“Do you like me?” His voice seemed to have a soul-binding power, fixing He Yan in place, but he was unable to move even slightly. She couldn’t help but swallow.

Xiao Jue slightly furrowed his brows: “He Yan?”

“I…” He Yan unconsciously curled her fingers, fingertips digging into her palm.

When this man was usually languid, one wouldn’t notice, but when he pressed close, even his breath became particularly dangerous. He raised an eyebrow, curved his lips, and asked again almost bewitchingly: “Do you like me?”

“No… I don’t like you.” He Yan instinctively curled her fingers, fingertips digging into her palm. The pain cleared her mind for a moment, preventing her from saying anything shocking.

Looking to the side, Lin Shuanghe was already dumbfounded.

Hearing this, Xiao Jue didn’t get angry. Instead, he seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief, stand straight, and raise his eyebrows: “Very good. It’ll be you then.”

“Me?” Once the ambiguous atmosphere cleared, He Yan stepped back and couldn’t help but look at him. “What do you mean by me?”

“Lady Qiao.”

“Lady… Qiao?” He Yan was perplexed.

However, Lin Shuanghe suddenly understood, walking over and said: “You finally listened to what I said, and think my sister He is the best candidate, right?”

He Yan was even more confused.

“It’s a long story.”

“Then tell it slowly.” He Yan went to get them stools.

Xiao Jue glanced at her, turned his head away, and indifferently reminded her, “Put your clothes on properly first.”

He Yan looked down and saw that when Lin Shuanghe knocked on the door, she had casually draped on some clothes without properly wearing them. Now, when she bent down to move the stools, her clothes had slipped off her shoulder.

Lin Shuanghe said: “I didn’t see anything!”

He Yan thought Xiao Jue was making too big a deal of it. She was wearing undergarments inside, everything that needed to be covered was properly covered. Master Xiao was being unnecessarily gentlemanly. But since he mentioned it, she adjusted her clothing.

After fixing her clothes, she finally heard Xiao Jue explain the important points of the matter.

“The Commander means, you want me to pretend to be your wife and go to Jiyang?” He Yan slapped the table: “How can this be! This will ruin my reputation!”

Pretending to be a nephew only meant calling Xiao Jue uncle, but pretending to be husband and wife meant she would have to call Xiao Jue husband! Just thinking about calling Xiao Jue’s husband, He Yan couldn’t face it at all.

“Ruin your reputation?” Xiao Jue’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled coldly: “You’re feeling wronged now, are you?”

He Yan: “…”

That was true. From others’ perspectives, Xiao Jue’s reputation would probably be ruined.

But… him getting whatever he wants, isn’t that quite unfair?

Rarely having Xiao Jue ask something of her, He Yan raised her head high, just about to raise the price and properly extort him, when she heard him casually say: “If this is done, you can join the Southern Army.”

He Yan: “Deal!”

“I say,” Lin Shuanghe was somewhat troubled, “Sister He, you’re a young lady, you should be more reserved.”

“You’re probably overestimating her,” Xiao Jue mocked: “How could she possibly have such a thing?”

“Propriety doesn’t matter in this kind of situation.” He Yan smiled cheekily: “Commander, rest assured, I can play the role of a good wife, make you look good, make others envious of you, praise you for having such good fortune that takes several lifetimes to cultivate.”

Xiao Jue held back momentarily and calmly said: “Qiao Huanqing’s wife is a famous talented lady of Great Wei.”

He Yan’s boasting came to an abrupt halt.

“Skilled in poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting,” he glanced at He Yan, seemingly with some pity, “obedient, understanding, and considerate. Of these sixteen characteristics, which one applies to you?”

“Human form,” He Yan answered honestly.

“Pfft.” Lin Shuanghe couldn’t help but laugh, then probably feeling it wasn’t appropriate, said: “Nonsense, Xiao Huaiqin, you’re talking rubbish again. How is Sister He, not obedient, understanding, and considerate? As for poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting…” he looked at He Yan, “Can you do them?”

He Yan: “Not really.”

