HMHSE - 9

The autumn in Youzhou was somewhat special. Though mostly clear, it occasionally came with fierce winds.

Inside the official residence, Guangyuan propped up a flower tree that had been blown askew by the wind while glancing toward the inner courtyard. The servants of the Changsun household moved about methodically, tending to their master.

He still found it surprising that the noblewoman residing here turned out to be the former mistress.

A few days ago, he had personally witnessed their entire group setting out, accompanied by Zhang Wei from the military compound, and entering the mountains. They returned just before the city gates closed, bringing back another contingent led by Hu Shiyi.

These past few days, however, they hadn’t ventured out, and he didn’t know what they were busy with.

While Guangyuan was lost in thought, light footsteps echoed under the corridor. A woman’s figure approached gracefully, her flowing robes carrying the breeze.

He quickly lowered his head, knowing who it was.

The footsteps soon faded, and he thought she had passed by. When he looked up, he immediately bowed his head again.

Shen Rong stood beside the pillar, watching him.

“Guangyuan.”

Guangyuan had no choice but to raise his head: “Yes…” He almost slipped and called her “Madam” again.

Shen Rong gestured toward the courtyard: “Does he come back here often?”

Guangyuan immediately realized whom she was referring to and replied awkwardly: “Master doesn’t return much.”

Not only “not much,” but hardly at all.

In fact, the main room had been specially arranged by Guangyuan according to the furnishings of the Shan household. Having followed Shan Zong for many years, how could he not feel regret over Master’s divorce and departure from the Shan family?

He had hoped to stir up old memories in his master, perhaps even make him change his mind and return to the Shan family. Instead, Shan Zong stopped coming back altogether, treating the military compound as his home for three whole years.

Shen Rong wasn’t surprised by this answer—if he did return often, how could he have appeared as he did at the military compound that day?

“So that means…” She drew out her words leisurely: “There hasn’t been a new mistress here yet?”

Guangyuan froze, unable to reply when a woman’s laughter rang out: “What is this talk of masters and mistresses? Since you’re staying here, consider yourself the master of this place.”

Shen Rong turned her head—it was Lady He, the wife of Zhao Jinlian.

She silently pressed her lips together. Originally, she wanted to probe into that man’s affairs, but who knew how much Lady He had overheard? What was meant as a polite remark suddenly took on a different meaning.

Lady He walked up with a smile: “My lady must be tired.”

Shen Rong couldn’t help but find it strange: “Why would I be tired?”

Lady He explained: “I heard that Minister Changsun went into the mountains these past two days, and you followed along—it must have been exhausting, right?”

Shen Rong understood immediately and couldn’t help but find it amusing. Outsiders wouldn’t know that her trip into the mountains was necessary; they might even think she went for leisure.

Before she could respond, Lady He continued: “It’s my fault for neglecting my duties as host, allowing my lady to seek entertainment in the mountains. Today, I’ve come specifically to invite you for a gathering—I hope you won’t decline.”

With such an earnest invitation, it was hard to refuse outright. Shen Rong nodded in agreement.

Guangyuan, always quick-witted, immediately said: “If my lady wishes to go out, I’ll prepare the carriage.”

Lady He glanced at his retreating figure and exclaimed in surprise: “Guangyuan has always been someone only Commander Shan could command. It’s rare to see him so attentive and obedient to my lady.”

“Is that so?” Shen Rong thought nothing of it. After all, he had served her for half a year. Moreover, it was likely because he had personally delivered that divorce letter to her—now he probably felt apprehensive.

When Zirui and Donglai accompanied Shen Rong out, Guangyuan had indeed prepared the carriage.

Lady He noticed not only how efficiently he handled things but also how he stood by the carriage, guarding it. Intrigued, she suggested: “Since Guangyuan is so devoted to my lady, why not bring him along to serve you?”

Guangyuan was taken aback but promptly placed a footstool for Shen Rong to step up into the carriage.

Shen Rong glanced at him, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and got into the carriage.

Zirui and Donglai exchanged a silent glance, finding the situation oddly familiar—it was reminiscent of their time at the Shan residence.

