HMHSE - 85

The sky over Chang’an was clear and endless, but the wind had already turned cool.

From the eaves of a palace building, a wind chime jingled, its sound echoing gently throughout the vast palace.

Pei Shaoyong, in his neat official robe, walked to the entrance of the Hanyuan Hall.

A young eunuch stood at the entrance, smiling as he greeted him. “Lord Lintai has been on leave for many days. It’s good to see you back in the palace to resume your duties. Please wait a moment before entering the hall to have an audience with the Emperor. I heard that an urgent military dispatch has arrived, and the Emperor is waiting.”

Pei Shaoyong had not been back from Youzhou for long, and he seemed to have left his spirit there. He forced a smile and bowed respectfully towards the hall door. “Yes.”

Suddenly, an urgent report was heard, and footsteps came hurrying.

Another eunuch, holding something, rushed up the steps, shouting, “Youzhou’s report has arrived!”

Pei Shaoyong was surprised and looked up, watching the eunuch enter the hall.

Could the urgent military dispatch be from Youzhou?

He remembered the state of alert when he was forced to leave Youzhou, and he remembered that Shen Rong was still there. He couldn’t help but feel worried and frowned.

He was momentarily distracted, and the eunuch beside him had already made a gesture of invitation, whispering, “Lord Lintai, you can go in now.”

Pei Shaoyong hurried in, meticulously adjusting his robe and kneeling in a deep bow.

The deep and silent hall was completely quiet.

After a moment, a young voice, still raw from a recent voice change but with a hint of steadiness, was heard. “Is it the Youzhou Tuanlian Envoy’s report?”

Pei Shaoyong couldn’t help but quietly raise his head.

Behind the yellow silk screen was a small table with a dragon incense burner slowly emitting smoke. Behind it sat the vague figure of the young Emperor. He had just set down the report that had been delivered.

“Two hundred thousand troops against one hundred thousand outside the pass. With such a disparity, he actually led a group of convicts to fight and ended the battle in a few days, saving both the city and the mountain.”

“Such an extraordinary feat?” a gentle voice interjected.

Only then did Pei Shaoyong notice another figure standing behind the screen. It was vaguely a man in a round-collared robe, elegant and refined—the Marquis of Heluo from Luoyang.

Only a high-ranking official like him, who was close to the Emperor, could enter the inner chamber.

Then he heard the Marquis of Heluo say, “Then this Tuanlian Envoy must have written this report to claim credit.”

“No,” the young Emperor’s voice sounded a bit surprised. “He didn’t ask for anything. He only requested permission for that group of convicts to serve in the Youzhou garrison and atone for their crimes, and he is even willing to be their guarantor.”

“Oh?” The Marquis of Heluo also seemed to find it hard to believe.

“Youzhou Tuanlian Envoy, Shan Zong.” Inside the screen, the young Emperor’s body remained still. His voice was low and slightly questioning. “Why have I only heard of such an exceptional general today?”

“Shan Zong?” The Marquis of Heluo paused. “That’s right, the name is not unfamiliar. He is the son of the Shan family in Luoyang, the eldest son. If it’s him, it’s not surprising. When he was young, he had a great reputation among the sons of aristocratic families, known as a born military genius.”

He continued gracefully, “It’s not surprising that Your Majesty didn’t know since you were away from the two capitals before ascending the throne. Even I haven’t heard his name in several years. He suddenly disappeared about three or four years ago. It seems that the Youzhou Tuanlian Envoy who sent gold to the capital last time was him. If not for this battle, I would not have known he was in Youzhou.”

“Three or four years ago?” the young Emperor said. “The late Emperor was still on the throne then.”

The Marquis of Heluo replied, “Exactly. I remember that Shan Zong was highly regarded by the late Emperor, but he was always leading troops outside. Most of the time, people only heard his name but never saw him. I heard he was also a wild and unrestrained person, so not many people among the powerful in the two capitals had the chance to get close to him.”

