RWNEFE -Chapter 617 Shen Yuantang Gets Anxious!

The one most affected was Shen Yuantang.

Her dream of becoming the Empress Dowager of the Turks was shattered.

She wanted to see Shen Lanxi—after all, she was Shen Lanxi’s younger sister. She could not just allow herself to be sent off to the barren northwest.

“Stop! Where are you going?” Shen Congwen had been uneasy, keeping his eyes on Shen Yuantang the entire time.

Seeing her move toward the door, he immediately shouted.

Having been confined for several days, Shen Yuantang had already learned to be cautious.

“Father, I just want to go out for a walk.”

Shen Yuantang no longer had any credit in the Shen household; even her father did not believe it was a simple stroll.

“You’re leaving for the northwest in a few days. Don’t go out now.”

Madam Liu said: “Stay home and embroider your bridal gown. Every bride must sew her own wedding clothes.”

Madam Miao added: “There’s so little time—call back the married daughters too, so they can help finish the gowns!”

“This wedding is to the northwest. Who knows if we’ll see them again in this lifetime? Let everyone back home join in and make it festive.”

Shen Congwen and his brothers quickly decided with just a few words.

Shen Yuantang refused. She still had many things left undone.

The Turks had already been incorporated into Great Zhou territory. Even though the Turk Khan was now a town governor, she refused to marry.

Even if the governor died later, the court would appoint a new one, and she would have no say in government matters.

She refused to marry. She would not go.

“Princess, you’re acting silly. Hurry and help her back to her room to rest.” Madam Miao noticed Shen Yuantang’s unusual mood and spoke up.

They could not allow her to make any trouble; they were all afraid.

Shen Yuantang was truly capable of stirring up chaos.

After Shen Yuantang left, Madam Liu and the others reminded each other:

“Brother, Yuantang is not to be taken lightly. Ten days is not long, but not short either. Nothing must go wrong in this time.”

“Brother, you know Yuantang’s temper. You must not be soft-hearted now. If she runs off, where would we find a marriageable princess?”

“Brother, just now, her behavior was clearly off. She is the daughter of the main branch; you must pay close attention.”

“This is the first marriage between Great Zhou and the Turks after their incorporation. There must be no mistakes.”

Shen Congwen grew a little impatient.

“I know. With me watching, nothing will go wrong.”

The three younger brothers and their wives were overly cautious. It’s just a girl from the inner residence—how much trouble could she really cause?

…

Shen Lanxi also received the good news from Huang Yu and had it sent to the Shen household.

Even without sending it, her mother would have found out.

“The eastern bandits and horse thieves have mostly surrendered. Now it’s time to move south.”

So far, only the northwestern tribes had submitted. The eastern, southern, and northern tribes had made no moves at all.

She was not pleased!

It showed that her reputation had yet to intimidate the tribes outside the northwest.

“Send my orders to Huang Yu!”

With a calm tone, she issued the command—without even mentioning sending troops.

Zhou Xinrou received Huang Yu’s report right after Shen Lanxi. After reading it, she felt reassured.

“Huang Yu has achieved merit again.”

“Princess, I hear that in the east, she has now been appointed ‘Bandit-Suppressing General’.”

Zhou Xinrou’s joy was not in the title, but in the letter mentioning that Huang Yu had already recruited several thousand men. Many of them were former bandits and horse thieves.

With some training, these people would become formidable troops.

“Princess, there’s another letter from the palace.”

Zhou Xinrou opened it and found it was more news from Lanxi—delivered in the original handwriting, not copied.

“Recently, she’s done quite a lot—killed Wu Yanzhi, incorporated numerous tribes,” Zhou Xinrou said plainly.

“Princess, I dare speculate that the next step will be to attack Jinmen.”

Zhou Xinrou’s face lit up with delight.

“Seeing this now, Zhou Ruyuan is hardly a match.”

The nanny chuckled softly.

Zhou Xinrou’s smile faded as she began thinking about the Shen household.

“Seeing that she handles affairs efficiently, stop interfering with Shen Yuantang’s matters for now.”

The nanny looked at her carefully. “Princess, in my heart, you’ve always been the kind, gentle Princess Minrou.”

Hearing the words “kind” and “gentle,” Zhou Xinrou was slightly moved—but quickly suppressed the emotion.

“She has taught me for so long. If she stays in the northwest peacefully, I won’t make things difficult for her.”

“Princess is benevolent. I shall take care of it immediately!”

…

Shen Yuantang had been in contact with Zhou Ruyuan. The owner of a pastry shop in the capital was one of his confidants.

But having been confined at home for days, she had lost contact with him and had no idea what was happening outside.

She wasn’t worried about Zhou Ruyuan herself; she wanted to use him to avenge her child.

It wasn’t just her child—it was also Zhou Ruyuan’s child.

She wished for his success and yet did not wish for it.

On one hand, avenging her child; on the other, protecting her family’s lives—she could not choose.

This had been her thinking all along. Having been confined, watched every moment, her perspective changed.

None of her family, all so self-righteous, had ever truly cared about her or her deceased child.

They were selfish, thinking only of themselves.

To please Shen Lanxi, no one spoke for her. She was being sent to the northwest to marry a barbarian tribe. She would face near-certain death and never return to the capital.

They were happily sending her to die.

She would not die. If anyone died, it would be these heartless people.

“Miss, Second Madam is calling you to sew the bridal gown.” Two housemaids stared at Shen Yuantang without blinking.

Shen Congwen had arranged for four housemaids to monitor her during the day, and four maids at night. Even when she slept, two pairs of eyes watched her.

What Shen Yuantang wanted most was to go out and gather information. But her family’s strict surveillance left her no opportunity.

A day had already passed. In nine more days, she would leave the capital for the northwest. Then it would truly be impossible to reverse.

“Second Aunt, I want to go to the goldsmith to buy a peony headpiece. I originally wanted a full set, but there won’t be enough time!” Shen Yuantang deliberately used the excuse of making gold jewelry since there was a gold shop near the pastry shop.

Madam Liu did not dare to loosen control.

“Yuantang, you’ve chosen poorly. I’ve been busy making your bridal gown these past few days. You can’t go out.”

“Don’t go out. It’s just a peony headpiece. Send someone to buy it, that’s fine.”

Shen Yuantang naturally was not satisfied.

“Second Aunt, it’s not my choice. It doesn’t suit me.”

Madam Miao scoffed: “Then have the goldsmith deliver it. You can choose without leaving the house. Isn’t that better?”

The smile on Shen Yuantang’s face faltered.