The training ground descended into chaos due to the appearance of Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu. He Yan had a massive headache and, under Liang Ping’s gaze, finally managed to persuade Song Taotao and her companion to leave. Though they departed, He Yan was left alone to face everyone’s varied looks.

Hong Shan nudged He Yan’s arm and asked in a low voice, “Was that Young Master Cheng’s fiancée?”

He Yan nodded.

Hong Shan gave her a complex, admiring look and said, “A He, I underestimated you.”

He Yan: “…don’t overthink it.”

But clearly, Hong Shan wasn’t the only one with such thoughts. After training ended, the soldiers immediately surrounded her, bombarding her with questions about her relationship with Song Taotao. Someone even remarked sarcastically, “Congratulations in advance to Young Master He. It seems before long, our Liangzhou Guard will have a son-in-law for Official Song. When will Young Master He treat us to wedding candies?”

He Yan: “Stop this nonsense! How dare you tarnish a lady’s reputation with your loose talk?”

“What’s wrong with that?” the person replied carelessly, “I can see Second Young Lady Song is quite taken with you.”

Jiang Jiao passed by from the other side, shooting He Yan a glance sharp as daggers as if wanting to carve flesh from her body. He snorted and stormed off. He Yan was stunned, unconsciously asking, “What’s wrong with Brother Jiang? I haven’t offended him, have I?”

Though Jiang Jiao was typically proud, his temperament was generally good. Despite being older than He Yan, he was always humble when discussing spear techniques with her. It was rare for him to show such displeasure toward He Yan.

Wang Ba scoffed, “You’re making your brother wear a green hat and disgracing him. How do you expect Little Jiang to treat you kindly? Use your head!”

He Yan: “…”

It made sense. Jiang Jiao’s fiancée had eloped and died for love, and he hated such occurrences most in life. He probably saw himself in Cheng Lisu’s situation, with He Yan as the scoundrel stealing another’s wife.

“Who am I making wear a green hat?” He Yan suddenly realized, “I haven’t even…”

Before she could finish, someone called her name from the other side: “He Yan! Little He!”

“The instructor is calling me,” He Yan said, “I’ll take my leave first.”

The one calling He Yan was Ma Damei, one of the three instructors who had competed with her in mounted archery before. The old man waved at her kindly: “Little He, I heard you were injured during your trip to Liangzhou City with the Commander?”

“It was just a minor injury,” He Yan smiled.

“You mustn’t push yourself. You’re still young, and it would be terrible to develop chronic issues,” Ma Damei said warmly. “Go have your meal first, then come find me here afterward.”

He Yan asked, “Does the Instructor have something in mind?”

“Of course, it’s something good,” Ma Damei replied mysteriously. “You’ll know when the time comes.”

Unable to guess what it might be, He Yan went to eat first. The soldier serving food had received orders from Shen Han and, knowing He Yan was injured, gave her an extra steamed bun. After finishing her meal on the spot, He Yan went to the training ground as Ma Damei had instructed.

The weather was getting cooler as late autumn approached, with darkness falling early. When she arrived at the training ground, He Yan saw over a dozen people already standing there, all instructors from the Liangzhou Guard. Ma Damei waved to her: “Hey… Little He, over here!”

He Yan approached and saw that Du Mao and Liang Ping were also present. Liang Ping looked at him in surprise and asked, “Why did you invite him?”

“I heard from the Head Instructor that Little He was injured, it’s good to bring him along. Liang Ping, don’t be so stingy,” Ma Damei moved closer to Liang Ping and whispered, “I’ve noticed the Head Instructor favors this kid a lot. He might get promoted faster than either of us – it doesn’t hurt to curry some favor.”

Liang Ping watched the old man’s sly grin and protested angrily, “What kind of person do you take me for? I… I won’t curry favor with him!”

“If you won’t, I will,” Ma Damei ignored him and walked past to put an arm around He Yan’s shoulders, smiling, “Young man, shall we go?”

“Go?” He Yan asked curiously, “Where?”

With so many instructors present, what were they planning? Even for night training, not everyone was here. Could they be planning to drink behind Xiao Jue’s back? He Yan remembered how the deputy commanders and generals under her command in the Fuyue Army used to drink secretly too. But bringing along a mere soldier like her made He Yan feel somewhat honored.

“Don’t ask,” Ma Damei maintained his mysterious smile, “You’ll know when we get there.”

He Yan was puzzled but didn’t want to refuse their goodwill. Guessing it would either be gambling or drinking, she didn’t decline – being on good terms with the instructors might give her an advantage when Xiao Jue evaluated her for the Nine Banners Camp.

