Chapter 112: Chapter 55: Imperial Edict Reaches the Border City

Shen Ruoxi was taken aback for a moment, but then a smile appeared on her lips, and she said brightly, “Ji, you’re here too.”

Xu Ji always had that defiant look, raised his head, and responded loudly, “Only Xia Pass is left, Cousin, of course I’m coming! How could I be satisfied without beating the Beichang barbarians to tears?”

Recalling the deaths of her father and brother, the Xu Family now shuddered at the mention of the battlefield.

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but feel a multitude of emotions, unexpectedly her grandparents agreed to let Ji rush to the battlefield.

“Ji has finally grown up!” Her eyes were full of comfort and pride.

“Of course!” Xu Ji raised his chin, his face full of pride.

“And what about me?” Pei Xuan, seeing the deep bond between the cousin siblings, hurriedly interjected, trying to make his presence felt.

Shen Ruoxi smiled and was about to greet Pei Xuan, however, at that moment, an untimely voice suddenly rang out, “Marquis Shen, hear the decree!”

Shen Ruoxi’s body suddenly stiffened, her hand subconsciously clenched, her eyes slightly changing.

Xu Ji was instantly furious, shouting angrily, “Liu Qian, I’ve tolerated you for too long, didn’t you see we were talking?”

Liu Qian sneered and said sarcastically, “The Emperor’s decree is above all, why should the Emperor’s decree wait for you to finish catching up! Do you intend to defy the decree?”

“I’ll beat you to death today!” Xu Ji was enraged, about to rush forward, but was pulled back by Shen Ruoxi.

What must come will come, there’s no way to avoid it.

She took a deep breath, just about to kneel to accept the decree, when a large hand suddenly pulled her back.

A deep, pleasant voice sounded in her ear, “This decree, I will receive as the Prince!”

“Prince Zhan!” Liu Qian’s eyes narrowed, hastily bowing, “The Emperor’s decree is meant for Marquis Shen.”

Jun Moling glanced at him with cold eyes, his voice as icy as frost, “Military Doctor Shen is enlisted in the army under my command, I have the right to accept the decree on her behalf!”

Liu Qian’s cold sweat instantly surged, large beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.

Though from the world of martial arts, he usually had some arrogance, but who was Jun Moling? He was the decisive and iron-fisted Prince Zhan!

No one in the entire Dayi Country didn’t know him; his fame echoed for thousands of miles.

At this moment, confronted with him, Liu Qian felt each word he spoke filled him with fear and dread; he was merely a small deputy vanguard officer, how dare he act presumptuously in front of Jun Moling?

The atmosphere instantly became tense and oppressive, as if even the air had solidified.

“Marshal!” Shen Ruoxi bit her lip, her expression hesitant.

Even though she knew he was fully capable of solving the immediate problem, she still felt that this favor was something she might find hard to repay.

“Liu Qian, you’re just a trivial little deputy vanguard, the Vanguard Officer hasn’t spoken, how is it your turn to be meddlesome, get lost!” Xu Ji’s face was stern, his voice cold and ruthless.

“Exactly, a nameless nobody creeping out from some corner, daring to make a scene here!” Pei Xuan sneered with disdain.

Liu Qian’s face flushed red, his face burning.

He was full of resentment, these scions of noble families, each one looking down on someone like him, a person from humble beginnings.

Clenching his fists tightly, he wished the rage in his heart could burst forth.

What abilities did they have? It was merely because of their good family background.

He secretly vowed to achieve great merit in attacking Xia Pass, to climb to the top, and trample them all underfoot.

Guan Qizhe hurried to mediate, “Indeed, there is an imperial decree for Marquis Shen, Young Master Xu, and Prince Pei, you two better not get involved.”

These two feared neither heaven nor earth, yet they should know some restraint.

Although he himself despised Liu Qian, when they came, it was indeed the Emperor who entrusted this matter to Liu Qian, to summon Shen Ruoxi back to the Capital City.

“Can’t this decree be received by me, the Marshal?” Jun Moling’s voice was icy cold.

