HMHSE - 3

Ten miles northwest of the city, there was a military garrison in Youzhou.

The surrounding roads were desolate, with only this place standing prominently, backed by a solitary fortress, exuding an intimidating presence.

Because the city gates opened late and closed early, Shen Rong did not delay. She boarded her carriage and quickly arrived at the garrison.

As the sun was about to set, she lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the expansive gate of the military compound: “Is this the place?”

Zirui outside the carriage confirmed it, followed by more than a dozen mounted guards.

According to their people’s report, Donglai and his group had been brought here.

Shen Rong didn’t hesitate for a moment and leaned out of the carriage: “What are we waiting for? Let’s go in.”

The military compound’s entrance was heavily guarded. Two guards went forward to negotiate, and the gatekeepers allowed them entry while one soldier went inside to report.

Shen Rong didn’t wait a moment and walked straight in without stopping.

Inside the high-walled courtyard, a squad of soldiers was stationed. Sensing someone’s arrival, they all turned to look.

They saw a group of guards leading the way, clearing a path. After the guards parted, a young woman stepped out from behind.

Shen Rong had arrived in a hurry, without her cloak or veil. Wearing a high-waisted pleated skirt lightly tied, she exuded elegance. With her finely drawn eyebrows and eyes, just standing there made everyone stare in awe.

From the corner on the other side, several people stood up and knelt toward her: “Young Master.”

It was Donglai and his group.

Seeing that they were unharmed, Shen Rong glanced at the squad of soldiers: “On what grounds did they detain you?”

Donglai replied: “They said we were moving through the mountains and rivers suspiciously, and being unknown faces, they had to bring us back for questioning.”

Since the garrison was responsible for local security, it seemed reasonable. Shen Rong gave a light snort but didn’t say anything.

In the meantime, the guard who had gone to report emerged from the main hall in the courtyard, accompanied by a burly man, followed by two soldiers carrying weapons.

Approaching them, the man couldn’t help but let his eyes wander over Shen Rong before giving a slight bow: “Please state your identity.”

This minor matter didn’t require Shen Rong to speak. Zirui stepped forward and handed over the prepared documents: “The Changsun family of the Zhao State Duke’s Mansion in Chang’an.”

Probably not expecting this, the man glanced at Zirui, thinking he wasn’t boasting, then took the documents. After a quick look, he recognized them as the slave contracts of Donglai and others and nodded to someone behind him.

The soldier received the signal and went back into the main hall.

After returning the documents to Zirui, the man said straightforwardly: “If that’s the case, you can take your people and leave.”

As he spoke, the two soldiers behind him approached Donglai and returned their weapons.

Shen Rong remained silent, only slightly turning her head to observe the scene, her lips pressed together.

Seeing this expression, Zirui knew the Young Master was displeased and immediately said: “You detained our people and think a simple apology will suffice?”

The burly man looked at Shen Rong and then at the weapons just returned.

The garrison had thoroughly inspected those weapons. They weren’t military arms but ordinary guards’ swords, clearly of Chang’an make.

Now learning that these people were servants from the Zhao State Duke’s Mansion in Chang’an, everything matched, proving they weren’t any suspicious enemy.

Although he didn’t know the background of this young woman, her appearance suggested a significant status within the mansion. The man thought it wasn’t worth a direct confrontation and changed his demeanor, smiling and bowing deeply to Shen Rong: “Alright, it’s our mistake. Please, good journey.”

That sounded better. Shen Rong turned to look at Donglai, who walked over and lowered his head in front of her.

“We’ll talk later.” She assumed Donglai was blaming himself for causing trouble and didn’t say much.

Just as she turned to leave, she suddenly noticed something on his forehead, halting her steps.

“Raise your head.”

Donglai obeyed and raised his head.

Shen Rong saw a wound on his temple extending to his eye, the bleeding just stopped, swollen, and a mere half-inch away from injuring his eye.

She then examined his body. He held his weapon with his left hand, while his right hand bore similar wounds, and his sleeve was torn in two places.

Even a fool could tell how this happened.

Her gaze shifted to the burly man: “You dared to lay hands on them?”

The man was startled and quickly realized: “Just a few lashes. He refused to comply and wouldn’t reveal his origins—it’s military law.”

