RWNEFE -Chapter 563 Zhou Ruyuan Declares Himself Emperor; Zhou Xinrou Demands Answers!

“What are you all doing here?” Shen Yuantang’s mood was clearly foul.

She had just spoken with her mother earlier, yet it was obvious her mother hadn’t listened.

Just an adopted daughter—without even a blood relationship—and yet such elaborate effort was being made for her.

What exactly was her mother thinking?

The legitimate and illegitimate daughters present didn’t want to invite trouble. They stood to leave, but Shen Yuantang’s anger flared even more.

“Stop! Who said you could leave?”

The legitimate daughters from the other branches felt uncomfortable at her tone. They too were legitimate daughters—how dare Shen Yuantang question them like that?

Did she take them for easily bullied concubines’ daughters? Or criminals?

“We’re sitting here talking, of course!”

“You manage the heavens and the earth—can you even manage what we say?”

“That’s right. You’re a legitimate daughter, but so are we. Mind your tone when you speak.”

“We were just talking about how the Prince of Zhen Nan’s residence is now empty—everyone’s disappeared.”

“You came out at just the right time.”

The sarcasm was obvious. Shen Yuantang, furious, raised her hand to slap someone.

The girl who had spoken changed expression. For the sake of her dignity and standing in the Shen family, she suppressed her fear and met Shen Yuantang’s gaze.

“What? Are you going to hit us?”

“If you dare touch us today, I’ll go straight to Aunt and Grandmother and make it clear.”

“Since when did a divorced woman become so arrogant?”

That remark carried veiled implications toward the one seated on the dragon throne. The sisters hurried to stop the argument.

“Let’s go see if Aunt needs help with preparations.”

“Today is Sister Huang Yu’s happy day—she’s been promoted. Our family now has another woman serving in court.”

Shen Yuantang glared at their departing backs, nearly exploding with rage.

She had originally thought that by ruining Shen Lanxi and Wei Dongzhu’s marriage, the two would turn against each other. Instead, Wei Dongzhu had gone off to the Northwest.

Useless man. Couldn’t even control a woman—serves him right for being sent back to the Northwest in disgrace.

With Wei Dongzhu gone, all the effort she had spent on Qiao Niang was wasted.

One after another—fools. A grown man handing over the empire he had fought for to a woman. Such a coward wasn’t worth her scheming.

That chess piece, Wei Dongzhu, was ruined. Now Huang Yu had emerged to spoil her plans as well. It infuriated her.

“Miss, shall we still deliver the pastries to the young lady and young master?”

Shen Yuantang’s eyes were icy. “Deliver them. Why wouldn’t we? Let them laugh as much as they can now—so they won’t regret it when they can’t laugh later.”

…

News came again from Jinmen: the hostage exchange had been postponed. Soon after, the Jinmen Express began widely publicizing claims that Shen Lanxi had planted spies beside Zhou Ruyuan long ago with malicious intent, and that Zhou Ruyuan’s current plight was entirely due to her coercion.

Shen Lanxi was simply seeking revenge for the humiliation of her wedding night!

The secret report arrived together with this issue of the Express.

“Zhou Ruyuan no longer cares about the women and bloodline in his inner residence,” Liu Yanhui said gravely.

The confidential intelligence Shen Lanxi received reported that Jiang Wuya’s whereabouts had not been found.

Zhou Ruyuan had hidden Jiang Wuya somewhere only he himself knew.

Shen Lanxi’s face darkened visibly.

“When we tried to exchange hostages peacefully, he refused. He won’t be satisfied unless weapons are drawn,” she said coldly, staring at the marked locations on the map.

“Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan is issuing us a challenge.”

Fight—or not?

Shen Lanxi’s lips curved into a cold smile.

“Let’s have a little match with this so-called successor of the Thatched Cottage.”

How?

Was it truly time for open war? The Ministry of Revenue would need to prepare immediately.

Liu Yanhui did not receive an imperial edict—but he did receive the next issue of the Express.

“Successor of the Thatched Cottage in Adultery with Wang Xiangyi—Zhou Ruyuan’s Turbulent Marriage!”

The explosive headline and sensational format spread across Jinmen.

At first, Jinmen was in chaos, trying to arrest those spreading rumors. But after two tense days, white sheets of paper began drifting down from the sky—

All carrying the same report about Zhou Ruyuan’s troubled marital life and the alleged affair between the Thatched Cottage successor and Zhou Ruyuan’s current wife.

Jinmen

“Your Highness, do not be angered. If you are angered, you fall into Shen Lanxi’s trap,” Yan Lang—who had been splashed with scandal—remained calm, even soothing Zhou Ruyuan.

“My relationship with the Princess Consort is spotless, as clear as the sun and moon. If Your Highness doubts me, you may investigate,” Yuan Lang said confidently. Naturally, nothing would be found.

“Shen Lanxi is trying to shake our army’s morale. Your Highness, this is the moment to break the stalemate.”

Seeing Yuan Lang composed and articulate, Zhou Ruyuan believed him somewhat.

Though he had always looked down on Wang Xiangyi, this was not the time to turn against her.

He had misjudged Jiang Wuya before and failed to guard against him. Even with Yuan Lang, he now resolved to remain cautious.

“How do we break it?”

Yuan Lang answered in one word: “Proclaim yourself Emperor.”

Zhou Ruyuan froze. He—become Emperor?

“Is this… appropriate at such a time?”

“More appropriate than ever,” Yuan Lang replied. “Once Your Highness ascends the throne, you will be rightful and legitimate. From then on, in the name of the Great Zhou imperial house and the Son of Heaven, we can recruit heroes across the land and bestow official ranks upon them.”

Zhou Ruyuan still feared the late emperor. In his heart, he had not crossed the line of treason.

“Your Highness, Shen Lanxi—a mere woman—can proclaim herself Emperor. You are of imperial blood, a prince of the late emperor and once his most favored son. If you ascend the throne, it will be rightful.”

“When you raise your banner, countless people will come to pledge allegiance.”

Zhou Ruyuan still hesitated.

“Your Highness, we lack money, we lack grain—we lack everything. Once we issue proclamations granting titles to those who join us, wealth, grain, and land will come easily.”

Zhou Ruyuan was tempted.

“Very well. Shen Lanxi’s accession was neither rightful nor legitimate. As a member of the imperial bloodline, it is my duty to stand and eliminate traitors!”

Yuan Lang’s eyes gleamed.

Soon, news of Zhou Ruyuan proclaiming himself Emperor in Jinmen reached Shen Lanxi.

“Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan dares to smear Great Zhou—attack!”

“This traitor must not be spared!”

Once again, Shen Lanxi suppressed the pressure from the pro-war faction under the pretext of discussing matters with the State Preceptor.

That night, a letter arrived from the Shen residence.

Shen Lanxi returned home under the moonlight.

“Mother, did you summon me because Zhou Ruyuan has proclaimed himself Emperor?”

Zhou Xinrou was furious, grinding her teeth as she rebuked Shen Lanxi.

“Why aren’t you fighting?”

“Is this what you meant when you told me to be patient—waiting for him to become Emperor?”

Shen Lanxi calmly looked at the cushion Zhou Xinrou had thrown at her feet.

“Yes. To destroy someone, first let him grow arrogant. The moment Zhou Ruyuan declared himself Emperor, one foot was already in the grave.”

Zhou Xinrou did not believe her.

“Last time you sweet-talked your way out of it. Don’t think you can fool me again.”

Shen Lanxi let out a helpless laugh.

“Mother doesn’t trust her own daughter?”