Even after boarding the carriage and leaving the palace, He Yan remained in a daze. Fei Nu, being a simple man, silently drove the carriage while the young man sat beside her. The jade pendant, initially cold to the touch, had now grown warm in her tight grip.

Xiao Jue’s gaze fell on her hand as he raised his eyebrows, “Are you planning to crush it?”

He Yan’s strength, developed from daily stone lock throwing practice in the training grounds, made cracking walnuts barehanded effortless—theoretically, she could crush this jade piece too. She froze for a moment, instinctively opening her palm, unsure what to do.

This was the dual-colored jade bestowed by the Empress Dowager—one piece given to Xiao Jing, one to Xiao Jue, reportedly a family heirloom of the Xiao family. According to Lin Shuanghe, Xiao Jue never parted with this jade pendant. She had once stolen it while drunk in Liangzhou, but knowing its value, returned it to Xiao Jue. Now, unexpectedly, it had found its way back to her possession.

He Yan had never received such a precious gift before. After hesitating, she said, “Commander… is it appropriate to give this to me?”

Xiao Jue took the snake-patterned black jade from her hand, bent down to remove the tassel at her waist, and replaced it with the black jade. His movements were gentle, his expression meticulous, and his tone light as he said, “My brother gave his piece to my sister-in-law. Since we are betrothed, it’s only right that I give this to you.”

Betrothed…

He Yan’s face reddened again.

The words Xiao Jue had spoken to her in that abandoned palace earlier were impossible to process fully. Whenever she thought about it, it felt like the first time she had secretly seen fireworks after the New Year’s Eve feast in her childhood—bursting into the sky with a “boom,” transforming into countless dazzling stars above. Even lying in bed at night, sleep would be difficult, constantly remembering that moment of spectacular beauty.

Forcing herself not to dwell on it further, He Yan asked, “Are we returning to the Xiao Manor now?”

Noting her use of the word “returning,” Xiao Jue’s lips curved slightly as he said, “We’re going to your home.”

“My home?”

“You are a woman,” Xiao Jue lowered his gaze. “Previously, no one knew you were staying at the Xiao Manor, but after today, people will inevitably investigate the He family. If you continue to stay at my manor, it will cause gossip.”

He didn’t care about others’ opinions, but this wouldn’t do for He Yan, He Sui, and He Yunsheng. While the separation between men and women wasn’t as strict as in the previous dynasty, it would still reflect poorly on He Yan to live in an unmarried man’s residence before marriage.

“Oh, right.” He Yan nodded. Thinking about returning to the He family home brought another headache. He Yunsheng had repeatedly urged her to resign from her position immediately, but now not only had she not resigned, she’d been elevated to nobility. At least she didn’t have to worry about her female identity being exposed, but for He Sui and He Yunsheng, this would still be quite shocking.

“Don’t worry,” seeming to notice her concern, Xiao Jue reminded her, “During the celebration banquet, someone was already sent ahead to your home with congratulations. Your father and younger brother should already know.”

He Yan felt relieved.

Indeed, He Sui and He Yunsheng had already been informed.

Not long ago, He Yunsheng was still reading in his room, and He Sui had just returned from his employer’s home and was washing up. Qing Mei had just finished laundering their clothes when they heard someone knocking at the door.

In their street, mostly occupied by small business owners and certainly not wealthy families, everyone had already closed their doors for the night. Since Qing Mei was a young woman, He Sui took an oil lamp to open the door, while He Yunsheng, worried something might be wrong, closed his book and followed his father, wearing an outer robe.

When they opened the door, they found a long line of people dressed as palace servants waiting outside. He Yunsheng’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if something had happened to He Yan. Her position as “Wuan Lang” had come easily, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. If exposed, there would be serious consequences.

He Sui was equally confused, as He Yunsheng hadn’t told him about He Yan’s promotion to avoid worrying him. He Sui wondered if the Fan family had come to cause trouble again, and immediately asked, “Officials, what brings you here…”

“Congratulations to Master He, congratulations!” The lead servant, beaming with joy, directed others to carry boxes into the courtyard. “Master He has raised an excellent daughter. Miss He has shown exceptional valor, matching any man’s achievements. Her previous military accomplishments in the Jiyang naval battle and Rundu defense were remarkable. His Majesty has bestowed upon Miss He the title of Wuan Marquis, along with an arranged marriage. General Feng will soon come to make a formal visit. This humble servant comes first to offer congratulations!”

He Yunsheng drew in a sharp breath.

Their street wasn’t particularly wide, and at night, even domestic squabbles could be heard clearly from house to house. These palace servants created such a commotion that the neighbors were already alerted—some peeking through door cracks, others outright opening their doors to watch the excitement. Though the servant’s rapid explanation wasn’t entirely clear to the onlookers, one thing became certain: the He family’s eldest daughter wasn’t dead, and not only was she alive, but she’d been granted an official title and an arranged marriage?!

