After Xiao Jue finished playing the zither and received everyone’s praise, he returned to his seat. By this point, He Yan had lost her appetite for the feast, worried that others might ask to see more of her talents. What if they requested her to write poetry? She couldn’t keep using the excuse of “having an agreement with her husband.”

She sat nervously until the feast concluded, fortunately without any further incidents. After the wine and food were finished, the guests dispersed. He Yan followed Xiao Jue outside, hoping this would finally be a chance to speak privately with Cui Yuezhi.

Cui Yuezhi’s eldest concubine walked beside He Yan, slightly behind Cui Yuezhi and Xiao Jue. This concubine surnamed Wei, was older than He Yan and appeared gentle and modest. Concubine Wei remarked, “The Young Master treats the Young Madam very well.”

He Yan was momentarily stunned, and just as she was about to ask “Why do you say that,” she thought better of it and replied with a sweet smile, “Yes, my husband dotes on me tremendously. He indulges my every wish and always takes my side. I truly feel blessed, as if I accumulated a good fortune in my previous life to find such an ideal husband in this one.”

Concubine Wei burst into laughter and said, “They say Jiyang women are straightforward. I see the Young Madam is indeed quite frank.”

He Yan laughed inwardly, thinking how she had just branded Xiao Jue with the reputation of being “excessively devoted to his wife.” This way, during their stay in Jiyang, she could use this “reputation” to act as she pleased. Xiao Jue probably hadn’t anticipated digging this hole for himself!

As they talked, they entered the main hall of the residence. One of Cui Yuezhi’s concubines had already prepared hot tea, waiting for their arrival.

Cui Yuezhi sat down in his chair and waved his hand, “You may all leave.”

The concubines and servants withdrew.

He smiled and said, “Huanqing, Yuyan, please sit.”

Though Cui Yuezhi held the position of Middle Commander, he carried no airs about him, appearing no different from any military man. He looked honest and kind, yet possessed a pair of bright, sharp eyes, like a seemingly dull sword that could strike fear when drawn from its sheath.

Xiao Jue and He Yan sat down in chairs beside him.

“Yesterday I had intended to return and welcome you both, but Princess Wang held a banquet, and I couldn’t get away. Only today could we finally meet.” He studied Xiao Jue carefully for a moment and sighed, “At the feast earlier, I only noticed your good looks, but looking more closely now, you do bear some resemblance to my deceased elder brother.”

He Yan: “…”

“You look somewhat similar to me as well,” Cui Yuezhi said. “Truly worthy of being from the Cui family.”

He Yan: “…”

Xiao Jue nodded.

“When you were just born, I held you. Back then, you were only about the size of my two fists. Perhaps just one fist. Your father barely let me touch you. Later, when you were taken away…” His eyes darkened. “Your father and mother thought of you until their dying moments. If they could see how excellently you’ve turned out today, they would surely be overjoyed.”

Xiao Jue remained silent.

Cui Yuezhi himself laughed it off, “Look at me, bringing up such unhappy matters for no reason. How depressing! Huanqing, Yuyan, you’ve come at just the right time. In a few days, it will be the Spring Equinox, our Jiyang Water God Festival. You must join in the festivities. I guarantee you won’t want to leave once you’ve experienced it.”

He Yan exclaimed in surprise: “Spring Equinox?”

“What’s wrong?” Cui Yuezhi asked. “Is there some problem?”

“No, no,” He Yan smiled. “It’s just that my birthday is also around the Spring Equinox… in a few days. What a coincidence.”

“Really?” Cui Yuezhi was momentarily surprised, then broke into hearty laughter. “It seems Yuyan has quite a destiny with our Jiyang! Having your birthday coincide with the Water God Festival – Huanqing, you must celebrate properly for our Yuyan when the time comes.”

Xiao Jue glanced at her and said, “Alright.”

After chatting for a while longer, Cui Yuezhi stood up and said, “Huanqing, Yuyan, come with me to the ancestral hall to offer incense to your father and mother. You haven’t seen them in many years. If their spirits are in heaven, knowing that Huanqing has now established himself with a family would surely bring them comfort.”

He Yan and Xiao Jue followed him to the ancestral hall. After offering incense with Cui Yuezhi, it was already late. Cui Yuezhi had servants escort them back to their quarters to rest early, saying they could explore Jiyang City tomorrow.

Once back in their room, He Yan immediately sat down on the couch, saying, “I’m exhausted! Sitting properly all day long – pretending to be a woman is truly inhuman work. Even daily training at the military grounds is easier than this.”

“‘Pretending’ to be a woman?” Xiao Jue gave a light laugh. “It seems you don’t consider yourself a woman.”

