HMHSE - 31

Zhao Jinlian stood outside the main hall of the official residence, occasionally glancing at the sundial in the courtyard and pacing back and forth.

Shen Rong’s perilous adventure had been completely unexpected, leaving him worried for an entire day and night. Later, upon hearing that Shan Zong had gone down with her, he finally felt some relief.

He knew Shan Zong’s capabilities well—protecting the young lady of the Changsun family in the pit shouldn’t be difficult. As long as they could dig them out quickly, everything would surely be fine.

Fortunately, news finally arrived that they had emerged. However, since they had just returned, it would take time to recover and tidy up. For now, he could only wait patiently.

After waiting about a quarter of an hour, a carriage arrived outside the official residence. Zhao Jinlian immediately looked over and soon saw Changsun family’s maid, Zi Rui, and the young guard, Dong Lai, approaching from either side.

Zi Rui and Dong Lai led the way, stopping under the corridor and stepping back to let Shen Rong walk ahead.

After washing and changing, Shen Rong had freshened up and applied makeup. She now looked no different from usual.

Zhao Jinlian exhaled in relief. These past few days had been nerve-wracking. Taking two steps forward, he said: “Young Lady, you’re finally safe. I heard from your guards that you would surely come out, and indeed you did.” He didn’t know why Dong Lai was so confident, but assumed it was due to divine protection.

Shen Rong nodded, not elaborating, and got straight to the point: “I heard officials from the Ministry of Works have arrived.”

Zhao Jinlian had been waiting here precisely for this reason. He immediately invited her inside: “They’ve been waiting for you for some time.”

Entering the hall, Shen Rong saw a group of officials seated inside. Each wore circular-collared robes, black leather boots, and carried the dignified appearance of imperial officials.

In the center sat an elder with graying whiskers. Beneath his official hat, his face was solemn yet spirited, showing no signs of fatigue from the long journey.

Upon seeing Shen Rong, he stood up and smiled: “What a false alarm. It’s all my fault for arriving late, putting the precious pearl of Lord Zhao at such risk. Thankfully, I heard you’re safe. Otherwise, I’d have dragged these old bones to break open the mountain and find you myself.”

Seeing him, Shen Rong was quite surprised and immediately prepared to kneel in greeting: “Uncle Liu has personally arrived.”

It was Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works—a surprise visit, as no one expected the head of the ministry to come to this frontier region.

Minister Liu waved off her courtesy, his face full of warmth: “Your father and I have a deep friendship. Niece, there’s no need for such formalities. This trip is merely to oversee matters on behalf of your brother. His discovery of such a large mine is already an extraordinary achievement. The emperor is delighted. Of course, we still await his return to officially open the site.”

Minister Liu was considered half a mentor to Changsun Xin, as the latter possessed the family’s expertise and had long been admired by Liu. There were even hints of passing the ministerial position to him—an intention known within the Changsun family.

Shen Rong hadn’t found her brother yet, and after hearing this, she finally asked: “Why didn’t my brother come directly? Why must Uncle Liu temporarily oversee things?”

Minister Liu replied: “You’ll have to ask him when you return. He said he would only come back to Youzhou after you’ve returned.”

Shen Rong was slightly taken aback but nodded nonchalantly.

…

At the military post, Hu Eleven barged into Shan Zong’s room, only to see him fastening his protective waistband over his Hu-style robe. His hair was still damp and loose, clearly having just bathed. He moved aside slightly.

Shan Zong glanced at him: “Why are you barging in?”

Hu Eleven looked at the middle garment on the table, which was now loose and shapeless, even torn in places, indicating the danger they had faced: “I came to check if Boss is injured. Should I fetch some medicine?”

“No need,” Shan Zong had already tended to himself.

Hu Eleven wasn’t entirely convinced, both concerned and curious: “I saw that Miss Jin seemed perfectly fine, yet your clothes were on her the whole time. How could you possibly be unscathed? Speaking of which, what exactly happened during that day and night?”

Shan Zong chuckled: “What do you think happened? A man and a woman alone in pitch-black mountain tunnels—what could possibly happen?”

Hu Eleven’s eyes gleamed uncontrollably. After all, the two had once been married, and he had personally witnessed Shan Zong leap down to save her. Spending so much time alone together, emerging disheveled—it naturally sparked some romantic speculation: “Could it be…”

Shan Zong grabbed the back of his neck and slammed his head onto the table, causing Hu Eleven to yelp in pain: “Don’t jump to conclusions. You’re getting carried away.”

Knocked back to his senses, Hu Eleven retreated a few steps, rubbing his forehead sheepishly: “No, no, at that time, survival was the priority. Nothing could have happened.” Wincing, he added: “Boss, rest. I’ll go train the troops.”

Once Hu Eleven left, Shan Zong resumed dressing.

Just as he finished, he heard a strange “Hmm” from outside the door, followed by silence.

Then, a soldier reported: “Boss, a distinguished guest has arrived.”

Without looking up, Shan Zong asked: “What distinguished guest?”

The response was a few gentle knocks on the door—neither too light nor too heavy—indicating someone calm and composed, patiently waiting.

The sound of the soldier’s footsteps faded as they retreated.

Shan Zong walked over and pulled the door open.

Outside, a hand was raised, about to knock again. Startled by the sudden opening, the person turned to look at him.