“Alright then,” she agreed with a smile.

The group walked up White Moon Mountain without horses, taking a different path than the one used during the flag competition. The instructors were in high spirits, discussing the training of recruits, which recruits showed promise, and whether they’d have enough firewood for the coming winter snow in Liangzhou.

As He Yan walked quietly, she heard someone say, “Instructor Du, your relative Lei Hou has been quite impressive in the Vanguard Camp lately!”

At the mention of this name, He Yan’s ears perked up immediately.

After the flag competition, Xiao Jue selected Lei Hou for the Vanguard Camp, along with other outstanding recruits from White Moon Mountain. Combined with the existing Liangzhou Guard troops, they totaled a thousand men. Though He Yan was dissatisfied, she soon accompanied Xiao Jue to Liangzhou City, and upon return learned that the Vanguard Camp’s training had been underway for some time.

However, what puzzled her was that the recruits’ training in the Vanguard Camp remained focused on raids and charges as she had known before, rather than the “triple training load” Xiao Jue had mentioned. He Yan developed a theory that perhaps Xiao Jue’s selection of recruits for the Nine Banners Camp and the Vanguard Camp were two entirely different matters.

But she couldn’t ask Xiao Jue directly about this, so she could only continue paying attention to the discussion.

“You’re too kind,” Du Mao heard the praise for his relative and seemed somewhat proud. “When I first saw him, the boy had just learned to walk, clutching my sword and refusing to let go. Now he’s grown so much, showing quite a bit of my former style, haha!”

“Have you no shame?” Liang Ping side-eyed him, “Acting as if we haven’t all seen what you were like back then.”

“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong,” another instructor said, “Now that Lei Hou has joined the Vanguard Camp and shows such promise, his future is limitless. I expect he’ll earn military merits in no time! Though our Old Du might not amount to much, his nephew’s success isn’t bad at all!”

“Go to hell!” Du Mao cursed with a laugh.

Perhaps because He Yan’s gaze in that direction was too obvious, Ma Damei walking beside her noticed and thought she was resentful about not getting into the Vanguard Camp. He said, “Young man, there’s still a long road ahead. Though you didn’t make it into the Vanguard Camp, you won’t necessarily end up inferior to Lei Hou. Keep your sights set on the distance, don’t get caught up in the present.”

He Yan turned her head, about to say something, when the old man patted her shoulder and said, “Look, we’re here!”

They were still some distance from the mountainside. White sand and emerald bamboo surrounded them, with moonlight like snow. Among the forest shadows, wisps of warm steam rose gently, light and warm like the white space in an ink painting, as if they had stepped into a painting themselves.

“How about it?” Ma Damei chuckled, “I didn’t lie to you, did I?”

“There are hot springs here?” He Yan murmured.

Liang Ping glanced at her and snorted, “If you weren’t injured, we wouldn’t have brought you.”

“Wait,” He Yan looked wary, “You brought me here to bathe in the hot springs?”

“Of course!” A scholarly-looking instructor nearby responded poetically: “Fulfilling lovesickness’s wish, money calls forth caring waters; The sun sets on our bath as steam rises high. The body feels smooth as butter, curing ailments like magic; Not envying birds of heaven’s pool, content to be hot spring dwellers. Hot springs are wonderful for healing!”

“Indeed,” Ma Damei said, “Since you’re injured, a soak will do you good.”

He Yan stepped back awkwardly, “No, I didn’t bring clean clothes, better not.”

“No worries, I brought an extra set of clothes you can wear,” Du Mao said. “They’re washed, not dirty.”

“I’m afraid of water,” He Yan continued backing away.

“The pool only comes up to chest height when standing. We’ll be watching, what’s there to fear?” Liang Ping said impatiently.

“I… I…” As He Yan wracked her brain trying to think of a reasonable excuse, she unexpectedly bumped into someone behind her. Turning around, she saw it was Xiao Jue.

The young man wore a dark green brocade robe embroidered with clouds, his hair like ink in the moonlight, fastened with a jade hairpin. His features were clear and graceful, strikingly handsome, as he raised an eyebrow at her.

He was already naturally outstanding in appearance, but standing amid the serene scenery, his bearing was as pure as clear snow, untouchable as autumn moonlight.

He Yan: “Commander?”

“Commander!” This was Du Mao and the others calling out.

“Commander, are you here to enjoy the hot springs too?” He Yan was shocked – Xiao Jue bathing with these instructors? The scene was impossible to imagine.

Xiao Jue pulled her aside and brushed off the spot where she had touched him, appearing quite disgusted. He Yan heard Ma Damei explain: “There are two hot springs here, not far apart. The smaller one is usually for the Commander’s use. This larger one is where we bathe.”

