RWNEFE -Chapter 564 Shen Yuantang Wants to Adopt a Child

Zhou Xinrou sternly demanded, “Again and again you ask me to trust you and to wait. How long have I already waited? Must I wait until I die?”

Shen Lanxi frowned. “Mother will naturally live a long life. Instead of being angry, why not calmly wait a little longer?”

Zhou Xinrou’s eyes widened as she glared fiercely at Shen Lanxi.

“Will you truly do as you say—kill Zhou Ruyuan and pacify the realm?”

Shen Lanxi replied, “Naturally. Your daughter never lies. Even if Mother said nothing, I would still eliminate Zhou Ruyuan. He is a hidden danger.”

Zhou Xinrou’s anger eased somewhat.

“Then tell me—what exactly are you planning?”

Shen Lanxi sat steadily in her chair. “Your daughter has already made arrangements, but it is not convenient to tell Mother for now.”

Zhou Xinrou pressed, “I am your mother. Would I harm you?”

“The more people who know, the greater the danger,” Shen Lanxi answered. “Since I have climbed to this position, Mother should trust in my abilities.”

Zhou Xinrou gritted her teeth. “You should have listened to me long ago and killed him.”

“If you don’t want to use your own people, I still have some men at my side. I could do it myself.”

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Zhou Ruyuan is easy to kill—but what happens after he dies?”

“Because your daughter is a woman, demons and schemers gather around the dragon throne. The slightest mistake, and they will drag me down and tear me apart.”

“Even if one Zhou Ruyuan is killed, there will be a second Zhou Ruyuan. Does Mother intend to kill every descendant surnamed Zhou?”

“With the merits I have accumulated, I can suppress those schemers. Rest assured, as long as Lanxi sits on the throne, I can guarantee Mother’s peace for as long as she lives, and the Shen family’s prosperity for generations.”

Zhou Xinrou stared coldly at her, trying to read some trace of emotion from her impassive face.

But Shen Lanxi gave her no such chance.

Had this daughter just warned her?

Had sitting on the dragon throne already made her see her mother as an obstacle?

“Mother should think carefully about what I’ve said. I cannot remain away from the palace for long—I will return now.”

Zhou Xinrou sat in the room gloomily. The furnishings lay scattered across the floor. The old servant women silently cleaned up, then quietly withdrew.

…

After Huang Yu’s promotion banquet, she frequently invited colleagues, friends, and fellow students to the Shen residence—sometimes to dine, sometimes to study, sometimes to spar.

Her reputation among the Capital Guards steadily rose, and she began to hold a place of influence in the capital.

Shen Yuantang watched all this with growing anxiety. Then one day, she received a letter. After reading its contents, she quietly burned it.

The next day, she went to see the Old Madam.

“Grandmother, I will never marry again in this life. But I have no children. When I die, there won’t even be anyone to offer incense at my grave. Grandmother, please have pity on your granddaughter.”

Old Madam Shen was growing old, and since Zhou Xinrou had taken over management of the household, she no longer involved herself in its affairs.

Hearing this, she naturally felt sympathy.

“Yuantang, Grandmother knows you are a filial child. The children of the household have all gone off to pursue their futures. Only you remain by this old woman’s side.”

Shen Yuantang wept continuously.

“It is Grandmother who does not despise me, who is still willing to shelter me. That is already my greatest blessing.”

Looking at her tearful face, Old Madam Shen sighed.

“I understand what you mean, but I cannot decide matters of the family’s heirs.”

If it were a matter of adopting a child for Lanxi, everyone in the household would rush to curry favor. But Yuantang had once been a disgraced consort, had lost her child, and even gone mad for a time. Which mother would willingly give her child to be raised by her?

If she spoke, the child’s mother would surely regard her as someone who stole her child.

“I am old and cannot make such decisions. If you insist, go and ask your mother.”

Even if the Princess Consort were Yuantang’s birth mother, she would probably refuse.

Shen Yuantang had not truly expected her grandmother to agree; she only meant to give advance notice.

Afterward, she used the same approach and went to her mother’s courtyard.

“Which child do you want to adopt?” Zhou Xinrou did not refuse outright, which surprised Shen Yuantang.

Shen Yuantang’s heart tightened. Carefully, she said, “Preferably a child from our main branch. Emei is already somewhat older, and Yuanjun has only one son—I cannot take what he cherishes most. Yuanqing also has few children…”

Zhou Xinrou fixed her gaze on her.

“You want to adopt a child from your elder brother’s household.”

That was indeed Shen Yuantang’s plan. Having it spoken aloud made her feel somewhat guilty.

“Mother, I am the child’s aunt. I would certainly treat the child as my own.”

“The child would gain another mother’s love, along with the love of elder brother and sister-in-law. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“Besides, elder brother and sister-in-law are always in the Northwest and cannot protect their children. You know what Grandmother is like—she has never liked the children of our main branch. If the child had my protection as well, surely no one in the household would dare bully them.”

Zhou Xinrou understood very well the calculations of the Shen family.

But Shen Yuanjing was stationed in the Northwest, and that was the last place where trouble could arise. If he learned that his child had been adopted away, he would certainly harbor resentment toward the court, the Shen family, and even toward her.

That would hinder future plans.

“You think this is only about a child,” Zhou Xinrou said coldly, “but in truth it affects the political situation. I cannot decide this matter. If you insist, go and ask your elder sister.”

She had no intention of taking on such an offending task.

She already disliked seeing Shen Yuantang; if not for the fact that she still had some use, she would have ordered her turned away long ago.

Shen Yuantang still hoped her mother would speak on her behalf—after all, she had offended Shen Lanxi before.

“Mother…”

“I am tired. Leave,” Zhou Xinrou said.

Two old servant women stepped forward, clearly ready to escort Shen Yuantang out if she refused to go.

Shen Yuantang left the main courtyard in anger. The sound of children playing came from just beyond the wall, irritating her even more.

If her own child had not been murdered, would that child also be playing and laughing like them?

The next day, the Shen family children were playing by the lakeside when a stray dog suddenly rushed out from somewhere, frightening several children into falling into the water.

A figure leapt quickly into the lake and rescued them all.

Shen Yuantang exhausted herself saving them and developed a high fever that very day.

Shen Lanxi was furious.

“How did a stray dog get in?”

“Was it deliberately released by someone?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, we have investigated. There was no sabotage—it was a coincidence. People nearby recognize that stray dog; it often crawls through dog holes into houses to steal food. It just happened to run into the Shen residence that day.”

Shen Lanxi’s expression was grave. Had she truly overthought it?

“Investigate again. Confirm whether someone deliberately lured the dog into the Shen residence.”

“Yes!”

A cup of hot tea was placed beside her hand.

“Do you believe in coincidences?”

“I,” Shen Lanxi said quietly, “never believe in coincidences. Coincidences that defy reason are always man-made.”