HMHSE - 7

After moving from the post station to the new residence, there was nothing particularly uncomfortable about it.

Except for when she woke up early in the morning and saw the scene inside the room, which almost made Shen Rong think she had returned to her days at the Shan family estate.

Then she remembered—now she was staying in her ex-husband’s place.

But so what? If he didn’t care, why should she feel awkward?

Early in the morning, a carriage was parked outside the residence, and Shen Rong was already seated inside.

On her lap lay a piece of paper, one hand holding a scroll.

The paper depicted the “earthen mountain” she had sketched that morning with just a few strokes, representing the surrounding mountain formations.

She studied the formations, then turned to the scroll.

The text in the book was too obscure and difficult to understand; ordinary people might even find the sentences unintelligible. But precisely because of this, being able to comprehend it was an achievement in itself.

Shen Rong not only understood it but could also synthesize and apply it, even converting the text into diagrams.

Finding mountains and ridges sometimes involved secrets hidden between the lines—and she was exactly the person who could uncover those secrets.

Today, the weather was favorable, another clear sunny day.

Someone ambled leisurely to the carriage, lifting the curtain to look inside—it was Changsun Xin.

“Zhao Jinlian meant well, but I can’t help feeling he’s doing more harm than good. Shan Zong is everywhere,” he blurted out immediately, as if he’d been holding it in for a while.

Shen Rong acted as if she hadn’t heard, placing the scroll back into the brocade bag and folding the paper.

He observed her expression: “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Only then did Shen Rong look up at him and smile: “Isn’t it you who always emphasizes important matters? Right now, I’m planning to go explore the terrain again—to investigate that ‘earthen mountain.’”

Changsun Xin’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, realizing that the ‘earthen mountain’ might hold promise. Then he realized she had skillfully diverted the topic.

He knew his sister’s temperament well. Once she set her mind on something, it was usually a decision long made, unchangeable by anyone.

Just like when she specifically requested Shan Zong to be her escort.

If that was the case, what else could he say? He waved his hand dismissively: “Fine, do as you please.”

Suddenly, the sound of hooves approached—an orderly troop of soldiers arrived.

Hearing this, Shen Rong placed her hand on the window frame and asked outside: “How long have they been waiting?”

Zirui reported: “Nearly an hour.”

She pouted: “That’s quite a while.”

The troops from the military compound had arrived, and she hadn’t departed yet because she was waiting for them to appear and fulfill their duty.

However, when she looked out, she didn’t see that conspicuous figure.

After the troop stopped, a man clad in armor stepped forward and bowed: “Centurion Zhang Wei, here under orders to clear the way for your entry into the mountains.”

Changsun Xin scanned the group: “Only you?”

Zhang Wei replied: “Rest assured, my team consists of elite soldiers; our defense will suffice.”

So Shan Zong hadn’t come.

Seeing Shen Rong’s face leave the window frame, Changsun Xin knew trouble was brewing. He quickly interjected: “It’s getting late anyway, let’s get going first.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head, only to see Shen Rong leaning out of the carriage.

“Bring me a horse.”

Donglai immediately went to fetch a horse from the rear.

Shen Rong lifted her skirt, got out of the carriage, took the reins, stepped into the stirrup, and lightly swung herself onto the horseback.

“Donglai, follow me. You all go ahead first; I’ll catch up later.” With that, she spurred the horse and galloped off in front of everyone.

Donglai hurriedly mounted his horse to follow.

Changsun Xin watched helplessly, unable to do anything about it.

…

The training ground echoed with thunderous drills.

Shan Zong, wearing riding boots, walked through the training field, dressed only in a thin shirt.

Wherever he passed, no one dared to slack off. The shouts grew louder and louder, as if they were exerting every ounce of strength in their drills.

At the end of the formation, he suddenly stopped.

The soldier there trembled upon seeing him halt in front of them.

Shan Zong turned his head: “Who does this one belong to?”

A centurion named Lei Da stepped forward: “Boss, he’s mine.”

He pointed at the soldier: “Even after training this long, his arms are still stiff—are you teaching him with your feet?”

Lei Da, who appeared tough, suddenly turned pale: “Yes! As per the usual rules, my entire team will undergo extra training starting today. If it happens again, I’ll personally accept military punishment.”

The soldier was already too frightened to move.

Shan Zong tapped the blade’s scabbard against the soldier’s arm: “Train hard. Otherwise, don’t wait for outsiders to cripple those arms of yours—I’ll dismantle them myself.”

“Yes, yes…” The soldier managed to squeeze out two trembling words through clenched teeth.

After Shan Zong left, the others continued their drills without pause.

