Winter had arrived, bringing bitter cold. Liang Prefecture’s winters were colder than the capital’s. During daylight hours it was bearable, and training helped keep the soldiers warm, but at night, the cold was piercing. The small fire burning in the basin was far from sufficient.

Fewer soldiers went to bathe at the Wulu River now, choosing instead to heat water for washing. He Yan was no different. In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed since Xiao Jue’s departure.

By her estimation, Xiao Jue should have reached Zhangtai by now. However, the training instructors never discussed this matter, so He Yan had no way of knowing the situation there. She continued daily training with the recruits, though due to her incomplete recovery, she couldn’t follow Xiao Jue’s directive of “triple daily training.”

On this day, He Yan was practicing formations with the recruits at the training ground. As evening approached and group training dispersed, she chatted with Hong Shan and others.

Hong Shan rubbed his hands together and breathed into them, asking, “He Yan, don’t you think it’s been extremely cold these past few days?”

“It’s not too bad,” He Yan replied. During her time with the Fu Yue army, she had fought battles near riverbanks in winter. The camps were pitched along the shore, with bitter river winds at night and no firewood to burn. Soldiers huddled together for warmth – that was true bone-chilling cold.

“Young people like you just handle the cold better,” Hong Shan sighed, gazing toward White Moon Mountain. “Why does it snow every day in Liang Prefecture, lasting all night?”

He Yan followed his gaze. Winter had stripped White Moon Mountain of its summer verdancy, leaving it blanketed in snow. The recruits who went up the mountain every few days to gather firewood couldn’t venture beyond the midpoint – the snow grew deeper higher up, making it too dangerous.

“This weather is perfect for hunting,” Xiao Mai chimed in. “My brother and I used to soak food in wine during the day and leave it near cave entrances. In winter when food is scarce, rabbits and foxes would eat it. At night, we’d just collect them all. No effort is required, simple as that. White Moon Mountain is so vast, there must be plenty of rabbits and foxes.” He licked his lips.

“Stop right there,” He Yan warned. “I suggest you abandon that idea. The mountain terrain is treacherous and the snow is deep. You might end up like the rabbit before catching one.”

“Brother He Yan underestimates me,” Xiao Mai grumbled.

As they spoke, a group of recruits descended from the mountain path leading to the training ground. Among them was the medical woman Shen Muxue, wearing a winter dress.

She wore a moon-white winter dress with an apricot-colored embroidered cape decorated with plum blossoms. Her hair ribbon was plain white. As she approached through the snowy landscape, her ethereal beauty became even more striking.

Hong Shan stared intently, saying, “How can such a woman exist in this world? Not only is she extremely beautiful, but her heart is also incredibly kind. In such cold weather, a delicate woman climbing the mountain to gather herbs for the wounded – only an immortal could possess such compassion.” Finally, he asked He Yan, “Don’t you agree?”

He Yan replied, “Indeed.”

Every few days when recruits rotated duties to gather firewood, Shen Muxue would accompany them to collect medicinal herbs that could still be found in winter. The garrison was short on medical supplies, especially in winter when soldiers caught colds that were difficult to cure. Shen Muxue would have people brew warming medicinal drinks, distributed by the barrel, one bowl per person. After drinking, they would break into a healthy sweat which was very beneficial.

Though she appeared less sturdy than He Yan, her willingness to climb the mountain with recruits in such cold weather was truly admirable.

“Who’s that being carried on the back of the recruit behind her?” Shi Tou asked with furrowed brows.

Everyone looked and saw a person being carried on the back of a recruit following Shen Muxue. This person wasn’t wearing the standard training uniform, clearly not a recruit of Liang Prefecture Garrison. Before they could discuss further, curious recruits had already rushed over to inquire about the situation.

Soon, those who had gathered information returned to share with their companions. He Yan overheard them saying: “That person is a hunter from the other side of the mountain. His family was so poor they couldn’t afford food, so he risked climbing the mountain to hunt. He ended up trapped by heavy snow. When Miss Shen’s group found him, half his body was buried in snow. They had to dig him out, barely saving his life.”

