Chapter 641 Shen Lanxi Returns to the Capital!
The three brothers had good intentions, but unfortunately, neither Madam Shen nor Shen Congyi appreciated them.
In Shen Congyi's view, all three of his brothers were there to prevent him from ascending the throne.
Don't be fooled by the eldest brother's seemingly blindly filial piety towards his mother. When it comes to important interests, what does filial piety even mean?
And then there are the second and third sons. They pretend to care about nothing all the time, but when things get serious, see if they'll still be as indifferent as before.
As soon as they saw that he had benefited, they all jumped out.
"Mother, my eldest brother, second brother, and third brother are simply undermining our prestige," Shen Congyi began to stir things up.
Old Madam Shen looked at her three sons with exasperation: "If you want to go back, go back yourselves. If you try to stop me again, don't blame your mother."
What does my mother mean by saying that?
Shen Congwen looked at his mother in disbelief, his eyes as if he were seeing her for the first time.
“Mother, please come back with us quickly. Yuanxu has sent a letter; he wants us to return.”
"Yuan Jing's letter will arrive in a few days; Lan Xi will definitely be alright."
If Lanxi is really alright, aren't her mother and fourth brother courting death?
Shen Congyi simply didn't believe it. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. How could Shen Lanxi, a mere woman, possibly defeat Zhou Ruyuan?
Who is Zhou Ruyuan?
The former God of War of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the late emperor's most beloved prince—if the two of them were to face off, wouldn't those people in the court turn against them on the spot?
"Mother, don't listen to their nonsense. My elder brother and the others are just saying this because they're dissatisfied." Only a fool wouldn't want to be emperor.
They made excuses and procrastinated even though the path was clearly laid out for them; they were all extremely hypocritical.
"Eldest son, second son, and third son, your mother is giving you one more chance to choose. If any of you are willing to be the emperor, your mother will support you."
Shen Congyi was dumbfounded, staring at his mother in disbelief.
Just now, my mother said she wanted to promote him to the position of power. How can she go back on her word so easily?
Could it be that he was just a second-best choice for his mother?
"Fourth brother, don't blame your mother. If you have to blame someone, blame your three older brothers' sons, who all hold heavy military power!"
A strange smile appeared on Shen Congyi's face. Heavy troops?
His son has one too!
"Mother, we didn't mean it, please come back with us!" Something was clearly wrong, couldn't Mother and Fourth Brother see that?
Didn't you see that none of the officials in the main hall were speaking? Especially the three regents, what kind of influence do they carry?
Before Shen Lanxi set off on her expedition, she entrusted the entire imperial court to them.
He could mobilize all the troops in the court.
The Shen family only has a few members.
It's not even enough for the Imperial Guards.
"Mother, I said from the beginning that my eldest, second, and third brothers lack courage, ambition, and ability. Do you believe me now?"
Shen Congwen and the other two frowned. Something was clearly wrong with what he said. What did it mean?
"Guards, escort the three gentlemen to the inner palace to rest. Without my order, no one is allowed to approach them."
A group of people dressed in armor suddenly appeared.
The three Shen brothers were all stunned.
Shen Congli suddenly remembered something the fourth brother had said before. Could it be?
"You called Yuan Kang and Yuan Ning back?"
Shen Congwen and Shen Conglian both looked at Shen Congyi.
Could it be that he has long coveted the throne?
Shen Congyi had stopped pretending. After giving the order, he walked to the dragon throne, exuding an air of domineering power.
"This empire belongs to the Shen family; it was conquered by the Shen family. Now that Lanxi is dead, and you have no interest in the throne, only I can sit on it!"
The three brothers stared in disbelief at their mother and younger brother. They'd gone mad! They'd gone mad!
...
The news of Shen Lanxi's triumphant return to the capital went unnoticed. Along the way, she specifically instructed that anyone who spread the news of her return to the capital should be charged with the same crime as those who caused trouble in the capital.
With such golden words in place, who would dare to harbor any ill intentions?
These past few days, Her Majesty has managed the realm so well that it can't be described as merely orderly; it's as if her subjects are completely under her control.
At this time, what if someone disobeys His Majesty's orders and is subsequently held accountable?
His Majesty always keeps his word.
Because of this instruction, no one knew she had returned to the capital without her knowledge.
"Your Majesty, Shen Congyi ascends the throne today!" Che Mingyuan couldn't quite grasp her meaning, so he simply stated the facts.
Shen Lanxi smiled: "It is indeed an auspicious day. It must have been difficult for the Imperial Observatory to choose such a day."
Che Mingyuan smiled but remained silent. Although he didn't know what would become of those people, he was certain that he would not let them go.
"Your Majesty, shall we enter the city?" Che Mingyuan asked.
"Enter!"
Che Mingyuan announced loudly: "His Majesty's eastern expedition has resulted in a great victory over Zhou Ruyuan, and now, the army is returning home in triumph!"
After his shout, the bugle sounded, echoing throughout the capital.
Shen Congyi, who was waiting in the palace for the auspicious time to ascend the throne, changed his expression drastically and nervously looked towards the city gate.
"Go and find out immediately!"
Contrary to expectations, the palace gates were not closed. After confirming that it was His Majesty himself who had returned, the soldiers guarding the city immediately led the troops to open the city gates.
"Your Majesty, I am late in welcoming Your Majesty. Your Majesty's good health is a blessing for our Great Zhou and for all its people!"
Shen Lanxi had changed out of her armor and was now wearing a dragon robe.
"My dear minister, you have worked hard guarding the capital. No need for such formalities, rise!"
Zhou Chengan and the others stood up excitedly.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"
"You come with me into the palace, the rest of you continue to guard the imperial city!" Shen Lanxi ordered.
Zhou Cheng'an accepted the order. He knew that His Majesty had kept him here because he wanted to know the situation in the capital. He immediately followed the carriage and talked about the situation in the capital as they walked.
"Shen Congyi secretly summoned back his sons who were stationed on the border. Shen Congwen and others were imprisoned in Fengze Palace. Princess Minrou remained at the Shen family residence and did not step out of the gate. Nine officials below the fourth rank defected to Shen Congyi, while officials above the fourth rank remained inactive..."
Shen Lanxi listened the whole way until they arrived at the palace gate.
The officials were already waiting at the palace gate.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
The civil and military officials lined up in two rows, led by the three regents, including the Grand Tutor, and kowtowed in unison.
Shen Lanxi stood on the carriage, glanced up at the palace, then looked down at the officials.
"My beloved subjects, rise!"
Grand Tutor: "Your Majesty, we firmly believe that Your Majesty is blessed with boundless good fortune and will surely return victorious!"
Liu Mingxin: "During His Majesty's campaign, there was no chaos in the Great Zhou."
Mr. Ruohua: "Your Majesty, Shen Congyi spread the news of Your Majesty's death and, taking advantage of Your Majesty's expedition, plotted to usurp the throne!"
Shen Lanxi raised the corners of her mouth and looked up at the city gate.
"Since Fourth Uncle is here, why not show yourself?"
Shen Congyi, who had been hiding on the city wall, came out with a dark face.
“My niece, Shen Lanxi, has already died in Tianjin. You are an imposter.”
Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back.
Shen Congyi looked down at the hastily made dragon robe. Even if he surrendered and begged for mercy now, his life was over.
It's better to go all in and die trying!
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