HMHSE - 13

A large mine had been discovered in the mountains, but no news of it had leaked out.

The next day, Zhao Jinlian entered the official residence and only learned of the matter when a message was delivered by the Changsun family’s guards.

He straightened his official robes and immediately prepared to head to the mountains to investigate. Just as he stepped outside, however, he saw a carriage already waiting at the entrance of the government office.

Surrounded by Changsun family guards, Zhao Jinlian assumed it was Changsun Xin inside. Approaching with a smile, he said: “I’ve just heard this great news—it’s truly cause for celebration. Minister Changsun has achieved a great feat!”

The carriage curtain lifted, and Shen Rong emerged.

Zhao Jinlian was slightly surprised but quickly smiled again: “Ah, it’s the young lady.”

Shen Rong glanced at Zirui: “My brother is busy drafting a report to send to the capital. On his behalf, I’ve come to ask Governor Zhao for assistance.”

Zirui stepped forward, bowing deeply, and presented a letter with both hands.

Wangji Mountain stood a thousand feet tall. Though the mine had been found, that didn’t mean extraction could begin immediately—extensive preparations were necessary.

The most critical among these was manpower. The guards brought by the Changsun family were far from sufficient.

The contents of Changsun Xin’s letter were simple: he was asking Zhao Jinlian to lend the manpower of Youzhou.

After reading it, Zhao Jinlian said: “This isn’t difficult. I’ll order the conscription of laborers from the region—they can enter the mountains in no time.”

But Shen Rong shook her head: “This mine is extraordinary. Ordinary laborers won’t suffice. It must be handled discreetly—by those who cannot leak information.”

Zhao Jinlian still didn’t know what kind of mine they had discovered. Generally speaking, mines yielded either copper or iron, which, though valuable, didn’t require such secrecy. He couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“So what do you suggest?”

“I’d like to visit the Great Prison of Youzhou.”

Zhao Jinlian understood her meaning: “You’re suggesting we use prisoners?”

Shen Rong nodded: “Using prisoners for the initial, most challenging phase ensures discretion. Afterward, the Ministry of Works can take over the arrangements. Subsequent tasks like smelting and transportation will proceed more smoothly. This is the best approach.”

It was the first time Zhao Jinlian had heard of mining being divided into phases, prompting him to look at her more closely.

Shen Rong didn’t enter the government office. Instead, she stood before the gate, her gauzy veil fluttering lightly, exuding the grace of a noblewoman. Yet she spoke about mountain and mineral matters as if discussing everyday affairs, leaving him astonished.

He thought for a moment: “This isn’t impossible, but the Great Prison of Youzhou is under Commander Shan’s jurisdiction. Why not go to him directly?”

Shen Rong’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly. That man wasn’t easy to deal with—approaching him would be far more troublesome than dealing with someone like Zhao Jinlian. He’d likely provoke her again.

Besides, she still harbored lingering resentment.

She gave a faint smile: “I want to personally select the workers. Such arduous labor can’t be entrusted to just any prisoner.”

Seeing her smile, Zhao Jinlian felt the surroundings brighten and couldn’t help but smile too: “In that case, I’ll personally escort the young lady there. It’ll save Minister Changsun from worrying.”

With that, he ordered someone to make arrangements, secretly instructing them to notify Shan Zong since it was his domain.

…

At the military compound, Hu Shiyi still held the small stone in his hand.

He muttered in disbelief: “How could it be? Did they really find a mine?”

Zhang Wei leaned over to examine the yellowish tip, nudging Hu Shiyi with his elbow: “Don’t you think this yellow stuff looks like gold?”

Lei Da, stuffing half a pancake into his mouth, also came over to take a look.

Suddenly, a scabbard flew toward them. Hu Shiyi swiftly tossed the stone aside and caught the scabbard, looking up to see Shan Zong approaching.

