Chapter 135: Chapter 77: Warned by a Glance

Liu Qian ultimately couldn’t restrain himself and asked the question that had been occupying his mind for a long time, “Master, do you have a grudge against Shen Ruoxi? Why do you want to scheme against her?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Qian’s master immediately wore a dark expression, as gloomy as the sky before a storm, and he snarled angrily, “Just do what I tell you to do; why all this nonsense?”

It was the first time Liu Qian had seen his master so furious.

The angry look on his master’s face made Liu Qian’s heart tremble, and he hurriedly said in fear, “Master, I naturally would never dare to go against your wishes.

But Shen Ruoxi is not an ordinary person; she is constantly surrounded by many protectors.

I truly worry that if we are even slightly careless during the action and it gets discovered, not only will I lose my life, but it might also implicate you, master.

Here is a military camp with hundreds of thousands of soldiers stationed, and having just defeated Beichang, morale is at its peak. I’m only thinking of you, master; this is really not a good place, and now is not a good time.”

Liu Qian had always followed his master’s orders to the letter, never once defying them, but this time, doubt filled his heart.

After all, he had been following his master since childhood and was all too familiar with his every move, thought, and action.

Yet he had never heard of any dealings between his master and the court, let alone any connection with someone like Shen Ruoxi, a noblewoman, making his master’s words and actions seem truly unfamiliar.

His curiosity was really hard to suppress, and the confusion in his heart was like a tangled mess growing tighter, so he could only express his doubts and concerns.

Liu Qian’s master seemed to realize his previous attitude was lacking, so he took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and patiently explained, “There is indeed a complicated, indescribable entanglement between me and her.

Just follow my arrangement, rest assured! The more relaxed things seem at this time, the safer it is. As long as you’re careful and discreet, and aren’t discovered, I guarantee you’ll be fine.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Qian’s face was still full of hesitation and worry, his expression grim.

Seeing this, his master continued, “Don’t forget, those noble young masters all look down on you in this military camp. They rely on their noble birth to scorn you.

Even Jun Moling is cautious of you. They’re feasting lavishly in the main tent while making you patrol outside in the cold; they’re openly bullying you.

Don’t you want to retaliate against them? Since they care so much for Shen Ruoxi, we can strike them where it hurts, let them taste the pain as well.”

Upon hearing these words, Liu Qian felt a rush of anger as the unfair treatments he suffered surged into his heart like a tide.

In the army camp, he worked diligently and fought bravely, but was always oppressed by those nobles due to his humble origin.

Their mocking and contemptous words still echoed in his ears, and the Marshal’s distrust and caution only made him more disheartened.

And his master was right; they’re having a feast, leaving him out in the cold to patrol—it’s too unfair!

At this thought, he nodded vigorously, and through gritted teeth, said, “Master, rest assured, I will take care of it, no one will notice anything amiss! You be careful too, master.”

“Go! I’ll be careful myself,” his master replied.

Liu Qian nodded, respectfully bowed, and left.

Watching Liu Qian leave, a bloodthirsty smile slowly turned into deep hatred on that person’s lips, “Shen Ruoxi… Shen Ruoxi…”

…

Shen Ruoxi naturally had no idea of the schemes Liu Qian and his master were planning against her.

At that moment, in the military camp, those forthright, big-hearted men, out of deep respect for the Shen Family Army and sincere admiration for her personally, all wanted to have a drink with her.

Shen Ruoxi seldom drank; even during family gatherings on holidays, she only sipped casually, her alcohol tolerance truly average.

However, she couldn’t resist the fervor of the generals, and although Xu Ji helped divert some of the alcohol, she still drank quite a bit.

At the moment, she wasn’t dressed in anything too glamorous, her face was plain, but because of the alcohol, her cheeks were tinged with a charming blush. Coupled with her gleaming eyes that seemed to hold feelings, the soldiers were captivated.

