HMHSE - 46

Guangyuan had been in good spirits recently, all because the noble lady had returned to Youzhou.

However, he hadn’t been able to speak with her until an invitation arrived at the official residence, finally giving him an opportunity.

He carried the invitation to the main house. Zirui and Donglai were guarding outside, and he could faintly hear Changsun Xin’s voice coming from within the room.

Only then did he recall that the noble lady had been busy with affairs in the mountains ever since her return.

Suddenly, Changsun Xin’s voice from inside the room grew louder: “Is this the result of your exploration?”

“Mm,” Shen Rong replied.

Then there was silence. After a while, Changsun Xin came out of the room.

Guangyuan immediately stepped forward, presenting the invitation with both hands. “An invitation from the Prefect’s residence, inviting the Minister and the noble lady to a banquet tonight.”

Changsun Xin glanced at it, then at the doorway. “I’m not in the mood for any banquet. I’m not going.”

Shen Rong walked out from the doorway, taking the invitation. “If older brother isn’t going, then I will.” Her tone sounded as if she were teasing him.

Perhaps because of what the siblings had just discussed, Changsun Xin’s face was unusually stern. “Don’t go,” he said, and then left.

Even Zirui and Donglai, who were nearby, were surprised. When had the young master ever been like this? Usually, he went along with everything the young mistress wanted.

Shen Rong flipped through the invitation and said helplessly, “Then I’ll go by myself.”

Guangyuan seized the opportunity to bow to her, asking cautiously, “This time, will the noble lady stay in Youzhou for a while?”

Shen Rong glanced at him. “That’s not certain. It all depends on when my business is finished.”

With that, she instructed Zirui and Donglai to prepare for the banquet.

Guangyuan’s exuberant mood was dampened by half. He only hoped her business would take longer, so she could stay in Youzhou longer, the longer the better.

________________________________________

The invitation from the Prefect’s residence stated that it was inviting Minister Changsun, and specifically added that having learned of Lady Changsun’s return to Youzhou, they earnestly requested her presence as well.

In the carriage on the way, Shen Rong was still thinking about her discussion with her brother.

After she returned from exploring the earth wind at the border, she had discussed the results with him, and then they had debated it several times. Just now, she had proposed an idea that displeased him, causing him to even ignore the Prefect’s invitation.

The carriage stopped. They had arrived at the Prefect’s residence.

Shen Rong temporarily set aside the mine affairs and alighted from the carriage to enter the residence.

It had just grown dark, and the residence was brightly lit.

Shen Rong walked towards the front hall. Suddenly, she felt eyes on her from the corner of the courtyard. She couldn’t help but turn her head and immediately saw Shan Zong.

He stood beside a flowering tree, a branch extending out, lightly brushing his shoulder in the wind. He was looking at her, his eyes reflecting the lamplight.

Shen Rong instantly remembered what he had done in the border mountains. She touched her temple, smoothing her hair over her ear. Without a word, she walked straight ahead.

Shan Zong had also just arrived, having been invited. He had unbuckled his sword and walked here, stopping precisely when he saw her enter.

But she had walked past him without saying anything. He understood, watched her retreating back for a few moments, then slowly followed.

Zhao Jinlian had already come out to greet her, smiling and welcoming Shen Rong. Upon hearing that Changsun Xin had not come, he expressed some regret: “Today is a joyful occasion, and I had hoped we could all celebrate together.”

Shen Rong asked, “What joyful occasion does the Prefect have?”

The invitation hadn’t mentioned it, otherwise, she would have at least asked Zirui to prepare a gift.

Zhao Jinlian invited her into the hall. “Come inside, we’ll talk there.” He then looked outside and saw Shan Zong slowly following. “Chongjun, come quickly, we’re waiting for you.”

Shen Rong glanced at the man behind her; he had already reached her side, his riding boots facing her.

Zhao Jinlian suddenly smiled at her again. “Today, a military commander from another prefecture has arrived, so of course, we had to invite Chongjun. I didn’t expect Minister Changsun to be unable to attend, but please, Lady, make yourself at home, don’t be constrained.”

It sounded like an explanation to spare her embarrassment, and Madam He also smiled beside him.

Shen Rong said nothing, lifted her skirt, and entered the hall.

Inside the hall, two rows of small tables were arranged on either side.

At the head seat of the left row sat a man. Upon seeing people enter, he stood up. Dressed in a bluish nomad’s robe, with a pale face and narrow eyes, it was none other than Zhou Jun, the general of Danzhou.

Shen Rong looked at him in surprise, recalling seeing him enter the city when she returned from the mountains. So he had come to the Prefect’s residence.