Hu Shiyi followed behind and patted Lei Da, who had just been reprimanded: “Cheer up. Haven’t we all been through this? Now I envy that kid Zhang Wei being sent out.”

Lei Da glanced at the direction Shan Zong had gone and muttered: “Boss’s harshness hasn’t changed over the years.”

Hu Shiyi pushed Lei Da’s large face: “Stop pretending to be experienced. Weren’t we all following Boss just three years ago? Don’t act like you know everything.”

Three years ago, when Shan Zong became the militia commander of Youzhou, they gradually came under his command, building this massive military compound.

Aside from knowing he hailed from the renowned Shan family of Luoyang, they indeed knew nothing else.

Behind the military compound were simple old quarters originally meant for guards on duty, but one of them had become the militia commander’s residence.

Shan Zong pushed open the door, set down his sword, and grabbed a towel to wipe his sweat when he heard hurried footsteps outside. A soldier shouted: “Esteemed guest, please wait a moment! Allow us to report!”

He tossed the towel aside, grabbed a Hu-style robe, threw it on, and walked out.

As he exited, a soldier ran up: “Boss, someone’s here to see you…”

Shan Zong raised his eyes, and there stood Shen Rong with Donglai approaching quickly.

She walked straight ahead without sparing a glance, until she saw him emerge from the house, stopping abruptly.

Shan Zong dismissed the soldier and adjusted his clothing first.

Shen Rong looked at him, then at the house behind him. Her first words were: “You live here?”

Shan Zong tucked his shirt: “Yes, why?”

Shen Rong had come with full indignation, clearly provoked by his earlier offense. What right did he have to send someone to brush her off?

But at this moment, she suddenly found herself speechless.

She recalled their first formal meeting after marriage.

At the time, he had just received his transfer order and was preparing to leave home. She had rushed to see him off in her wedding dress. First, she saw a large crowd of servants surrounding him.

He stood tall and handsome among them, allowing specialists to remove his wedding attire and replace it with armor and a cloak.

There was even a line of servants attending to him—some holding his sword, others presenting his whip. Everything was done for him without lifting a finger.

When he noticed her, his dark eyes swept over her, exuding an air of nobility and arrogance…

The eldest son of the Shan family of Luoyang was renowned far and wide. No matter how many noble youths from the eastern and western capitals tried, none could overshadow him.

At seventeen, he achieved merit; at eighteen, he led troops. Since then, he had been transferred to various posts, entrusted with significant responsibilities and succeeding wherever he went.

Outsiders said that the future of the Shan family’s eldest son was limitless—he would surely become a regional governor or a military commander.

When her parents chose him for her, they had remarked with satisfaction: Such a gifted prodigy is worthy of our uniquely talented child.

When Shen Rong married him, he was still the legendary prodigy.

But now, stationed at this frontier, he was merely the militia commander of a single state, living in a simple, almost crude house, no longer served by others, seemingly accustomed to it.

She gradually came back to reality, remembering clearly that he had become this way because he had left the Shan family—to sever ties with her completely.

He despised her so much that he abandoned everything to divorce her.

No wonder today he refused to show up, ignoring the governor’s orders.

Something pricked at Shen Rong’s heart, her face radiant, her eyes distant: “I came to remind you that Governor Zhao specifically requested you to come.”

Shan Zong had anticipated this and thought she was using the governor to pressure him. He smirked: “I’m busy and can’t spare the time. The governor oversees civil affairs, while I handle military matters—he has no authority over me.”

So suggesting she change her request was already giving her face.

Shen Rong’s emotions surged: “Either you come, or none of you come—I don’t care.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

When he wanted a divorce, she didn’t care, and now she still didn’t care.

Shan Zong adjusted his Hu-style robe, standing leisurely, watching her walk away without looking back. He thought to himself, this was fine. A severed relationship should remain severed; he didn’t want any further entanglements.

But soon, he noticed Donglai, who was about to leave.

“Wait,” he asked, “Did you come alone with her?”

Donglai stopped, nodded affirmatively, gave him a strange look, then hurried to catch up with her.

Shan Zong watched Shen Rong’s retreating figure, his brows furrowing. She was bold, venturing out of the city and into the mountains with only one person. Did she think this was some safe place?

“Shiyi!” He impatiently turned around, retrieved his sword, and called out: “Bring the team leader over!”

…

Outside the gates of the military compound, Shen Rong mounted her horse, ready to leave when Hu Shiyi led a group of soldiers chasing after her.

She glanced at them from atop her horse: “What are you doing? I didn’t ask for anyone except him.”

Hu Shiyi cursed his own bad luck. He shouldn’t have envied Zhang Wei! Now, he had to serve her too.

