Chapter 479 Can one be a regent and oversee the country but not an emperor?
Zhou Ruyuan's gaze was deep: "It is perfectly legitimate for me to assume the position of Crown Prince!"
Jiang Wuyai: "Currently, Shen Lanxi is overseeing the country in the court, and I'm afraid she won't relinquish power!"
Zhou Ruyuan raised the corners of his mouth: "There are only a few princes who can rival me now, and they are all in their fiefdoms and pose no threat. Although the Sixteen Palace Coup failed, it cleared all obstacles for me. I never expected that he, at such a young age, would do all the work for me!"
Jiang Wuyai chuckled and said, "I don't know what the Wang family was thinking. They have no military power and no allies, yet they dared to launch a palace coup."
Zhou Ruyuan sneered: "They probably wanted to take advantage of the chaos, but unfortunately for them, they ran into Shen Lanxi."
Thinking of Shen Lanxi, Zhou Ruyuan frowned again.
Now that things have come to this, he has begun to be wary of this person.
"Your Highness, I don't think we can return to the capital." Jiang Wuyai pondered for a long time, but still had reservations.
Zhou Ruyuan smiled calmly, "I know what you're thinking. Even if Shen Lanxi is regent, she is still a woman. I am of the bloodline of the Great Zhou royal family, and it is only right and proper for me to inherit the throne. Even if Shen Lanxi wants to stop me, she has to see if the people of the world will agree!"
Jiang Wuyai was still uneasy: "Your Highness, I think we should take this opportunity to go to the heart of the Eighth Prince's territory, seize their connections and military power. That would be the best course of action."
Zhou Ruyuan shook his head: "Sir, you're being too cautious. Shen Lanxi isn't going to rebel, is she?"
For a woman to enter the imperial court as an official is already a violation of ancestral rules and an act of imperial favor. Does she aspire to be an empress?
That's utterly delusional!
Despite Jiang Wuyai's repeated attempts to dissuade him, he still couldn't persuade Zhou Ruyuan to break camp and return to the capital.
...
"Mother, you can tell your people to stop now!" Shen Lanxi said, looking at the person sitting on the couch.
Zhou Xinrou lowered her head, clasped her hands together in front of her forehead, and silently recited Buddhist scriptures.
Nearly fifteen minutes later, Zhou Xinrou finally lowered her hands and opened her eyes.
"Lanxi, what are you saying? Why can't Mother understand?" Zhou Xinrou asked in confusion.
Shen Lanxi spoke to herself, "I achieved a goal that others could not achieve even with the fewest casualties."
Zhou Xinrou smiled gently and said, "My son is naturally exceptionally intelligent. This world originally belonged to your father, and it should rightfully be yours as well."
Shen Lanxi: "What use is this world to me?"
Zhou Xinrou's smile froze, then she forced a smile and said, "How can it be useless? This world should belong to our family. We are just taking back what is rightfully ours."
Shen Lanxi: "There are methods to taking things back. If you rely on chaos to take back what belongs to you, you will have to spend the rest of your life making up for the losses. This is not the way of a smart person!"
Zhou Xinrou froze, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
"Emperor Renxiao cannot die yet!" Shen Lanxi said before getting up and leaving.
Zhou Xinrou stared at the closed door with a dark expression, and said in a chilling tone, "Tell the people in the palace to stop!"
"yes!"
...
After returning to the capital, Zhou Ruyuan's first act was to use his military achievements to exonerate Bai Qingling.
Shen Lanxi looked down at the people returning in triumph, clad in armor, and found it amusing, without trying to hide it on her face.
"Prince Zhennan, are you sure?"
Zhou Ruyuan: "I am certain."
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "The prince is truly devoted to the princess!"
The court officials all looked at Zhou Ruyuan with expressions of anticipation, as if they were watching a good show.
This is the God of War personally appointed by His Majesty, and the prince he relies on most.
I never imagined I could be so confused when it comes to relationships.
Is such a person really suited to be an emperor?
Shen Lanxi continued, "Unfortunately, when it comes to important matters, the prince is somewhat clueless."
This statement expressed the sentiments of all the officials.
Zhou Ruyuan's face instantly darkened.
"Is the Regent disallowing it?"
Shen Lanxi: "No, I agree. This is a small matter and will not have a significant impact on our Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Zhou Ruyuan felt stifled.
Shen Lanxi: "Your Highness used military merit to exchange for the life of a death row inmate, which is a very worthwhile deal. However, Bai Qingling's character is no longer suitable for the position of Princess Consort. Moreover, she attempted to assassinate me. Even if I don't want her life, I can't let her off easily."
Zhou Ruyuan asked coldly, "What does the Regent intend to do?"
Shen Lanxi slowly raised the corners of her mouth: "How about I demote you to a lowly concubine, Your Highness?"
Zhou Ruyuan felt frustrated. Shen Lanxi was ruthless and never showed mercy to those who made mistakes, not even her own family.
Making Bai Qingling a concubine is probably already the bottom line.
"good!"
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "I have been ordered to oversee the country and can handle all affairs of the court on behalf of His Majesty. Does the Prince of Zhennan have any objections?"
Of course!
Zhou Ruyuan waited for a while, and seeing that not a single official in the court stood up to object, anger flared in his heart.
Did Shen Lanxi ask this question on purpose to provoke conflict between him and the officials?
"No!"
The tone was clearly reluctant.
Shen Lanxi: "The Prince of Zhennan has made great contributions. Although he exchanged his military exploits for the life of his beloved woman, he has still made meritorious contributions in quelling the rebellion. Let the Prince have five days off to rest and recuperate in his residence!"
Zhou Ruyuan had one more thing to say.
"I wish to enter the palace to see my father and mother."
Shen Lanxi: "Of course, Your Highness can simply submit your memorial as usual!"
After the court session, Zhou Ruyuan rushed off to the imperial prison.
The news was quickly delivered to Consort Shu.
Consort Shu was so angry that she smashed all the porcelain in the room.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician says you must not get angry right now. You must take good care of yourself!"
Consort Shu felt both pitiful and ridiculous. She had schemed for her son her whole life, but in the end, she had only gotten such a brainless fool.
That was a military achievement that could have put him on the throne as crown prince, and it was so easily used to save the life of a lowly woman.
"I regret it..."
The hysterical cries echoed throughout the Chaoyun Palace, lingering for a long time.
...
“The Prince of Zhennan is going to disappoint his supporters again!” Che Mingyuan said with amusement.
Liu Yan replied, "I have no idea what's going on in his head."
Ban Sicao scoffed, "What else could it be? A pretty face with no substance, nothing but straw inside. Even if someone pushes you from behind, you can't budge them!"
Wei Dongzhu reminded Ban Sicao: "Be careful, he even had someone investigate you last time."
Ban Sicao spread her hands, amused, and said, "I told you his head was full of grass. What kind of time is this to be thinking about investigating me? He should be using that time to think about how to expand his forces!"
Xiao Fang scoffed, "If he had any brains, would he have called for water three times in one night, making the whole world know that he lost the watermelon and picked up a rotten vegetable leaf?"
Cheng Zheng wrote in a few strokes: "Sooner or later, the prince will deal with him!"
After much deliberation, Qian Feng said, "He is the prince with the best chance of becoming the crown prince!"
Xiao Fang scoffed: "What a load of bull! If you ask me, we might as well rebel! Our prince can be the regent and oversee the country, so why can't he be the emperor?"
The room suddenly fell silent.
Xiao Fang felt a chill run down his spine as he was stared at by several pairs of unwavering eyes.
"What...did I say something wrong?" Why are they all staring at him? It's kind of scary.
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