“Has the Commander already finished bathing?” Du Mao asked.

Xiao Jue nodded: “Indeed.”

“Then I’ll go bathe over there!” He Yan quickly spoke up, only to find all the instructors turning to look at her simultaneously.

“I… I mean, since the Commander is already done, that spring is smaller, I can bathe there alone… it would be a waste to leave it unused…”

“Liang Ping,” Xiao Jue spoke calmly.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Liang Ping scolded, “He Yan, how dare you think you can use the Commander’s spring? Get over here now! How come you’re not afraid of water anymore? Aren’t you worried about drowning alone with no one to find you!”

And so they were back to the original issue. He Yan turned her back to the instructors, faced Xiao Jue, and whispered urgently: “Say something!”

Xiao Jue crossed his arms and watched her distress with amusement, saying leisurely: “I told you, I won’t help you hide it.”

“But I didn’t know they would bring me to the hot springs!” He Yan was furious. “At this rate, I’ll have to fight them to get away.”

“Oh,” Xiao Jue nodded with interest: “Then fight well.”

As he turned to leave, He Yan gritted her teeth and said: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell everyone about the red birthmark on your waist?” Even as she said it, she felt the words were futile – Xiao Jue had never truly been threatened by this.

Sure enough, he merely laughed: “Do as you please.”

“Xiao Jue!”

The young man’s features were handsome and spirited, his eyes like autumn waters rippling with waves, seeming to hold a cold smile. His words contained not a trace of warmth, carrying a mocking detachment.

“Liar,” he said, “what will you do when you’re discovered?”

Having said this, he ignored He Yan and turned to leave.

“Xiao…” Before He Yan could finish, someone grabbed her arm – it was Liang Ping, who could no longer stand watching. He said angrily: “What are you dawdling for? Listen, don’t push your luck! It’s already generous enough that we brought you to the hot springs. Out of tens of thousands of recruits in the garrison, we only brought you, and yet you want to use the Commander’s spring? You’re too bold!”

He Yan broke free from his grip and smiled: “I don’t want to bathe at all…”

Another hand grabbed her shoulder, saying to the others: “This fellow looks refined, how can he be so slovenly, acting like water means death?”

“I…”

Ma Damei smiled at her: “Young man, you’ve never been in a hot spring before, have you? Don’t be afraid, once you try it, you’ll know its benefits.”

He Yan thought to herself that this couldn’t continue – it seemed the only way was to fight them and escape, and then make up some excuse later. Just as she was about to make her move, someone darted behind her and kicked.

The kick wasn’t particularly hard, but because Liang Ping and Du Mao were holding He Yan, throwing her off balance, it sent her tumbling into the spring.

With a splash, everyone both in and out of the water burst into laughter.

“Hey!” The culprit who had kicked her stood by the water’s edge, laughing happily: “Brother, I gave you a helping hand, no need to thank me!”

He Yan surfaced, shaking water from her head, cursing inwardly – who would thank him!

The remaining men, seeing He Yan in the water, began stripping off their clothes and entering the spring, completely uninhibited. He Yan was so shocked she immediately turned away, feeling blinded by all the exposed flesh.

The mountain spring water was warm and light, wrapping around the body with comfortable soothing heat, but He Yan was in no mood to enjoy it. Firstly, she now feared water, and even though the spring wasn’t deep, she felt panicked. Secondly, getting in was easy, but getting out would be difficult. Although the steam from the spring water concealed her body beneath the surface, temporarily hiding her female identity, once she got out, her clothes would cling to her body – anyone with eyes would be able to tell.

Moreover, these men were enjoying themselves so much in the water, who knew if they would “kindly help” again, making the situation even more difficult to handle.

As if her fears were coming true, she stayed away from the crowd, bathing alone, which immediately drew everyone’s attention. The instructor who had kicked her in said: “Hey, why aren’t you taking off your clothes? Now that you’re in, isn’t it uncomfortable bathing in clothes?”

“It’s fine,” He Yan forced a smile, “I prefer bathing in clothes.”

This preference was rather unusual, and the other instructors exchanged glances. Someone stared at her and snickered: “Could this fellow be shy?”

This sparked a wave of responses, and the other instructors began speaking freely.

“No way? He doesn’t seem like the shy type usually!”

“I think it’s possible – this kid is as pretty as a girl, maybe he’s actually like this in private.”

“That won’t do – how can a soldier of the Liangzhou Guard be so coy? Let’s take this opportunity to properly train him, fulfilling our duties as instructors.”

