HMHSE - 67

Shan Zong stood, saber in hand, at the pit entrance of the mine in Mount Wangji.

A group of hardened criminals were successively brought out. After being in solitary confinement for so long, their heads were all covered with black cloth, their hands and feet bound. They were all in a state of dejection, half-kneeling, half-collapsed on the ground, panting heavily, so dirty they were unrecognizable.

Hu Shiyi reported from the side, “Boss, after all this time, these monsters finally couldn’t hold out.”

“Mm,” Shan Zong stared at them, saying coldly, “Those four are still alive, but they will remain in my grasp. I’ll give you one day to rest, then resume mining.”

The criminals seemed to have had their fangs pulled, or perhaps the words about the four still being alive made them submissive. There was only the sound of heavy breathing.

Shan Zong commanded, “Remove them.”

Hu Shiyi waved his hand, and the soldiers removed the black cloths, fully revealing their trapped-beast like appearances.

Wei Shenwu was the most severe, collapsed on the ground, as if pulled from a mire, looking even more like a wild beast in his disheveled state. He could only stare at Shan Zong with his eyes, unable to utter a single word, making strange noises.

Shan Zong cast a cold glance at him, then turned and walked away.

Hu Shiyi followed behind him.

As he walked, he said, “Guard the mountain. You don’t need to follow me.”

Hu Shiyi heard his words, assuming he had business, and stopped.

Shan Zong walked straight out of the mountain.

Below a path overgrown with weeds lay a gully, where several outlaws, dressed in coarse clothes with cloth bands tied around their foreheads, waited quietly.

He walked down into the gully. As soon as he appeared, the men bowed their heads and cupped their hands towards him.

“How is it?” he asked in a low voice.

One of them whispered, “Reporting to Commander Shan, the rumors outside the pass have been too tight recently. The area we can move in has shrunk considerably. We couldn’t reach the town you mentioned, and we couldn’t bring back any news for you.”

Shan Zong traced the hilt of his saber with his thumb, remembering the few outlaws who had passed through on the day he saw Shen Rong off. They must have been affected as well.

“Understood.”

The outlaws bowed their heads. “Then we’ll be going.”

“Remember the rules.”

“Yes, we haven’t seen Big Beard and the others since then, so we naturally understand the rules. After we finish your private business, we won’t show our faces again, as if we never ran errands for you.”

Shan Zong waved his hand, and the men slipped through the gully like shadows and departed.

After everyone was gone, he reached into the opening of his Hu-style robe and pulled out the piece of leather the madman had given him.

He looked at it for a moment, then put it away and returned with his saber.

________________________________________

Changsun Xin, riding a fast horse, rushed into Youzhou territory as if fleeing, only slowing down near Mount Wangji.

He sat on his horse, straightened his wind-blown robes, and looked back, no longer seeing Shan Ying or any Shan family soldiers. He finally felt much more comfortable.

Just as he was about to continue galloping towards the mountains, several figures suddenly darted across the path ahead, startling the horses of his guards and even his own horse, which neighed and raised its hooves.

This sudden movement almost unseated Changsun Xin. He pulled hard on the reins to steady his horse when suddenly someone came from behind, quickly grabbing the reins and pulling down hard, pushing him in the back with one hand, steadying the horse.

Changsun Xin turned, intending to give thanks, but upon seeing who it was, his face stiffened. “You actually followed me?”

Shan Ying, dressed in a man’s round-collared robe and riding a red-brown horse, released his reins. “Good thing I followed. As expected, you brought too few people. You still need an escort for your journey.”

Two guards came to report, “Young Master, those who startled the horses just now were some outlaws. Should we pursue them?”

Changsun Xin was still looking at the suddenly appearing Shan Ying, frowning. “Never mind.”

Shan Ying observed him. Seeing his appearance, he had been able to steady the horse earlier, but as Shan family members, they had trained in martial arts since childhood, so they were naturally more skilled in these things. At least she had helped him avoid some fright.

She cupped her fists. “Alright, I’m leaving.”

Changsun Xin was bracing himself for a cordial exchange from her when he suddenly saw her being so decisive. He was momentarily stunned. “You’re leaving just like that?”

Shan Ying had already turned her horse around, but hearing his words, she reined in. “I’ve sent you out of Hedong and safely into Youzhou. I can’t go any further. If my uncle found out one day, I’d be expelled from the Shan family. It’s time for me to go.”

Changsun Xin was still suspicious. “Is that all?”

“What else would it be?”

He cupped his lips with one hand, lightly coughed, and spoke directly. “You followed all this way. Didn’t you intend to show goodwill, hoping our Changsun family would change its view of your Shan family?”

