HMHSE - 43

By the time a message was sent to Youzhou, Changsun’s convoy had already traveled hundreds of miles from Chang’an.

On the official road, carriages and horses rumbled forward. Zirui looked at the grayish-blue sky overhead from outside the carriage, then turned to ask inside, “Young mistress, this journey is too rushed. Do you want to rest for a while?”

Shen Rong sat in the carriage, gently caressing the scroll in her brocade pouch. “Not yet. Let’s hurry a bit, so we don’t delay the mine, and also to spare my mother more worry.”

She had left quietly. Although Lady Pei knew there was a reason, she was always reluctant for her to go to Youzhou in person, blaming the Duke of Zhao for making a decision too early, and even quarreled with him over it.

Until she left the mansion, she heard her father was still comforting her mother.

She still took the old route, as it was a shortcut, but she bypassed familiar places, finding it troublesome.

After bypassing the city of Hedong, where Shan Zhao was, the cold wind from the north began to lose its intensity.

For days, except for stopping at post stations, they had not paused on the road. Only now did they slow down slightly, and Shen Rong then ordered a brief rest and reorganization.

Donglai, leading the way, brought the team to rest outside a small pavilion by the official road.

Shen Rong stepped down from the carriage, feeling the wind that blew over her. “It doesn’t seem so cold anymore.”

Zirui, behind her, draped a cloak over her, laughing, “It’s just that young mistress traveled too fast. If it were like before, you would have only reached Youzhou in spring.”

Shen Rong looked at the sky. Spring had actually arrived on the road, but they had been heading straight towards the frontier, so it was barely noticeable.

It was truly peculiar. She had left Youzhou in winter and was now on her way back in spring.

“Young mistress should go into the pavilion and sit,” Zirui went ahead to wipe the stone bench.

Shen Rong slowly walked towards the pavilion. Suddenly, she saw Donglai take two steps towards her from the side, blocking her. His hand was poised as if to draw his sword, his eyes fixed on the road.

“Young mistress, be careful.”

Where his gaze fell, several figures were running towards them, as if something had happened.

Shen Rong followed his gaze, narrowing her eyes intently, only then making out their appearance. “Why do they look somewhat familiar?”

In that short time, the few figures had run directly onto the road outside the pavilion. There were three of them, all dressed in coarse cloth tunics, with cloth bands wrapped around their foreheads and daggers tucked into their waists. The leader was a man with a full, bushy beard.

The bearded man had been looking at them as he ran. Suddenly, he stopped, motioned to the two behind him, and rushed straight down the road, heading directly for Shen Rong in front of the pavilion. “It’s you! You’re that noble person from the Youzhou post station back then!”

The guards immediately stepped forward, but Shen Rong waved them off, stepping out from behind Donglai. Looking closely at the men and connecting them to his words, she finally recognized them.

“Oh, it’s you.”

The bearded man was covered in sweat and said hurriedly, “It’s us, we’re the ones who delivered the border enemies to Envoy Shan back then, we met at the Youzhou post station!”

Indeed, she had seen them. That was when Shen Rong had just arrived in Youzhou. She hadn’t expected him to recognize her at a glance.

She remembered this bearded man had called her “bullshit noble” back then, and later she found out they were outlaws.

Shen Rong, not wanting to deal with such foul-mouthed people, waved her hand and walked into the pavilion.

Donglai immediately went to shoo them away.

But the bearded man refused to leave, shouting anxiously, “Noble one, please wait! We beg you to help us brothers evade the pursuers! We will surely repay you later!”

Shen Rong didn’t even look at them. “Why should I help you hide from pursuers?”

The bearded man grew more anxious. “Don’t you know Envoy Shan? The last time we met was outside a perfume shop. Envoy Shan was giving us instructions, and then you interrupted us by opening a window, remember?”

Only then did Shen Rong stop. She thought carefully; it was true, and it had been a long time ago.

The bearded man continued, “Right now, we’ve just returned from doing something for Envoy Shan. If we get caught, we won’t be able to go to Youzhou to see Envoy Shan. Even for him, you should lend a hand.”

