When He Yan and Xiao Jue returned to the He family residence, they found He Sui and He Yunsheng sitting quietly in the room. He Yan was momentarily stunned, surprised by the unusual tranquility. He Sui, upon seeing Xiao Jue, stood up with a smile and said, “When we returned, the Chi Wu guard mentioned that Commander Xiao had taken my daughter out. Now that you’re back, have you eaten? Would you like to join us?”

“We’ve already eaten, no need,” He Yan replied. She glanced at Chi Wu standing to the side, who deliberately looked away. He Yan thought to herself, hmph, so these master and servant had conspired together, not only deceiving her but also her father.

“Uncle, please just call me Huai Jin,” Xiao Jue said.

He Yunsheng choked and started coughing violently.

He Sui glared at He Yunsheng and stuffed a flatbread into his mouth, “Eat properly! We have guests, and you’re spraying food everywhere. How discourteous!”

He Yan then said, “It’s fine, Father, Yunsheng, you continue eating. I have something to discuss with Xiao Jue, so we’ll go to my room first.” With that, she led Xiao Jue away.

Staying there any longer would have made her feel uncomfortable around Father He.

He Sui smiled lovingly and said, “Go ahead.”

After they left, He Yunsheng pulled the flatbread from his mouth and grumbled, “Father, is this appropriate?”

“What?”

“He Yan is taking a man into her chambers. What will people say? When Fan Cheng was around, you’d rage if He Yan even looked at him an extra time. Why are you so tolerant of Commander Xiao?”

He Sui scolded him, “How can you compare Commander Xiao to Fan Cheng?”

“They’re both men, what’s the difference?”

He Sui looked at He Yunsheng, equally puzzled, “Didn’t you used to admire General Feng Yun the most? Why are you being difficult now?”

He Yunsheng slammed his chopsticks on the table and said angrily, “Even General Feng Yun shouldn’t enter an unmarried woman’s chambers!”

“Did he enter on his own?” He Sui smacked him on the head. “Are you blind? Your sister pulled him in!”

Unable to argue with that, He Yunsheng sat fuming for a while, then gritted his teeth and said, “Such a disgrace, letting desire cloud his judgment!”

Meanwhile, He Yan was unaware of the argument between her father and foolish brother. She pulled Xiao Jue into her room, closed the door, lit the oil lamp with a fire stick, and said, “Alright, now we’re alone.”

Upon entering the room, Xiao Jue felt nearly blinded. The room was garishly decorated, completely different from He Yan’s character. Rouge boxes and powder cases were everywhere, with fragrant sachets and curtains hanging about. Anyone would think it belonged to a delicate young lady, but seeing the heroine now perched on the table pouring tea, it seemed completely incongruous.

He picked up an engraved bronze mirror from the table and asked puzzledly, “You like these things?”

He Yan glanced around, “How could I? These all belonged to the original Young Lady He.” She came to her senses and added, “Don’t think I like these things. If I removed everything, making it completely different from before, it would arouse suspicion. Besides…” She sighed, “I’ve already taken over someone else’s nest. I’d feel guilty if I replaced all these things. I fear the real Young Lady He might seek revenge in King Yama’s court.”

Xiao Jue frowned, “Nonsense.”

He Yan blinked, “Don’t mind the childish talk.”

Xiao Jue looked at her leisurely, “Not afraid of me anymore?”

“I was never afraid of you,” He Yan said with a smile. “Besides, you know my secret now.” She was like a shameless rogue, “Moreover, when we crossed swords on the mountain earlier, I wasn’t inferior to you. I even broke your sword in half with one strike.”

Though she had cheated.

Her boastful manner, which would have been annoying before, was now rather endearing. Xiao Jue smiled and remembered another matter, “What about your sword?”

He Yan’s smile faltered slightly.

Sword – the Qing Lang Sword – rather than asking about the sword itself, Xiao Jue was asking how she planned to handle the Xu family and He family situation.