Xiao Jue snickered.

Lin Shuanghe immediately said: “That’s fine too, I can! Follow me, aren’t we waiting a few days before departing? Before we leave, I guarantee to teach you. While you may not become extremely skilled, it’ll be enough to fool those rough fellows. Xiao Huaiqin, leave Sister He to me. In five days, I’ll return to you a different graceful lady.”

“Short, stupid, and without any talents or specialties, that’ll be troublesome for you.” Xiao Jue spoke carelessly, stood up, walked to He Yan’s side, and stared directly at her.

He Yan felt uneasy under his gaze. He leaned closer again, tilted his head, curved his lips in a smile, and said, “But who knows, after all, our Lady He is best at deceiving people.”

He Yan: “…”

Xiao Jue always managed to turn compliments into criticism.

“A good wife that makes others envious of me, I’ll…” his gaze was deep, his smile faint, “look forward to it.”

He left.

The middle door was closed, and the sound of locking came from that direction. He Yan breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the couch. Lin Shuanghe also stood up and smiled: “It’s late, so I’ll take my leave first. Sister He, I’ll come to find you tomorrow, and we’ll familiarize ourselves with poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”

He Yan nodded. Lin Shuanghe seemed to want to say something but held back. He Yan asked: “Does Doctor Lin have something else?”

He looked at He Yan with a complicated expression and said: “Nothing.” Then left fanning himself.

After the door closed behind him, Lin Shuanghe sighed and pressed his chest.

He had boasted to Xiao Jue that He Yan didn’t like him, so they would be most comfortable together. This wasn’t false, as in previous conversations with He Yan, he hadn’t detected any fondness for Xiao Jue. But just now, when Xiao Jue pressed close to He Yan, Lin Shuanghe saw He Yan’s nervousness and fluster.

Something seemed off!

This didn’t look like someone completely indifferent to Xiao Jue!

What’s going on? Lin Shuanghe was extremely anxious. If He Yan liked Xiao Jue, wouldn’t traveling together cause trouble?

No, no, no, it must be because Xiao Jue is too handsome. When women see his face, they’re momentarily captivated by his beauty. After seeing him a few more times, the feeling will fade. He comforted himself, it must be so.

Inside the room, He Yan sat on the couch.

It was quite unbelievable that Xiao Jue would ask her to pretend to be his wife and go to Jiyang. Let alone how she felt, just the fact that Xiao Jue would pretend to be someone’s spouse would make people doubt their ears.

Now knowing the origin of the Nine Banners Camp, He Yan no longer hoped to truly enter it. Those who could enter the Nine Banners Camp were Xiao Jue’s sworn brothers, heroes who stood up ready to face death at that time. Along with the five trials of ability, it seemed the Nine Banners Camp wouldn’t easily recruit people in the future. Being able to join the Southern Army was good too; in Great Wei, the Southern Army also had a prestigious reputation.

However, He Yan’s quick agreement to Xiao Jue’s proposal, even without these conditions, would have eventually compromised, just because of the place Xiao Jue mentioned, Jiyang.

He Yan’s master, the stranger who saved her from a pile of corpses during the Moxian battle in her previous life when she was in the army, who later taught her military tactics and martial arts, was called Liu Buwang.

When they parted years ago, she had asked Liu Buwang: “Master, if one day I want to find you, where should I go?”

“If it’s fated, we’ll meet again,” Liu Buwang smiled and said: “But if you insist on finding me for important matters, go outside Jiyang City. I will eventually arrive there.”

She kept this in her heart.

Now that “He Rufe” was dead, by coincidence, she received this strange task, but if she really went to Jiyang, perhaps she could meet Liu Buwang. In her previous life, besides the He family, only Liu Buwang knew her identity.

She wanted to see her master.

“Jiyang…” He Yan sighed slightly, feeling somewhat hesitant.

She didn’t know if she could meet him, and if they did meet… whether Liu Buwang would recognize her.

She felt very anxious.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, He Yan was about to go to the training ground for daily practice. Just as she reached the door, someone from outside the courtyard grabbed her: “Brother He!”