Shen Rong slightly raised an eyebrow. “For him?”

She didn’t even know what that man had asked these few to do, yet it sounded as if it had become her business.

Before the bearded man could say more, the sound of hooves came from afar.

They had delayed long enough and were about to run. “Noble one, look, it’s them!”

Shen Rong looked over. A group of riders approached from afar, appearing to be soldiers. No wonder they were so terrified. She looked closer and even recognized some familiarity.

When the group drew nearer, she saw the leader wearing a barbarian-style coat, with a pale face and narrow eyes, and a broad sword at his waist. She immediately recognized him.

It was actually Zhou Jun, the general of Danzhou.

She still clearly remembered being subjected to his night inspection at the Taoist temple on her way back to the capital.

“What a coincidence,” Shen Rong chuckled. “Then I truly must intervene.”

The bearded man and his companions took off running.

When Zhou Jun’s team of fast horses tracked them down, they just happened to catch up with a convoy of noble carriages that had just set off.

The main carriage was wide and luxurious, covered by a light silk canopy. Anyone with an eye could tell it was of a capital style, meaning the person inside must be of extraordinary background. Yet, it strictly blocked their path.

Their men went right, the noble’s carriage went right. They went left, the carriage also went left.

Inside the carriage, Shen Rong looked out through the window lattice. Zhou Jun even tried to cut across them, but was blocked by Donglai.

The two sides faced each other on horseback, already on the verge of conflict.

Zhou Jun pressed his hand on his broad sword. “My Danzhou troops are pursuing several outlaw bandits. Please do not obstruct us.”

Donglai replied, “This is not Danzhou.”

These were the words Shen Rong had just instructed. Even if they were pursuing outlaws, they couldn’t cause trouble on someone else’s territory. Zhou Jun was destined to be unable to do anything to her.

Indeed, Zhou Jun eventually led his men back a distance and rode around to the other side.

He was sensible. Shen Rong ignored him and ordered, “Drive quickly, straight to Youzhou.”

________________________________________

In Wangji Mountain, Changsun Xin had just climbed out of the pit again.

He was brushing off dust and frowning, trying to think of a solution, when a guard quickly came from the mountain path, presenting a freshly delivered letter with both hands.

Changsun Xin saw the envelope and knew it was from the Duke of Zhao’s residence. He immediately took it and opened it. After reading it, he softly exclaimed, “Then she’ll be here soon?”

He then hurriedly left the mountain with his attendants.

Hu Shi’yi had just been relieved by Lei Da and hadn’t left yet. He craned his neck to look, and just then saw Shan Zong, who had just come from the pass.

“Chief, Lord Changsun just left in a hurry.”

Shan Zong casually asked, “What’s the rush?” Hu Shi’yi said, “I just heard him muttering something like ‘she’s coming soon,’ but I don’t know who he meant.”

Shan Zong glanced out of the mountain, assuming it was still about the pit. He then scanned the serious prisoners being guarded there, walked out onto the mountain path, and mounted his horse.

Hu Shi’yi followed him. “Chief, are you going straight back to the military camp?”

“Mm, go back and train troops.” Shan Zong rode his horse out of the mountain.

Hu Shi’yi mounted his horse and followed, no longer surprised by this.

Since returning from the capital, he had been immersed in military affairs, personally handling every aspect, as if tireless. Even at this hour, he was still going to train troops.

By the time they returned to the military camp, the sun had already begun to set.

Shan Zong dismounted and walked straight to the training ground.

Suddenly, a horse galloped towards them from outside the main gate, calling out from afar, “Young Master!”

It was Guangyuan’s voice.

Shan Zong stopped, unfastening the straps of his arm guard.

Guangyuan had ridden his horse so fast, almost charging over, that the gate guards were nearly grazed.

Hu Shi’yi at the gate grabbed him and scolded, “What are you doing, kid? Even a sneak attack wouldn’t be this reckless!”