It was Shen Rong.

Shan Zong glanced around—the soldiers stationed outside had retreated far away, though a few were still peeking curiously. Upon meeting his sweeping gaze, they quickly scattered.

By now, the entire army knew about their situation. Her appearance here naturally drew everyone’s attention.

Only Guang Yuan and Dong Lai remained outside behind her.

“Glad to see you’re unharmed, Master,” Guang Yuan said, visibly relieved, having clearly heard about the events in the mountain.

Shan Zong looked at the woman before him: “Didn’t you go to meet the officials from the Ministry of Works? Why are you here at the military post?”

Shen Rong replied: “I’m here now. Does there need to be a reason?” Taking a step inside, she paused and looked at him: “Won’t you invite me in to talk?”

The narrow doorway required him to step aside for her to enter.

Shan Zong glanced outside again—Guang Yuan and Dong Lai had already retreated.

He stepped aside, leaving the door open, and turned back into the room.

Shen Rong followed him in, first surveying the interior.

It was simply a barracks room, though exclusively his. The furnishings were sparse: a lone table and chair, and a narrow bed in the corner, barely wide enough for one person.

Seeing this for the first time, Shen Rong said nothing. She had already guessed as much.

As she looked around, Shan Zong leaned casually against the table, watching her.

Since emerging from the mountain, she had regained her vitality. Her dark hair hung slightly loose, her cloak flowing behind her. She had likely ridden here, as the riding crop in her hand hadn’t been put away. Slowly spinning it between her fingers, she strolled leisurely around the room.

Finally, the hem of her skirt brushed against his boots. She reached out a hand, touching his shoulder: “Need help?”

Shan Zong lowered his eyes, realizing her fingers were playing with his still-unbound hair. Her eyes sparkled with amusement: “This isn’t something you should do.”

Shen Rong’s brows lifted slightly as her fingers slid through his hair: “I just thought you helped me in the mountain.”

Styling his hair would be too intimate—an act reserved for couples. Realizing this, she quickly caught herself.

Thinking about it, she glanced at him. With his hair loose and his demeanor casual, his black hair and eyes exuded a carefree, unruly charm.

Shen Rong took a step closer, holding the riding crop and tilting her head to look at him. Suddenly, she whispered: “Actually, in the mountain, didn’t we do more intimate things than this?”

Shan Zong’s gaze immediately sharpened.

The scene in that darkness was still vivid in his mind. Now, standing before him, her neck exposed, her bright eyes glistening, and her painted lips slightly pursed, he recalled every detail without fail.

Supporting himself on the edge of the table, he distanced himself slightly, his smile ambiguous: “I’m no gentleman. In such situations, anything goes.”

Shen Rong saw it clearly. His face, with its sharp brows and piercing eyes, carried a subtle expression that reminded her of the day he warned her, “You’ll regret it sooner or later.”

“Forget it,” she wasn’t in the mood to argue today. Looking at his face, she said: “I came to thank you.”

Shan Zong had already guessed she had a reason for visiting, but he didn’t expect her to say this. Caught off guard, his smile deepened: “You also helped me escape. Next time I save you, you can thank me then.”

Shen Rong suddenly locked eyes with him: “Next time?” Her gaze shifted away, her tone indifferent: “What makes you think there will be a next time?”

Shan Zong’s smile faded as he stared at her: “Why do you say that?”

…

In the corner of the courtyard, apart from the few soldiers who had slipped away earlier, Hu Eleven, Zhang Wei, Lei Da, and a few others were now peeking toward the barracks.

Zhang Wei nudged Hu Eleven: “Didn’t you go to investigate earlier? What did you find out? What did they do during that day and night?”

Hu Eleven groaned, covering his forehead: “Nothing happened. Don’t ask. Let’s stop watching and go train the troops. My head still hurts.”

Just as he spoke, they saw the “Golden Beauty” emerge from the room, don her hooded cloak, and leave the military post with Guang Yuan and Dong Lai.

Hu Eleven, who had just said he wanted to leave, hesitated. The group instinctively looked back into the room.

Nothing to see—Shan Zong hadn’t shown himself.

Outside the military post, Zi Rui brought Shen Rong her horse.

Mounting the horse, Shen Rong said nothing.

Zi Rui sensed something was amiss. Worried that she might not have fully recovered after leaving the mountain, he urged: “Young Mistress, please rest more. You need to recuperate.”

Shen Rong chuckled softly: “No need. Once I return to Chang’an, I’ll have plenty of time to rest.”

Zi Rui was somewhat surprised, glancing at Dong Lai and even Guang Yuan—they hadn’t expected this either.

Neither had Shen Rong. But when Minister Liu spoke earlier, she realized her brother would only return after she went back to Chang’an—he was urging her to return.

The most difficult section of the mining tunnel had already been excavated, and the geothermal winds of Wangji Mountain had stabilized. With winter approaching, it seemed there was truly nothing left for her to do here.

Earlier, in that room, when Shan Zong asked her why she said that, she replied: “Because I’m returning to Chang’an.”

“What a pity.”

Zi Rui suddenly heard this and leaned closer to ask: “Young Mistress, what do you mean by ‘pity’? You’ve discovered an unprecedented mine.”

Shen Rong glanced at the gates of the military post: “I’m referring to something else.”