HMHSE - 21

Several days passed, and the strong winds blew again multiple times.

The autumn sun moved across the sky, shining through the window onto the desk. In the sunlight, several sheets of letter paper were spread out.

Shen Rong sat behind the desk, just finished reading a letter, and wrote a polite response with her pen. After pausing, she looked at the letter again.

Her cousin Pei Er’s letter had been delayed for several days until now when she finally read it.

Zi Rui was by her side, grinding ink for her. She noticed a red mark on the back of Shen Rong’s hand and asked, “What happened to your hand, Young Mistress?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Rong turned her hand over and took a look.

Her hands were delicate and fair, but after being grabbed by Shan Zong, they inevitably left a trace. Surprisingly, it hadn’t faded even after several days, and she didn’t expect anyone to notice.

Unaware of the situation, Zi Rui was still concerned: “Did you accidentally bump into something? Should I get some medicine?”

“It’s unnecessary; it doesn’t hurt.”

She felt nothing. She remembered that man hadn’t used much force, but he had managed to restrain her from moving.

He was bad, and his tricks were many. After thinking this silently, she touched the back of her hand and continued writing her reply.

Pei Jia’s second son had written a long letter, but there wasn’t much substantial content. He merely urged her to take care of her health, rest well, and if possible, describe the scenery of Lishan for him.

Shen Rong rested her chin in her hand, wanting to sigh. She knew the terrain of the Lishan mountain range like the back of her hand, but she had never really paid attention to the scenery. Every time she entered the mountains, it was for a purpose, not to admire the view.

Yet her brother had instructed her to pretend as if she were there. How could she do that when she wasn’t actually in Lishan? Fabricating details might only raise suspicion.

She raised her head and asked Zi Rui, “Do you remember the scenery of Lishan?”

Zi Rui frowned and answered, “How would I have paid attention to those things? I don’t even remember if I’ve ever been there.”

Shen Rong put down her pen decisively, got up, and walked out of the room. She called Dong Lai over from the corridor and asked him the same question.

Dong Lai stood before her with his head bowed and shook his head.

She furrowed her brow when suddenly Guang Yuan’s voice interjected, “My Lady, I do know a bit.”

He stepped out from behind Dong Lai, his hands hanging down, thinking as he spoke: “I remember there is a particularly beautiful spot on Lishan, especially during sunset at this time of year. When the setting sun shines, it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”

Seeing that he knew, Shen Rong asked for more details: “Where exactly?”

Guang Yuan hesitated, then chuckled awkwardly, “It’s been too long. I really can’t remember.”

“The cliff on the southern side.”

A deep voice suddenly interrupted them.

Shen Rong turned towards the voice. The man who had swaggered before her a few days ago was walking over from the corridor, a knife tucked under his arm, his boots making a sound as they hit the ground.

Guang Yuan, delighted, went forward to greet him, “Young Master has arrived.”

“Mm,” he stopped and looked at Shen Rong, “That place is on the southern cliff. Did you hear?”

Shen Rong looked at him indifferently, “Have you been there?”

Shan Zong smiled, “Is there anywhere I haven’t been?”

Shen Rong thought about it and realized that if Guang Yuan knew, it must be because he had accompanied Shan Zong when they were at the Shan family estate.

That area was reserved for royal nobility. But back then, the previous emperor heavily relied on him, and the Shan family held a prestigious position. It was said that even the hot springs in the mountains were granted to the Shan family. It wasn’t surprising that he had visited such a luxurious place.

Shan Zong didn’t approach, standing a few steps away, “In broad daylight, you’re in Youzhou, thinking about Lishan?”

Shen Rong slightly raised her chin, “So what? I’m asking because I need to write a letter.”

Shan Zong didn’t ask whom she was writing to, he just smiled.

She suddenly looked at him, “Why are you here?”

He couldn’t possibly have come just to tell her about the scenery of Lishan.

Shan Zong reined in his smile, “I was just passing by to inform you. Wait a moment, then go to the mountains to meet me.” With that, he turned and left quickly, his footsteps indicating he truly was just passing through.

Guang Yuan ran off to see him out.

Shen Rong recalled that it must be the day he mentioned earlier, the one when he said he would have her wait for him in the mountains.

Shan Zong had already disappeared completely.

She returned to the room, sat behind the desk, and wrote a few lines based on what he had just said. She soon stopped her pen: “That’s good enough. My second cousin has always been easygoing, so it’s fine to be a bit perfunctory. Let’s send this reply.”

Zi Rui helped her seal the letter, agreeing, “Indeed, I’ve never met anyone easier to deal with than Lord Pei Er.”

After saying this, she curtsied and went out to find someone to deliver the letter.

Once she left, Shen Rong prepared to enter the mountains, instructing Dong Lai to get ready immediately.

She didn’t know where Shan Zong had rushed off to, but he left a small group of soldiers outside the official residence, which she could use to escort her into the mountains.

Shen Rong fastened her cloak and went out, bringing Dong Lai along on the journey.

They galloped through the city. As they exited, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure and slowed her horse.

The other person saw her too and stepped aside to bow.

It was Zhao Fu Mei, standing alone at the city gate, still wearing the simple dress she had worn the first time they met.

