HMHSE - 37

East lies Luoyang, west leads to Chang’an.

When they set off again, the most prominent sound within the carriage was no longer the solemn rhythm of the military post’s hooves but had shifted to the leisurely pace of noble carriages.

Shen Rong sat inside her carriage, idly holding her hand warmer.

Suddenly, a solemn bell tolled, its sound carried softly by the wind.

Outside, Pei Yuanling’s cheerful voice followed: “Arong, take a look—do you know where we are now?”

Shen Rong lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at his smiling face, then turned forward, spotting the towering and imposing city gates.

The four corners of the gate towers pointed skyward, their grandeur piercing through the clouds, accompanied by the bustling noise of the city that followed the toll of the bell.

They had arrived at Chang’an.

She held the curtain, glancing backward.

The military post’s troops were still following behind, far enough away to be distant but visible.

At the head of the group, the man in black clothing casually stroked the scabbard resting on his horse’s back. His gaze, which had been lazily scanning the streets, suddenly shifted toward her.

Shen Rong’s eyes met his. She lowered the curtain and sat back down.

That day outside the small town, when Pei Yuanling recognized him, he had asked: “Chongjun, will you continue escorting her all the way?”

He had chuckled and replied: “Naturally.”

True to his word, he had escorted her to Chang’an as planned, though he never approached too closely afterward.

During their two stops at relay stations along the way, he remained with his troops, and they exchanged no further words.

The carriage entered the city gates, passed through the main streets into the eastern market, and stopped amidst the sounds of prosperity.

Pei Yuanling addressed the carriage door: “It’s been a while since I’ve visited Aunt at the Duke Zhao’s residence. Arong, why don’t you step out and help me choose a small gift? We can bring it back for her later.”

Shen Rong snapped out of her thoughts, holding the hand warmer and replying: “Alright.”

Outside, Zi Rui lifted the carriage curtain. Shen Rong handed her the hand warmer, leaned out of the carriage, and stepped down.

The eastern market was bustling, crowded with people. Many on the street were looking their way.

Following their gazes, Shen Rong realized they were staring at the military post’s troops. These were foreign soldiers, so it was natural for the locals to take a second look.

Shan Zong was adjusting his blade, and when he raised his head, his gaze once again found hers.

“Arong, go ahead and pick something. Wait for me,” Pei Yuanling added from the side.

Shen Rong nodded, turned away without another glance, and walked into a nearby shop.

Meanwhile, Pei Yuanling approached Shan Zong, scrutinizing his Hu-style attire. He shook his head: “Do you realize where you are now? With the audacity to come to Chang’an, I can only say—you’re still the same Shan family’s eldest son from years ago.”

Shan Zong brushed dust off his robe casually: “Since I took on this responsibility, I naturally have to see her safely to her destination.”

“The one who escorts doesn’t usually keep staring at what they’re escorting,” Pei Yuanling said with a faint smile, his gaze carrying a subtle meaning.

Shan Zong’s lips curled: “How else am I supposed to protect her?”

Even this roguish demeanor was unchanged from before. Pei Yuanling chuckled again, acknowledging that he couldn’t match up to Shan Zong.

But among the sons of noble families, who could truly rival Shan Zong?

For three years, he had disappeared without a trace, and even old acquaintances like himself didn’t know his whereabouts.

Only upon his return did Pei Yuanling learn that he had been in Youzhou all along.

And yet, he had escorted his divorced wife back.

Throughout their journey, the two of them had hardly spoken, especially not in front of him. Still, Pei Yuanling sensed a certain difference.

An indescribable difference, like the casual glance they exchanged earlier.

Before he could say more, the street suddenly grew noisy.

An official procession passed by, with a line of attendants clearing the way ahead. The crowd hastily made way.

Their group, numerous as it was, occupied half the street and had no choice but to step aside.

As the carriage passed, Pei Yuanling casually raised his sleeve to shield his forehead, recognizing it, and whispered: “It’s the Marquis Heluo’s carriage—he must be returning to Luoyang after meeting the Emperor.”

The Marquis Heluo hailed from the Cui family, a prominent clan rooted in Luoyang. Unlike the Shan family, the Cui family was renowned for its scholarly achievements.

Shan Zong only glanced at the road briefly.

Pei Yuanling observed the spectacle and continued in a lower tone: “You’ve been in Youzhou for three years, so you may not know. Last year, when the current Emperor ascended the throne, the Marquis Heluo played a significant role. Now the Cui family is flourishing, which explains such an extravagant display. If you were still with the Shan family, Luoyang wouldn’t be dominated solely by the Cui family today.”

