Chapter 563 Zhou Ruyuan Declares Himself Emperor, Zhou Xinrou Questions Him!

"What are you all doing here?" Shen Yuantang was naturally in a bad mood as well.

She had just spoken to her mother about it, but her mother clearly hadn't listened to her.

She's just an adopted daughter, not even related by blood, yet they've gone to such great lengths.

What was the mother really thinking?

The concubine's daughters and legitimate daughters, not wanting to make a fool of themselves, stood up to leave. Shen Yuantang's anger flared even more.

"Stop right there! Who gave you permission to leave!"

The legitimate daughters of the several branches felt awkward after hearing this. They were also legitimate daughters, so how could Shen Yuantang dare to question them in a accusatory tone?

Are they illegitimate daughters to be manipulated at will, or criminals who have committed crimes?

"We're sitting here to talk, of course!"

"My sister rules everything, but what right does she have to tell us what to say?"

"Yes, you are the legitimate daughter, and so are we. Sister, please consider your words carefully."

"We were just saying that the Zhennan Prince's Mansion is deserted and everyone has disappeared."

"It was my sister who came out just in time."

The words were clearly sarcastic, and Shen Yuantang angrily raised his hand to slap them.

The eldest daughter's expression changed as she spoke. It concerned her dignity and her status in the Shen family, but she suppressed her fear and met Shen Yuantang's gaze.

"What, does my sister want to hit us?"

"If my sister dares to lay a finger on us today, I'll go to my aunt and grandmother and explain things to them."

"Since when did a divorced woman dare to be so arrogant?"

These words were somewhat directed at the man on the dragon throne, and the sisters quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Shall we go see if Auntie needs any help?"

"Today is a joyous day for Sister Huang Yu. She has been promoted one rank, and our family will have another female member serving in the court."

Shen Yuantang glared at the departing figures, his anger practically bursting.

She had originally thought that after ruining Shen Lanxi and Wei Dongzhu's marriage, the two would become enemies. Unexpectedly, Wei Dongzhu ended up leaving for the Northwest.

Useless thing, can't even control a woman, deserves to be sent back to the Northwest in disgrace.

With Wei Dong gone, all the effort she had put into Qiao Niang was wasted.

They're all idiots. A grown man actually handed over the empire he fought so hard to a woman. Such cowards aren't worth her time.

Wei Dongzhu's plan has backfired, and now Huang Yu has ruined her plans. It's infuriating!

"Miss, shall we still go and deliver the pastries to the young lady and young master?"

Shen Yuantang's eyes were as cold as ice: "Send them, of course we'll send them. Let them laugh as much as they can now, so they won't be unable to laugh later."

...

News came from Tianjin again that the hostage exchange was temporarily suspended. Not long after, the Tianjin Express began to spread rumors that Shen Lanxi had planted spies around Zhou Ruyuan and had long harbored malicious intentions. It was claimed that Zhou Ruyuan's current predicament was entirely due to Shen Lanxi's coercion.

Shen Lanxi is seeking revenge for what happened on her wedding night!

The secret letter, along with this urgent report, was handed to Shen Lanxi.

“Zhou Ruyuan doesn’t care about the women and bloodlines in his backyard anymore.” Liu Yanhui said with a heavy expression.

The secret report that Shen Lanxi received was that Jiang Wuyai had not been found.

Zhou Ruyuan hid Jiang Wuyai in a place known only to himself.

Shen Lanxi's face was visibly gloomy.

“He’s unwilling to exchange hostages with me polite words; he’s only satisfied when things escalate to the point of armed conflict!” Shen Lanxi stared coldly at the location marked on the map.

"Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan is issuing a challenge to us."

To fight or not to fight?

Shen Lanxi's lips curled up into a cold smile.

"Let's have a go at this thatched hut successor."

How do we counter their moves?

Is it really time for war to break out? Then we need to get the Ministry of Revenue to make preparations immediately.

Liu Yanhui did not receive the imperial edict, but instead received an update from the news bulletin.

"The successor of the thatched cottage committed adultery with Wang Xiangyi, and Zhou Ruyuan's marriage was fraught with difficulties!"

The sensational headline, and its explosive form, appeared in Tianjin.

At first, Tianjin was in chaos as people tried to catch those who were spreading rumors. After two days of tension, sheets of white paper began to fall from the sky.

It was a news report detailing Zhou Ruyuan's tumultuous marital life and the affair between the successor of the thatched cottage and Zhou Ruyuan's current wife.

Tianjin

"Your Highness, please don't be angry. If you are angry, you will fall into Shen Lanxi's trap!" Yan Lang, who had been smeared, showed no sign of panic and calmly comforted Zhou Ruyuan.

"My relationship with the Princess is completely innocent, as clear as day. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can send someone to investigate." Yuan Lang knew what he was doing and naturally could not find anything.

"Shen Lanxi's actions are aimed at undermining our morale, Your Highness. It's time to break this deadlock."

Seeing that Yuan Lang was calm and composed, and spoke in a logical manner, Zhou Ruyuan believed him to some extent.

Although he had always despised Wang Xiangyi, now was definitely not the time to turn against him.

When he used Jiang Wuyai before, it was because he misjudged people and was unprepared. This time, even if it's Yuan Lang, he still needs to be wary.

How do we break this deadlock?

Yuan Lang: "Proclaim yourself emperor!"

Zhou Ruyuan was stunned. He declared himself emperor?

"Would it be inappropriate for him to declare himself emperor at this time?"

Yuan Lang: "It couldn't be more appropriate. It's perfectly legitimate for the Prince to become emperor. In the future, we can use the name of the Great Zhou royal family and the emperor to recruit heroes from all over the world, and then we can bestow official positions upon them."

Zhou Ruyuan still harbored some fear of the late emperor and could not overcome the hurdle of committing treason in his heart.

“Your Highness, Shen Lanxi is a woman who can become empress. You are of royal blood of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a prince, and the prince most valued by the late emperor. Your ascension to the throne is perfectly legitimate.”

"When the time comes, if you raise your voice, countless people will come to serve you!"

Zhou Ruyuan was still hesitating.

"Your Highness, we are short of money and food, we lack everything. When the time comes, we can post notices and grant official positions to those who come to serve us. We can easily obtain money, food, and land."

Zhou Ruyuan was tempted.

"Very well, Shen Lanxi's ascension to the throne is illegitimate and improper. As a member of the royal family, it is only natural for me to stand up and eliminate the treacherous officials at this time!"

Yuan Lang's eyes lit up, and soon the news of Zhou Ruyuan's ascension to the throne in Tianjin was delivered to Shen Lanxi.

"Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan dares to slander our Great Zhou! Let's fight him!"

"This traitor must not be let off!"

Shen Lanxi withstood the pressure once again, using the pretext of discussing with the Imperial Advisor to suppress the pro-war faction.

That evening, the Shen family delivered a letter.

Shen Lanxi returned to the Shen family under the moonlight.

"Mother, did you call me back because of Zhou Ruyuan's ascension to the throne?"

Zhou Xinrou gritted her teeth in hatred and angrily rebuked Shen Lanxi.

Why not fight?

"Is this what you mean by telling me to wait patiently for him to become emperor?"

Shen Lanxi looked at the soft pillow thrown at her feet and calmly said, "Yes, to destroy someone, you must first make them mad. Ever since Zhou Ruyuan declared himself emperor, he's already halfway to his death."

Zhou Xinrou didn't believe it.

"You used sweet talk last time too, don't try to fool me this time."

Shen Lanxi gave a helpless laugh: "Mother doesn't believe her daughter."