HMHSE - 74

“Boss, they’ve retreated!”

On the pass city, Zhang Wei led his men, quickly arriving in front of Shan Zong from the other end.

Shan Zong looked down from the city. A large area of collapsed and burned trees lay below, with the unremoved remnants of enemy soldiers strewn amongst them.

He merely glanced at it, then turned back. “Clear the area.”

Zhang Wei clasped his hands and turned to check the status of his own soldiers and search for any stragglers.

Shan Zong descended the pass city. The areas he passed through were already disturbed by traps and ambushes, which soldiers were now clearing.

He dragged his saber, walked into the mine, leaned against a tree, and finally closed his eyes.

A soldier walked over, offering a water flask. “Boss.”

Shan Zong opened his eyes, handed his blood-stained saber to the soldier, took the water flask, uncorked it, tilted his head back, and drank. He then poured a handful of water to wash his face, which helped him regain his spirits.

After the soldier left, he wiped the remaining water from his face and looked up to see a disheveled figure in front of him.

It was Jiachen San.

His messy hair reached his shoulders, his temples were streaked with white. He stood seven or eight paces away, dragging his hand and foot shackles, and suddenly spoke, “Thank you for what happened that day.”

Shan Zong stared at him, saying nothing.

Jiachen San apparently didn’t need him to respond. He walked away after speaking.

In the distance, Weishen Wu had been watching this spot. As Jiachen San walked back, he glanced at Shan Zong again. This time, he didn’t make any sarcastic remarks.

Shan Zong’s gaze swept over the two of them, and he turned and left without a word.

Suddenly, a soldier rushed to him. “Boss, Hundred-Captain Hu was hit by an arrow!”

Shan Zong immediately strode forward.

Halfway there, Zhang Wei came first, followed by two soldiers hastily carrying Hu Shiyi, who had an arrow in his back and had fallen unconscious, on a wooden stretcher.

Shan Zong glanced at the arrow. It was part of a volley of arrows the enemy had fired as a cover before their final retreat. He hadn’t expected Hu Shiyi to be hit; he was already lying unconscious.

“Return to the city!” he ordered, turning and quickly leaving the mountain.

Near the mine entrance, Weishen Wu and Jiachen San squatted, still watching him.

“He’s only like a human at times like this! Why wasn’t he the one hit by an arrow, bah!” Weishen Wu grumbled.

Jiachen San didn’t respond.

Weishen Wu saw him remain silent, bared his teeth, and said nothing further.

________________________________________

Inside Youzhou city, Zhao Jinlian rushed from the official residence to the house outside the city gate. It was two hours later.

Recently, something had happened in the mountains, but as the chief official, he couldn’t personally visit the mountains due to the temporary closure of the city gates. Now, having received news that Shan Zong had returned to the city with his men, he quickly came to inquire about the situation.

Two soldiers stood guard outside the house marked with a medical symbol. Inside stood Zhang Wei, pacing anxiously.

Zhao Jinlian walked in and quietly asked, “How is it?”

Zhang Wei clasped his hands and replied, “It’s been several hours, and we still don’t know the situation.” He then started pacing anxiously again.

Zhao Jinlian sighed momentarily, looking inside. After a while, the cloth curtain on the door was pulled aside, and Shan Zong walked out.

He hurried to ask, “Are you alright, Commander Chong?”

Shan Zong sat down on a folding chair, took a breath, stretched out a leg, seemingly more relaxed, and nodded. “The arrow has been removed. We just need him to wake up.”

“That’s good, that’s good...” Zhao Jinlian patted Zhang Wei’s shoulder, meaning he could rest assured.

He turned back and asked, “What about the mountains now...”

He stopped speaking just in time. Shan Zong, with his arms crossed, had already closed his eyes in the chair, his thin lips tightly pressed, his face showing a hint of fatigue.

Zhao Jinlian waved to Zhang Wei and tiptoed out.