Shan Zong had just come out and directly threw the scabbard to interrupt them. While tightening his waist guard, he said: “Focus on your duties. If there’s no news from above about the mountain, act as if you know nothing. So much chatter—how are the troops training?”

Lei Da was the first to flee.

Hu Shiyi closed his mouth and handed the scabbard back.

Just then, a soldier hurried over with a message from Zhao Jinlian.

Shan Zong tilted his head to listen, took the scabbard, slid his saber back in, and left without a word.

…

Due to its location on the northern frontier, Youzhou’s Great Prison differed from ordinary jails.

Its towering walls were constructed from massive stones, standing as high as a two-story watchtower.

Inside, the prison was divided into several large sections, housing serious offenders, exiles, and even enemies captured beyond the border.

Every step of the way, the guards were soldiers.

The sudden appearance of a woman naturally drew attention.

As the jailers led the way, they couldn’t help but glance back repeatedly.

Shen Rong’s flowing skirt billowed gently. She had donned a cloak and hood before entering, leaving Zirui outside, and followed Zhao Jinlian’s steps, observing as she walked.

This was her first time in such a place, but given that the mine was gold, the responsibility was immense. Before it became widely known, it was crucial to keep it under wraps, especially since they were near the border.

The military compound was tighter-lipped than civilian laborers, but soldiers bore heavy responsibilities and weren’t suitable for such grueling work. She doubted that man would agree anyway.

The idea of using prisoners was actually proposed by Shen Rong and Changsun Xin.

Zhao Jinlian walked ahead, concerned she might be frightened, and joked: “If you had simply said so, I could have coordinated with Commander Shan. There was no need to personally enter such an ominous place.”

Shen Rong replied casually: “Governor Zhao himself came here—I couldn’t possibly call it ominous.”

Her personal visit to select workers was, of course, for the mine. Even the Changsun family guards accompanying her to Youzhou were handpicked by her.

As she finished speaking, they entered an open area where prisoners from nearby cells had been gathered, kneeling with their heads bowed.

Shen Rong pulled her hood lower, covering her mouth and nose, and swept her gaze across the group of prisoners. She shook her head.

Most were old and frail; they wouldn’t survive long in the mountains, let alone perform hard labor.

Seeing this, Zhao Jinlian gestured to the jailers: “Let’s leave it at that. The young lady has already done enough by coming on behalf of her brother. I’ll have my men select again and let her brother decide.”

Shen Rong remained silent, watching as the jailers led the prisoners away. Another glance confirmed her disappointment.

Suddenly, she noticed one of the prisoners staring at her. Looking over, she saw a gaunt middle-aged man in tattered prison clothes, his cheeks sunken.

While others kept their heads bowed, he dared to stare directly at her, drawing her attention.

To her surprise, the man suddenly lunged forward: “You—you’re the youngest daughter of the Changsun family!”

Recognizing him, Shen Rong’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Not long ago, her father’s letter mentioned that the Zhongshu Sheren had fallen out of favor and been mercilessly sentenced to exile by the new emperor. She hadn’t expected him to be exiled to Youzhou.

Wasn’t this the Zhongshu Sheren himself?

Zhongshu Sheren Liu Hetong, once a favored confidant of the late emperor, was someone Shen Rong recognized.

Zhao Jinlian, seeing someone dare to offend, sternly ordered: “Restrain him!”

Liu Hetong was forced to kneel by two jailers, but he strained toward Shen Rong, his chains clanging loudly against the ground: “Niece! I’m Liu the Zhongshu Sheren! Help me! I saw the eldest son of the Shan family the night I was brought here! Please help me appeal to him—I must write to His Majesty! I must overturn my case!”

Calling her “niece” left Zhao Jinlian momentarily stunned.

Shen Rong pressed her lips together. The prisoner Shan Zong had mentioned at the governor’s residence—the one escorted overnight from the capital—was none other than him.

It wasn’t surprising that Liu Hetong, as a court official, knew many nobles, but she had never exchanged a word with him. Yet here he was calling her family and asking her to intercede with Shan Zong—a desperate move indeed.

