Above the river, moonlight stretched for thousands of miles, chilling through one’s clothes. The pearly light filtered through the gaps in the forest branches like unmelted snow.

He Yan turned her head to look at the person opposite her. The young man’s eyes were like autumn waters, naturally captivating without embellishment. His profile showed distinct angles, both dignified and languid. The faint smile on his lips instantly transported her back to that night at the mountain temple years ago.

It was you, she thought, her mind both stunned and confused. She never knew who he was until the end. She only remembered being taken to a room in the mountain temple, where a woman with a gentle voice took care of her, cleaned her up, and returned her to Xu Zhiheng.

When Xu Zhiheng asked what had happened, He Yan only replied that she had gotten lost while taking a walk. He didn’t say much more and never mentioned the woman who brought her back. Thus, she remained unaware of the identity of that strange man she encountered.

But his words – “If you truly want to be strong, what does it matter if you’re blind? Even blind, you can be different from all other blind people” – stayed in her mind, not a single word forgotten.

Later, she practiced distinguishing shapes by sound, learning to live without using her eyes. The process was difficult, but whenever she wanted to give up, she would think of the moon behind the mountain temple that day.

The moonlight was beautiful – it would be a shame to give up like this.

She had thought about everything that happened that day. Thinking carefully, some things might not have been coincidental. How did she happen to overhear the maids’ conversation at the door? How did she manage to stumble into the mountains without any of the Xu family servants noticing? And when she returned, why did Xu Zhiheng so easily believe her story without investigation?

They just wanted her to free herself.

She wasn’t like a snow-white kitten raised in a wealthy household, held in ladies’ arms and content to play with yarn, docile and weak. She was a wild cat from the dark alleys, dirty but resilient. Even blind, she could still hunt from atop a wall.

They wanted her dead, but she stubbornly refused to die. After all, in this world, someone had once given her candy and taught her to taste life’s sweetness.

He Yan had always thought that the stranger from that night was either a kind-hearted young lord or a patient young master, but she never imagined it was Xiao Jue.

How could it be him?

She softly asked, “What kind of person was Madam Xu?”

Xiao Jue laughed lazily, “A fierce woman who loved to cry and had a terrible temper.”

He Yan smiled too, though her eyes grew moist. “Does Madam Xu know you speak of her like this behind her back?”

She had shown her worst side to Xiao Jue that night. And perhaps Xiao Jue had shown his gentlest side to her that night as well.

He didn’t know that his presence then became the only salvation for He Yan in her despair.

The moon was lonely and cold, hanging in the sky, but no one knew how gently he had once shone its light upon someone.

“She’ll never have the chance to know,” Xiao Jue said quietly.

Because Madam Xu was dead.

“Perhaps she knows,” He Yan smiled, looking down, then suddenly gazed toward the horizon and sighed, “The moonlight is truly beautiful.”

Xiao Jue propped himself up with both hands at his sides and looked up without looking at her. “Weren’t you going to drink with Chu Zilan? Where’s the wine?”

He Yan called out loudly, “The mountains, rivers, and lakes are one cup of wine!” She cupped her hands as if holding a vessel, the moonlight filling what seemed like a whole cup. She raised her hands to the vast sky in a toast: “To the moon!”

The young man watched coldly from the side and sneered, “You’re crazy.”

But the girl turned to him, solemnly raising her “cup” in his direction: “And to you!”

No longer tired and dim as before, He Yan’s eyes now shone brightly, her smile radiant, and in her gaze, as she looked at him, there was even a trace of gratitude.

Gratitude?

He raised an eyebrow and snorted with a laugh, ignoring her foolish gesture. “Flattery.”

He Yan stared into Xiao Jue’s eyes, silently saying in her heart.

Thank you… truly.

…

That night, He Yan sat with Xiao Jue until very late. Finally, it was only because the mountain grew too cold that she descended with him.

By the time they returned, it was already midnight, so she woke up late the next day. After lunch, she wanted to tell Chu Zhao about last night’s events, but when she went to find him, the place was empty.