Looking back, it was Lin Shuanghe.

He Yan asked: “Brother Lin, why are you here?”

Judging by his appearance, he must have arrived early. Lin Shuanghe waved his fan, “I was waiting for you.” He looked He Yan up and down in her black training clothes and asked: “Where are you going?”

“Daily training at the practice grounds! I haven’t done the morning run yet. Doctor Lin, I’ll talk to you later, I’ll be late if I don’t go now.”

“Ah,” Lin Shuanghe blocked her path. If you’re talking about daily training, you can skip it for now. I’ve had Huaiqin speak with Chief Instructor Shen; you don’t need to go these next few days.”

He Yan: “Why?”

“Have you forgotten? You’re going to Jiyang in a few days.” Lin Shuanghe smiled: “Things have their priorities. The training ground isn’t going anywhere – when you return from Jiyang, you can train however you like. But now you have little time left, so you must focus on urgent matters.”

He Yan was puzzled: “What urgent matters?”

“Look.” Lin Shuanghe pointed.

On the stone table in the courtyard lay a zither, a chess set, some paper, and writing implements. Liangzhou Guard was a place for men to train in martial arts, seeing such refined items suddenly made He Yan think for a moment that Chu Zhao had returned.

“Since you’re pretending to be Qiao Huanqing’s ‘wife,’ you need to know something about the four arts. When King Mo Ji was alive, he greatly admired scholars and literati. In Jiyang, under the prince’s jurisdiction, people worship those with outstanding talent. As it happens, Qiao Huanqing’s wife, Wen Yuyan, is a famous talented lady. Brother He,” Lin Shuanghe said: “You look very good, and your martial skills are reassuring, but we can’t have any mishaps in this area. Come, write something for me to see.”

He Yan: “…”

For a moment, He Yan felt like she was back at Xianchang Academy, about to sit down with Lin Shuanghe, who was also ranked last, to recite lessons together.

Lin Shuanghe, completely unaware of what nightmarish memories his words had brought up, continued urging: “Come, Brother He, write something, let your elder brother see how you write.”

This person had nothing better to do all day, and He Yan didn’t want to argue with him, so she immediately picked up the brush and wrote a character.

“Fan” (Trouble)!

This character was written in a wild, messy style. Seeing this, Lin Shuanghe’s fan-waving paused. Probably afraid of hurting He Yan’s feelings, he spoke rather gently: “Brother He’s writing has quite a spirit, perhaps too much spirit… don’t you think a woman’s writing should be more gentle?”

He Yan thought his comment was problematic and immediately countered: “Who says women’s writing must be gentle? By your logic, does that mean men can’t write in delicate small script?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Lin Shuanghe said: “But even if it’s not gentle, it shouldn’t be this messy!”

He Yan was speechless.

Lin Shuanghe then said: “Never mind, why don’t you try drawing? Just draw some winter plum blossoms in snow, that should be enough to fool those Jiyang people.”

He Yan spread out the paper and drew three flowers with some dots that looked like snow.

Lin Shuanghe looked at it suspiciously and asked: “Brother He, is this a fried pancake with sesame seeds flying off?”

He Yan: “…I can only draw maps.”

After several such attempts, Lin Shuanghe began to panic. He said: “What about chess? Can you play chess?”

“My chess etiquette is terrible, I love taking back moves. I’m afraid it won’t be presentable. I might not be able to control myself and make a laughing stock of myself.”

“What about the zither? Surely you can play the zither!” There was desperation in Lin Shuanghe’s eyes, “These days, young ladies in the manor start learning zither at age five.”

He Yan spread her hands: “I don’t know the first thing about musical instruments.”

They stared at each other, the atmosphere awkward and silent.

He Yan felt uncomfortable and wronged. She had been raised as a boy from childhood, never learning the four arts. Later at Xianchang Academy, she wasn’t particularly bright in academics. Even when fortune smiled upon her and she got guidance from a master, when Liu Buwang imparted all his skills to her, they were all about survival on the battlefield. The four arts couldn’t help her bleed less on the battlefield or win more battles – they were too luxurious for her. She didn’t have the conditions or the time.

