HMHSE - 61

Vast clouds of dust drifted across the road. After the wind blew past, a tall city gate appeared before their eyes.

Changsun Xin, leading the team on horseback, arrived there and waved his hands twice, signaling everyone to stop.

Shen Rong pulled back the curtain of the carriage to look out.

Changsun Xin dismounted, turned to look at her. The brother and sister exchanged glances, and his expression was somewhat solemn.

The conversation outside Zhou Jun’s mansion in Danzhou was still fresh in his mind. He now understood the culprit that had made Shen Rong distracted for days, and he certainly did not feel at ease.

“I should go back,” he said, pointing to the city wall in front of them, “We’ve already reached Hedong territory.”

Shen Rong, supported by Zirui’s hand, alighted and walked up to him. “Yes, we agreed that you would only escort me past Danzhou, and you’ve already sent me quite far.”

“I’m still worried about you,” he said softly.

Shen Rong remained silent; there was no need for more words.

Pei Shaoyong also dismounted. Seeing Changsun Xin’s displeased expression, he walked up to the two. “Cousin, don’t worry, I will take good care of A-Rong.”

Changsun Xin found it difficult to say anything to him, only casually replied with a “Good,” and then looked at Shen Rong again.

Pei Shaoyong also looked at Shen Rong. No one had mentioned her reaction that day at Zhou Jun’s mansion; it was as if it hadn’t happened.

So he kept it to himself, pretending everything was fine, and looked at the city gate in front of them, suddenly feeling strange. “Why isn’t the city gate open?”

In broad daylight, the city gate was closed.

Shen Rong looked up. A figure flashed among the guards above, and then the city gate slowly opened below.

That figure rode out from inside the city gate, a young man in armor, who stopped right in front of her, dismounted, and said, “Sis...”

He stopped himself in time, looked at Changsun Xin and Pei Shaoyong, and silently bowed in greeting.

It was Shan Zhao.

Shen Rong had recognized his figure the moment she saw it. This was the same city she had passed through on her way back to the capital before. She hadn’t expected him to be personally on duty at the city today.

Changsun Xin recognized Shan Zhao, and his face was not good, especially seeing him at this moment. He even raised a hand to press his forehead.

Although Pei Shaoyong had never met him, he guessed who it was from the abruptly cut-off greeting and frowned, remaining silent.

Shan Zhao’s eyes had already scanned their group, not seeing his elder brother’s figure, and he was a little disappointed. He looked at Shen Rong and asked, “Are you passing through the city?”

Shen Rong glanced at the two silent men beside her and nodded. “Why is the city gate closed?”

Shan Zhao said, “Two disgraced officials in a nearby city have gathered their house soldiers and private guards to cause trouble, injuring many people. All cities along the route have closed their gates to apprehend them. It’s best for noble teams like yours not to pass through at this time, to avoid being affected.”

Pei Shaoyong’s brows furrowed deeper. “What do you mean? We can’t leave now?”

Shan Zhao said, “It’s best not to leave now. Such minor disturbances will subside in a day or two. It won’t be too late to leave then. I have Shan family troops guarding here who can protect you all.”

“Shan family troops...” Pei Shaoyong mumbled softly, looking at Shen Rong.

Changsun Xin saw that Shan Zhao was only speaking to Shen Rong, implying that it was a special exception for the Shan family army to protect them because Shen Rong was there.

He sighed helplessly, but then he saw another person riding out of the city and was surprised. “You’re here too?”

The person riding out was Shan Ying, dressed in Hu-style military attire, with a sword across her horse, looking like a man if one didn’t look closely.

She reached them and swept her gaze over the three. “What a coincidence?” She then opened her mouth to call “cousin-in-law” but was stopped by Changsun Xin’s timely raised hand.

He, a refined gentleman accustomed to maintaining his demeanor, almost glared at her.

Seeing this, Shan Ying had to restrain herself. She dismounted and took Shen Rong’s arm. “I’ve heard what Shan Zhao said. You should wait in the city for a while. I just led my men back from a nearby city, and that little trouble will be resolved soon.”

Shan Zhao, seeing them not speak, had to look at Shen Rong and say, “If you don’t wish to, you can also return and wait for a day or two, as long as you are safe.”

Since they were passing through his territory, he could not ignore his sister-in-law’s safety; even a small disturbance could not be risked.

