HMHSE - 6

Zhao Jinlian was no fool. He had already inquired about the fact that Minister Changsun Xin’s sister was extremely favored. Now that she had spoken, it meant she agreed with his proposal.

“It’s settled then. The matter of the ban is resolved,” he said deliberately, glancing at Shan Zong as if addressing him. Then, turning to Changsun Xin, he added: “I’ve arranged alternative accommodations for both of you. Minister, why don’t you and your sister return to the city first and settle into your new residence?”

Exploring the mountains for minerals wasn’t a task that could be completed in a day or two. How could they allow a distinguished family from Chang’an to stay in the bustling post station for long? This was the proper courtesy expected of a governor like Zhao Jinlian.

Changsun Xin glanced at the curtain and nodded reluctantly.

The exploration was temporarily halted, and everyone returned to the city.

The curtain was removed, and Shen Rong’s clothes were nearly dry after being warmed by the fire. She was wrapped in her brother’s cloak, wearing a hood, and supported by Zirui as she stepped out.

It was rare for Zhao Jinlian to see a high-ranking official from the capital traveling with a sister, so he took an extra look.

With the hood obscuring her face, only her soft lips, snow-white jawline, and the smooth curve of her profile down to her neck were visible.

He inwardly sighed. No wonder she was a beauty of Chang’an—such a woman must have been claimed by some noble son or grandson.

Over there, horses neighed and people moved. Shan Zong mounted his horse.

As Shen Rong entered the carriage, she glanced back while gripping the door. She saw Zhao Jinlian calling Shan Zong to return to the city together. On his horse, Shan Zong seemed to glance her way again.

She pretended not to notice and climbed into the carriage.

Since the governor was still accompanying them, upon entering the city, Changsun Xin instructed Zirui to take some people back to the post station to pack and arrange things, while he and Shen Rong followed Zhao Jinlian to their new residence first.

To their surprise, Zhao Jinlian actually called Shan Zong over.

Two sets of rhythmic hoofbeats joined the procession behind the carriage—Shan Zong and Hu Shiyi.

Changsun Xin stayed close to Shen Rong’s carriage while glancing backward repeatedly.

Zhao Jinlian rode alongside him and, noticing this, chuckled: “Minister, I assume you knew Commander Shan before. He once hailed from a prominent family in Luoyang, though he hasn’t returned in many years.”

“I don’t know him,” Changsun Xin replied curtly, rarely putting on airs of authority. He raised his voice: “I just find it regrettable. Some people may seem impeccable on the surface, but in reality, their vision is lacking.”

Zhao Jinlian was baffled.

Having spent years stationed in Youzhou, he had little knowledge of affairs in the capital and couldn’t grasp the situation between these two individuals.

Still, he felt there might be some connection between the Shan and Changsun families, though he couldn’t recall what it was.

Behind them, Hu Shiyi’s expression changed. He quietly asked Shan Zong: “Boss, what did he mean? With your sharp eyesight that can see for miles, how could he say your vision is lacking?”

Shan Zong smirked: “He didn’t name names. Why are you rushing to claim it on my behalf?”

Hu Shiyi could only lower his head and remain silent.

More or less, Changsun Xin’s words reached inside the carriage.

Shen Rong sat leaning against the side. For some reason, she didn’t feel vindicated; instead, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

No one spoke further. Amidst the pedestrians yielding along the way, they arrived at their destination.

The surroundings were quiet, and before them stood an official residence.

Zhao Jinlian’s wife, Lady He, had arranged everything. Efficient as she was, she had already led the staff to wait at the entrance.

Changsun Xin resumed his refined demeanor, dismounted, and greeted Lady He warmly. In gentle tones, he explained that his sister was currently indisposed and asked if Lady He could kindly take her to a sheltered area first.

Lady He smiled, exchanging a glance with her husband. She found this newly arrived official from the capital very easy to get along with.

Shen Rong stepped down from the carriage using a stool and was immediately supported by Lady He’s hands: “This must be Minister Changsun’s sister. Please follow me.”

Shen Rong glanced at her. Lady He was plump and fair-skinned, with delicate, elongated eyes and a perpetually cheerful demeanor.

Shen Rong gave a slight nod as acknowledgment and followed her inside, deliberately avoiding looking for where the man was.

Lady He had heard the general outline from her husband and knew this noblewoman was of utmost importance. She arranged accordingly, assigning the best main room to Shen Rong.