“Looking for Chu Zilan?” Lin Shuanghe passed by and said, “Early this morning, Chu Zilan returned to the capital with the people from Shuojing.”

“This morning?” He Yan was stunned. “He didn’t tell me it would be this morning.”

“The arrival was rather hurried,” Lin Shuanghe opened his fan and waved it. “Brother He, gatherings and partings are all fated. He would eventually return to Shuojing anyway, you shouldn’t be too demanding.”

He Yan was puzzled – how was she being demanding? She just felt somewhat regretful that she couldn’t bid farewell to Chu Zhao before he left. After all, during his days in Liangzhou, he had carefully guided her through the relationships in Shuojing’s official circles every day.

But since he had already left, there was no point in saying more.

Shortly after Chu Zhao’s departure, Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu also set off for Shuojing. Xiao Jue’s people were escorting them back to the capital. The little girl’s eyes were full of tears as she clutched He Yan’s clothes before leaving: “Brother He, you must come back to see me…”

“Why see you? You’re a young lady, how can my brother, a grown man, come to see you?” Cheng Lisu pulled her away and took her place, smiling at He Yan, “Brother, come see me instead visit our manor, I’ll treat you to every restaurant in Shuojing.”

Song Taotao: “Cheng Lisu!”

“Yes, yes, I know, I’ll break off the engagement when we return,” Cheng Lisu picked at his ears, muttering, “She-devil, who’d want to marry you anyway.”

The two children’s bickering suggested their journey wouldn’t be boring.

He Yan saw them off to their carriage and suddenly felt somewhat lost. Usually, she found them noisy and mischievous, but when it came time for them to leave, she found herself quite reluctant to part with them.

When she was “He Rufei,” her status prevented her from getting too close to the brothers and sisters in the manor. Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao were like siblings from an ordinary family, just like He Yunsheng, in some ways fulfilling her fantasies about having a family.

Wang Ba and Jiang Jiao came over, and Jiang Jiao said, “Brother He.”

After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Jiang Jiao finally believed that He Yan hadn’t stolen someone’s wife, and his attitude improved slightly. He said, “Someone from home sent some things over, I picked out some food and items, come by later to get them.”

Wang Ba sourly remarked, “The young master of the martial arts school has it good, even after joining the army people still send you things.”

“Aren’t you a bandit leader?” He Yan asked curiously. “Why haven’t your men sent you anything?”

“No money! We’re poor! The bandit lair is disbanded, what can I do!” Wang Ba exploded in embarrassment, “Why are you asking me? You haven’t received anything either!”

“…I was just asking, don’t get excited.” He Yan thought to herself, how could she compare with Wang Ba? She was living in hiding under an assumed name. If the He family sent her anything now, were they trying to speed up her death, or did they think the official wanted posters weren’t enough?

“But… Brother Jiang, why did your family suddenly send you things?” He Yan asked.

Jiang Jiao replied helplessly, “Brother He, have you forgotten? The New Year is coming.”

New Year?

He Yan froze – she had been living so comfortably these days that she had almost forgotten the New Year was just around the corner.

A new year was approaching.

A new year that would belong to “He Yan.”

She suddenly became cheerful, surprising both Jiang Jiao and Wang Ba. Wang Ba asked suspiciously, “What are you so happy about? Did Commander Xiao give you something good behind our backs again?”

He Yan replied seriously, “Indeed! Good wine, good food, and good prospects. Are you jealous? Envious?”

With that, she turned and left. Wang Ba stood stunned for a moment before chasing after her, “Hey, explain yourself! What did he give you exactly? Don’t run!”

…

The New Year at Liangzhou Guard was quite pleasant. Commander Xiao Jue treated all his new soldiers equally – whether they were Southern Garrison troops or Liangzhou Guard recruits, everyone enjoyed a hearty New Year’s Eve feast. There were vegetables, meat, and good wine, creating a lively atmosphere that somewhat dispelled the bitter cold of the frontier.