“My initial downfall was plotted by both the Xu and He families. He Rufei is not the real Flying Swan General. I must expose this. He sabotaged the Fuyu Army during the Hua Yuan battle, causing the deaths of loyal subordinates. I must settle this score.” He Yan’s eyes turned cold, “I had planned to keep Servant Qin as a witness. There are still survivors from the Hua Yuan battle; careful searching might reveal their whereabouts. Compared to He Rufei, Xu Zhiheng is an easier target. Once someone testifies that Xu Zhiheng plotted to harm ‘Madam Xu,’ when Xu Zhiheng’s position becomes precarious, he will surely drag He Rufei down with him. Then we can follow the trail to resolve this matter.”

He Yan looked at Xiao Jue, “What do you think?”

Since her rebirth, she had kept her secret hidden from everyone. Now, suddenly having an ally made her feel lighter. Even if Xiao Jue did nothing, just having a companion on the journey would give her immense strength.

“A counter-espionage strategy?” Xiao Jue suggested.

He Yan’s eyes lit up.

Spies are used to make enemies suspicious of each other; counter-espionage uses the enemy’s spies against them.

“Should we send people to He Rufei’s side or Xu Zhiheng’s?” He Yan pondered.

“Both are possible,” Xiao Jue said.

“I don’t have that many people at my disposal.”

“I do,” Xiao Jue glanced at her. “I’ll help you.”

He Yan’s lips curled into a smile again, but then she remembered something and complained, “But why didn’t you tell me you were investigating Servant Qin? I spent so much money bribing Fu Wang, the doorkeeper at the Xu residence. If I had known you were already making inquiries, I wouldn’t have wasted that money, now it’s all gone down the drain…”

“He Yan,” Xiao Jue interrupted, “Are you out of money?”

“Ahem,” He Yan cleared her throat with her fist against her lips, “Not completely.”

The next moment, a stack of banknotes appeared on the table.

He Yan stared at them wide-eyed, swallowed hard, and forced herself to look away, “I can’t accept rewards without merit.”

Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow, “Really don’t want it?”

He Yan quickly grabbed the money and tucked it into her robes, then said seriously, “Consider it a loan. I have my salary now… I’ll pay you back when I receive it.”

“No need,” Xiao Jue smirked, “Keep it for yourself. If you need more, just ask me.”

Having lived two lifetimes, this was He Yan’s first taste of spending money freely. Though she hadn’t lacked money in her previous life, during her time in the He family, she never experienced the indulgence of a “wastrel young noble.” Later, after achieving military merit, the Emperor’s rewards were substantial, but between lending to brothers-in-arms and helping friends in need, she didn’t keep much for herself, giving most to the He family.

After entering the Xu family, she had to play the role of a “virtuous wife” and couldn’t be extravagant. Moreover, she soon became blind, with household authority in He Wanru’s hands, never even touching money. Now finally experiencing this feeling, it wasn’t bad at all.

“Xiao Jue, you’re truly a good person,” He Yan said flatteringly. “You’re even kinder than the Buddha and Bodhisattvas at Yu Hua Temple.”

Xiao Jue snorted, “You think anyone who gives you money is a good person?”

“Not necessarily,” He Yan replied. “But others always ask things of me. Very few people willingly give me things.” She rested her chin in her hands, looking at Xiao Jue, “You seem to have never asked anything of me.”

In her previous life, she had always been giving, whether willingly or unwillingly, emotions or money. Only the person before her had always given silently, never asking for anything in return.

Xiao Jue lowered his eyes to look at her, and after a while, suddenly asked, “It must have been hard?”

He Yan straightened up, “What?”

“You suffered a lot, gave your hard-won glory to others, willingly returned to having nothing. Wasn’t it difficult?” he asked.

He Yan was stunned for a moment, then after a long silence, she said, “I used to feel that way, but not anymore.” She smiled, “I have Father He, Yunsheng, Qing Mei, Xiao Mai, Shi Tou, Wang Ba, and all of them… and you too. It’s much better than my previous life.”

“Xiao Jue,” she said earnestly, “I don’t feel wronged at all.”

