When descending the mountain, He Yan was quieter than when they had arrived.

Xiao Jue asked, “Still thinking about what happened earlier?”

Afraid he would discover her true thoughts, He Yan made up an excuse, “I’m just feeling sad about what that young lady said.”

After a moment’s pause, Xiao Jue said softly, “Don’t worry, you won’t end up like the former Mrs. Xu.”

He Yan lowered her head and smiled, feeling mixed emotions. Before all this, she had already died once. But seeing Second Madam He today, she discovered that her mother wasn’t entirely indifferent to her.

But if she truly cared, why was Second Madam He so distant when she was living as “He Yan”? When the He family and Xu family conspired to harm her eyes, when she “accidentally drowned,” did Second Madam He know the truth behind it all?

He Yan preferred to think she knew nothing—the ignorant are blameless.

But even if she didn’t know about that incident, Second Madam He must have known about her identity switch with He Rufe. What kind of emotions must a mother have felt, pushing away her daughter, having her so close yet unable to call her “Mother”?

He Yan lowered her eyes.

Counting the days, she should pay a visit to the Xu residence soon. She didn’t know what clues Fu Wang had uncovered, but after the palace banquet, He Rufe and Xu Zhiheng would surely grow suspicious of her.

She needed to move quickly.

…

He Xinying first escorted Second Madam He home with guards and servants before returning to the Xu residence. Xu Zhiheng was in his study. He hadn’t attended court today. For some reason, since returning from the celebration banquet that day, Xu Zhiheng rarely left the house. People outside said he was ill, but He Xinying knew he was perfectly fine—rather than being sick, it seemed more like something was weighing on his mind. Sometimes when He Xinying spoke to him, she could sense his distraction.

He Xinying pretended not to notice.

A clever woman should know when to appear foolish—this was a rule learned in the He family’s inner courtyard. But no matter how foolish one pretends to be, one must always maintain clear judgment. One shouldn’t pretend so well that they become truly foolish.

That night when Xu Zhiheng was searching through He Yan’s former room, he seemed very different from usual, which added to He Xinying’s suspicions. When she married into the Xu family, she had brought her maids. Now she didn’t dare use the Xu family’s servants, only trusting her people.

She wanted to investigate certain matters.

If these matters didn’t concern her, He Xinying naturally wouldn’t care. However various incidents suggested that He Yan’s death might not have been so simple. Setting aside Xu Zhiheng’s strange behavior, today at Yuhua Temple, her mother’s unusual reaction to meeting the Marquis of Wu’an who shared the same name was telling. If there were hidden circumstances behind He Yan’s death, who knew if she might become the next He Yan?

In the He family, women had no status. Even the eldest daughter born to First Madam He had her marriage arranged early, as daughters’ marriages were meant to pave the way for men’s official careers. Whether the groom was good or bad, human or ghost, wasn’t particularly important—profit came first. This was why when He Yan married Xu Zhiheng, the He family’s daughters were so jealous of her, as it seemed to be the best match they could arrange for her.

But now it appeared there might be hidden circumstances.

“Xiao Liu,” she instructed her maid, “These next few days, quietly inquire around the manor about what exactly happened between my sister He Yan and that Concubine He, and what mistake Concubine He made to be driven out.”

“Why is First Madam asking about this?” Xiao Liu asked curiously.

“I have my reasons,” He Xinying didn’t wish to explain further. “Just remember, this must be kept secret. No outsider can know. Be generous with money, and most importantly, don’t mention my sister—focus on Concubine He.”

This way, even if the Xu family discovered something, she could claim she was just jealous and wanted to know how that concubine had won Xu Zhiheng’s favor. They wouldn’t discover she was secretly investigating He Yan’s death.

No one in the Xu household ever voluntarily mentioned He Yan, and they especially avoided anything related to her death. There must be something suspicious about it.

He Xinying looked at the bright sunlight outside, suddenly feeling that the spacious, bright courtyard of the Xu residence had become somewhat eerie.

But even if just for her own sake, she couldn’t continue living in such confusion.