Shan Ying was baffled. “I did want to, but you wouldn’t even let me call you ‘brother-in-law,’ and when I invited you to a banquet, you said you were busy. Since you’re so unwilling, what else could I do?”

Changsun Xin’s face looked strange. “Then why did you invite me so many times later?”

“Shouldn’t I have?” Shan Ying said. “You stayed at our Shan family military compound and waited anxiously for Shen Rong every day. Shan Zhao and I naturally had to treat you with courtesy to help ease the tension. We also invited that Second Young Master Pei, but he declined when he heard you wouldn’t show up. After doing that once or twice, we had to give up.”

Changsun Xin was truly dumbfounded by her words.

Shan Ying looked ahead and saw the distant figures of Youzhou soldiers patrolling near Mount Wangji. She quickly said, “I really must go now, lest my eldest cousin discovers me and thinks I came to find him; he’d also drive me away. Farewell, Xingli.”

She cupped her fists again, then spurred her horse and quickly departed.

Changsun Xin watched her dusty figure disappear into the distance, still standing stunned in place. So, he had been overthinking it?

“Young Master, do you wish to continue into the mountains?” a guard asked from the side.

Changsun Xin couldn’t help but cough again, covering his discomfort. “I should have known not to take this path. What’s the point of going into the mountains? Let’s go back to the official residence first!”

________________________________________

In the official residence, Guangyuan quickly walked to the main room’s door, peered inside, and his face lit up with surprise. “Young Master?”

Shan Zong sat behind the table, his saber resting on it. He was currently lowering his head, untying the tightly bound arm guard on his right forearm. “Mm.”

“How come the Young Master returned today?” Guangyuan asked as he entered to serve.

With the noble lady gone, he had thought Shan Zong would remain in the military compound. His sudden arrival today must mean he found some free time from his military duties.

Shan Zong looked up and surveyed the room, remembering Shen Rong’s stubborn expression, and all the things she did when she was here. He hooked the corner of his mouth. This room seemed to have become her place; whenever he came, he couldn’t help but think of her.

He rolled up the loosened cuff of his Hu-style robe and stretched his wrist. He didn’t answer, only saying, “Bring paper and brush.”

Guangyuan immediately went to fetch the writing implements and placed them on the table. Shen Rong had been busy with scrolls and mining maps in this room, so there was no shortage of these items.

“Grind the ink well, then you may leave,” Shan Zong said.

Guangyuan obediently ground the ink, asking no further questions.

Shan Zong rose and slowly paced the room, raising a hand to rub the back of his neck. His expression was solemn, showing no emotion.

Guangyuan, while grinding ink, watched him, knowing he was deep in thought. He hadn’t seen him like this in years, and wondered what he was contemplating so seriously.

Shan Zong took two more steps, then looked over. “Ready?”

Guangyuan quickly arranged the ink. “Ready.”

Shan Zong walked behind the table, lifted his robe, sat down, and dipped the brush in ink.

Guangyuan retreated outside, seeing him freely putting brush to paper, his head slightly tilted, an air of casual unruliness about him. His eyes were lowered, and his expression was utterly focused.

When Changsun Xin returned to the official residence, he immediately saw the tall horse with sleek black fur at the entrance. There were also two armored soldiers from the military compound by the door.

He looked for several moments before entering the main gate.

He hadn’t gone far when he encountered a man in a fierce black Hu-style robe emerging from the inner courtyard, seemingly from the main house.

It was none other than Shan Zong.

Changsun Xin grumbled to himself: Indeed, he’s here.

Shan Zong carried his saber in one hand and tucked a letter into his embrace with the other. As he walked, he glanced at Changsun Xin. “You’ve returned just in time. The mountains are back to normal, so you can safely mine and smelt. If you have any needs, just ask, and I will help you smelt the first batch of gold as soon as possible.”

Changsun Xin thought the sun had risen from the west. He watched Shan Zong brush past him and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you suddenly so polite to me?”

Shan Zong stopped, turned around, and gave a lazy smile. “I’ll be very polite to you from now on.”

With that, he turned and left.

Changsun Xin only felt strange. He suddenly remembered the yellow hemp paper Shen Rong had given him before she left, telling him to read it after he returned to Youzhou. He had been so preoccupied with avoiding Shan Ying that he had forgotten about it.

He quickly took it from his sleeve, unfolded it, and after only a few words, his brows furrowed tightly. He opened his mouth, then looked in the direction Shan Zong had left, choked with silent frustration.

Only then did he realize why Shen Rong had made that return trip.

No wonder that fellow surnamed Shan was suddenly so polite; he actually dared to propose marriage! And A-Rong actually had the heart to accept...

Guangyuan passed by, saw his expression, and cautiously greeted him, “Sir, you must be tired from your journey. Please go to your room to rest.”

