RWNEFE -Chapter 573 The Big Fish She Hooked Has Finally Surfaced!

“Elder Sister, how did she die?”

Shen Yuanhao had traveled day and night, riding four horses to death along the way. His face was covered in stubble, and he looked dusty and travel-worn, as if he had rolled in dirt for days.

At this moment, Shen Lanxi was not an emperor, but simply Shen Lanxi—the eldest sister of the Shen family’s sons.

“I had people investigate more than thirty times. It was an accident. She knocked over the basin herself and, despite being warned, insisted on stepping on the water. No one is to blame—only her stubborn temper.”

Hearing this directly from his elder sister, the doubts and guardedness in Shen Yuanhao’s heart finally faded, leaving only grief.

“Elder Sister, when I left, she was still fine.”

Shen Lanxi said gently, “Misfortune comes without warning. That saying truly applied to her.”

Tears streamed down Shen Yuanhao’s face. “I met her in the army camp. She studied medicine with the camp’s female physicians and worked very hard.”

“She left without regrets,” Shen Lanxi said. “Because she married you, her family has already settled in the capital and accumulated some property. They can now make a living here.”

Shen Yuanhao felt somewhat comforted.

“Has she been buried?”

“Not yet. She’s at the old residence, preserved in an ice coffin. I know how deep your feelings were—you rushed back so urgently because you wanted to see her one last time.”

Shen Yuanhao broke down in tears again.

“If you want to cry, then cry. No one here will laugh at you.”

Shen Yuanhao squatted on the ground and wailed loudly.

After an unknown amount of time, the heavy knot in Shen Yuanhao’s heart finally eased.

“Your Majesty, I’m better now.”

A faint smile appeared on Shen Lanxi’s lips. “She left you a son. Third Aunt has hired the best midwife and wet nurse in the capital to care for him. I also assigned two imperial physicians and a medical maid to the residence. Although he was born a month early, thankfully he hasn’t fallen ill so far.”

Relief appeared in Shen Yuanhao’s eyes.

“A child… I have a son.”

“Wash and change here in the palace, then go home and see the child,” Shen Lanxi said.

Upon hearing that his son was safe and well, Shen Yuanhao could no longer sit still.

“Your Majesty, I want to go home right now.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. “I knew you would return, so I had some clothes made for you. Take them and change.”

An attendant immediately presented a bundle of clothing. After expressing his thanks, Shen Yuanhao took it and left.

Because of Zhang Chuchu’s final wish, the Zhang family had not left. They were all waiting at the Shen family’s old residence for Shen Yuanhao to return.

“Didn’t the Emperor agree to adopt the child? Why hasn’t the baby been taken to the palace?”

“Could it be that she’s gone back on her word?”

“There are many children in the main branch. If anyone were to be adopted, they would surely choose from there first. I think they were just deceiving us!”

“The dead deserve respect. How could anyone deceive someone on the brink of death?”

“She’s the ruler of a nation—how could she break her word?”

“What ruler? She’s a woman. What does a woman’s word count for?”

“Even if she’s a woman, she’s still the Emperor. If she goes back on her word, who will believe her in the future?”

“Shh, keep your voices down! Do you want to die?”

“If you want to be dragged out and beheaded, keep talking!”

The Zhang family members immediately fell silent in fear.

“Shh, someone’s coming!”

“Sounds like horses!”

“Isn’t riding horses forbidden here? This person must be risking his life.”

The gates of the Shen family’s old residence were left open. When Shen Yuanhao arrived, he leapt off his horse and rushed into the courtyard.

“My son, you’re finally back!”

Shen Congli and Madam Miao were both there. When they saw their son, they ran forward and embraced him, crying.

After calming himself, Shen Yuanhao wiped his tears. “Father, Mother, I’ve returned.”

Shen Congli patted his shoulder. “It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back. Looking at you, you clearly didn’t take care of yourself.”

Madam Miao was heartbroken as well. “My son has suffered. Next time, even if there’s urgent business, go a little slower. Don’t make your mother worry like this.”

“I understand,” Shen Yuanhao replied steadily.

At the commotion, the Zhang family also came out.

“The son-in-law has returned!”

“We’ve finally seen our son-in-law!”

“My daughter died so miserably…”

The Zhang family broke into tears again.

Displeasure and disdain filled Madam Miao’s eyes. “My son has traveled far and is covered in dust. Let him wash and eat something before meeting guests.”

Old Madam Zhang pushed her younger daughter forward. “Quick, go help your brother-in-law prepare water for washing.”

Madam Miao’s face immediately darkened.

“There’s no need. We have plenty of maids and servants in the house. They will handle it. You are guests—there’s no need for you to trouble yourselves.”

Her cold refusal left the Zhang family embarrassed.

Madam Miao ushered Shen Yuanhao away.

“What tricks Old Madam Zhang is plotting—I can guess even without thinking,” she muttered.

“Yuanhao, you were deceived once. You must not let another daughter of the Zhang family deceive you again.”

“Why Zhang Chuchu slipped has already been investigated. It was because she was crude and unteachable, never changing despite repeated warnings. She brought about her own death. You must not marry someone of mismatched status again—do you understand?”

Amid his grief, Shen Yuanhao felt even more helpless.

“Mother, Chuchu has only just passed away. I truly have no heart to remarry. If outsiders hear of it, what will they say about me? About our Shen family?”

Madam Miao remembered something.

“Previously, the Emperor promised Zhang Chuchu that you would observe mourning for three years. Fortunately, Zhang Chuchu wasn’t completely foolish—she only asked that you mourn for half a year. For the sake of that request, after her funeral, all the things she used may be taken away by her family.”

Besides this matter, there was also the issue of adoption—but Madam Miao did not know how to bring it up.

---

Shen Lanxi soon received another secret report from Jinmen.

The big fish she had been fishing for had finally surfaced.

“I never expected it to be him…” Liu Yanhui said in shock after seeing the name.

“When we were in Dongchuan, Zhou Yanxing had already begun making his moves,” Shen Lanxi said.

“So early?” Liu Yanhui was even more surprised.

“Zhou Yanxing has always been entrenched in Dongchuan and cannot be underestimated. Over the years, our forces have been gradually encroaching there and dismantling his power. We must have touched his lifeline—he can no longer stay hidden.”

Liu Yanhui suddenly understood how Che Mingyuan must feel each time he left the Hall of Diligent Governance, scratching his head in confusion.

The Emperor not only thought ahead of them—she had already arranged everything ahead of them.

So why did she summon them to discuss matters?

To inform them?

To instruct them?

Or simply to have someone to talk to?

Puzzling… truly puzzling.

“Your Majesty, will Dongchuan be in danger?”

Shen Lanxi smiled. “Don’t worry. Everything is under control.”

At the same time, Zhou Xinrou also received news.

“These old relics usually hide in their shells like the dead. But ever since Zhou Ruyuan proclaimed himself emperor, they’ve all started crawling out.”

“Princess, according to news from Jinmen, they intend to attack the Great Zhou court using bloodline as their argument.”

Zhou Xinrou laughed in anger.

“Bloodline? A group of grown men gathering together to lecture Shen Lanxi about bloodline?”

“They really have no shame!”

“Princess, shall we send people to kill them?”

Zhou Xinrou’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Kill them? One after another they keep appearing—can you kill them all?”

If one died, it might be an accident. But if two or three died?

“If we truly made a move, they would immediately suspect the court and unite even more tightly against us.”