How to explain this? In what way could she explain?

At that crucial moment, He Yan was imprisoned in the dungeon. Judging the timing, she was almost certain the enemy would make their move. She requested Song Taotao to fetch paper and brush, then wrote a letter to Shen Han.

In the letter, she drew a detailed map of the Liangzhou Guard – having stayed there for over half a year, she could make it quite detailed. She predicted the enemy would cross from the Wulu River. She suggested Commander Shen position between five hundred to one thousand archers in the dense forest between the Wulu River and the Liangzhou Guard. Once the enemy forces crossed the water heading toward Liangzhou Guard, they would fall into the ambush.

“At that time, I was falsely accused of murder and imprisoned,” He Yan explained after consideration. “Although others didn’t believe me, I sensed the enemy had greater ambitions. With Commander you away, if anything were to happen, Liangzhou Guard would be in danger. So I drew this map and had Miss Song deliver it to Instructor Shen. However, I wasn’t certain if Instructor Shen would follow my suggestion. It was merely a desperate attempt.”

Though Shen Han verbally refused to believe her, when it concerned Liangzhou Guard’s safety, he ultimately exercised caution. He had men set up ambushes in the dense forest as He Yan suggested. That’s why when Ri Da Mu Zi’s forces approached the training ground, they fell into the ambush and were at a disadvantage from the riverbank, their morale shattered.

Commander Xiao raised his eyes slightly: “Why specifically the riverbank?”

“Trap small enemies. When catching thieves, one must close the gates – not for fear they’ll escape, but for fear they’ll escape and be caught by others.”

He laughed, “You’ve learned the Art of War well. Now explain about the granary.”

“Liangzhou Guard has White Moon Mountain behind it, bordering Wulu River. One path is where your commanders departed from, and ahead lies the road into the city. I suspected the enemy had greater ambitions than just one military guard post. If we put ourselves in their position, the first action would be burning the granary. Without supplies, Liangzhou’s recruits couldn’t hold out long. They would either starve here or enter the city. Once the city gates opened and enemy forces entered, Liangzhou City would be indefensible. So in my letter, I advised Instructor Shen to have men hide and guard the granary to prevent arson.”

Indeed, Ri Da Mu Zi had sent men to set fire to it, but they were captured by the prepared Liangzhou recruits.

“Your predictions were remarkably accurate.” Commander Xiao spoke slowly, leaning forward closer to her, staring into her eyes, “Such flawless calculations, young lady.”

His pupils were deep and clear as autumn water. He Yan felt uncomfortable under his gaze and couldn’t respond. How could she explain her flawless calculations? It was simply because she had witnessed the Qiang people’s granary-burning tactics countless times. Once she confirmed they were Qiang people, she naturally knew their next likely move.

But she couldn’t tell Commander Xiao this.

“You seem quite knowledgeable. Did your father teach you military strategy at home?” he asked with a slight smirk.

He Yan knew he was growing suspicious, so she fabricated boldly: “Not at all. I learned it myself. Commander, don’t you think I’m a natural-born strategist?”

He gave a cold laugh: “Is the deceiver trying to deceive again?”

“Commander always suspects I’m a deceiver, but you should provide evidence,” He Yan grew bolder. “When you suspected Lei Hou, you placed him in the vanguard camp until he revealed his true colors. You suspect I have issues, so you keep me by your side – our rooms are separated by just one wall. Logically, if I truly had ulterior motives, Commander would discover them more easily. Yet until now, apart from my being female, nothing has happened. Commander’s accusations seem quite unreasonable.”

Commander Xiao was both angered and amused by her words: “I’m unreasonable?”

“Commander has kept me by your side for so long. Besides discovering my loyalty, intelligence, courage, and wisdom, what else have you found? Nothing. A commander should be fair in rewards and punishments. I’ve helped avert a crisis for the Liangzhou Guard, achieving merit. Shouldn’t Commander reward me?”

“Reward?” he asked slowly. “What reward do you want?”

