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Published at 6th of April 2022 06:04:16 PM


Chapter 368: Maintain an Army and Defy Orders From the Central Government

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Shen Luo lowered his head and pondered, keeping silent for quite a while.

It was not that he would refuse Dong Hui, but he was weighing quietly.

In the end, he stated, “Logically, I don’t dare to refuse your request, Madam Shi, but…”

He was going to make a request.

Dong Hui was afraid that Shen Luo would ask for nothing, so she smiled happily after he said that. “Doctor Shen, please go ahead.”

“Lady Qingxue and the first young master should stay in the mansion these days.” Shen Luo spoke out his requirement straightforwardly.

“What?”

At the moment, not to mention that Dong Hui shouted in surprise, even Shi Qingxue looked at him in shock.

Shi Qingxue looked confused and thought, “What does it have to do with me?”

Shen Luo turned to Shi Junhe. “His Excellency has given orders. Duke Shi, can I have a word with you?”

Shi Junhe didn’t understand what Shen Luo planned to do, but hearing Mo Junyang’s name, he walked to the inner room with Shen Luo.

“Is there anything wrong at the imperial court?”

Shen Luo replied with admiration, “Duke Shi, you are sharp-eyed. There is news from the Imperial Kinship Bureau that somebody entered the prison sneakily and took away the prisoner Mo Junhao the other day. The latest news is that Mo Junhao and the Minister of War Feng Jifeng led their soldiers and fled to the northern border.”

“What?” At this time, even Shi Junhe couldn’t keep calm.

He looked emotional. “What does he want to do?”

Shen Luo looked cold and serious, continuing, “His Excellency guessed that Mo Junhao might have colluded with the king of Liang Country and must prepare to meet the army of Liang Country, yet His Majesty couldn’t intercept them in time. The rebel army has run away from the capital and its environs. Perhaps they can’t catch up with the rebel army and force them back.”

He mentioned the main points and told Shi Junhe about the current situation.

After Shi Junhe realized this matter, he didn’t hide it from Shen Luo but asked, “His Excellency told Qingxue to move back…because Mo Junhao may harm her?”

Shen Luo nodded. “If Mo Junhao wants to threaten His Excellency and you, Lady Qingxue is the best choice undoubtedly. Although it’s said that Mo Junhao has left the capital, nobody can be sure that he won’t become so frenzied as to take actions against Lady Qingxue, so the Lanxun Villa is not safe.”

In fact, Shen Luo kept some words to himself.

His master wanted more to take Shi Qingxue to King Rui’s mansion, and he would rest assured only when he kept an eye on her.

However, after all, they hadn’t got married. Considering Shi Qingxue’s fame, Mo Junyang had to scruple.

So Duke Shi’s mansion became an alternative.

Of course, Shen Luo didn’t need to tell Shi Junhe about what Mo Junyang thought about.

Shi Junhe didn’t consider something like this. He just asked, “Qingxue can’t leave here indeed. It’s difficult to handle. Did His Excellency say what he plans to do to deal with this matter?”

Shen Luo shook his head. “I don’t know. But in order to calm the people, the new emperor will take the throne earlier. Then I am afraid that they will need your support, Duke Shi.”

“Of course. I am going to the imperial palace now.” Shi Junhe made a decision at once.

He pondered for a moment and then added, “Doctor Shen, please feel at ease and stay in my mansion. Baoning and Qingmin need you to take care of them.”

Shen Luo raised his brows and thought it appeared that this man really cared about his children. No matter whether he favored somebody, at least, he was concerned about each one.

Shen Luo’s face softened a lot and he nodded with a smile. “Duke Shi, don’t worry. Not to mention the relationship between you family and King Rui’s family, for the sake of Lady Qingxue, I won’t slack.”

Since he said that, he had admitted that Duke Shi’s family and King Rui’s family were related by marriage.

Shi Junhe showed a faint smile. “Speaking of which, their marriage has been decided since a period ago. After this issue, their wedding should be put on the agenda.”

At the mention of the marriage of Mo Junyang and Shi Qingxue, their conversation relaxed. They talked for a while and decided to keep this matter a secret for now, in case that it caused people’s unnecessary worry.

However, something so significant as Mo Junhao’s defection couldn’t be kept secret for long even though they wanted to.

After less than half a month, the news spread everywhere in the capital.

All people were jittery. Fortunately, Mo Junyu took the throne in time and announced an order to crusade against Mo Junhao, exposing his crime of murdering the late emperor.

Then the Assistant Minister of War Leng Yuan took over as Minister of War in time and led the City Guardian Army to stabilize the public order in the capital city.

When the capital city was stable, it was not easy to cause disturbance in other places.

After Shi Qingxue got the news that Mo Junhao had fled, she wanted to go to the northern border to capture him as the first reaction. Perhaps she wouldn’t drop stones on him who had fallen into a well, but she wouldn’t be completely indifferent and watch him get away unpunished.

Mo Junhao wanted to maintain an army and defy orders from the central government, making himself a king, yet logically, she wouldn’t ignore it.