Lady He had come prepared today. Zhao Jinlian had already instructed her to spend more time accompanying this delicate guest from Chang’an during her leisure hours.

She selected a few places, thinking it would be good for this noble lady to pass the time—it was certainly better than venturing deep into the mountains again.

As they traveled together in the carriage, Lady He introduced interesting spots within the city. Unfortunately, she struggled to name more than a few. Gradually, her conversation veered off-topic, eventually turning to the history of Youzhou—

“After all, being located at the frontier, this place has inevitably faced the ravages of war. Many parts of the city were rebuilt and don’t have as many fun spots as before. I haven’t seen it myself, but my husband mentioned that the chaos was quelled thanks to Commander Shan leading his troops. Later, he became the militia commander here.”

Shen Rong paid attention when Lady He suddenly mentioned the man and recalled: “The Lu Long Army.”

“That’s right, it’s called that!” Lady He suddenly remembered, then asked in surprise: “Why does my lady know this?”

Of course, Shen Rong knew. The Shan family was renowned for producing excellent generals, and their training and use of troops were famously formidable.

It was said that Shan Zong began training his own troops at the age of fifteen. By eighteen, when he became a commanding officer, he led a personal army known as the Lu Long Army.

This force followed him through various postings, even catching the attention of the late emperor. Now, it was likely stationed at the Youzhou military compound.

“I’ve heard a bit about it,” she said casually.

Lady He nodded: “Indeed, my lady is naturally well-informed.”

Though Lady He had mentioned the battles casually, she was struck by how unfazed Shen Rong appeared, speaking as if discussing everyday matters. She couldn’t help but admire her inwardly, thinking that this young woman truly lived up to the Changsun family name. Her demeanor suggested she had weathered great storms, unlike those sheltered noblewomen who rarely stepped out of their chambers.

Just then, the sound of neighing horses came from outside. Lady He peeked out: “How coincidental—the military compound is conducting its routine patrol today. With my lady traveling, it makes us feel safer.”

Shen Rong also looked outside. She first noticed Guangyuan hurrying toward the end of the street. Following his direction, she saw several horses parked outside a narrow alley, with a shadowy figure in black partially visible at the entrance.

She glanced aside and saw a rather refined shop, asking: “What do they sell there?”

Lady He recognized it as a cosmetics shop and, delighted by her interest, suggested: “Let’s go inside and take a look.”

Shen Rong said: “Alright.”

The carriage stopped, and the two women disembarked and entered the shop.

The shopkeeper, seeing the large entourage, knew their guests were of high status and specially invited them to a private room to try the fragrances.

Lady He enthusiastically encouraged Shen Rong to try some, intending to buy something later as a gesture of goodwill to further their relationship.

Shen Rong glanced at a fish-shaped wooden plaque hanging on the shop wall and then at the private room: “Then let’s give it a try.”

Zirui accompanied her inside. As they walked, she chose a room and signaled with her eyes for Zirui to wait by the door.

On the table in the private room was a row of cosmetic boxes. Lady He, still unsatisfied, chatted outside, saying she would pick out more for her.

However, Shen Rong didn’t try any. Instead, she walked to the window.

The window was slightly ajar, and outside was the alleyway.

Several people stood in the alley. On one side were three men, the leader with a full beard—the same obnoxious big-bearded man from the post station days ago—accompanied by two companions.

Opposite them stood Shan Zong, clad in black, his saber at his side, quietly conversing with them.

Shen Rong had suspected it was him and deliberately entered this room to confirm. Unexpectedly, she stumbled upon the scene directly.

She had no intention of eavesdropping and disliked such sneaky behavior. Just as she was about to turn away, she noticed their low voices had ceased.

Glancing again, she saw Shan Zong’s face turned toward her, his sharp gaze seemingly able to pierce through the crack in the window and discover her.

Shen Rong thought for a moment, then boldly pushed the window open and looked at him: “Oh, what a coincidence.”

Realizing it was her, Shan Zong’s expression softened slightly. He stepped closer, cradling his saber: “What a coincidence. Not eavesdropping?”