The chamber was silent for a moment.

After a moment of silence, the Marquis of Heluo spoke again. “What does Your Majesty intend to do?”

“Highly regarded by the late Emperor...” the young Emperor repeated softly. “I haven’t been in power for long, and I must have neglected Youzhou. Since he has such a military record, issue an imperial decree and grant his request.”

There was a slight movement inside the screen. The Marquis of Heluo turned to face the outside. “Did Lord Lintai hear that?”

Pei Shaoyong was still processing what he had just heard, coming back to his senses from his shock. He hurriedly said, “Yes, I will draft the decree according to Your Majesty’s wishes.”

A eunuch then delivered the report to him.

Pei Shaoyong opened it and saw Shan Zong’s flamboyant handwriting. He not only didn’t claim any credit but also asked for punishment because Youzhou Prison was breached during the war and Liu Heton, whom the Emperor had previously banished, had gone missing.

Before, it was fine that he didn’t know about the secret decree. But now that he did, he frowned, unable to understand the meaning behind Shan Zong’s actions.

To get a group of convicts into the army, he actually took the initiative to report to the current Emperor. Didn’t he know that with his identity and the high regard he had received from the late Emperor, a sudden appearance would draw attention?

The young Emperor had been reforming the government since his ascension, getting rid of many former officials. He was most wary of those close to the late Emperor, especially those who were highly regarded.

Shan Zong had been pardoned by the late Emperor. With that secret decree, the most sensible thing for him, a former criminal, would be to stay far away from Chang’an, remain in Youzhou, and never show himself again!

He shouldn’t have even sent the gold to the capital in the first place!

“Wait,” the young Emperor’s voice suddenly came. “I want to thoroughly investigate this Shan Zong.”

The Marquis of Heluo bowed inside the screen. “Your subject obeys the decree.”

As expected. Pei Shaoyong immediately remembered the secret decree again, and he remembered Shan Zong’s cold words in Youzhou: “If you don’t want to be punished, keep your mouth shut! I advise you to stay out of my business!”

A cold sweat broke out on his back, almost imperceptibly. He hid it and bowed his head to receive the decree.

________________________________________

At the post house in Luoyang, Changsun Xin had been traveling too slowly on his journey to the capital to give his thanks to the Emperor, and had only just arrived here.

However, he was not far from Chang’an. If he left today, he could arrive tomorrow.

At the main gate, carriages were being prepared to continue the journey. He stood with his hands behind his back under a corridor, complaining earnestly, “The journey has been too slow. I heard from a guard that they saw my second cousin, Pei, has already returned to Chang’an from Youzhou. I’m still in Luoyang.”

Shan Ying appeared from behind him. “Maybe they were mistaken. Besides, I don’t think you’ve found the journey slow. You’ve been leisurely strolling and chatting all the way. Or you could stay in Luoyang for a while longer, and I could play the host.”

“Where have I been leisurely?” Changsun Xin retorted. “I’m clearly worried about the situation in Youzhou. I don’t know how A Rong is doing there. I haven’t received any news.”

“Don’t worry,” Shan Ying said. “With my eldest cousin there, A Rong must be doing very well.”

“It’s precisely because your eldest cousin is there that I’m worried!”

Shan Ying was confused. “Why? My eldest cousin chased Shen Rong all the way to Hedong. How could he treat her badly?”

“What did you say?” Changsun Xin’s face suddenly changed. “When did this happen?”

Shan Ying realized she had let something slip. He didn’t know about it yet. She turned and walked away.

“Wait a minute!” Changsun Xin wanted her to explain. He suddenly heard the sound of a carriage outside the courtyard and turned to see a Changsun family guard running up to him.

“My lord, the Duke has arrived!”

Changsun Xin was surprised and hurried to the courtyard gate.

