HMHSE - 62

The thunderous sound of horses’ hooves pounded across the river and galloped midway before abruptly halting.

Shan Zong reined in his horse and looked back. The twilight concealed everything, and the woman’s figure was already too small to be seen.

Hu Shiyi quickly pulled his horse to a stop, turned around, and asked, “Boss, why did we stop? We don’t have much time; we can’t afford to waste it.”

“Exactly,” he said with a smile.

He shouldn’t have come out on this trip; he should have been guarding the pass or in the mountains. He had forced his way out.

He should have stayed in Youzhou, never leaving Youzhou, instead of breaking his own rules again and again for Shen Rong.

Hu Shiyi held his horse, which kept pawing at the ground, wondering if his boss hadn’t finished saying something to Jin Jiaojiao. He thought for a moment and said, “It’ll be the same next time; Jin Jiaojiao will definitely come again.”

Shan Zong chuckled again, a laugh escaping his lips. He reined in his horse and turned back. His expression was unclear in the twilight, only his slightly tilted posture on the horse suggested an untamed spirit.

Hu Shiyi thought he had guessed correctly and grinned, showing his teeth.

“Let’s go,” Shan Zong said, spurring his horse forward.

Suddenly, a flickering firelight appeared in the distance. He abruptly turned his head.

“What’s that?” Hu Shiyi asked, surprised, looking over.

The towns in Hedong were very densely populated. Behind this city were several small towns, only dozens of li apart.

At this moment, a patch of firelight was coming from the direction of those small towns, moving directly towards this city.

Carried on the wind was the faint sound of human voices from within the firelight.

“Boss, there’s trouble.”

Youzhou had experienced situations a hundred times more chaotic than this, and Hu Shiyi was not unfamiliar with it, quickly concluding what it was after a few glances.

Shan Zong’s gaze swept behind him, searching for that figure.

“Should we step in?” Hu Shiyi asked again.

“No need,” Shan Zong said. “Youzhou troops shouldn’t appear here. All of you, wait ahead. I’ll go alone.”

He drew his saber from beneath his horse’s belly and, as he furiously galloped back, thought to himself, this will probably be the last time.

________________________________________

When Shen Rong led her horse back into the city, her fingers finally relaxed their tight grip on her cape. The hem of the garment was already crumpled into a ball in her hand.

Shan Ying emerged from the gate to greet her, whispering in the dim light, “Eldest cousin waited for you for a long time. I saw from the city wall that his men never dismounted, looking as if they were about to return at any moment. It must have been a great rush for him to come after you.”

Shen Rong remembered Shan Zong’s weary face and his hurried departure, only giving a soft “Mm.”

Shan Ying was about to say something else when drumming sounds suddenly came from behind.

She turned to look back and shouted, “To arms!”

On the main street behind them, a team of Shan family troops rushed forward.

Leading them on horseback was Shan Zhao. As soon as he reached them, he said, “The trouble is coming this way. I just opened the west city gate to wait for them. Once they arrive, we’ll quell them completely!”

Shan Ying reacted quickly and immediately shouted, “Close the city!”

The Shan family troops by the city gate immediately moved.

Shan Zhao had already noticed Shen Rong by the city gate and quickly ordered the Shan family troops around him, “Why aren’t you protecting my sister-in-law!”

A large expanse of firelight could already be seen from behind, accompanied by chaotic human shouts, footsteps, and hooves.

Shen Rong was escorted a few steps into the city. The city gate was about to close when a horse suddenly rushed in, startling the Shan family troops in front of her, who all drew their weapons.

The person on horseback leaped down, and the armed Shan family troops immediately backed off.

Shen Rong looked up, her gaze falling with surprise on the tall, imposing figure of the man who had approached.

He had actually come back.

Shan Zhao quickly dismounted and ran over. “Big brother!”

Shan Ying also jogged over. “Eldest cousin.”

Shan Zong glanced at the gradually approaching firelight. “How long will it take to quell this?”

This deep question, like a military order, was something Shan Zhao hadn’t heard in years. Immediately, he responded like a trained soldier, cupping his fists. “At most, one hour.”

“Then one hour it is. You all focus on quelling the disturbance.” He grabbed Shen Rong’s wrist. “Let’s go.”

Shen Rong was pulled away by him.

The city gates were already closed. At dusk, every household in the city had already shut its doors, making it like an empty urn, perfect for catching turtles.

Shan Zong strode to an empty street corner and found the back gate of a shop ajar. He pulled her inside.

Shen Rong stood against the dim wall. Having walked too fast, her breathing was a little short, and her wrist was still in his hand. “Aren’t you helping them quell the disturbance?”

“This is the Shan family army’s business; they can handle it themselves.” Shan Zong tightened his grip on her wrist. “I only care about you.”

