On the way to the training grounds, He Yan was still thinking about what Lin Shuanghe had said earlier. The snake-patterned black jade in her hand was cold as water, helping to clear her mind somewhat in the winter weather. Yesterday, she had drunkenly snatched Commander Xiao’s jade pendant – such an outrageous act meant she really couldn’t drink so casually anymore.

Lost in thought, He Yan had already reached the edge of the training grounds. A man was standing before Commander Xiao, wearing the black armor of the Southern Garrison troops and keeping his head lowered without speaking. As she got closer, she heard Commander Xiao say coldly, “Is this the Fengshi Zhen [Arrow Formation] you arranged?”

The man appeared to be his Vice General, responsible for training the Southern Garrison troops in formations. Though imposing in stature, before Commander Xiao he was like a child who had made a mistake, head bowed as he said, “This subordinate acknowledges his error. The men might be unaccustomed to the snow in Liang Prefecture…”

“Unaccustomed?” Young Master Xiao glanced at him and asked rhetorically, “Do you need me to teach you how to adapt?”

He Yan saw how this sturdy man trembled at Commander Xiao’s single sentence, replying, “This subordinate will lead them in proper training right away!”

“Double the daily training,” Commander Xiao said calmly. “If this happens again, there will be no need for you to remain in the Liang Prefecture Guard.”

“Yes, Commander!” After the man left, He Yan craned her neck to look toward the training grounds. She clicked her tongue in amazement as she saw him thoroughly berating the Southern Garrison soldiers at the front before making them restart the formation training.

Commander Xiao’s attitude differed between the Southern Garrison troops and the new Liang Prefecture recruits. He rarely showed himself to the Liang Prefecture recruits and maintained a distant, polite manner with Captain Shen and the others. Only with the Southern Garrison troops did he truly show his usual self – casual, cold, like a commander who would reprimand someone at the slightest provocation.

Had she been this unlikeable when she was Flying Swan General? He Yan silently questioned herself.

As she pondered this, Commander Xiao had turned around. Upon seeing her, he paused momentarily before asking irritably, “What are you doing here again?”

He Yan smiled apologetically and held out her palm with the black jade resting on it. “Commander seems to have left something with me last night. I came specially to return it.”

“Return it?” Commander Xiao savored these words meaningfully, bending down to stare into her eyes before pulling his lips into a cold smile. “What a thoughtful daughter.”

He Yan: “…”

Why was he so vindictive? Besides, even if she called him father, Commander Xiao was the one taking advantage of her. Yet when he said it, it somehow made her sound like she’d committed some unforgivable sin.

He Yan struggled to maintain her composure and said, “Commander truly knows how to jest. This black jade appears quite valuable. Commander should take better care of it and not let it get lost again.” She raised the jade and reached toward Commander Xiao’s waist.

Commander Xiao stepped back, his expression wary. “What are you doing?”

“Helping you attach it,” He Yan replied innocently. “Isn’t this jade pendant meant to be worn at the waist?”

Commander Xiao suddenly recalled Lin Shuanghe’s words from yesterday about “she likes your waist.”

As He Yan moved forward again, Commander Xiao raised his hand to block her, giving her a complex look. “I’ll do it myself.”

“Oh.” He Yan handed over the jade pendant, puzzled. She watched as Commander Xiao properly reattached the pendant, the black jade contrasting beautifully against his dark blue robes.

She observed intently, unaware that seeing her focused gaze, Commander Xiao narrowed his eyes and immediately turned away, letting his robe fall back into place.

Was he stung by an insect? He Yan wondered.

From the training grounds came the soldiers’ loud commands. He Yan followed him to the tower gallery to look down. The Southern Garrison troops’ formations were already quite orderly, and their morale was excellent. Yet he had nearly reduced the man to tears earlier – what was Commander Xiao’s problem? He was being too critical.

If he were in charge of the Pacifying Yue Army, he wouldn’t even have time to eat, being too busy scolding people all day.

As He Yan continued watching, she voiced her thoughts: “They’re training quite well. You were too harsh earlier.”

“Harsh?”

“Yes,” He Yan said. “If it were me, I’d have been frightened to death.”

Commander Xiao laughed again, his smile tinged with mockery. “You don’t seem frightened of me.”

“That’s because I’m used to being scolded.” He Yan looked down at the Southern Garrison troops. “The Fengshi Zhen [Arrow Formation].”

Commander Xiao asked, “How is it?”

“They’ve trained very well. It’s just that with the recent snow making the ground slippery, the soldiers on the left in the last row are having trouble keeping up.”

“Besides the Fengshi Zhen [Arrow Formation], what other formations do you know?” Commander Xiao asked casually.