“He must have incredible luck. White Moon Mountain is exceptionally cold. If he had stayed there a few more moments, even immortals couldn’t have saved him.”

“Exactly!”

Xiao Mai muttered, “Climbing the mountain in this weather, truly desperate.”

“Can’t be helped. A poor man’s life isn’t counted as a life. When there’s no money for food at home, who can think about anything else?” Hong Shan sighed.

After watching a while longer, everyone dispersed.

But the matter didn’t end there. That evening, Cheng Lisu returned, saying he would stay in Xiao Jue’s room. He Yan asked curiously, “Weren’t you refusing to move back?”

Cheng Lisu replied with a troubled expression, “The person Miss Shen rescued today is staying in our room, so I was driven out. We can’t let him stay in Uncle’s room – he’d beat me to death when he returns. Well, I’ll reluctantly stay here for a few days. After he leaves, I’ll move back. Brother He Yan, could you help me carry my trunk tomorrow? I can’t move it alone.”

“Of course, but I suspect you won’t be staying here for just a few days, but rather a very long time,” He Yan shook her head.

“Why?”

He Yan smiled without answering, but Cheng Lisu would soon understand why she said this.

The next day, after daily training, He Yan accompanied Cheng Lisu to retrieve his trunks from the communal quarters. They happened to meet Shen Muxue going to treat the hunter they had rescued yesterday.

He Yan noticed that besides some qi-strengthening decoctions and frostbite ointments, she also carried medicines for external wounds. He Yan asked, “Miss Shen, is that person injured?”

“There are wild beasts in the forest. He encountered a bear and was attacked. While evading it, he fell down a cliff, which is why he ended up buried in snow. He has some external injuries.”

Cheng Lisu asked, “Are his injuries severe? Will he need to stay in Liang Prefecture Garrison for a long time? Does this mean I won’t be able to move back for quite a while?”

“Young Master Cheng,” Shen Muxue said helplessly, “Even if his injuries heal, he temporarily cannot leave the garrison. He came from the other side of the mountain. Now that White Moon Mountain is sealed by heavy snow, we must wait until the snow melts or we have several consecutive days of clear weather before he can climb up. If we let him return now, he would only freeze to death on the mountain again.”

Hearing this, Cheng Lisu nearly jumped up, “That means waiting the entire winter!”

“Perhaps when the Second Young Master returns, there might be another solution,” Shen Muxue consoled.

He Yan noticed that Shen Muxue referred to Xiao Jue as “Second Young Master” rather than “Commander,” suggesting familiarity rather than a master-servant relationship. While pondering this, they arrived at the quarters.

The room was empty at the moment – after training at the drill ground, everyone had gone to eat and rest. The man was lying against the wall where He Yan used to sleep. He wore thin single-layer clothing and wrapped the blanket tightly around himself, appearing cold. Shen Muxue put down the medicine tray on the table and turned to call him: “Hu Yuanzhong?”

The person under the blankets stirred slightly. After a moment, he supported himself with both hands and slowly sat up.

He was a man of about thirty, with dark skin and chapped, peeling lips. He appeared somewhat frail. He lifted the blanket and addressed Shen Muxue with nervous haste: “Miss-Miss Shen.”

“It’s time to change your bandages,” Shen Muxue said. “Sit at the edge of the bed and roll up your trouser leg.”

The man called Hu Yuanzhong appeared even more nervous, rubbing his hands and stammering, “How could I trouble the medical lady? I should do it myself.” He bent down but immediately hissed in pain.

Seeing this, Shen Muxue knelt before Hu Yuanzhong and helped roll up his trouser leg, revealing legs covered in wounds of varying depths, presumably from mountain rocks and tree branches.

“It hasn’t healed yet,” Shen Muxue said. “I’ll apply more medicine today.”

Hu Yuanzhong nodded dazedly.

“Let me do it,” He Yan suddenly interjected. Before Shen Muxue could react, she took the medicine from her hands and knelt. “Please stand up, Miss Shen.”

“This…” Hu Yuanzhong seemed surprised. “This young brother…”

“I’m He Yan. You’re currently sleeping on what used to be my bed. Since Miss Shen is a lady, it’s not convenient for her. I can apply medicine for Brother Hu – that should be fine, right?” He Yan smiled at Hu Yuanzhong.