Shen Rong’s heart skipped a beat. He had specifically returned for her.

She pursed her lips and whispered, “I thought you had already left.”

Shan Zong faced her and hummed. “I should have left.”

Silence fell, broken only by the sounds from outside.

The firelight drew closer; it was the glow of torches. Chaotic shouts filled the air, and footsteps clattered loudly on the street.

From a distance came Shan Zhao’s command: “Surround them!”

The clang of weapons immediately followed.

Shan Zong, who had been holding her wrist, suddenly released it, turned around, and drew his saber.

A person who had just rushed into the courtyard gate fell, collapsing outside the door, their torch also dropping to the ground.

Shan Zong quickly closed the courtyard door, propped his saber against it, latching it, then walked back. He put one arm around Shen Rong’s waist, lifting her onto the corridor about two or three steps high behind the shop.

He held her so tightly that their bodies pressed together, their faces close.

Shen Rong’s heart was pounding from the person who had almost burst in, and she could smell his breath.

The flickering firelight outside the courtyard, intermittently illuminating his back, seemed to act as a screen. His deep-set eyes were also constantly shifting between light and shadow, with deep shadows beneath his nose.

Shan Zong suddenly let go of her, laughing softly and deeply. “Don’t worry, if you’re unwilling, I wouldn’t force myself on you.”

Shen Rong felt an emptiness in front of her, slightly gasping for breath, as she watched him.

He walked to the courtyard gate, took the saber from the door, then suddenly opened the door, thrust the saber out, and slammed the door shut again. His arm seemed to press tightly against the door, his shoulders and back tensed and straightened in the unclear light from outside the courtyard. He stood there with his back to her, like a guard.

She looked at his figure, suddenly remembering the situation outside the pass.

He was as restrained now as he had been unbridled then.

The courtyard seemed isolated from the disturbance outside. Only the two of them stood a distance apart, with no words exchanged in the deepening night.

“Close!” Shan Ying’s military command, echoing Shan Zhao’s, came from afar.

Shen Rong remained standing on the corridor.

Shan Zong also remained standing by the door, guarding it, except for occasionally opening it to deal with the rebels who tried to hide inside.

The saber was stained with blood again.

The chaotic sounds gradually faded into the distance, becoming softer, and a bright moon now hung high overhead.

After an unknown period, he finally released his hand from pressing the door, took the saber in one hand, turned, and walked over. “The trouble’s quelled; we can go.”

Shen Rong’s wrist was again clasped by him, and she followed his lead towards the courtyard door. “An hour has passed; aren’t you in even more of a hurry?”

Shan Zong stopped, his hand on the courtyard door, and turned to look at her.

She had noticed.

“I am in a hurry,” he said, “but it doesn’t matter if I’m even more rushed.”

Shen Rong stood before him, looking from the dark collar of his Hu-style attire to his thin lips. “If that’s the case, was it worth rushing here just for an answer?”

Shan Zong’s lips curved upward; he smiled. “Worth it. I never do anything that isn’t worth it.”

Shen Rong’s gaze hardened. He was always such a resolute man.

Outside, the neat marching footsteps of the Shan family troops passed by in a brief flurry.

When Shan Zong spoke again, his voice was still somewhat tired and hoarse. “I really should go now. I’ve said all I can say.”

“All you can say?” Shen Rong asked softly. “What else can’t you say?”

The wrist he held seemed to be gripped tighter. Shan Zong turned his face towards her. “There’s still one more thing, but you might not dare to hear it.”

Shen Rong unconsciously asked, “What?”

“Do you dare to hear it?”

Her heart inexplicably tightened, probably because his voice was too deep. “Which one?”

Shan Zong suddenly released her hand. The blood-stained saber sheathed and put away, he casually tossed it at his feet, and it clanged in the night.

Then he took a step back, straightened his clothes and sleeves. His Hu-style attire neatly accentuated his tall figure, broad shoulders, and narrow waist. He stood erect directly facing her, raising both hands and cupping them in a formal salute: “Shan Zong, Youzhou militia commander, wishes to request marriage to Changsun Shen Rong, noble lady of the Duke of Zhao’s mansion in Chang’an.”

Shen Rong looked up, her heart jolting violently, staring at him in a daze.

This was what he hadn’t said aloud.

Outside the courtyard, footsteps continued to pass by. Inside, only their quiet gazes met.

Shan Zong’s face was indistinctly shadowed. He slowly straightened up, gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Did you hear? I’m done.”

Shen Rong softly hummed in response.

Shan Zong heard her say nothing further. His body tensed under the moonlight, and he felt increasingly self-deprecating. He turned, picked up his saber, grabbed her wrist, pulled open the courtyard door, and walked out.

Shen Rong followed him for several steps, quietly pressing one hand against her wildly beating chest before she could speak as if nothing were amiss. “Then why didn’t you say it before?”