He Sui had only known that He Yan had returned to the capital and was temporarily staying with a friend due to her circumstances, assuming she had deserted the army, and didn’t dare speak of it. Now, faced with all these revelations, he didn’t know where to begin questioning.

He Yunsheng, being quick-witted, noticed the servant’s use of “daughter” and realized He Yan’s female identity couldn’t be hidden anymore. But these people spoke of His Majesty’s rewards, suggesting there would be no punishment for deceiving the emperor. This was surprising, but He Yunsheng couldn’t focus on celebrating this fact yet, and instead asked, “Official? You mentioned my sister has been granted a marriage. May I ask to whom?”

He Sui had also recovered from his shock by now. The titles of Wuan Lang or Wuan Marquis weren’t the most important matter—how could his daughter be promised marriage as soon as she returned home? He, as her father, hadn’t even been consulted. How could they arrange a marriage to someone whose background they didn’t even know? He’d heard of unexpected windfalls, but never of a son-in-law falling from the sky!

“Master He need not worry, this servant already mentioned that General Feng will arrive shortly,” the servant replied with a smile, hands folded.

“…You mean,” He Yunsheng asked incredulously, “General Feng?”

“Indeed!”

Just then, they heard the rapid approach of a carriage from the street’s end. Everyone looked toward the sound and saw an elegant carriage emerging from the darkness, driven by a tall guard who stood out from ordinary guards, his face notably handsome.

The servant smiled, “See, here they come.”

The carriage stopped at the He family’s door. By now, all the neighbors had received word and climbed out of their warm beds to see the distinguished visitors. A man and woman descended from the carriage—the woman was unmistakably He Yan. Having grown up on this street, all the neighbors had watched her grow up. Today she wore men’s clothing, but her hair was loosely flowing, her face cleared of disguise, looking clean and beautiful, with an added air of valor not seen before. Some young men stared in amazement, thinking that while He Yan had always been pretty, she’d never been this striking before—now she was truly eye-catching.

The young man who helped her down from the carriage and stood beside her made all the young women and new wives on the street blush. He too wore official robes, with distinguished and handsome features, clearly a noble from the palace. In their humble neighborhood, he stood out like a glowing jewel.

The servant quickly stepped forward to bow upon seeing Xiao Jue, “Commander Xiao, Marquis Wuan, greetings.”

Some thoughtless neighbor shouted, “Commander Xiao, so this is Old He’s son-in-law, Commander Xiao!”

“Commander Xiao, is he really that General Feng?”

“Where, where? I want to see too!”

He Yan: “…”

Xiao Jue had become something of a rare animal here, with everyone wanting a look. The servant smiled, “Commander, this servant has delivered the message and will now return to the palace.” Then, looking at He Sui, who was still frozen in shock, the servant inwardly disapproved, wondering how such a family had been chosen—this father-in-law was just a rough militant who didn’t even know to invite servants in for tea, truly a country bumpkin.

The next moment, Fei Nu stepped forward, saying “Thank you for your trouble” while distributing silver pieces to each palace servant. The lead servant, weighing the particularly heavy cloth bag in hand, felt satisfied. Well, though the country bumpkins might lack manners, the son-in-law was generous and very considerate. Upon returning to the palace, he would put in a good word before His Majesty!

Meanwhile, He Sui finally came to his senses and invited Xiao Jue’s party inside. He Yunsheng pushed away the neighbors who were trying to get another look at Xiao Jue, saying, “It’s too late today, another day, another day, aunties and uncles, please come another day. Go rest now.” With that, he forcefully closed the door, leaned against it with relief, then hurried to the main hall.

All the lamps in the house were lit, though apart from the lamp He Yunsheng used for night reading, which had plenty of oil, the other three lamps in the house were running low, with one completely out of oil. Qing Mei searched thoroughly through cabinets before finally finding some tea leaves, hurriedly brewing tea, and serving it to Xiao Jue.

He Sui still felt like he was dreaming.

He looked at He Yan, “Yan’er…” but couldn’t continue.

“Yunsheng, you didn’t tell Father?” He Yan asked in surprise.

He Yunsheng impatiently replied, “If I had told Father, how could he have stayed quietly at home for so many days? He would have gone looking for you himself.”

Tsk, since he hadn’t told him, He Yan found herself in a difficult position. How should she explain? She knew her actions in Jiyang and Rundu would be hard for He Sui to accept, which was why she had left this hot potato for He Yunsheng to handle. Now that He Yunsheng hadn’t paved the way, she felt hesitant to speak.

Xiao Jue glanced at him, “Let me explain.”

Both He family men trembled simultaneously.

