Chapter 356 - Junzhan Loves Shi Qingxue? (1/2)

After Concubine Tao realized this matter, the next things could be understood more easily.

Mo Junzhan’s obsessiveness was to compete with Shi Qingxue on archery and win her once openly.

Mo Junzhan liked the battlefield indeed these years and had learnt much to arrange battle arrays. He was always strict with himself by the standards of a general, but he had never slacked off on practicing archery.

However, after both of them grew up, they had few chances to see each other, and the chances for them to compete on archery were slimmer.

Concubine Tao didn’t need to guess with effort. After Mo Junzhan heard Shi Qingxue’s words, he would agree without hesitation.

In this case, Mo Junzhan’s plan to go to the northern border far away in the near future would be…

Even if Mo Junzhan was determined to guard the northern border, he would discuss with Shi Qingxue first as he couldn’t compete with her.

Since they would talk face to face, Shi Qingxue would have more chances to change Mo Junzhan’s mind.

“As she talked with me about this matter, she must have agreed to help me persuade Junzhan.” Concubine Tao thought and got relieved.

She pondered for a while and then told somebody to bring the ninth prince without delay.

After hearing Concubine Tao’s words, as she guessed, Mo Junzhan didn’t emotionally shout that he would go and guard the northern border but looked hesitant.

“Mother, I want to go to the northern border, yet I can’t break the appointment with Qingxue. What should I do?”

His handsome face looked hesitant, as if he was in a dilemma.

Concubine Tao felt that it was annoying but funny after seeing that. She didn’t know how to give a suggestion, so she left the hot potato to Shi Qingxue. “I have no idea. If you can’t make a decision, go to see Qingxue.”

She said that with jealousy.

Concubine Tao thought that she wasn’t narrow-minded, yet she tried her best to persuade Mo Junzhan not to risk his life at the northern border, while the boy didn’t listen to her but even quarreled with her.

After Shi Qingxue just lured him with the archery competition, he got hesitant at once.

So Concubine Tao was angry at this thought.

Mo Junzhan didn’t notice Concubine Tao’s displeasure, while his eyes lit up, and he stated joyfully, “Right. I can go to see Qingxue.”

Afterward, he ran out happily before Concubine Tao said more.

She goggled. “This bad boy.”

“Your Highness, I am afraid that it’s improper as you told His Highness to see Lady Qingxue,” Concubine Tao’s personal maid Mammy Guo reminded in a low voice.

Concubine Tao expressed, “Why is it improper? I can’t persuade this stubborn boy, so I have to let Shi Qingxue do it.

“Fine, I will just owe her a favor. Anything is fine as long as Junzhan can stay alive.”

Mammy Guo shook her head. “I didn’t mean it, but…”

Concubine Tao didn’t like Mammy Guo’s hesitation. She ordered impatiently, “There is nobody else here. Just say it directly, Mammy.”

Mammy Guo tried to remind tactfully, “Your Highness, don’t forget that Lady Qingxue has been titled as the wife of King Rui’s heir. Even though she hasn’t married His Excellency, she is his woman.”

“What does it have to do with this matter?” Concubine Tao certainly knew that Duke Shi’s family and King Rui’s family were behind Shi Qingxue. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so polite to the girl.

“Your Highness, don’t you think that His Highness’s attitude toward Lady Qingxue is…a bit…” Mammy Guo couldn’t find a euphemistic word.

Fortunately, Concubine Tao understood what the old maid meant, so she turned pale in an instant and asked in surprise, “Do you mean that Junzhan loves Shi Qingxue?”

Concubine Tao said that straightforwardly, yet as soon as she finished her words, she covered her mouth and finally looked shocked.

“No. No way?” Concubine Tao was in panic for a while and then started to deny her own words.

Mo Junzhan didn’t like to hang out with girls since childhood. He always thought that girls were cowardly and fragile and liked crying, yet he was close to Shi Qingxue alone and even followed her all the time, taking her as an elder sister.

But…

Shi Qingxue was nearly three years older than Mo Junzhan, and she was an elder sister in front of him.

The two didn’t look like a couple anyway.

“You are right, but His Highness’s attitude toward Lady Qingxue is really special. Even if he is aboveboard, it will easily make people imagine.”

Mammy Guo looked at Concubine Tao’s face cautiously, to see that the mistress didn’t get angry because of her words, so she continued, “This matter can be significant or unimportant in others’ eyes, yet it is not something good anyway. If it spreads, it will harm His Highness’s reputation. What’s more…”

Mammy Guo gritted her teeth and spoke out what she was most worried about. “What’s more, all people in the capital know that His Excellency spoils Lady Qingxue so much. Let’s ignore how long he will spoil her. Now, if His Highness’s attitude is distorted by some people with evil intentions, it may bring endless trouble.”

With Mo Junzhan’s age and experience, he would surely die in front of Mo Junyang.

After hearing Mammy Guo’s words, Concubine Tao realized the seriousness of this matter. Although she had never contacted King Rui’s heir, there were widespread rumors about him in the capital city.