He Yan sat up straighter, leaning slightly closer to him, eyes shining as she stared at him: “May I join the Nine Banners Camp?”

“No.”

“Why not?” He Yan asked.

“The Nine Banners Camp doesn’t accept liars full of deception,” he replied coldly.

“I haven’t deceived anyone!”

“Lady He,” his beautiful eyes fixed on her as his lips curved slightly, “Though I don’t know what you’re concealing, but…” he paused before continuing, “Your secrets will be revealed one day.”

He Yan’s heart skipped a beat, forgetting to respond.

He stood and walked toward the door. He Yan hurriedly asked, “Then… what about Hu Yuanzhong?”

Commander Xiao didn’t break his stride, tossing back one word “Dead” as he left.

He Yan froze. Dead?

When Commander Xiao went outside, Lin Shuanghe was gone. Only Fei Nu stood guard outside. Commander Xiao asked, “Where did Lin Shuanghe go?”

“Doctor Lin said he went to help Miss Shen prepare some medicine,” Fei Nu answered. “The fallen recruits of Liangzhou Guard have been properly laid to rest.”

The fallen recruits would be buried at the foot of White Moon Mountain. These young lives, before experiencing a real battle, were slaughtered by hidden blades.

Commander Xiao massaged his temples.

After receiving news from Zhangtai, he had immediately set out, but midway he sensed something amiss. He secretly contacted the Nine Banners Camp commander and learned that while Zhangtai was indeed harassed by the Wuto people, it wasn’t as severe as the letter claimed. He turned back and dispatched some Southern Garrison troops stationed in Qingnan.

The enemy was targeting the Liangzhou Guard, or rather, targeting him.

Having just taken command of the Liangzhou Guard, if anything went wrong under his watch, His Majesty would have justified reason to revoke his military authority. Those court officials who opposed him could then strike, and his position as Commander would not last.

“Those Western Qiang people…”

“Not Western Qiang,” Commander Xiao interrupted Fei Nu, “They’re Wuto people.”

Fei Nu was stunned.

“Except for Ri Da Mu Zi and his confidants who are Qiang, the others are all Wuto people.”

Fei Nu asked, “Using others’ knives to kill?”

“To kill me.” He gave a light laugh, turning around to say, “Have Shen Han and all instructors come to my room.”

After Commander Xiao left, He Yan rested a while longer before Song Taotao, Cheng Lisu, and Shen Muxue arrived.

The two children each carried large baskets of food. Due to the recent Qiang incident, the Liangzhou Guard was under strict lockdown and couldn’t enter the city, so there weren’t any fine dishes from restaurants. But they had fish soup and steamed meat. Song Taotao ran to He Yan’s bedside and asked, “Are you feeling better?”

“Much better,” He Yan smiled. “Thank you for helping me contact Instructor Shen earlier.”

The young girl showed rare bashfulness, fidgeting for a moment: “It was nothing. You were in prison then. Besides… you saved me before, so we’re even.”

“When did my brother save you?” Cheng Lisu, unaware of Song Taotao’s kidnapping by Sun Ling in Liangzhou City, asked suspiciously.

“That’s a secret, why should I tell you?” Song Taotao showed no pleasantry toward Cheng Lisu.

“That’s my brother! Of course, I have the right to know, why are you keeping secrets?”

Seeing these two about to argue again, Shen Muxue shook her head helplessly and said to He Yan: “Brother He, I was wrong to suspect you before.”

She was referring to the Hu Yuanzhong incident.

“It’s nothing,” He Yan said. “They fooled even the instructors, so it’s natural they fooled you. Besides, Miss Shen was eager to save lives then, you couldn’t have considered so much. By the way,” she remembered something, “I heard Commander Xiao say Hu Yuanzhong is dead?”

Shen Muxue nodded: “That Hu Yuanzhong tried to kidnap me when Ri Da Mu Zi appeared. Later when the Commander returned, his guards fought with Hu Yuanzhong, who died at their hands.”

“If we’d known he would die, why bother saving him and wasting medicine,” Cheng Lisu muttered.

