HMHSE - 49

This small city, a mere garrison town, could be measured by foot, which explained its proximity to the pass.

Every autumn and winter, when the inner and outer borders were on high alert, only the disheveled Khitan soldiers remained stationed here. The enemy scouts who constantly infiltrated the pass were also dispatched from this very place.

Only now that spring had arrived did this tiny garrison town see an increase in passing commoners and merchants. It frequently stayed open at night, and various businesses began to emerge.

Like the pleasure house where Shen Rong currently found herself.

Du Xinnu was relaying this information to her while styling her hair and applying her makeup.

An extra lamp had been lit in the room, making it exceptionally bright and illuminating the two figures seated side by side in the bronze mirror.

“Thanks to the noble lady’s appearance, this place only values beauty and skill for the sake of making money.”

Du Xinnu’s hands were busy, and she continued, “This humble servant, having some skills, isn’t actually treated poorly here. Being called to attend to the noble lady also shows how highly they value her. I just told them that the noble lady agreed to perform, and they were overjoyed. They all thought the noble lady had been persuaded by this humble servant and would now be obedient.”

Shen Rong listened, sorting out her thoughts, letting Du Xinnu arrange her.

When Du Xinnu finished, she stepped back to observe. Shen Rong wore a Feitian (Flying Apsara) bun, a low-necked, sleeveless barbarian dress, and colorful tassels tied at her waist, looking as if she had stepped out of a painting.

The more she looked, the more amazed she became: “With such extraordinary beauty, and from the capital no less, why did the noble lady end up in this borderland? Doesn’t your husband at home worry?”

Shen Rong unconsciously thought of Shan Zong, who was still waiting for her. Her expression remained calm: “I don’t have a husband.”

“That’s truly peculiar,” Du Xinnu said in surprise. “For someone like the noble lady, there should have been a steady stream of suitors in Chang’an, trampling each other’s doorsteps by now.”

Shen Rong did not reply.

Seeing that she wasn’t responding, Du Xinnu guessed she probably didn’t want to discuss these things. Fearing she might displease her by talking too much, she changed the subject: “I still don’t know what to call the noble lady.”

Shen Rong did not want to reveal her identity. Moreover, she was from Chang’an; it wouldn’t be good if word got out to those outside the pass, or if it eventually reached Chang’an and her parents found out.

“We met by chance; there’s no need to know.”

Du Xinnu mused to herself, thinking what a cautious and alert noble lady she was, and asked no further questions. She just sighed deeply: “This humble servant is already married. I wish I had known earlier and just stayed in Chang’an. I imagine my husband must be frantic. All the borderlands under heaven are dangerous. I’ll never come again in the future, and noble lady, you shouldn’t come back either after you return, to avoid worrying your family.”

Shen Rong glanced at her. “Let’s get out first, then talk.”

But in her heart, she was thinking, her family didn’t know, except for Shan Zong. He was no longer her family.

She wondered where he was now, if he was still waiting at the border wall, or if he had returned inside the pass.

Her chaotic thoughts halted. She suddenly turned to look at the room door, having noticed that the lights outside were even brighter.

Du Xinnu also glanced, her expression growing much more solemn, and she whispered, “They’re starting to receive guests.”

Every night, this place would become lively, and tonight was no exception.

The so-called pleasure house was indeed like a cave. The main hall had a pinkish-white domed ceiling, and below it was a wooden circular stage, covered with thick felt carpets. Below the stage, on all four sides, were seating areas for drinking and revelry.

At this moment, musicians were already playing music around the circular stage. The lingering sound of barbarian flutes, mixed with the constantly surging voices, quickly turned into a din.

The room door opened slightly. As Du Xinnu peeked out, she saw two tall, robust barbarian women patrolling back and forth in the corridor outside the door.

She glanced, closed the door, and whispered to Shen Rong, who was sitting on the bed mat, “The esteemed guest should not have arrived yet.”

Shen Rong looked at her. “Do you know what kind of esteemed guest he is?”

Du Xinnu shook her head. “This kind of pleasure den has all sorts of people. The esteemed guests who come mostly won’t reveal their true identities, as long as they have money. I only managed to find out that such a person would be coming after much effort.”

