Chapter 286 The Red-Clad, Fiery Steed, Marquis of Zhenbei!
"Rumors, all rumors! These people are just stirring up trouble!" Xiao Fang slammed his fist on the table several times in anger.
The others were also furious, wishing they could find the person who spread the rumors and tear them apart.
"We are risking our lives for the imperial court and for the royal family. Zhou Ru'an must step forward to clear the general's name!"
Everyone glanced at the furious Shen Yuanhao. This trend had spread all over the northwest; how could Zhou Ru'an not know about it?
He knew, but he didn't explain. What does that mean?
Che Mingyuan pondered for a moment and said, "I think either Abe Hiroshi or Zhou Ruan did this!"
Liu Yanhui said angrily, "I think it was the two of them who did it together!"
He said that out of anger. One was a foreign tribe, and the other was a prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty. They were enemies, so how could they possibly cooperate?
Zhou Ru'an is a prince. It would be wrong for him to commit treason and betray the country.
Ban Sicao: "Zhou Ru'an isn't stupid, would he help a foreign tribe?"
Qian Feng, however, had a different view. He had seen many princes, and none of them were good.
"So what if they're princes? They'll do anything, no matter how despicable, as long as it benefits them!"
Che Mingyuan cautioned, "Be careful what you say!"
Shen Lanxi: "Even if we assume that these two people conspired to frame me, so what?"
Do you think you're trying to force her to rebel?
That's exactly what I wanted!
Everyone looked at Shen Lanxi, who spoke so casually. At first, when they heard her say that, they thought she was talking nonsense. But after thinking about it again, they realized that what she said wasn't so arrogant after all.
Even if the imperial court knows about the rumors, so what?
They also didn't really believe the imperial court would punish them!
...
Abe Hiroshi and Zhou Ruan waited and waited, but instead of receiving an imperial edict to punish them, they received a reward.
Fine wines, delicacies, entertainers, and cloth were delivered to the Northwest in a continuous stream. According to the soldiers who were transporting the goods, there were still many rewards on the way, which would be delivered one after another!
In addition, there was an imperial edict of commendation, specifically for Shen Lanxi and her soldiers.
Shen Lanxi was further promoted and granted the title of Marquis of Zhenbei by the Emperor himself!
Shen Yuanjing, Wei Dongzhu, and others were also commended in the imperial edict. The long list in the edict shows that the court was trying to appease the army.
"I never expected that the court would not only not punish him, but also grant our general the title of Marquis of Zhenbei!" Xiao Fang thought to himself. Zhou Ruyuan is the Prince of Zhennan, and their general is the Marquis of Zhenbei. If they work harder, could their general also become the Prince of Zhenbei?
Although the others didn't say it aloud, they all had some speculation about this title.
One town is in the north, and the other in the south. It would be strange if there wasn't some explanation behind it.
Shen Lanxi: "The imperial court has even sent over the Marquis's official robes, we can't spoil the fun!"
Che Mingyuan laughed and said, "Being granted a marquisate is only the first step. After that comes hereditary succession, then high-ranking officials, and then kings of different surnames. Congratulations, Marquis!"
When the strategist offered his congratulations, the others immediately followed suit.
Shen Lanxi's eyes were piercing, and her aura was imposing.
"I have decided to reward the Zhenbei Army. All areas under my jurisdiction will be celebrated for three days!"
"yes!"
Shen Lanxi put on the official robes of the Marquis of Zhenbei, personally walked around the military camp, and then, carrying the Companion Star Blade, spent half a day outside the city of the Three Turkic Tribes.
On this day, the Zhenbei Army was in high spirits. Wherever Shen Lanxi went, her red clothes were more dazzling than the sunset. The Star-Bearing Blade in her hand gleamed coldly, and her aura was chilling.
This day, like a branding iron, is etched into the hearts of every soldier in the Zhenbei Army!
...
"How could this happen?" Zhou Ru'an angrily swept all the teacups on the table to the ground, his whole body immersed in anger, his eyes red with rage.
Song Daoxi stood aside without saying a word or offering any advice.
Zhou Ru'an vented his anger on his advisors before hastily seeking help from Song Daoxi.
“Mr. Song, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have listened to their slander and cooperated with Hiroshi Abe.”
Song Daoxi nodded expressionlessly, confidently saying, "I already guessed this would be the outcome, so I prepared accordingly!"
Zhou Ru'an's eyes lit up, and he quickly lowered his voice and said humbly, "Please give me your guidance, sir."
Song Daoxi: "The Second Prince was attacked again three days ago. He was seriously injured and fell into a coma. He has not yet woken up."
Zhou Ru'an's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly urged his advisor, "Quickly, spread the news that I am seriously injured and unconscious. Immediately write a memorial to the court, saying that I have been in poor health since I arrived in the inner city and have been confined to my home to recuperate."
"Sir, regarding the rumors, should we address them in the memorial to the throne?"
Song Daoxi said, "There's no need to write it out specifically; a brief explanation will suffice. Seeing that you've suffered new injuries before your serious wounds have healed, His Majesty will only be concerned about your injuries and won't suspect you. Even if he does suspect you, he'll cover for you!"
Zhou Ru'an remained silent for a while, then slowly nodded.
He finally understood that although his father had secretly ordered him to deal with Shen Lanxi, it depended on the timing. Right now, the Northwest still needed Shen Lanxi, so he couldn't touch her.
He regretted reaching an agreement with Hiroshi Abe. If Hiroshi Abe secretly used this matter to threaten him, wouldn't that be the same as him handing over a handle to Hiroshi Abe?
Zhou Ruan became increasingly alarmed as he thought about it, and he felt more and more that Song Daoxi was right. From now on, he would stay at home to recuperate until the Northwest was pacified, and only then would all his injuries heal!
...
Imperial Study
"Your Majesty, are you really not going to send someone to replace Shen Lanxi?" Wu Yanzhi asked with concern.
Emperor Renxiao glanced at the Left Chancellor and said in a calm tone, "It's not the right time yet. Lanxi will not betray me." At least not now.
She cares so much about her family; the entire Shen family is in the capital. If she really is colluding with Abe Hiroshi, she would definitely have secretly smuggled her family out of the city first.
The Shen residence was surrounded by Imperial Guards, so even the slightest disturbance at the residence would be reported to him.
Since Shen Lanxi went to the Northwest, although there have been exchanges of letters and gifts, they have not been excessive. In fact, every time something is sent from the Northwest, it is in duplicate, one for the Shen family and one for him.
He knew Shen Lanxi's personality and every move like the back of his hand!
"This matter was clearly orchestrated by the Turks to undermine morale. Now that the court has sent a large amount of rewards, the conspiracy of the three Turkic tribes has been exposed. Just watch, the Northwest will return to our Great Zhou sooner or later!" Emperor Renxiao said confidently.
Wu Yanzhi was merely saying things that pleased the emperor and showed concern for the court. Emperor Renxiao was clearly delighted, so he took his leave as a matter of course.
According to His Majesty's intentions, he seems to be treating Shen Lanxi with some special consideration. Thinking about the title of Marquis of Zhenbei bestowed upon her today, he needs to further ponder His Majesty's deeper meaning.
...
The imperial edict conferring the title of Marquis of Zhenbei on Shen Lanxi was delivered to the Shen family mansion immediately, along with the corresponding rewards.
Among them was the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, which was only one street away from the Shen family's residence. It had originally been a prince's mansion, and its area was several times larger than the Shen family's.
The Shen family received the imperial decree as if in a dream, and then, as if in a dream, sent the messenger away. For a long time, no one uttered a sound.
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