“Quite a few,” He Yan counted on her fingers: “Saoxing Zhen [Scattered Stars Formation], Yuanyang Zhen [Mandarin Ducks Formation], Yuli Zhen [Fish Scale Formation], Heyi Zhen [Crane Wing Formation]…” She listed over a dozen formations before noticing Commander Xiao’s gaze fixed on her. She stopped and asked, “Why… are you looking at me like that?”

Commander Xiao turned around, resting both hands on the gallery railing, and said lazily with a smile, “Admiring your expertise, Lady General.”

He Yan: “…”

She brazenly continued, “Since I’m so capable, would Commander consider promoting me? Let me be your right-hand assistant. Together, we could achieve great things!”

Commander Xiao scoffed, “Who’s ‘we’?”

“Don’t always keep people at arm’s length. You should learn from my approachability.”

Commander Xiao ignored her. As He Yan was about to speak again, a voice came from behind: “Young Master.”

It was Fei Nu.

“Young Master,” Fei Nu glanced at He Yan, “There’s movement from Lord Lei’s side.”

Commander Xiao nodded. “Understood.” He turned to go downstairs, presumably heading to the dungeon. He Yan started to follow but stopped after a step.

Never mind. If there was anything important, Commander Xiao would know even without telling her. Following him now would only irritate him. Better to find Chu Zhao and ask if she had done anything inappropriate while drunk yesterday.

If she had, she’d need to queue up to apologize.

With this thought, she waved to Commander Xiao: “I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany Commander. We’ll meet again later.”

Fei Nu’s mouth twitched. Look at how familiar she’s acting – had anyone even invited her along?

Commander Xiao, already accustomed to He Yan’s shameless behavior, stepped down the stairs: “Let’s go.”

When He Yan arrived at Chu Zhao’s quarters, Fourth Young Master Chu was practicing calligraphy.

Yesterday she had come in a hurry at night, only drinking in the courtyard without noticing where Chu Zhao lived. She had only felt it wasn’t luxurious enough, but today looking properly, it wasn’t just unluxurious – it could be called austere.

The room had only a table and bed, with just two chairs, and no decorations. However, this Fourth Young Master Chu knew how to make the best of things, having placed incense and hung gauze curtains, giving the originally austere room something of a refined, reclusive scholar’s air.

Ying Xiang saw her and smiled, “Has Young Master He come to see our Young Master?”

“Mm,” He Yan said, “I… came to bring Fourth Young Master Chu some snacks.” She held up the box containing the leftover scallion pastries Lin Shuanghe had given her this morning. He Yan had originally planned to keep some for when she got hungry, but it wouldn’t be right to visit Chu Zhao empty-handed, so this would have to serve as a meeting gift.

“Fourth Young Master is practicing calligraphy,” Ying Xiang smiled. “Please follow this servant.”

Chu Zhao looked at her and smiled, “Brother He didn’t come here today just to ask this one question, did you?”

Indeed, as expected of the Prime Minister’s prized student – his perception was so keen that she had nothing to say.

Seeming to notice He Yan’s difficulty and embarrassment, Chu Zhao smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Last night while you were here, you didn’t do anything unusual – you just engaged me in a discussion about military tactics. However, since I’m not well-versed in military matters, I couldn’t properly discuss them with you. It was a waste of your expertise.” He looked at He Yan and added with wonder, “I was quite surprised by how knowledgeable you are.”

He Yan: “…” She silently reproached herself. She would never call others peacocks again – looking at her drunken behavior, she was the real peacock, wasn’t she? Getting drunk and showing off how many books she’d read everywhere – how embarrassing.

“Fourth Young Master is too kind,” He Yan covered her face with her hand. “If you say more, I’ll truly want to hide from shame.”

Ying Xiang brought over two cups of tea, placing one before He Yan with a smile, “Please try it, Young Master He.”

He Yan took a sip and couldn’t help exclaiming, “It’s so sweet!”

“The tea in Shuo Capital isn’t as bitter as Liang Prefecture’s,” Ying Xiang placed the other cup before Chu Zhao. “I’m glad Young Master He enjoys it.”

Looking at the tea before her, He Yan suddenly thought of something else and turned to Chu Zhao, asking casually, “Has Fourth Young Master Chu always lived in Shuo Capital?”

“Yes.”

“Then you must know quite a bit about the recent happenings there.” He Yan watched the tea leaves floating in her cup and said, “I’ve been in Liang Prefecture for over half a year now. Here it’s nothing but bitter training every day – quite boring. Since my injury, I don’t even have daily training anymore, just staying in my room all day until I’m almost moldy. Finally, having a friend from the capital,” she leaned in closer, looking intently at Chu Zhao, “could Fourth Young Master tell me about any interesting events that happened in the capital these past six months?”

