RWNEFE -Chapter 654 Shen Lanxi’s Origins Made Public

As more and more of her people were placed into positions within the Ministry of Rites, Zhou Xinrou felt happier than ever before.

Since Huang Yu returned to the capital to take up office, nearly a hundred people had been arranged into government posts through Zhou Xinrou’s influence. Among them, twelve held important positions, nearly fifty occupied mid-level posts, and the rest were in less significant roles.

Even so, this made her realize just how short of manpower the current court was.

She had inserted more than a hundred people, yet no one had noticed.

Besides her own network, the City Guard under Huang Yu had also absorbed many new people after Huang Yu became commander. Though few held key posts, their numbers among the troops were considerable.

Huang Yu had informed her of all these matters, and after reviewing everything, Zhou Xinrou was very satisfied with the current strength of their people in the capital.

“That child Huang Yu is far too busy,” Zhou Xinrou sighed while looking at the court robes and phoenix crown sent by the Ministry of Rites. “She doesn’t even have time to come see me.”

The matron smiled. “Empress Dowager, isn’t it better that the young mistress is busy? If she stayed by your side every day, that would be worse.”

Zhou Xinrou suddenly remembered something. “Among the common people, is there any talk about the fact that only I was granted a title, while Shen Congwen was not?”

The matron replied, “There is some private discussion. The people assume that His Majesty bears resentment toward the Shen family because of Shen Congyi.”

Zhou Xinrou nodded in satisfaction. “It isn’t that I am unwilling to give the Shen family a chance—it’s that they are unworthy.”

The matron quickly agreed.

After a moment, Zhou Xinrou frowned. “Do you think the title Minrou (‘Gentle and Soft’) sounds a bit… weak?”

With the day of her entry into the palace approaching and all her ceremonial garments and carriage prepared, she had begun to feel that the title sounded too mild.

“I am now the Empress Dowager. Such a gentle title makes it seem as though I depend on Shen Lanxi.”

The matron nodded. “The previous two Empress Dowagers both had the character Ci (‘benevolent’ or ‘dignified’) in their titles. That does sound more imposing.”

Zhou Xinrou looked at the imperial edict with displeasure, her mood souring instantly.

“Send word to the palace—and to the Ministry of Rites. I want my title reconsidered.”

The matron hesitated. “Empress Dowager, there is still time, but the edict has already been issued. Once His Majesty has spoken, there is no precedent for retracting an imperial decree.”

And persuading Shen Lanxi to withdraw an edict would be difficult. Shen Lanxi had already placed imperial authority above mother-daughter affection.

Zhou Xinrou snorted coldly. “If I am dissatisfied, it must be changed. I have endured long enough—I will not yield another step.”

Unable to dissuade her, the matron immediately sent someone to the palace.

A reply soon arrived.

“Empress Dowager, His Majesty says the title was chosen to commemorate you and the late Crown Prince, since the title ‘Princess Minrou’ was personally bestowed by the former Empress Dowager.”

At the mention of those two people, a shadow of resentment appeared on Zhou Xinrou’s face.

The matron added softly, “If the title is changed now, others may accuse you of disrespect toward the former Empress Dowager and the late Crown Prince. That would be unfavorable for our future plans.”

Zhou Xinrou’s heart sank. Must she endure again?

“If Your Majesty is dissatisfied, there will be opportunities to change it in the future. Leaving it as it is now may actually benefit our plans.”

Zhou Xinrou lowered her eyes and thought for a long time. It was true—her title and identity, once revealed publicly, would naturally remind people of the former dynasty. Combined with her words, the people would believe her more readily.

“Then we won’t change it for now,” she said at last. But in the future, she resolved, her title would be one she personally chose.

After the edict was issued, members of the Shen family tried more than once to see Zhou Xinrou, but all were turned away by the matron at her side.

Regardless of age or gender, none were received.

When they found no hope with her, they went to Shen Congwen instead.

