RWNEFE -Chapter 595 Zhou Xinrou Enters the Palace to Confront Them

“Step aside!” Zhou Xinrou shouted.

The Imperial Guards immediately drew their weapons.

Cold steel flashed, sharp blades gleaming without the slightest hesitation as they pointed them at Zhou Xinrou.

Her heart trembled.

How dared these people?

She was Shen Lanxi’s mother.

“With our shoulders as the boundary—whoever crosses it will be killed without mercy!”

Zhou Xinrou’s heart shook again.

At Shen Lanxi’s place, did she not even have this small privilege?

“Princess, someone has already gone to report your arrival. Let’s wait a little longer,” the old servant woman said quickly, trying to give Zhou Xinrou a way to step down, afraid things might truly escalate.

That unfilial Shen Lanxi—her own mother had come, yet she allowed people to block her.

Could she not have informed the Imperial Guards in advance?

“Princess, you have been too lenient with Shen Lanxi,” the servant woman whispered.

Zhou Xinrou’s anger surged. She had been wrong—back when the empire was proclaimed, she should have entered the palace as Empress Dowager.

She should not have believed Shen Lanxi’s sweet words; she should have severed ties with the Shen family before the great proclamation.

Half an hour passed.

Zhou Xinrou’s patience was reaching its limit.

“Did the messenger run off to slack off? Why has no one come yet?”

Even if Shen Lanxi did not personally come to greet her, she should at least have sent a phoenix carriage to escort her.

Not leave her waiting at the palace gates like this.

The Imperial Guards obeyed only the emperor’s orders. They ignored Zhou Xinrou’s shouting; as long as she did not cross the line, they would not act—but if she did, they would carry out their orders.

“Shen Lanxi, you unfilial wretch! How dare you let your own mother stand in the sun at the palace gates? You are unworthy of being a daughter!” Zhou Xinrou cursed angrily.

The guards stared at her coldly. If she had not been the emperor’s birth mother, their blades would already have fallen when she insulted the emperor.

To them, the emperor was like a reborn parent; those who insulted their parent deserved death without mercy.

A young eunuch hiding in a corner inside the palace saw the commotion and hurried over.

“Please forgive us, honored lady. His Majesty is discussing affairs in the Hall of Diligent Governance. When we were dismissed, we were told no one was to enter and disturb her.”

“We fear for our heads as well. Please wait a little longer; His Majesty will soon finish.”

Hearing this explanation did not calm Zhou Xinrou’s anger—it only increased it.

She had stood in the sun for nearly an hour, and now the eunuch said Shen Lanxi had not even been informed?

Impossible—she did not believe it.

Shen Lanxi must be doing this deliberately. Was she not afraid the people of the realm would condemn her for being unfilial?

In Great Zhou, filial piety stood above all else. What could make Shen Lanxi dare to defy the will of the entire world?

Could it be because of Shen Yuantang’s marriage?

Yes, that must be it.

Shen Yuantang had caused trouble again and again, and Shen Lanxi was still mindful of sisterly affection.

Once Zhou Xinrou realized this, her anger lessened considerably.

Shen Lanxi cared so much about the Shen family—then the Shen family was her weakness.

As long as she held those weaknesses in her hands, she could control Shen Lanxi.

“Go tell His Majesty I have come to discuss her younger sister’s marriage with her.”

The message was quickly relayed to Shen Lanxi.

“Your Majesty, shall we send Cheng Zheng?” someone suggested.

A flicker passed through Shen Lanxi’s eyes, and she smiled faintly.

A quarter of an hour later, Cheng Zheng arrived at the palace gates in haste.

The attendant introduced him: “Princess, this is Attendant Cheng, one of His Majesty’s two consorts.”

Zhou Xinrou’s face darkened. Shen Lanxi had actually sent a male favorite to receive her?

This was outright humiliation.

“Princess, His Majesty’s harem is small. All affairs of the inner palace are managed by Attendant Cheng.”

If genders were reversed, someone with such authority would be the empress.

Zhou Xinrou’s expression did not improve. Even if he was a member of the inner palace, he was still a man. If malicious rumors spread, her reputation would surely suffer.

Had Shen Lanxi not considered this?

Cheng Zheng first bowed to Zhou Xinrou, then began writing with brush and paper.

Zhou Xinrou frowned deeply. She had long known that both male consorts were physically disabled, but seeing it in person was another matter.

What was Shen Lanxi thinking, keeping two mute men by her side?

“That’s enough, no need to write. Just tell me—are you here to invite me into the palace or not?” Watching him slowly write irritated her.

Fortunately, the two mute consorts had no power, were physically impaired, and could not bear children—so they could be kept merely for amusement.

Looking at him, aside from a man’s most basic function, he seemed incapable even of providing amusement.

At this thought, an odd emotion stirred in Zhou Xinrou’s heart, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

“Lead the way.”

Cheng Zheng put away his brush and paper and walked ahead.

Zhou Xinrou had intended to inquire about matters in the palace, but seeing his condition, she abandoned the idea.

Before long, they arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance.

After bowing to both Shen Lanxi and Zhou Xinrou, Cheng Zheng withdrew. Zhou Xinrou did not spare him another glance.

“Mother, an urgent report arrived from the northwest just now. I summoned the ministers for an emergency discussion and forbade interruptions,” Shen Lanxi said.

Zhou Xinrou also had spies in the northwest; recently there had been no abnormalities.

“What has happened in the northwest?”

Shen Lanxi led her into the hall, speaking as they walked. “The succession in the Turkic imperial court has ended. The new khan wants to establish his authority using our Great Zhou.”

Was turmoil about to erupt in the northwest again?

Zhou Xinrou’s expression gradually turned serious.

“The northwest has been negotiating for several days. Taking advantage of the situation, the Turks have made a request.”

“What request?” Zhou Xinrou asked quickly.

Dongchuan was not yet pacified; the northwest could not fall into chaos again.

“A marriage alliance. The Turks want to form a heqin with Great Zhou.”

Zhou Xinrou was stunned; the surprise was obvious on her face.

“What do you intend to do?”

The former imperial clan was long gone; even if any remained, they were only distant branches. Those people had neither caused trouble nor sought power nor defected to Zhou Ruyuan—already the best outcome. If their daughters were sent to the Turks, it might provoke conflict.

As for the Shen family—

There were no unmarried girls of suitable age.

Unless…

“Your daughter has said before—I will not form a marriage alliance with the Turks,” Shen Lanxi said firmly.

Zhou Xinrou immediately showed disapproval.

“Marriage alliances between states have always been common. They strengthen relations, prevent war, and increase trade—both sides benefit. There is nothing wrong with it,” Zhou Xinrou said, strongly in favor.

“Mother, since ancient times, the women sent in marriage alliances rarely end well. We cannot send a helpless woman to her death for the sake of peace between two nations,” Shen Lanxi replied.

Zhou Xinrou glared at her angrily. “What is wrong with sacrificing one woman to ensure peace for the people of two nations? Give up one to save countless others! If war breaks out, it will be the soldiers of both sides who die—and behind those soldiers are countless shattered families. For the greater good of the nation, a marriage alliance is imperative!”

Shen Lanxi fell silent.

Zhou Xinrou thought she was seriously considering the matter and did not interrupt.

After a moment, she spoke again.

“Huang Yu sent a plea for reinforcements to the court. Did the court receive it?”