But after the New Year celebrations, training resumed as usual. Once the holiday passed and He Yan’s injuries had mostly healed, she joined the training. Though she wanted to enter the Nine Banners Camp, the daily training intensity of the Southern Garrison was still too much for someone just recovering from a serious illness. She could only train with the Liangzhou Guard’s group for now.

Days passed peacefully until one day when Fei Nu received a letter from Lou Prefecture.

In the room, Fei Nu was speaking to Xiao Jue.

“Young Master, Luan Ying suggests that if the Commander finds suitable companions and is prepared, it would be best to depart in these few days. Jiyang is not close to Liangzhou. If we leave now, we’ll arrive in spring and make it in time for the Meng Ji Princess’s birthday. Chai Anxi might appear on the princess’s birthday.”

Xiao Jue looked up: “Qiao Huanqing?”

“He is the nephew of Cui Yuezhi, a general under the Jiyang Princess,” Fei Nu explained. “In his childhood, he was taken away by the Cui family’s enemies. He was fortunately rescued later but ended up in the Central Plains, where a wealthy merchant adopted him. The merchant had no children, so Qiao Huanqing inherited his vast fortune. He married last year, and somehow Cui Yuezhi discovered his whereabouts. Cui Yuezhi has no other family now, so he wrote inviting him to attend the princess’s birthday banquet. However, Qiao Huanqing is very timid. Before reaching Jiyang, while passing through Lou Prefecture, he was robbed by bandits and slightly injured. Upon hearing about the dangerous characters on the road to Jiyang, he refused to continue the journey.”

Xiao Jue’s eyes flickered slightly as he smiled without speaking.

Needless to say, these “dangerous characters” were Luan Ying’s doing. However, for Qiao Huanqing to be so frightened by this small scare that he wouldn’t continue to Jiyang seemed rather cowardly.

“Luan Ying’s people have arranged with Cui Yuezhi to send someone to attend the banquet in Qiao Huanqing’s place, though Qiao Huanqing must pay a thousand taels of gold as compensation. Qiao Huanqing has been separated from his family for many years, and Cui Yuezhi hasn’t seen this nephew for over a decade, so no one knows what Qiao Huanqing looks like now. This identity is suitable, the timing is right, and Luan Ying has sent over the travel permits and jade identity tokens. Young Master, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

A nephew who had been separated from the vassal king’s confidant for many years – this identity was indeed quite convenient, but…

“You make it sound so simple,” Chi Wu couldn’t help interrupting. “But Luan Ying already said that Cui Yuezhi’s invitation was for Qiao Huanqing and his wife, including his newly wedded bride. The Commander is one thing, but where are we going to find a woman to pretend to be his wife? We can’t just say his wife disappeared halfway through the journey!”

Fei Nu maintained a wooden expression but knew Chi Wu had a point. The Southern Garrison and Nine Banners Camp had no shortage of men – whether they needed someone agile, clever, handsome, or crafty, they had it all. What they lacked was women. Luan Ying was their only female member, but Luan Ying… with a twelve-year-old son, how could she play the role of Qiao Huanqing’s young bride?

Xiao Jue frowned, his handsome face showing signs of difficulty for the first time.

“We could find a skilled female assassin…” Fei Nu suggested.

“That’s impossible!” Chi Wu rejected it without hesitation. “Without knowing someone for a long time, who knows if they’re good or bad? If they secretly harm the Young Master, could we bear that responsibility?”

Chi Wu was straightforward, leaving Fei Nu speechless. He could only ask, “Then do you have anyone in mind?”

“Me?” Chi Wu thought hard before speaking solemnly, “Forget about the Southern Garrison, even in our entire Xiao Manor, we barely know any skilled fighting women. When the Madam was alive, she disliked the Master’s martial arts activities, so even the maids she brought in only knew poetry and flower arrangement. I haven’t seen many women like that.”

“Looking for a lady?” Someone outside the window lazily waved a fan, speaking with refined grace: “I know about this! Xiao Huaijin, aren’t you wasting resources by asking these two brutes instead of me? Have they ever even seen proper ladies? Why ask them such a difficult question when you could ask me? This young master will enlighten you.”