Shen Rong thought about it. There was no choice but to take a gamble. In any case, she absolutely had to leave this place.

Gradually, teasing laughter emerged from outside. With more lights added, it seemed even livelier.

Suddenly, someone outside knocked heavily twice on the door, followed by a cold barbarian phrase from a barbarian woman.

Du Xinnu turned back and whispered, “It’s time to go on stage.” With that, she pulled open the door.

Shen Rong looked out, and the chaotic voices from outside instantly flooded in. The smell of barbarian liquor mixed with strong perfume also entered. The two barbarian women at the door were glaring at her.

She got up, straightened her clothes, and walked out.

On the wooden circular stage, a barbarian Huxuan (spinning dance) had just ended, and several heavily made-up barbarian women successively descended the stage.

No one bought them, and the guests at the tables below unceremoniously vied to pull them away.

Immediately, there were cries of surprise, but no one paid attention, and no one stopped them. Women were commodities here, and those faint sounds were quickly drowned out by the men’s laughter.

Du Xinnu knelt behind the konghou at the edge of the circular stage, having seen this chaotic scene many times.

Fortunately, she was from the Music Bureau, versatile, and possessed konghou skills not found here. She could barely manage, but this life had to end someday. Meeting Shen Rong was a rare opportunity for her.

Amidst the chaos and noise, she quietly glanced back, nodded in signal, and raised her hand to play.

A clear, ethereal note sounded, and the hall grew slightly quiet. Unlike the barbarian music from outside the pass, what now enveloped them was the atmosphere of Chang’an, the Central Plains dynasty.

Several gurgling notes, a step with each sound. Someone, guided by the music, stepped onto the stage. With dark eyebrows and crimson lips, her features radiated a vibrant splendor as she coldly swept her gaze across the entire hall.

Shen Rong had only learned a few pieces of court music and dance with her older cousin Changsun Lan when she was a child, as it was a popular trend among the nobility at the time.

Many years had passed, and she still remembered some, though perhaps not skillfully. But her purpose wasn’t to dance.

She stood on the stage, waiting for the music, her gaze slowly sweeping over the audience below. Many people were watching her, but she couldn’t discern who the so-called distinguished guest was.

She quietly looked back. Du Xinnu, plucking the konghou, met her gaze and shook her head with a frown.

Shen Rong secretly gripped her palms. Could it be that the esteemed guest wasn’t coming after all?

Just as she thought this, she suddenly saw a group of people rushing past the doorway, as if welcoming someone.

Behind her, Du Xinnu whispered urgently, “He’s here!” Then she sharply raised the musical notes.

Shen Rong immediately moved, stepping forward with the music, and incidentally glanced at the main door. Sure enough, she saw someone entering.

A man’s figure, surrounded by escorts, slowly walked in from the doorway.

From the doorway to the stage was only a few dozen steps. His slightly lowered head seemed to move with the music, step by step. He was clad in a large cloak, his hair bound with a golden crown, appearing to be dressed as a Central Plains man.

Shen Rong only managed a few stolen glances from the stage. She heard some guests below discussing him in low barbarian whispers—

“The wealthy merchant from the Central Plains has arrived.”

“He must be here to choose beauties.”

Amidst the low chatter, the man walked straight towards the area below the stage. His accompanying retinue dispersed, and he took a seat behind the tables, then looked up at the circular stage.

Shen Rong noted his position. She felt disdain, but for the sake of her pre-determined plan, she deliberately danced towards him.

The music flowed like murmuring water, like leaping pearls striking jade, and her figure turned lightly, like a brilliant pearl.

Shen Rong’s waist tassels floated gracefully, with two bells attached that jingled with every movement, deliberately drawing attention.

As the tinkling sounds accompanied the konghou music, someone couldn’t help but throw a gold coin at her feet. Some even, fueled by drink, lunged towards the edge of the circular stage, uttering vulgar words in barbarian at her. Laughter filled the air.