Unfortunately, Shen Congwen spent his days in drunken stupor and paid no attention to them.

In the blink of an eye, the day arrived to escort the Empress Dowager into the palace. Shen Lanxi personally led the civil and military officials to welcome Zhou Xinrou.

For Zhou Xinrou, this was undoubtedly the most glorious moment of her life.

Dressed in the robes of the Empress Dowager, adorned with brocade and jade, she appeared dignified and magnificent.

Even the Emperor—the Son of Heaven herself—bowed slightly before her and respectfully addressed her as “Empress Dowager.”

Supported by attendants as she stood upon the phoenix carriage, Zhou Xinrou glanced back at the Shen family, her gaze cold.

She would never again return to that place she found so disgusting and hateful.

“Let us go,” she said.

A eunuch proclaimed loudly, “Her Majesty the Empress Dowager departs for the palace!”

This time, the phoenix carriage led the procession, with the dragon carriage following behind—every detail emphasizing the Emperor’s filial piety and the precedence of the Empress Dowager.

At the ancestral temple designated for the ceremony, the formal investiture of the Empress Dowager was completed.

Facing the assembled officials, Zhou Xinrou revealed a truth she had concealed for many years.

“I am the widow of the late Crown Prince.”

The officials stared in shock. Shen Congwen was still alive—how could she call herself a widow? What did she mean by “widow of the late Crown Prince”?

All eyes turned to Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi spoke calmly: “When my mother was young, she and the late Crown Prince were in love. Later, the former Empress Dowager sensed that the situation in the palace was turning dangerous. To preserve the bloodline, she arranged for my mother to marry Shen Congwen.”

The officials were stunned again. Was that truly what had happened?

What about the elder ministers who knew the truth back then?

They looked around—but most officials present had been promoted after Shen Lanxi ascended the throne. They were relatively young. The old ministers were gone.

Zhou Xinrou continued: “The former Empress Dowager’s fears proved correct. Not long after, a palace coup did occur. For all these years, I endured in silence, fearing the Crown Prince’s bloodline would be discovered. I was also grateful to the Shen family and believed I might never have the chance to reveal my child’s identity, so I remained with Shen Congwen.”

The officials immediately thought of Shen Yuanjing and the others.

So the Emperor carried the bloodline of the late Crown Prince?

Then why had this not been revealed earlier? Wouldn’t such a lineage have made her claim to the throne even stronger?

Shen Lanxi answered: “I wanted the world to know that even without imperial blood, I could still win the people’s support. I am the Son of Heaven by the will of the people!”

The officials nodded slowly, beginning to understand.

Even if she had revealed her lineage earlier, it would not have outweighed Zhou Ruyuan’s status as a male heir. People would only have dismissed it as an excuse, offering no real advantage.

Revealed now, however, it was like adding flowers to brocade.

Shen Lanxi continued: “From the moment I learned my true origins, I resolved to overthrow Emperor Renxiao’s tyranny and expose his crimes to the world.”

“He forced his way to the throne, murdered his brother and father, and to secure his power, forced the Empress to death and married a woman of the Qi clan, whose family commanded heavy troops.”

“After ascending the throne, he persecuted loyal ministers, poisoned elder officials, and eliminated those who knew of his usurpation, even exterminating their families. Anyone who knew the truth was silenced.”

“Zhou Chengqian’s crimes are too numerous to record. I endured humiliation and hardship to reach this day—to reveal his atrocities to the world, so that all under Heaven would know what he did!”

The officials suddenly understood.

So her uprising in Dongchuan had not been accidental—it had been driven by a desire for revenge.

“His Majesty bears the imperial bloodline and is the true Son of Heaven of Great Zhou.”

“Even though Zhou Chengqian seized the throne, he could never secure it.”

“His Majesty’s accession is rightful and ordained by Heaven!”

Zhou Xinrou frowned as she looked at Shen Lanxi.

These words… had not been part of what they had agreed upon.