Outside, Zhang Wei told him that Lei Da and several other hundred-captains had gone to the mountains to take over. Shan Zong was uneasy and had been cleaning the areas inside and outside the mountains for days. The military post’s forces had been deployed numerous times, and things were now stable, as they had successfully held them off and the enemy soldiers from outside the pass had retreated.

He then added, “Boss is truly working hard. After rushing back from Chang’an, he’s been eating and living in the mountains for so many days, hasn’t had a single good night’s sleep, and he’s still injured. He should have rested properly a long time ago.”

Zhao Jinlian sighed, “That’s also because he made a pledge when he was appointed, that he would surely defend Youzhou. It’s truly difficult.”

After saying that, he glanced inside, and simply closed the door for him, letting him rest properly for a while.

________________________________________

Hedong, the encampment of the Shan family army.

In the courtyard pavilion, Shan Ying leaned forward solemnly, staring at a large square sand tray in front of her.

This was originally a sand table built to depict the terrain of the numerous cities in the Hedong region, usually used for tactical exercises. Now, however, a hand had molded several mountain ranges into it.

Changsun Xin withdrew his hand and pointed to one of them, saying, “This mountain range, we call it ‘Dragon Tower,’ towering into the clouds.”

After resting for a while, he had fully recovered his former graceful demeanor, speaking with an air of extraordinary refinement. He then pointed to another sand pile. “This one is called ‘Unfurled Edict,’ with two raised corners and a sloped body. However, the intricacies of this are complex and cannot be explained in a short time.”

Shan Ying listened in amazement. “I’ve never heard of such things. Your Changsun family’s skills are truly unique.”

Changsun Xin shook his sleeve, his hands clasped behind his back, a smug look on his face. “I’m telling you these things so you can understand the Hedong mountains better in the future. Consider it my thanks for your hospitality to me and the officials during this time. I’m not staying for free.”

Shan Ying didn’t care for such formalities. She looked up at him, genuinely impressed. “Xingli, you truly make me look at you in a new light.”

Her tone was frank, her eyes fixed on him without blinking. Changsun Xin felt somewhat uneasy, he didn’t know why. He coughed twice into his hand, but deep down, he was inexplicably pleased. While coughing, he almost wanted to laugh, but managed to restrain himself, and seriously pointed to the sand pile from earlier. “The mountain range where you met me that day was of this type.”

Shan Ying glanced at it, but before she could speak, a young figure quickly approached from a distance. “Cousin!”

Shan Zhao, dressed in silver armor, walked to the outside of the pavilion. Seeing both of them there, he stopped. “Are you discussing something?”

Shan Ying hadn’t spoken yet when Changsun Xin interjected, “No. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Shan Zhao was brought back to the main topic and said with a smile to Shan Ying, “Good news! The reorganization is complete. Hedong will be de-restricted in the next two days.”

Shan Ying’s face immediately lit up with joy upon hearing this. “So, our Shan family army’s assistance this time has completed the Hedong reorganization early, which can be considered a meritorious achievement.”

“Precisely. I’ve already sent someone by fast horse to report back to the Shan family.”

Changsun Xin listened to the two of them, one after another, and secretly pondered. The Shan family was once prominent, and now they also needed to demonstrate their achievements to the new emperor. It was true that they had been restraining their influence these past few years.

He figured the reorganization over these past few months must have been very careful and difficult, which he hadn’t noticed before.

Thinking of this, he frowned inwardly again, wondering what this had to do with him, and even finding himself sighing about the Shan family’s affairs. What kind of business was that!

Suddenly, a report came. A Shan family soldier jogged from the main courtyard gate, reporting that a guest had arrived.

Changsun Xin looked towards the courtyard gate. Someone had already walked in, draped in a cloak, removing her hood. A familiar slender figure. He froze. “A-Rong, you really came!”

Shen Rong’s footsteps gracefully carried her into the courtyard gate. She looked at the group. “I just arrived and already heard the commotion. How fortunate my timing is?”

