Chapter 244: Chapter 187: Marquis Shen, Save Us

Jun Moling instinctively shielded his wife behind him, his hand already poised to unleash a lethal strike.

The moonlight was like water, pouring down in silvery whiteness. Mi Yi held a lantern, its dim glow illuminating the surroundings.

Eight young men approached, and with a “thud,” they knelt in unison before the couple, calling out, “Marquis Shen, save us.”

Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling used the dim light to carefully observe the appearance of these individuals.

They were all around eighteen or nineteen years old, each possessing outstanding looks.

However, their sudden action left the two of them utterly shocked.

“Who exactly are you? Why are you seeking my help?” Shen Ruoxi was utterly bewildered by the actions of these young men.

One of the men was exceptionally fair-skinned, with a gentle demeanor and the aura of a well-educated scholar.

He spoke in a low voice, filled with respect, “Marquis Shen, I am called Lin Qing. All eight of us are sons of aristocratic families from Beichang Country.

We came following our Emperor, originally to serve you.

But upon hearing you were married to Prince Zhan, our Emperor abandoned the idea, yet we cannot return, nor do we have any place to go. Now, we face only a dead end.”

Even someone as dense as Shen Ruoxi understood that the special gift Chunyu Che mentioned earlier was these men.

Each of them was extraordinarily handsome; one had to admit, Chunyu Che truly went to great lengths.

Jun Moling also understood the reason and his anger surged upon recalling Chunyu Che’s remark about his mansion lacking such men; this was simply infuriating!

To dare present men to his wife, did Chunyu Che think Jun Moling was dead?

He already exuded an intimidating presence, and now he wore a cold expression, emanating an oppressive aura. His gloomy gaze seemed capable of devouring people.

He angrily stated, “Can’t go back? Don’t you have legs? Do you think just anyone can become a citizen of Dayi?”

Everyone was intimidated by his overwhelming presence, remaining silent in fear.

Only Lin Qing had some courage, raising his eyes to meet Jun Moling’s gaze bravely, “Prince Zhan, we are all victims of war.

We didn’t even step onto the battlefield, yet our families committed crimes.

We, who have no bad habits, were given this chance to serve Marquis Shen by the Emperor’s grace.

As long as we can please the Marquis, our families might survive.

If we can’t stay, we can only return to die with our families.

We implore Prince Zhan and Marquis Shen to show mercy!

We can do anything; we are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and can entertain the masters in our leisure time.

If you don’t like that, we are strong and can do hard labor without complaint. We earnestly beg Marquis Shen to take us in.”

“We hope Marquis Shen will take us in,” they all said in unison.

However, Jun Moling’s face was dark, full of endless anger and murderous intent.

His voice was cold and murderous as he retorted, “Marquis Shen?”

Shen Ruoxi could keenly sense the bloodthirsty aura emanating from her husband. She gently tugged Jun Moling’s hand, trying to soothe his emotions.

Her expression remained calm and unperturbed as she spoke coolly, “As you said, I am already married and no longer Marquis Shen, but Princess Consort Zhan.

I cannot take you in.

Even if your Emperor truly gives you to me, I won’t accept you.

Sorry, whether you live or die is none of my concern; this is a matter for Beichang and not a reason to force me. Please step aside.”

Their faces were full of disbelief. Their Emperor clearly said Shen Ruoxi was kind-hearted and couldn’t bear to see others suffer. How could she be so heartless?

As if pushing them toward death, she remained indifferent.

Seeing that they were still kneeling and motionless, the cold aura around Jun Moling only intensified as he shouted angrily, “Get lost!”

Lin Qing suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly, “Prince Zhan, are you not confident? Your Prince Mansion is full of guards, servants, and workers, surely many men! So why can’t you accommodate us?”

The man was indeed arguing, but Jun Moling didn’t want to waste words with him, seething with anger, “Looking for death!”

With that, murderous intent flashed in his eyes, intending to make a move against Lin Qing.