A team of guards arrived at the courtyard gate. In the middle was a man on horseback, with a fair face and no beard. He was dignified and wore a black brocade cloak.

It was none other than his father, the Duke of Zhao.

Changsun Xin blurted out, “Father? Why are you here in Luoyang?”

He had not only come, but he seemed to be in a great hurry, not even taking a carriage, but riding a horse.

“I was just passing through. I happened to run into you. You should hurry back to Chang’an to take care of your mother.” The Duke of Zhao dismounted, frowning. Fine lines appeared around his eyes. He saw that his men at the gate were already preparing to leave and nodded, seemingly satisfied.

Changsun Xin stepped forward, his expression now serious. “Did something happen?”

The Duke of Zhao took off his cloak. “You don’t know yet. A war broke out in Youzhou. If not for an urgent report sent to Chang’an two days ago, I would have known nothing.”

Changsun Xin thought to himself that this was not good. The situation in the mountains when he left was a harbinger of things to come. No wonder he hadn’t received any news from Youzhou. There must have been a state of alert during the war, cutting off all communication. Nothing could be sent out.

Before he could speak, the Duke of Zhao said again, “But you don’t have to worry too much. I heard that that boy, Shan Zong, has already repelled the enemy. I’m taking a trip for your sister’s sake, and also to prevent the Marquis of Heluo from having any ideas about the mines again during the war. You should return to the capital as planned.”

Changsun Xin was relieved. “That’s good. If Shan Zong is fine, then A Rong must also be fine.”

The Duke of Zhao glanced at him.

Changsun Xin knew he had made a slip-up and smiled to cover it up. “If something had happened, how could the report not mention it? Since it wasn’t mentioned, it means nothing happened.”

“Hmm.” The Duke of Zhao nodded. He naturally understood this reasoning. He was just worried about his daughter. “You’re not far from Chang’an. You should get on your way soon. Be sure to comfort your mother when you get back.”

“Yes,” Changsun Xin replied, sighing that Youzhou was indeed a place of much trouble. He watched his father walk into the post house.

Suddenly, he remembered something and quickly followed him in.

The Duke of Zhao stopped. “Why aren’t you on your way?”

“There are still some things I need to get. I’ll leave as soon as I get them,” Changsun Xin said, walking past him.

Shan Ying dodged him but still had to come out to continue the journey to Chang’an, since she had promised to escort him all the way.

Just as she was about to go to the other courtyard, Changsun Xin came over quickly and stopped her. “Quick, go back! Don’t let anyone see you!”

Shan Ying asked strangely, “Don’t let who see me?”

“My father!” Changsun Xin didn’t care about anything else. He grabbed her sleeve and pulled her back to the room she had just come out of, closing the door with a bang.

Shan Ying stood against the door, looking through the crack, but she didn’t see anything. She turned and asked, “Your father is here?”

“Yes,” Changsun Xin replied, then realized something was wrong. He was still grabbing Shan Ying’s sleeve, standing a little too close. His robe was pressed against her male-style round-collared robe. Half of it was his moonlight white, and half was her deep dark color.

He cleared his throat. He suddenly saw Shan Ying staring at him.

“So what if your father is here? Even if he doesn’t like the Shan family, I’ve only met Lady Pei. He shouldn’t have met a younger member of the Shan family like me.”

Changsun Xin suddenly remembered. It seemed his father had indeed never met her. Maybe he didn’t need to worry. He quickly let go of her sleeve and frowned. “Then I overreacted.”

Shan Ying didn’t back away. She was still looking at his face. After a few moments, she said, “But up close, you’re quite handsome.”

Changsun Xin coughed again, almost blushing. He looked at her uncomfortably.

Shan Ying, as her name suggested, had a heroic look between her eyebrows, but her eyes were actually very delicate. He couldn’t help but think that she was also quite pretty.

Then he saw her lean in closer, examining him. “Xingli, are you blushing?”