Shan Zong smiled indifferently. The prominence of these noble families was far removed from him. He simply asked: “What kind of person is the current Emperor?”

Pei Yuanling kept his voice low so others wouldn’t overhear: “The Emperor is still young. No one expected him to ascend the throne.”

Back then, the late Emperor’s youngest son was the favorite. Even the Changsun family and his own Pei family secretly supported the youngest prince.

Unexpectedly, the youngest prince passed away early due to illness. After much turmoil and change, the eventual crown prince chosen was a nearly forgotten son of a regional lord—now the reigning Emperor.

Though young, after ascending the throne, he began eliminating the late Emperor’s trusted ministers, instilling fear in others.

So when it came to describing the current Emperor’s character, Pei Yuanling found it hard to articulate.

After listening, Shan Zong said nothing, lowering his gaze to toy with the scabbard at his waist as if deep in thought.

Then, as if recalling something, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Finally, he understood why Changsun Rong had gone through so much trouble traveling to Youzhou to uncover such a significant mine.

She was likely afraid of offending the new Emperor and sought to secure stability by making contributions.

Once the official procession passed, the road cleared.

Pei Yuanling glanced toward the shop, noticing only Zi Rui standing outside, and asked: “Where’s Arong?”

Zi Rui replied: “Young Mistress is inside the shop and hasn’t come out yet.”

Shan Zong cast a glance in that direction.

Beside him, Pei Yuanling looked over, straightened his robes elegantly, and smiled: “Aren’t you going to say your farewells? Don’t think I’ll let you escort her all the way to the Duke Zhao’s residence.”

Though given his personality, he might actually dare to do so.

Shan Zong glanced at him, a corner of his lips lifting as he stepped past him toward the shop.

The shop sold cosmetics, with only a single counter displaying an array of boxes. A few women gathered there, picking and choosing.

Suddenly, seeing a man enter, the women all looked over. After a glance, they couldn’t help but look again at his appearance, exchanging smiles and whispers.

Shan Zong walked further in.

By the window hung curtains, behind which a small table was set. Shen Rong sat behind the table, separated by the curtain.

A small box rested on the table. She dabbed some of its contents on her hand and slowly smeared it on the back of her hand to examine the color. Hearing footsteps behind her, she assumed it was Pei Yuanling and didn’t turn around.

“I picked something randomly. I figured my older cousin sent me here to give you time to talk. I’m just passing the time here.”

Shan Zong stood behind her, silently smiling as his eyes fell on the back of her hand.

This hand, despite months in Youzhou, hadn’t been darkened by the autumn winds—it remained pale and tender. Now, with a touch of crimson, it seemed to pierce his gaze.

She wiped it again and finally asked: “What did you talk about?”

No response came.

“Forget it, I don’t want to know anyway,” she said.

Shan Zong couldn’t help but smile again.

Shen Rong took a handkerchief to wipe her hands, then picked up the box she had tested and extended it backward: “I’ll take this one.”

As she handed it back, she turned her head and realized who was behind her. She froze momentarily.

Shan Zong stood close, and her outstretched hand directly touched his chest.

Their eyes met briefly before she calmly withdrew her hand.

Shan Zong finally spoke: “This is where I leave you.”

Shen Rong realized he had come to bid farewell. Her gaze flickered, and she nodded: “Mm, thank you for escorting me this far, Commander Shan.”

Shan Zong detected the coldness in her tone, stared at her, and tugged at the corner of his lips, realizing there was nothing left to say.

Shen Rong glanced at him sideways: “Do you have anything else?” She stood up: “If not, I’ll be going.”

Standing brought her even closer than sitting; the tip of her shoe touched his riding boot.

Shan Zong watched her, stepping aside slightly.

Shen Rong moved past him, their arms lightly brushing as she exited through the curtain.

Pei Yuanling waited outside. Seeing her emerge, followed shortly by Shan Zong, he smiled: “What did Arong pick for me?”

Shen Rong handed him the box of rouge.

Pei Yuanling accepted it, slipping it into his sleeve, and chuckled: “Why didn’t you pick something for yourself? Could it be you already brought a gift from Youzhou for Aunt?”

Upon hearing “Youzhou,” Shen Rong glanced back and raised an eyebrow: “No, there was nothing in Youzhou I wanted to bring.”

With that, she headed toward the carriage.

Shan Zong watched until she stepped onto the carriage, lowered the curtain, and settled inside.

Pei Yuanling mounted his horse, deliberately passing by him with a smile: “Well, I’ve delivered the Buddha to the West. The rest is my responsibility. I assume you’ll stay in Chang’an for a few days—I’ll seek you out later.”