Guangyuan completely ignored him. He dismounted and ran to Shan Zong. “Young Master, Lord Changsun just went back and instructed his Changsun family attendants to quickly make arrangements, saying that someone is arriving soon.”

He spoke too quickly, like spilling beans, panting as he spoke.

Hu Shi’yi listened beside him, clicking his tongue. “Who? Who’s arriving soon?”

Shan Zong’s hand, unfastening his arm guard, paused. He suddenly looked up.

Changsun Xin’s words in the mountain, Guangyuan’s words just now—they all connected, and he understood everything at once.

Guangyuan took a breath. “Who else could it be? Of course, it’s...”

Before he could finish, he saw Shan Zong already moving.

He strode towards his horse, pulled the arm guard straps tightly, and swung himself onto the saddle.

Hu Shi’yi was stunned. “What, Chief? Aren’t you training troops anymore?”

Shan Zong gave a shake of the reins and galloped directly out of the military camp.

Only then did Hu Shi’yi react, quickly mounting his horse and following.

________________________________________

As the majestic mountains of Youzhou undulated against the horizon, Shen Rong bypassed the Taoist temple she had passed twice before. Soon, they would enter the land of Youzhou.

“Young Mistress,” Donglai suddenly called from outside.

Shen Rong lifted the curtain. “What is it?”

Donglai, riding in front of the carriage, said softly, “That cavalry troop from before has caught up.”

Shen Rong looked back through the window lattice and indeed saw a troop of cavalry, raising dust, following behind them, about ten or so men, looking as if they were pursuing them.

The leader, in barbarian clothing with a broad sword, was too far away for his expression to be seen clearly, but his narrow eyes could be roughly made out, fixed on them.

Zhou Jun, the general of Danzhou.

Donglai said, “They must have come because they didn’t catch those outlaws.”

Shen Rong guessed the same and chuckled. “Why are they chasing us? To demand people from me? Ignore him, just shake him off by going faster.”

Donglai affirmed, ordering the guards to whip their horses and accelerate.

The carriages churned up dust on the road, heading into Youzhou.

Shen Rong glanced out the window again, frowning. Zhou Jun was still pursuing, the sound of hooves already audible.

But then, another wave of even stronger hooves drowned out the first.

Shen Rong looked forward, following the sound. Through the window, there was only swirling dust, making it unclear, but she vaguely saw a fierce black figure and reached out to lift the carriage curtain. “Stop the carriage.”

The carriage abruptly halted.

She finally saw clearly the man galloping towards them: black clothes, a fierce horse, sharp as a drawn blade.

Dust swirled, and besides the sound of wind and horses neighing, only the thunderous hooves remained.

Shan Zong rode up, pulled on the reins, and stopped in front of the carriage.

Shen Rong looked up at him.

He was looking at her too, his deep, dark gaze lingering on her face, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned. After several moments, he turned his attention to the rear.

Zhou Jun from behind had caught up, and there was a series of abrupt halts of horses.

His narrow eyes had been fixed on Shan Zong for a long time, but now he saw Shan Zong finally looking his way.

Shan Zong looked at him. “What is it?”

Zhou Jun glanced at the carriage. “I wondered why this noble person deliberately blocked me from pursuing outlaw bandits. So it’s related to you; you know each other.”

Shen Rong listened inside the carriage, unperturbed, assuming he couldn’t do anything to her.

But then, Shan Zong, in front of the carriage, rode his horse backward.

He asked, “What do you intend to do by chasing after me?”

Zhou Jun said, “I’m handling my affairs; I don’t believe I need to report to the Youzhou Militia Commissioner.”

“That depends on what kind of business you’re handling,” Shan Zong positioned his horse across the road behind the carriage, blocking Zhou Jun.

Zhou Jun’s eyes narrowed even further. He glanced at the carriage again, seeing the woman’s dark, cloud-like hair bun and half of her snow-white profile through the window lattice. He looked at Shan Zong in surprise. “So the noble person in the carriage is a woman.”

Shan Zong grunted. “None of your business.”