Shan Ying and Shan Zhao were overjoyed, rushing forward even faster than Changsun Xin.

Having not seen her for a long time, one was about to call out “cousin-in-law,” and the other subconsciously called “sister-in-law.” Before the words left their mouths, they both stopped abruptly because Changsun Xin was still nearby and they knew he would definitely be displeased again.

Shan Ying finally called out, “Shen Rong, why are you here?”

Shen Rong removed her cloak and handed it to Zirui, who was following her, revealing her layered-collar Hu-style garment. She stood gracefully like a willow, and glanced at Changsun Xin. “I’m here to take over for my brother.”

Changsun Xin suddenly understood, thinking, No wonder that boy Shan Zong was so confident.

Shen Rong walked over. “I have something to tell brother.”

Changsun Xin glanced at Shan Ying, who was still standing there curiously, and followed Shen Rong to a verdant, sprawling pine tree nearby.

Once Shen Rong stood still, she first softly explained the reason for her visit.

“Marquis Heluo?” Changsun Xin frowned, lowering his voice. “No wonder you came. It seems I’ll have to be wary after I return.”

Shen Rong nodded, specifically informing him that this was precisely her meaning.

She glanced at Shan Ying and Shan Zhao, who were still standing there. “Brother, you’ve been here for a while. Has something happened in Youzhou?”

Changsun Xin always remembered Shan Zong’s words; he truly owed him a favor and couldn’t go back on it. His eyes flickered. “Anyway, you’re going to Youzhou soon. Won’t you find out then?”

Shen Rong gently knitted her brows. The less he said, the more she felt something was wrong.

________________________________________

When Hedong was de-restricted, an official order was specifically issued.

That day, Changsun Xin was still uneasy. Knowing that Shen Rong would soon be heading to Youzhou, he specifically sent his guards and the few officials from the Ministry of Works back ahead of him, instructing them to send any news they received.

If the Youzhou alert was not lifted, he instructed them to still avoid Youzhou. That way, he could also let Shen Rong delay her journey.

This afternoon, Shen Rong emerged from the attic, just as he was arranging for people to set off. The officials from the Ministry of Works had recuperated for a while and recovered significantly. However, they were unable to return to the capital with him to face the Saint due to the imperial edict, so they had to set off with the guards.

She leaned against the corridor, looking towards the courtyard gate.

Shan Ying helped out, assigning a line of Shan family soldiers and instructing them to escort the officials out of Hedong.

After finishing, she suddenly turned to Changsun Xin. “You gave your guards to them. What will you do when you return to Chang’an yourself?”

Changsun Xin waved to everyone, signaling them to set off, and said with his hands behind his back, “A-Rong has a large escort. It’s no problem to spare a dozen or so from her group.”

“That’s not good,” Shan Ying immediately said. “You’ve been so secretive during your time here. I suspect something is definitely going on in Youzhou. Shen Rong’s safety cannot be taken lightly. Why use her people? I’ll personally escort you.”

Changsun Xin gave her a strange look. “Are you going to protect my journey again?”

Shan Ying nodded, then suddenly remembered something. “By the way, don’t be displeased. It’s only for Shen Rong’s sake. Don’t think I’m intentionally trying to curry favor with your Changsun family or have any other motives. Even if I did, it would be in vain if you don’t want to accept it.”

Changsun Xin looked as if he had been choked. “Who said I’m displeased?”

“You’re not displeased?” Shan Ying was very direct. “Then it’s settled! This is good too. On the way, you can tell me more about the intricacies of those mountains. I find what you say exceptionally interesting.”

Changsun Xin was made even more awkward by her words. This awkwardness was like an irritable claw scratching at his heart, indescribable. He turned and walked away. “Dream on. That’s a secret art of my Changsun family.”

When he reached the veranda, he happened to run into Shen Rong leaning there.

Changsun Xin jumped. “What are you hiding here for?”