…

After paying respects at the temple, He Yan and Xiao Jue didn’t return directly to their residences but instead visited the Liangzhou Guard camp outside the city.

While the Southern Garrison soldiers were relatively restrained, largely because Tian Lang wouldn’t let them gossip too much about their superiors’ private affairs, Shen Han couldn’t control the Liangzhou Guard as well. Back when He Yan had lived and eaten alongside the soldiers, they had formed “deep bonds of friendship.” Now suddenly hearing their brother had become a lady, and was engaged to their superior… Well, apart from training, the hot topic among everyone lately was discussing this matter.

When He Yan and Xiao Jue arrived, the soldiers were still training. He Yan thought for a moment and said to Xiao Jue, “Commander, perhaps you’d better not come in with me—just stay outside with Instructor Shen and the others. If you come in, they won’t dare ask the questions they want to ask.”

Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow and said, “Alright,” before going to find Tian Lang. Since returning to the capital, he had been busy with the Xu family matters, and also to let Xu Jingfu lower his guard, he rarely came here, only staying briefly when he did.

After Xiao Jue left, He Yan sat in a space at the edge of the training ground, waiting for them.

Soon after training ended, the soldiers went to eat in small groups, and someone spotted He Yan sitting at the edge. She was wearing women’s clothes today, and they didn’t recognize her at first. One young soldier approached warmly, asking with concern, “Miss, are you looking for someone?”

He Yan looked at him, stood up, and brushed off the dust from her clothes, smiling, “It’s been just a moment and you don’t recognize me anymore?”

Seeing the new soldier still staring at her blankly, finding her somewhat familiar but unable to place her, He Yan prompted, “I’m Liangzhou Guard Number One.”

At this, the soldier became excited, swallowed hard, and shouted, “Brothers, He Yan—He Yan is here—”

His voice was so loud that He Yan couldn’t help but clean her ear, and then she saw a large group of people rush over like cats who had smelled fish, gathering around in a flash, saying “Where?” “Where is she?” “Let me see, let me see.”

He Yan was instantly surrounded by the crowd.

Perhaps because she was now dressed as a woman, finally making everyone realize she truly was female, the new Liangzhou Guard soldiers didn’t drape themselves over her shoulders to get close as they used to. They even seemed somewhat awkward. Some people’s faces actually turned red, and they didn’t dare look at He Yan, just staring at their shoes on the ground, asking softly, “Um… Brother He… Miss He, how are you a woman?”

He Yan bowed apologetically to everyone, her voice clear and bright: “I had my difficulties at the time when I accidentally joined the army. I didn’t mean to deceive everyone. Now that the truth is out, I felt I should come and apologize to you all. Thank you for taking care of me in the past. Although I am a woman, we are still brothers.”

This speech was in the same tone as before, and the crowd’s awkwardness finally dispersed somewhat. Then a voice came from the crowd: “Everyone makes way! Where is she?”

He Yan looked up and saw Wang Ba and his group making their way through the crowd.

During their time in the Liangzhou Guard, they had been closest to He Yan, but even with such a close relationship, they still hadn’t discovered anything unusual about He Yan’s identity. Therefore, the shock to them was the greatest. Wang Ba was the angriest—he had been calling a young lady “Boss” for a year and a half? Just for this, he had become the joke of the Liangzhou Guard these past few days, with everyone teasing him about it. He hadn’t expected He Yan to show up today, and he was determined to demand an explanation.

As he was thinking this, Wang Ba had already walked up to He Yan, but when he was about to speak, he couldn’t get a word out.

Faced with a fresh, delicate young lady smiling sweetly at him, even the most heartless warrior wouldn’t have the heart to scold her.

So He Yan watched as the big man before she stood there, face flushed with anger but unable to say a word.

Little Mai squeezed through instead. Being young and enthusiastic, after his initial surprise about the matter, he was simply happy. Now seeing He Yan, he was greatly delighted, “Brother He, I never imagined you were actually so beautiful! You’re amazing!”

“What Brother He?” Hong Shan slapped his forehead, “Call her Miss He.” He too felt somewhat awkward—they had even shared a bed before…

“Brother He, how can you be a woman?” Jiang Jiao also found it hard to accept. He had always admired He Yan because despite being of similar age, she could always give him careful guidance in martial matters. Having such a close friend, he felt he had benefited greatly. Now that his close friend had become a “lady,” Jiang Jiao couldn’t describe his feelings. He had originally thought this must be a false rumor, that the gossipmongers had made some mistake, but now seeing He Yan standing gracefully among the crowd, he knew he couldn’t deceive himself anymore.

She was a woman.

Among them, Huang Xiong and Stone remained the most composed. Stone never showed his emotions on his face anyway, while Huang Xiong, being older and having traveled far and wide, had seen everything. A woman disguising herself as a man was shocking to hear, but not unprecedented. Now some previously puzzling matters made sense, such as why He Yan could have a room to herself, and why it was so close to Xiao Jue’s—it was for convenience, as Xiao Jue was looking after his fiancée.

But this jade-faced Commander was indeed as ruthless as people said. Even though she was his beloved, when He Yan first arrived in Liangzhou, she hadn’t been spared from any training. She had even slept in the common dormitory, and every morning she had properly followed the unit in weighted runs. If it had been any other man, they would have shown some tenderness.

“Are you going to marry the Commander?” Little Mai asked curiously, “Does that mean we’ll have to call you Second Madam Xiao in the future?”

Little Mai spoke whatever came to mind, but He Yan’s face instantly turned red. Having “Second Madam Xiao” come from others’ mouths felt quite uncomfortable. Her embarrassment was noticed by the Liangzhou Guard’s new recruits, who all started teasing: “Oh my, Brother He is shy!”

“I never thought I’d live to see the day when Brother He would be shy. Heavens above, my life is complete!”

He Yan: “…”

As these men spoke, they naturally reverted to calling her “Brother He,” probably finding it more comfortable. Hong Shan scolded Little Mai, “Watch yourselves! She’s a lady, would you like being talked about like this?”

Little Mai held his head, complaining pitifully, “What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

The men around roared with laughter: “Right, Brother He could declare herself Liangzhou Guard’s Number One in front of everyone without blushing!”

“Aren’t you ashamed? Liangzhou Guard’s Number One position was taken by a lady, you can’t even match up to a young girl, what’s the use of being so big?”

“Is she an ordinary lady? Is she? A lady worthy of Commander Xiao taking home as his wife, is she ordinary? You go fight her if you can!”

“I won’t go, you go ahead.”

While the noisy commotion from the training ground carried into the small room, Shen Han wiped the sweat from his brow. Liang Ping, Ma Damei, and other instructors stood in the room, not daring to move. Who knew if Xiao Jue’s sudden visit was to settle accounts? After all, every instructor here had been “harsh” in treating He Yan. Especially Liang Ping.

Though it was hard to say—like that time bathing in the hot springs on White Moon Mountain, everyone present had been involved.

However, at present, their Commander seemed to be in a good mood with no intention of punishing anyone. He just sat in the room, reviewing the recruits’ training situation from the past few days.

“Has the compensation been distributed to their families?”

Shen Han answered, “All has been distributed, and we’ve personally visited each home.”

Some recruits who had fallen in the Liangzhou Guard couldn’t return to Shuo Jing with them, so their families needed to be consoled one by one.

“Don’t slack off on training these days,” Xiao Jue said.

The instructors nodded repeatedly.

After another half hour, calculating the time, they should be leaving. Xiao Jue stood up to leave, and Shen Han called out, “Commander.”

Xiao Jue turned around to look at him.

Shen Han smiled awkwardly, “Um… congratulations.”

…

After checking on the recruits, it was nearly evening. He Yan and Xiao Jue returned to the city. Xiao Jue first escorted He Yan back to the He residence before returning to his manor.

“I’ll be very busy these next few days,” before Xiao Jue could speak, He Yan volunteered, “There are still many procedures unfinished for the Marquis of Wu’an’s conferment. Commander need not worry about me these days.”