Shen Rong casually sat behind the table, pointing at the cosmetic boxes with her finger: “Who’s eavesdropping? I’m busy.”

He glanced at them—the lids weren’t even opened. Clearly, she didn’t even bother lying.

“What are you busy with? Busy eavesdropping?”

Shen Rong wanted to roll her eyes. Leaning forward to the window, she raised an eyebrow and said: “Alright, I heard everything. Take me to the military compound.”

Before Shan Zong could respond, the bearded man spoke up: “Commander, should we leave first?”

He tilted his head toward the group.

The bearded man glanced at Shen Rong and started walking out. Before leaving the alley, he paused and asked: “Should we continue with the task you assigned?”

Shan Zong grunted in affirmation.

Shen Rong glanced at the three men. The bearded man wore coarse short clothes, a cloth wrapped around his forehead, and a dagger tucked at his waist—very different from his appearance at the post station.

She mulled it over, realizing something, and looked at the man: “What kind of task requires using these people?”

Shan Zong skipped over her question: “What people?”

Shen Rong pointed toward the alley where the bearded man had left: “Those few—they’re from the greenwood.”

Put nicely, they were wandering knights; put bluntly, they were desperate outlaws capable of robbery, murder, and arson. No wonder they were so brazen at the post station, calling her a “so-called noblewoman.”

Shan Zong’s gaze shifted subtly: “Who told you that?”

This didn’t seem like something she would know.

“Just by looking, their attire makes it obvious.” She had studied mountains, rivers, and marshes since childhood and had seen all sorts of people.

Lady He’s words rang true—this man truly commanded the underworld. Even greenwood outlaws were at his disposal.

Shan Zong scrutinized her more carefully, realizing he might have underestimated her.

Shen Rong leaned halfway out the window, resting her chin on her hand: “The esteemed militia commander fraternizing with the underworld, even allowing them to stay at the post station—where is the law in this vast Youzhou?”

Shan Zong gazed into her bright eyes, amused. His voice dropped: “Are you threatening me? How about this—I am the law of Youzhou.”

Shen Rong was momentarily startled, looking up at his face. Despite his handsome features, his eyes were filled with menace, as if intimidating her.

What an arrogant man.

“Well, that’s convenient,” she said lightly, tapping her cheek with the hand supporting her chin: “You should know—I enjoy challenging the law, especially… your Youzhou law.”

Shan Zong’s eyebrows twitched, his dark eyes locking onto her, detecting hidden meaning in her words.

Outside, Lady He remained oblivious, smiling and asking: “Has my lady found anything to her liking?”

Shen Rong reached out, opened a cosmetic box, dipped her fingertip, and extended it toward him: “Does it smell nice?”

The powder flew lightly, surrounding Shan Zong’s nose with a lingering fragrance. He glanced at her slender fingers, then looked past her, slowly straightening: “Ask yourself.”

Lady He had arrived. Shen Rong sat upright, turning back with a smile: “I’ve chosen.” Glancing out the window, she wasn’t surprised to find the man’s figure already gone.

…

Outside the alley, Guangyuan came to see his master but was intercepted by Hu Shiyi.

He had seen the carriage parked outside the cosmetics shop earlier and recognized Donglai, one of the golden beauty’s guards. Grabbing Guangyuan, he asked: “What’s going on? Why are you serving that golden beauty too? Strange—I noticed Boss acted strangely too. When he first met this woman, he gave in. Then he said he wouldn’t protect her but ended up escorting her into the mountains. Tell me, who has he ever given in to before?”

Guangyuan opened his mouth, then closed it, pushing him away: “You wouldn’t understand!”

Hu Shiyi glared at his retreating figure: “Isn’t that obvious? If I understood, why would I ask you?”

As he finished speaking, Shan Zong emerged from the alley, patting his chest as he walked.

Hu Shiyi hurried over, sniffed, and leaned close: “Boss, why do you smell so fragrant?”

Shan Zong tugged at his chest. The scent lingered briefly but hadn’t completely dissipated. He glanced toward the alley: “You smelled wrong.”