“Military Doctor Shen, how about I arrange a marriage for you? I think Young General Guan is quite nice,” an older general said cheerfully.

Guan Qizhe’s face turned bright red, and emboldened by the vibrant atmosphere, he said to Shen Ruoxi, “I wonder if I might have this honor.”

Shen Ruoxi was already feeling a headache from the alcohol, which now worsened; pressing her brow, she said, “Young General Guan, please don’t joke.”

“Miss Shen…” Guan Qizhe started, trying to convey his sincerity, but was interrupted by a cough, immediately followed by Jun Moling’s calm yet imposing voice asking, “Military Doctor Shen, how is Prince Pei’s condition now?”

He was asking Shen Ruoxi, but his warning gaze was directed at Guan Qizhe, which felt piercing as if penetrating through him, giving him a start.

What was happening?

He had a liking for Shen Ruoxi, but it was nothing he couldn’t live without; it was the good atmosphere and her striking appearance tonight that were hard to resist, plus a few drinks made him impulsive.

Now, being looked at meaningfully by the Marshal, he sobered up entirely. Could it be the Marshal has feelings for Shen Ruoxi? Why else would he look at him like that?

If that’s the case, the little affection he had immediately vanished from fright; he already didn’t know how to handle things with His Majesty, and now another came into the mix. He didn’t have the guts to compete with them for a woman.

So, he quickly fell silent.

Shen Ruoxi replied, “It should be fine now.”

Jun Moling stood up, “Master, you entertain the generals, I shall accompany Military Doctor Shen to check on Prince Pei.”

Pei Xuan was his cousin, and naturally, Zhai Wen said, “Yes.”

Seeing Jun Moling stand up, Shen Ruoxi hastily stood as well, getting up too quickly caused her to feel dizzy, and she swayed but was caught by Jun Moling, “Are you okay?”

Shen Ruoxi gently pushed him away and rubbed her face hard, feeling much better, “Marshal, I’m fine, let’s go!”

Jun Moling lowered his hand, nodded slightly.

Ning Zhen watched the pair walking out together, catching Xiao Chengyi’s eyes full of jealousy and the tension in his body, and suddenly laughed, “Pfft.”

Xiao Chengyi, already uncomfortable, instantly flared up, “Ning Zhen, what are you laughing at? Is your arm better?”

Her arm was indeed unbearably painful, and she really shouldn’t have come, but she wanted to see Xiao Chengyi suffer and witness his jealousy, so she gritted her teeth and came over.

She spoke with full mockery, “Xiao Chengyi, how could you not know why I’m laughing? You’re jealous, aren’t you? Prince Zhan is more handsome than you, more capable than you, and a Prince, a man of supreme status under one, yet above all. You’ve lost thoroughly this time, stop dreaming.”

“Ning Zhen, what nonsense are you spouting? No matter what, she’s a remarried woman. How could the Marshal be interested in her?” Xiao Chengyi angrily retorted, his eyes, due to the scene he had just witnessed, bursting with a red hue.

Though he was reluctant to admit it, his keen observation tonight did find that Jun Moling’s gaze lingered on Shen Ruoxi throughout the night.

When someone proposed a match for Shen Ruoxi, and Guan Qizhe confessed, his urgent response—wasn’t it jealousy akin to his own?

When he helped her just now, he didn’t even consider the decorum of mingling genders—uncharacteristic of Jun Moling who avoided feminine company.

“Remarried? Xiao Chengyi, don’t be ridiculous. She’s the one who left you, even His Majesty doesn’t care if she’s remarried; his men have followed her to the border city, so don’t belittle her just for a sliver of hope in your pitiful heart.

You know it clearly in your heart, she’s no ordinary widow; now she is the coveted gem everyone is vying for. His Majesty, the Prince, what do you have to compare?”

Xiao Chengyi’s anger surged, mortifying anger made him retort, “Ning Zhen, what do you want exactly?”

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