Shen Rong’s eyes narrowed fiercely: “What military law? Is he one of your soldiers?”

The man was speechless, opening and closing his mouth, unable to find a retort.

Shen Rong couldn’t tolerate it. Donglai wasn’t just her personal guard but also tasked with exploring the land for her. Now, not only was his hand injured, but he nearly lost an eye, already delaying her mission.

Other things might be negotiable, but this wasn’t over.

“Who did it?” she asked Donglai.

Donglai whispered a reminder: “Young Master, they are stationed troops.”

Shen Rong raised an eyebrow: “So what? Does being stationed troops give them the right to act recklessly?”

Ridiculous. Did they think she, Shen Rong of the Changsun family, was easily intimidated?

She glared at the man: “Who did it?”

The man wasn’t stupid and evaded the main issue: “We were merely following the law. If you feel offended, the garrison can compensate with a hundred coins according to the law.”

Judging by his tone, he seemed willing to compromise.

“Money?” Shen Rong extended her hand to the side.

Zirui promptly placed a pouch of coins in her hand.

She took it and threw it at his feet—a full bag.

Her Changsun family owned mines; they certainly wouldn’t care about such a small amount of money.

“There’s a hundred times the amount here. Is that enough for you to hand over the person responsible?”

The man was startled, lifting his foot slightly and looking at her in astonishment. Naturally, he didn’t pick up the money and had to say again: “It was chaotic, and we couldn’t tell who was who!”

Shen Rong’s eyes darted: “Fine. Who’s in charge of issuing orders here? Surely you can distinguish that?”

The man’s face stiffened. At first glance, this woman was stunningly beautiful, like stepping out of a painting. But now, her imposing demeanor overwhelmed him.

He wanted to resolve the situation quickly and decisively said: “Me, I’m the one who issued the orders here!”

Shen Rong’s gaze swept over him: “Judging by your attire, you’re at most a centurion. This is a large military compound; you don’t qualify.”

The man was stumped, surprised by her keen observation.

Shen Rong’s bright, dark eyes scanned around: “Bring out the person in charge.”

No one responded; the squad of soldiers present just stared at her.

Shen Rong looked around, her gaze suddenly falling on the main hall in the courtyard. Remembering that this man had come out of there earlier and had sent a soldier inside to report, she strode directly toward it.

By the time the man chased after her, it was too late. Her slender figure moved like the wind, heading straight for the gate and stepping inside.

The windows in the hall were closed, making the interior dim. Surprisingly, there was a group of people inside.

Originally, everyone was resting, either standing or sitting, eating biscuits and drinking water. Their gazes swiftly turned toward her, and the atmosphere became cold and tense.

The man chasing after her managed to suppress an “Ah” halfway and stopped at the entrance.

Shen Rong’s eyes moved left and right, showing no trace of fear: “Where is the person in charge? Come out.”

These people’s attire was similar to the man’s—standard armor over short riding gear, indicating they were all centurions.

Her judgment was spot-on; this was indeed a large military compound.

However, upon hearing the question, they exchanged glances, merely observing her with interest, none speaking.

The man couldn’t bear it anymore and followed her inside, asking helplessly: “Esteemed lady, what do you want exactly?”

“You harmed innocent people. What do you think should be done?” Shen Rong said: “If my people can’t retaliate, then have your superior come out personally to apologize.”

The man’s eyes widened. How could harming a servant require the entire garrison commander to come out and apologize?

This young woman was not easy to deal with!

Shen Rong didn’t waste words and walked further inside.

Perhaps due to her imposing demeanor, those sitting inside stood up abruptly, blocking her path like bamboo shoots sprouting from dry land.

Shen Rong’s eyes narrowed: “What, dare to act but not take responsibility?”

Her guards had followed her and, seeing this, were about to enter and protect her.

Everyone present was military personnel, holding titles, and certainly not weaklings. They abandoned their restful state and picked up their weapons.

But her side consisted of nobility from Chang’an, their hands also resting on their swords.

A real fight would be disastrous. The man rushed over, blocking between the two sides: “Alright, alright, can we talk this out peacefully?”

Shen Rong gently smoothed her hair and retorted: “I just want your superior to come out and give me an explanation. Who’s not talking properly?”