Shen Rong felt nothing but disgust, wishing Donglai was by her side. She didn’t even glance at them. With a swirl of her barbarian dress, she reached the edge of the stage, then gracefully turned back, her eyes fixed on the esteemed guest. Their gazes met, and she finally saw his appearance, stopping short.

He sat with one knee up, looking at her, a familiar roguish smile on his lips.

That face had, not long ago, told her he would wait for her at the border wall, and now he was right before her eyes.

Shen Rong’s gaze moved across his face, yet it felt unreal. He wore a brocade robe and a large cloak, with a golden crown and jade hairpin in his black hair.

For a moment, she felt as if she was seeing the Shan Zong of old, the noble young master in brocade and sable fur, the eldest young master of the Shan family, when she had first married into their household.

The music intensified, and Shen Rong abruptly snapped back to reality.

Shan Zong sat there, his gaze surveying her from head to toe. He even took a sip of wine, his eyes still fixed on her, full of interest, his smile deepening.

Shen Rong suppressed a flood of questions, her heart surging. Her heartbeat involuntarily quickened. She turned, finished the last few musical notes, still secretly glancing at him. With the final step, she landed right on the edge of the circular stage, her eyes fixed directly on him.

Shan Zong put down his wine cup, raised the hand resting on his knee, and beckoned twice behind him.

A line of barbarian attendants, who had seemingly appeared from nowhere, stood behind him, waiting for orders with their hands clasped.

One of them stepped forward and threw a heavy large bag onto the stage. The clinking of gold coins resonated, drawing gasps of admiration from all around.

Shan Zong suddenly stood up and walked towards the circular stage. Reaching the edge where Shen Rong stood, he stretched out a hand, pulled her close, and directly picked her up by the waist, striding back to his seat.

A cacophony of voices filled the air, barbarian words overlapping. Some were cheering, others applauding.

Shen Rong was carried back to his seat and held by him. She sat on his lap, gripping his large cloak tightly with one hand, her eyes scanning left and right: “How did you get here?”

Shan Zong’s arm was around her waist, his eyes still fixed on the circular stage, as if he were just a distinguished guest choosing someone. He sneered, “I was wondering how you got here.”

Shen Rong bit her lip, hearing the displeasure in his tone. She recalled her appearance on stage just now, which he had witnessed, and he must have thought she was disgraceful. She couldn’t help but turn her head away.

Shan Zong’s hand on her waist pressed down, forcing her face back towards him.

As Shen Rong turned, she saw Du Xinnu, still playing the konghou on stage, looking at Shan Zong beside her, several times in quick succession.

She was about to mention Du Xinnu, but Shan Zong had already waved towards the circular stage.

Du Xinnu immediately rose, hurried over, and nestled beside him, whispering, “It’s Young Master Shan. I had the good fortune to see him at Young Master Pei’s banquet in Chang’an many years ago. It’s been years since I’ve seen Young Master.”

Shan Zong wore a smile. “So you recognized me, yet you still pretended not to.”

Du Xinnu’s face changed. She immediately affirmed, “Yes,” then quieted down and skillfully refilled his wine.

Shen Rong watched them. He had one arm around her, the other accepting wine from Du Xinnu, like he was embracing two women, yet he didn’t look at her.

She glanced at his profile, then calmly turned her gaze away.

Her waist tightened again as Shan Zong held her closer. “Don’t get distracted.”

She whispered, “Do you expect me to serve you now?”

Shan Zong chuckled, “Shouldn’t you be doing just that?”

Shen Rong couldn’t help but look at his profile, and the hand gripping his cloak loosened.

Shan Zong, however, grabbed that hand, pulled her up, and said, “Let’s go.”

Du Xinnu immediately rose and moved to follow.

As Shen Rong was embraced and led out by him, the group of barbarian attendants blocked their rear, then went to the stage to exchange money, which seemed to be a common practice here.

Outside the courtyard gate, a carriage was parked, driven by a barbarian.

Shan Zong directly picked up Shen Rong and placed her inside, then quickly followed, holding her down as she sat.

Du Xinnu also squeezed in, finding herself in the dark, pressed against Shen Rong. She was likely nervous, not uttering a single word.