Thanks to the money He Yan had given earlier, the He family home was now at least free from leaks, appearing somewhat respectable, though still undeniably humble. While He Yan was used to it, having grown up there, Xiao Jue seemed completely out of place. He Sui felt that their rough rattan chair, with its unpolished splinters, was unworthy of this young master’s elegant robes.

Fortunately, the young master showed no disdain for their modest dwelling, nor did he complain about the weak tea made from tea dregs. Without any trace of impatience, he calmly explained how He Yan had enlisted in Liangzhou and eventually became both Wuan Marquis and Wuan Lang.

He Sui listened with mounting anxiety, several times gulping tea to calm his nerves. He Yan thought the detailed explanation unnecessary.

After Xiao Jue finished his explanation, He Yunsheng and He Sui finally understood—through this unexpected turn of events, He Yan had become Great Wei’s first female Marquis since its founding.

“But…” He Sui felt something wasn’t quite right, though with today’s successive shocks, he hadn’t fully processed everything and couldn’t pinpoint what bothered him. He could only look back and forth between He Yan and Xiao Jue.

Whose daughter would be like his—going out once, killing people, achieving merits, becoming an official, and bringing back a man? When He Yan had been infatuated with Fan Cheng, He Sui had strongly disapproved of him—a young master who only knew how to squander his family’s wealth, clearly not someone who would lead a stable life. His daughter, whom he had pampered since childhood, would surely suffer if she married into the Fan family. Though Fan Cheng had never intended to make her his primary wife anyway.

Later, when He Yan nearly loses her life for Fan Cheng’s sake but gradually forgets him after recovering, He Sui is overjoyed, planning to have matchmakers find suitable young men in Yanking City. Then He Yan left for Shuojing to join the army, and He Sui had resigned himself to the possibility that she might never marry, or perhaps take in a son-in-law like he had done. Now, without giving him, the father, any say in the matter, the Emperor himself had arranged her marriage.

The Emperor!

At least the match wasn’t unsuitable. He Sui secretly observed Xiao Jue. Hmm… though he’d only seen him from afar before, this was his first close observation. Setting aside everything else, he wondered how this young man’s parents had managed to produce someone so flawless. As He Sui thought this, he glanced at He Yunsheng and immediately looked away in disappointment—ah, such comparisons were truly disheartening.

He Yunsheng was bewildered by this.

Seeing He Sui staring intently at Xiao Jue, He Yan feared her father might ask difficult questions and quickly said, “It’s very late today, let’s discuss other matters another day.” She turned to Xiao Jue, “Elder Master Xiao and Madam Xiao must have returned home by now, with many questions for you. By the time you finish explaining everything to them, it will be dawn.” She gave Xiao Jue a meaningful look, “You should go.”

He Sui still wanted to ask, “Yan’er, Father still has questions…”

“I’ll answer them,” He Yan said urgently, pulling Xiao Jue up from his chair and dragging him toward the door. Xiao Jue didn’t resist and even turned to say to He Sui, “Uncle, I’ll visit again another day.”

He Sui was struck by being called “Uncle” and before he could react, Xiao Jue had been dragged away by He Yan.

“What did he just call me?” the old father asked his “inferior” son, standing in the room.

He Yunsheng sneered, “Well, he didn’t call you Father.” Earlier at the racetrack when Xiao Jue had given him a horse, He Sui had scolded him for being useless, but look at him now—one “Uncle” had him completely dazed.

He truly was his biological child.

Xiao Jue allowed himself to be pulled outside by He Yan. The neighbors who had gathered to watch earlier had all dispersed—despite their curiosity about the famous “General Feng,” no one would stay out in the cold autumn night just to crouch in corners.

The street was empty. Xiao Jue let her pull him along without resistance. Once outside, He Yan furtively looked around like a thief, only releasing him after confirming it was safe.

Xiao Jue watched her composedly, remarking, “Your behavior makes it seem like I’m something to be hidden.”

He Yan came to her senses and laughed awkwardly, “People in our street love to gossip, and surely Commander, you wouldn’t enjoy being stared at.”

Xiao Jue: “I don’t mind.”

He Yan thought to herself, who would believe that? This man who usually kept to himself now claims he doesn’t mind? Men’s words are as trustworthy as ghosts.

She looked back at the door again—He Yunsheng and He Sui hadn’t followed, and Qing Mei was being sensible and staying quiet. He Yan sighed in relief.

Bringing Xiao Jue home felt strange, mainly because Emperor Wenzuan’s decree had come so suddenly that He Yan herself hadn’t been prepared. Now that she had pushed Xiao Jue out, knowing they had to say goodbye, she found herself at a loss for words.

It had been so easy to interact with him in Liangzhou and Jiyang, but now in Shuojing, at this moment, she couldn’t string a word together. Despite years in the military that had made her quite articulate, all she could manage now was, “Take care.”

Xiao Jue laughed.

He Yan asked, “What’s so funny?”