With that, several of them began swimming toward He Yan.

He Yan exclaimed in alarm: “…What are you planning to do?”

“Train recruits, of course!” Du Mao laughed. “If we ever need to fight on water routes in the future, how can you be so unsociable? Won’t you ruin our operations?”

Is this necessary for water routes? He Yan turned to swim away.

Her swimming only made things worse – finding it amusing, the other instructors all came after her. In an instant, He Yan felt like she had become a football, with everyone rushing to block her from all directions. The hot spring suddenly became very lively.

In a different place and situation, this scene might have been considered harmonious. The usually serious instructors were laughing and joking, clearly treating her as one of their own, but in these circumstances, He Yan couldn’t find any humor in it.

As she dodged their movements, she inwardly complained: What kind of people are these? Are all the Liangzhou Guard instructors crazy?

In this situation, to completely avoid them, she would need to knock them all unconscious. While this might be possible on land, it was very difficult in the water. Moreover, with so many people around, she had nowhere to hide.

As she swam desperately, she didn’t realize that among the instructors, one who had grown up near the water and was skilled at swimming had already submerged and quietly approached her from the front. He Yan was only watching behind her and couldn’t see ahead, when suddenly a hand from underwater grabbed her arm, leaving her no chance to dodge.

That instructor, as if having caught the ball in a game of cuju, called out to his companions excitedly: “I’ve got him! Come quickly!”

Come quickly? For what? He Yan was shocked. She couldn’t muster much strength underwater and couldn’t break free. Seeing Du Mao and the others swimming closer with clear intentions to strip off her clothes, she broke into a cold sweat.

She absolutely couldn’t let them discover her identity here!

At this critical moment, suddenly the hand gripping her arm released its hold as the instructor cried out “Ouch!” Something like a stone skimmed across the water’s surface before sinking quickly. Simultaneously, someone grabbed He Yan and lifted her from the water, placing her on the shore, while a cloak wrapped around her from the neck down.

Everything happened so quickly that no one had time to react. When He Yan steadied herself and looked to the side, she exclaimed in surprise: “Commander?”

Xiao Jue had indeed returned.

He had pulled He Yan from the water and wrapped her like a cocoon – only He Yan knew why. The instructors looked at him in bewilderment, exchanging confused glances.

“What are you doing?” Another voice rang out as Shen Han emerged from the dense forest, carrying clothes, apparently coming to enjoy the hot springs himself. He hadn’t expected to encounter this scene. Seeing He Yan standing by Xiao Jue with dripping wet hair and the other instructors frozen in the water like wooden chickens, a bad premonition crossed his mind.

Liang Ping said: “We… were bathing in the hot spring.”

Shen Han felt a chill: “He Yan… you too…”

He Yan: “…Yes.”

Shen Han was immediately alarmed. Although it was between men, unlike between men and women, Shen Han understood possessiveness – he wouldn’t even let others look at his precious swords for fear they’d covet them. Now He Yan, whose relationship with Xiao Jue was ambiguous, had been seen by others and had seen others here – how could Xiao Jue be pleased?

This was serious!

The instructors huddled together, knowing Xiao Jue’s cold and clean nature, they dared not stand up naked, instead only keeping their heads above water in a row, staring at the pair, wanting to ask questions but not daring to, looking completely confused.

Like a group of ducks waiting to be fed.

Thinking of this, He Yan couldn’t help but laugh.

Xiao Jue glanced at her, raising an eyebrow: “You can still laugh?”

He Yan immediately fell silent.

The instructors dared not speak, making the situation very awkward. Shen Han, as Head Instructor, couldn’t just stand there silently. After hesitating for a long while, he asked: “Commander, are you taking He Yan back?”

“Ask her.”

“Ah,” He Yan quickly said: “I’ve had a good enough soak, I want to go back now. I’ll go with the Commander.”

“Oh, good, good.” Shen Han didn’t know what else to say. Noticing the cloak on He Yan was Xiao Jue’s, he became even more flustered, not knowing where to look, and stared at his shoes, rambling: “Then the Commander and He Yan should head back to rest early… the mountain wind is cool at night.”

Although not understand why Shen Han had suddenly become so nervous, He Yan was grateful for the way out he provided, so she smiled and said: “In that case, we won’t stay longer.”

With that, she turned to leave, walked a few steps, and noticed Xiao Jue hadn’t moved. She paused, but before she could speak, Xiao Jue spoke.

He said: “Don’t bring her to the hot springs again in the future.”

Shen Han’s heart skipped a beat, his mind filled with thoughts of ‘it’s over, it’s over, it’s over.’