Hu Yuanzhong sighed in relief: “Of course, I also didn’t want to trouble Miss Shen.”

“He Yan, don’t be silly,” Shen Muxue frowned slightly. “There’s no distinction between men and women before a physician. You don’t know how to apply medicine properly.”

“I know how to apply wound medicine, Miss Shen. Don’t worry. You should check on Cheng Lisu instead – I noticed he was coughing this morning. Hope he hasn’t caught a cold.”

Cheng Lisu added, “Yes, Miss Shen, my throat feels a bit dry.”

Shen Muxue paused, asking, “Really?” Then she stood up and said to Cheng Lisu, “Come outside with me, let me check.”

After they left, only Hu Yuanzhong and He Yan remained in the room.

He Yan first cleaned the blood seeping from his leg wounds, then applied a thin layer of medicine while asking, “Brother Hu, these wounds look serious. Must be quite painful.”

“It’s fine,” Hu Yuanzhong said, “Just some external injuries.” Despite his words, his voice was strained, seemingly speaking through gritted teeth.

He Yan’s hands paused, then pressed slightly harder. Hu Yuanzhong cried out in pain: “Ah—”

“Sorry, Brother Hu,” He Yan said apologetically. “I wasn’t careful.”

“It’s nothing, nothing.”

“Miss Shen is indeed more careful and thorough. I’m just a clumsy man, hurting Brother Hu. Please don’t mind.”

Hu Yuanzhong forced a smile: “Not at all.”

He Yan smiled and continued applying for medicine while internally sneering.

Earlier, she had seen that although this Hu fellow verbally refused to let others apply for medicine, he cried out in pain at the slightest movement. When Shen Muxue knelt, a flash of delight crossed his eyes. Though well-hidden, He Yan had caught it. She had always despised such people who harbored improper thoughts. Shen Muxue had saved Hu Yuanzhong’s life, yet he could still have perverted thoughts about his savior – what kind of person was he?

When she rolled up his trouser leg, He Yan could see these so-called “serious injuries” – while they looked messy and severe, they were merely superficial wounds. He Yan, being a woman, had endured far worse injuries without a sound. This man was supposedly so poor he risked his life to hunt on the mountain, yet he acted so delicately. When people are starving and can’t afford food, how could they have the presence of mind to scheme so elaborately?

A few words were enough to reveal this person’s character. Shen Muxue was kind and pure-hearted, and as a physician looking at patients, she couldn’t see these subtle undertones. But He Yan, as an observer, saw everything clearly and felt uncomfortable.

“Brother Hu, what are your plans after your wounds heal?” He Yan asked.

Hu Yuanzhong scratched his head, “I… I haven’t thought about it.”

“Why not stay at Liang Prefecture Garrison? Being a soldier means having enough to eat, you won’t go hungry,” He Yan joked.

“…That’s good,” Hu Yuanzhong replied with a simple smile.

He actually agreed? He Yan was even more surprised now. She had made a casual joke, yet Hu Yuanzhong readily agreed without even saying “How could I impose?” This showed firstly that he felt no gratitude, and secondly, that he had never considered his future plans.

Someone uncertain about their future should constantly worry about their plans – how could they be so casual? He Yan felt displeasure rising in her heart. Could he be planning to take advantage of the garrison to stay close to Shen Muxue?

With these thoughts, He Yan quickly finished applying the medicine and handed him the medicine bowl, saying, “Brother Hu, drink your medicine first.”

Hu Yuanzhong reached out to take it: “Thank you.”

He drank the medicine quite readily, tilting his head back and gulping it down. When he handed the bowl back to He Yan, she noticed his extended hand had red rashes covering from the tiger’s mouth (the web between thumb and index finger) to the inner wrist.

He Yan’s movements froze.

Hu Yuanzhong noticed her pause and asked, “What’s wrong, Brother He Yan?”

“Brother Hu, perhaps you should have the medical lady look at these rashes on your hand,” He Yan said. “Did you get these on the mountain too?”

