HMHSE - 26

In the official residence, Zi Rui pushed open the window of the main room.

The wild, gusty winds had long passed, and outside, the sunlight was bright. However, as winter drew nearer, the chill in the air grew more pronounced.

She calculated the days and suddenly found something strange. Walking to the side of the soft couch near the window to attend to Shen Rong, she said, “Young Mistress hasn’t gone into the mountains for a while now.”

Indeed, it had been some time since her return after getting dust in her eye that day. Zi Rui even worried that her eyes might still be uncomfortable.

Shen Rong reclined on the couch, flipping through a scroll, and replied indifferently, “With Dong Lai keeping an eye on things for me, there’s no need to go every day.”

Zi Rui understood and prepared to leave without disturbing her further.

Suddenly, Shen Rong seemed to recall something and called her back: “Has there been any news from Chang’an recently?”

Zi Rui shook her head: “No.” After a slight bow, she retreated.

Shen Rong thought for a moment, feeling uneasy. Given how much Changsun Xin cared about the mine, it had been too long since the last letter.

Preparations in the capital should have been nearly complete by now, so he should have sent another letter informing her of the progress.

Just as she was considering whether to write a letter to inquire, Zi Rui, who had just left, returned to the door: “Young Mistress, Lady He has arrived.”

Shen Rong straightened herself slightly, assuming Lady He had come again out of kindness to invite her to spend time in the city. She set aside the scroll and went to greet the guest.

Zi Rui informed her that Lady He had already been invited to wait in the reception hall.

Shen Rong walked through the corridor to the reception hall, but upon arriving, she noticed Lady He wasn’t inside—she stood at the entrance instead.

Seeing Shen Rong appear, Lady He greeted her with a smile: “I heard the young lady hasn’t entered the mountains recently. Is there something wrong with your health?”

“No,” Shen Rong responded with a faint smile, steering the conversation elsewhere: “Does Lady He have something to discuss?”

Lady He replied: “It’s not my matter, but I’ve come to bother the young lady on behalf of someone else.” Raising her hand slightly, she invited Shen Rong into the hall: “Let us speak inside.”

Once Shen Rong stepped in, she understood the situation.

Sitting in the hall was Zhao Fumei, who rose as soon as she saw Shen Rong enter and bowed respectfully: “I asked my elder sister-in-law to bring me here to see you, My Lady.”

Outside, Lady He had already walked away.

Shen Rong said nothing, walking over to sit down.

Zhao Fumei then retook her seat. Between them was a small table, the tea untouched. Today, Zhao Fumei had changed back into her plain attire.

They sat quietly for a moment before Zhao Fumei suddenly said: “I’ve come to apologize.”

Shen Rong played with the light silk scarf draped over her arm, glancing at Zhao Fumei without betraying any emotion.

Zhao Fumei sat there, her head slightly lowered, and confessed: “That day, I deliberately said those words. Outside, everyone says it was Mountain Envoy who adamantly sought the divorce. So I thought that if I poked at this sore point, you would surely become angry and cut ties with him. In that case, perhaps I’d have a chance.”

Shen Rong listened silently, her expression unchanged, as she had already guessed as much.

Zhao Fumei lightly clenched her fingers resting on her skirt and continued: “You may not believe me when I say this, but for the past three years since I met Mountain Envoy, I’ve secretly admired him…”

Three years ago, when the turmoil in Youzhou had just settled, Shan Zong had taken up his post as Commander of the Militia. At the time, this city was still a chaotic place, with bandits and outlaws running rampant.

One day, Zhao Fumei encountered bandits raiding the city and was nearly killed with a group of civilians. Before she could feel fear, the bandits began falling one by one.

Later, amidst the dispersing chaos, she only saw Shan Zong leading the way.

He sat tall on his horse, discarded the weapon in his hand, casually wiped blood splatter off the back of his hand with his robe, and unsheathed his sword.

The sky above was bright, yet he seemed to emerge from the depths of darkness.

At that moment, seeing the unruly, ruthless man atop his horse, she thought he might belong to another gang of bandits.

Only later did someone tell her he was their newly appointed Commander of the Militia.

While others were terrified, Zhao Fumei inexplicably felt drawn to him.

Perhaps it was because Youzhou hadn’t seen such a formidable figure capable of intimidating all sides in a very long time.

However, this was merely a minor incident in Shan Zong’s three years in Youzhou. He probably didn’t even remember it.

Zhao Fumei had never mentioned it to anyone until now, briefly reminiscing before letting it go.

She stole a glance at Shen Rong, finding no trace of emotion on her face, and mocked herself with a faint smile: “That day was my last chance. Afterward, I’ll leave the medical quarters, and the governor’s residence will arrange a marriage for me. I acted in haste.”

Both Governor Zhao Jinlian and Lady He knew Shan Zong’s character. Though he came from a prestigious background, he now lived alone, making the military post his home. They often remarked that he was too complex, even rebellious, living in a world apart from ordinary people. Naturally, they never considered matchmaking for her.

Especially now that they had learned about the past between the noblewoman of the Changsun family and him.

So she could only take matters into her own hands.

By this point, Shen Rong finally spoke, her tone still indifferent: “You don’t need to come and tell me all this. I’m only his ex-wife, not his current wife.”

It was her freedom to compete or fight for him, as long as she didn’t drag others into it. Who could say anything?

Zhao Fumei forced a smile. Perhaps her reason for coming was sensing Shan Zong’s different attitude toward his ex-wife—a mere intuition as a woman. She didn’t know if it was accurate.

His treatment of her, however, remained as decisive and merciless as it was toward others.

“Consider this an apology for my disrespect that day and gratitude for your thoughtful words.” She stood, bowed deeply: “I hope you accept my apology. I take my leave.”

