Chapter 368 - Maintain an Army and Defy Orders From the Central Government (1/2)

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.