s secret channels to clean up after her!”

The maid worried: “That was planted with great effort. If it’s discovered, all our work will be wasted.”

Zhou Xinrou’s expression was icy, her tone resolute: “At this point, there’s no time to worry about that!”

The maid had no choice but to obey.

The next day, Zhou Xinrou had horses prepared to go to the temple to burn incense.

…

Upon hearing that Zhou Ruyuan had taken another wife in Jinmen, Shen Yuantang was furious.

“Men truly will abandon anything for power.”

A man could disregard his own mother, his lawful wife, even his children—one by one, all heartless wolves.

“Princess, what should we do?” Previously, the princess had considered taking them to the prince for protection, but now that he had remarried, going would be walking into a trap.

Thinking of her son, Shen Yuantang’s heart ached.

“The pain of losing a child cannot be borne by me alone.” She wrote a letter and had a maid send it to Jinmen.

~

Wei Dongzhu had already prepared everything for Qiao Niang and her child’s journey. Operating in secrecy, only his old Wei family soldiers knew; everything was foolproof.

“They are all loyal elders who have followed me—you know them. With them escorting you, I can be at ease.”

Qiao Niang and her child wept continuously, reluctant to leave, but dared not defy Wei Dongzhu. They obediently climbed into the carriage.

“General, the children and I are leaving. Please take care of yourself.”

Wei Dongzhu nodded: “Be careful on the road. Once in the Northwest, send me a letter.”

Tears streamed down Qiao Niang’s face as the carriage slowly drove off amid quiet sobs.

Wei Dongzhu felt both guilty and relieved.

The death of the censor had been a warning: the capital was not as peaceful as it seemed. Many hidden dangers lurked nearby, ready to strike at any moment.

Besides his personal guards, he had stationed two hundred more outside the city, hoping to safely escort Qiao Niang and her child to the Northwest.

Shen Lanxi was reviewing memorials when a letter arrived from the Shen household.

It was from her good mother, Zhou Xinrou.

The letter contained only a few words: “Why haven’t you acted yet?”

Zhou Ruyuan’s collusion with Zhou Qiwou had already been exposed publicly; her mother urged her to eliminate all potential threats.

She explained to her advisors that the reason she hadn’t struck at Zhou Ruyuan was because she wanted control of the Jinmen navy.

But that was only a small part of it.

What she had always wanted was never the world itself—only those who had tried to destroy her, who had stolen the world from her.

Now, she would grasp the world in her hands, letting them watch helplessly.

In her previous life, she had been the fish on the chopping block, others holding the knife.

This life, she held the knife—and they were the fish.

“Give this letter to my mother!” she thought. Once her hands-on mother read it, she would temporarily put away her blade.

Wu Yanzhi tossed and turned for days, eventually offering a plan to the Liang family.

A few days later, the Shen family held a flower-viewing banquet, inviting the city’s noble families and their households.

Shen Lanxi had previously received an inquiry from the Shen family. After approving it, she had a few large carts of rare flowers and plants sent from the palace gardens.

Soon, the Shen household entrance was filled with carriages of officials and nobles. Many children from prominent families even took a day off from the academy to attend.

The Shen family still had several unmarried daughters and children under age. Each was lovely and charming, and many officials sought to arrange child marriages to connect with them.

The Shen family was at the peak of its influence, and with Shen Lanxi in her prime, their prestige would last at least a hundred years—such a household was pure gold in the eyes of the elite.

“That must be the eldest daughter. So lovely! She certainly inherited the Shen family’s good looks. When she grows up, she’ll be a beauty.”

“Indeed, her expression shows intelligence and courage. She’ll undoubtedly be remarkable.”

“Has the eldest daughter been betrothed?”

“And that must be the eldest son. What a refined and strong boy! He’ll achieve great things.”

“Has the eldest son been betrothed?”

“In the capital, child marriages are common. Girls of good family and beauty are betrothed from a young age. Those married later are usually leftovers.”

“My family’s children are all well-matched in looks and age. Why not arrange a betrothal between our two families? The children can grow up together, familiar with each other—they’ll surely be harmonious.”

“My brother’s child could recite poetry at three, practice martial arts at five, study under a master at six. He and the Shen eldest daughter are truly a perfect match.”

“My younger brother holds a third-rank official position and is favored by His Majesty. His youngest son…”

Under the guise of a flower-viewing banquet, they observed potential matches, a practice that was lively and earnest.

After the banquet, the Shen family quickly submitted a petition to the palace.

Che Mingyuan had once worried Shen Lanxi, as a woman, wouldn’t understand politics. Now he worried she didn’t understand palace household affairs.

“Since ancient times, women’s disputes have always been about men’s status in public.”
“The inner palace is the same. Especially in a household like the Shen family, it concerns the stability of the former dynasty. We hope Your Majesty exercises caution.”

Shen Lanxi studied the petition, noting each child’s prospective family, her gaze deepening.

“They haven’t mentioned it, but Hu Jinyu suggested Wu Qingyu in the petition. What do you think?”

Che Mingyuan was silent for a moment: “Wu Yanzhi is anxious!”

Shen Lanxi smirked: “If he wants to arrange a marriage for his daughter, he’ll have to yield one step.”

Che Mingyuan’s eyes shifted: “He has countless disciples. Many were placed in the exam this time.”

Shen Lanxi thought for a moment: “Send him word: if I betroth Wu Qingyu to Shen Chengfeng, he’ll have to respond to me.”

Che Mingyuan: “I’ll personally deliver the message.”

Shen Lanxi nodded, a smile rising: “I didn’t expect the strategist to know so much about household matters as well.”

Che Mingyuan gave a wry smile: “One learns from experience.”

The strategist likely had his own story—Shen Lanxi did not wish to probe. It was surely some sorrow Che Mingyuan kept in his heart.

The next day, three appointed examiners caught a cold and withdrew in apology.

Shen Lanxi gladly approved and issued an edict the same day, betrothing Shen Chengfeng and Wu Qingyu.

Wu Qingyu would return home to await her wedding.

A few touches were made on the petition submitted by the Shen family.

Within two days, the Shen household began decorating with red and gold.

First, Wu Qingyu, raised in the Shen household, was returned to the Wu family. As Wu Yanzhi was the current prime minister, Wu Qingyu could not return empty-handed.

When Old Madam Shen saw Hu Jinyu preparing the gift list, she even complained lightly:
“When Wu Qingyu entered the household, she had nothing. Now leaving, the Shen family must supplement her dowry.”