Of course, most importantly, she didn’t have the talent.

It wasn’t just He Yan who felt wronged; Lin Shuanghe was also distressed. He had seen so many noble ladies in Shuo Jing, each skilled in at least three if not five arts. The four arts were something everyone knew, yet He Yan couldn’t even fake it.

Lin Shuanghe suddenly doubted himself – was suggesting He Yan pretend to be Wen Yuyan to Xiao Jue a mistake?

“Doctor Lin?” He Yan saw him silent for a while, worried that her lack of talent had shocked him, and asked with concern.

Lin Shuanghe came back to his senses and forced a smile: “It’s nothing, I was just thinking.”

It was so bad that they couldn’t even aim for excellence anymore; they could only hope to learn the basics to put on a show. Liangzhou Guard did have a female teacher, Shen Muxue, who was exceptionally talented, but if Shen Muxue found out He Yan was a woman and had been chosen by Xiao Jue to pretend to be his wife, there might be trouble.

Although Lin Shuanghe had no particular feelings for Shen Muxue, he didn’t want to see any young lady hurt.

Well, if he didn’t go to hell, who would? Lin Shuanghe looked at He Yan, his heart bleeding but forcing a smile: “Brother He, don’t panic. With enough effort, an iron rod can be ground into a needle. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Constant dripping wears away a stone. Since you don’t know these skills, let your elder brother teach you. We’ll start from the beginning, and surely make people look at you with new eyes!”

Seeing him suddenly become so excited, He Yan coughed lightly: “Um… Doctor Lin, do you know these skills?”

If she remembered correctly, Lin Shuanghe was ranked last with her – what qualifications or ability did he have to teach others?

Lin Shuanghe opened his folding fan with a flourish and said proudly: “Your brother might not know much else, but I’m best at poetry and painting. Watch me.”

…

Late at night, sharp zither sounds came from the neighboring room.

Fei Nu was helping Xiao Jue organize documents on the table when hearing the sound, his hand trembled, scattering military documents everywhere. He looked up at Xiao Jue, who was holding his forehead, looking utterly unable to bear it.

Fei Nu secretly sighed. He Yan had shown brilliance in the training grounds, excelling in everything, but who knew she would be so dull in the four arts? This zither playing – any young lady in Shuo Jing who had learned the zither, even a five-year-old, would play better than this.

Three days, it had been three whole days. In two more days they would set out, but He Yan’s zither playing, just a wall away, showed no improvement. If anything, it seemed to be getting worse as she grew more impatient.

Chi Wu was an impatient person, and several times he had secretly pulled Fei Nu aside to say: “If you can’t play, then don’t play! Has the young master gone mad? Finding a man to pretend to be a wife is one thing, but finding someone who can’t do anything – isn’t this just asking to be exposed? Even if we’re short on people, it shouldn’t come to this!”

He didn’t know He Yan was actually a woman, and Fei Nu couldn’t say much, only responding: “Talk less, work more.”

But tonight, even Fei Nu was having doubts – with He Yan being so inept, could she handle such an important task?

It was worrying.

In the next room, Lin Shuanghe waved his hand weakly: “Sister He, enough, enough, you can stop playing.”

He Yan stopped and looked at him, humbly asking for advice: “Brother Lin, am I better today than yesterday?”

Lin Shuanghe choked, unable to respond.

Although he wasn’t particularly outstanding in the four arts, he was still a refined young master from the capital, capable of performing these social graces. He had thought that with his teaching, while she might not become excellent in three days, she could at least put on a show.

But seeing He Yan’s current state, he realized he had been too presumptuous.

He had never seen such an unteachable woman! After three days, not only had there been no progress, but each attempt was more jarring than the last. Lin Shuanghe now understood that there could be someone who could make such sounds from a zither. They say one takes on the qualities of those around them, and Xiao Jue was accomplished in both martial arts and culture, unmatched in refinement. How had He Yan spent so much time with Xiao Jue without acquiring even a hint of elegance?