Shen Ruoxi quickly stopped him, her voice still indifferent, “If you cannot understand, then I cannot help it. Just as you wouldn’t do something you’re forced into, should you be compelled?

Your Emperor just ascended the throne, and while it’s commendable that he wants the country to improve, he’s taken the wrong path. I also don’t want to quibble with you, my husband, let’s go.”

With that, Shen Ruoxi held Jun Moling’s hand tightly, unhesitatingly bypassing the kneeling group and moving forward.

“Is the Princess Consort really leaving us to die? I don’t have any improper intentions, just want a bite to eat,” Lin Qing’s voice, filled with unwillingness, called from behind.

Shen Ruoxi’s steps did not pause in the slightest as her voice coolly echoed, “Why can’t you find food somewhere else instead of coming to me? Don’t try to blackmail me. Since you have arms and legs, surely you can sustain yourselves! I have no obligation or responsibility to take care of you.”

As they watched the two figures fade into the distance, one of the young men anxiously asked Lin Qing, “Young Master Lin, what should we do? Do we have no choice but to return to Beichang? Returning truly means only a dead end.”

Lin Qing remained silent, gazing at the already distant figure with deep eyes.

There were too many people, after all, there were eight of them. If she hadn’t married, had the Marquis’s title, and was still in the Shen Mansion with her husband as part of the family, they might have had some hope.

But now she’s married to Prince Zhan, whose status is higher than hers, even if she had thoughts, she couldn’t blatantly express them.

It seems this matter needs long-term planning, looking for other opportunities; it will depend on each individual’s abilities.

“Let’s not panic for now; the Emperor will stay in Dayi for ten days to half a month, and there will always be opportunities. Let’s go back for now!”

Lin Qing’s steady voice sounded, as he had always been the most resourceful among the eight.

Although the others felt unwilling, they could only comply and return for now to strategize later.

In Chunyu Che’s chamber, the hidden guard reported in detail everything that had happened in the courtyard.

Chunyu Che sat there, his eyes cold as snow, contemplating silently: Indeed, there’s no need for me to act; those men are already impatient.

Let’s see if those eight can manage to win Shen Ruoxi’s favor and stay by her side.

“I understand, you may leave now,” Chunyu Che wearily waved his hand, and the hidden guard left upon receiving the order.

Being the Emperor, and also from a defeated country, he felt overwhelmed.

Furthermore, they had to compensate them with a large sum of silver, and the country was only beginning to recover, seeking profits would be best.

If no immediate gains are obtained, long-term benefits would suffice.

The road was long, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

Learning that Shen Ruoxi and Jun Moling had already boarded the carriage heading back to Prince Mansion, Zhuzi informed the Yang Family and Zou Family, allowing them to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At this moment, in the carriage, Jun Moling’s face was taut, his shadowy gaze seemed to freeze the air around him with a chilling frost, enveloping everything in his gloomy aura.

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but smile as she looked at his expression.

Admittedly, Chunyu Che’s intention for the well-being of his subjects was genuine, but his actions were truly discomforting.

Even she wished she could immediately rush forward and hit him, let alone her husband, Jun Moling?

She nestled gently in Jun Moling’s arms, playfully stealing a kiss on his cheek and laughed softly, “You know, Chunyu Che did this deliberately to provoke us, thinking like our Emperor. Why be angry with him? Isn’t that silly?”

Jun Moling wrapped his arm around her slender waist, still feeling irritated.

Before, it was Xiao Chengyi who troubled him, and he had his people discipline him.

But Chunyu Che dared to challenge him so boldly, crossing his line; he vowed to make Chunyu Che regret this matter bitterly.

While lost in thought, he bit down hard on Shen Ruoxi’s lips, but the vexation in his heart remained unsatisfied, his mind ceaselessly pondering how to tear Chunyu Che apart to relieve his anger.

At that moment, Shen Ruoxi, nestled in his arms, suddenly asked, “Husband, what do you think Chunyu Che intended by sending those men to me?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep