He Yan stayed up late that night at the Xiao residence. Unlike in Liangzhou, here the rooms were separated by an inner door. Perhaps because she knew Xiao Jue was next door, He Yan felt particularly nervous. She couldn’t tell if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Xiao Jue had become much gentler with her lately. What might be casual gestures to Xiao Jue could easily stir the most hidden emotions deep within her heart.

He Yan turned over in bed, contemplating her complicated situation. Her identity was already special, and once back in Shuojing, everything about Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei would be right before her eyes. Being with anyone would only burden them. Xiao Jue already carried the weight of the Xiao family’s deep grudge – if she were to become another burden to him… He Yan took a deep breath, staring at the canopy above. It really wasn’t a good idea.

With various chaotic thoughts filling her mind, she finally dozed off around midnight. When she woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.

She sat up, startled. After changing clothes and opening the door, she saw a chubby eight or nine-year-old servant girl sitting on the courtyard steps, seriously watching ants in the corner. Hearing movement, the girl lifted her head, revealing a round face like a New Year painting doll, her eyes creasing into slits as she smiled: “Young Master He, you’re awake!”

She patted the dust off her clothes and stood up, running towards He Yan with short legs that made He Yan worry she might trip.

He Yan asked, “You are…?”

“This servant is called Bai Guo,” the little girl answered obediently. “Second Young Master asked me to take care of you but said I couldn’t enter your room unless called. Now that you’re awake, I’ll go to the kitchen to bring your breakfast.”

Her voice was soft and sweet. He Yan couldn’t help patting her head, asking, “Where is your Second Young Master?”

“Second Young Master left early this morning,” Bai Guo answered with a smile. “Before leaving, Second Young Master said you needn’t feel constrained. If you don’t want to stay in the mansion, you can leave to handle your affairs, just return early in the evening.” She remembered something and added, “Young Master, there are banknotes in the wooden drawer on your room’s table. Second Young Master said you can use them, and if you need anything else, just tell me. I’ll report to the First Madam.”

Though still young enough to have a childish air about her, she spoke very sensibly. He Yan smiled, “You’re so young, why would your Second Young Master have you serve me?”

“My father is the mansion’s steward,” Bai Guo proudly straightened her chest. “Since Second Young Master chose me, I’ll take good care of you, Young Master.”

“Thank you then.” He Yan smiled.

Bai Guo was very excited, seemingly having received such an important task for the first time. She replied, “Young Master is Second Young Master’s friend, no need to thank me. I’ll go to the kitchen now! Please wait a moment. Hot water is in the silver kettle by the courtyard entrance. If Young Master needs to wash up, you can pour it directly. Second Young Master said Young Master doesn’t like being touched, so there’s no need for this servant to help with such tasks.” She stuck out her tongue and ran off.

He Yan watched her leave, thinking that Xiao Jue had been quite thoughtful. Choosing such a young girl who was simple and pure – even if she noticed anything unusual, she wouldn’t think much of it. If it had been a clever and sharp servant instead, what if they happened to discover her identity?

She lowered her head with a smile, first going to get water as Bai Guo had mentioned, then returning to her room to freshen up.

Just as she finished washing up, Bai Guo came in carrying a food basket. She stepped over the threshold, and placed the basket on the table, “Young Master, after you finish, just leave the basket here. I’ll clean up. If you need anything else, call for me to come in.” Without waiting for He Yan’s response, she immediately withdrew.

He Yan: “…”

She wondered what Xiao Jue had told her.

The meal consisted of light porridge and small dishes, like last night – not extravagant but prepared with care and attention to detail. He Yan finished the food and placed the empty bowls and plates back in the basket. After adjusting her clothes, she went to the table, remembering what Bai Guo had mentioned earlier, and pulled open the wooden drawer to indeed find a thick stack of banknotes inside.

She had thought Bai Guo meant just one or two notes, but unexpectedly Xiao Jue was so generous – this amount would be enough for a young lady’s betrothal gift. Cursing the wealthy nobility in her mind, He Yan thought no wonder Xiao Jue didn’t even blink when buying clothes in Jiyang, immediately deciding on hundred-tael silk gauze.

Having money meant one could do whatever they wanted.

He Yan didn’t touch the banknotes, closed the drawer, and walked out of the room.

She had a good memory and knew how to get from this courtyard to the mansion’s main gate. Along the way, she didn’t encounter Bai Rongwei or Xiao Jing. As for the other servants, whether instructed by Xiao Jue beforehand or not, none paid her any attention, just focused on their tasks. It was as if He Yan’s presence in the Xiao mansion was entirely natural as if she had long been living there as part of the family.