“I’m not hiding.” Shen Rong’s gaze shifted from him to Shan Ying outside the courtyard gate. “I saw you two whispering, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“What kind of talk is that?” Changsun Xin deliberately put on a stern face, intending to leave, but then stopped and stared at her. “I haven’t told you about that note you left before. What did the man surnamed Shan do in Chang’an?”

Shen Rong calmly averted her eyes. “He didn’t succeed anyway.”

Changsun Xin immediately understood. “Then I guessed right. He really dared to!”

Shen Rong thought to herself, What doesn’t he dare? If he didn’t dare, he wouldn’t be Shan Zong.

She didn’t want to discuss the matter further. She turned and called out to Zirui.

Zirui quickly came forward and curtsied. “Young Mistress, rest assured, preparations are already underway.”

Changsun Xin immediately asked, “Preparations for what?”

“Departing for Youzhou,” Shen Rong said.

“You’ve only been here a few days, so fast?” He was still waiting for news.

Shen Rong glanced at him. “Since Youzhou is safe, why wouldn’t I quickly go to take over and oversee the mountains? Am I supposed to wait for Marquis Heluo to get there first?”

Changsun Xin opened his mouth, speechless.

________________________________________

Although that was said, Shen Rong still delayed for two more days before departing.

Shan Zhao had intended to send an escort, and had even gone to the city gate, but Shen Rong politely declined.

Hedong had just been reorganized, and various matters were complex. There were indispensable places where the Shan family army was needed, so Shan Zhao had no choice but to give up. He stood on the city wall, watching her leave the city. He wanted to convey a message to his elder brother, but for a moment he didn’t know what to say, and finally decided against it.

After months of restrictions, it was only when she again arrived at familiar territory that she clearly felt the change, because the season had already changed.

After a few days of travel, Shen Rong sat in her carriage, feeling a cool breeze through the window screen. Looking out, she noticed that the weather had turned cold.

She remembered that it was a similar season when she first arrived in Youzhou. At that time, she knew that Youzhou would be under martial law every autumn and winter, and presumably it was now.

Thinking this way, she suddenly understood the situation in Youzhou.

She had probably guessed it already; military affairs that could make Shan Zong rush back so hastily would either involve internal peace or external defense.

As this thought crossed her mind, Shen Rong called out, “Donglai, bring a horse.”

Donglai ordered the carriage to stop and soon led a horse from the rear of the carriage to the outside. “Young Mistress wants to ride a horse?”

“Yes.” Shen Rong dismounted with Zirui’s help, grabbed the reins, and after mounting the horse, said, “If Youzhou isn’t safe, riding a horse is naturally more convenient for evading than traveling by carriage. You all need to stay alert too.”

Donglai assented, specifically instructing all the guards.

On the road again, Shen Rong put on her windproof veiled hat and rode ahead.

After traveling about several miles, there was also a horse-riding figure on the road ahead, seemingly unfamiliar with riding, as the horse frequently veered off course, making the rider on its back very anxious, constantly making low “whoa” sounds.

It was a woman, dressed in plain Hu-style clothing, presumably for ease of riding, with a bundle hanging from her horse’s neck.

Shen Rong felt a sense of familiarity and spurred her horse closer.

The other person looked over upon hearing the hoofbeats. It was Zhao Fumei.

“My lady?” Zhao Fumei looked at her, bowing slightly on her horse, somewhat surprised. “It’s been a long time since we parted. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Shen Rong looked ahead. They were almost at the Youzhou border. She looked Zhao Fumei up and down. “Are you going to Youzhou?”

Zhao Fumei clutched the reins tightly, her eyebrows lowered. “Yes, I want to go back and see my sworn brother and sister-in-law.”

“Just you?” Shen Rong looked around. Only she and her horse. She was, after all, the wife of the Danzhou Commandant, yet she didn’t even have an escort.

Zhao Fumei lowered her head, smoothing a strand of hair from her temple. “I came out by myself. I left in a hurry, so I traveled alone.”

