Chapter 562 Huang Yu Makes a Meritorious Deed!

"I have already made arrangements for this matter. I will discuss it with the Imperial Advisor later, and announce the results after the discussion."

Some officials were disappointed. Now that the world was peaceful and prosperous, they were getting a little complacent, and the number of pro-war officials was increasing day by day.

After the court session, Shen Lanxi left Liu Mingxin alone.

“Your daughter has unique insights into governing the people’s livelihood, and I also intend for her to go to Dongchuan. However, Dongchuan is a harsh and cold place, so I asked you to go back and discuss it.”

Liu Mingxin did hesitate for a long time. If he were a man, he would definitely be happy to support his son going to Dongchuan.

If it were his daughter, he would feel uneasy, but no one knows.

Shen Lanxi: "Jinmen is on the only way to Dongchuan. I have observed that your daughter's spirit is no less than that of a man, so I have secretly assigned her to do something."

Liu Mingxin's eyes immediately turned serious.

"Your Majesty, please give your orders. As long as it is for the sake of the Great Zhou and my daughter, I will not hesitate to die for it!"

Shen Lanxi handed a parchment scroll to Liu Mingxin.

"You'll see this when you get back. No one other than you and your daughter should see this parchment!"

Liu Mingxin immediately felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, and replied firmly, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

No sooner had Shen Lanxi seen Liu Mingxin off than she wrote two letters and had them delivered by a messenger hawk.

One letter was for Feng Wu, and the other was for Che Mingyuan.

Che Mingyuan's reply arrived quickly. Zhou Ruyuan's words were vague, implying an intention to make an exchange.

Just three days later, she received another letter from Che Mingyuan. Their group had been assassinated, but fortunately, they escaped unharmed. Apart from one of the women they were escorting dying and several others being injured, there were no major losses.

The letter also stated that the assassins were targeting the people in Zhou Ruyuan's backyard.

Is there someone who doesn't want to exchange hostages? And they're from Tianjin.

It seems that Zhou Ruyuan is not on the same page as some people.

After all, Zhou Xiwu and Yuan Lang had that kind of relationship, but now Yuan Lang has pledged allegiance to Zhou Ruyuan.

It is unknown whether Zhou Ruyuan knew about the relationship between Yuan Lang and Zhou Qiwu.

This relationship might be useful.

Shen Lanxi immediately replied to Che Mingyuan, explaining the relationship between them.

It all depends on whether Che Mingyuan knows how to use it and how he uses it.

...

The Imperial Guard discovered the unusual activity during their patrol and immediately killed six spies.

Shen Lanxi saw Huang Yu's name on the list of meritorious officials. She had killed five spies by herself, which was an outstanding achievement.

"Your Majesty, my wife attended the Shen family's family reunion banquet, and Huang Yu's performance that day was quite remarkable." Liu Yanhui was not speaking on Huang Yu's behalf, but rather stating what he knew.

Shen Lanxi: "Your wife speaks highly of Huang Yu."

Liu Yanhui, fearing that Shen Lanxi would misunderstand, immediately said, "I have already warned my wife. She only has a slight liking for Huang Yu because she saw him not afraid of power and protecting women at the family reunion banquet."

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow: "How come I heard that Huang Yu and your wife have quite a close relationship?"

Liu Yan was sweating profusely with anxiety; he was completely unaware of this matter.

"All I know is that when the family reunion banquet ended, my wife took a box of pastries home. It is said that it was a return gift from the Shen family that day. I even asked her carefully, and the two of them had no interaction before."

Shen Lanxi tapped her fingers lightly on the table, and after three breaths, she spoke.

"You are a minister whom I rely on. You must always be wary of those who have ulterior motives and try to get close to you for various reasons."

A look of annoyance flashed across Liu Yanhui's eyes.

"I understand. When I get home, I will give my family a good talking-to and make sure they don't make any mistakes."

Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "No need to be so nervous. I'm just reminding you. I heard that your wife gave birth to a son. I was so busy with the imperial examinations that I forgot about it."

"I have a pearl here that was extracted from a thousand-year-old clam. I'll give it to you as a congratulatory gift!"

Chunxue brought the gift, which contained a pearl that was slightly larger than a goose egg and rounder than a pomegranate.

Even Liu Yanhui, who was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, had never seen such a large bead; it was truly a treasure.

"Your Majesty, this is too precious, absolutely not."

Shen Lanxi: "Just take it if I give it to you, why are you asking so many questions?"

The familiar tone made Liu Yanhui stop refusing.

"On behalf of my son, I thank Your Majesty."

Shen Lanxi: "I received a letter from Yuan Jun a couple of days ago. He wants your sister to return to the capital to prepare for childbirth. What do you think?"

Liu Yanhui is now a man with a wife and children. He took care of his wife when she was pregnant.

"I believe the journey is arduous and my sister is frail and not suited for long-distance travel. It would be more appropriate for her to stay at our post to give birth."

Shen Lanxi then pushed the task of replying to him.

"You should write a letter to your sister in reply. If I were to reply with a refusal, it would seem heartless. As the older brother, you should worry about your sister and scold your brother-in-law a bit. They will surely accept it obediently."

Liu Yanhui immediately accepted the order. He took the beads back home, closed the door, and quietly looked at the beads.

Until his wife came to call him to have dinner.

"Madam, are you very familiar with Huang Yu?"

Liu Yanhui's wife was taken aback for a moment, then explained, "We've run into each other a few times and can exchange a few words."

The two had been married for several years, and Liu Yanhui knew his wife's temperament. She was not a talkative person, but now she could talk to people, which was quite strange.

"Huang Yu is a cunning and scheming man; we should not be too close to him!" Liu Yanhui warned.

His wife's reply, however, was somewhat perfunctory.

"My lord, I understand. Let's hurry and eat, or the food will get cold!"

...

Huang Yuguan was promoted one rank, and after the imperial edict was issued, the Capital Guard immediately issued the corresponding waist token.

Because of her status as Zhou Xinrou's adopted daughter, coupled with her daring, fearless, and unconventional nature, she quickly became part of the elite guards of the capital.

When news of his promotion reached the Shen residence, it was also accompanied by news that Huang Yu was going to host a banquet for the Imperial Guards.

Now that Zhou Xinrou is in charge of the household, she naturally has to arrange the banquets.

The women of the Shen family did nothing all day but watch the household bustling about making preparations.

"So what if he got promoted one rank? He's still just a guard who patrols the capital every day. What's so great about that?"

"Anyone who didn't know better would think we were having another wedding banquet. We've been preparing since this morning, even busier than when it was Grandmother's birthday banquet."

“An adopted daughter is not a biological daughter. Even if a biological daughter performed meritorious service, she would not be prepared like this.”

"You can't say that." Saying it would be sowing discord between Shen Lanxi and her daughter Zhou Xinrou, which could cost you your life.

"Have you heard? Everyone in the Prince of Zhennan's mansion has disappeared."

"I heard it from someone else; you can't just spread that around."

"Could it be that she was..." The person speaking made a throat-slitting gesture, which terrified the women.

"No way?"

"Why not? Weren't you already stripped of your honor and your crimes publicly announced?"

"Stop talking, Shen Yuantang is here!"

When the women in the room saw Shen Yuantang arrive, they immediately fell silent.