RWNEFE -Chapter 667 Is His Majesty Intending to Distance Herself from the Shen Family?

The younger generation of the Shen family all feared Shen Lanxi. The moment they heard that the palace had imposed confinement, they immediately began reflecting on their mistakes.

News that Shen Conglian had personally gone to the Gao residence to demand accountability quickly spread.

No one knew what was discussed inside, but Shen Conglian remained at the Gao residence for over two hours. When he finally came out, he had changed his tone.

“The Shen and Gao families had only just begun contact. When a family has an unmarried daughter, many may seek her hand. There was no engagement, no formal betrothal contract. Whichever man Miss Gao interacts with is perfectly normal.”

Normal?

This was the Shen family.

In the eyes of the common people, the Shen family were imperial relatives. How could the Gao family dare to trifle with imperial kin? Did they have a death wish?

Moreover, the Emperor had yet to name a crown prince. Shen Chengfeng was a highly favored candidate—virtually the future crown prince, the future ruler of the nation.

How could the Gao family dare?

The scholar was brought to the Shen residence, but nothing could be extracted from him. The entire capital was watching them. At this point, even if the scholar stumbled in the street, people might assume the Shen family had done something to him.

So at this moment, the scholar had to remain perfectly safe.

Gao Mingyue also had to remain perfectly safe.

—

“The Gao family agreed that once public attention dies down, they will send Gao Mingyue to a temple to spend the rest of her life chanting scriptures and atoning for her sins.” There were other promises made as well, but those could not be spoken in front of Shen Emei.

Shen Chengfeng and Shen Emei listened obediently. Confinement by imperial order was worse than having a leg broken.

“As for that scholar, no one instigated him. It was all coincidence,” Shen Conglian said. He himself could not understand how such a coincidence could occur—yet he found no trace of human manipulation.

All clues pointed to coincidence.

“The scholar will remain in the capital for now. After things settle down, he will be expelled and forbidden from ever taking the imperial examinations.”

Shen Conglian had wanted to teach the scholar a harsher lesson, but the laws of Great Zhou restrained him.

Life for life.

Of all the statutes, that was the one he remembered most clearly.

The one in the palace was ruthless and decisive. He would not gamble with his own life.

“I am tired. In two days your fathers will return. Let them punish you.”

“Surely you will accept their discipline wholeheartedly.”

He had no desire to be the villain. Judging by Shen Emei’s expression, even if he tried to discipline her, she would not listen.

After Shen Emei left, Shen Conglian looked at his grandson with heartache.

“Chengfeng, when your father returns, your grandfather will go with him to the palace and ask His Majesty to bestow a marriage upon you.”

“We’ll have His Majesty find you a worthy bride. Someone like Gao Mingyue is not fit for my grandson.”

It was all because of that earlier incident that had delayed his grandson’s wedding, turning a fine young man into a widower.

Fortunately, given their family’s current standing, even as a widower he remained one of the most sought-after men in the capital.

—

Just as matters had quieted for two days, the three Shen sons returned to the capital one after another.

Shen Yuanhao arrived first. Two days later came Shen Yuanxu. Shen Yuanjing arrived on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.

All made it back before the New Year.

This time they intended to remain in the capital for an extended stay, and all three brought their families.

Madam Miao stood beside her grandson, her whole household brimming with joy as they awaited Shen Yuanhao’s return—only to see him arrive as a family of four.

She glanced silently at her grandson standing beside her and let out a quiet sigh.

Those two children weren’t much younger than Shen An.

After settling the people he had brought back, Shen Yuanhao led the woman and two children to kneel before his parents in apology.

Before even speaking, the family of four knelt.

“Father, Mother—Lian’er is the daughter of a farming household at the frontier. While I was suppressing bandits in the mountains, I fell into one of their traps. Lian’er saved my life. She is a good woman—I cannot wrong her.”

Hearing that her son had once been at death’s door, Madam Miao’s disdain for Lian’er’s humble background instantly lessened by half.

Shen Congli sat to the side with a cold face, silent.

Madam Miao looked at Lian’er and the children and spoke gently, “You may rise.”

As Shen Yuanhao stood, he did not forget to help Lian’er up.

“When you married, did you inform His Majesty by letter?”

Madam Miao’s greatest concern was that if he had concealed it from the family, he surely had not informed the palace either.

She had guessed correctly.

“Mother, I did not inform His Majesty.”

In letters, Madam Miao had not dared tell her son too much about the capital’s situation, fearing he would worry.

Now that he had returned, some matters had to be explained.

“Take Lian’er and the children back first. Then come speak with us.”

Shen Yuanhao glanced at Lian’er and the children, who looked at him anxiously. He smiled reassuringly.

With the realm now at peace, what danger could surpass the chaos of earlier years?

He soon returned.

“His Majesty has not summoned the younger members of the family to the palace in a long time. The children have been clamoring to visit the palace. We sent word several times, but all were turned back by subordinates.”

Shen Yuanhao’s heart tightened. He suddenly recalled certain rumors he had heard.

“Could it be that His Majesty truly is not the Empress Dowager’s biological child?”

Madam Miao’s face turned pale.

“Shh! Is that something you can say? Take it back at once!”

Shen Yuanhao’s expression darkened.

“Even if she is not, she must be. Do you understand?” Madam Miao warned sternly.

His eyes flickered, and he nodded silently.

Only if His Majesty were the Empress Dowager’s child would there still be ties between her and the Shen family.

“As for your marriage to Lian’er, the family does not oppose it. But remember—His Majesty once decreed that Shen family men may not take concubines. Weigh this carefully.”

After a moment of silence, Shen Yuanhao said, “I will enter the palace later and explain to His Majesty. I will marry Lian’er properly and formally.”

Madam Miao muttered softly, “That Lian’er’s background is a bit low. Fortunately, An’er is not young anymore. We can arrange a suitable marriage alliance for him in the future to support him.”

Shen Yuanhao nodded with some difficulty.

Originally, His Majesty had intended to summon the three brothers together. Because of his marriage, Shen Yuanhao first submitted a memorial and awaited summons.

With the New Year approaching, the palace was extremely busy. Shen Lanxi found time to bestow several rewards, sending them to the Shen residence through the pale-faced eunuch.

“His Majesty has been so busy these days that her feet scarcely touch the ground. Each day she discusses state affairs with ministers until midnight—she truly cannot spare the time.”

“His Majesty said she has Shen Yuanhao’s matter in mind. As for Lord Shen’s marriage, it shall be decided by the elders of the Shen family.”

“As for the previous rule that Shen family men may not take concubines—from today onward, it is abolished.”

“These are His Majesty’s rewards for Lord Shen Yuanhao. Once she finishes these busy days, she will summon Lord Shen.”

The others in the Shen family had grown accustomed to such things.

Only Shen Yuanhao’s heart sank.

What matter could be so important that she had no time even to meet him and exchange a few words?

Was His Majesty deliberately treating the Shen family coldly—distancing herself from them?

Why?

Weren’t they family?