Shan Zong’s footsteps halted. He turned back, his voice subdued. “If you had given me even a hint of a response, I would have said it long ago.”

The sounds of marching and commotion in the street hadn’t ceased. Shen Rong heard his heavy breathing.

He tightly gripped her wrist, pulled her close, and looked down at her, his voice even hoarser. “I’m already starting to look down on myself, so you might as well just give me a clear answer. After this, I’ll forever be in Youzhou, and you’ll be in Chang’an, never to meet again.”

The last four words were almost squeezed out from between his teeth.

He had nothing, a free and untamed spirit, yet he straightened his clothes and proposed marriage before her, asking only for her favor. He could not humble himself any further.

If he was to continue having nothing in Youzhou, then let it be quick and decisive.

In the distance, a team of Shan family troops, holding torches, hurried towards them.

Shan Zhao’s voice called from afar, “Big brother, we finally found you two. Everything’s alright now.”

Shan Zong released her hand, his voice low in his throat. “Still can’t give me a direct answer, can you? Since it’s so difficult to speak plainly, you can just leave.”

He stepped back, gave her one last look, then turned and walked away.

When Shen Rong looked over, he had already disappeared into the shadows. She clutched her wrist, which he had held for too long, her heart still unsettled.

Shan Zhao rode up, but Shan Zong was no longer in sight.

He dismounted, sighing. “Cousin-sister said big brother was in a hurry, and I didn’t believe it. He really did rush off.” He then helped Shen Rong. “Sister-in-law, are you alright?”

Shen Rong forgot that his address was incorrect and only shook her head. “I’m fine.”

________________________________________

That hour felt like an unexpected bonus; no one knew that someone had come and gone.

The city was quickly cleared; the small disturbance had already subsided.

The next morning, Changsun Xin walked beneath the pavilion and asked Zirui, who was guarding the door, “Was A-Rong startled last night? When my second cousin and I came to find her, the lights upstairs were already out.”

Zirui glanced at Donglai beside her, then curtsied in return. “Young mistress slept early last night.”

Changsun Xin nodded. “Go and ask her to get up. The disturbance has been quelled; we can leave now.”

The city indeed had not been peaceful last night; it was right to have stayed here, listening to Shan Zhao’s words.

Zirui obeyed and went upstairs. She first listened for any movement before pushing open the door.

Upon entering, she was startled. Shen Rong was sitting upright at the table, still in her inner garments, holding a book, but her eyes were fixed on the floor, deep in thought.

“Young mistress woke up early?”

“Mm,” Shen Rong looked up. “Is it time to set off?”

Zirui confirmed.

She lowered her eyes, slowly closing the book in her hand, her mind seemingly returning.

Outside the pavilion, a guard reported that Pei Shaoyong was already urging them to leave. Changsun Xin instructed them to wait, then looked back into the pavilion, and Shen Rong emerged.

She had tied on her cape and applied her makeup, looking as vibrant and radiant as usual.

“Let’s go, Second Cousin is urging us,” Changsun Xin said.

On the corridor, Shan Zhao, in his armor, rushed to see them off.

“Sis...” As he approached, he almost couldn’t change his habit. He saw Changsun Xin and managed to restrain himself, looking at Shen Rong, then lowering his eyes. “Once you leave, I fear I don’t know when we’ll meet again.”

Changsun Xin, before leaving, also became more polite. “Why are you suddenly so sentimental?”

Shan Zhao said, “The disturbances these past few days were neither big nor small, but they certainly displeased the Saint. The Hedong area is to undergo internal administrative rectification. To prevent them from colluding with old officials in Chang’an again, for a short period, only guests from Chang’an are allowed to return from here; they are not allowed to come again. That’s why I’m saying this.”

Shen Rong immediately looked over. “No one from Chang’an allowed?”

Shan Zhao nodded.

She frowned. “How short is ‘short period’?”

“At least several months, or even half a year.”

Changsun Xin couldn’t help but secretly grumble to himself. The new emperor still trusted no one, going so far as to isolate all people from Chang’an to carry out rectification.

Suddenly noticing the silence beside him, he turned to look. “A-Rong, it’s time to go. This doesn’t really affect you much.”

Anyway, she wouldn’t need to come here again after she returned.

Shen Rong’s fingers clutched the silk sash on her arm. She didn’t move, but after a long moment, she turned and walked to a pillar on the corridor. “Brother, I have something to discuss with you.”

Changsun Xin glanced at the secretly melancholic Shan Zhao and followed her. “What is it?”

Shen Rong slowly pursed her lips. “I want to return to Youzhou.”

Changsun Xin was instantly astonished. “You want what?”

Shen Rong composed herself and repeated, “I want to return to Youzhou.”

She wanted to give an answer.