He Yan thought to herself that Hu Yuanzhong truly couldn’t resist Miss Shen’s beauty, persisting in his evil intentions. Even during a battle between armies, he tried to kidnap her – truly despicable.

“Brother He,” Shen Muxue looked at her seriously and asked, “I’ve been wondering, how did you suspect something was wrong with Hu Yuanzhong back then?”

And her suspicions were always accurate. After all, while Hu Yuanzhong was in the Liangzhou Guard, he behaved properly. Even though Xiaomai and others watched him daily on He Yan’s instructions, they hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

He Yan couldn’t mention the rash on Hu Yuanzhong’s hands, as that would reveal her familiarity with the Qiang people. After a moment’s silence, she said: “It was that paper with the love poem.”

“The paper?” Shen Muxue was startled. “The keepsake from Hu Yuanzhong’s dead wife?”

“Yes,” He Yan said. “You were all moved by his deep love, but such a devoted person would never look at you with that kind of gaze.”

“What kind of gaze?” Shen Muxue was puzzled.

He Yan scratched her head: “The way a man looks at a woman.”

She thought since Shen Muxue was a young lady and modest, saying “lustful” would embarrass her. Better to put it delicately.

But this Miss Shen wasn’t an ordinary lady. Hearing this, she didn’t blush, but asked curiously: “How did you notice?”

“Me?” This question troubled He Yan, who said: “I was always watching out for Miss Shen.”

Shen Muxue frowned. Seeing the situation, Song Taotao quickly stepped forward to block He Yan’s view of Shen Muxue, casually picking up a nearby cup of water and offering it to He Yan: “Brother He, have some water.”

He Yan: “…Thank you.”

Just then, laughter came from outside. Looking back, it was Lin Shuanghe returning. Despite the winter cold, he was fanning himself with a folding fan, approaching gracefully with a refined smile: “I wondered why it was so lively here, so everyone’s gathered.”

“Uncle Lin,” Cheng Lisu called out.

Though Lin Shuanghe was around Commander Xiao’s age, and not much older than Cheng Lisu, because Cheng Lisu called Xiao “Uncle,” he also called Lin Shuanghe “Uncle.” However, Lin Shuanghe seemed displeased with this title, his smile faltering slightly.

Shen Muxue stood up: “Young Master Lin.”

“Miss Shen, I just came from the medical hall. Some recruits have awakened and are complaining of pain. Would you like to check on them?”

Shen Muxue started: “Is that so?” Then she turned to He Yan: “Brother He, I’ll go to the medical hall. Are you feeling any discomfort?”

“No, no,” before He Yan could answer, Song Taotao spoke up, looking at Shen Muxue as if facing a great enemy, “If anything happens, Young Master Lin is here to look after him.”

“Doesn’t Uncle Lin only treat women?” Cheng Lisu asked curiously.

“Ahem,” Lin Shuanghe closed his fan, “Exceptions can be made occasionally.”

“In that case, I’ll take my leave,” Shen Muxue bowed slightly to everyone and left.

Song Taotao sighed in relief.

He Yan: “…”

She felt a headache coming on, unsure how to handle this. Lin Shuanghe, being perceptive, seemed to notice her predicament and said to Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu: “I need to check your Brother He’s wounds now. Afterward, she needs rest. You two had better not disturb her.”

“Rest again?” Cheng Lisu protested, “We just got to see him, not even time for a cup of tea. I still have things to tell Brother He.”

“That can wait until your Brother He is better,” Lin Shuanghe guided him toward the door by the shoulders, “Unless you want to see him languishing in sickness?”

Song Taotao glanced back at He Yan, who feigned weakness and held her forehead. Song Taotao bit her lip and pulled Cheng Lisu toward the exit: “In that case, let’s not disturb him. Let him rest, we’ll come back tomorrow.”

Cheng Lisu complained: “We’re just talking, why are you pulling me?”

Song Taotao: “You think I want to touch you?”

As the two children’s bickering faded away, Lin Shuanghe closed the door.