He Yan left the mansion’s main gate without much effort.

As soon as she stepped out, she was struck by the brilliant sunshine. He Yan squinted and started walking in a particular direction.

Before she left the capital to join the army, she had won a large sum of money at Le Tong Manor and sent He Yunsheng to school. Now that a year and a half had passed, she wondered if He Yunsheng was still studying at that school. She couldn’t go directly to the He family home, as the neighbors had all watched Young Lady He grow up – even in male dress, she might still be recognized. He Yunsheng’s classmates had never seen He Yan, so it would be safer.

The timing was just right. He Yan reached the gate of “Helu Academy” without much effort. Though not comparable to Xianchang Hall, Helu Academy was still considered a decent school among ordinary families. In the current Da Wei dynasty that valued civil affairs over military matters, Helu Academy not only taught classics but also had teachers for martial arts – this was what He Yan valued most. He Yunsheng had started his education rather late, and while he wasn’t particularly interested in studies, he was quite good at martial arts. Taking the path of a warrior in the future wouldn’t be impossible.

It was early morning, the best time for studying, and reading voices could be heard from within Helu Academy. He Yan wasn’t part of the school and couldn’t enter directly. She ordered a cup of tea at a nearby teahouse and sat for about half an hour. When it was time for classes to end, she took advantage of the teachers leaving to climb over a wall into the academy.

Students were leaving the academy, and just as He Yan was about to ask a youth about He Yunsheng’s whereabouts, she unconsciously walked to a classroom window. From inside came the sounds of young men’s laughter, tinged with malicious teasing, “Brother Yunsheng, are you not coming with me today? It’s Brother Wang’s birthday!”

Another person said, “How could Brother Yunsheng look up to us? Have you ever seen him join us in our activities? Brother Yunsheng is so good at martial arts, and with such a handsome face that girls love – he’ll probably make a good marriage and achieve success in the future. Why would he want to mix with us!”

Another round of jeering followed. He Yan frowned slightly – such mockery was too hurtful. How could He Yunsheng, with his proud and quick-tempered nature, tolerate this? Wouldn’t it lead to a fight?

Worried, she peeked inside and saw a youth in blue standing at a desk surrounded by others. He was lowering his head, packing up his books, and hadn’t said a word throughout.

He had endured such humiliation.

Perhaps feeling like punching cotton with no response, after making a scene for a while, the young men found it boring and left the classroom in twos and threes. Meanwhile, He Yunsheng finished packing his books and left.

He Yan followed He Yunsheng from a distance.

He Yunsheng entered an empty alley, and after walking just a few steps, he suddenly felt a forceful wind coming from behind. Instinctively turning around, he struck back with a palm, but instead of hitting anyone, it met another palm that was soft yet resilient, silently blocking his force and easily making him step back several paces.

“Who is it!” he called out alertly.

The next moment, a familiar voice with a hint of laughter rang out, “Not bad, kid. Looks like this year and more of schooling hasn’t been wasted – your strength has increased quite a bit.”

Upon hearing this voice, He Yunsheng froze, hardly believing his ears. The palm in front of him withdrew, revealing the person’s face. A face with features somewhat similar to his own, one that would occasionally float up in his mind – a beautiful, familiar yet strange face.

His sister… He Yan.

“You…” He Yunsheng’s voice trembled.

He Yan gave him a light slap on the head, then ruffled his hair, “What ‘you’? Call me Sister!”

“How did you come back!” He Yunsheng seemed to finally come to his senses, and only at this moment did the youth show a glimpse of what He Yan remembered from before. He stepped forward, grabbing He Yan’s elbows as if confirming whether this was a dream or reality. “You’re back? He Yan! When did you return? Do you know how worried Father and I have been this past year!”

His eyes reddened, voice choked up.

Looking at the youth before her, He Yan couldn’t help but feel emotional. Young people grow quickly, and in a year and a half, He Yunsheng has grown much taller. She had to look up at him now. He was also much thinner than before, looking tall and straight – almost like an adult.

He Yan grabbed his hand and pulled him away, “This isn’t the place to talk. Come with me.”

In the tea room, exquisite pastries were laid out, but He Yunsheng had no appetite at all. Yet the person across from him kept pushing the plate toward him, “Didn’t you used to love these? Eat more.”

He Yunsheng stubbornly said, “I don’t like sweets.”

He Yan mentally rolled her eyes, remembering how he used to drool over the pastries He Sui gave her when they went to cut firewood in the mountains. Looking at the youth before her, she realized children grow up and learn to protect their dignity.

