RWNEFE -Chapter 553 Two Attendant Gentlemen and the Sterility Potion

“You want to lecture me?” Shen Lanxi asked, raising an eyebrow. “How will you do it? Write it down for me?”

Cheng Zheng and Sang Gu lowered their heads, not daring to look up.

Shen Lanxi’s eyes flickered as she studied their timid posture. Just as the two thought she wouldn’t agree, she spoke: “Both of you, come in and tell me directly!”

The two instinctively reached for writing materials, but when they looked up, Shen Lanxi had already walked into the room, and they hurried to follow.

Che Mingyuan stepped out of the shadows and took a seat in a corner.

Inside the hall, Shen Lanxi sat on the couch, propping her head with one hand, feigning sleep with closed eyes.

Cheng and Sang exchanged a glance. One of them stepped back, the other knelt slowly on the floor.

The one kneeling felt a weight on their leg and gradually opened their eyes.

The hand resting on her lap froze in shock, instinctively trying to withdraw.

Suddenly, an irresistible force gripped the wrist and tipped them onto the couch.

…

Che Mingyuan watched the retreating palace attendants, tapped his leg, and stood to head toward the Sutra Pavilion.

The next day, the harem gained a servant-attendant surnamed Cheng.

The day after, another servant-attendant surnamed Sang joined.

Shen Lanxi remained silent until the right moment—then her actions astonished everyone.

For several days, the officials’ expressions were strange, but once the imperial examinations approached, they finally forgot the two attendants.

As the exams drew near, students from all over competed to make a name for themselves. Daily, they wrote poems, debated politics, and discussed world affairs to showcase their talent in governance.

Initially, they only began cautiously, but as no one stopped them, their boldness grew.

From Zhou Ruyuan’s rebellion, to Wei Dongzhu’s journey to the Northwest, to the current harem, discussions flared with intensity.

“Zhou Ruyuan, leveraging his status as a prince, took control of the Southwest military, and with the emperor’s backing, earned the title of God of War.”

“This so-called God of War is utterly unworthy. Not as capable as our limping general.”

“Everyone knows Zhou took power from Zhao. The late emperor feared Zhao and deliberately let the prince take command of the Southwest.”

“The limping general survived precisely because of his limp. Could this be a Zhao family scheme?”

“Hard to say, but Zhao really did limp. That’s old news, no need to speculate further.”

“Zhou Ruyuan is utterly foolish. The emperor should strip him of the God of War title.”

“Not just the title—strip him of his prince status, brand him a traitor, and let his infamy last forever.”

“Zhou was blind!”

“The emperor is brave, wise, extraordinarily graceful, and her achievements will endure a thousand years. Zhou could only act foolishly on his wedding night!”

“Lost the watermelon to pick up the sesame seeds.”

“The emperor first reclaimed Dongchuan, then the Northwest, stabilized the court, and contributed immeasurably to Da Zhou. Millions of people suffering from hunger and thirst are fortunate to live in such a prosperous era—truly three lifetimes of luck!”

“I heard the emperor took in two men in the harem?”

“So what? Previous emperors had three palaces and six harems, wasting resources and taxing the people. Our emperor only has two men—already sparse.”

“But the emperor is a woman.”

“So what? Soon women will take the exams and enter office. Female merchants, female guards—they can do what men do. Why should men have multiple wives while women cannot?”

“Biased! Judging the emperor by ordinary female standards is bias.”

“Did the emperor tax your family more? Or charge more for concubines? You enjoy full meals but nostalgically long for past poverty?”

“Life has been too comfortable, making you lazy.”

“I didn’t say that!”

“We all heard you. In your mind, only men can have multiple wives, and women must be faithful to one.”

“You clearly have issues with the emperor—you are plotting rebellion.”

“No, we are not! You are men—why do you side against a woman?”

“Hmph, we’ll tell you why.”

“Because we are students from Dongchuan.”

“We are students from the Northwest.”

“We are students from the North.”

“Clearly, you are from a wealthy place, ignorant of the people’s suffering, unaware of the emperor’s painstaking care. You cannot feel the benefits she provides. This peaceful, prosperous era exists solely because of the emperor!”

“So what if there are a few men in the harem? Is that really upsetting you?”

“Think you can do better? Then show if you have the ability…”

The students being criticized sheepishly covered their faces and fled.

Students from the women’s academy:

“Father, I will not marry. If you force me, I will marry as a consort.”

“The laws of Da Zhou do not explicitly allow men to have multiple wives, nor forbid women from having multiple husbands or attendants.”

“Father, I want to emulate the emperor. I will keep the family wealth in our hands, and I will support the household.”

“Father, I am not meant for books—I will join the army.”

“Oh my, you rascals! How have you all turned out this way?”

“I will beat all of you who defy tradition!”

“Rebellious! Truly rebellious. You’ve been at the academy only a few days and already quote Da Zhou law. From now on, don’t step outside the house.”

“Dare go to the women’s academy again, and I will break your legs!”

~

“Father, according to the latest Da Zhou law, if you harm me, I will report you to the authorities.”

“The law states: obstructing a daughter from studying in an academy incurs 100 lashes. Forcing a marriage against her will incurs 100 lashes for all nine clans.”

“You…you…”

“Father…father…call a doctor quickly!”

Meanwhile, Shen Lanxi, the topic of everyone’s discussion, was eating.

After the palace attendants served the dishes, they quietly left, leaving only Cheng Zheng to serve the food silently.

“Don’t bother serving me, you sit and eat.”

Cheng Zheng had just picked up his chopsticks when Shen Lanxi moved the central bowl of soup to his right.

“The soup is too salty today; don’t drink it.”

Though she spoke casually, Cheng Zheng sensed something amiss.

Not long after eating, imperial physicians arrived to take his pulse, confirming his suspicion.

The soup was poisoned?

He wrote it down to send to Ban Sicai, and also personally asked Che Mingyuan the same thing.

Che Mingyuan knew about it.

Shortly after the emperor’s meal, two kitchen staff were executed.

The soup contained a sterilizing potion, and Cheng Zheng and Sang Gu already had this poison in their bodies.

The soup was intended for the emperor herself.

He was curious—the emperor didn’t even question anyone, just immediately had those responsible executed, as if she already knew who had administered the poison.

Even more puzzling, the emperor did not pursue the matter further.

“It’s none of my business to interfere. If the emperor tells you, then you may know. If not… I am merely a minister.”