“Do you need help?”

He Yan waved her hands repeatedly, “No need, I can handle it myself.”

Only after Xiao Jue left did she breathe a sigh of relief.

The easy days were coming to an end.

He Yan composed herself, not wanting He Sui and He Yunsheng to notice anything amiss. She pinched her cheeks until she could force out a smile before stepping through the main gate.

…

Meanwhile, Xiao Jue returned to his residence.

Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei weren’t there. Bai Guo was watering flowers in the courtyard and called out sweetly when she saw Xiao Jue: “Second Young Master.”

The little maid had been specially arranged to serve in this courtyard for He Yan’s convenience. After He Yan left, he had been busy with Xu Jingfu’s matter and had forgotten about Bai Guo, not expecting her to still be in this courtyard. It was too late today, but tomorrow morning he would have Bai Rongwei arrange for her to go to another courtyard.

He didn’t like having others in his courtyard.

Xiao Jue entered the room, while Fei Nu had gone to attend to the carriage. He had only been sitting for a short while when someone knocked on the door. Xiao Jue said, “Enter.”

Luan Ying walked in from outside.

“How are the two people at the manor?” Xiao Jue asked.

“The doctor has seen them, and their lives are not in danger for now. Chi Wu is still interrogating them. Those two are apprehensive and holding back in their words. Please give us a few more days, Young Master. Once these two are willing to talk and provide evidence… Minister Xu won’t be able to recover.”

“Three days,” Xiao Jue said. “Three days at most.”

“If there are no results in three days, I will interrogate them personally.”

Luan Ying nodded, and after a while, she added, “Young Master, besides this, while investigating today, your servant discovered another matter.”

“Speak.”

“The He family of military officials is investigating us.”

Xiao Jue’s movements paused slightly as he looked up at her: “He Rufe?”

Luan Ying nodded, “It should be. He Yuansheng and He Yuanliang’s connections and methods at court don’t match his. His movements are very secretive and careful, but he might be somewhat anxious and show some flaws.”

“Has he discovered anything about the rumors spread in the market district earlier?”

“No, Young Master,” Luan Ying’s expression was very serious, “Moreover, if it were just about the rumors, he wouldn’t need to investigate Miss He’s background.”

Xiao Jue’s gaze suddenly sharpened: “He Yan?”

“Correct.” Luan Ying said, “He’s not just investigating you, Young Master, but also Miss He.”

Xiao Jue’s expression darkened slightly.

Because of his relationship with Xu Jingfu, when Xu Jingfu’s people wanted to deal with him, they would target He Yan. After all, He Yan had no family background, and even with the title of Marquis of Wu’an, she hadn’t yet formed her connections at court. Her foundation was too shallow and could easily be uprooted.

But if He Rufe intended to target He Yan, he would be making a grave mistake.

“Young Master, there’s one more thing…” Luan Ying’s expression showed hesitation, as if unsure whether to speak.

She rarely had such moments. Xiao Jue asked, “What is it?”

Luan Ying thought for a moment, and after a long while, seemed to make up her mind and said, “The Xu family of the Hanlin Academy Scholar is also investigating Miss He.”

“The Xu family?” Xiao Jue frowned. If He Rufe was investigating Xiao Jue because of his connection to Xu Jingfu, or because of the rumors he had spread in the market district earlier, and this affected He Yan by association, that made sense. But the Xu family wasn’t involved in this situation, so their sudden interference was intriguing.

“Are they only investigating He Yan?”

“Only investigating He Yan.”

Since they were only investigating He Yan, it had nothing to do with the Xiao family. Then the question arose: what connection did He Yan have with the Xu family in the past that would make the Xu family act so rashly?

After a while, Xiao Jue said, “Continue with your work, but from today on, investigate the Xu family as well.”

There were some odd things that had been overlooked, just as Second Madam He’s behavior at Yuhua Temple today, which had also revealed something strange.

Between the Xu family and the He family, there must be something suspicious.