Strangely, though she had met Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao, who were all younger than her, only with He Yunsheng did she feel this inexplicable, genuine concern. This concern had been well hidden while in Liangzhou, but upon seeing He Yunsheng in person, it could no longer be suppressed. She just wanted to give this child the best of everything, hoping for a good future. Perhaps it was because this body belonged to Young Lady He – the wonder of blood ties lay in this.

“You still haven’t told me why you came back?” He Yunsheng stared at He Yan, hesitating before adding, “And why do you look like this now?”

He Yan smiled at him, “This appearance… is it not good?”

He Yunsheng neither said it was good nor bad, but just felt it strange in his heart. He was used to seeing He Yan in dresses and had seen her in men’s clothing once before, but even then, it wasn’t as natural as now. If He Yan weren’t his sister, if he saw such a person on the street, He Yunsheng would never believe they were a woman.

He Yan was quite beautiful – even when He Yunsheng’s relationship with her was at its worst, he had to admit this fact. However, that beauty had always seemed somewhat frivolous and cheap, especially when she would scheme to get money from He Sui to buy clothes and accessories. The current He Yan was slightly darker than before, wearing almost no makeup. Rather than beautiful, she now appeared more spirited. That hint of brightness and vigor made her eyes shine like stars.

Actually… she was still beautiful, perhaps even more attractive than before.

But that wasn’t the point. He Yunsheng came back to his senses and asked, “Are you still in the military camp? No, if you were, how could you come out?”

“Your sister is outstanding and quite appreciated by her superiors,” He Yan lifted her tea and took a sip. “During my service, I was fortunate enough to be appointed to a minor official position. While not the highest, I’m doing better than most.”

“How could you become an official?” He Yunsheng was startled. “Don’t you know you’re a woman? You might hide it for a while, but not forever! If your identity is discovered later, you’re finished! No, no,” He Yunsheng grew anxious, “You must resign immediately, resign tomorrow!”

He Yan tilted her head and looked at him, “Don’t you want to ask what position I was appointed to?”

“It doesn’t matter what position, you can’t keep it!” He Yunsheng said impatiently. “Even if you were Prime Minister, it wouldn’t be acceptable. Besides, the higher your position, the more dangerous it becomes. You can’t risk your life for some glory and wealth. You must resign!”

He Yan was stunned, momentarily lost in thought.

If even a child-like He Yunsheng could understand this logic, how could the two He family officials in court not understand? Using deception was extremely dangerous – once discovered, she would be dead, yet the He family still let her do this, and for so many years.

It was nothing but… human greed, unwilling to give up that bit of glory and wealth, or perhaps in their eyes, He Yan’s life was merely a bargaining chip, worthless compared to the potential career advancement they could gain.

“Hey, are you listening to me!” He Yunsheng waved his hand in front of her.

He Yan looked up and smiled, “Of course, I understand what you’re saying. I will resign but now isn’t the time. I still have some things to do. I’ll resign after they’re done.”

Just as He Yunsheng was about to ask what things, He Yan spoke again, asking, “Enough about me, what about you all? How has Father been during my absence from Shuojing? Have the Fan family people been causing trouble?”

He Yunsheng’s expression darkened, “Those bastards, how could they not cause trouble?”

It turned out that after He Yan joined the army since Fan Chengzhi’s killer was never found, the Fan family vented their anger on the He family. Although He Yan was also a “victim,” it was precisely because her body was never found that there could be no confrontation. Fan Cheng’s family often caused trouble for He Sui at the military station, slandering him for misconduct, causing He Sui to lose his position as Constable.

Fortunately, not long after, a merchant household in Shuojing wanted to hire a guard. Learning that He Sui was a former Constable with good martial arts skills, they hired him. Though it seemed less prestigious than being a Constable, the merchant family was generous and paid well.

He Yan was somewhat suspicious, “The pay is good, but why are you wearing old clothes? From what your classmates were saying, it seems they’re complaining that you won’t spend money with them.”

He Yunsheng looked at her in disbelief, “You were eavesdropping…”

“Shh,” He Yan smiled, “I was just passing by and happened to hear. You’re saving money without using it – it couldn’t be for your betrothal gift, could it?”

He Yunsheng remained silent. He couldn’t tell He Yan that although the family was better off now, he and He Sui had discussed that since He Yan joined the army, they didn’t know when she would return. A young woman out there must have suffered greatly – just being alive would be good enough. If she came back when she was older, or if people looked down on her and she didn’t marry, they wanted to save more money so that if He Yan wanted to live alone in Shuojing, having more money would make life easier.