Xiao Jue glanced at him and spoke coolly: “Who let him in?”

Chi Wu: “Not me!”

Fei Nu: “Not I.”

“Do I need permission?” Lin Shuanghe felt quite pleased with himself. “Everyone in Liangzhou Guard knows we’re close friends of many years, and I’m a miraculous healer in white. They naturally respect me, so I have access to every part of Liangzhou Guard.”

“Throw him out.”

Fei Nu: “…”

“Hey, Xiao Huaijin, what kind of attitude is that?” Lin Shuanghe spoke while naturally walking in through the main door, waving his hand to dismiss Fei Nu and Chi Wu. “Let me solve your young master’s problems.”

Fei Nu and Chi Wu withdrew, and Lin Shuanghe closed both the door and windows. Xiao Jue coldly observed his actions. Lin Shuanghe sat down in the chair before him and asked, “Looking for a lady?”

Xiao Jue kicked at him.

Lin Shuanghe jumped up, “We can just talk, no need to get physical. I wasn’t eavesdropping earlier, just caught the end of it. Something about a skilled lady – what do you need a skilled lady for? A female guard?”

Xiao Jue stared at him, suddenly smiling. He lazily curved his lips and said unhurriedly: “Looking for a ‘wife.'”

Lin Shuanghe: “?”

After a while, he suddenly realized what Xiao Jue meant, “You’re getting married? That can’t be!”

“This doesn’t make sense. You’re always talking about blind marriages and mute brides, but if you’re getting married, shouldn’t you find someone yourself? Why are you having Fei Nu and others search like they’re picking vegetables? Xiao Huaijin, are you talking nonsense?”

Xiao Jue: “Did I say I was looking for a wife for myself?”

Lin Shuanghe: “You’re finding one for someone else? You don’t even have one yourself!”

Xiao Jue impatiently said: “It’s fake, understand? Acting.”

“What?” Lin Shuanghe was stunned, slowly processing this. He looked at Xiao Jue for a while, until Xiao Jue showed signs of displeasure, then leaned in and said: “Are you planning something like last time in Liangzhou Guard with Sun Xiangfu, finding someone to pretend to be your wife?” Lin Shuanghe had eventually gotten the truth about the last time from Song Taotao. The young girl was no match for such a cunning person, and within a few sentences, Lin Shuanghe had learned exactly what had happened.

“Not entirely stupid.”

“But don’t you have someone right in front of you?” Lin Shuanghe immediately said without thinking, “Of course, it should be my sister He! Have you forgotten that my sister He is also a woman, and quite skilled at that? She’s brave and clever, not affected, and very lovable! If she can pretend to be your nephew, she can certainly play the role of your wife.”

Xiao Jue: “No.”

“Why not?” Lin Shuanghe protested, “She could call you father before, so is it beneath you to call her wife?”

Xiao Jue took a sip of tea, looking at him indifferently: “Did He Yan pay you silver to speak for her?”

“I’m wealthy enough, why would I need someone else’s silver? But you,” Lin Shuanghe leaned closer to him, “why are you so resistant? Xiao Huaijin, have you forgotten that you’re looking for a fake wife? This isn’t the time to apply your picky standards for a real wife. Or perhaps…” He stood up straight, elegantly waving his fan, speaking with a mysterious tone as if discussing matters of great importance: “You’re afraid you’ll fall in love with her?”

“Cough cough cough.” Xiao Jue choked.

He said expressionlessly: “You can leave now.”

“Fine, I’ll go,” Lin Shuanghe said: “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. He Yan is the best candidate you could think of. Though I don’t know exactly what you’re planning to do, whatever it is, it’s bound to be dangerous. Ordinary girls couldn’t handle such perilous situations and those who could, you wouldn’t trust. He Yan has fought alongside you several times, and you understand her well. As for loyalty…” his gaze fell on Xiao Jue, somewhat playfully, “Would you rather take Shen Muxue? I’m sure she’d be delighted to go with you, but I fear Master Shen would rush to Liangzhou to chop off your legs if he found out.”

