HMHSE - 57

It wasn’t until she had walked a considerable distance that Shen Rong subtly glanced back.

Changsun Xin and Pei Shaoyong were conversing, likely not having noticed Shan Zong’s slight movement just now.

Pei Shaoyong spoke as he walked: “I’ve seen some border defense areas on my way here, but none of them are major passes. I plan to take a good look around Youzhou this time, then go back and submit a policy paper to the court, and wait for the Sage’s decision.”

Changsun Xin said: “In that case, I’ll accompany you tomorrow. Ah Rong, you come along too.”

He said this and received no response. He couldn’t help but turn to look at Shen Rong: “Ah Rong? Why are you so quiet, distracted?”

Shen Rong looked over, having only heard vaguely: “Whatever you two decide is fine.”

Pei Shaoyong, seeing her pale face in the lamplight from the corridor, guessed it might be because of that person. He turned and looked around, but didn’t see the figure. He said gently, “Ah Rong, are you feeling unwell? I noticed you ate very little during the meal just now.”

Changsun Xin cleared his throat, interjecting: “Nonsense. You only saw the Military Commissioner of Youzhou earlier. What’s there to be unwell about? Ah Rong and he have long since had no dealings.” As he spoke, he exchanged glances with Shen Rong.

Shen Rong’s expression remained unchanged, and she said nothing, walking slowly forward.

Pei Shaoyong, hearing that the two had no dealings, smiled: “Then Ah Rong must be tired. It’s my fault, rushing here suddenly without sending word in advance, leaving you unprepared.”

He wasn’t entirely clueless. In the letter Shen Rong had sent him previously, she mentioned the scenery of Mount Li, which was the Shan family’s territory. He hadn’t thought much of it then, but now, seeing Shan Zong, he couldn’t help but make some connections.

However, he had known since childhood that Shen Rong was a proud person. If she didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t press, lest he make her more uncomfortable, simply deciding that he was overthinking things.

Changsun Xin smiled, continuing to smooth things over: “It’s already rare that you bothered to rush here by swift horse despite the hardship. We’re family; no need for formalities.”

Pei Shaoyong smiled again upon hearing “family,” and glanced at Shen Rong beside him.

“Yes, second elder cousin, don’t be so polite,” Shen Rong added, then subtly glanced towards the guest room as she continued walking forward.

She wondered if he had left yet.

________________________________________

Shan Zong hadn’t left, not at all.

Before dawn broke, he had fastened his waist guard and arm guards, tucked in his barbarian robe, and headed straight for the inner courtyard.

Donglai, guarding outside the courtyard, saw him approach. He lowered his head and clasped his fist. When he looked up, he subtly shook his head.

Shan Zong stopped. He heard voices not far from the courtyard gate.

“Ah Rong, everything is almost ready. Your brother is already waiting,” it was Pei Shaoyong’s voice.

He stood by the door, his eyes dark.

Last night, they stayed up late with lights on, conversing for who knows how long, and now they were back again first thing this morning.

“Young Master,” Guangyuan walked over, holding a lacquered food box with both hands, and called him softly.

Shan Zong turned around: “Take it in.”

“Yes,” Guangyuan just agreed. Looking up, he saw him walking out, his riding boots clanking on the corridor, his long strides wide, his steps slightly heavy.

________________________________________

Inside the courtyard, Pei Shaoyong, dressed in a loose, comfortable crimson round-collared robe with his hair bound by a green jade coronet, waited under the corridor near the courtyard gate.

As Guangyuan carried the food box in, Shen Rong happened to be coming out, attended by Zirui.

“Esteemed one, you’re up early. Have a bowl of soup before you go out,” Guangyuan handed the food box to Zirui.

Shen Rong glanced at him, thinking that he was serving her even more diligently now, even more so than when she was at the Shan family’s estate.

Zirui opened the food box. Inside was a white porcelain bowl containing fragrant, clear soup.

Pei Shaoyong, standing nearby, had already seen it: “Is this Luoyang’s clear soup?” He finished, looking at Shen Rong’s expression.

Guangyuan had deliberately not mentioned Luoyang as Shan Zong instructed, yet it was still brought up.

Shen Rong had actually already recognized it. She had tasted it often when she was at the Shan family.

She held the spoon and stirred it, then slightly raised her eyes to look at Pei Shaoyong, but still put it down: “No need. Take it back.”

Zirui covered the food box, handed it back to Guangyuan, and followed Shen Rong out.