“Quick,” Shan Zong said, and the carriage moved, driving directly out of the courtyard.

From the opposite direction came the rumbling sound of a carriage, passing them by.

Shen Rong, held by Shan Zong’s hand at her waist, heard his low chuckle: “He really came. A moment later, and you wouldn’t have been able to leave.”

Only then did she realize that the person in the other carriage was the true esteemed guest. She wondered how he had managed it.

Silence filled the carriage; they all maintained a tacit understanding.

It wasn’t until the barbarian driver outside spoke, indicating they were approaching the city gates, that Shan Zong tightened his grip on Shen Rong’s hand, pressing her against him. “Act the part.”

Shen Rong winced in pain and let out a soft groan.

Beside her, Du Xinnu had already voluntarily cried out, “Oh, Young Master, no, don’t...”

Several times in a row, soft and delicate, provoking imagination.

Shan Zong pressed against Shen Rong, whispering lowly close to her ear, “Look at her. Aren’t you very capable?”

She couldn’t help but bite her lip again, her hand clutching his large cloak tightly.

The carriage passed through the city gates without inspection.

After an unknown period, only the rushing wind from outside remained, no other sound.

The carriage stopped.

Shan Zong pulled Shen Rong and lifted the curtain to get out. Outside was a desolate wilderness, an unknown place, with only the moonlight like water overhead, illuminating everything clearly.

Du Xinnu emerged from the carriage, bowing to Shan Zong. “It’s truly unbelievable. We got out so easily. Thank you, Young Master.”

She remembered Shan Zong’s instruction and no longer called him “Young Master Shan.”

Then she bowed to Shen Rong. “Indeed, it was right to find the noble lady. Thank you, noble lady.”

Shan Zong pointed in a direction. “If you go that way, you can enter the pass with merchants from Yizhou. This carriage is for you.”

Du Xinnu bowed again and quickly re-entered the carriage.

As the carriage drove away, Shan Zong pulled Shen Rong and started walking. Feeling her hand turn cold, he stopped, took off his large cloak, placed a hand on her, and chuckled, “I told you it was only for a few hours. I didn’t expect you to become a celebrity outside the pass.”

Shen Rong stared at his face in the moonlight. After a long moment, she spoke, “You must look down on me a lot now, right?”

Shan Zong stared at her. “What are you saying?”

Shen Rong fell silent, looking up at him, her lips pursed, her chest beneath the cloak rising and falling slightly.

Shan Zong’s gaze on her hardened. In the moonlight, her eyes were red, though she was clearly holding back, but he still saw it.

He had never seen her like this. He took a step closer, reached out, and cupped her chin. “What are you doing?”

Shen Rong had never endured such humiliation in her life. She had barely managed to hold it together, just to get out as quickly as possible, to find Donglai and the others, and reunite with him. Did he think she wanted to be like that?

She calmly evaded his hand. “I saw your hands just now, embracing two women. They’re no different from the people in there, very dirty. Why touch me?”

Shan Zong looked at her, the corners of his mouth curving. He suddenly turned and walked away.

Shen Rong stood there, biting her lip, feeling even more bitter. He could still smile, and he actually left.

But soon, a few footsteps sounded, and he returned. His hand immediately cupped her face.

Shen Rong felt his hand was wet and instinctively asked, “What did you do?”

“Washed my hands,” Shan Zong said, his mouth curving into a smile in the moonlight. “Didn’t you say my hands were dirty?”

She was startled. His hand had already brushed under her eyes, cupping her face.

She suddenly forgot what they had been talking about, and how she had managed to find her way there.

Shan Zong’s eyes held only her slightly reddened eyes. He lowered his head and pressed close.

Shen Rong’s lips warmed. She moved to push him away.

His hand reached inside his cloak, stroking her lower back, his body steady and unmoving.

Her breathing quickened. Feeling resentful, she opened her mouth and bit him.

Shan Zong paused, then chuckled again. He put both hands inside his cloak, pressed her against his chest, and his tongue immediately moved down to press against her lips.

Shen Rong’s lips parted. Unexpectedly, she touched his tongue, and her breath caught.