Hu Yuanzhong started, rubbed his wrist a couple of times, and smiled, “No need. They should fade in a few days. It’s nothing serious. No need to trouble the medical lady.”

“I see,” He Yan nodded and smiled. “Then it’s nothing.”

She stared at Hu Yuanzhong without speaking, making him uncomfortable. He touched his face and asked, “Brother He Yan, is there something on my face?”

“No.” He Yan shook her head with a smile. “I’ll take the empty bowl out. Though Miss Shen is a physician, she’s still a young lady. I have nothing to do these days, so I’ll run errands for Miss Shen. Let me deliver Brother Hu’s medicine from now on.” With that, pretending not to notice the disappointment in Hu Yuanzhong’s eyes, she turned and left.

Outside, Shen Muxue was examining Cheng Lisu’s tongue. Seeing He Yan emerge, she asked suspiciously, “That was quick?”

“There weren’t many wounds,” He Yan asked. “How’s Cheng Lisu?”

“He’s been eating too much spicy food these days, his throat is inflamed,” Cheng Lisu admitted embarrassedly. “It’s nothing serious.”

“Then all is well, let’s go back.” He Yan returned the medicine tray to Shen Muxue and added, “I’ve already arranged with Brother Hu that I’ll deliver his medicine these next few days. Starting tomorrow, I’ll come to Miss Shen’s room at this time to collect the medicine for Brother Hu. Miss Shen won’t need to make the trip.”

Shen Muxue hesitated: “This…”

“It’s settled then. Consider it my thanks for the scar-removing and flesh-regenerating ointment you gave me.” He Yan put an arm around Cheng Lisu’s shoulders. “We’ll take our leave first.”

They walked away.

On the way, Cheng Lisu asked, “Brother He Yan, what’s wrong?”

“What?” He Yan came back to her senses.

“You haven’t spoken since leaving Hu Yuanzhong’s room. Did something happen in there? Did you argue?”

“No.” He Yan walked a few steps, thought for a moment, then stopped and said to Cheng Lisu, “You go back first. I need to see Hong Shan and the others about something.”

“But you haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’ll just grab a couple of steamed buns.” He Yan waved her hand. “You go back and wait for me. See you later.”

…

Hong Shan and Xiao Mai were drinking porridge when He Yan arrived. They made room for her, saying, “Why are you so late today? I thought you weren’t coming.”

“Had some things to deal with on the way.” He Yan took a steamed bun but unlike her usual wolf-like appetite, she only took one bite before stopping. After pondering for a long while, she said, “Brother Shan, Shi Tou, I need your help with something.”

“Why so serious?” Hong Shan put down his bowl. “What could you need our help with?”

“That hunter Hu Yuanzhong that Miss Shen rescued from the mountain yesterday, he’s staying in your quarters now, right?” He Yan said. “These next few days, training during the day is fine, but could you keep an eye on him at night?”

Hong Shan and Shi Tou looked at each other, and then Hong Shan asked, “I don’t understand. What’s wrong with Hu Yuanzhong? Why do we need to watch him?”

“…I feel something’s not right about him.”

At this point, even Xiao Mai stopped eating. The atmosphere grew solemn, and Shi Tou asked quietly, “What’s not right?”

“Maybe I’m overthinking it. I’m not certain yet. But I feel that perhaps him being rescued by Miss Shen on the mountain wasn’t a coincidence.”

Hearing this, Hong Shan’s eyes widened: “A spy?”

“Lower your voice,” He Yan said. “These are just my suspicions, which is why I need your help watching him, to see if he does anything unusual at night.”

“No,” Hong Shan still found it incredible. “You need to tell us exactly what’s wrong with him that makes you suspicious.”

He Yan took a deep breath and said, “I’ll tell you in a few days. For now, I just need your help watching him.”

“I hope I’m overthinking this,” she said softly.

…

That night, after parting with Hong Shan and the others, He Yan returned to her room. Despite being familiar with the surroundings, she lay on her bed unable to sleep, her mind full of concerns.

Meeting Hu Yuanzhong today had been unexpected, yet it ended up causing her such worry that she felt restless.