“Interesting events?” Chu Zhao was startled.

He Yan nodded: “Yes, things that are entertaining.”

“Well, there are many such stories,” Chu Zhao said gently. “What kind would Brother He like to hear?”

“What kind?” He Yan pondered for a moment. “Ordinary households probably don’t have anything particularly interesting. Let’s talk about the official families in the capital. You know, like which lord was caught by his wife having an affair, whose son turned out to not be their real child but was adopted… that sort of thing?”

Even the usually good-tempered Chu Zhao choked a bit at He Yan’s words.

He slowly replied, “I’m not very familiar with such private household matters. Let me tell you about things I do know.”

He Yan nodded eagerly.

Then she listened as this Fourth Young Master of the Shi Jin Earl’s household went through a list of all the officials in Shuo Capital, but there wasn’t a single truly “interesting” story as she’d hoped. It was all about who got promoted, whose salary increased by two dan of grain, whose memorial to the throne was criticized by the Emperor for ugly handwriting, and whose wife gained the Noble Consort’s favor by giving her some rare fabric.

Fourth Young Master Chu was handsome, good-natured, and patient, unlike Commander Xiao who would quickly grow impatient. But even in conversation with him, He Yan was losing patience.

She held back again and again, finishing two cups of tea without hearing what she wanted to hear. Finally unable to contain herself, she interrupted Chu Zhao: “Fourth Young Master Chu, in Shuo Capital, do you know the current Flying Swan General?”

At these words, Chu Zhao paused. He took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, “Why suddenly bring him up?”

“Every day in the Liang Prefecture Guard, the instructors privately discuss whether our Sealing Clouds General or the Flying Swan General is more formidable. I see Sealing Clouds General daily now, so there’s nothing special there, but I’ve never seen the Flying Swan General.” She smiled. “You know, the Flying Swan General and I share the surname He – perhaps we were family in a past life. I just wanted to hear if there are any interesting stories about him, is he really that impressive?”

Chu Zhao looked at He Yan for a while before shaking his head with a smile. “The General and I were merely colleagues in court, not very close. I’ve only met him a few times. He’s quite a good person, and very capable – he was particularly valiant when putting down the Western Qiang rebellion back then.”

“What about now? Has he been promoted in the capital?”

“He’s already a third-rank military official – rising too quickly would invite criticism,” Chu Zhao said. “However, His Majesty quite admires him, frequently summoning him to the palace and even having him instruct the Crown Prince in swordsmanship. I expect his future won’t be inferior to Commander Xiao’s.”

He Rufei… had already reached such a position?

He Yan’s smile froze slightly.

Chu Zhao asked, “What’s wrong?”

He Yan lifted her cup and took a drink to cover her reaction, saying, “I was just thinking, we share the surname He, and he’s only a few years older than me, yet his achievements are something I could never reach in my lifetime.”

“Brother He shouldn’t belittle yourself,” Chu Zhao smiled comfortingly. “Flying Swan General earned his merits by risking his life on the battlefield. Besides, you’re still young – your future might not necessarily be inferior to his.”

These words didn’t comfort He Yan. When she raised her head again, she wore that carefree smile, “Is that all? What about the rest? Flying Swan General should be of marriageable age – doesn’t he have any lady he fancies? If not, that would be too tragic. Would both of Great Wei’s famous generals, Sealing Clouds and Flying Swan, remain lonely their whole lives?”

Chu Zhao was startled for a moment, then smiled lightly, “That I don’t know, but up until now, there’s been no news of Flying Swan General’s engagement.”

He Yan nodded.

“Oh?” Chu Zhao looked at her with a smile. “Does Brother He have sisters at home who perhaps…”

“No, no,” He Yan quickly waved her hands. “I only have one younger brother. I would never think of such things. That’s the Flying Swan General – how could common folk like us dare to reach so high? I wouldn’t dare even think of it.”

Chu Zhao nodded thoughtfully.

…

In the dungeon, Commander Xiao sat in a chair, looking at the prisoner.

After more than ten days, Lord Lei had become alarmingly thin, looking like a different person from ten days ago. He hadn’t slept well either, appearing tormented by nightmares, his eye sockets deeply sunken. The once-tall man had become noticeably hunched.

Fei Nu delivered a message, saying softly, “We found the person who was coordinating with Lord Lei. The letters were sent from Ji Yang.”

“Ji Yang?” Commander Xiao raised his eyebrows.

“That’s correct.”

