HMHSE - 98

An inn in the eastern market of Chang’an had its doors wide open to the street.

The sun was high in the sky. In the distance, a spacious carriage was approaching, with a person riding a horse alongside it.

“Brother, tell me the truth, did something happen with Shan Ying on the way back?” Shenrong asked in a low voice from inside the carriage.

Sun Xin was riding his horse beside the window lattice. He wore a scarlet robe that complemented his handsome face. Occasionally, passersby would look over at his dignified appearance. He said in a low voice, “What could have happened?”

“If nothing happened, why would you be thinking this way?” Shenrong glanced at him through the window lattice.

Sun Xin, feeling uneasy, couldn’t help but cough softly. He cleared his throat with a hand over his mouth and said, “It was just a normal journey. We stayed in Luoyang for a while and even ran into Father at the post station.”

“What about the journey from Luoyang to Chang’an?”

Sun Xin coughed again. “I told you, nothing.”

Shenrong felt there must have been something. She leaned closer to the window lattice and spoke even more softly, “Then how does she feel about you?”

Sun Xin shut his mouth, his face turned away from her, and he didn’t answer.

Shenrong remembered Shan Ying’s personality and knew exactly what was going on. “If you don’t even know what she feels for you, what’s the point of being so gloomy?”

“I was planning to just choose a wife and get engaged,” Sun Xin said, his voice low and annoyed. “Who knew I couldn’t decide when looking at those portraits!”

Shenrong raised an eyebrow and smiled. “She doesn’t even know how you feel. What’s the use of you thinking about it? Since you can’t force yourself, you can only postpone the matter. Now that the mining in Youzhou has been suspended, you’ll have to go there again once things return to normal, and that will give you a good reason to avoid this.”

Sun Xin sighed. “Who knows when that will be?”

The words were said without much thought, but Shenrong’s smile faded.

At the very least, things in Youzhou would only return to normal after Shan Zong’s matter was resolved.

She stopped thinking about it, propped her chin up with one hand, and looked out the window. The carriage had arrived outside the inn. Suddenly, she said, “Alright, stop.”

Sun Xin couldn’t help but rein in his horse. He glanced at her, then followed her gaze to the open doors of the inn, where a woman in a round-collared robe with a sword at her waist was walking out.

It was Shan Ying.

“I had Donglai find out she was staying here,” Shenrong said. “You’re on your own, Brother. I have something to do and need to go to the government office.”

Zirui was sitting outside the carriage, and Donglai was guarding the back. The carriage drove straight ahead and was gone.

Sun Xin looked around, feeling a bit awkward again. He looked at the inn and, in the end, rode his horse over.

Shan Ying, with a sword in one hand and a bundle in the other, walked into the courtyard of the inn. Just as she was untying her horse, she heard two light coughs. She turned and was immediately delighted. “Xingli? I finally found you!”

Sun Xin dismounted his horse. Hearing her words, a smile appeared on his face. He put his hands behind his back and slowly walked toward her. “I heard you were waiting for me outside the Duke’s manor?”

“Yes, I wanted to ask you about my elder cousin.”

The smile on Sun Xin’s face froze.

Shan Ying said with emotion, “It’s a shame Chang’an isn’t as free and easy. It’s even hard to see you. It will be much easier to find you when you leave Chang’an again.”

Sun Xin’s smile returned. He put his hands behind his back again and said airily, “That’s true. Don’t let that be just talk.”

“My word is my bond. Of course it’s not just talk. We have plenty of time in the future. I’ll definitely come to find you if I’m free.”

His heart felt comforted. “That’s good. We have plenty of time.”

Shan Ying finished speaking and went to take her horse. “Alright, let’s talk next time we meet. I have to go quickly.”

Sun Xin, who was just starting to feel pleased and hadn’t finished speaking, frowned. “You’re leaving already?”

Shan Ying nodded. “Someone from Luoyang came to inform me. My elder cousin is in a difficult situation. It seems he’s been carrying some burden all these years. I need to hurry back to Luoyang to see my uncle.”

Sun Xin grumbled, “What burden could he be carrying? It’s more like he abandoned his wife and family.”

Shan Ying said earnestly, “I’m serious. Didn’t Shenrong tell you? My elder cousin almost lost his life, and now he’s being brought to Chang’an to face trial.”

Sun Xin was stunned. “What?”

Shan Zong almost lost his life?

He turned to look down the street, remembering Shenrong who had just left. She said she was going to the government office. When did she ever need to go to the government office? Was she going to find out about Shan Zong’s movements?

________________________________________

Youzhou had entered winter. The cold wind howled and whistled, sweeping through Youzhou City.

Zhao Jinjian, in his official robes, walked from the government office to the official residence. When he entered the main house, he saw Shan Zong standing upright, his Hu-style tunic neatly worn. He pulled the belt tight with one hand, tying it.