“What a coincidence, meeting My Lady here,” she smiled faintly. “I was just seeing off the old military doctor returning home. He just left.”

Shen Rong glanced into the distance and saw the trail of the departing carriage.

Not yet familiar with each other, Shen Rong didn’t know what to say to her, so she nodded and, without dismounting, prepared to leave.

Zhao Fu Mei showed no signs of parting sorrow, looking very composed.

Standing beneath the horse, she looked up at Shen Rong and suddenly smiled again, “Mountain Envoy also left through this gate earlier. Is My Lady going to look for him again?”

Shen Rong couldn’t help but glance at her, sensing something strange in her tone with the word “again,” as if implying she shouldn’t go.

She then smiled lightly and nodded, “You’re right, I am going to look for him.”

With that, she spurred her horse onward. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhao Fu Mei step aside a few more paces.

When she arrived at the mountain, surprisingly, there were already troops present.

From the entrance to the mountain all the way to Wangji Mountain, the path was lined with fully armed soldiers.

Shen Rong dismounted and walked up the mountain path. She saw Hu Eleven, still recovering from injuries, also appeared. He and Zhang Wei stood on either side, both dressed meticulously in armor and holding weapons, appearing highly vigilant.

She asked strangely, “What are you doing?”

Zhang Wei replied, “Boss ordered us to bring the elite troops from the military post to guard here.”

Shen Rong looked around, feeling the surrounding tension. “The elite troops? Did he bring all of the Lulong Army?”

Hu Eleven was puzzled, “What Lulong Army? We’re called the Youzhou Army.”

Shen Rong noticed the “Youzhou” characters cast in seal script on their scabbards. She thought it likely they had changed names, which wasn’t surprising since most military units were named after their regions.

Still, she wondered why they were making such a big commotion. She glanced around and walked towards Wangji Mountain.

Shan Zong hadn’t arrived yet, confirming that he had told her to wait.

Facing the mountain breeze, she walked to the spot where they had found the mineral stone, now referred to as the mine site.

Looking down, she saw a dark expanse, with fine cracks appearing between the rocks.

She looked up at the sky. Autumn was nearing its end, and this was the best time to extract the ore. Any further delay would be impossible.

She waited and waited, and the light dimmed slightly.

She turned her head and asked, “Has he arrived yet?”

Dong Lai stood at the other end, “No.”

Shen Rong gently tugged at the riding whip in her hand, pacing back and forth near the mine site.

After a long while, she began to suspect that the man was playing with her when finally, she heard movement.

A horse whinnied, and Shan Zong rode straight in, dismounted, and walked towards her.

Shen Rong watched him approach. His black clothes were dust-streaked from somewhere, the hem tucked into his waist, one hand holding a sword. As he walked, his long strides exuded a commanding presence.

She looked at him, “I’ve been waiting for you for almost two hours.”

Shan Zong still smiled, “That’s not long.”

Shen Rong glanced at the dust on his shoulders and sleeves, then at his tightly cinched waist.

Initially curious, her gaze drifted lower to his long legs wrapped in loose trousers, realizing she shouldn’t be staring there. She turned her eyes away, brushed her hair behind her ear, and said knowingly, “You look similar to how you did that day. I assume you went to the same place.”

Shan Zong unconsciously looked into her eyes.

Shen Rong’s striking eyebrows and eyes were famous. Her pupils were dark and bright, her outer corners slightly lifted, every frown and smile exuding her unique charm.

He sometimes found these eyes a bit too piercing.

“That’s right,” he sheathed his sword and said, “I went to find people for you.”

Shen Rong was startled and looked at the imposing soldiers in the distance, “What kind of people did you find for me that requires such tight security?”

“You’ll see soon,” Shan Zong turned around, his face devoid of a smile, only seriousness remained. “Bring them up.”

Strange sounds echoed through the forest—chains dragging over rocks, trees, and bushes.

Two rows of soldiers with swords escorted a group of people slowly up the mountain path. From afar, it looked like a winding black centipede, bizarre and surreal.

As they approached, it became clear that the group was entirely covered in black cloth. One by one, there were dozens of men, all silent like beasts.

Shen Rong inexplicably felt that these people weren’t ordinary, and her voice lowered as she turned her head, “What is this?”

Shan Zong looked at the group, “They haven’t seen daylight for too long. They need time to adjust.”

She suddenly realized, “Are they…?”

“From the underground prison,” he said directly, watching her face for her reaction.

Shen Rong was shocked, “Didn’t you tell me not to think about mobilizing these people?”

He smiled, “But didn’t you say that with me here, I could control them?”

She had indeed said that.

Shan Zong looked at the group again, one hand on his sword, observing them for a long while before ordering, “Unveil them.”

The black cloths were successively removed, exposing the people underneath to daylight.

Shen Rong instinctively took half a step back.

Shan Zong tilted his head, seeing her standing beside him. Her slender figure in Hu clothing was accentuated, her fingers gripping the riding whip, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, her full lips lightly pressed together.

Unable to help himself, he muttered softly, “Don’t be afraid.”

Shen Rong said, “I’m not.”

She wasn’t scared, she had just never seen such a group of people before.