Chapter 217 Mutual Performance!
Every move Shen Lanxi made was reported to Emperor Renxiao by a special person every day, so he naturally knew about her use of Qiu Mingjue in the Ministry of Personnel to establish her authority.
"You have a clear plan in mind. I'm at ease entrusting the Wei family army to you!" Emperor Renxiao said earnestly.
Seeing that he looked tired, Shen Lanxi said with concern, "Uncle, don't worry. Leave the Wei family army to me. You should rest well and take care of yourself. There are still so many important matters in the court waiting for you to handle."
Emperor Renxiao deliberately sighed and said, "The Great Zhou is now falling apart. Just now, another letter came from the northwest. After learning that Ruyuan had left, the foreign tribes have begun to stir again."
Shen Lanxi understood, and then followed up, saying, "I will immediately depart for the Northwest to negotiate peace with the foreign tribes!"
Emperor Renxiao was very satisfied with her answer.
This child is filial; he only needs to use a few tricks, without even saying it outright, and she will immediately take care of it.
"Lanxi, you've only been back in the capital for a few days, and you haven't had a proper rest yet..." Emperor Renxiao's face was full of heartache and reluctance.
“Uncle, you are the person who loves me the most besides the Empress Dowager. Even my parents are secondary to you. In my heart, you are not only my uncle but also my father. You are closer to me than my own father. Although I am a woman, I want to share your burdens, even if it is just a little bit, so that the burden on your shoulders can be lighter.”
"Lanxi only hopes that her uncle can live a long and healthy life and protect her!" Shen Lanxi's heartfelt words moved Emperor Renxiao and herself!
Emperor Renxiao looked at Shen Lanxi with excitement: "Good child, all my children combined don't even have one ten-thousandth of your filial piety!"
Shen Lanxi: "Uncle, don't say anything more. I'll go back and pack my things now, and we'll leave right now!"
That's not necessary!
Emperor Renxiao: "You are going to negotiate peace. I have already sent someone to inform the Fifteenth Princess that you will not be able to return to the capital for a long time. Have a good meal and talk with your family. Depart immediately tomorrow morning!"
Afterwards, Emperor Renxiao bestowed many gifts upon Shen Lanxi. She had barely arrived home when the gifts from the harem arrived as well.
In addition to this, there was also an imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor... appoints Shen Lanxi as Minister of the Peace Marriage, with the official rank of fourth grade, in charge of all affairs in the Northwest. Her father, Shen Congwen, is a good teacher and an upright official, and is hereby promoted one rank to oversee all matters of the Ministry of Revenue. The Dowager Lady Shen is also granted special favors for her excellent upbringing of her children..."
As the imperial edict was read aloud, the rewards flowed into the Shen family like water.
Besides her receiving the imperial edict, Zhou Ruyuan also received one.
"By order, the Third Prince Zhou Ruyuan is appointed as the Grand General to quell the rebellion. He shall depart for Yonglin Prefecture early tomorrow morning without fail!" Afterwards, Zhou Ruyuan also received many rewards from the imperial palace.
"Your Highness, are all these things really going to be sent to the Shen family?" the steward asked cautiously.
Zhou Ruyuan, his face dark, said without a doubt, "Remember to get the IOU back!"
Seeing that he looked unwell, the butler dared not ask any more questions and quickly lowered his head to do his job.
Since her miscarriage, Bai Qingling had been recuperating in her room. Due to the rules and taboos, Zhou Ruyuan had not entered the room since then, so Bai Qingling was unaware of the imperial decree or the rewards.
Nobody told her!
"There seems to be some noise outside. What happened?" Bai Qingling asked.
Maid: "Madam, it's alright, I'm just sweeping the courtyard."
Bai Qingling clearly sensed that the people in the Prince's Mansion had changed their attitude towards her. In the past two days, several of the people serving her had changed. Thinking about the assassination attempt after returning to the capital, she dared not make a sound, let alone take any action.
Someone in the capital wants her dead; it's either Shen Lanxi or a member of the Shen family.
The Shen family had deep roots and extensive connections in the capital, making it incredibly easy for them to place someone in the Prince's residence.
It's a shame that her current health has become a burden; even if she wanted to get better, she would have to wait until she recovered.
She knew that Shen Lanxi was jealous that she could bear a child for the prince, and that after returning to the capital, she would definitely harm her and the child.
She knew all too well what these tactics the woman used.
Fortunately, she had taken precautions, but unfortunately, she didn't leave any evidence and couldn't publicly point out to the prince that it was Shen Lanxi who did it.
Shen Lanxi's methods are so ruthless, yet those assassins are so devoted to her. I wish she could raise such loyal bodyguards.
After Zhou Ruyuan received the imperial decree, he sat in the room for a while, and several graceful maids entered in succession carrying tea, snacks, sweet soups and tonics.
"Your Highness, you've been working hard these past few days, please take some tonics!"
These maids were all gifts from the palace, and although they were given in the name of the Empress and Consort Shu, Zhou Ruyuan knew that they were sent by his father, the Emperor.
No sooner had he left the palace than someone from the palace was sent over. This was a warning from his father!
"You may leave now, I need to pack my things!"
The maids rushed forward.
"Your Highness, let me help you tidy up!"
Zhou Ruyuan: "The matter in my bag concerns important military matters and is a military secret. If it passes through the hands of anyone else, that person will be silenced!"
The maids froze in fright and quickly curtsied and left.
After a brief pause, Zhou Ruyuan went to find Bai Qingling.
"Your Highness, it is filthy inside. You are of noble birth and must not offend anyone!" Two strong and powerful old women rushed out from the side and blocked Zhou Ruyuan's way.
These two maids came from Chaoyun Palace and were given to me by my mother after I returned to the capital.
Bai Qingling had been listening intently, and when she heard Zhou Ruyuan arrive, she immediately shouted loudly.
"Your Highness!"
Two old women stood at the door, blocking it completely.
"Your Highness, please don't put us in a difficult position. If we let you in, we won't be able to explain ourselves to Consort Shu."
"Please, Your Highness, have pity on our families. If the Empress is angered, we will truly be unable to bear the consequences!"
The two old women, one playing the stern face and the other the benevolent face, successfully deterred Zhou Ruyuan from going in.
Zhou Ruyuan: "I'll stand at the door and say a few words to her!"
The two old women exchanged a glance, stepped back to the side, and stood there without leaving!
"Is Your Highness taking good care of yourself? How is our little Yu'er? I really want to see you!" Bai Qingling said, her voice trembling with tears.
Zhou Ruyuan felt a pang of heartache as he listened; Qingling was indeed someone who loved him wholeheartedly!
"I just received an imperial decree that I will be heading to Yonglin Prefecture first thing tomorrow morning. You should rest well in the capital. I will send Xiaoyu'er to my mother's place in a little while!"
Bai Qingling's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to ask how Shen Lanxi was doing. If the prince had left, leaving her alone in the capital, Shen Lanxi and the Shen family would definitely still try to harm her.
"Your Highness, Qingling doesn't want to be separated from you. Qingling wants to go with you!" Bai Qingling's tone was sorrowful, full of reluctance.
Zhou Ruyuan felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this, but Qingling's current physical condition did not allow her to leave with him.
"Qingling, be good. Come find me in Yonglin Prefecture when you're fully recovered!"
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