He Yan finally let out a breath. Lin Shuanghe was truly remarkable; after all these years, his ability to read people remained first-rate. No wonder he had been so popular at Xianchang Hall before. Being so considerate of others’ feelings, He Yan couldn’t help but feel grateful.

“Sister, you’re quite impressive,” Lin Shuanghe approached with a smile, fanning himself, “Even in this situation, you can make young ladies jealous of you. Remarkable!”

He Yan weakly replied: “You praise me too much.”

She wasn’t foolish – she could see Song Taotao’s feelings. But a young girl’s heart changes quickly; given some time, she would surely get over it.

“Did Young Master Lin come to see me for something specific?”

“No,” Lin Shuanghe sighed, “Liangzhou Guard is still covered in blood everywhere. Those Qiang corpses are piled up, giving me a headache. Though I’m a doctor, I dislike seeing bloodshed. It’s quite bothersome, so I came here to hide for a while.”

Lin Shuanghe was also a privileged young master, likely unaccustomed to the Liangzhou Guard’s harsh weather. This room, borrowed from Cheng Lisu, was spacious and comfortable. Perhaps due to her injury, they had kept the charcoal fire well-stoked, making it very warm. Compared to outside, it was indeed a better place to slack off.

“Why don’t you go find Commander Xiao?” He Yan asked, “His quarters are much more comfortable than mine.”

“I wanted to,” Lin Shuanghe shrugged, “When I arrived earlier, I ran into him. He was heading to the dungeon with some people and probably had business there. I’ll find him when he returns.”

“The dungeon?” He Yan froze.

“What? You want to go?”

Only Lei Hou was in the dungeon. If Commander Xiao went there, it must be to interrogate Lei Hou. Having fought with Lei Hou before, she might be able to help.

He Yan said: “I want to go. Can Young Master Lin help?”

“Usually it wouldn’t be possible,” Lin Shuanghe fanned himself gracefully, “But since a beautiful lady asks, it can be arranged.” He stood up, “Let’s go, I’ll get you a staff to lean on.”

At the dungeon entrance, Commander Xiao and Shen Han were walking in with others.

The guards at the entrance had doubled, with more watching inside, all to prevent Lei Hou from committing suicide in his cell. The wind lifted Commander Xiao’s cloak as he walked, asking: “Where’s Du Mao?”

“Following your orders, we had him confined,” Shen Han hesitated before continuing, “But regarding Lei Hou’s matter, he might truly be unaware.”

“There are no ‘mights’ with me. Rules are rules.” The young man’s expression was indifferent, “Mistakes must be punished.”

Shen Han dared not speak further.

The dungeon guards made their way upon seeing Commander Xiao. He removed his cloak, handed it to Fei Nu, and looked at the person in the cell.

When He Yan had fought Lei Hou, she had drugged him with sleeping powder and bound him with Song Taotao’s belt. When Commander Xiao’s men brought him in, Lei Hou was still unconscious.

But now, Lei Hou looked far worse than during his fight with He Yan. His hands and feet were bound in wooden stocks, immobilized. Even his neck couldn’t move, and his entire body was powerless, making it impossible to bite his tongue for suicide. Having lost the ability to control his own life or death, he was like a fish on a cutting board, at others’ mercy.

“Open the door,” Commander Xiao ordered.

The guard rose to open it.

Even with the door open, Lei Hou could only move his mouth, nothing else. He looked at the person before him. The young man’s features were unbelievably beautiful in the lamplight, but his gaze toward Lei Hou was cold as a winter pool.

“Don’t waste your effort,” Lei Hou forced a smile, “I won’t say anything.”

A guard brought a chair, and Commander Xiao sat down. He looked down at Lei Hou, his voice calm: “Months ago, during the flag competition on White Moon Mountain, you lost to He Yan, yet I still assigned you to the vanguard camp. Do you know why?”

Lei Hou’s smile froze as he stared at Commander Xiao in disbelief.

Commander Xiao raised an eyebrow: “Have you figured it out?”

“You did it deliberately?” In an instant, Lei Hou’s voice became extremely hoarse.