Xiao Jue fixed his gaze on her, and after a moment, turned his head away and said, “Fool.”

He Yan disagreed, “But you were still fooled by this fool, running in circles. Back in Liangzhou, I knew who you were early on. Second Young Master Xiao, Commander Xiao, secretly taught me swordsmanship when we were classmates, doing good deeds without taking credit – who would believe that? Everyone would think Second Young Master Xiao had ulterior motives.”

“And that mole on your waist… tsk tsk.”

Xiao Jue’s expression stiffened slightly.

“Are you rebelling?” he asked.

“Just stating facts,” He Yan shrugged.

Xiao Jue stood up, moving to leave.

“Oh? Are you angry?” He Yan quickly grabbed his sleeve to stop him, affecting an exaggerated apologetic tone, “I was wrong to tease you. Don’t be angry, Commander Xiao. I apologize – what can I do to earn your forgiveness?”

Xiao Jue paused mid-step and suddenly turned around. He Yan, sitting at the table, was startled by his sudden movement. They were extremely close as he bent down toward her, with an ambiguous smile saying, “Really?”

He Yan stared at him blankly, nodding unconsciously.

He moved even closer, his lips curving slightly, “Very well.”

“Wh-what?”

“Let’s… marry soon.”

He Yan froze.

The young man’s handsome, striking face was right before her eyes, his gaze so deep it seemed to pull her in. “He Rufei has already started suspecting your identity. It’s too dangerous for you to be alone.”

“I want to protect you.”

After Xiao Jue left, He Yan sat at the table for almost a quarter hour, still thinking about his parting words.

When He Yunsheng came in, he frowned and asked, “He Yan, did you find money or treasure? Why are you smiling so creepily?”

He Yan turned around, rubbing her face in confusion, “Was I smiling?”

He Yunsheng sighed and sat down at the table, “No wonder Father looks at General Feng Yun like he’s a fat sheep. With your qualities, if he’s interested in you, either his eyes or his mind must have problems.”

He Yan picked up a leaf and threw it at him: “Is that how you talk about your sister?”

“Do you act like a proper sister?” He Yunsheng sneered, “You even pulled him into your room. Father and I are men too, ahem, you should be more mindful.”

“Why are you more old-fashioned than Father?” He Yan asked puzzledly, “So young but acting like an old man. I brought him in because we had important matters to discuss. What are you thinking?”

He Yunsheng said impatiently, “I don’t care. I came here to discuss your dowry.”

He Yan: “What?”

The young man’s face showed genuine concern, “Now that the Emperor has granted the marriage, there’s no avoiding it. The Xiao family is wealthy, while our family can barely support ourselves. I’m still studying and can’t earn money like before. You’re an official now but got fined a year’s salary. Only Father is earning money now. The money you gave me before, Father and I were saving for your future, but who knew you’d find such a family? That amount might not be enough, so… I mean…”

“You mean what?”

“Postpone the wedding until I can start earning money too. Once we’ve saved enough for your dowry, then you can marry into the Xiao family.”

He Yan: “…”

Her foolish brother was truly a genius to think of such a solution. Fortunately, Xiao Jue wasn’t here – if he heard this, right after saying they should marry soon, only to have He Yunsheng oppose it, it would definitely create friction.

“It’s just money,” He Yan said, “Worst case, I’ll make another trip to the Le Tong Estate.”

“You dare!” He Yunsheng said angrily, “That was fine before, but now you’re someone of status. How can you still act recklessly like before? If Commander Xiao found out, what would he think of you?”

He Yan: “…”

Heh, she thought to herself, Xiao Jue had already seen the drawings with her, how else could he think of her? He’d think what he’d think. This child was inexperienced and making a fuss. But knowing the youth had always been this way, she said, “Fine, I won’t go. If it’s about money…” She pulled out the stack of banknotes Xiao Jue had just given her, “I have plenty here.”

He Yunsheng was stunned, “Where did you get these banknotes?”

“Borrowed from Xiao Jue,” He Yan said righteously, “If it’s not enough, I’ll ask him for more.”

