Chapter 467 Appoints Shen Lanxi as Regent!

Shen Lanxi smiled as she looked down at the court officials.

"His Majesty has personally appointed Sun Xun as the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

"His Majesty has personally selected Zhou Tingyu as the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination!"

With each sentence Shen Lanxi spoke, she pretended to move closer to Emperor Renxiao and listen to his orders.

Emperor Renxiao's fingers could still move, and Shen Lanxi clearly conveyed his meaning.

Of all the officials in the court, Shen Lanxi is the only one he trusts now.

"An order must be issued: the Ministry of Rites shall organize the parade of the three top-ranking officials on horseback. Court adjourned!"

The courtiers were filled with unease. His Majesty was right here, so why was Shen Lanxi conveying the imperial decree?

Is Shen Lanxi referring to His Majesty's meaning?

Why doesn't Your Majesty speak?

During the subsequent cabinet meeting, the three regents once again challenged Shen Lanxi.

"Lord Shen, how is His Majesty's health?"

Shen Lanxi: "His Majesty is well. He said he will summon the three of you once he has recovered."

Wu Yanzhi: "Lord Shen, His Majesty doesn't look like he's in good health."

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on her face, and said, "According to the Left Prime Minister's words, what should His Majesty be like?"

Liu Mingxin continued, "In the past, His Majesty was vigorous and spoke with great energy. He would stand up and stretch his muscles halfway through each meeting."

Unlike now, it's just a decoration.

The mere thought of the word "decorative" sent shivers down the spines of the court officials.

Shen Lanxi: "His Majesty is in good health. Instead of wasting time speculating about His Majesty, you officials should finish the tasks he has assigned as soon as possible. That way, you won't be punished for dereliction of duty if His Majesty becomes displeased one day!"

The court officials glared at Shen Lanxi, daring not to speak out.

Be arrogant, Your Majesty. With the situation like this, the political climate in the court obviously cannot remain like this forever.

Once the old and new forces change, let's see how she still laughs!

The next day, edicts requesting the establishment of a crown prince piled up like snowflakes in the small cabinet.

The three regents worked together to have a table prepared and then brought a table full of memorials to Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi sneered and then showed the memorial to Emperor Renxiao.

Emperor Renxiao was enraged, his blood boiled, and he vomited blood and fell into a coma.

"My lord, may we continue administering the medicine to His Majesty?" Wang Bao asked Shen Lanxi uncertainly.

"Yes, these were personally crafted for His Majesty by the Imperial Advisor, who worked day and night to prepare them. They should be cherished!"

...

Emperor Renxiao had just regained consciousness when he received two pieces of news that could cost him his life.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince has rebelled in Nanning!"

"The poison of the green silkworm points to the Empress's palace!"

Emperor Renxiao's vision went black, and he fainted again. When he awoke, two hours had passed.

"Uncle, the Imperial Advisor said you must not be agitated any further, and you should not listen to such news anymore. Leave it all to the court officials to handle!"

To prevent himself from fainting, Emperor Renxiao struggled to raise his hand and pointed at Wang Bao.

The latter immediately and carefully took out a scroll of imperial edict from under the dragon bed.

Emperor Renxiao was already panting heavily when his arm fell.

"By the grace of Heaven and by imperial decree, Shen Lanxi is hereby appointed as Regent Prince, effective from this day forward. Shen Lanxi knows my heart well and should understand my meaning!"

Shen Lanxi was the first female king of a different surname in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Lanxi accepts the decree, Uncle. Lanxi understands your meaning. Lanxi will definitely defend the capital before Prince Chen returns!"

Emperor Renxiao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

When Prince Chen returns, there will be two more imperial edicts: one to allow Prince Chen to ascend the throne, and the other to order the death of Shen Lanxi.

I hope my son will hold this imperial edict and use this sharpened knife well!

...

The officials were very curious. Could it be that His Majesty's health had improved significantly, as he summoned all the officials to court?

Some people were saying that His Majesty was about to announce the matter of establishing a crown prince.

Unexpectedly, it wasn't any of them; it was Shen Lanxi who was crowned king!

"How can a woman be the regent of my Great Zhou? Your Majesty is confused; how could you issue such an edict?"

"This old minister demands to see Your Majesty. If I cannot see Your Majesty, I would rather die in this hall!"

The censor was about to crash into a pillar when the officials quickly pulled him back, trying to persuade him and criticize Shen Lanxi.

The latter stood beside the dragon throne, looking down at the chaos below as if watching a farce.

"Lord Shen, where is my father? I want to see my father." Zhou Ruyuan couldn't believe that his father would issue such an edict.

It must have been Shen Lanxi who took advantage of her father's serious illness to forge an imperial edict.

Wang Bao: "His Majesty is recuperating. Tell the Prince of Zhennan to focus on investigating the case and not worry about anything else!"

Zhou Ruyuan felt as if he had been slapped in the face. Wang Bao was the person who served the emperor closely. Could it be that he was bribed by Shen Lanxi to say this?

"Eunuch Wang, how could my father issue such an edict? It's utterly ridiculous!" Zhou Ruyuan exclaimed excitedly.

Wang Bao: "This imperial edict was written by Your Majesty personally, with the ink ground for you and my own eyes. If Your Highness does not accept it, the truth will come out once Your Majesty recovers!"

Zhou Ruyuan stared intently at Shen Lanxi. How dare she accept such an imperial decree? What exactly does she want to do?

Shen Lanxi lowered her eyes and said coldly, "His Majesty was furious when he received the news that the Second Prince Zhou Ru'an had plotted a rebellion in Nanning. He ordered all officials to capture Zhou Ru'an as soon as possible. Gentlemen, the court only has this many troops at the moment. Who do you think should be sent?"

Most officials were distracted.

"The Second Prince is plotting a rebellion? When did this news come?"

"First it was the Fifth Prince, now it's the Second Prince, my Great Zhou... must not fall into chaos!"

Shen Lanxi looked at Zhou Ruyuan: "The Prince of Zhennan is a war god appointed by His Majesty and is a brother of the Second Prince. Why don't we have the Prince of Zhennan volunteer for this battle?"

Zhou Ruyuan's expression changed, and he thought about it again and again.

The situation in the court is complicated. Outside, the princes are eyeing the court covetously, and inside, Shen Lanxi wants to control the court. He is the only person in the capital who can stand up to Shen Lanxi. She can forget about transferring him out of the capital!

Zhou Ruyuan immediately retorted: "My father is still ill, and as a prince, I must attend to him. I am the only capable adult prince in the capital, and I absolutely cannot leave at this time."

Shen Lanxi had already guessed that he would say that.

"Then let's find another candidate. Gentlemen of the Ministry of War, why don't you recommend someone?"

The Vice Minister of War had no desire to get involved in this mess. All the troops in the capital had been sent out to cultivate land, so there were no troops left.

Bandits were rampant in Nanning, and Zhou Ru'an had already established a firm foothold there. Going there would be tantamount to suicide.

Shen Lanxi: "Zhou Ru'an is, after all, a prince. I think we should try to appease him first, and if that fails, then send troops to attack. What do you gentlemen think?"

The Vice Minister of War's eyes lit up when he saw the figure blocking his way and swaying around.

"I have a suitable candidate, Marquis of Yong'an, Zhao Zheng."

Zhao Zheng, who was called out, was taken aback and then turned his head.

"Minister, everyone knows that I'm just a figurehead in the Ministry of War. You recommended me? Do you have a grudge against me?"

The Vice Minister of War had naturally prepared a reason.

"As Lord Shen just said, the first step is to offer amnesty. Your status as the Marquis of Yong'an is more than enough to shoulder this important task!"