RWNEFE -Chapter 659 Shen Congwen Is Dead!

Zhou Xinrou watched the three brothers crowd around Shen Congwen, a trace of displeasure flashing in her eyes.

“The imperial physicians have said your father needs quiet rest. All of you, step back and let him rest properly.”

Everyone made way for the Empress Dowager.

Now that she held that title, her words carried the weight of an imperial decree—no one dared oppose her.

“You three have returned this time—stay a while longer. I’ll speak to Lanxi.”

“The children hardly recognize you anymore.”

“She can sit securely on the throne because of your merits. If you hadn’t guarded the frontier, I fear someone else would already be sitting on the dragon throne.”

Shen Yuanjing frowned slightly.

“Mother…”

Zhou Xinrou shot him a cold look. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

Naturally, Shen Yuanjing did not dare claim she was wrong.

“One must not speak carelessly of the Son of Heaven,” he reminded her quietly.

Zhou Xinrou snorted. “You may fear her—I do not. You are my confidence. With you here, Shen Lanxi would not dare do anything to me.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept quickly across the three brothers. Seeing nothing on their faces but concern, she smiled inwardly with satisfaction.

This identity as their mother was indeed useful. Shen Lanxi’s pretended benevolence had instead become a tool for her.

Shen Congwen, who had seemed stable in the morning, deteriorated sharply that afternoon.

At the time, Shen Yuanjing was discussing with his two brothers when they should return. They were frontier generals and could not be away too long.

They had asked several imperial physicians repeatedly, and all had said that his condition was already at its worst and not life-threatening.

The three had been inclined to leave soon.

Now was the best opportunity for them to consolidate their power. They had begun martial training late in life; without their meritorious service in supporting the dragon throne and their family ties, they would not even have secured positions as centurions.

They could not afford to slacken now.

Yet before half an hour of discussion had passed, their father’s condition suddenly worsened.

“How could he deteriorate so suddenly?” Shen Yuanjing asked anxiously.

The imperial physicians were puzzled as well. But as court doctors, they knew that survival often depended on how one spoke.

“It may be that Lord Shen’s body was already severely depleted.”

“Yes, yes—his internal reserves were exhausted. Once illness strikes such a body, it comes fiercely.”

“We’ve used only the finest medicines.”

“The best medicines in Great Zhou have been used on Lord Shen. To speak bluntly—even if His Majesty were ill, she would not receive better remedies!”

“We have stabilized him with silver needles, but…” They trailed off. The outlook was not optimistic.

How could Shen Congwen’s depletion be so severe? Even during exile, the Shen family had not truly suffered—His Majesty had accompanied them. Compared to others, their exile had been almost comfortable.

“Before this, did Lord Shen perhaps…” The physician hesitated, glancing meaningfully at the three brothers.

Shen Yuanjing followed him aside.

“His pulse suggests… excessive use of aphrodisiacs,” the physician said awkwardly.

Shen Yuanjing’s face darkened. He glanced around immediately.

“Physician, please keep this confidential.”

The physician nodded at once.

After returning, Shen Yuanjing explained to his brothers:

“Father’s body had already been too depleted before. That’s why once illness struck, it came like a collapsing mountain.”

Yuanjun and Yuanqing were no longer children. From the physician’s expression, they had already guessed the unspoken implication and did not press further.

“Please, physician, do everything you can.”

The physician hesitated. “Lord Shen could… pass at any time. You should prepare yourselves.”

Prepare for the funeral.

A heavy silence fell over the Shen household.

“Elder Brother…” Shen Conglian and Shen Congli threw themselves forward, weeping.

They had just buried their grandmother and their fourth brother. Now even the eldest might leave them?

“How can a man alive and well suddenly be gone?”

When death approaches, past grievances seem to vanish like smoke. For a moment, they were once again brothers playing together in the village fields.

“Elder Brother… we finally had good days ahead. Why must you go…”

“We told you not to drink, told you again and again—you wouldn’t listen…”

The elders’ crying drew tears from the younger generation as well.

“Grandfather…”

Grief aside, practical matters had to be handled.

“Should we inform the palace?”

“The Empress Dowager must be told. But His Majesty?”

This was a Shen family matter. Could they allow imperial blood to don mourning hemp for a private clan elder?

If it were common folk, it would be one thing. But this was the Son of Heaven.

Could the Son of Heaven casually acknowledge ancestors?

Would it not invite ridicule from the entire realm?

“Tell her or not?”

“We must ask Yuanjing. We dare not decide on our own.”

The two uncles sought out the three brothers.

“Yuanjing, we cannot decide whether to inform His Majesty. You know about His Majesty’s imperial lineage, don’t you?”

Thanks to official proclamations, the entire empire knew.

“Tell her,” Shen Yuanjing said firmly. “His Majesty values loyalty and filial piety. Let her decide for herself.”

“Very well. We’ll follow your lead.”

“And if Elder Brother passes—should we summon Yuanxu and the others back?” They had no experience with military customs.

Shen Yuanjing shook his head. “Strategic passes cannot be left without generals. Our return was already a special grace from His Majesty. In the former dynasty, even if one’s entire family perished, a defending general could not abandon his post.”

The two uncles nodded repeatedly.

---

“How can he already be beyond saving?” Shen Lanxi asked softly.

But she seemed to answer herself almost immediately.

“This must be his fate.”

With a life that could have been long and prosperous, he had chosen self-destruction.

“I understand. Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The citizens of the capital had already sensed something amiss at the Shen residence.

First, the Empress Dowager had been returning frequently. Then imperial physicians were coming and going. Soon afterward, there was constant movement of people in and out.

Was something about to happen?

Surely not rebellion again? The Shen family had no need for that.

Before speculation could grow too wild, the Shen family steward began purchasing funeral goods in large quantities.

Someone was about to die.

Without much inquiry, the funeral shops spread the news:

Eldest Master Shen Congwen was near death. Drunk into ruin.

The capital understood at once—he had squandered his fortune in wine and drunk himself to death.

“Mother, how is Father?” Shen Lanxi asked with concern.

Zhou Xinrou shook her head.

Shen Congwen could no longer speak or move. Even with all gathered around him, he left no final words.

They could only watch as his eyes closed.

“At least Father did not suffer the torment of being bedridden for years,” Shen Lanxi said gently, trying to comfort her family.

Even so, it could not ease the sorrow of Shen Yuanjing and the others.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze brushed lightly over Zhou Xinrou.

The poison of the “Beauty’s Frailty” had already been at work. Even without the stroke, Shen Congwen would not have lived many more years.