She couldn’t help but look back. Shan Zong stood casually, sword in hand, his expression normal, as if he had known of his arrival all along.

Right, if he hadn’t known, Zhou Jun wouldn’t have been able to enter the city.

Zhao Jinlian, thinking Shen Rong didn’t know him, introduced him, “This is General Zhou of Danzhou.” Then he said to Zhou Jun, “This is Lady Changsun from the Duke of Zhao’s residence in Chang’an.”

Zhou Jun had been looking at Shen Rong ever since she entered. Seeing this noble lady with her dark hair neatly coiled, dressed in a light silk ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a snow-white light gauze wrapped around her arm, and a face of fair skin and flower-like beauty in the lamplight, he took a few extra glances out of admiration. Then he found her somewhat familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before, especially her side profile. He suddenly looked towards Shan Zong.

“Duke of Zhao’s residence... so that’s it. The noble person in the carriage that day was Lady Changsun.”

Shan Zong glanced at him.

Shen Rong heard a hint of dawning realization in his words when he mentioned the Duke of Zhao’s residence, as if he knew about her past with Shan Zong.

Zhao Jinlian was somewhat surprised. “Have the two of you met?”

She immediately said, “No.”

Zhao Jinlian looked at the three of them, understood, and asked no further questions. He raised a hand in invitation. “Then please take your seats.”

Several people entered from outside the hall, all officials from the Youzhou government office. Only after the esteemed guests were seated did they gradually enter, bowing and taking their seats one by one.

Shan Zong took his seat. According to seating arrangements, the small table beside him was originally Changsun Xin’s, but naturally, only Shen Rong sat there now.

She only glanced at him once, then avoided looking at him again.

Shan Zong looked at her, then turned his gaze back. Across from him, Zhou Jun was staring at him, a look of understanding in his narrow eyes.

The banquet began. Zhao Jinlian said from above, “Today, I’ve invited you all to gather for a joyous occasion in my residence. This happy event concerns my younger sister, Fumei, and General Zhou. It can also be considered a joyous occasion for both Youzhou and Danzhou.” He then raised his wine cup and smiled at Zhou Jun. “Before long, I can address General Zhou as my brother-in-law.”

Madam He smiled along. “Yes, Fumei? Come in quickly.”

Shen Rong looked up in surprise upon hearing this.

Zhao Fumei entered from outside the hall, still wearing her plain ruqun as before. She walked with her head slightly bowed, went to the upper end, and knelt beside Madam He.

Zhou Jun’s narrow eyes had long been fixed on her.

Zhao Jinlian chuckled, “General Zhou, although Fumei is my sworn sister, she is still a person of the Prefect’s residence. You must not mistreat her.”

Zhou Jun looked at Zhao Fumei and nodded. “Prefect Zhao, rest assured.”

Only then did Zhao Fumei lift her head slightly, quickly glancing at him, then at Shan Zong and Shen Rong on the other side. It was so quick that it seemed as if she hadn’t moved at all.

Shen Rong secretly glanced to the side. Shan Zong held a wine cup in one hand, sitting obliquely, his eyebrows lowered and eyes downcast, as if he wasn’t even listening.

She looked up again. The lamplight shone on Zhao Fumei’s smooth forehead, making her appear even more gentle and demure.

She hadn’t expected that after a winter of not seeing her, their next meeting would be at the time of her marriage.

________________________________________

It was considered a family banquet. In the hall, only the officials were vying to offer congratulations and toasts. Occasionally, Zhao Jinlian would chat with Zhou Jun.

Zhao Fumei kept her head lowered almost throughout, not even touching a drop of wine. Fortunately, it ended quickly. Madam He invited Shen Rong to sit in another area for a moment, then turned and spoke a few quiet words to her, called a maid, and sent her out first.

Shen Rong stood up and passed by Shan Zong. He had one hand resting on his knee, looked up at her, a faint smile appearing and disappearing on his lips.

She glanced left and right, noticing no one was looking their way, then walked past him.

Zhao Jinlian saw that the female guests had all left, then looked at Shan Zong and Zhou Jun.

He had long heard that these two were at odds, but he hadn’t expected it to be so serious. There wasn’t a single word between them during the banquet.

So he simply put on a smile and suggested that everyone move to the side hall for tea.

Shan Zong initially remained seated. He was accustomed to being a loner and didn’t much socialize with officials. He never participated in such gatherings on ordinary days; today was an exception.

But officials nearby were already inviting him to go first, so he finally stood up.

In the unlit garden, everyone was either ahead or behind, separated by a considerable distance. Suddenly, another figure appeared beside him.