Yet this young lady maintained such a diligent appearance that even harsh words couldn’t be spoken. It reminded Lin Shuanghe of a classmate from his student days who, despite studying hard, always ranked last.

It was painful to watch.

Well, well, this pupil cannot be taught, Lin Shuanghe stood up and smiled: “Good, very good, Sister He, you truly have talent. With just a bit more practice, you’ll surely astound everyone. Keep practicing these days, and when we reach Jiyang, let Huaiqin give you some guidance. I think you’ll be ready then.”

He Yan: “Really?”

Lin Shuanghe: “It couldn’t be more true.” He thought, He Yan was too difficult to handle, he’d better bow out early. Such complicated instruction should be left to Xiao Jue to solve – after all, He Yan was his person, his “wife,” and this was Xiao Jue’s responsibility.

Thinking this, unburdened, he suddenly felt relieved. Lin Shuanghe smiled: “Then I won’t come for the remaining two days. Sister He, practice more, practice more.”

Free of obligations, he gracefully left.

He Yan was still half-believing. To her ears, it sounded terrible, yet Lin Shuanghe said such things – could it be that good?

The interests of refined people truly differed from ordinary folk.

…

In the remaining two days, besides practicing the zither, He Yan found time to bid farewell to Hong Shan and the others.

Jiyang wasn’t like Liangzhou City. Going there and back, plus handling business, would probably take half a year away from the Liangzhou Guard. Not seeing old companions for so long made her quite nostalgic.

“You’re going on another mission with Commander Xiao?” Hong Shan moved closer and asked: “A-He, are you getting promoted?”

“Born? Who’s born?” Xiao Mai was roasting found bird eggs, just pulled from the fire and very hot, tossing them between his palms, “Who’s having a baby?”

Shi Tou gently knocked his head and looked at He Yan: “Take care on your journey.”

He Yan smiled, “Of course. And congratulations to you all for entering the Vanguard Camp.”

After the New Year, another group of recruits had been selected for the Vanguard Camp, including Shi Tou, Jiang Jiao, Wang Ba, and Huang Xiong. Xiao Mai was young and his training wasn’t particularly outstanding yet, while Hong Shan had always been average in everything, but the two of them didn’t mind – being ordinary soldiers was enough for them.

“Being in the Vanguard Camp isn’t as comfortable as your position.” Wang Ba took the chance to tease He Yan, “Getting to go out with Commander Xiao every few days, no need for daily training, and being able to curry favor with superiors – even immortals don’t have it as good as you.”

“Brother Wang, that’s not right. Brother He’s outings with the Commander surely aren’t as easy as we imagine. There might be dangers,” Jiang Jiao looked at He Yan: “Please be careful in everything.”

He Yan stretched lazily: “I’m always careful.”

Seeing this, Huang Xiong fingered the prayer beads on his neck and said: “Since you’ve been longing for promotion, this is a good opportunity. Commander Xiao’s willingness to take you along must mean he sees something in you. If you can seize this chance and earn military merit, you’ll be one step closer to what you want and can achieve your goals faster.”

He Yan thought to herself, Xiao Jue’s willingness to take her along indeed was because he saw something in her – he saw that she was a woman, imagine that!

“Well said.” She waved her hand, “Don’t worry, everyone. We’ve all fought for flags on White Moon Mountain together and slept in the same barracks. As long as I have food to eat, you’ll all have soup to drink. If I get promoted, I won’t forget my comrades. But I also believe that even without me, you can all make your way to Liangzhou.”

“Well said!” Huang Xiong said: “Relying on oneself rather than others, we’re all good men.”

He Yan smiled slightly, looking at the vast sky over Liangzhou Guard.

The snow on distant mountains would eventually melt, winter was passing, and spring’s beautiful scenery would soon arrive. Jiyang was different from Liangzhou, with high mountains and distant waters – who knew what would happen in the future?

She clapped her hands and stood up.

The future was never something one could figure out just by thinking about it – it was simply about keeping your head down and continuing to move forward.