Chapter 543: The Censor Submits a Memorial!

Shen Lanxi played with the child: "Really? Did your father say you're very brave?"

Shen Emei said without any stage fright, "I told you, Father said I resemble His Majesty's aunt. His Majesty's aunt is also very bold, powerful, and capable."

Shen Lanxi, with a look of surprise, took Shen Emei's small hand and asked, "Really? What else did your father say about me?"

Shen Emei frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "Father also said that His Majesty's aunt is the best older sister in the world."

Shen Lanxi was overjoyed to hear this and happily took off the jade pendant from her waist and hung it on Shen Emei's waist.

"This is a gift from me. With this jade pendant, you and your younger siblings will be able to walk with impunity in the capital!"

Shen Emei happily hugged the jade pendant and wouldn't let go.

The accompanying officials kept trying to figure out the emperor's intentions based on Shen Lanxi's attitude.

His Majesty is approaching thirty, and many women would already be grandmothers. Yet His Majesty still has no children to inherit.

Judging from His Majesty's expression, could it be that he intends to adopt Shen Yuanjing's child?

It's no wonder they have such thoughts. The crown prince is the foundation for ensuring the stability of the nation. Only when His Majesty has an heir can the ambitions of those who covet the throne be suppressed.

They dared not interfere with His Majesty's marriage, but the matter of an heir had to be put on the agenda.

Shen Lanxi was unaware that her momentary act of joy had been interpreted by the court officials in countless ways.

She personally escorted the children to the Shen family, paid her respects to Madam Shen, and then returned to the palace.

Madam Shen's eyes were already filled with her great-grandchildren, and she wished Shen Lanxi would leave as soon as possible.

Logically, when the children returned to the capital, the elders of the Shen family should take them to the palace to pay their respects to Shen Lanxi.

The older male members of the Shen family are all gone now, so they can only enter the palace after the older generation returns.

She had barely entered the palace gates when the news arrived.

"At first, the Lin family of Jichuan was indeed wary of the Shen family and doted on Shen Yuanxin. However, seeing that Shen Yuanxin was of no help to the Lin family and had given birth to daughters one after another, Wang Linshi began to intentionally or unintentionally put Shen Yuanxin in a bad light."

As for poisoning, sabotage, or malicious attacks, none of these have been investigated.

"Your Majesty, the Shen family went to Jichuan and caused a huge disturbance at the Lin family. The concubine who was pregnant fell to the ground during the conflict and bled profusely; she could not be saved."

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow: "Were you bribed by Shen Yuantang?"

The guard immediately knelt on the ground.

"No, Your Majesty. I am loyal to Your Majesty alone."

Shen Lanxi's face was icy: "Then don't try to embellish it, just tell the truth."

After weighing the Shen family's standing in His Majesty's eyes, the secret guard immediately reported the truth.

"That concubine was deliberately pushed down by Shen Yuantang in the chaos. The four members of the Shen family beat up Lin Cheng, took back Shen Yuanxin's dowry and children, and made the Lin family sign a divorce agreement. When they left, they threatened the Lin family, saying that the Lin family's career was over."

Shen Lanxi: "I understand. You may leave."

"yes!"

Even the most upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes. Even the ruthless Emperor could not handle the Shen family matter with the same decisiveness as he would with other matters.

Soon, the Shen family sent a letter to the palace, stating that Shen Yuantang had done her best to avenge her sisters in Jichuan and wished to have her stay at the Shen family home for support.

"Hmph, this has given her a way out." She tossed the post aside.

Shen Yuantang was unaware that her scheme had been seen through by Shen Lanxi. Overjoyed, she sent people back to the old house to pack their things, while she herself used the excuse of accompanying Shen Yuanxin to stay without leaving.

...

When the Shen family's descendants from the Northwest returned to Beijing, someone still cared about them.

"Master, Qingyu is growing up day by day. When will the Shen family give us an explanation?" Although Madam Liang had other children later, she was more concerned about the daughter who had been sent to the Shen family.

Although Hu Jinyu often brought her children to the Prime Minister's residence under the guise of visiting, and they could reunite with her, what mother wouldn't want her children to be raised by her side? So, over time, she became even more fond of Wu Qingyu than of her other children.

Since Shen Lanxi ascended the throne, Wu Yanzhi has kept a low profile and acted cautiously. He carries the title of Prime Minister every day, but his official duties have gradually decreased.

In reality, it's less about reduction and more about being divided up. If this continues, his power will inevitably be undermined. When the time comes, he will be discarded like a hunting dog after the cunning rabbit dies. As a veteran official of the previous dynasty, what good will come of him?

So when he heard Liang mention the Shen family, he immediately became impatient and gave her a warning and a reprimand.

"I'm warning you, you'd better not get involved in anything related to the Shen family. If you bring disaster upon your family, I'll be the first to push you out to take the blame."

Madam Liang shuddered in fright, then said nonchalantly, "Shen Lanxi was able to become emperor only because of you, sir. If it weren't for your support, would she be sitting comfortably on the dragon throne?"

Seeing that Liang wouldn't listen, Wu Yanzhi angrily raised his hand to slap her.

He raised his hand halfway, then dejectedly lowered it again.

"I thought so too at first!" Wu Yanzhi sighed in frustration.

Liang dared not argue back and sat down in fear.

At first, Wu Yanzhi thought that Shen Lanxi would have to rely on him to move around in the palace. But then, one thing after another happened that was beyond his control. By the time he realized it, things had completely spiraled out of his control.

He was already tied to Shen Lanxi. By then, Shen Lanxi had become too powerful to allow him to disembark from the ship.

"In short, take note: you're not allowed to mess with the Shen family again. I'll go ask Che Mingyuan tomorrow."

Liang did not take Wu Yanzhi's words seriously, after all, men can give up anything for power.

The daughter who abandoned her back then is now not even allowed to ask her a question; she can't count on the master anymore.

Didn't they say that the Shen family's descendants in the Northwest would be returning to the capital these days? This is a good opportunity to find out more.

...

The next day at court, officials submitted a memorial.

"The succession is a matter of national importance for our Great Zhou Dynasty. We urge Your Majesty to appoint a successor as soon as possible to reassure the people!"

All the officials in the court turned to look at the censor who had spoken.

How dare you! Have you forgotten why His Majesty was given the title of Emperor Chongwu?

Shen Lanxi looked at the censor with a deep gaze, her aura cold and hard, but her words were not sharp.

"I will carefully consider your suggestion, my dear minister. I am in my prime. In your opinion, how many more years can I rule?"

The court officials knew that the official who had spoken out against the emperor was going to be in trouble.

They're already pressuring for a successor; aren't they just hoping for His Majesty's early death?

The official who had spoken out was also terrified when he realized what was happening, and immediately knelt on the ground, his legs going weak, to explain.

"May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! Long live the Emperor!"

Seeing the somewhat tense atmosphere, the officials' hearts were in their throats.

Is Shen Lanxi finally going to unleash a massacre in the Golden Palace?

A snort of laughter rang out.

"Other officials are all cold and hard, but you know how to be tactful!"

The official, terrified, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the censors speak what others dare not say, and I urge Your Majesty that even if it angers you, I must speak frankly and dare to remonstrate!"

Shen Lanxi raised the corners of her mouth; "You're quite the smooth talker, you get to say everything, good or bad!"