He was the Emperor’s cousin and the Marshal who commanded the three armies, an idol and direct superior in Guan Qizhe’s heart.

Guan Qizhe also felt nervous, he said lowly, “Marshal, after all, His Majesty…” He hesitated, his expression full of difficulty.

Jun Moling coldly commanded, “This is a military camp, not the Emperor’s Golden Throne Hall, read it!”

Liu Qian, left with no choice, had to read aloud, “By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees, Marquis Shen, Shen Ruoxi, has gone to the battlefield for the country and the people, showing great integrity, I am deeply gratified. Now that the mission is complete, return swiftly!”

Jun Moling coldly said, “That’s it, I’ve received it on behalf of Military Doctor Shen. As for when to return to the Capital City, I will decide. Inform the Emperor accordingly.”

“Yes, my lord.” A woman disguised as a man stepped forward and bowed.

Shen Ruoxi was momentarily stunned, cautiously asking, “Are you Feng Ming?”

“Exactly, Marquis Shen, His Majesty has issued a final order for my capture. If I can’t bring you back to the Capital City, my entire family’s lives are in jeopardy, please return with me.” Feng Ming knelt on the ground, earnest in words.

Shen Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat, “What happened to them?”

At this time, the atmosphere within the tent was heavy, everyone harbored their own thoughts.

Feng Ming was full of grievances, her voice earnest, “Marquis Shen, each Hidden Guard watching you was given eighty killing rods, every one of them barely clinging to life. I beg you, return to the Capital City with me!”

Shen Ruoxi’s face turned as white as a sheet, the Emperor truly knew her weak spot all too well, knowing what she cared about, thus giving her such a potent dose.

She slowly turned her head, worry making her limbs cold, her voice trembling softly, “Ji, where is Cousin Jue?”

Xu Ji lowered his head, his expression hesitant, words unspoken.

Shen Ruoxi’s body swayed, her voice rising several pitches, “What punishment did he suffer, he won’t miss the Spring Examination because of it, will he? That has always been his wish.”

If it really came to that, she truly couldn’t absolve herself of blame!

Xu Ji hurried to explain, “Cousin, Cousin Jue was struck thirty times with a cane. Such a small injury shouldn’t prevent him from participating in the Spring Examination.

Moreover, Cousin Jue has said, for a Princely Heir of a Prince Mansion, what wish to top the examination could he have, it was only for the wish of the woman in his heart that he insisted on attending the Spring Examination.”

Shen Ruoxi remained silent, her thoughts spiraling into deep conflict.

When Cousin Jue tied his fate with hers, she was truly moved.

She once doubted Cousin Jue’s feelings for her, perhaps it wasn’t just the affection of a cousin, but rather love between a man and a woman.

So, at that time, she almost promised him, but now that she thinks about it, fortunately, she swallowed her words.

She always thought of Lan Jue as a brother, not having that kind of feeling, besides, there’s no difference between the Prince Mansion and the Imperial Palace, she couldn’t jump into another abyss.

Another reason is her aunt, who always looked down on her, those two years in the Xiao Family suffocated her enough, she couldn’t live so wretchedly again.

But the matter of competing in the Spring Examination for the top spot, she never wished for such, could it be the woman in his heart isn’t her?

For a moment, Shen Ruoxi asked, “What did Aunt say?”

Hearing her weary voice, Xu Ji hesitated for a moment, then replied, “Cousin, Second Aunt has always been critical, not satisfied with nearly perfect Cousin Jue, who could she favor? Don’t overthink it, Cousin.”

Shen Ruoxi slowly closed her eyes; she could imagine her aunt surely cursing her again as a jinx, who brought harm to her parents and family, and now coming to harm her cousin.

Her heart felt as if pierced by a thousand needles, unbearably painful.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze turning to meet Jun Moling’s cold demeanor before her, biting her pale lips, she made a decision, and said resolutely, “Marshal, I’ll pack up and return to the Capital City tomorrow.”

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