He bent slightly, bringing his eyes level with hers, his lips curving in a playful yet serious manner, “Miss He’s ability to deceive has regressed.”

This was too much.

He Yan mumbled, “I’ve never deceived you.”

Xiao Jue straightened up and ruffled her head, “It’s windy here, you should go inside.”

He Yan nodded, then looked up at him again, feeling inexplicably reluctant to part. Perhaps because since joining the military, she had spent so much time with Xiao Jue. Now back in Shuojing, having resumed her female identity, it would be impossible to spend time with him as casually as before, let alone stay overnight.

As if knowing her thoughts, Xiao Jue said, “Don’t worry, I’ll come to see you.”

He Yan blushed again, instinctively responding, “I’ll come to see you too.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what she’d said and wished she could knock herself unconscious to escape this awkward conversation. Knowing she might make more of a fool of herself if she stayed longer, He Yan turned around, “Well, I’m going in then, Commander. See you another day!”

She went inside and closed the door.

Xiao Jue stood at the doorway, watching the closed door for a while before walking to the carriage waiting at the corner. Fei Nu skillfully took up the reins, and the carriage left the alley.

…

The interrogation inside the house wasn’t over.

Earlier, with outsiders present, Qing Mei hadn’t dared to speak, but now with only family present, she threw herself at He Yan, crying “wuwuwu”: “Young Miss, thank heavens you’re alive! I thought I’d never see you again! Wuwuwu, why have you gotten so thin? You must have suffered out there! You must have!”

The maid had grown quite a bit, becoming graceful like a blooming flower, though her crying habit remained unchanged. He Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and it took quite some time to console her. Before He Sui could speak, He Yan said, “Father! I’m exhausted from today, I’m very sleepy. Could I wash up and go to bed, and explain everything tomorrow?”

He Sui loved this daughter the most—if He Yan asked for stars from the sky, he would find a way to get them for her. Hearing she was tired, his heart ached, and he completely forgot his questions, saying, “Alright, alright, Yan’er should sleep first, we can talk about everything tomorrow.”

He Yan breathed a sigh of relief. If she had to answer their questions one by one, she probably wouldn’t get any sleep tonight. Besides, she hadn’t figured out how to explain everything yet and needed a night to think it through.

After finally getting Qing Mei to stop crying and smile, He Sui sent her away. He Yan quickly washed up in the courtyard, but when she returned to her room, she found the He family’s young master sitting in a chair, looking ready to interrogate her.

He Yan closed the door behind her, “Yunsheng, are you here to catch mice in my room?”

He Yunsheng maintained his cold expression, “I’m not as easily fooled as Father. He Yan, explain yourself clearly—how did you end up arranging your marriage without any reason?”

His tone wasn’t that of a younger brother, but rather an elder brother.

“Don’t be ridiculous, it was His Majesty who arranged the marriage,” He Yan sat down on her bed, which though hard, had been made soft with padding by Qing Mei.

He Yunsheng sneered, “You said earlier you were staying at a friend’s house—was that General Feng’s manor?”

He Yan: “…” Children had grown up and become harder to deceive.

He Yunsheng exploded in anger: “He Yan!”

“I didn’t know I would be arranged in marriage when I was staying at his manor,” He Yan tried to calm the agitated young master, “Besides, we weren’t sharing a room, so what’s the problem?”

“You’re a woman!”

“Yunsheng, I was in the army, do you understand? In Liangzhou, I shared sleeping quarters with my brothers, over ten people on one bed. Things like gender separation were too fussy for me and impossible to maintain.”

He Yunsheng was nearly apoplectic with rage.

Other people’s sisters all observed proper etiquette. It wasn’t that He Yunsheng was old-fashioned—if it had been anyone else it might have been fine, but it was Xiao Jue. Such a family, and was such an outstanding person—to put it bluntly, anyone with eyes would think the He family was marrying above their station. He Yan might think it simple, but what if Xiao Jue or his family looked down on her because of this?

This world was already difficult enough for women. Public opinion was fearsome!

But watching He Yan yawning carelessly before him, He Yunsheng’s heart softened.

…Well, it was good enough that she had returned alive. According to Xiao Jue, every battle He Yan participated in had been extremely dangerous. After suffering so much, why fuss about other things?

However, as a young person, there was still one thing he cared about.

He asked, “Since it’s an arranged marriage, does General Feng like you?”

He Yan paused.

She recalled what Xiao Jue had said earlier in the palace.

It wasn’t false. What he said in the hall wasn’t false, so “the one in his heart” was true. She looked down at the jade pendant at her waist, where the giant python appeared both dangerous and docile, coiled among clouds and mist, like a beautiful dream.

“The moon is yours.”

Even after so long, these words still made her heart flutter. But…

He Yan’s eyes suddenly widened.

How did Xiao Jue know that he was “the moon”?