However, as soon as she had this plan, Shi Junhe stated, “Qingxue, don’t think so much. Those things are not what you should do.”

Shi Junhe glanced at Shi Qingxue with his cold and serious eyes, and she felt that she was seen through.

She felt embarrassed and reluctant.

She pursed her lips and expressed in depression, “In fact, I…”

“Fine. Don’t mention it again. I won’t allow you to.”

It was said that the father knew most about his daughter. Shi Qingxue just rolled her eyes, but Shi Junhe guessed what she wanted to do and objected to her plan in an assertive tone.

All people were confused to hear that.

Dong Hui asked in confusion, “What charade are you playing? What does Qingxue want to do?”

Shi Junhe shook his head and then stated, “Now the capital can maintain peaceful on the surface with difficulty, yet as long as the rebel army hasn’t been defeated, the country will be unstable.

“The new emperor has just taken the throne, but there are not many military officers who can be relied on. Lord Leng in the Bureau of War needs to guard the capital and maintain the public order in the city. Then the important job to go to the battlefield and crusade against the rebel army may be given to our family.”

All people present were family, so Shi Junhe didn’t hide the current situation from them. He explained to them clearly in order to tell them especially Wenren Chi to be mentally prepared.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished his words, Dong Hui and Shi Baoning looked unhappy.

Dong Hui finally saw Shi Junhe return to the capital and gather with them after waiting for a long time, yet he would leave again in only a short period.

So she protested.

“There are many military officers at the imperial court. Aren’t there several generals? Junhe, you have just returned from the northern border. Why do you have to go there again? Isn’t it unfair?”

Shi Qingxue explained, “Because Father is familiar with the environment in the northern border, and he is the best choice to defeat the rebel army quickly.”

Shi Junhe nodded at Qingxue with admiration. “Right. Speaking of which, nobody at the imperial court is more familiar with the situation at the northern border than me.”

“Even if you are familiar with the northern border, so what? Should somebody capable die? I have heard that the fourth prince has hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and they have settled at the northern border, so they occupy the area. If you crusade against the rebel army, won’t you get yourself into trouble?”

Dong Hui didn’t care about the plan with the optimal interest. She just knew that the northern border was too dangerous and that it was uncertain if he could stay alive after he went there.

Shi Baoning frowned tightly after hearing that and subconsciously scratched her sleeve. “Mother is right. Father, you are Duke Shi now. Can’t you refuse to go there?”

The mother and daughter were afraid that Shi Junhe would perform his heroics and take the hard job.

However, after hearing their words, Shi Junhe furrowed his brows tightly and even got angry.

“What are you talking about? Even a child knows that every man alive has a duty to defend his country. Should I teach you again?

“Moreover, the country is in danger and disaster now, and I and Chi are generals. If we don’t do anything, who can we expect to protect our country and family?

“Baoning, you are a daughter from the Shi family. You can’t behave like an ignorant girl.” Shi Junhe said the last words in a deep tone, with reproach obviously.

Shi Baoning lowered her head in shame after hearing that.

However, Shi Junhe didn’t soften.

According to the ancestral rules of the Shi family, all the members, including men and women were reserves even if they didn’t go to the battlefield. They should know cardinal issues of right and wrong and be able to go to war without demur when the country was in danger.

Although Shi Junhe didn’t allow Shi Qingxue to mention going to the northern border, he was just worried about her safety. He didn’t get angry but even felt proud.

Look, this was his daughter.

When they needed to go to the battlefield, she didn’t blink.

However, he and Wenren Chi sustained the Shi family, and it was not Shi Qingxue’s turn to shoulder the burdens.

Shi Baoning blushed and lowered her head, apologizing in embarrassment.

Her tears were about to fall again, while Wenren Chi hurriedly mediated. “Father, please don’t blame Baoning. She is merely worried about our safety and doesn’t forget her identity.”

“Right. I didn’t say that I don’t want you to lead the army to crusade against Mo Junhao. I am just worried that you will be in danger. Then Mother and I will…” Shi Baoning let Wenren Chi wipe the tears on her face and explained to Shi Junhe on and off.

Seeing that the young couple got along with each other in a natural and familiar way, Shi Junhe knew that their relationship was not as distant as before but they were close as a couple no matter what they said or did, so he relaxed a little.

He just stated seriously, “A military officer should fight on the battlefield till death. I don’t want to hear something like this again in the future.”

Shi Baoning leaned against Wenren Chi’s arms and bit her lower lip in the end, answering, “I see.”

Shi Junhe nodded and then turned to Shi Qingxue. “Stay in the mansion at ease these days and don’t go anywhere. Do you understand?”

Shi Qingxue hurriedly showed a flattering smile. “Father, the capital city is safe now. I want to…”

“Stop.” Shi Junhe didn’t let Shi Qingxue finish her words but denied her proposal.

Shi Qingxue looked sad and lowered her head, saying unwillingly, “I see. If there is nothing else, I am going back now.”

Afterward, she didn’t care what Shi Junhe would say but went back to the Luotong Boudoir in haste.




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