He Yan felt helpless, thinking that the couple Xiao Jue had chosen for them to impersonate just had to be talented scholars. If she had been playing the role of a “military general’s daughter” or a “dock worker’s daughter who helps carry stones and firewood,” she could have performed flawlessly.

Xiao Jue removed his outer robe and placed it on the wooden table beside the couch. He Yan sat up and said, “Thank you so much for today. If you hadn’t helped, it would have been a disaster.”

“Aren’t I supposed to be deeply devoted to my wife, indulging your every wish and thinking of everything for you?” The Young Master Xiao’s voice carried a sharp mockery. “It’s only natural.”

He Yan: “You heard that?”

Although it was all pretense, having Xiao Jue overhear was still quite embarrassing. She smiled and said, “I was just trying to make our marriage appear more loving and authentic. Please don’t be angry, Young Master.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door. He Yan called out, “Come in.”

Cuijiao and Hongqiao entered, each carrying a food basket. They began taking out dishes and arranging them on the table. He Yan was surprised and asked, “I didn’t request any food to be brought in.”

“I ordered it,” Xiao Jue said. “Leave it here and go.”

Cuijiao and Hongqiao withdrew from the inner chamber as instructed.

He Yan asked curiously, “Weren’t you full from the feast earlier?”

Xiao Jue gave a slight cold laugh: “Someone was so nervous about Ling Xiu that they couldn’t sit still, like a frightened bird, and didn’t eat properly.”

He Yan stammered: “Oh, you noticed?”

Xiao Jue: “Anyone would have noticed.”

“Was it that obvious?” He Yan was doubtful, but seeing the food on the table immediately cheered up and said, “So these are specially for me? Thank you, Young Master! Young Master, you’re so kind. There’s no one better than you in the world.”

“Stop,” Xiao Jue frowned slightly. “It’s nauseating to hear.”

He Yan was already used to his way of speaking. She pulled him to sit at the table with her, saying, “Let’s have it as a late-night snack. Join me.”

“No.”

“Come on, come on,” He Yan tugged at his sleeve, not letting him leave, and gave him a pair of chopsticks. “Look, there are two pairs of chopsticks here. It was prepared for two people. I can’t finish it alone. Help me out, Young Master.”

Xiao Jue seemed to hear something amusing and said flatly, “Young Lady He may be underestimating her appetite.”

“Though I have a good appetite, I’m not a bottomless pit,” He Yan said. “Besides, haven’t you heard the saying ‘beauty is feast enough’? I usually eat three bowls of rice, but seeing Young Master’s handsome appearance and bearing, I could eat five bowls.”

Xiao Jue choked for a moment. “Are you a pig?”

“Don’t be so harsh,” He Yan said, pushing a plate of shrimp roe with winter bamboo shoots and three-ingredient squash rolls in front of him. “Don’t you like these? Eat up.”

Xiao Jue froze, then after a moment looked up at her: “How did you know?”

He Yan stuffed a piece of thousand-layer steamed cake into her mouth: “I saw you take two bites during breakfast, and you had some again at the feast at noon. You don’t touch things you don’t like, so I figured you must like them. But you’re strange – why do you prefer vegetarian dishes? Is this how all wealthy people are?” No wonder his waist is so slim, she thought to herself.

Xiao Jue didn’t answer her question, only lowered his head and ate slowly.

He Yan didn’t press him further. In her youth, when she had to pass as a male, she was particularly attentive to details for fear of being discovered – after all, details determine success or failure. She had carefully observed all the men in the He family, to the point where some thought there might be something wrong with her mind. It got better later in the military, as she had years of experience being a man by then.

When she truly observed someone, she could be very thorough, especially with Xiao Jue who now lived with her day and night. Knowing what he liked and disliked to eat was quite easy.

“Is your birthday really after the Spring Equinox?” He Yan was happily eating when she suddenly heard Xiao Jue ask this.

She paused for a moment but maintained a casual expression, saying carelessly, “How could it be? I just said that on a whim. What if Commander Cui wants to give me a birthday gift? Wouldn’t that be a good opportunity to profit?”

Xiao Jue snorted: “Liar.”

“How am I a liar?” He Yan pushed further, boldly talking back. “I think Young Master was the one who put on a flawless performance at the feast today, fooling everyone. What was it… ‘I have an agreement with my wife’… Hahaha, Young Master, honestly, I never expected to hear such words from your mouth.”

Xiao Jue watched He Yan’s mockery with composure. After she finished laughing, he asked, “Very funny?”

“It is very funny!”

