Chapter 208 Shen Lanxi and Zhou Ruyuan's Martial Arts Competition!
Qi Yingqun glanced casually in the direction of Emperor Renxiao, then looked away. Her eyes seemed to be fixed on the song and dance, but in reality, she didn't pay any attention to what was being performed.
Didn't we agree on this before we came? Why didn't you mention it earlier?
The welcoming banquet has already begun, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the best opportunity has already been missed.
Could it be that His Majesty has changed his mind?
Emperor Renxiao was very satisfied with today's outcome. He had received a secret report long ago that Shen Lanxi had no one supporting her. Her success today was entirely due to luck.
She made it sound nice that she claimed to have recaptured most of Dongchuan, but in reality, very few actual battles were fought. As for what she called most of Dongchuan, it was all gained by chance.
When it came to truly needing real skills, she showed her weakness; otherwise, she wouldn't have been afraid to confront the two rebellious kings head-on.
She just didn't have the ability; her good luck ran out.
Women are women; their minds are limited, their vision is narrow, and they can only see a small part of the world in front of them.
This is for the best. She values the Shen family and their reputation, which gives her a weakness. A military general with a weakness is like a kite soaring high in the sky; it may seem glamorous and glorious, but it is ultimately tethered by a single string.
The person holding the kite string can tell her where to fly, and she must fly there!
Based on this comparison, Shen Lanxi is more useful than the male version!
As for her marriage to the Third Prince, it can be put on hold for now. After all, a useful military general is more valuable than a woman confined to the inner quarters.
Once the world is at peace, if Shen Lanxi performs her duties satisfactorily and remains as obedient as she is now, he can grant her marriage again!
It's just that the third child will have to make do a little.
On the other side, in the Chaoyun Palace where Consort Shu resided.
"Your Majesty, our people have returned with news that His Majesty has not mentioned the marriage between the Third Prince and Shen Lanxi!"
Consort Shu put down the jade bracelet in her hand in surprise and urged, "Quickly tell me everything His Majesty said to Shen Lanxi after he arrived!"
"yes!"
The little eunuch recounted everything without missing a single word, and then added, "When our people came to deliver the message, they said that the Imperial Censor was proposing that Shen Lanxi compete against our Third Prince, and His Majesty has agreed!"
Consort Shu thought to herself, "Could it be that His Majesty intends to test Shen Lanxi's abilities before bestowing the marriage upon her?"
The Emperor's mind is unpredictable. Since His Majesty did not grant the marriage as agreed at the beginning, she could not foresee what would happen next.
"Have someone keep an eye on her and see if Shen Lanxi has admitted defeat prematurely." Her son is a peerless and valiant war god, while Shen Lanxi is just a woman. If she doesn't want to lose face, admitting defeat directly is the most dignified and intelligent thing to do.
"I don't know what His Majesty was thinking, making my son compete with a woman." Consort Shu said this with displeasure, but inwardly she was secretly pleased.
Shen Lanxi utterly humiliated her son and caused him to be demoted and exiled to the desolate Northwest. Your Majesty should punish her severely so she can also taste the bitterness of losing face!
Consort Shu was in high spirits as she awaited good news.
Horse Farm
The Imperial Censor was an official in charge of remonstrance, and this department was also a notorious gathering place for pedantic scholars. They were all like stones in a latrine, constantly spouting dogma and ancient laws, and always threatening to commit suicide by banging their heads against a pillar in their remonstrances. It was a department that gave Emperor Renxiao a great headache.
The censors had long resented Shen Lanxi's entry into the court as a woman, but they had been waiting for an opportunity. They were afraid that if they impeached Shen Lanxi, His Majesty would send them to be military supervisors.
Now that Shen Lanxi is back, it gives them the opportunity to offer their advice.
"Your Majesty, Shen Lanxi is a woman and is unfit to be the leader of an army. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order!"
Emperor Renxiao was furious: "Imperial Censor Wang, when Lanxi recaptured Dongchuan, did you ever consider that she was a woman?"
Wang Ming stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the military camp is full of men. If a woman is put in charge of the army, firstly, the soldiers and officers will not be convinced, and secondly, there is a risk of chaos in the military camp. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Emperor Renxiao said angrily, "What's wrong with women? If you have Lanxi's abilities, you can be the Grand General who quells the rebellion!"
Wu Yanzhi: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Imperial Censor Wang meant no harm. He was probably just worried about General Shen's safety. After all, since ancient times, generals have always been men of both courage and wisdom. Even if a woman is clever, she can't beat a man and can't win the respect of the soldiers in the camp!"
Emperor Renxiao looked at his ministers and asked, "Is this also your opinion?"
Wu Yanzhi: "I have heard that General Shen is highly skilled in martial arts. If he can defeat men who have fought on the battlefield for many years, he will naturally win the respect of all the civil and military officials in the court!"
Emperor Renxiao remained silent.
One after another, court officials stepped forward to submit memorials.
"Your Majesty, if General Shen can gain the approval of our Great Zhou's God of War, he will surely win the respect of all men in the world!"
"Your Majesty, I agree!"
"Your Majesty, I also agree!"
"The Prince of Zhennan is the God of War of our dynasty. If General Shen can withstand a few moves from the Prince and receive his guidance, he will surely gain the recognition of the soldiers of the world!"
"Your Majesty, I agree!"
Shen Lanxi raised the corners of her mouth, amused by the back-and-forth between the emperor and his minister.
What are today's songs and dances compared to this grand drama between the emperor and his ministers? That's the real spectacle!
The Shen family members all had strange expressions.
Zhou Ruyuan, who was being praised so highly, had a furrowed brow, as if he was deep in thought.
Shen Lanxi is skilled in martial arts. He was defeated at the city gate years ago and later analyzed the reasons.
One reason was that he didn't use his full strength, and another was that he wasn't on guard.
He had practiced martial arts since childhood and never stopped, which was far beyond what a woman like Shen Lanxi could compare to.
Perfect timing! He wanted to take this opportunity to redeem himself!
Emperor Renxiao glanced at his son and asked, "Third son, do you want to compete?"
Zhou Ruyuan stood up: "Father, General Shen will be setting off for the Northwest soon. The people there are fierce and the soldiers are like bandits. I would like to give General Shen some pointers. After today's guidance, General Shen and I can be considered to have a half-teacher relationship, which may help me keep my subordinates in check!"
When Emperor Renxiao heard his son say this, he nodded with satisfaction.
Now is not the time to dwell on personal feelings; we must prioritize the greater good!
"Lanxi, do you have any objections?"
Shen Lanxi stood up: "I have no objection. Whether it's a mounted battle or a contest of fists, I'm fine with either!"
Emperor Renxiao glanced at his son: "Remember to stop when you've reached your limit!"
Zhou Ruyuan: "Your subject obeys!"
One was a prince of noble birth, and the other was a favored junior of His Majesty. After discussion among the ministers, they decided not to have a horse battle.
They were fighting directly on flat ground, and even the weapons available for selection were wrapped in several layers of thick leather.
Zhou Ruyuan glanced at the halberd, then his gaze skipped over it and landed on the Qingfeng sword beside him.
"Your subject chooses this three-foot-long sword!"
Shen Lanxi casually picked up the long sword beside her: "I choose this Hidden Edge Sword!"
Emperor Renxiao: "Good! You two must remember to stop when you've made your move, and absolutely must not injure anyone. Regardless of who wins or loses today, I will reward you handsomely!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
With a resounding gong, the competition begins!
(End of this chapter)
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