Pei Shaoyong said, “We just want to return to the capital quickly; we don’t want to go back.”

Changsun Xin glanced at Shen Rong, not discerning any expression on her face. He lightly coughed into his hand. “You decide.”

Pei Shaoyong also looked over.

Shen Rong stood silently for a moment, then walked first towards the city gate. “Then let’s stay here.”

Pei Shaoyong was stunned for a moment before following.

Shan Zhao immediately waved his hand upwards. A team of Shan family troops descended from the city, lining up on both sides of the gate, escorting them into the city.

As Shan Ying was about to follow, she saw Changsun Xin behind her, holding his horse, seeming somewhat hesitant. She asked strangely, “Aren’t you entering the city?”

Changsun Xin looked at her, then at Shen Rong walking ahead. After much thought, he changed his mind. “Of course, I will wait until A-Rong leaves before returning.”

With that, he led his horse and followed.

Shan Ying watched him walk away, then quietly asked Shan Zhao, “Have you seen eldest cousin?”

Shan Zhao shook his head, whispering, “I also thought I’d see him this time, but his figure isn’t here.”

He then looked at Shen Rong’s retreating back. “I think sister-in-law is different this time from last time; there’s not a trace of a smile on her face.”

________________________________________

The group galloped quickly, hooves thundering across rivers, kicking up dust and withered leaves from the forest, traversing bumpy, barren shortcuts at the fastest possible speed, cutting across towards the Hedong territory.

When they could see the city from a distance, everyone reined in their horses.

Hu Shiyi panted heavily, “Boss, the city gate is closed.”

Shan Zong, leading the charge, gazed at the city gate in the distance, his heart sinking, only his chest still heaving from the hurried journey.

“They’ve probably already passed,” Hu Shiyi cautiously glanced at him.

They had practically traversed mountains and crossed ridges to get here, already far from Youzhou.

Given the current situation in the mountains, Hu Shiyi knew that he couldn’t go far; he had merely squeezed out the only available time to rush here.

Unexpectedly, he was still a step too late.

To chase further would likely be impossible; they couldn’t stay for too long.

Shan Zong pulled the reins, spurred his horse forward, facing the wind, his black clothes fluttering, always facing the city gate, without a word.

Inside the city, at the guard’s quarters.

Shan Zhao had arranged lodging for the guests and was about to lead his men to quell the disturbance.

As he hurried out, he bumped into his cousin Shan Ying coming from the opposite direction in the corridor, who was waving at him.

Shan Ying had rushed here from Luoyang to coordinate with him in handling the disturbance. Now she was back to take over his guard duty at the city, allowing him to go to the rear to quell the disturbance.

So Shan Zhao, seeing this, assumed it was about the disturbance and walked quickly over to ask, “What’s wrong?”

Shan Ying cupped her hand and whispered a few words into his ear.

Shan Zhao’s face lit up with a smile upon hearing this. “Really? Big...”

Shan Ying shushed him. “Don’t say anything; you can see it from the city wall. You do what you need to do; I’ll go find cousin-in-law.”

Shan Zhao nodded, remembered he had matters to attend to, sighed regretfully, and continued outside.

Shen Rong was in the same pavilion she had stayed in before.

Changsun Xin had just escorted her inside and, as he walked out of the pavilion, heard a voice calling out, “Brother-in-law,” from ahead.

He looked up, unsurprised to see the valiant woman approaching, and frowned. “How could you forget again?”

Shan Ying walked up to him. “Yes, I always forget.” She then glanced at him. “Then what should I call you?”

Changsun Xin straightened his sleeves and clasped his hands behind his back. “My courtesy name is Xingli; you can just call me that.”

Shan Ying said, “I’m afraid calling you that might make you think we of the Shan family are not respectful enough.”

Changsun Xin retorted in annoyance, “Or you could respectfully address me as Steward Changsun; that would be respectful enough.”

Shan Ying thought for a moment. “Then I’ll call you Xingli.” She cupped her hands. “I’ve just returned from guarding the city; I’ll go inside and see Shen Rong.”

This time, Changsun Xin didn’t hear her call out “cousin-in-law” again, so he said nothing. After she went in, he suddenly felt that being called by his courtesy name was a bit too intimate. He uncomfortably cleared his throat and turned to leave.

Shen Rong was sitting by the table, listening to Zirui report the origin of the disturbance—

“Donglai went to inquire; it’s said that the Saint has once again moved against the former emperor’s old officials. The troublemakers here are two local officials who were implicated along with them. With the Shan family army here, it looks like it will be quelled soon.”