The residence wasn’t large, and there weren’t many servants to be seen along the way.

Shen Rong followed Lady He into the inner courtyard and into the main room. After removing her hood, she looked around and began to frown.

Though it was called the main room, it appeared to have been vacant for a long time, devoid of any signs of life.

Opposite the bed was a small desk with a wooden rack for holding swords, now empty. A four-panel screen depicted the four famous scenes of Luoyang, and by the window was a soft couch covered with thick mink fur—that was all.

Her frown wasn’t because of its simplicity but because it felt familiar.

The room bore a striking resemblance to the one she had stayed in during her time at the Shan residence—the only difference being that the furnishings here were simpler and coarser.

Lady He was studying her appearance when she noticed Shen Rong’s frown and quickly asked: “Is something unsatisfactory, my lady?”

Shen Rong snapped out of her thoughts: “No.”

Lady He breathed a sigh of relief: “I was worried it was because of Commander Shan.”

Shen Rong looked at her: “What does he have to do with it?”

Lady He laughed: “I heard that the two of you stayed at the post station for a few days. Perhaps you heard something and were frightened by Commander Shan’s ‘reputation’ outside.”

Shen Rong found her words vague and still couldn’t make sense of the connection, but they did distract her train of thought: “Oh? What kind of reputation does he have?”

Lady He hesitated to elaborate but, considering that this person was nobility from Chang’an and her Changsun family had contributed to the founding of the dynasty, she naturally wanted to build rapport. Who knew? It might even benefit her husband’s career in the future.

She invited Shen Rong to sit and whispered: “Let me speak frankly—it’s just to give you a heads-up since you’re new here. Commander Shan isn’t an ordinary man. In Youzhou, no one dares to provoke him—from his military compound to the common folk, even those in the black markets obey him without question. His methods are indeed formidable.”

Shen Rong’s eyes flickered subtly: “Is that so?”

Yet she had not only provoked him but had even married him.

Lady He nodded and continued with a smile: “Even though my husband is the highest-ranking official in Youzhou, he shows Commander Shan respect because Youzhou’s internal stability and external defense both depend on him. But this place is a mix of good and bad elements. If he weren’t formidable, how could he maintain control?”

Shen Rong hummed in acknowledgment.

Lady He stopped there, tactfully defending him, but Shen Rong absorbed every word.

During her time at the Shan residence, she had already realized that the man wasn’t like the gentlemanly sons of other noble families. But it was only here that she discovered he was far more than that.

…

Not long after Lady He left, Donglai brought Zirui and the other servants from the Changsun household over from the post station.

Zirui knew her young mistress valued cleanliness above all else and had endured the governor’s hospitality until now. Her first task was to come into the room to help Shen Rong change.

Upon entering, however, she paused in surprise.

She had accompanied Shen Rong as part of her dowry to the Shan family in Luoyang and had stayed there for half a year, so naturally, she remembered what the room of Young Master Shan looked like.

She had also seen Shan Zong’s appearance, but now pretended not to recognize him to avoid upsetting Shen Rong.

Donglai was much the same, feigning ignorance.

As Zirui helped Shen Rong change, Shen Rong suddenly asked: “Is he still here?”

Zirui didn’t catch on immediately: “Whom does Young Mistress refer to?”

Shen Rong twirled the silk tassel on her sash: “Never mind. It’s nothing.”

After saying this, she stepped out and told them not to follow.

Zhao Jinlian probably hadn’t left yet, as voices could still be heard in the outer courtyard.

Shen Rong walked out of the inner courtyard and turned the corner under the corridor when suddenly, a dark figure blocked her view.

A leg clad in riding boots stretched out in front of her. The man had his arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall and blocking her path.

Shen Rong was momentarily startled but quickly realized who it was. He was still here.

“What do you want?” she asked, raising her head.

Shan Zong looked down at her: “Go tell Zhao Jinlian to change his decision and assign someone else to protect you.”

Shen Rong’s brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed. So this was why he had followed her here.

“Why should I?” she retorted defiantly, turning her face away. “I won’t.”

There was no response.

Unable to resist, she glanced over again, only to find Shan Zong still staring at her.

Meeting her gaze, he suddenly smiled, uncrossing his arms: “Could it be that you came to Youzhou because of me?”

Shen Rong’s eyebrows shot up, and her face flushed instantly: “You… what kind of dream are you having!”

Shan Zong’s eyes grew deep: “Good, then it’s not true.”

