Chapter 660 Sowing Discord!
The Shen family was saddened, but because Shen Congwen had previously ignored all advice, they readily accepted his fate.
When discussing the funeral arrangements, Zhou Xinrou didn't want Shen Lanxi to wear mourning clothes for Shen Congwen, but it was inappropriate for her to say it aloud.
Taking advantage of Shen Lanxi's return to the palace, she gathered the Shen family together and subtly hinted at her intentions.
"Lanxi is too busy."
Shen Conglian immediately followed up with, "Your Majesty, what does His Majesty mean?"
They dared not make a decision lightly.
Zhou Xinrou was anxious, but there was nothing she could do about the Shen family.
"I don't know what she means either."
Shen Congli: "His Majesty said he wanted to fulfill his filial duty to his elder brother. Your Majesty, is this in accordance with the rules?"
Zhou Xinrou remained silent.
She hoped that Shen Lanxi would refuse, but Shen Lanxi wouldn't listen to her advice.
"Your Majesty may do as you please!" Zhou Xinrou's tone revealed helplessness and reluctance.
She used the excuse of changing her clothes to give the space to Shen Congyi and the others to discuss the matter.
"What does the Empress Dowager mean? Why is she so reluctant? Could it be that she doesn't want His Majesty to see my elder brother off?" Shen Conglian asked.
Shen Congli shook his head: "It's hard to say. His Majesty has already said that he's seeing off my elder brother."
"His Majesty has always valued filial piety in front of outsiders, so he will naturally do his best to observe proper etiquette," Liu said sincerely.
Lady Miao: "If Your Majesty really puts on mourning clothes for my elder brother, what if they investigate later?"
It's not like she hasn't done something like this before.
"What do you suggest we do? We can't just stop His Majesty from doing what he wants, can we?"
They didn't dare to stop them!
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is really something, why can't she just give us a straight answer?"
Shh, keep your voice down, the walls can hear you!
The Shen family wanted Zhou Xinrou to refuse, while Zhou Xinrou wanted the Shen family to do the same; they were all thinking the same thing.
When Zhou Xinrou returned, the Shen family still hadn't reached a conclusion.
No, Shen Lanxi cannot attend the Shen family's funeral. This is a good opportunity to sow discord between her and the Shen family.
That night, a sudden fire broke out outside the East City and destroyed a Buddhist temple, but fortunately there were no casualties.
If it were an ordinary Buddhist temple, there would be no need to disturb Shen Lanxi.
However, that Buddhist temple was used to temporarily house the remains of the late Crown Prince.
A fire destroyed the Crown Prince's body. The question then becomes: should Shen Lanxi choose her biological father or her adoptive father?
The matter sparked a debate in the imperial court.
Given Shen Congwen's special status, it was understandable that his funeral was discussed by officials.
Some ministers wanted Shen Lanxi to comfort the spirit of the late Crown Prince, while others suggested that Shen Congwen be buried first.
"Your Majesty, we can also prioritize and distinguish between what is important and what is urgent."
The remains of the late Crown Prince will not escape if they are kept in a temple, but Shen Congwen's body will decompose if left unattended for too long.
Shen Lanxi: "It is said that the kindness of giving birth and raising is greater than heaven. The kindness of giving birth is greater than heaven, and the kindness of raising is also greater than heaven."
It was supposed to be a single sentence, but His Majesty managed to split it into two meanings.
"Does Your Majesty intend to first bury Lord Shen and grant him a peaceful burial?"
Just as Shen Lanxi was about to speak, she heard a minister object.
"No, the late Crown Prince died with resentment, and now he has suffered another calamity. I'm afraid he will not be able to rest in peace even after death."
“Lord Shen is different. He has many children and grandchildren. His Majesty can entrust the funeral arrangements to them.”
"I believe that both the late Crown Prince and Lord Shen, in the afterlife, will understand."
The officials began to whisper among themselves again, and Shen Lanxi glanced at the official who was speaking.
"The late Crown Prince has indeed suffered!"
"My father's body should not be left for too long."
"Then we can only appease the spirits of the deceased first, and I will go to my father's grave to pay my respects later."
The Ministry of Rites immediately began making arrangements.
...
After Shen Congwen's funeral, Zhou Xinrou called her three sons to her side.
"Yuan Jing, Yuan Jun, Yuan Qing, do you see that? Although you and Shen Lanxi are siblings from the same mother, you are ultimately different!"
The three Shen brothers lowered their eyes, their thoughts unknown.
"After all, she is of royal blood. If the Shen family's affairs collide with the royal family's affairs, everything will be done with the royal family first."
"Since ancient times, royal families have been ruthless, and emperors are even more ruthless. You should not follow them wholeheartedly, but leave yourselves a way out."
Zhou Xinrou's face was full of plans for her sons.
"When you go to your post, remember what your mother told you today!"
“Shen Lanxi is my daughter, and you are all my sons.”
"If I had to choose, I would naturally choose the one who can live a long and peaceful life!"
~
With Shen Congwen's funeral over, it was not advisable for Shen Yuanjing and the others to linger. Ten days later, the three of them set off for their post.
Before leaving, each of them set aside a day specifically to give instructions to their offspring.
After seeing off the three brothers, Shen Lanxi began to move the late Crown Prince to the imperial mausoleum.
Zhou Xinrou couldn't come up with a reason to object, so she could only watch helplessly as the imperial tomb opened and closed.
From this point on, the former crown prince was officially posthumously honored as the former emperor.
Two months later, a letter was sent to the Northwest, and after many twists and turns, it reached Shen Yuanjing.
The letter contained four words: "I am pregnant!"
Around the same time, the capital also received a letter from Tianjin.
"Xiao Fang and Liu Xian humbly request Your Majesty to grant them a marriage!"
Shen Lanxi immediately wrote down the imperial edict.
"Give it to the Liu family; they're going to the wedding anyway, so they can just take it with them!"
The pale-faced eunuch looked at the wedding date next September without changing his expression.
The Liu family will probably never be able to return from Tianjin in this lifetime.
Several months passed in the blink of an eye, and a heavy snow fell.
When Shen Lanxi woke up early and saw the thick snow covering the ground, she thought of the days she spent bedridden with illness.
"It snowed early this year, so this winter is likely to be very cold. Are all areas making preparations for winter?"
In the imperial court, Shen Lanxi smelled it.
Ministry of Revenue: "Your Majesty, every year starting in February, various regions begin storing charcoal, grain, cotton, hemp, and other supplies for the winter."
"Since His Majesty came to power, this has been the usual practice. Every year, in addition to having enough for our needs, there is a considerable surplus. After the surplus is replenished each year, so far, the winter reserves of our Great Zhou are enough to support a million people for five winters."
Shen Lanxi nodded in satisfaction.
Are prices under control?
The Ministry of Revenue stated: "Every year after winter begins, the government offices summon merchants to explain the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty stipulate that those who engage in price gouging will be punished with the death penalty, and no one dares to risk execution to commit this crime."
Shen Lanxi nodded and smiled with satisfaction: "What does it mean to live and work in peace and contentment?"
"If people can eat three meals a day in winter, have three or four sets of cotton clothes, have some money in their hands, and have a string of fish and meat hanging from the roof beams, and still have a lot of wealth after winter, then that is what it means to live in peace and contentment."
Most of the officials came from the common people, and they were deeply moved by Shen Lanxi's words, nodding in agreement.
"Even though there have been surpluses in previous years, we still cannot relax our reserves."
Ministry of Revenue: "Your Majesty's teachings will be carefully remembered."
After court, she received a message.
Wu Yanzhi and his daughter have passed away due to illness.
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