Never had anyone seen a woman remain so calm and composed in such a situation, yet this demeanor and tone suited her perfectly.

The man was at a loss for words, unable to approach rudely, and could only retreat awkwardly and block again.

Shen Rong faced the upper seat, disregarding the obstructing figures blocking her view, and continued forward.

The man kept retreating, bumping into his comrades, until he had nowhere to retreat, his face contorted with frustration.

“Enough,” came a low male voice suddenly.

Instantly, the obstructors dispersed.

Shen Rong turned toward the sound. No more than ten steps to her right sat a man.

There stood a row of tall weapon racks, making it even darker. She could only see the outline of a person sitting casually with his legs tucked in front of the rack, facing her direction. It was unclear how long he had been watching.

The man hurried over and whispered: “Boss, you’ve seen everything. I really couldn’t handle this...”

Shen Rong realized, glancing at the upper seat, and indeed found no one there.

She assumed the person in charge would sit at the upper seat, but he sat in this inconspicuous place, watching since she entered?

She turned back, focusing on the shadow mostly blocked by the man. The clearest thing she saw was his black robe-clad calf wrapped in leather boots, one hand resting on his knee, fingers distinct.

“It’s you,” she thought, finally deciding to show his face.

That hand lifted, gesturing, and the man obediently stepped aside.

“It’s me,” he said: “Sorry, is that enough?”

Everyone looked at him, especially the man, as if seeing a ghost, continuously glancing at him.

Shen Rong stared at him. His straightforward tone gave her a sense of unease.

It felt as if he wanted to resolve the matter quickly and dismiss her.

The man also looked at her.

Shen Rong suddenly noticed his gaze was very dark, almost unfriendly. Squinting, she detected a hint of familiarity.

Even his voice seemed familiar.

Her thoughts stirred, and without hesitation, she stepped forward, walking to him.

The man remained casually seated. Up close, she saw a sheathed straight sword leaning against his leg.

One hand rested on his knee, and the other arm lay on the nearby table, where his leather bracers and waistguard had just been removed.

Seeing Shen Rong approach, he leaned back slightly and raised his head.

Her gaze slowly shifted to his face, once, then twice, and suddenly her eyes widened.

Neither spoke.

Because neither expected to meet again like this.

Shen Rong instinctively took half a step back, her gaze still locked on him.

She wondered how this happened and why he was here.

“Master, Lord has arrived,” Zirui called softly from the doorway.

Changsun Xin’s voice soon echoed: “Arong, Arong!”

In the silence, his urgent call was particularly clear.

Shen Rong snapped out of it, forcibly pulling her gaze away from the man in front of her, turned, and briskly walked toward the door.

Changsun Xin had just reached the doorway when he saw his sister walk out with billowing sleeves.

“Let’s go,” she brushed past him without looking back.

Changsun Xin glanced behind her, saw the figure sitting there, and without a clear look, hurried after his sister.

He had rushed over from the Youzhou government office.

Everything had been peaceful until he heard the officials discussing Youzhou’s security, mentioning the local garrison. Suddenly hearing a familiar name, he rushed back to the post station to find his sister.

Halfway, he learned about Donglai’s incident and that Shen Rong had already gone to the military compound, so he chased after her.

Shen Rong walked until she was outside the military compound before stopping.

Donglai and Zirui followed closely behind, not daring to ask or say anything.

Changsun Xin caught up: “Arong, you saw everything? That Shan fellow is in Youzhou now, serving as the militia commander. This military compound is his territory!”

Shen Rong tightly pursed her lips, her eyes shifting around, deep in thought.

“Arong?” Changsun Xin couldn’t help but call her again.

Shen Rong suddenly came to her senses, turned, and said: “No, why should I leave? I’m not the one in the wrong!” With a flick of her sleeve, she intended to turn back.

Changsun Xin swiftly grabbed her: “Arong, no, no.”

Shen Rong frowned and turned her head back.

Changsun Xin, fearing her unhappiness, didn’t want her to go back and comforted her softly: “Listen to your brother. Let’s return first; the city gates will close soon. Besides, you have important matters to attend to.”

Only then did Shen Rong stop, glancing back at the military compound gates, thinking bitterly that the man got off easy!