At this moment, someone tactless spoke up – the instructor who had good swimming skills and had submerged earlier raised his dripping wet head and boldly asked: “W-why? Isn’t it better for him to soak in the hot springs since he’s injured?”

He Yan thought, brother, I really must thank you.

“You don’t know,” Xiao Jue addressed everyone, standing tall and elegant, curving his lips with a mocking glance, “this recruit, during the entrance examination, was already found to have,” his thin lips pronounced four words that made He Yan dizzy, “a hidden ailment.”

A… a hidden ailment?

The questioning fellow accidentally choked on water and began coughing violently.

The atmosphere became even more rigid than before. What made it more unbearable were the looks the instructors gave He Yan – sympathy, surprise, and regret mixed, with some even glancing toward her lower body.

He Yan: “…”

Although she had made up an excuse during the examination, at least only one person knew about it, and the examining physician wouldn’t be traveling with them. Now this was terrible – how could she face these instructors in the future?

Xiao Jue must be deliberately causing trouble for her!

Could it be that seeing her in an awkward situation made him happy? What kind of pleasure was this?

“It’s not that serious…” she weakly defended herself.

However, everyone deeply believed Commander Xiao’s words. The only one who didn’t believe it was Shen Han, who thought Xiao Jue was deliberately lying to protect He Yan from being harassed.

“It’s alright,” Liang Ping, who had previously been somewhat jealous of He Yan, now felt none of it – in this condition, what was there to be jealous about? He even warmly said: “It’s not a major problem, it can be treated gradually. I know a doctor who specializes in this… perhaps it can still be saved…”

He Yan had nothing more to say and fled after a quick “Thank you, instructor, goodbye.”

Xiao Jue said: “Carry on,” and unhurriedly followed.

Shen Han stood dazed by the hot spring. Only after Xiao Jue and He Yan’s figures had disappeared did the others dare to discuss them. Du Mao swam to the edge of the spring near Shen Han’s feet, looking up to ask: “Head Instructor, did you know about this earlier? I was wondering why you were especially kind to this kid, so there was a reason. Tsk tsk, how did someone so young get such an illness? Can it be cured?”

“Cure your head,” Shen Han was furious and kicked him back into the water, “I think you all must be tired of living. Better cure your brains first!”

…

Leaving the hot spring behind, He Yan followed Xiao Jue through the dense forest, heading toward the garrison.

The person beside her walked at an unhurried pace that allowed her to keep up. He Yan squeezed out two words through her teeth: “Thank you.”

“You look very unwilling,” his lips curved slightly. “If you’re not satisfied, you can go back.”

Beggars can’t be choosers – she was still wearing Xiao Jue’s cloak, and if not for his intervention earlier, who knows what might have happened. Thinking of this, her complaints dissipated somewhat, and she said: “Not at all, I’m sincerely thanking the Commander.”

Xiao Jue snorted: “Flattery.”

This man was – he couldn’t take criticism, nor could he take praise. He Yan’s steps faltered slightly as she raised her fist at his back.

“Liar,” he said after a moment of silence: “Don’t you know there are shadows under the moonlight?”

He Yan’s movement froze, and she instinctively looked down to see her gesturing shadow behind Xiao Jue’s, like a comical shadow puppet show.

“I just saw a mosquito and drove it away for you,” she lied with a straight face. “No need to thank me.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jue laughed softly and continued walking.

The night stretched on, his figure graceful and languid, like a fleeting spring dream.

Seeing his good mood, He Yan said: “I just don’t understand, if you had already decided to help me, why did you wait until the last moment?”

If Xiao Jue had helped her when she first arrived at the hot springs, one word would have sufficed – he wouldn’t have needed to return and waste this cloak, and she wouldn’t have ended up soaked like a drowned rat.

“To teach you a lesson.”

“What?”

Xiao Jue’s steps slowed slightly: “When Ma Damei invited you along, you went without asking where. Putting yourself in such a situation, Young Lady He, are you foolish or arrogant?”

The criticism was fair, but He Yan still didn’t understand. “Even when I saw the hot spring, I already knew – was it necessary to let me fall in and suffer?”

“Only when pushed to the brink of despair will you truly learn the lesson?” He said coolly: “Others cannot be fully trusted. In true desperation, you can only rely on yourself. So, try not to put yourself in dangerous situations.”

He Yan: “…”

Though his words made sense, He Yan felt this lesson was perhaps too extreme. She muttered quietly, “Who teaches people like this,” unsure if Xiao Jue heard.

But even if he had heard, it didn’t matter – he didn’t turn back, just continued walking forward.