Shan Zong neither agreed nor disagreed, casting one last glance at the departing carriage before mounting his horse.

With a wave of his hand, he led his troops toward the official relay station, heading in the opposite direction of the carriage.

On the bustling street, one carriage and one horse, two groups gradually drifted apart.

Half an hour later, Shen Rong’s carriage stopped outside the Duke Zhao’s residence.

Servants hurried out to attend to them.

As Shen Rong stepped down from the carriage, Pei Yuanling dismounted his horse, holding the box of rouge she had chosen: “I’ll go present this gift to Aunt first. You should go see your brother—I’m sure he’s been anxiously waiting.”

She nodded, entering the residence. Suddenly, she called out: “Older Cousin.”

Pei Yuanling turned back, smiling gently: “Rest assured. Do you doubt my word? It was I who brought you back, and only the Changsun family’s guards accompanied you—no one else.”

Shen Rong knew he was reliable, which was why her brother had entrusted him to fetch her. Reflecting for a moment, she added: “I was thinking of myself as well.”

Pei Yuanling nodded with a smile and proceeded toward the main hall.

Shen Rong crossed the corridor and went to her brother’s courtyard first.

Just as she reached the gate, a figure in a pale moon-white robe darted out—it was none other than Changsun Xin.

“Arong!” Upon seeing her, Changsun Xin hurried forward, examining her from head to toe before exhaling in relief: “I’ve waited so long—it’s good to see you return safely.”

Shen Rong handed her cloak to Zi Rui, dismissing her, then asked: “What happened to you? You were supposed to take the Ministry of Works officials to Youzhou but instead asked Minister Liu to oversee things and didn’t even send a letter.”

Changsun Xin glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, then stepped closer and said: “I’ll tell you the truth—it’s better you know what’s coming.”

Shen Rong looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

Lowering his voice, he said: “Mother and Father know everything.”

At first, Shen Rong didn’t grasp his meaning, but when she saw his expression, she understood.

He meant that Shan Zong’s activities in Youzhou had been discovered by their parents.

Her brow furrowed immediately: “Didn’t you promise not to tell?”

Changsun Xin quickly explained: “Don’t blame me—I didn’t say a word. But two events coincided, making it impossible not to notice.”

The first incident involved a letter Shen Rong sent to Pei Shaoyong, the second son of the Pei family, describing the scenery of Mount Li.

Ordinarily, it would have been unremarkable, but Pei Shaoyong recognized the location as a place originally bestowed upon the Shan family by the previous Emperor. Suspicious, he even considered visiting Mount Li himself.

Somehow, this matter reached their mother’s ears, arousing her suspicion.

Not long after, another incident occurred.

Liu Hetong, imprisoned in Youzhou’s dungeon, had almost been forgotten. His family, who hadn’t been charged, were pleading for his release everywhere. Eventually, they appealed to their father, Duke Zhao.

Their plea highlighted the inhumane conditions of Youzhou’s prison and accused the militia commander guarding it of brutal methods, suggesting a transfer would be preferable.

Although Duke Zhao wasn’t interested, he still ordered someone to inquire about the situation in Youzhou’s prison.

Surprisingly, no information about the militia commander could be found—as if he didn’t exist among the ranks of officials.

This only drew Duke Zhao’s attention, especially since his beloved daughter was still in Youzhou. Using his connections, he gained access to the court and eventually saw the late Emperor’s official roster.

Behind the title of Youzhou militia commander was a familiar name: Shan Zong.

With these two incidents overlapping, Changsun Xin found it impossible to conceal the truth any longer.

“Now you understand why I couldn’t write to you? Mother and Father feared I’d leak information to you and insisted you return before allowing me to go to Youzhou. I had no choice but to ask the venerable Minister Liu to intervene and send Older Cousin to fetch you.”

Changsun Xin finished speaking with a sigh of resignation. However, he noticed Shen Rong seemed somewhat distracted, her eyes shifting slightly.

Realizing he might have exaggerated the severity, he reassured her gently: “You needn’t worry. Mother and Father were simply concerned. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me for hiding the truth.”

“No,” Shen Rong looked at him, speaking lightly: “I was just thinking—if Mother and Father already know, it’s best they don’t find out he’s in Chang’an.”

Changsun Xin was startled: “What? The Shan fellow is in Chang’an?”

Shen Rong nodded, recalling their recent farewell, and murmured: “He escorted me back.”

Changsun Xin immediately coughed twice, whispering: “He dared to come? He’d better hide well!”