Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 140 Mixed joys and sorrows
Shen Tu Heng said, "I am now just a remnant soul, with nowhere to go, so I can only be a tool in the Crown Prince's hands. Some things are difficult to do openly, but if I secretly assist you, perhaps your actions will be more convenient."

Having finally reunited with his brother, Shen Tu Zhuo was not about to let him suffer such injustice. He suggested, "Brother, now that the King of Qin has taken over the Western Army of Yangguan Town, and the case of the River Valley has been settled with the passing of the Queen Consort of Qin, you can go back to your post openly and honestly. Let's see who dares to say a word against you!"

“No, it’s not the right time yet.” Shen Tu Heng shook his head. “The Shen Tu family has been lying low in Hexi for a long time. Mother doesn’t want to bring up the past, but for you and me, this is an opportunity. Xiao Zhuo, isn’t your taking this exam to clear your father’s name and seek justice for all these years of suffering?”

"I do have this plan, but times have changed. How many people are still willing to dig up old cases and seek justice for a family that has long since fallen? I'm not afraid to admit it, brother, but I'm just thinking of taking a gamble. If I really can't exonerate my father, then so be it. At least I can make a living in the court."

“Xiao Zhuo, you’re too naive,” Shen Tu Heng said. “The mastermind who framed my grandfather back then has now become the powerful Grand Minister of Works, one of the Three Dukes, and also the backer of the Fifth Prince’s maternal clan. Even if you don’t want to confront him head-on, he will never allow someone like you, the son of an old enemy, to stay in the court and cause trouble for himself.”

"Although the King of Qin received the fiefdom of twelve commanderies, and the Hexi and Yangguan garrison armies seem to be under the control of the Eastern Palace faction, the Grand Minister of Agriculture is in charge of land taxation and finance, and it was he who first proposed the selection of imperial merchants. In order to replenish the national treasury, the Da Xuan trade is undergoing a period of renewal and transformation, and its relationship with the western states is quite delicate. Even the Crown Prince does not dare to arbitrarily interfere with him. Therefore, while exonerating my father, we must also plan for the long term. This is why the Crown Prince asked me to secretly support you."

“The Crown Prince is fully cooperating with our plan in order to firmly grasp Mohe as an ally and let the King of Qin snatch the lucrative western trade route from the Grand Minister of Works…” Shen Tu Zhuo realized, “That’s why he was willing to rescue Tan Huai Ke from the Empress and do Aisha and us a favor.”

When Tan Huaike was mentioned, the two brothers suddenly fell silent.

As the stream flowed by, Shen Tu Heng looked up at the clinic where Fu Feng was, tore off half of the sleeve of his outer robe, and covered half of his face with it.

Shen Tu Zhuo rubbed his nose and, trying to make conversation, said, "Brother, I just bought these new clothes, and I was just lending them to you. How could you tear them like that?" Realizing something was off, he quickly changed the subject, "You can't cover your face properly like that. I'll make you a new silver mask later..."

Shen Tu Heng waved his hand: "No need, I have my own."

"Oh, okay." Shen Tu Zhuo also looked over there and saw Tan Huai Ke and Pei Er come out. The former looked a little pale, as if the acupuncture had exhausted her strength, while the latter was carrying many medicine bags in her hands.

"Let's go back." After the two walked ahead, Shen Tu Heng followed at a distance and said to his stunned younger brother, "Don't tell her about my affairs either."

"Huh?" Shen Tu Zhuo stammered, "But...but she is your...bride."

"..." Shen Tu Heng glanced back at him and said calmly, "It is I who have failed her."
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Shen Tu Heng did not follow them back to the courtyard. He bid farewell to his younger brother halfway there, then disappeared into the alley after several twists and turns, presumably busy with something else.

Tan Huaike was already weak, and after all that commotion, he was exhausted and went back to his room to rest early. Pei'er was in the kitchen brewing medicine for him, and the aroma of the medicine wafted through the courtyard.

Seeing that his elder brother had chopped half of the firewood that morning, Shentu Zhuo rolled up his sleeves and continued chopping.

He was restless and could only calm himself down in this way.

He was originally very content to live with Tan Huaike in such a simple yet cozy courtyard. Even though there was still a barrier between their identities, and even though there were still many difficulties and obstacles ahead, as long as he could watch over her and protect her, he felt full of energy. He was fearless of any examinations, scheming, or power struggles.

But his brother didn't die; he was even more qualified than he was to protect Tan Huaike...

So what is he now?

Shentu Zhuo swung his axe woodenly, wood chips flying with a muffled thud. His brother's resurrection filled him with joy, but also a deep, bitter sorrow welled up inside him. Watching the firewood split in two by the axe, he vaguely saw himself being cleaved in two as well—

Half of his motivation was to fight alongside his elder brother. He still remembers the biting cold when his fingers touched the coffin, and the hesitation of having to go against his mother's wishes to try to re-enter the court through the recommendation system. Now that he knows his elder brother is there to help him, he feels much more relaxed and his fighting spirit is even higher.

The other half, however, was filled with dark, conflicted emotions and resentment. Her brother said, "Shen Tu Heng is dead," but he was clearly alive and well. How could she pretend he didn't exist? Since he was still alive, Tan Huai Ke was no longer a widow, and her brother was her rightful husband. Her own position as her uncle immediately diminished.

Sweat dripped from his forehead, and jealousy burned within him.

He had always thought his elder brother was flawless, and compared to Shen Tu Heng, his only advantage was probably his fairly handsome face. If it hadn't been burned to ashes, his elder brother would have been just as handsome, perhaps even more dashing. So, in this respect, he felt his victory was unfair.

Moreover, my brother saved Tan Huaike's life three times, including the time in the valley.

How can he be compared to this?

The axe was driven deep into the wooden stake, and Shen Tu Zhuo was panting heavily with anger.

Is it that he doesn't want to be Tan Huaike's savior? Is it that he doesn't want to be her husband? Why is it always just a little bit off? Is fate deliberately working against him?
Tan Huaike wasn't the kind of superficial person who only cared about appearances. If she knew her brother was still alive, she…

What would she do?
Pei'er carried the prepared medicine to Tan Huai Ke. Shen Tu Zhuo wiped the sweat from his brow and couldn't help but look at the door.

He heard laughter coming from inside, as well as Tan Huaike coughing from the bitterness of the medicine.

For some reason, Shen Tu Zhuo recalled seeing her hiding behind the artificial hill at the Qin Prince's mansion, peeking at her brother. She didn't know who he was, only that he was the masked man, yet she trusted him completely.

And during the year-end sacrificial ceremony in Zhangye County, he finally understood why the masked man had only hinted at his feelings and why he was caught in a dilemma because of Tan Huai Ke. His brother escorted her all the way to the banks of the Juyan River, which was to carry out the plan for the marriage alliance, and it was also a way of showing affection for her while keeping it within the bounds of propriety.

With a clang, he threw the axe to the ground.

Sitting on the wood-chopping block, he couldn't help but think that it would be better to keep the news that his brother was still alive a secret, since his brother himself had said not to tell her anyway.

In that case, perhaps I would still have a chance to compete?
As he pondered this, Shen Tu Zhuo couldn't help but despise himself.

He slapped himself hard several times, muttering under his breath, "Coward! Shen Tu Zhuo, you are a shameless, ruthless coward! How could you be so selfish..."

Seeing him slap himself repeatedly, Tan Huai Ke, who had come out to wash his hands, was startled: "What are you doing?"

Shen Tu Zhuo: "...It's nothing, there are mosquitoes."
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Next chapter: I feel like my uncle has been acting strange lately.