He simply closed his mouth and stepped aside.

Behind him, Shan Zong, carrying his sword, rode out of the military compound gates.

“If an esteemed guest comes here and enters the mountains unescorted, the military compound would be held accountable if anything happens,” he said as he approached Shen Rong. Sitting tall on his horse, he was upright and towering above her: “I’ll escort you into the mountains.”

So that was it.

Shen Rong glanced at him, pondering the repeated use of the term “esteemed guest.” She lightly tapped her horse and moved ahead: “If you’re sending someone off, do it all the way. Halfway is still unacceptable to me.”

Shan Zong let her move ahead a bit before leisurely following, amused: Quite the opportunist.

They traveled in silence.

Only Donglai stayed close to Shen Rong, while the rest of the troops followed at a leisurely pace.

Shen Rong never looked back, even when her peripheral vision occasionally caught a glimpse of the man’s robe. She deliberately kept her gaze forward.

By mid-morning, they successfully entered the mountains.

Without hesitation, Shen Rong headed straight for her destination.

When she saw the “earthen mountain” again, she dismounted and told Donglai: “Go check if my brother has arrived and tell him to meet me at the foot of that mountain.”

Donglai glanced at Shan Zong, ensuring her safety before accepting the order and leaving.

Here, Shan Zong raised his hand and gestured to Hu Shiyi.

This was their military compound’s secret signal. Hu Shiyi acknowledged it and dispersed his men to patrol the area first.

He leaped off his horse and noticed Shen Rong had already moved forward.

Shen Rong intended to go directly to the “earthen mountain.”

She didn’t expect him to genuinely come and protect her, so she decided to proceed on her own.

Unexpectedly, not far ahead, a mud pit appeared.

It was about three zhang wide, but its depth was unknown. It looked like a swamp but wasn’t natural—there were some exposed rocks serving as a makeshift path.

She tested it with her foot, feeling it was solid, and stepped onto it confidently, planning to cross.

“What are you doing?”

Shen Rong looked up. Shan Zong was watching her leisurely from the other side.

She glanced around: “How did you get across?”

Shan Zong had jumped his horse over from a narrower part on the other side.

In fact, this mud pit was one of the obstacles set by his military compound to prevent nighttime infiltration from beyond the pass, but he didn’t mention it.

“Never mind how I got across,” he said, holding his sword and glancing at her feet: “Do you plan to cross like this? Aren’t you afraid it’s a trap?”

Shen Rong had already taken several steps and stopped in the middle of the pit, looking at him.

Only then did Shan Zong notice that beneath her cloak, she wore a practical Hu-style outfit. The embroidered, gold-woven waist-length short jacket ended just above her knees, revealing her slender, straight calves, standing out like a crane amidst the muddy pit.

He looked twice and said: “Go back.”

Shen Rong didn’t move: “No, I must cross.”

“You can meet your brother on that side. Go back.” He didn’t understand what she was insisting on—what business did she have in these mountains?

Shen Rong touched the scroll in her bosom—it was as important to her as her own life. She pressed her lips together and said: “Help me cross.”

Shan Zong laughed: “I can’t help. This requires action, and it’s best if you avoid involvement. We’re not what we used to be.”

The mountain wind blew past her ears, and the thorns in Shen Rong’s heart stood on end again. Clutching her cloak, she said indifferently: “I didn’t realize you were such a gentleman.”

This was an excuse; she knew he simply didn’t want to help.

“If you won’t help, fine. I’ll wait for the others—it’s the same.” She refused to retreat.

Shan Zong examined the rocks. There were tricks beneath them—you had to step on the right ones to be safe.

The ones she stepped on were fine—they were bait—but stepping further would bring bad luck. One wrong step could mean never coming back up.

Shen Rong ignored him, standing for a long time, her legs growing stiff, but she endured.

Suddenly, a figure approached. She instinctively glanced over—a man in black stood on a rock ahead.

She shifted her gaze again: “Didn’t you want to avoid involvement with me?”

Shan Zong didn’t respond. He casually tossed his sword onto the shore and began unfastening his belt.

The leather belt, used to secure his outer garment and protective waist guard, was removed and tested for length.

Just as Shen Rong sensed something amiss, her waist was suddenly tightened.

The belt wrapped around her back, and with a tug, she turned, stepped forward onto the rock where he stood, and pressed against his chest.

Shan Zong hadn’t used his hands; he pulled her across this way.

Shen Rong’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily. She instinctively grabbed his collar, looked up in astonishment, and met his deep, mischievous gaze.

“This is an exception. In my territory, you need to listen to me next time.”