Shan Zong glanced at him, not stopping his steps.

It was Zhou Jun, who whispered, “So the noble person in that carriage was your former wife. I didn’t expect her to be so ‘mindful of old affections,’ even helping you block me from catching those outlaw bandits.”

Shan Zong only chuckled, thinking to himself that it was his own fault; who told him to offend Changsun Shen Rong?

He was too lazy to talk to him, so he didn’t respond at all.

Zhou Jun suddenly chuckled as well. “Did I misjudge? From your actions that day, you seem unusually attentive towards your former wife.”

Shan Zong stopped. “What, you’re so idle that you can now meddle in my private affairs?” Zhou Jun also stopped, sneering, “Then let’s not talk about private matters. Let’s talk about those outlaw bandits. They’ve always been under your protection and must have secretly done something for you and returned. My men found that they once crossed the border and went to the old city of Jizhou.”

Shan Zong stood in the dim light for a moment, then continued forward, leaving only one sentence: “None of your business.”

Zhou Jun watched his retreating back, his face grim. He turned to see Zhao Jinlian approaching with attendants carrying lanterns, so he had no choice but to pretend nothing had been said and head to the side hall.

As he walked, he intentionally or unintentionally glanced around, no longer seeing Zhao Fumei, nor Shan Zong’s former wife.

Shen Rong did not go to another area to sit, but instead bid farewell to Madam He, preparing to leave.

Under the corridor, she saw Zhao Fumei standing there, as if waiting for her.

“I must have made the noble lady laugh,” she curtsied.

Shen Rong said, “Laugh at what? I just didn’t expect it.”

Zhao Fumei lowered her eyes. “Actually, I didn’t expect it either.”

This marriage was discussed after the Youzhou Winter Sacrifice.

Zhao Fumei was no longer young, and it was difficult to find a suitable match in Youzhou. So Zhao Jinlian thought of choosing from other prefectures.

Zhou Jun, the general of Danzhou, was of a suitable age. He had had a wife in his early years who died of illness, leaving him without children. It was precisely the time he needed to remarry.

He had no high-ranking background, coming from a military family. Coincidentally, Zhao Fumei also came from a military household, and with her status as Prefect Zhao’s sworn sister, she was considered a suitable match for his current position as general.

“To be able to marry a prefectural general, I have nothing to complain about,” Zhao Fumei looked at her, smiling somewhat awkwardly. “It’s just that I heard he has a grudge against Envoy Shan, which I heard my sworn brother mention a few times.”

Zhao Jinlian had originally wanted to drop the matter due to Shan Zong, but there were no other suitable candidates. For the sake of his sworn sister’s future, he still sent someone to make arrangements, and it was later finalized.

“Mm,” Shen Rong had nothing more to say. They were about to become a couple, and she couldn’t very well say she disliked Zhou Jun.

Zhao Fumei suddenly asked, “Does the noble lady know why they became enemies?”

Shen Rong couldn’t help but look at her. “I don’t know.”

Zhao Fumei whispered, “Some say it’s because the Nine Prefectures are now divided and scattered, and they became enemies while vying for the position of Youzhou Military Commissioner.”

Shen Rong thought about it, but felt it wasn’t the case. Shan Zong had served as a militia commissioner for three years; if he truly cared about that position, he wouldn’t have left the Shan family.

As for whether Zhou Jun cared, she didn’t know.

Zirui came from the side to announce that the carriage was ready and they could return.

Zhao Fumei curtsied and said no more.

Shen Rong felt that she specifically brought this up because she cared too much, but she didn’t say anything. She had noticed earlier that day during the banquet that Zhao Fumei had looked at Shan Zong several times.

Zirui went out first to arrange the carriage steps. Shen Rong walked towards the mansion gate and saw the man again.

Shan Zong had not gone to the side hall and had just arrived at the mansion gate. He was taking his sword back from an attendant. Seeing her, the corner of his mouth curved into a half-smile.

She walked past him and heard him say softly, “Are you avoiding me?”

“Who’s avoiding you?” Shen Rong slanted her eyes at him, speaking softly. “Rather, it’s you. The person who admired you for three years is about to marry someone else, and you can still smile?”

Shan Zong’s smile vanished instantly. His eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes became deeply shadowed. “Should I care?”

Shen Rong felt his gaze was rather unfriendly. Frowning, she muttered, “Who cares about you.”

With that, she walked out, went straight to the carriage, but then turned to see Shan Zong leading his horse right behind her.

She couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

“Didn’t you say you don’t care about me?” Shan Zong swung onto his horse, a smile on his face, though his eyes remained shadowed. “I’m returning to the official residence today.”