Chapter Ninety-Five: Trouble Flared Up in the Military Camp Again

Yan Heru turned and looked at Shen Hezhi. Just then, someone had come to the door and opened it; it was Dongfang Qing.

When Dongfang Qing saw Yan Heru, he froze for a moment before recovering himself. “Is Your Highness here?”

Yan Heru nodded and stepped aside to make room. Dongfang Qing nodded back and hurried into the room at once. The moment he saw Shen Hezhi, he began speaking in a rush.

But before Dongfang Qing could get far, Shen Hezhi stopped him. “There is no need to panic over anything. Even if the frontier has been invaded, there is no need to rush. Speak slowly and clearly.”

Dongfang Qing looked at Shen Hezhi with equal parts distress and amusement. Shen Hezhi took a cup, poured tea from the pot, and handed it to him. Dongfang Qing was a little embarrassed, but the situation was far too urgent for ceremony, so he took it and drank it down in one gulp.

“Here is the situation, Your Highness. As usual, I went to inspect the soldiers’ training, but today I discovered that the man you had taken into custody and then released had been let out. I know that was on your orders, but he actually tried to seize command of Qimo’s army. The whole place is in an uproar now.

Dongfang Ming is there too, so I have no real say in the matter. That is why I had no choice but to come and ask Your Highness to come take a look.”

Concern was written all over Dongfang Qing’s face.

Shen Hezhi stroked his chin. “It is hardly a matter of great urgency. Why are you so flustered? Come, let us go and see for ourselves.”

He rose and was about to leave with Dongfang Qing, but the instant he stood up, he remembered that he had already promised his little wife he would stay for dinner today. If he left now, dinner would certainly be out of the question.

So he turned to his little wife.

Yan Heru smiled slyly and said, “Your Highness did say I could go with you to the camp, and you also promised to have dinner with me tonight. You cannot break your word. Since there is no other way, the best solution is for me to go to the camp with you. You have no objection, do you?”

Seeing his little wife looking so delightfully innocent, Shen Hezhi could only shake his head helplessly. He had known all along that she was plotting something. Sure enough, the moment he said she could go to the camp, she had set her heart on it.

Still, this was fine. It was, after all, the best solution at present. Besides, if he took his little princess to the camp, who would dare object?

Dongfang Qing stood anxiously to one side, watching the two of them exchange glances. He was practically burning with impatience, yet there was nothing he could do to hurry them along.

Though Shen Hezhi did not look at Dongfang Qing, he could feel the restless tension radiating from him. So he walked over to Yan Heru, took her hand, and left.

At once, Yan Heru blushed again at his sudden gesture.

The three of them arrived at the military camp. Before they had even entered, they heard a clamor from within. Shen Hezhi immediately frowned in displeasure.

“What is all this noise? Do you not know this is a place for training? Making such a racket here—what sort of discipline is that?”

With long strides, Shen Hezhi entered the camp. He saw Dongfang Ming, but acted as though he had not seen him at all. Instead, he launched straight into a sharp rebuke of everyone present, Dongfang Ming included.

Dongfang Ming naturally resented being spoken to like that. His face darkened in displeasure. Remembering that he held Shen Hezhi’s weakness, he was no longer afraid and even stepped forward boldly.

“Ninth Prince, there is no need to be so angry. It is only a little noise among the men below. Why be so incensed?”

“Oh? So the Second Young Master is here as well. Look at me—I did not even notice. My apologies, Second Young Master. What brings you here?”

Dongfang Ming had barely opened his mouth when Shen Hezhi continued speaking, giving him no chance to get a word in.

“Just look at all of you. The Second Young Master is a guest here, and yet you are making such a scene right in front of him. Is that any way to behave? Do you still look like soldiers of the North Proud Army?”

The more Shen Hezhi spoke, the louder his voice became. Even Dongfang Ming, standing right beside him, was startled. Dongfang Ming instantly forgot what he had intended to say until Shen Hezhi reminded him.

“Second Young Master, what were you about to say? I was so flustered just now that I did not even give you the chance to speak. You will not blame me for that, will you?”

His words were exceedingly polite, seeming to give Dongfang Ming face, but in truth they were a vicious slap across the face.

What was this talk of being flustered and not having given him time to speak? Anyone with eyes could see that he had deliberately refused to let him speak. Yet among everyone present, only Dongfang Ming failed to catch on; instead, he even felt rather pleased with himself.

“It is nothing, nothing at all. This is not a major matter. Since Ninth Prince also knows he was somewhat overbearing, let us put this matter aside. I am the sort of person who is always willing to show mercy when possible.

As for this matter involving Junyang, Ninth Prince need not be angry yet. Anything can be discussed slowly. After all, one of my people is involved.”

When Dongfang Ming said the last sentence, he glanced meaningfully at Shen Hezhi. Shen Hezhi immediately understood what he meant and could not help letting out a couple of cold laughs inwardly.

This Dongfang Ming truly was a fool. It seemed the half of the Dongfang family that supported him was not truly supporting him at all. Behind the scenes, there must be someone else in power. He was nothing more than a scapegoat pushed forward to take the blame.

“Oh? Then what exactly is this matter? Please, Second Young Master, do explain it carefully. It would also allow me to judge fairly according to your words. After all, in the present circumstances, I fear only the Second Young Master here can offer the most impartial account.”

Shen Hezhi continued to praise Dongfang Ming.

By now, Dongfang Ming felt almost weightless with pride. He had entirely forgotten his own standing and position. Even with leverage in hand, he should never have dared speak to a prince in such a manner, yet at this moment he could no longer care about any of that. In his mind, he had already become the most formidable person present.

“Ahem.” Dongfang Ming cleared his throat, then swept his gaze around the room before speaking. “In truth, this matter is troublesome and yet not troublesome. It all began because of this man.”

As he said this, Dongfang Ming pointed toward Qimo. Facing Qimo’s furious expression, he was a little frightened and hastily withdrew his finger.