“A recruit, silent during daily training, suddenly brilliant during the flag competition. What is that, genius?” Commander Xiao mocked, “Are you that kind of genius?”

Lei Hou was speechless.

He had schemed carefully to enter Liangzhou Guard, taking each step meticulously, afraid of exposure. Even now, he still held onto his fearless willingness to sacrifice, but Commander Xiao’s single sentence shattered his defenses.

They had known from the very beginning.

So everything he had done was like a clown’s performance, led by the nose while feeling proud of himself.

“So what?” Lei Hou forced himself to say, “Death is death, better to die meaningfully. Even if it’s just to plant a thorn in your heart.”

“When I assigned you to the vanguard camp, I did something,” Commander Xiao casually waved his hand. Fei Nu bowed and took out two items from his robes – a fragrance pouch and a longevity lock. Commander Xiao threw the pouch before Lei Hou and twirled the lock around his finger, looking at Lei Hou with a half-smile: “Look, do you recognize these?”

Lei Hou was thunderstruck.

The embroidery on the fragrance pouch was familiar, made by his wife. The longevity lock was one he had personally commissioned from a craftsman before leaving, placed around his son’s neck.

“Xiao Huaiqin,” he gritted his teeth, “Don’t harm my wife and child…”

“Wife and child?” Commander Xiao played with the lock in his hand, sneering, “When you came to do this, did you remember you had a wife and child?”

Lei Hou clenched his teeth in silence.

“When you did this, you tied your wife and child’s fate to yourself. If you succeeded, you’d all live. If you failed, what made you think only you would pay the price?”

“Xiao Huaiqin!” Lei Hou shouted. He tried to struggle but was helpless in the wooden stocks. His eyes reddened, nearly bursting with rage as he called out, “What exactly do you want?”

The young commander looked at him, showing a mocking smile, “You can tell me everything you know.”

“Impossible!” Lei Hou said.

“Such a loyal dog.” Commander Xiao held the longevity lock before his eyes, examining it carefully while speaking indifferently, “Guess what – after you and your wife and child die, will the master you serve to avenge you?”

“I acted alone,” Lei Hou pleaded desperately, “They know nothing. Please spare them. You can do whatever you want with me, kill me if you want, I’m begging you…”

“You should have considered this outcome before coming,” Commander Xiao said, “How could someone willing to be a death warrior harbor hope? Or perhaps you should have hidden them better.”

Lei Hou slumped to the ground.

This young general of Great Wei had a heart of iron. No matter how humble the plea, it would never soften his heart. He was a monster without feelings, cruel and merciless, like a clay or wooden statue. If he could treat his birth parents this way, how could anyone expect him to have feelings?

“What do you want?” he asked weakly. But he knew he couldn’t match Commander Xiao’s ruthlessness – he could never disregard his wife and child’s lives.

But if he talked, his master would also take revenge. This was a path of no return – succeed and live, fail and die.

At this moment, Lei Hou regretted it.

“I told you, tell me everything you know,” Commander Xiao said leisurely, “I have plenty of time, no rush. You can tell it all piece by piece.”

“What if I don’t?”

The young man paused in playing with the longevity lock. The next moment, with a slight “crunch,” the lock crumbled to powder in his hand. He had crushed it with bare hands.

“You can try,” his tone was calm, even gentle, saying only: “I promise, next time, what’s sent won’t be just these lifeless objects.”

Lei Hou closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his expression was utterly bleak. He looked at Commander Xiao, laughing coldly as he spoke word by word: “As expected of General Feng Yun, as expected of the Right Army Commander. Such ruthless methods, I’ve learned my lesson.”

He Yan, leaning on a staff and following Lin Shuanghe to the dungeon, had just reached the entrance when she heard these words.

“No wonder the Xiao Zhongwu couple’s mourning period hadn’t even passed before fighting for military power, no wonder drowning sixty thousand men at Guecheng Changgu battle didn’t change your expression. In terms of heartlessness, who in Great Wei can compare to Xiao Huaiqin?”