“How am I supposed to intercede for you?” Her brow furrowed.

Liu Hetong pleaded urgently: “Of course you can! You’re his wife!”

Shen Rong’s face stiffened. She turned and walked away, tossing back: “You’re his wife!”

Left behind, Zhao Jinlian stared at Liu Hetong, wondering if he had misheard.

Liu Hetong snapped out of it, pounding the ground in frustration: “That’s right—I forgot they’re divorced!”

After passing through this section of the prison, Shen Rong realized Zhao Jinlian hadn’t followed.

Looking ahead, she noticed a vast area deeper inside and asked a nearby jailer to lead the way.

The deeper they went, the darker it became. The jailer stopped: “Noble lady, be careful. This is the underground dungeon. Commander Shan has forbidden anyone from approaching.”

Shen Rong took a few steps forward and saw a pitch-black door, tightly shut.

Unable to see anything, she was about to turn when a loud thud erupted from within, reverberating to the door.

A booming crash echoed, and the door rattled violently. She took a step back when suddenly an arm shot out, slamming heavily beside her and holding the door in place.

Turning, she met the tense shoulder of the man behind her.

Looking up, she saw Shan Zong’s face, surprised: “What was that sound?”

Shan Zong glanced down at her: “The underground dungeon holds the most vicious criminals—fighting and violence are common. That noise is nothing. Stay away from here.”

Shen Rong processed this and realized how close she was to him. His hand braced beside her, as if encircling her. A slight turn of her head brought her gaze to his chin, his thin lips curved faintly.

Fresh from hearing Liu Hetong’s nonsense, now he stood before her.

She fixed her eyes on the crease of his collar, noticing the fine, subtle patterns. Her gaze shifted: “When did you arrive?”

Shan Zong steadied the door and released his hand: “I should ask you—entering the mountains is one thing, but now you’re even venturing into prisons. Has your boldness always been this boundless?”

Shen Rong bit her lip and locked her gaze on his chin: “This is nothing. I’ve been bolder. Would you like to see?”

Shan Zong met her gaze. Up close, he caught the faint fragrance emanating from her. His voice lowered: “Then show some restraint.”

Shen Rong thought to herself—I won’t restrain myself at all.

From afar, Zhao Jinlian approached.

She raised a hand to smooth her hair, and before walking out, she arched an eyebrow and smiled faintly at him: “You know I’ve just accomplished something great. From now on, you’d better treat me kindly.”

With the scent of her garments wafting past, Shan Zong stepped aside to let her pass, his eyes still following her figure.

Moments later, he reflected on her words—she claimed it as her own achievement.

He glanced once more at her retreating back, signaled the jailers to secure the area, and exited.

Zhao Jinlian politely escorted Shen Rong for a few steps, then turned to signal Shan Zong.

“Wait a moment,” he dismissed his attendants and whispered: “I originally thought you and Minister Changsun had some unresolved issue. Only today did I realize I was wrong. No wonder I’ve always felt there was some connection between the Shan and Changsun families…”

Zhao Jinlian was different from Hu Shiyi and the others, who joined Shan Zong after he left the Shan family and knew little of his past.

Zhao Jinlian knew more. He recalled that Shan Zong had become militia commander three years ago, shortly after parting ways with his newlywed wife and leaving the Luoyang aristocracy.

At the time, he hadn’t probed further—it was a personal matter. But after Liu Hetong’s outburst, he remembered that Shan Zong’s former wife’s family was indeed the Changsun family.

Yet at the governor’s residence the other day, they had joked about this noblewoman still being unmarried…

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. Zhao Jinlian stroked his short beard and tentatively asked: “Am I mistaken? How many daughters does Duke Zhao have?”

Shan Zong didn’t hide it from him. Tilting his head toward the front, the slender figure of the woman was still visible.

“No need to ask. She’s my ex-wife.”