RWNEFE -Chapter 675 From Bloodthirsty Killer to Benevolent Sovereign

On the fifth day after arriving in Jiangnan, a man covered in blood rushed to the place where Shen Lanxi was staying, crying out for justice.

“Your Majesty, the complainant is an illegal salt peddler. He accuses the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner of murdering his entire family—as well as more than eighty members of his close friend’s household—in order to destroy evidence.”

Shen Lanxi frowned. “I have already lowered the price of salt to the minimum so that the common people can afford it. Why would anyone still risk selling illegal salt?”

The accuser wailed, “Salt is cheap in other regions—but in Jiangnan alone, it is expensive! The officials collude with the salt merchants to drive up prices. The people have no choice but to buy illegal salt!”

“The profits from illegal salt are not handed to the court. They all go into the pockets of corrupt officials and merchants. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!”

Shen Lanxi’s expression turned cold. “Liu Yanhui, examine the salt tax remitted from Jiangnan to the capital each quarter. Compare it with previous years.”

“Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Personnel, Court of Judicial Review—thoroughly investigate this matter.”

“Yuanjing, keep an eye on those salt merchants. Do not let them escape.”

They immediately carried out her orders.

Two days later, Shen Yuanjing traced the matter to a private residence owned by one of the salt merchants. Upon entering, he encountered a strikingly beautiful woman.

“My lord, I was forcibly abducted by the salt merchants. Please show mercy!” The woman swayed her slender waist like a willow in the wind and collapsed at Shen Yuanjing’s feet, gazing at him with pitiful, seductive eyes.

…

“Your Majesty, it has been confirmed: more than a hundred officials were involved in collusion with the salt merchants. There are over fifty salt merchants implicated. We have confiscated more than twenty thousand jin of illegal salt, amounting to several million taels of illicit silver.”

“Among them, certain merchants abducted and abused dozens of civilian women. These women’s families have been destroyed; they have nowhere to go.”

After finishing his report, Shen Yuanjing stepped aside and waited for the Emperor’s decision.

Shen Lanxi sat still, yet a chilling aura of lethal authority emanated from her.

The accompanying officials knew—His Majesty was about to unleash another slaughter.

“I established the integrity stipends,” Shen Lanxi said coldly, “to correct corrupt practices—to ensure that honest officials could support their households, and to encourage upright conduct.”

“It seems some officials disdain the salary I grant them. They believe embezzlement fills their coffers faster.”

“Today, I will show them: if money comes quickly, heads fall even faster!”

The officials stiffened. They were all too familiar with that tone.

“Anyone who has taken a single tael of dirty silver—leave none alive!”

“For those guilty of heinous crimes, sentence them to death by a thousand cuts. After execution, hang their bodies at the city gates for public display, so the people may vent their anger!”

“As for their families—execute them all, to rectify the court’s discipline.”

“Those under fifteen shall be exiled to the bitter cold lands, enslaved for three generations.”

“Let every official in Jiangnan witness the fate of those who plunder the people’s livelihood.”

“And let the people know: there is no such thing as ‘the mountains are high and the emperor is far away.’ No matter where I am, if they suffer injustice, I will vindicate them!”

The officials knelt. “Your Majesty is wise!”

Jiangnan fell silent for fifteen days. Even two days after Shen Lanxi departed at the end of her southern tour, the lingering authority of the Emperor could still be felt.

“They used to say the Emperor was cold-blooded and bloodthirsty. Now we see—she only kills those who deserve it.”

“She truly stands for the people. Those corrupt officials deserved death!”

“She is truly a sage ruler for the ages!”

Among the people of Jiangnan, the rumors of the Chongwu Emperor’s bloodthirstiness were replaced by praise for her love of the people. The wave of support spread across Aolai like wildfire.

…

In the deep mountains by the riverway, a group watched the imperial ships depart.

“Master, has His Majesty been too ruthless toward Ghost Valley?”

Xu Qingshan said quietly, “She did not eliminate those who threatened her throne—she merely sent them far away.”

Like Liu Mingxin and the Grand Preceptor.

Like himself.

Even so, he could not accuse her of soft-heartedness.

“Our Emperor,” Xu Qingshan said with a faint smile as he turned away, his voice echoing through the forest, “has become a truly qualified sovereign.”

“When the birds are gone, the good bow is stored away; when the world is at peace, the strategist withdraws…”

To depart safely—that is the best ending a strategist can hope for.

…

Along the journey, more commoners came forward with grievances. This time, Shen Lanxi did not order the ships to halt.

“Accept their petitions. Assign officials to handle them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

One by one, the accompanying officials were left behind to process cases.

By the time she returned to the capital, only Shen Yuanjing remained at her side. Even Liu Yanhui had been stationed outside the city before her arrival.

“Welcome back to the capital, Your Majesty!”

After nearly a year away, returning stirred countless emotions.

“Rise, all of you.”

The entire court rose in unison.

Shen Lanxi gazed at the officials she and the court had promoted. With steady strides, she entered the Golden Hall and ascended the dragon throne.

The pale-faced eunuch announced loudly, “If there are matters to report, speak now. If none, the court is dismissed…”

Day after day, governance resumed with the morning court.

…

After returning to the capital, the sixty strokes of blade practice continued.

Shen Lanxi lifted the bed curtain and frowned at the faint coughing behind her.

“Have you seen the imperial physician?”

Cheng Zheng nodded and attempted to rise.

She reached out and touched his forehead—it was burning hot.

“Rest today. Do not rise early with me.”

Cheng Zheng shook his head. He wanted to accompany her.

For several days, his health had worsened despite medication. A vague fear gripped his heart—that he would not be able to remain by her side much longer.

He wanted to rise. Every extra day with her was a day gained.

Seeing his stubborn struggle, Shen Lanxi sighed and lifted him in her arms.

“Prepare the warm sedan chair. Wrap it thickly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She looked down at the white streaks in Cheng Zheng’s hair. His foundations had been damaged back in Tianjin. In the palace, he had also been harmed more than once.

She knew he did not wish to die. She knew he was trying to live.

Inside the soft sedan chair, Cheng Zheng listened to the sound of blade practice outside, suppressing the urge to lift the curtain and watch.

He could not expose himself to the wind—it would worsen his illness. Hearing the sound was enough.

The Shen family had learned from Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu that Cheng Zheng’s illness had lingered without improvement.

“Father, should we enter the palace to visit Attendant Cheng?” Shen Emei asked seriously.

Shen Yuanjing had been thinking the same. The last time he saw Cheng Zheng, his complexion had been poor.

“I’ll discuss it with your uncle. We’ll see when to go.”

Shen Emei frowned. “Father, must we consult Uncle?”

Shen Yuanjing shook his head and explained patiently.

“Our Shen family has not formally divided households. Even if we had, visiting the palace to see a patient should be done together as one family.”

“Moreover, His Majesty likely wishes to see us united. If even such a matter is divided, it may displease her.”

As he finished, worry clouded his face.

“You have long been of marriageable age, yet no matchmaker has come. First the southern tour delayed matters; now Cheng Zheng has fallen ill. I hope he recovers soon—so I may petition His Majesty to grant your marriage.”