Zhou Jun said coolly, “It’s none of my business. This is a noble person. I naturally know how to act. If you want to obstruct me, you should also consider where this is.”

He pointed forward. A stone tablet stood upright, with the words “Youzhou” inscribed on it. Beside it was a wooden pole with the Youzhou banner flying.

They were at least a hundred paces away from where they were, and beneath their feet was Danzhou.

“This is my Danzhou territory, not your Youzhou.”

Shen Rong had that familiar feeling again. Zhou Jun wasn’t targeting her; every word seemed more directed at Shan Zong.

Perhaps if he truly confronted her and she revealed her identity, he wouldn’t dare do anything.

Shan Zong said nothing. He turned his horse around, rode a few steps to the Youzhou border marker, then suddenly yanked the reins. His horse reared up and kicked the border marker.

The border marker fell to the ground. He then drew his sword, leaned down, and chopped at the wooden pole.

The bottom of the wooden pole broke. Shan Zong caught it with one hand, rode back, and then, behind the carriage, forcefully plunged it into the ground.

Only then did he look up. “What did you just say? Say it again.”

Zhou Jun had already placed his hand on his sword. “Shan Zong! You dare to arbitrarily expand your territory!”

“What do I not dare?” Shan Zong held his sword, circling slowly in front of him on his horse. “You’ve not known me for the first day. Perhaps you want to blow up these personal grudges and minor matters even further, or do you need me to use my military rank as the Upper State Militia Commissioner to suppress you before you’re satisfied?”

Zhou Jun’s face was livid. He nodded at him. “Don’t you dare have a next time!” Without another word, he angrily gave the order, turned around, and rode away.

Shen Rong had been watching the entire time from the carriage, staring at his retreating figure. She had been somewhat startled just now.

Shan Zong rode back, looking at her and saying, “Don’t worry, he’s always more bark than bite.”

Shen Rong glanced at him. “Lawless.” She then lowered the carriage curtain.

Shan Zong smiled at the curtain, sat upright on his horse. Hu Shi’yi and his men finally caught up.

“Chief!” He was about to ask what he was rushing for, but then he saw the carriage and convoy in front of him and understood.

Jin Jiaojiao was back.

As the carriage set off, Shan Zong pointed to the wooden pole sticking up behind him. “Restore this to its original state.”

Hu Shi’yi was puzzled by the scene, but he had already followed Jin Jiaojiao’s carriage.

It wasn’t until they reached the base of Youzhou City that darkness fell, and the city gates were closed.

However, the city guards immediately opened the gates upon seeing Shan Zong among the group.

A Changsun family guard was already waiting inside the city gate, stopping the carriage and reporting: “The message has been sent to the official residence. The young master will be here to pick you up shortly. Please wait, young mistress.”

The carriages stopped.

Shen Rong alighted from the carriage and looked towards the roadside.

Shan Zong had just dismounted and walked towards a lighted house under the city wall. “Go wait inside.”

The two soldiers inside heard him and immediately came out, vacating the space.

Shen Rong straightened her cloak and walked into the house.

Just as she entered, a hand grasped her arm, and the door behind her closed with a soft click.

She turned around, coming face to face with Shan Zong’s chest.

He looked at her and asked in a low voice, “Why did you come again?”

Shen Rong’s gaze was fixed on his prominent Adam’s apple. She deliberately ignored how warm his hand grasping hers was and said softly, “I have a reason to come. It has nothing to do with what you said that day.”

After speaking, she heard no movement. She looked up and saw Shan Zong smiling, his eyes reflecting the dim light in the room. “I didn’t say anything.”

She couldn’t help but bite her lip, wanting to turn and pull the door, but couldn’t move. If she moved her arm again, it would brush against his waist, as if to embrace him, so she simply stayed still.

After a while, Changsun Xin’s voice, “Ah Rong,” came from outside.

Shan Zong released her hand and opened the door.

Shen Rong glanced at him, then walked out past him, her clothes lightly brushing against his.

He lowered his head, smelling the faint fragrance from her hair, and only then did he truly believe she had arrived in Youzhou.