He nodded: “Then you can handle things yourself from now on, Madam Qiao.”

He Yan couldn’t laugh anymore.

She said, “Young Master, I was just joking. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Xiao Jue ignored her and continued drinking his soup unhurriedly.

“How petty,” she said. “Truly astonishingly petty.”

Xiao Jue remained unmoved.

He Yan’s eyes rolled slightly, and she softened her voice: “Husband, your wife was wrong. Please forgive your wife’s impudence. I won’t dare do it again. Husband? Husband?”

Xiao Jue couldn’t stand it anymore: “…Shut up!”

He said, “Speak properly to me.”

He Yan understood – so the cold and unfeeling Commander Xiao was someone who yielded to gentleness but not to force. She burst out laughing.

The laughter carried to the next room, where Feipu and Chiyu, who were playing cards with Lin Shuanghe, simultaneously looked up.

Chiyu sighed, “To act to such an extent – the Commander is truly giving it his all. That He Yan too, has almost completely taken on the role of a woman. With them putting in so much effort, what excuse do we have not to try our best?”

Feipu was speechless, and Lin Shuanghe, hearing this, also held back a laugh and said, “Yes… they are indeed very dedicated.”

…

At night, they maintained their arrangement – one sleeping on the bed, the other on the side couch.

Early the next morning, He Yan woke up slightly later than usual. When she awoke, she saw Xiao Jue standing at the door talking with Feipu and Chiyu.

After He Yan finished washing up, Cuijiao and Hongqiao brought breakfast from the kitchen. He Yan called to Xiao Jue, “Young Master, breakfast is ready.”

“Eat by yourself,” Xiao Jue said. “I have business outside today and won’t be at the residence. Stay here with Lin Shuanghe, don’t wander around.”

“You’re going out? What for?” He Yan asked. “Can I come along?”

Xiao Jue was silent for a moment before saying, “It’s not convenient.”

He Yan hesitated, then walked over and asked in a low voice, “Are you going to look for Chai Anxi’s whereabouts?”

At these words, Chiyu was surprised that Xiao Jue had told He Yan about this matter.

“Correct. Taking you along would arouse suspicion.”

He Yan nodded, “Alright then, go ahead.”

Her unusual compliance, without trying to tag along like a tail, caught Xiao Jue off guard for a moment. He looked at her thoughtfully.

He Yan turned to walk back into the room: “Go quickly if you’re going. Once I change my mind, none of you will be able to shake me off.”

Xiao Jue said nothing and left with Chiyu and Feipu.

After they left, He Yan finished breakfast alone. Cui Yuezhi wasn’t at the residence, having gone to train troops early in the morning. He Yan went to the adjacent room to find Lin Shuanghe but found it empty. The maid attending to Lin Shuanghe smiled and said, “Manager Lin left early this morning, saying he needed to buy some things and would return later.”

He Yan thought briefly and understood. Lin Shuanghe wasn’t a manager, and after spending these days hovering around Xiao Jue, he must have grown tired of it. With Xiao Jue out today, he finally had some free time and naturally wanted to enjoy himself unrestrained for a whole day. However, it was inconsiderate of him not to invite her along – probably afraid she’d tell on him to Xiao Jue.

But Lin Shuanghe’s actions played right into He Yan’s hands.

Though they’d been in Jiyang City for several days, her current identity as “Wen Yuyan” meant she was constantly with Xiao Jue, leaving no extra time to inquire about Liu Buwang’s whereabouts. With both Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe away today, it was the perfect opportunity for her to act independently.

Years ago, when Liu Buwang parted from her, he had mentioned that if she ever had the chance to pass through Jiyang, there was a teahouse at the foot of the mountains outside the city. If she wanted to find him, she could inquire there for a chance to meet again.

He Yan put on her outer clothes and gathered her things. Seeing this, Cuijiao asked, “Madam, are you going out?”

“With Young Master and the manager both away, I don’t know anyone else in the residence, and it’s quite boring. Let’s go out for a look. The weather has been nice these days, why don’t we go to the mountains outside Jiyang City for some spring outing?”

The two maids looked at each other, wondering what spring outing she was talking about on such an ordinary day.

“It’s decided then.” He Yan said, and after some thought, tucked the retractable nine-section whip into her clothes before heading towards the door. “Let’s go.”

…

Without Xiao Jue, He Yan was completely unrestrained.

As a guest of the Cui family, naturally, no one dared stop her. Zhong Fu was concerned about her going out alone and wanted to assign two Cui household guards to accompany her, but He Yan firmly refused.