Guangyuan frowned and sighed inwardly. Watching the three of them leave the courtyard, he thought, The young master was right, the esteemed one indeed doesn’t wish to recall Luoyang.

________________________________________

Changsun Xin, true to his word, did not go into the mountains today. He was already waiting outside the gate, ready to accompany Pei Shaoyong on a stroll through Youzhou City.

Shen Rong and Pei Shaoyong exited the official residence gate one after another. Changsun Xin was already on horseback, with guards behind him.

Looking at their numbers, it seemed there were two or three times more than the Changsun family had brought before; the entire pathway outside the gate was filled.

Pei Shaoyong said to Shen Rong: “My aunt agreed to let me come when she received news of your trip outside the pass. Therefore, she specifically instructed me to bring more guards and told me that once your business was finished, you should return as soon as possible, as she was terribly worried. I also brought a group of guards from the Pei family, so we won’t need to arrange escort by local officials when we return.”

Shen Rong stood with her arm wrapped in a silk shawl, her gaze subtly shifting to the mounted Changsun Xin.

Changsun Xin was also looking at her. The siblings exchanged glances.

This was to be expected.

“We’re not leaving right away. Keep some people here; there’s no need to bring so many along,” Changsun Xin said.

Pei Shaoyong nodded: “Cousin is right.”

He gave some instructions, leaving all the guards he brought at the official residence. He then mounted his horse and waited, watching Shen Rong get into the carriage, before setting off with Changsun Xin.

________________________________________

On the city wall of Youzhou, Zhang Wei had just replaced someone on watch. He stood on the steps of the rampart, looking down.

Shan Zong’s tall, pine-like figure leaned against the city wall below, arms crossed, his thumb idly playing with his saber sheath. His horse was beside him.

His expression was unclear; no one knew what he was thinking. He had arrived from the direction of the official residence early in the morning, patrolled the city wall as usual, and did what he had to do, but hadn’t spoken a single word to his subordinates.

Zhang Wei wasn’t Hu Shi-yi; otherwise, he would have long since been unable to resist going down to ask.

After a few more glances, he suddenly saw Shan Zong move. He stood up straight, saber in hand, and lifted his head.

Zhang Wei followed his gaze, and from his vantage point on the city wall, he could see far. He immediately spotted a group of people on horseback. Squinting, he recognized one among them: Jin Jiaojiao.

Looking down again, Shan Zong had already left.

________________________________________

Pei Shaoyong’s group had already traversed most of the city, visiting several city gates, and even making a trip to the Youzhou official yamen.

They were now resting and having a meal in a tavern in the city.

Changsun Xin entered a private room and, sitting behind the table, said, “I originally thought, second cousin, that you were just acting on a whim. But seeing how meticulously you’ve observed everything along the way, you seem genuinely earnest in seeking official distinction. Could it be that the family’s inherited official positions are no longer enough for you?”

His second cousin Pei, though talented in literature, had never shown ambition for official distinction in the past. Coupled with his good nature, everyone assumed he would be content with a portion of the family’s benefits.

Now, however, it seemed that wasn’t the case. He was actually someone who kept his true ambitions hidden, appearing honest only on the surface.

Pei Shaoyong sat beside him: “I’ve had this plan for three years now.”

Changsun Xin pointed at him, teasing: “I get it. Most of our young men first establish their careers then start families. Since you’re so focused on your career now, it means you’re thinking of settling down.”

Pei Shaoyong smiled, reaching to pour water, subtly glancing sideways.

Shen Rong didn’t sit. She stood by the window, beside a half-human-height barbarian table where tea was being brewed.

Youzhou tea was bitter yet refreshing, and the air around them was filled with the bitter fragrance of tea.

She looked up and suddenly saw, outside the private room’s window, a man walking directly towards her through the crowd on the street. Her heart involuntarily skipped a beat. She glanced left and right.

She hadn’t seen him in the official residence that morning and thought he had left last night, but it turned out he hadn’t.

“Ah Rong, be careful with the tea soup,” Pei Shaoyong, seeing that the silk shawl draped over her arm was almost touching the tea stove on the barbarian table, quickly got up and came over.

Shan Zong was already within ten steps of the window, stopping at an unpopulated corner of the wall.

The moment Shen Rong saw him, she turned sideways, leaving only her profile and a cascade of dark, cloud-like hair visible to him.

Pei Shaoyong suddenly stepped out from beside her, nudged the light silk shawl on her arm, and spoke to her with concern.