Shen Rong hummed, no wonder the Shan family took it seriously, sending Shan Ying to assist Shan Zhao; it turned out to be the new emperor’s doing.

It didn’t sound like a big deal, she thought, so they should be able to continue their journey soon.

“Go out.”

Zirui had intended for this news to distract her, but seeing that her young mistress was still somewhat preoccupied, she had no choice but to withdraw.

The room was quiet for only a short while before there was a knock on the door, and Shan Ying’s voice sounded from outside, “It’s me.”

Shen Rong glanced at the door, got up, walked over, and opened it.

Shan Ying’s face, framed by a man’s hairstyle, turned towards her, and she went straight to the point. “I have a place I’d like you to go with me.”

Dusk was falling, and the evening glow had completely faded.

Because of the disturbance in the nearby city, the residents of this city had closed their doors early.

The streets were quiet, with only two fast horses galloping by, leaving a trail of hoofbeats.

They stopped simultaneously by the city gate.

A team of Shan family troops, having already received orders, slowly opened the city gate halfway.

Shen Rong sat on horseback, draped in a thin silk cape, and pushed back her hood. She glanced at the person beside her. “Why are we coming here?”

Shan Ying steadied her horse and pointed outside the city gate. “Why don’t you go see for yourself?”

Shen Rong turned to look out, gently squeezed her horse’s flanks, and slowly passed through the city gate.

Dusk enveloped the surroundings; outside the city, there was a profound silence.

The sky was grayish-blue, with clouds hanging low, and the wind blew from south to north.

Shen Rong’s gaze also followed the wind, and suddenly she saw a man on horseback in the wind, his back straight and figure tall in the twilight, seemingly real yet illusory.

She was stunned, dismounted, and took two steps towards him, wondering if she had misseen him.

The next moment, that figure suddenly moved, spurring his horse directly towards her.

Behind him, a contingent of military cavalry emerged.

The rumble of hooves reached her, and Shen Rong, looking up, clearly saw his face, only then realizing it was real.

Shan Zong dismounted and walked step by step towards her.

“It seems I don’t need to chase you across Hedong,” his voice was somewhat hoarse.

Shen Rong looked at him in a daze. “You came to chase me?”

He smiled, but his lips tightened. “That’s right, I’m using military power for personal gain like this. Who told me I’m a bad seed?”

Shen Rong’s eyes were momentarily fixed only on his face, and her voice was light as a feather. “Why did you chase me?”

A stray lock of hair fell across Shan Zong’s forehead, obscuring his weary eyes. He had only changed into a fresh Hu-style outfit before rushing to her.

His voice deepened. “The one who chased you is not the eldest young master of the Shan family, but merely the Youzhou militia commander, who perhaps can do nothing.”

Shen Rong was speechless, staring at his collar. There seemed to be sweat on his neck, likely from the haste of his arrival.

She lifted her head. In her gaze, Shan Zong’s eyes were heavy, seemingly reddened, yet his lips curled into a smile. After a long moment, he finally loosened his jaw, his throat moved, and his voice became even hoarser. “I said it all depends on you. Now that I’ve chased you, perhaps my heart hasn’t died yet. When will you give me a definite answer, perhaps then my heart can truly die.”

Shen Rong looked at his reddened eyes in astonishment. She had seen his arrogance, but never eyes like these, even though he was smiling now.

“You came all this way just for this?”

He rushed here just for her to give him a definite answer.

“What else could I want?” he asked with a smile, still sounding like the Shan Zong of old.

It could only be this way; he couldn’t kneel and beg her. If he was to give up hope, it had to be completely.

“Between you and me, only you can so lightly dismiss it,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Shen Rong’s fingers clutched the hem of her cape, her thoughts scattered by the wind.

Shan Zong did not get her answer, but the smile on his lips deepened, though there was no joy in his eyes. “If you can’t say it, just send a message. Anyway, I’ll always be in Youzhou.”

He suddenly swung onto his horse, tightly gripping the reins. “Don’t worry, what happened today will never happen a second time in this life.”

As the light faded, Shen Rong’s eyes only held his retreating figure, riding at great speed.

His soldiers immediately followed, seemingly having no time left.

He was like an illusion, squeezing in through a crack, then disappearing again.