“Are you crazy?” He Yunsheng scolded, “You’re borrowing his money to prepare your dowry? How does that make any sense?”

“It doesn’t, but you don’t need to be so shocked.” He Yan smiled at him, “Actually, the dowry isn’t a big deal. You should know that anything that can be solved with money isn’t a big deal.”

Xiao Jue didn’t mind that she had died once before, or that she was the “Flying Swan General” – neither of those was more shocking than the dowry issue. But since Xiao Jue didn’t mind, money problems weren’t worth worrying about.

“I know you’re experienced,” He Yunsheng patiently tried to persuade her, “but when other women in Shuo Jing City marry without a dowry, they face cold shoulders and gossip in their in-laws’ home. You…”

“But other women in Shuo Jing rely on their husbands after marriage,” He Yan said. “I have my salary.”

“You’re being fined now…”

“I have my salary.”

“Our family status isn’t high…”

“I have my salary.”

He Yunsheng was left speechless by He Yan’s rebuttals, finally saying, “Fine, you have your salary. After all this talk, you just don’t want to postpone the wedding, right? You just like General Feng Yun that much.”

“Didn’t you say it yourself?” He Yan tilted her head to look at him, “If you were a woman, you’d only admire him.”

He Yunsheng choked and started coughing, flicked his sleeves, and stood up, “Forget it, I can see you’re completely infatuated now and won’t listen to anything. Fine, Father and I will figure out the dowry matter. You just take care of yourself!”

He Yunsheng left.

He Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

She lay back on the couch, thinking about Xiao Jue’s words. Regarding marriage, in her previous life, she had married another person with hope and anticipation, but the outcome was frustrating. However, hearing it from Xiao Jue’s mouth this time, she surprisingly didn’t feel much resistance or aversion, as if with him, she could still maintain that anticipation.

But there was more to it than that.

Xiao Jue was right – the situation in Shuo Jing wasn’t stable. With her current status as Marquis Wu’an, there were many constraints on dealing with the He and Xu families. On Xiao Jue’s side, Xu Jingfu and the Crown Prince were watching like tigers, and the Wu Tuo people would soon arrive in the capital. The hidden struggle between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince hadn’t ended, and no one knew how the coming storm in Great Wei would end.

Just as Xiao Jue said, she wanted to protect him too.

Xiao Jue returned to his mansion.

He returned late; Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei had already retired.

Over these years, he hadn’t spent much time in Shuo Jing, and even when he returned annually, he was out early and back late. His brother and sister-in-law were used to it, but the kitchen always kept hot food ready for when he returned at night.

The snow in the courtyard had been swept clean. He entered his room, placed Yin Qiu on the table, and removed his outer garments.

Fei Nu followed him in.

“Go to the Xu residence tomorrow,” Xiao Jue said.

Fei Nu was startled: “Young Master, isn’t Luan Ying watching the Xu family?”

“I’m not asking you to investigate,” Xiao Jue said. “Find the doorkeeper Fu Wang at the Xu residence, give him some money, and make a deal.”

Fei Nu hesitated, then nodded in agreement.

Xiao Jue gave him a few more quiet instructions. Though Fei Nu’s face showed some surprise and he didn’t understand why Xiao Jue wanted this done, he said nothing and agreed before leaving the room.

He sighed softly, his gaze falling on the Yin Qiu sword hanging on the wall.

He Yan’s identity meant her revenge had to be careful and measured, not unbridled. But letting the He and Xu families live even one more day was unsettling.

Some things He Yan couldn’t conveniently do, he could do without hesitation. Some less than honorable methods He Yan wouldn’t use, he didn’t mind employing.

Xiao Jue stood up and walked to the Yin Qiu sword, running his hand over the scabbard. The scabbard was cold as snow, and the young man lowered his head thoughtfully.

A warrior’s most precious possessions are their war horse and sword.

Losing one’s sword is like a beast losing its fangs and claws. This fool’s past life was a process of continuous loss, to the point where now, he wanted to help her reclaim everything that belonged to her.

And even more.