RWNEFE -Chapter 644 If They Show Me No Mercy, They Cannot Blame Me for Being Ruthless

Everyone had thought that Shen Lanxi would delay for several days before taking action against the Shen family. Unexpectedly, after only a brief rest, she raised the matter herself the very next day in the Golden Luan Hall.

“While I was in Jinmen suppressing the rebellion, Shen Congyi believed the rumors that I was gravely wounded and beyond saving. Taking advantage of the chaos, he forced his way into the palace and attempted rebellion. My ministers, you need not concern yourselves with the fact that they are members of my Shen family. I have always upheld that when the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished the same as a commoner. Even if I myself commit a crime, I cannot escape the punishments of the Great Zhou laws.”

Since the matter had been brought into the open, the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Personnel had no choice but to state their positions.

“I believe we must distinguish between the principal offenders and accomplices, and punish them according to their crimes.”

“I second the motion.”

“I also second.”

Shen Lanxi personally appointed the officials in charge. “The Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Personnel will jointly investigate Shen Congyi’s case of treason.”

“We obey Your Majesty’s decree!”

“Proceed at once.”

The three departments, newly appointed, had barely been in court for a quarter of an hour before hurrying toward the Heavenly Prison.

The Heavenly Prison

Old Madam Shen and Shen Congyi, along with the others, were still given preferential treatment and detained together.

In the past, the Heavenly Prison had always been overcrowded. But since Shen Lanxi came to power, she had issued reform orders.

She maintained that the state should not feed idle people—especially criminals. Offenders should pay for their crimes through labor, both to atone and to support themselves.

The Heavenly Prison, which held serious criminals, was even more affected by this policy. After sentencing, those who were to be executed were executed, while the rest were exiled to harsh frontier lands to reclaim wasteland, often required to submit a certain amount of grain each year as part of their penance.

Thus, there was no need to bribe anyone to secure better conditions—because at present, the only prisoners inside were members of the Shen family.

“Mother… His Majesty surely won’t execute us, right?”

Old Madam Shen seemed to have aged more than ten years overnight. After only one night in the Heavenly Prison, she already looked frail and dispirited, utterly lacking the imposing presence she had displayed the day before.

“Don’t worry. She wouldn’t dare.” Though she said this, she had no real confidence in her heart.

“Mother, you must protect your sons and grandsons. She… she shows no regard for kinship,” Shen Congyi whispered anxiously, afraid of being overheard.

Among the Fourth Branch, only Yuan Kang and Yuan Ning, the legitimate sons, were truly outstanding. They had been assigned to posts not too near and not too far from the capital.

This time, they had thought they were seizing an opportunity—never imagining it would end like this.

If they had known, they would never have returned.

“Grandmother, Father, we don’t want to die…”

“Grandmother, go and tell Elder Sister—we are willing to be exiled to Dongchuan. We only beg her to spare our lives!”

Having served in the army, they understood Shen Lanxi far better than their grandmother and father did.

Shen Lanxi would never show them mercy. She would deal with them just as she had dealt with Shen Yuanzhan—without the slightest hesitation.

“Grandmother, Father, come with us to Dongchuan!”

“We’ve realized now—we should never have left Dongchuan and returned to the capital.”

Old Madam Shen listened to her grandsons’ pleas, staring blankly at the prison bars.

Dongchuan… again Dongchuan.

Was exile to Dongchuan destined to be their final fate?

What was this?

A full circle?

Or the turning of fortune’s wheel?

Why must it always be Dongchuan?

The words “exile to Dongchuan” were a nightmare lodged in Old Madam Shen’s heart.

She had never imagined that one day her own grandsons would voluntarily ask to be sent there—and even ask her to go with them.

How absurd.

“Amitabha… Don’t worry. Even if I must give up this old life, I will not let Shen Lanxi harm you!” Old Madam Shen clenched her teeth, her eyes filled with overwhelming hatred.

“I want to see Shen Lanxi! Let her come see me!”

“I want to see Shen Lanxi! Let her come see me!”

“I want to see Shen Lanxi! Let her come see me!”

Old Madam Shen shouted repeatedly. The guards reported her demand layer by layer, until the message finally reached Shen Lanxi.

“Bring her here.”

Since she had something to say, she might as well say it all at once.

Orders were passed down, and soon Old Madam Shen was escorted out of the Heavenly Prison.

She was taken to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility—the former residence of the Empress Dowager.

Old Madam Shen had visited this place many times before and recognized the road from afar.

“Why are you bringing me here?”

“Was it Shen Lanxi who ordered you to bring me?”

The Imperial Guards said nothing. Her questions were meaningless—without the Emperor’s command, would they dare bring anyone here?

Old Madam Shen gazed at the plaque of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, and her heart sank again and again.

She had just stepped into the main hall when Shen Lanxi arrived behind her.

“Grandmother, do you still remember this place?”

“Since the Empress Dowager passed away, nothing here has been changed. When the late emperor was alive, he occasionally had it cleaned. After I ascended the throne, I specifically assigned palace maids to clean it daily.”

“It is exactly the same as it was before the late Empress Dowager’s passing.”

Old Madam Shen began to ponder Shen Lanxi’s meaning. Hadn’t the Empress Dowager died of old age? Why did Shen Lanxi call it an illness? What was she implying?

“Lanxi, I have already explained before. Whether you listened or not, Congyi is still your uncle, and his sons are your cousins.”

“When you were conquering the realm, they also contributed.”

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly. “Grandmother, the one who should have lived here was you.”

Old Madam Shen’s expression stiffened. She had indeed dreamed countless times of living here, yet had always feared Shen Lanxi’s methods.

What was the use of saying such things now?

“Lanxi, spare your Fourth Uncle’s family. I will submit to whatever punishment you give me!” She had already resolved to stake everything—she did not believe Shen Lanxi would truly dare to let her die.

“Grandmother, seeing you today is already an exception.”

“Since we have met, I will make things clear to you.”

“The state has its laws, the family its rules—”

Before she could finish, Old Madam Shen cut her off sharply.

“They are your relatives—your own family! How can you be so heartless?”

Shen Lanxi looked coldly at the almost deranged woman. “On the road to exile in Dongchuan, hadn’t Grandmother already learned what kind of person I am?”

Old Madam Shen stared at her in shock, as if she could not believe such ruthless words had been spoken.

She…

She was…

It was all false—the gentler appearance Shen Lanxi showed after returning to the capital had all been false!

“Shen Lanxi, you deceived me so bitterly!” Old Madam Shen wept as though finally seeing the truth and unable to bear the blow any longer.

A cold, merciless executioner—that was what Shen Lanxi truly was.

How had she forgotten?

“Since Grandmother understands now, I need not explain further.”

“If they had behaved themselves, I would not have been unable to tolerate them.”

“Why could they not remain obedient?”

“Was I not good enough to them?”

“I granted them ranks and titles, arranged their futures, supported them in rising to power—and in the end, this is how they repaid me?”

“I have never been one to repay kindness with resentment.”

“Since they have shown me no mercy, they cannot blame me for being ruthless!”

At that moment, Shen Lanxi revealed the true nature hidden in her heart.