What she told Hong Shan and the others wasn’t fabricated. She truly suspected Hu Yuanzhong was a spy who had infiltrated the Liang Prefecture Garrison with ulterior motives. As for how she discovered the suspicious points, it was because when she handed the medicine bowl to Hu Yuanzhong and he returned it, she saw the dense red rashes covering from his tiger’s mouth to his inner wrist.

It reminded her of the Qiang people.

The Qiang people lived in densely forested areas with perpetually humid climates. Their soldiers often developed red rashes from the tiger’s mouth to the wrist from holding their swords. When He Yan was Flying Swan General, she had specifically researched this with military doctors. Even after these Qiang people entered the Central Plains, these rashes wouldn’t fade quickly.

Thus, when she saw the red rashes on Hu Yuanzhong’s tiger’s mouth area, she immediately thought of those Qiang soldiers without hesitation. However, she wasn’t entirely certain, as all red rashes look similar – they could be caused by humid climate or contact with allergens. There was no need to suspect someone just because of a rash.

But perhaps it was because He Yan had developed cautious habits as a general, especially regarding matters concerning the Qiang people. Or maybe because she had noticed Hu Yuanzhong’s subtle intentions toward Shen Muxue and already had a poor impression of him, she immediately became suspicious.

Thinking carefully, there were indeed many suspicious points. For instance, with such heavy snow on the mountain, the other side of White Moon Mountain faced away from the sun, so the snow would only be deeper. Even their recruits had difficulty crossing over – how had Hu Yuanzhong managed to cross alone from that side? If he was truly so poor that his family couldn’t afford food, forcing him to hunt on the mountain out of desperation, why didn’t he seek gentler alternatives? Like helping carry goods at the dock or doing some manual labor – at least these could temporarily ward off hunger and cold. Going hunting on White Moon Mountain – the best case scenario was catching some game to relieve immediate needs, but more likely, one would die on the mountain, losing both life and resources.

Ignoring easier paths to take an inexplicably difficult route wasn’t about facing challenges – it was stupidity. Yet judging by how he pretended to be in pain to get Shen Muxue’s care, he didn’t seem stupid.

The more He Yan thought about it, the more suspicious she became, but unfortunately, Xiao Jue wasn’t there, so she couldn’t warn him. Even if Xiao Jue were here, she couldn’t directly point out the most important suspicious point. The Qiang people were thousands of miles from Shuo Jing, and the recruits of the Liang Prefecture Garrison couldn’t have seen Qiang soldiers. Even Xiao Jue might never have fought against the Qiang. How could He Yan, born in the capital, know the secret habits of the Qiang people? If she spoke up, she feared she would be suspected before Hu Yuanzhong.

Years ago, when she led the Fu soldiers to quell the Western Qiang rebellion, the Qiang leader Ri Damuji died in battle, and the remaining Qiang people all surrendered. The following years had been peaceful, with no unrest heard from the Qiang side. But… this didn’t mean they could truly relax.

If this person was a Qiang, an ordinary unarmed civilian, how could he have climbed White Moon Mountain in such heavy snow, coincidentally being found by Shen Muxue and entering Liang Prefecture Garrison?

Too many coincidences stop being coincidences – someone must have deliberately arranged it.

Now that Xiao Jue was away, how could they handle any conspiracy that might arise?

Xiao Jue isn’t here… Xiao Jue isn’t here?

Suddenly, He Yan sat up as a terrifying thought crossed her mind.

Why did this person appear specifically when Xiao Jue was away? Could it be… that the cry for help from Zhangtai was also fake? “Claim to strike east while striking west” – how could she forget this basic military strategy they had to memorize daily?

At some point, the snow had stopped.

He Yan looked out the window. Outside, the wind was quiet, snow covered the ground, so silent that even a falling needle could be heard clearly.

But beneath this tranquility, perhaps an earth-shattering undercurrent was hidden, just waiting for the right moment to surge forth like a flood.

[Author’s Note: This story is fictional, and all place names and country names are invented. The Qiang people in this story are not the modern Qiang ethnic group, but purely fictional. I have Qiang friends who are very warm and hospitable. (There is no intention of regional discrimination.)]