Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 134 Farewell Without Recognition
Shen Tu Zhuo explained: "My mother was heartbroken by my brother's death, and she was indeed too harsh on the bride at the time. I also suspected that she had ulterior motives. The Tan family is greedy and shameless, and I assumed that she was one of them."

Tao Ying pursed her lips and didn't reply.

Firstly, she felt that Madam Shentu was indeed difficult to deal with. Considering her resentment towards the court officials, and given her own family background, if she were to win over Xiaozhuo's brother, she would likely face numerous difficulties. Secondly, she didn't want to admit that she actually felt sympathy for her widowed sister-in-law and rival in love.

Shen Tu Zhuo sighed softly, "We have failed her."

Benedict.

The masked man placed the wine cup on the table, tossed down a few coins, and got up to leave.

Shen Tu Zhuo glanced over casually and only saw his back and the swaying black gauze curtain. The figure looked vaguely familiar, but the person had already gone far away, leaving him no time to think about it.

The next day, Tao Ying changed back into a lady's dress at the inn and darted to Shen Tu Zhuo like a little butterfly: "Brother Zhuo, am I not as beautiful as an angel?"

Shen Tu Zhuo: "...Hurry up, I'll take you back first, I have other important things to do afterwards."

Tao Ying muttered, "Weren't you even a little bit amazed? How about I wear a veil like Princess Mohe?"

"It's not necessary."

“Brother Xiaozhuo, since you’re going to take me back anyway, why don’t you stay at my house? Your father-in-law was once my father-in-law’s superior. For my sake, my father-in-law will definitely treat you well.”

"No need, I'll stay at the inn for a few days first, and then I'll rent a small courtyard to live in later." He had already planned it this way, so that when Tan Huaike got out, he would have a stable place to stay.

"Why are you so stubborn!"

"You're the one who's completely unreasonable. I appreciate your good intentions, but you should think about how to deal with your grandfather's anger first."

As they talked, they passed by the residence of the Grand Herald.

Shen Tu Zhuo stopped in his tracks, looking up at the high-hanging plaque, feeling both familiar and strange. Back then, his grandfather had been a high-ranking official, and he and his brother had been spirited young men in Andu Village. Alas, the glory days were gone, and now he was just a mere examinee from the border.

Tao Ying's house was very close to the residence of the Grand Herald; it was just across the street.

She felt a mix of trepidation and apprehension about returning home. She stood at the door for a long time, her toes shuffling along the dirt, but she refused to go inside.

Shen Tu Zhuo saw through her thoughts and sneered, "What? Afraid of being scolded?"

Tao Ying: "Of course I'm scared, let me prepare myself... Hey, don't come over, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Tu Zhuo had already knocked on the door for her.

The servants opened the door and, upon seeing their young mistress, hurriedly ushered the two inside. Shen Tu Zhuo initially intended to leave, but then thought that Lord Tao would surely inquire about his daughter's activities and how she returned. Rather than waiting for him to send someone to find him and inquire, it would be better to take this opportunity to inform him clearly and convey that he had no intention of currying favor or bothering him.

He then soon met with Tao Wei, the Grand Herald.

Tao Wei had finally finished dealing with the marriage arrangements and had just started to relax when he saw his daughter, who had been away from home for many days, return. He immediately made time to teach her a lesson.

Even with Shen Tu Zhuo, an outsider, present, Tao Wei showed no mercy to her daughter, scolding her severely and saying that her mother was so worried that she couldn't eat or sleep every day. He punished her by making her go and serve her mother first, and then confining her to her quarters for five days.

Tao Ying went downstairs with a bitter face.

After that, Tao Weicai chatted with Shen Tuzhuo for a few more minutes.

He knew his daughter's thoughts perfectly well, and he was also fully aware of Shen Tu Zhuo's identity and origins. However, he only asked Tao Ying about her experience on this trip, whether she encountered any danger or caused any trouble, and did not say anything else.

This shows that he did not approve of Tao Ying's marriage to this young man named Xiao Zhuo.

Shen Tu Zhuo happened to have no such intention, and the two understood each other without saying a word.