“Chongjun, you haven’t fully recovered yet,” he reminded him with a kind heart.

Shan Zong was still putting on his arm guards. “With the Imperial Guards escorting me, I should be able to recover slowly along the way. What is there to worry about?”

Zhao Jinjian saw him speak so easily and nonchalantly, but his heart wasn’t at ease. After all, the journey to Chang’an held an unknown future. He said helplessly, “Chang’an is currently calm.”

Shan Zong glanced at him. “You have news from Chang’an?”

“I’ve heard some things,” Zhao Jinjian said. “It is said that Assistant Minister Sun was greatly favored after returning to the capital. The Sun family is now more honored than they were when the mine was first discovered. Your in-law’s family is at the peak of their power.”

Shan Zong’s lips only curled up slightly at the news. “As expected.”

He understood the meaning: the Sun family had risen another rank, while he was still a criminal.

Zhao Jinjian sighed.

A soldier came to the door, clasping his hands and reporting. “Boss, Commander Hu Shi’er and the other cavalry commanders you named have all arrived.”

Shan Zong was already dressed and ready. He walked outside. “Let’s go.”

Zhao Jinjian quickly followed him. “You’re taking them with you?”

“Yes.”

Just as they reached the door, Guangyuan came from the corridor with someone behind him. He called out from a distance, “Wait, Young Master.”

Shan Zong stopped, watching him walk quickly to his side. Behind him was the military doctor, carrying a heavy medicine box on his shoulder.

“What is it?”

Guangyuan looked him up and down before saying, “You can’t leave like this, Young Master. Before you go out the main door of the official residence, the military doctor must examine you to confirm you’re fine.”

“I know myself well enough. There’s no need for this trouble.” Shan Zong tried to walk past him.

Guangyuan quickly chased after him and blocked his way. “But this was the lady’s instruction before she left.”

Shan Zong stopped. “Really?”

Guangyuan nodded forcefully. “The lady specifically told me this when she left that day.”

Shan Zong’s expression didn’t change, but a slow smile appeared on his lips. He glanced at the military doctor and held out his hand. “Then come and examine me.”

Zhao Jinjian watched, finding it strange, and shook his head with a sigh.

No one could do anything with him, except for the young lady of the Sun family.

Outside the official residence gate, Hu Shi’er stood at the front, glancing to the side.

Ten or so people stood on the side. Pang Lu was at the front, his expression weathered. Beside him was Luo Chong, his face as gloomy and unpredictable as usual. Behind them were Bo Zhong in military armor and other cavalry commanders.

Facing the main gate was a team of Imperial Guards in heavy armor with excellent spears.

No one spoke.

Shan Zong strode out from the main gate, a straight blade in his hand.

Everyone looked up.

Zhao Jinjian and Guangyuan hurried out after him.

“Boss!” Hu Shi’er couldn’t help but call out. “We’re all ready.”

Luo Chong and Pang Lu stared at him. Bo Zhong couldn’t help but take a step forward. The other cavalry commanders remained silent.

Shan Zong swept his gaze over the crowd, looked at the Imperial Guards’ leader, and handed him the blade in his hand, surrendering.

________________________________________

The wind blew from the north to Chang’an, but it was not yet cold.

Shenrong walked out of the courtyard with the cloak Zirui had just put on her. She was tying the collar with her fingers as she walked to the front yard, when she was suddenly called out to.

“Ah Rong.” Lady Pei stood outside the main hall, looking at her. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed. “Why are you always going out these days? I heard you even went to some government offices?”

Pei Shaoyong, in a dark green round-collared robe, with his hair tied in a jade topknot, walked out from the hall behind her. His face was bright and clear. He looked at Shenrong. “Ah Rong, I’ve been to the manor several times since I heard you were back, but I’m only seeing you today.”

Shenrong couldn’t help but glance around. Zirui and Donglai stood silently behind her with their heads bowed. She smiled. “Mother, you don’t know this, but the people who were originally mining at the mountains can’t be used anymore. The Ministry of Works is preparing to arrange for replacements. I’ve often been going out with my brother recently to visit the Ministry of Works with him.”

Just as Sun Xin came from under a flowering tree on the opposite side, she said, “If you don’t believe me, you can ask my brother.”

Sun Xin looked over. They exchanged a look of understanding. He smiled at Lady Pei. “Yes, Mother, I took Ah Rong to the Ministry of Works.”

Lady Pei shook her head. “Then why were you in such a hurry? There’s plenty of time to arrange things slowly.”

Sun Xin said, “I was in a hurry. I won’t be next time.” As he said this, he secretly glanced at Shenrong, then went forward and smilingly led Lady Pei back into the hall.

Pei Shaoyong looked at Shenrong and walked over to her. “I was just about to leave. Since you’re going out, let’s go together.”