Shen Rong understood a little. Her gaze shifted between Zhao Fumei and the restless horse. To come out like this, not even skilled at riding, she must have had a disagreement with Zhou Jun. However, she had no desire to pry into their marital private affairs and simply said, “Then let’s go together.”

Zhao Fumei was even more surprised. Seeing the large escort behind Shen Rong, she still agreed, bowing. “Then I thank you, my lady.”

________________________________________

Below Youzhou city, in the house with the medical sign, the military doctor had just changed the dressing and left.

Shan Zong lifted the cloth curtain and went in for a look. Hu Shiyi was still lying on his stomach, unable to turn over, groaning hoarsely, “Boss, did I just get my life back?”

He grunted. “You still can’t move after all these days. Consider yourself lucky to be alive.”

Hu Shiyi wouldn’t back down. “Hmph, those scoundrels, it’s worth it if just one of me dies.”

“Dies what?” Shan Zong suddenly said coldly, “Don’t keep talking about death. You haven’t even had a real, live-fire battle with those outside the pass. To talk about death in this small situation, even in more difficult circumstances, you better keep your damn life safe!”

Hu Shiyi was startled by his tone and mumbled his assent.

Shan Zong turned and left.

When a soldier entered, he was resting on a folding chair.

“Boss, the Prefect left a message, reminding you to go back and rest.”

Shan Zong ignored him. He sat in the chair, accustomed to days of guarding the mountains and patrolling the city.

He closed his eyes, hearing a soldier call out from outside, “Someone outside the city!”

Shan Zong suddenly opened his eyes, stood up, and walked out.

The Youzhou army had been searching outside the city for days, and there were no longer any traces of enemy bandits. Even the few officials from the Ministry of Works had returned safely.

The cold wind howled. Shan Zong stood on the city wall, looking down. A team of people and horses had arrived below the city. At the front of the group were two women riding horses.

With just one glance, he saw the one in front, wearing a veiled hat. She lifted it with one hand, revealing eyebrows as picturesque as if drawn. He immediately turned and went down.

Shen Rong lifted her veil and looked up, only seeing a row of guards.

Zhao Fumei said beside her, “Didn’t the lady say there should be trouble in Youzhou? Why have we not seen anything unusual along the way?”

Shen Rong said, “With so many guards on the city gate, it’s already unusual. I’m afraid it’s already been resolved.”

Zhao Fumei was still surprised, but then heard the city gate rumble open, and the guards came out to greet them.

Shen Rong rode her horse inside. Two guards led her to the side. When she turned back, Zhao Fumei was already being led directly towards the main street.

Zhao Fumei was also looking at her. Meeting her gaze, she wanted to ask why Shen Rong was heading towards the lower part of the city, but then she caught a glimpse of the tall, black-clad man standing solemnly in the distance behind Shen Rong, his arms crossed as if waiting, his gaze fixed on her. She couldn’t help but freeze for a moment, then turned back, thinking she had never seen him look like this.

Shen Rong’s horse was led directly to the house before stopping. The soldiers dismounted. She went to check on her guards. Before she could turn her head, a hand gripped her horse’s reins.

She couldn’t help but look. Another hand had already caught her, and two arms reached out, pulling her into an embrace, helping her dismount.

Shen Rong subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn’t gasp in surprise until she saw his face. In a few steps, he carried her into the adjacent house.

Shan Zong kicked the door shut and then set her down, his arm still around her waist. He looked down at her. “You arrived faster than I expected.”

Shen Rong’s heart was beating rapidly from his sudden actions. Her hand involuntarily rested on his arm. “You had it all figured out.”

Shan Zong chuckled softly. He had just touched her face and saw her frown slightly as if tickled. He freed a hand to rub his chin, realizing it was a bit rough, having neglected it recently. Then he curled his lips, holding back. “We’ll talk later.”

With her arrival, the lingering gloom of Youzhou seemed to have completely vanished.