“Xiao Huaijin,” Lei spoke, his voice as if scorched by fire, extremely hoarse, seemingly about to give out at any moment. His lips were covered in cracked blood. “I’ve written to my contact as you said. According to our agreement, you can now spare my wife and children.”

Commander Xiao glanced at him and smiled. “In your eyes, am I someone who keeps such promises?”

“You!” Lord Lei’s expression changed drastically. He lunged forward violently, but with his hands and feet in shackles, they only produced a rattling sound. Having eaten little these days, his body had no strength. With this movement, instead of reaching Commander Xiao, he fell to the ground.

The young man sat in his chair, looking down at him with his head tilted as if admiring his pathetic state. After a while, he drawled, “I only said I’d consider it.”

Being a prisoner meant accepting one’s fate as a prisoner. Lord Lei finally realized that from the moment he stepped into the Liang Prefecture Guard, his fate as a prisoner was sealed. He was no match for this man who, at sixteen, could drown sixty thousand people in Guo City and kill Zhao Nuo without changing expression. No one could match his ruthlessness and methods.

“I beg you.” He slowly knelt, kowtowing to Commander Xiao. “Spare my wife and children.”

The man looked at him for a moment before speaking leisurely in his direction, “Very well, I’ll ask you again – did you only communicate with your contact through letters?”

“Yes, yes!” Having decided to submit, his only goal was to have Commander Xiao spare his family. He spilled everything, hoping to gain even a bit of mercy from the man before him. “We exchanged letters once a month. The contact was previously in Shuo Capital, then moved to Ji Yang. That’s all I know. If you want to find him, go to Ji Yang – you’ll find him there!”

“Ji Yang City…” Commander Xiao pondered, looking at him. “Ji Yang City doesn’t allow outsiders to stay long. Under what identity did your contact enter the city?”

“I don’t know,” Lord Lei said. “I only know he stays at the Cuiwei Pavilion in Ji Yang.”

“Cuiwei Pavilion.” Commander Xiao stood up, saying, “I understand.”

“Xiao Huaijin… Commander Xiao!” Lord Lei called after him, crawling like a dog for two steps, calling in his direction, “I’ve told you everything I know. Can you spare my wife and children now?”

The handsome youth stopped at the door without turning back, his voice tinged with mockery: “No hurry. Perhaps in a few days, you’ll remember something else. We can release them then.”

He turned and walked out.

Outside the door, Chi Wu was waiting.

Seeing him, Chi Wu said, “Young Master, news has come from Luan Ying.”

Commander Xiao: “Speak.”

“We’ve found Chai Anxi’s whereabouts. He’s currently in Ji Yang.”

“Ji Yang?” Commander Xiao turned around.

Chi Wu, unaware of what had just happened in the dungeon, hesitated, “Is something wrong?”

Fei Nu followed from behind, his expression grave, “The messenger Lord Lei mentioned is also in Ji Yang.”

“Young Master, do you suspect…” Fei Nu was surprised, “that the person secretly coordinating with Lord Lei is Chai Anxi?”

“Without seeing the person, we can’t be certain.”

“But,” Chi Wu couldn’t help asking, “Ji Yang is the Prince’s territory. They never allow outsiders to stay long, and even for brief stays, you need a travel permit. Even we can’t just go there as we please. How did Chai Anxi get in? And stay there for so many days? Could this be a trap?”

“Who knows? Lord Lei didn’t say.” Fei Nu glanced at Commander Xiao’s expression and carefully asked, “Young Master, should we find a way to go to Ji Yang first?”

“Easier said than done,” Chi Wu dampened his enthusiasm. “When Master was alive, he just wanted to stay a few days while passing through Ji Yang, but Prince Ji wouldn’t even let Master’s troops enter the city. Said they needed a travel permit, which had to be obtained from the government office and reported to the palace. We can’t draw attention on this trip – how can we manage it?”

“No hurry.” Commander Xiao played with the longevity lock in his hand. “Wait a few more days.”

Chi Wu and Fei Nu exchanged glances. Seeing the longevity lock in his hand, Fei Nu remembered Lord Lei’s words from earlier and asked, “Young Master, Lord Lei’s wife, and children are still under our watch… should we continue or…”

People in the capital were watching Lord Lei’s family. These days, though they were confined, no harm had come to them. With the news from Ji Yang, and seeing Lord Lei’s condition, it seemed unlikely he had any more information to offer. How to handle his wife and children remained a question.

Commander Xiao’s gaze fell on the longevity lock in his hand. He laughed once and casually tossed it to Chi Wu.

Chi Wu: “Young Master?”

He turned and walked forward, saying lazily, “Let them go.”