A flame seemed to ignite in Shen Rong’s heart, burning fiercely, but she quickly caught herself and understood: “You’re provoking me.” She quirked her lips slightly, her eyes crescent-shaped. “It’s useless to provoke me.”

This was his own doing, the consequence of his earlier offense with that thrown knife.

Her face was naturally pale, unlike others. When displeased, it only made her appear more vivid and striking.

Shan Zong gazed at her face, the smile still lingering on his lips, but he recalled that this was the first time he had seen her like this.

In truth, there weren’t many memories of her in his mind.

So this was the real Changsun Shen Rong.

“He’s here,” Zhao Jinlian’s voice came from behind.

Shen Rong turned to see her brother walking over, accompanied by Zhao Jinlian, with Hu Shiyi trailing slowly behind.

When she turned back, Shan Zong had straightened up and taken a few steps back.

She couldn’t help but press her lips together, wondering who it was that had actively blocked her path earlier.

“Youzhou is no match for Chang’an in terms of luxury, and the official residence is simple. I hope the two of you won’t mind.” Zhao Jinlian arrived and began with formalities.

Changsun Xin’s eyes shifted from Shen Rong to Shan Zong, then back to Shen Rong.

One remained aloof, while the other exuded a roguish air.

Suddenly, a man hurried over, heading straight for Shan Zong: “Master, you’ve returned.”

The man first bowed to Shan Zong, then proceeded to greet Zhao Jinlian and the others. When he reached Changsun Xin, he paused briefly, and upon turning to Shen Rong, his face lit up with shock. He stared at her several times before blurting out: “Mis...”

His voice cut off abruptly as Shan Zong pinched the back of his neck.

“Speak clearly,” Shan Zong said in a low voice.

The man’s eyes darted: “Everything nearby has been taken care of. This place is safe for the esteemed guests to reside in.”

“Mm.” Shan Zong released him.

Everyone watched this exchange.

The man was the estate’s steward. However, Shen Rong immediately recognized him—he was Shan Zong’s personal attendant.

It was he who had delivered the divorce letter to her back then.

She still remembered his name: Guangyuan.

Guangyuan awkwardly bowed to her: “Esteemed lady, I hope you are well.”

Shen Rong thought for a moment, then suddenly understood. She looked toward the man standing a few steps away: “Is this your residence?”

Shan Zong adjusted his arm guard and turned his head.

Zhao Jinlian explained: “Yes, this is indeed Commander Shan’s official residence, though he rarely uses it. It was handed over to the government office for free use. It just so happens that it’s available for the two of you to stay temporarily.”

No wonder the furnishings inside were like that, and no wonder Lady He had said those things to her.

They had divorced, yet she had ended up in his nest. Shen Rong couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation rising in her heart.

Beside her, Changsun Xin coughed dryly. He was now regretting asking the governor to intervene.

But Shan Zong himself didn’t think much of it. Since the house had been handed over to the government office, he hadn’t cared who used it—it was all the same to him.

Had he not come along today, he wouldn’t even have known about this arrangement.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” he said with a slight bow, performing a military salute before turning and walking out.

Shen Rong watched his departing figure, outwardly calm but inwardly thinking: So he really had only come to ask her to change her mind.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Guangyuan sneakily glancing at her, still unable to believe it. When he realized she’d noticed, he lowered his head to look at the ground…

As Shan Zong exited, Hu Shiyi followed him out.

“Boss, while you were gone earlier, I probed Governor Zhao about the situation. What do you think? That minister said they came with an imperial decree, but it turns out they’re here to search for minerals.”

Shan Zong walked and spoke: “It’s not surprising. He is from the Ministry of Works, after all.”

Hu Shiyi didn’t understand the intricacies of the six ministries in the capital, nor did he rejoice at no longer having to personally drive away that golden beauty. He only felt helpless: “What kind of troublesome job is this? Have we been tricked? Not only is the sudden ban useless against them, but now they’re even making you serve as that woman’s escort!”

Shan Zong chuckled. It wasn’t a trick. She had come specifically for him.

Sure enough, she was Changsun Shen Rong, the one even the entire military compound couldn’t subdue.

“Are you really going to protect her?” Hu Shiyi pressed.

“What do you think?”

Shan Zong went down the steps to untie his horse, replaying the mention of the imperial decree in his mind.

Three years at the border, and Chang’an already had a new ruler.

But why did Changsun Xin need to bring Changsun Shen Rong along for mining?