Tao Wei said politely, "Thank you for bringing Ying'er back safely. I also wish you all the best in your upcoming examinations." Shen Tu Zhuo bowed respectfully to him, "Thank you for your kind words." Then, as if chatting casually, he said, "Lord Tao has been busy with the marriage alliance lately, which has been quite tiring. Now that His Highness the Third Prince has brought his new bride to the palace to pay his respects, can you finally feel relieved?"

Tao Wei laughed and said, "I'm afraid we'll be busy in the future. Today's visit is not just a simple matter of paying respects at the palace."

"How to say?"

“Look, in the time it takes us to talk, the Third Prince should have already been granted the title of King.”

"So fast?"

"It was originally something that was done along with the marriage alliance, so it wasn't going to happen quickly," Tao Wei stroked his beard and said. "After today, the Third Prince will be the Prince of Qin, granted a golden book and seal, in charge of the twelve prefectures in the northwest, and in charge of the Yangguan Garrison Army. Princess Mohe will then become the rightful Princess Consort of Qin, and our Grand Herald will also have to make a difference in the western border."

"That's how it should be."
-
After exchanging pleasantries with Lord Tao, Shentu Zhuo headed into the city, where he encountered the Third Prince returning from his investiture as a king, leaving the palace with his new bride.

Many people lined both sides of the official road to see the King of Qin and his queen.

Shen Tu Zhuo exerted tremendous effort to barely squeeze to the front row and secure a good spot. Gazing at the magnificent palanquin draped in gauze curtains, escorted by guards, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

Before entering the palace, he was carried by the regalia of a prince, but now he is carried by the regalia of a prince of the first rank, which shows how much His Majesty values ​​the Prince of Qin.

The sedan chair drew closer and closer, until Tan Huaike's face could be clearly seen.

Her face was covered by a light, sheer veil, and she looked slightly haggard, but she was still breathtakingly beautiful, and people around her kept praising her beauty. Although this face had been disguised by Fu Feng, in Shen Tu Zhuo's eyes, it was merely an unnecessary addition to Tan Huai Ke's original appearance, and she was not even as charming as her original appearance.

A gust of wind, seemingly from nowhere, blew the light veil hanging by Tan Huaike's ear off.

The wind carried a light veil towards the crowd, some cheered and some reached out to grab it.

Shen Tu Zhuo remained motionless as the light veil flew just over his head. He knew Tan Huai Ke would look over in that direction.

He was waiting for her to show her surprise when she saw him.

Finally, those beautiful eyes swept over him, landing on his face as if she didn't recognize him, before glancing away at the drifting veil.

It was a completely unfamiliar glance.

As if a giant hammer had struck his chest, Shen Tu Zhuo felt a dull pain in his heart.

Did she not see me? Or did she not recognize me?
how could be?

No, no, she must have some concerns, something she's worried about...

The surrounding noise went unnoticed. Shen Tu Zhuo was in a state of utter confusion, wanting nothing more than to rush to her side and find out what had happened and why she pretended not to recognize him when they met.

With this thought in mind, he pushed aside the obstacles, leaped lightly, and snatched the veil that was flying higher and higher above the crowd.

Seeing his impressive skills, everyone applauded and cheered for him.

Shen Tu Zhuo turned to look at Tan Huai Ke, only to see her talking to the King of Qin beside her, completely unaware of what was happening here.

If you're going to talk, just talk. Why are you standing so close?
He could have said he didn't see it earlier because of his poor eyesight, but this time he deliberately showed off and is now pretending not to see it. That's definitely intentional!

The playboy next to him discussed, "Brother, would you be willing to part with this veil? I'm willing to pay ten taels of silver to buy it." After all, it belonged to Princess Mohe and the Princess Consort of Qin; it would be very prestigious to wear it out, and it would be nice to touch it.

He tucked the veil into his robes and said curtly, "Take your dirty hands off! I'm going to return it to the Princess Consort of Qin!"

The spoiled young master spat at him: "Why don't you go back and look in the mirror? What kind of status does she have? She just lost a mere veil and expects you to return it?"

Shentu Zhuo ignored him and turned to chase after the sedan chair.
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Next chapter: Huh? Isn't this Zhong Qi?