Then he brought a teacup over and handed it to her. The two figures were very close.

Shen Rong took it and left the window with him.

Shan Zong’s gaze shifted from the window. He exhaled a laugh through his nose, not even knowing what he was laughing about.

Is it endless?

His eyes swept back, staring at that window for a long time. He never saw Shen Rong reappear, so he turned and left.

________________________________________

It wasn’t until late afternoon that the group returned to the official residence.

Shen Rong dismounted from the carriage, taking Zirui’s hand. Beside them, Changsun Xin had already dismounted and was subtly beckoning to her.

She glanced at Pei Shaoyong, who was still on his horse, and walked over.

As she drew closer, she heard him whisper: “What’s wrong with you? You barely spoke all day. Is it because of what Mother asked second elder cousin to relay?”

Shen Rong’s expression remained unchanged. She walked straight into the main gate: “How could it be?”

Changsun Xin saw Pei Shaoyong approaching and didn’t ask further, watching her figure enter the gate.

Shen Rong entered the inner courtyard, motioned for Zirui and Donglai not to follow, and walked towards the main house.

She pushed open the door and was suddenly startled. A figure leaned against the doorframe.

Before she could speak, the figure was already close. One hand wrapped around her, and the other closed the door.

Shen Rong crashed into his embrace. When she looked up, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

“You...” she only managed to utter one indistinct word.

“Me what?” Shan Zong held her waist firmly, his lips pressed against hers: “Is this the only way I can see you?”

His voice was muffled, drilling into her ear.

Shen Rong parted her lips, but her next words were swallowed by him before they could escape.

He held her lips, one hand tracing the back of her neck, pulling her deeper into his embrace.

He kissed her so fiercely that Shen Rong felt suffocated, her face quickly flushing.

“Ah Rong has returned to her room?” Pei Shaoyong’s voice echoed.

Shen Rong, fearing discovery, couldn’t help but want to move.

Shan Zong’s arm tightened firmly, holding her even closer. He even let out a low hum through his nose, a hint of a smile in it, kissing the side of her face, her ear, and grinding his lips harder against hers.

Outside, Zirui was responding: “Yes, young mistress was out all day, she must be tired.”

Shen Rong tilted her head back, her heart suddenly quickening. His mouth was already moving across her chin, down to her neck, with small, dense kisses.

“Then let her rest well,” Pei Shaoyong’s footsteps faded away.

It wasn’t until Shen Rong couldn’t help but clutch his barbarian robe by the collar that Shan Zong savagely sucked on her neck, making her wince in pain, before finally releasing her lips.

Shen Rong lay in his arms, head tilted back, breathing in gasps, her cheeks flushed crimson, as if stained by the sunset.

Shan Zong looked down at her face, controlling her breathing. Only now did she not seem to intentionally avoid him as she had before.

“You came at the right time,” Shen Rong panted softly, her eyes flickering: “I have something to tell you.”

Shan Zong’s lips curved upward. He had thought she was startled by his actions just now, but he didn’t expect her to say he came at the right time. His breathing was heavy, his voice deep: “What is it?”

Shen Rong’s fingers were still clutching his collar, looking at his chiseled jaw: “I’m probably... leaving soon.”

Shan Zong’s lips slowly tightened, the smile gone from his face: “Going back again?”

“Mm,” Shen Rong said. Before leaving the house, she had heard Pei Shaoyong’s words about her mother, and only then did she understand her mother’s true intention in sending him: he was here to pick her up.

Shan Zong didn’t speak. The room suddenly became very quiet.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice still deep: “And then?”

Shen Rong raised her eyes: “Then?”

Shan Zong looked into her eyes: “Have you thought about what will happen after you go back? About you and me.”

Shen Rong looked at his face: “You and me?”

Shan Zong remained looking down at her. In her eyes, he saw his prominent brow bone, connected to his straight nose. He was by the door, a deep shadow between his eyebrows. That shadow seemed to deepen after her rhetorical question.

He said in a low voice, “Have you, until now, never thought about being serious with me?”

Shen Rong’s lips moved slightly, pressed together, then parted again: “What does ‘serious’ mean?”

“For us to be husband and wife again.”

Shen Rong froze, her lips gently closing.

She had never imagined those words would come from his mouth, entering her ears so unexpectedly.

For a moment, only his deep face remained in her vision, and she forgot what she was thinking.

Shan Zong’s brows were furrowed, his eyes dark. He released her: “You haven’t thought about it.”