Seeing He Yunsheng’s silence, He Yan thought she had guessed correctly and smiled, “Don’t be so frugal. I’m now earning a salary after all.” She pulled out two banknotes from her chest and said softly, “We won a battle earlier, this is from the spoils, His Majesty’s reward. Take this money and get new clothes made for Father and yourself. Treat yourself better – clothes make the man, if you dress well, won’t the girl you like notice you? Young girls all like handsome men. Though your face is handsome, your personality isn’t very likable, so you need to dress up a bit.”

He Yunsheng held the banknotes and after a while asked, “Won a battle? Did you go to the battlefield? Which one? The Jiyang naval battle, the Liangzhou garrison battle, or the Rundu battle?”

He Yan hadn’t expected him to follow these events, scratched her head and said, “Actually… I was in all of them.”

He Yunsheng gasped.

When He Yan left hurriedly, she only left a letter. He Yunsheng later asked around and learned that the batch of recruits from Shuojing at that time all went to Liangzhou garrison. After that, he paid constant attention to news from the Liangzhou garrison.

Hearing that the journey was long and many weak people died on the way, he prayed daily for their mother in heaven to protect He Yan. Then hearing that the Liangzhou garrison was bitter and cold, and training was harsh, he just hoped He Yan could become a cook. When Ri Damuzi led troops to the Liangzhou garrison, he and He Sui couldn’t sleep all night, later consoling themselves that He Yan would be fine – she couldn’t even carry a sword, and being clever, probably wouldn’t even see the enemy.

The Jiyang naval battle… the defense of Rundu… In short, since He Yan joined the army, He Sui and He Yunsheng have lived particularly difficult lives. If they weren’t afraid the Fan family would follow the trail to find He Yan’s whereabouts, the two would probably have packed their bags and gone to Liangzhou themselves.

“Didn’t I have someone bring you messages?” He Yan asked.

He Yunsheng frowned, thinking for a while, “There were two times, but they were very brief and just notes thrown into the house. We couldn’t meet the messenger face to face, so we didn’t know your situation.” At this point, He Yunsheng was both angry and anxious, “What were you thinking back then, how did you think of joining the army? You’re a young lady…”

“Nobody said women can’t join the army.” He Yan, afraid of his nagging, cut him off, “Besides, look at me now, aren’t I safe and sound? By the way, now that Father isn’t a Constable anymore, are the Fan family still harassing you?”

He Yunsheng shook his head, “They stopped coming a few months ago.” He said sarcastically, “They hit and cursed us, and we accepted it all. They probably knew it was pointless to continue. I heard the Fan family master had another son, so they probably don’t care about the previous one anymore.”

He Yan couldn’t help but click her tongue. The Fan family master was quite old, yet could still have a child in his later years – she didn’t know what to say.

“Come back with me,” He Yunsheng looked at He Yan. “Father will be home tonight. He’ll be so happy to see you when you return.”

He Yan shook her head, “I can’t go back now.”

“Why?”

“Yunsheng,” He Yan looked at him patiently, “My current identity is very delicate. All the neighbors have seen my face before. If I’m recognized… there will be trouble. Even if I want to meet Father, it can’t be at home. Besides, now isn’t a good time.” She pushed the banknotes into He Yunsheng’s hands, “I came today just to check on you. Seeing that you’re doing fine, I’m relieved. Tell Father I’m alright. After some time, we’ll find a place to meet.”

He Yunsheng felt somewhat dejected – finally seeing her, yet having to hide as if they couldn’t be seen. But he understood in his heart that He Yan was right.

“What about you then?” He tried to push the banknotes back to He Yan, “Don’t you need money too? Keep it for yourself. And where are you staying now? An inn? Inns are very unsafe, I’ve heard there are many illegal establishments…”

He Yan didn’t bother with the back-and-forth, directly stuffed the banknotes into his chest, saying, “I have plenty more, a thick stack, I can use it whenever I want. Don’t worry about it, child. I’m not staying at an inn, I’m having someone look for a house to rent, and before that, I’m staying at a friend’s mansion.”

“Friend?” He Yunsheng’s ears perked up, looking at her vigilantly, eagerly asking, “What friend? Met in Liangzhou garrison? How old? Male or female?”

He Yan: “…”

This attitude somehow seemed like a father managing his daughter’s overnight stays. She thought, that if she mentioned Xiao Jue’s name, He Yunsheng would probably follow her back to the Xiao mansion tonight – after all, she still remembered He Yunsheng’s words.

“If I were a woman, I would only love him alone!”

He Yan’s mouth twitched, unable to imagine He Yunsheng and Xiao Jue standing together for a moment, then finally said, “What’s a child like you asking so much for, just know it’s someone important.”