Her breath brushed against him as she spoke. Changsun Xin took a step back and coughed twice. “You’re mistaken.”

Shan Ying actually laughed. “I can see that you’re just shy. I’ve seen so many men in the Shan army, and none of them blush as easily as you.”

Changsun Xin was immediately annoyed. He opened the door and was about to leave.

“Leaving?” Shan Ying said. “How about this, you go first, and I’ll catch up later. I’ll still escort you to Chang’an, and you won’t have to worry about your father seeing that a member of the Shan family is escorting you.”

Changsun Xin had already left the room. He thought about it and then stopped. He turned back and said, “Do you treat everyone like this?”

“Like what?” Shan Ying asked.

“Like you just treated me.”

“No, just you,” she said quite frankly. “I’ve never escorted anyone else on such a long journey, either.”

Changsun Xin took a deep breath and suddenly said, “Don’t you ever treat anyone else like that again!”

Shan Ying was stunned for a moment, and she watched him leave quickly.

________________________________________

On the city wall of Youzhou, the garrison was lined up in formation.

Below, the grey-armoured Danzhou army was passing through the newly repaired city gate, leaving the city in a large group to return to Danzhou.

Shan Zong, in his well-fitting Hu-style garment, got off his horse in a resolute manner. He tilted his head and listened to a soldier on the side of the road reporting that the troops who had delivered the urgent report to Chang’an had returned.

He nodded, straightened up, and looked at the carriage beside him.

The curtain was lifted, and Zirui helped Shen Rong out of the carriage.

She stepped onto the ground, her skirt trailing. She stood there, her eyebrows like a painting, her lips a vibrant red, making her impossible to ignore in the thin autumn air of Youzhou.

Shan Zong looked at her and walked up to her. “I’m seeing off the Danzhou army. You just need to show your face.”

Shen Rong looked at him. “Why did you ask me to come?”

“Why do you think? Who made you my wife?” He had a smile on his face and turned to walk ahead.

The look in Shen Rong’s eyes as she watched his retreating figure changed slightly. Her face seemed to become even more radiant.

In Youzhou city, he was no longer avoiding the fact that she was his wife.

She suddenly thought of something and turned to ask, “Has the letter I wrote to my family been sent?”

Zirui replied, “It has. Youzhou is on alert, so we had Guangyuan have the soldiers from the military camp send it out.”

She nodded and glanced at Shan Zong again. He had already walked to the front.

Next to Zhao Jinkam, Zhou Jun stood with his broad saber. When he saw Shan Zong, their relationship was the same as usual, neither warm nor cold.

Shen Rong turned around and suddenly saw Zhao Fumei walking up to her from behind, wearing a simple skirt. She came right up to her.

“Lady,” she said, then smiled. “Perhaps I should call you Madam. I heard from my sworn brother that you and the Messenger Shan have reconciled and are back together.”

Shen Rong nodded. “That’s right.”

Zhao Fumei was stunned for a moment. It seemed to be the first time she had seen her admit her relationship with Shan Zong. She held her fingers in her sleeve and said softly, “Then I hope you and the Messenger Shan will be well together from now on.”

Shen Rong saw Zhou Jun and remembered why she had returned to Youzhou. She didn’t know what Zhao Fumei was thinking now. She said indifferently, “We’ll see what the future holds.”

When Zhao Fumei heard that, her tone was the same as her previous words, “My business with him is between us and has nothing to do with you,” as if she was saying it still had nothing to do with her.

It really didn’t have anything to do with her anymore. She was married to another man, and he had reconciled with his ex-wife.

She smiled and walked away.

Zhou Jun was waiting there. His narrow eyes looked at her as she approached. “Are you still going back to Danzhou?”

Zhao Fumei looked at him and finally nodded.

She had already seen Shan Zong leave his side. She didn’t know about Shen Rong, but it seemed he had eyes for no one else. He was walking straight to the carriage, as if the only person he could see was that one woman.