Shen Rong said nothing, watching her depart.

Outside, Lady He whispered: “What did you two talk about in secret?”

Zhao Fumei replied: “Nothing important, just exchanged a few casual words.”

Lady He nodded: “True. After you’re married, you won’t be able to visit as often.”

Shen Rong heard their voices fade into the distance and thought to herself: how unexpected that someone could secretly admire that man for three years.

Longer than the time they had been husband and wife.

She didn’t know why she compared the two, as they were unrelated matters.

Silently sitting for a moment, she stopped thinking about it, rose, and went out.

Zi Rui, seeing her emerge, thought she was about to leave and quickly asked: “Is Young Mistress going into the mountains?”

Shen Rong smoothed the light silk scarf around her arm and thought for a moment: “No.”

After saying this, she turned and returned to the main room.

…

Shen Rong truly hadn’t entered the mountains since then.

Even Guang Yuan noticed but didn’t dare ask.

In the morning, Guang Yuan went out and happened to spot the familiar patrol of soldiers in the streets of the city. Running over to inquire, he confirmed that his master was personally present.

Shan Zong had just finished inspecting the city walls and was descending when he saw Guang Yuan. Guessing what he wanted to ask, he lazily remarked: “Everything is fine recently. No need to ask.”

Guang Yuan approached but said something unexpected: “Has Master been entering the mountains recently?”

Shan Zong paused: “I’ll go when necessary.”

Guang Yuan added: “Lady Shen seems to have stopped going for a while. She used to go frequently.”

Shan Zong realized. After the minor disturbance caused by Unsinned Five, he had actually been visiting quite frequently.

Recently, the mining operations in the mountains had been proceeding smoothly, so Shen Rong indeed hadn’t visited. Dong Lai had been overseeing things in her stead.

He tightened his arm guards, glanced at Guang Yuan, and said: “Why are you meddling in these matters? Stop scheming.”

Guang Yuan was momentarily speechless, his mouth opening and closing without sound.

Having followed his master for years, practically growing up together, he knew how perceptive Shan Zong was. Any scheming thoughts couldn’t escape his notice.

“Enough, let’s go back.” Shan Zong mounted his horse and headed toward the outskirts of the city.

After leaving the city gates, he reflected on Guang Yuan’s words. It was true that Changsun Shen Rong’s absence from the mountains had lasted longer than usual.

He had already sensed it was related to the incident involving Zhao Fumei that day and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Could Changsun Shen Rong really be jealous? She simply wanted him to yield, that’s all.

It must have been something Zhao Fumei said that upset her, causing her reaction. Both of them were well aware of it.

He tugged the reins and ordered his men: “Enter the mountains.”

Halfway there, a soldier galloped toward them from the direction of the mountains.

Shan Zong halted.

Before the rider even reined in his horse, he slid off and rushed forward, kneeling to report urgently.

…

Outside the official residence, a fast horse suddenly galloped back.

Shen Rong, holding a scroll, was already in her room when she heard hurried footsteps approaching from the corridor. Sensing something was amiss, she rose and stepped outside.

It was Dong Lai who had returned.

He had rushed all the way, covered in dust. As soon as he approached, he said: “Young Mistress, something has happened in the mountains.”

The official residence immediately became busy again.

Guang Yuan had just returned and only saw a large group of Changsun family guards rushing out of the gate. He realized the Lady was finally going into the mountains again.

But the situation seemed different from usual—it appeared urgent.

He didn’t ask further questions, only instructed others to prepare.

Shen Rong, accompanied by Zi Rui and Dong Lai, didn’t have time to change clothes. While tying her cloak, she stepped out.

Her horse had already been brought by the guards. She mounted swiftly, setting off without hesitation.

Racing out of the city and straight to the foot of the mountain, she didn’t pause for a moment.

The mountains were already filled with armed soldiers, as if the entire military post had been relocated here.

Shen Rong dismounted and briskly walked along the mountain path toward Wangji Mountain.

There were even more people here; soldiers were everywhere.

She stopped only when she reached the mining site.

The pit of the mining site had been dug deeper, its bottom invisible, a dark and deep abyss.

No sounds of breaking rocks emerged from below. The surroundings were eerily silent.

She slowly straightened herself, surveyed the area, her brows furrowing tightly, her fingers gripping the edge of her scarf.

Behind her, the sound of boots echoed steadily. Turning her head, Shan Zong was already behind her, watching her.

“You received the news too?”

Shen Rong looked at his face: “How could this happen…”

That group of prisoners was gone.

When Dong Lai had reported back, she hadn’t believed him, but now she saw it was true upon arriving.

How could this be? With such heavy chains and shackles, they couldn’t have escaped far.

Surrounded by guards, escaping from the mountains should have been as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Yet they had vanished without a trace.

Shan Zong, receiving the news halfway, had already inspected the surrounding areas and found no traces.

Hu Eleven and Zhang Wei each led a team and arrived.

Zhang Wei said: “Boss, we’ve searched everywhere. Nothing.”

Hu Eleven cursed in frustration: “We dug all night, and now they’re gone! Are we dealing with ghosts or what?”

Because winter was approaching, they had been working overtime. Even late into the previous night, the sounds of digging could still be heard from the pit. During that time, the soldiers had even gone down with whips to check on them once.

But by the early hours of the morning, the sounds had ceased.

Given the beast-like endurance of that group, the soldiers hadn’t believed they would collapse from exhaustion. Instead, they assumed the prisoners were slacking off and deliberately cracked a few whips near the pit entrance. When there was no response, they realized something was wrong.

Upon investigating further, they discovered the issue.

Shen Rong had already heard Dong Lai’s report but still found it hard to believe.

Shan Zong paced nearby, his voice cold as a blade: “Search again.”