“I’ve met more ladies than you’ve trained soldiers. I see that sister He doesn’t like you now, and a woman who doesn’t like you pretending to be your wife is the least likely to cause trouble. If you chose Shen Muxue? That would cause real problems. Most importantly, sister He has always dressed as a man, and except for you, no one knows what she looks like. It would be like someone appearing from nowhere, and if her identity were exposed, it would still be easy to conceal.”

Xiao Jue calmly looked at the teacup in his hand, not indicating whether he had taken Lin Shuanghe’s words to heart or not.

“A young lady’s thoughts are the hardest to guess, but someone like sister He is straightforward, wearing everything on her face or speaking it directly – that’s the kind of person suitable for this task.”

“You might as well call her an idiot.”

Lin Shuanghe choked, then said angrily: “I’ve said all I needed to say, I’m only saying this much because we’re brothers. Think it over carefully! Choose wisely!” With that, he grabbed his fan and left.

After he left, Xiao Jue put down his teacup and let out a very faint sigh.

…

Late at night, after washing up, He Yan sat before the mirror.

The army had eaten well during the New Year, and looking at herself in the bronze mirror, she seemed slightly more rounded. Fortunately, Young Lady He had always been naturally slender and delicate, so gaining a little weight didn’t make her look overly plump, but rather reduced her gauntness, adding a touch of feminine charm. She looked quite like a precious young lady from a wealthy family.

However, such delicateness was quite out of place in a military camp. He Yan threw a punch at her reflection in the mirror, made a fierce expression, and only felt reassured when she deemed her imposing manner undiminished. She then walked to the couch and climbed up.

The couch was as cold as ice. The camp was short on charcoal, and although the weather had warmed slightly after the New Year, the nights were still cold.

She had to warm the bedding with her body heat.

Just as it was starting to warm up, she suddenly heard someone knocking at the door. He Yan was startled, silently cursing – who could it be at this late hour? She had finally warmed up the bed, and going out now would mean getting cold all over again. The knocking continued, and though He Yan wished she could pretend not to hear it, that wasn’t possible. She had to put on an outer garment and open the door, finding Lin Shuanghe standing outside.

This man, really – in such cold weather, wearing only a thin white robe. Even with cotton padding, it couldn’t be very thick, or it wouldn’t look so ethereal. He was even using his fan, and He Yan couldn’t help but grab it: “Doctor Lin, could you please stop fanning? It’s cold.”

Lin Shuanghe stopped his movement and smiled: “Alright.”

“What brings you here so late?”

Lin Shuanghe: “Brother He, shall we talk inside?”

“I don’t mind,” He Yan replied, “but Brother Lin, didn’t you say, about men and women alone…”

Before she could finish, the young man had already stepped past her, stamping his feet and saying: “I’m freezing!”

He Yan: “…”

She closed the door and turned around as Lin Shuanghe continued complaining: “Why don’t you have a charcoal brazier in your room? It’s too cold.”

“Ran out of charcoal,” He Yan said patiently. “Since it’s so cold, could Doctor Lin please get straight to the point?”

“I’ve been thinking, I must tell you about this matter…”

“Knock knock knock” – the sound interrupted his words, and they both looked toward the inner door of the room, where the knocking was coming from.

He Yan was startled – knocking at the inner door, could it be Xiao Jue? What did he want in the middle of the night? She looked at Lin Shuanghe, who also appeared puzzled. She walked over and, after a moment’s hesitation, unlocked the door.

The Second Young Master Xiao’s expression was calm and elegant. His gaze swept over Lin Shuanghe briefly before returning to He Yan. Perhaps it was He Yan’s imagination, but his expression seemed somewhat strange.

“Commander… what is it?”

“Young Lady He.” He stepped forward, leaning slightly down, his eyes level with hers. The young man’s features were handsome, his autumn-water eyes filled with moonlight. At this close distance, she could see his long, slightly upturned eyelashes. His voice was low and magnetic, making one’s face flush and heart race.

“Do you like me?”

Yan Yan: !! Who could resist this!!