Shenrong glanced at him and turned to walk outside first.

All the way to the door, Pei Shaoyong didn’t bring up Shan Zong. He couldn’t say too much anyway. He only asked, “How was everything when you were in Youzhou?”

Shenrong nodded. “Don’t worry, Second Cousin. I’m fine.”

There was nothing else to say. The last time she saw him was when he had rushed to Youzhou to tell her that Shan Zong was a criminal.

By the carriage, Pei Shaoyong held his horse. He watched her get into the carriage and reached out a hand to help her. Then he said, “The Heavenly Longevity Festival is coming up again soon, Ah Rong. Do you remember last year’s festival?”

Shenrong naturally remembered. It was when Shan Zong had escorted her back.

That night, he had pressed her hard against him in a dark alley on the street and kissed her for a long time.

Her thoughts wavered, and her foot on the step paused for a moment. “Yes, I remember.”

“I heard this year’s will be even more lively than last year’s. I was just talking to my aunt about this. I wonder if you will go again this year.”

Shenrong was absent-minded and was about to get into the carriage. “We’ll see.”

Pei Shaoyong stopped her. He said in a low voice, “Don’t go to the government office anymore, Ah Rong. The Sun family was just rewarded, and your cousin was granted a title by the Emperor. With such favor, it’s best you don’t get involved now.”

“I haven’t gotten involved in anything.” Shenrong looked at him calmly. “Second Cousin, you are worrying too much.”

Pei Shaoyong smiled at her stunning face, his voice even lower. “I’m just worried about you.”

Shenrong glanced around, assuming no one was listening. She lifted her robe and got into the carriage. “Then thank you, Second Cousin.”

Seeing that she was still going out, Pei Shaoyong pursed his lips and silently stepped back two paces.

Suddenly, a horse arrived. On it was a minor official in a green robe. He rode up to Pei Shaoyong and reported a few things in a low voice.

As Shenrong was about to leave, she glanced out of the carriage. She only heard one brief sentence: telling him that after he finished his current tasks, he wouldn’t need to enter the palace to listen for decrees for the next few days.

Pei Shaoyong suddenly looked at her through the window lattice, his expression seemingly changed. He mounted his horse and said, “The Emperor has given me some things to do. Ah Rong, I’ll be going now.”

“Do as you wish, Second Cousin.” As she finished speaking, the carriage started to move.

On the main street, Shenrong remembered Pei Shaoyong’s expression from earlier and thought about the Emperor’s sudden arrangements. She lifted the carriage curtain. “Donglai, turn around and follow the direction my Second Cousin went.”

Donglai obeyed and turned the carriage.

The sun was low in the sky, and the city gates were already closed. The number of pedestrians on the street began to decrease.

Shenrong’s carriage drove along the street, when she suddenly became aware of the sound of hooves. A group of people passed by the carriage.

She glanced out the window, was startled, and then lifted the curtain to look again.

It was a team of Imperial Guards, solemn and orderly. They passed her field of vision without stopping, and wherever they went, pedestrians retreated in fear...

In the Chang’an official guesthouse, Pei Shaoyong walked into the courtyard. He looked at the newly arrived Imperial Guards and scanned the group of people being escorted until he reached the end. His gaze paused for a moment. “Since everyone has arrived, the Emperor will personally inquire about this. Give me the roster to verify.”

After he spoke, he stared at the end of the line for a moment, then entered the guesthouse.

The Imperial Guard leader followed him inside.

As soon as he left, someone entered the guesthouse.

When Shenrong walked in, she happened to see the group of people being led into the building. She caught a glimpse of several figures; the leader seemed to be Hu Shi’er.

Her heart immediately began to pound faster. She turned to look around.

An Imperial Guard saw her approaching and stepped forward to question her. Donglai quickly went up to him, revealed their identity from the Duke’s manor, and said in a low voice, “We are with the Imperial Secretary.”

The Imperial Guards didn’t stop them for the time being, but they watched them closely.

Shenrong took the opportunity to walk to the end of the line, where a small, closed carriage was parked.

Unsure, she reached out her finger and touched the sealed window lattice.

There was no movement.

Just as she was about to take her hand away, there was a soft sound. It opened, and her hand was grabbed.

The man’s deep, dark eyes stared at her, his handsome face half in light, half in shadow.

Her heart beat even faster. It was him, indeed.

She opened her lips to speak, but she saw him raise a hand to his lips and give a soft “shh.” Her gaze fell on his hand, and she froze.

He was in shackles.

Shenrong looked at him. He had a half-smile on his face, and his lips moved: I’m here.

“Young Mistress,” Donglai reminded her in a low voice.

The grip on her hand loosened, and the window lattice closed.

Shenrong’s fingers unconsciously reached out again.

Everything had returned to silence, so quickly that it felt as if it had never happened.