Chapter 262 Zhou Ru'an gives a stick and then a sweet date!

Zhou Ruan thought to himself, "No wonder when I tried to befriend Shen Lanxi before, she avoided the topic and Wei Dongzhu even came out. So that's why."

This explains why Wei Dongzhu said the Turks had assembled a large army, but they haven't arrived yet.

It turns out that the two of them had been hooking up for a long time.

Come to think of it, how could Shen Lanxi, a woman, move freely in a military camp full of men? She must have found a powerful backer.

Given Wei Dongzhu's status, she naturally had to leverage his influence.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ruan gritted his teeth. Shen Lanxi was truly blind. Instead of currying favor with him, a prince, she chose to curry favor with someone surnamed Wei.

No matter how powerful Wei Dongzhu is, what can he do? His entire family is dead.

"Second brother, I think Shen Lanxi not only has an ambiguous relationship with Wei Dongzhu, but also with all the men around her. Several times, I've seen her alone in a room with different men. A normal young lady wouldn't do something so damaging to her reputation!"

While secretly glancing at Zhou Ru'an, Zhou Yunyue added fuel to the fire.

When Shen Lanxi was betrothed to Zhou Ruyuan, the other princes were all dissatisfied, and Zhou Ruan must have felt the same way.

She had heard while she was in the palace that the two had a very bad relationship in private, so she figured it must be someone who got the better deal and someone who lost out.

As Zhou Yunyue thought of the days when she was not valued in the palace, her eyes turned as black as ink and as cold as ice.

Zhou Ruan took a few deep breaths to clear the pent-up frustration from her mind.

"Yunyue, are you living with Shen Yuanjing now?"

Zhou Yunyue's face darkened, and she complained, "Second brother, you must stand up for me! After Father bestowed me upon Shen Yuanjing, he simply threw me into a dilapidated house and ignored me completely. Every day, I feel like I'm confined to my room. If you hadn't come, I wouldn't have been able to leave my room at all!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ru'an formed a plan in his mind. He glanced at the imperial physician and immediately ordered him to take Zhou Yunyue's pulse.

"Second Prince, the princess's pulse is normal; her health couldn't be better!" the imperial physician said truthfully after careful consideration.

After hearing this, Zhou Yunyue retorted excitedly, "Impossible! I have to stop breathing and rest for a long time after walking just a few steps every day. Before I came to the Northwest, I never took a nap, but now I sleep all afternoon every day. After dinner, I get so sleepy that I can't keep my eyes open, and I sleep all night. How could I be fine? Please examine me more carefully."

The imperial physician, being of low rank and lacking influence, said nothing more and immediately examined the patient again.

"Princess, you have excessive liver fire. The climate in the Northwest is dry. I'll prescribe some medicine to reduce the heat and regulate your condition!"

Zhou Yunyue didn't believe it and immediately shouted, "You quack doctor, do you even know how to treat a patient? I'm so sick, and you say I'm not sick? I think you're the one who's a complete fraud with no skills."

The imperial physician looked distressed and hurriedly sought help from the second prince.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Zhou Ru'an's eyes. This imperial physician was a top doctor in the Imperial Hospital. It was through his own efforts that he managed to bring him to the Northwest. Yet Zhou Yunyue dared to call him a quack, which was a slap in the face to him, a prince.

"Yunyue, speak properly. This imperial physician used to examine the Emperor and Empress," Zhou Ruan warned calmly.

Zhou Yunyue could tell. Having grown up in the cold palace since childhood, she was best at listening to people's tone and reading between the lines.

"Second brother, what's wrong with my body?" You know, when she left the palace, the Empress had someone give her a box of medicine. There are many dirty tricks in the harem that can make people die without them even noticing.

After careful consideration, the imperial physician said, "It's probably due to the change in environment. Some people find it difficult to adapt to a new environment, even after a long time."

Is it just another case of acclimatization issues? Zhou Yunyue thought angrily.

She didn't believe she was just having trouble adjusting to the new environment; she was definitely being plotted against by some scoundrel!

“Royal sister, the imperial physician’s words are undoubtedly true!” Zhou Ru’an no longer called Yun Yue, her tone carrying a faint sense of estrangement.

Zhou Yunyue's heart tightened; she couldn't afford to anger Zhou Ru'an now. Whether she could marry Shen Yuanjing and return safely to the capital to enjoy wealth and luxury all depended on this second brother.

"Second brother, I think my body hasn't adapted to the climate of the Northwest yet!" Zhou Yunyue was so angry that she almost broke her fingernails.

Zhou Ruan thought to himself, "She does have some sense after all. If she continues to act unreasonably, I'm not sure I'll have the patience to coax her."

"You came here with the mission. If something happens to you, the mission and the people around you will all be held responsible. Do you understand?"

Zhou Yunyue lowered her head, appearing submissive and humble as she listened to his teachings.

Seeing that she had become obedient, Zhou Ruan thought for a moment and decided to give her a sweet treat.

“You are a princess of the royal family, representing the face of the royal family. I now know your difficulties, and as your brother, I must stand up for you!”

Upon hearing his words, Zhou Yunyue's anger immediately turned to joy.

"Second brother, I can't follow Shen Yuanjing without a proper title or status!"

Zhou Ru'an thought for a moment and said, "I'll talk to Shen Yuanjing in a bit and have him bring you back to the manor!"

Then what?

Zhou Yunyue looked at Zhou Ruan with great anticipation. She was a royal princess. What was that barbarian woman from the Oirat tribe? How could she compare to her?

"Second brother, tell Shen Yuanjing to divorce that Oirat barbarian woman and marry me as his wife."

Zhou Ruan just praised her for being smart, but now she's acting stupid again.

The daughter of a lowly servant is indeed of inferior blood and beyond redemption. Even if she has some cleverness, it won't amount to much.

That's fine; being a little foolish makes it easier for him to control them.

"There's no rush. Father's previous imperial edict is still in effect. If we were to make you the principal wife now, wouldn't that edict be rendered meaningless? Father is the Son of Heaven, and his word is law. He cannot retract his decree so quickly. Go back and wait; I will arrange things step by step!"

Even if things don't go as planned immediately, this guarantee will do!

Zhou Yunyue finally felt less anxious than before.

To avoid arousing suspicion, Zhou Ru'an didn't talk to Zhou Yunyue for too long before sending a guard to summon Shen Yuanjing.

"By imperial decree, Shen Yuanjing is your rightful husband. You are a princess of the Great Zhou, and Shen Yuanjing is a general of the Great Zhou. As a princess from a foreign tribe, her status in our land is entirely up to us!"

Zhou Yunyue's eyes lit up.

"Second brother, I understand."

Shen Yuanjing arrived quickly.

"Second Prince!"

Zhou Ruan looked at Shen Yuanjing, who was dressed in armor and exuded heroic spirit, and felt that he could hardly recognize him.

In his memory, Shen Yuanjing was still that good-for-nothing playboy who only knew how to rely on the Empress Dowager's favor and his mother's status, and who did nothing but play all day long.

It's only been a short time since I last saw him, but he's changed so much.

“Yuan Jing, you are now my brother-in-law, no need for formalities!” Zhou Ruan said gently.

Shen Yuanjing said without changing his expression, "The Second Prince is of noble status, and I dare not presume to be worthy of such a position!"

Just like when they were in the palace, Zhou Ruan smiled and put his arm around Shen Yuanjing's shoulder.

“Yuanjing, you’ve grown taller. When we used to play Cuju together, you were a head shorter than me, but now we’re about the same height!” Zhou Ruan said nostalgically.