Chapter 595 Zhou Xinrou Enters the Palace to Question!
"Get out of the way!" Zhou Xinrou snapped.
The Imperial Guards immediately drew their weapons.
The gleaming, cold-smelling dagger was pointed at Zhou Xinrou without the slightest hesitation.
The latter felt a jolt in his heart.
How dare these people?
She is Shen Lanxi's mother.
"Our shoulders form the boundary; anyone who dares to cross this line will be killed without mercy!"
Zhou Xinrou's heart skipped a beat again.
Does she not even have this much privilege with Shen Lanxi?
"Princess, someone has already gone to inform them. Let's wait a bit!" The old woman quickly spoke up to give Zhou Xinrou a way out, fearing that things might really escalate.
That unfilial Shen Lanxi, even though her own mother is here, she tries to have someone stop her.
Why didn't she tell the Imperial Guards in advance?
"Princess, you are too lenient with Shen Lanxi," the old woman whispered from the side.
Zhou Xinrou was furious. She was wrong. She should have entered the palace as Empress Dowager when the Great Conferment of Power took place.
She shouldn't have listened to Shen Lanxi's sweet talk; she should have severed ties with the Shen family before the grand investiture.
Half an hour has passed since the start of the project.
Zhou Xinrou's patience had reached its limit.
"Did the person who made the announcement go off to slack off? Why hasn't anyone come out yet?"
Even if it wasn't Shen Lanxi who came out to greet her personally, it should have been Feng Nian who came to pick her up.
They definitely wouldn't just leave her standing at the palace gates.
The Imperial Guards only obey His Majesty's orders. They don't care if Zhou Xinrou shouts and yells here. As long as he dares to cross the line, they will follow orders.
"Shen Lanxi, you unfilial and disobedient thing! How dare you leave your mother exposed to the scorching sun at the palace gate? You are unworthy of being a daughter!" Zhou Xinrou cursed angrily.
The Imperial Guards stared coldly at Zhou Xinrou. If it weren't for the fact that she was His Majesty's birth mother, they would have already swung their swords at her when she angrily cursed His Majesty.
His Majesty treats them like his second parents; anyone who insults their parents shall be executed without mercy!
A young eunuch, who had been hiding in a corner of the palace, saw the commotion outside and immediately ran over.
"Your Excellency, please forgive us, but His Majesty is currently holding a meeting in the Hall of Diligent Governance. He instructed us when he sent us away that no one should be allowed to enter and disturb him."
"We are afraid of being beheaded, Your Excellency. Please wait a little longer, His Majesty will finish his discussion soon."
After hearing the explanation, Zhou Xinrou's anger only intensified.
She had been standing in the sun at the palace gate for almost an hour, and now the eunuch was telling her that Shen Lanxi had not yet been informed.
It's fake, she doesn't believe it!
Shen Lanxi must have done it on purpose. Doesn't she fear that the people will say she is unfilial?
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, filial piety was of paramount importance. What made Shen Lanxi dare to defy the world?
Could it be because of Shen Yuantang's marriage?
Definitely.
Despite Shen Yuantang's repeated tantrums, she still showed consideration for their sibling bond.
After learning the reason, Zhou Xinrou's anger subsided considerably.
Shen Lanxi cares so much about the Shen family; the Shen family is her Achilles' heel.
As long as she grasps these weaknesses, she can control Shen Lanxi.
“Go tell His Majesty that I have come to discuss her sister’s marriage with her.”
These words quickly reached Shen Lanxi's ears.
"Your Majesty, let Cheng Zheng go!"
Shen Lanxi's eyes flashed, and she raised the corners of her mouth.
A quarter of an hour later, Cheng Zheng rushed to the palace gate.
The eunuch introduced, "Princess, this is Consort Cheng, one of His Majesty's two attendants."
Zhou Xinrou's face darkened. How dare Shen Lanxi send her male concubine to greet her?
That's an insult to her!
“Princess, His Majesty’s harem is small, and all affairs of the harem are managed by this Lady Cheng.”
If it were a different gender, the one with such power would be the Empress, the head of the harem.
Zhou Xinrou's expression didn't improve much. Even if he was a member of the harem, he was still a man. If someone with ulterior motives fabricated stories and smeared the relationship between the two, her reputation would definitely be damaged.
Didn't Shen Lanxi think about these things?
Cheng Zheng first bowed to Zhou Xinrou, and then began to write.
Zhou Xinrou frowned deeply. Although she already knew that the two male concubines had physical disabilities, seeing them in person was a different story.
What was Shen Lanxi thinking, keeping two mute people by her side?
"Alright, stop writing. Just tell me, are you here to invite me to the palace?" She was annoyed just watching him dawdle while writing.
Fortunately, the two mute people are powerless, physically disabled, and unable to have children, so they can be kept around for now to relieve their boredom.
Judging from his appearance, he's not good at anything other than being a man.
Thinking of this, Zhou Xinrou felt a strange emotion rise in her heart, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.
"Lead the way!"
Cheng Zheng picked up a pen and paper and led the way.
Zhou Xinrou had originally intended to inquire about matters in the palace, but seeing Cheng Zheng's attitude, she gave up on the idea.
Before long, the group arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance.
After bowing to Zhou Xinrou, Cheng Zheng withdrew. Zhou Xinrou didn't even glance at him for over a month.
"Mother, an urgent report just arrived from the Northwest. I have urgently summoned my court officials for a meeting and have not allowed anyone to disturb me."
Zhou Xinrou also has spies in the Northwest, and there has been no unusual activity in the Northwest recently.
What happened in the Northwest?
Shen Lanxi led the people into the hall, saying as they walked, "The Turkic dynasty has ended, and the new emperor wants to use our Great Zhou to establish his authority."
Is the Northwest about to descend into chaos again?
Zhou Xinrou's expression gradually turned serious.
"We've been negotiating in the northwest for several days, and the Turks have seized the opportunity to make a demand."
"What are the requirements?" Zhou Xinrou asked hurriedly.
Dongchuan is not yet pacified, and the Northwest cannot be allowed to descend into chaos again.
"A marriage alliance! The Turks want to form a marriage alliance with our Great Zhou!"
Zhou Xinrou was stunned, her face clearly showing surprise.
What are you planning to do?
The previous dynasty is long gone, and even if there are any left, they are only collateral branches. The fact that those people haven't caused trouble, haven't seized power, and haven't gone to seek refuge with Zhou Ruyuan is already the best outcome. Sending their daughters to the Turks might very well cause conflict.
The Shen family?
There are no eligible young women in the Shen family.
unless…
“My daughter said before that she would not agree to a marriage alliance with the Turks,” Shen Lanxi said forcefully.
Zhou Xinrou immediately wore an expression of disapproval.
"Marriage alliances between two countries are a normal practice. They can not only strengthen bilateral relations and prevent war, but also boost trade between the two countries, benefiting both sides. There's nothing wrong with marriage alliances," Zhou Xinrou strongly agreed with.
Shen Lanxi: "Mother, women who are sent to marry foreign rulers for political reasons have always met with bad ends. We cannot send a weak woman to her death for the sake of peace between our two countries."
Zhou Xinrou glared angrily: "What's wrong with exchanging one woman for the peace of the people of two countries? Sacrificing one person can save countless others. If a war really breaks out, it will be the soldiers of both countries who die, and behind these soldiers are countless families devastated by war. For the greater good of the country, a marriage alliance is imperative!"
Shen Lanxi remained silent.
Zhou Xinrou assumed she was seriously considering the marriage alliance and didn't disturb her.
After a moment, he finally spoke.
"Huang Yu sent a request for help to the imperial court. Has the court received it?"
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