Changsun Xin crumpled the paper in his hand, flicked his sleeve, and walked away, muttering in a vexed low voice, “The Shan family will be the death of me, eventually.”

________________________________________

In Chang’an, at the Duke of Zhao’s mansion.

Shen Rong had just returned. She took off her cape and handed it to Zirui, then slowly walked towards the front hall.

Before she even entered the door, Lady Pei, in a purple gown and splendid golden hairpins, had already come out of the hall to greet her personally. Seeing her safe and sound, she first patted her chest, then took her hand, frowning. “Thank goodness you’ve returned safely! Who gave you the courage to go out beyond the pass to investigate the local situation? Are you trying to scare me to death?”

Shen Rong held her mother’s arm and glanced back. “Mother, don’t panic. Second Cousin is still here.”

Pei Shaoyong was following behind them. Hearing this, he smiled and stepped forward to greet her. “Aunt, I’ve brought Shen Rong back.”

Lady Pei smiled when she saw him. “Why are you still escorting her all the way to the mansion at this hour? You should have rushed back to your own home as soon as you entered Chang’an.”

Pei Shaoyong was puzzled. “Why should I rush back?”

“It seems you haven’t received the news yet,” Lady Pei said with a smile. “Great joy has entered your home! They say the Saint was very pleased with your policy paper and intends to summon you for employment.”

Shen Rong couldn’t help but be surprised. “Then I must congratulate Second Cousin.”

Pei Shaoyong was already stunned in place. He only came back to his senses when he heard her voice, momentarily overcome with joy and disbelief. “Is this true?”

Lady Pei nodded with a smile. “The news just came out today. Your uncle brought it from the imperial court. How could it be false?”

Only then did Pei Shaoyong’s smile become uncontrollable. He looked at Shen Rong. “This is great, A-Rong.”

Shen Rong also smiled. “Second Cousin should hurry back now.”

Pei Shaoyong, a bright smile on his face, glanced at her again, then hurried away.

Lady Pei couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. “This child seems gentle and honest, yet I didn’t expect him to possess such literary talent, enough to catch the Saint’s eye. Perhaps his luck is also good; I heard that this year there’s an increased selection, and more than ten additional people were recruited.”

Shen Rong thought that such a move must be the Saint’s intention to cultivate his own power after removing the former emperor’s old officials.

However, it had nothing to do with her. The Changsun family had now achieved merit and naturally became a force beside the new emperor.

The mother and daughter walked hand in hand into the hall. They had barely exchanged a few pleasantries when a servant entered and delivered a letter to Lady Pei. “Mistress, a letter from Youzhou.”

Shen Rong had just sat down on the couch, holding a cup of tea, and lightly raised her eyes to look.

Lady Pei reached out to take it, asking, “Is it from my son?”

“The Youzhou Militia Commander.”

Shen Rong’s teacup stopped abruptly at her lips, her eyes moving slightly.

Hearing that title, the man’s face seemed to appear before her eyes. It was actually he who had written it.

Lady Pei’s expression immediately changed. “What?”

Shen Rong watched impassively, no longer caring what the tea tasted like.

However, immediately after, she saw Lady Pei, her face stern, tear the letter twice. She then lifted the incense burner from the table and threw the pieces directly into it.

Shen Rong slowly put down her teacup, and upon careful thought, she wasn’t surprised. “Mother, aren’t you curious what the letter said?”

Lady Pei said, “If it were government affairs, the Youzhou Prefect should write to your father. He manages military and political matters and has no inherent connection to my Changsun family. If it’s personal, I have no personal matters to discuss with him.” She patted Shen Rong’s hand. “You don’t need to concern yourself with him. Now that you’re back in Chang’an, you naturally won’t encounter that scoundrel again.”

Her meaning was that she no longer wished to have any connection with him.

Shen Rong didn’t know what to say. She glanced at the table; bright flames shot up in the burner, curling into fiery tongues, and smoke billowed out.

Lady Pei called her. “Don’t get smoked. Go back and rest first. You can see your father later. You don’t need to put such an insignificant matter to heart.”

Zirui came in, first extinguishing the lingering smoke in the burner, then came to help Shen Rong.

She rose and walked outside. Zirui opened her palm and handed her a small, burnt piece of paper. “Young mistress.”

Shen Rong pinched it between her fingers and glanced at it. She only saw two strong characters, “允见” (yǔn jiàn), perhaps meaning “please allow a meeting.”

The letter had arrived almost perfectly timed with her return, so swiftly and unexpectedly.

Now that letters couldn’t be sent back to Chang’an, it seemed he wasn’t expecting a reply either. Writing it meant he was determined to come and visit in person.

Shen Rong crumpled the paper. Her heart inexplicably pounded twice. She secretly thought: This man, he’s simply audacious to the extreme.