“I’m just going to look around nearby, won’t go far. Besides, in broad daylight and public places, surely no one would dare cause trouble. Manager Zhong need not worry. I’ll go find my husband after a while, and the two guards with my husband are highly skilled, which is more than enough.”

Zhong Fu reluctantly agreed.

After leaving the Cui residence, He Yan had Cuijiao hire a carriage not far from the manor and told the driver to head toward the outskirts of the city.

Hongqiao carefully asked, “Madam, are we leaving the city?”

“Not leaving the city, just going to look at Mount Qiyun outside the city,” He Yan said. “When I came here, I passed by Mount Qiyun and saw its beautiful scenery, which I’ve been longing to see up close. Today happens to be convenient, and there’s no time like the present, so it’s perfect to go now.”

She spoke as if it were true, and the two young maids didn’t suspect anything.

When they reached the city gate, He Yan showed Cui Yuezhi’s token to the gate guards. Seeing they were from the Cui household, the guards easily let them pass and allowed He Yan to leave the city.

Mount Qiyun was straight ahead from the city gate, and the road wasn’t difficult to navigate. When they reached the foot of the mountain, He Yan pretended and said, “I’m a bit thirsty. Why don’t we look around for a teahouse nearby, and rest for a moment before continuing?”

Cuijiao and Hongqiao naturally had no objections. Hongqiao got out of the carriage and said, “Madam, please rest in the carriage first. I’ll go look around.”

Shortly after, Hongqiao returned with a smile, “There’s a teahouse nearby, just a short distance away. Madam, let me help you down, we can walk there directly.”

He Yan gladly agreed.

After walking for a while, they saw a thatched teahouse under a locust tree at the foot of the mountain, with a few tea guests sitting and chatting over tea.

He Yan went forward and ordered several cups of tea and some snacks, telling Cuijiao, Hongqiao, and the carriage driver to wet their throats.

“Madam, I’m not thirsty.”

“I’m not thirsty either.”

“After such a long journey, how could you not be thirsty?” He Yan said. “Drink up. I’ll go ask the proprietor if there are any interesting places nearby.”

Before they could respond, He Yan walked straight ahead.

The teahouse owners were a middle-aged couple, wearing blue cloth headbands, their skin darkened and somewhat flushed, probably from the heat. The woman saw He Yan and asked, “Miss, are the tea and snacks not to your liking?”

He Yan smiled and said, “No, I’m here to ask about someone.”

“Ask about someone?” The proprietor put the cloth on his shoulder. “Miss, who are you looking for?”

“His name is Liu Buwang,” He Yan gestured with her hand, “He’s a head taller than me, quite good-looking, around forty years old, carries a zither on his back and wears a sword, likes to wear white clothes, like a swordsman.” After a pause, she added, “Though not necessarily in white clothes, but a very elegant man.”

After all, she hadn’t seen Liu Buwang for many years, and perhaps he no longer liked wearing white clothes.

The woman thought for a moment and smiled, saying, “Miss, are you talking about the Yunlin Hermit?”

“Yunlin Hermit?”

“Yes, we don’t know his real name, but every year, usually a few days after the Water God Festival, he appears at our teahouse asking for tea. As for ‘Yunlin Hermit,’ that’s what others call him, and we just followed along. We don’t know his surname or given name, but according to your description – wearing white, very elegant, good-looking, and carrying a zither – it should be him.”

He Yan’s heart leaped with joy, and she asked, “Do you know where he is now?”

“Miss, that’s asking too much of us,” the proprietor said. “In our place, we don’t ask about people’s backgrounds. Naturally, we don’t know where he is now but don’t be discouraged. He comes here every year after the Water God Festival. I think he must be in Jiyang City now, to catch the Water God Festival during the Spring Equinox.”

He Yan’s face showed difficulty. Jiyang City wasn’t small – with Cui Yuezhi’s men, finding Liu Buwang might not be hard. Unfortunately, this matter couldn’t be known to others, so she could only search alone.

Not very easy.

Seeing her expression change, the woman asked, “Miss, what is he to you, why are you looking for him?”

“He is… a long-unseen acquaintance.” He Yan gave a bitter smile, then after a moment added, “If the Yunlin Hermit comes here for tea again after this year’s Water God Festival, please help me pass a message to him. Tell him that Ahe is now in Jiyang, asking him not to leave, but to wait here for a meeting.”

“Alright!” The proprietor smiled warmly. “I’ll make sure to pass it along!”

He Yan finally felt relieved.

She returned to sit at the teahouse table. Cuijiao and Hongqiao said, “Madam, the tea has gone cold.”

“If it’s cold, it won’t taste good anymore, so I won’t drink it,” He Yan said. Honestly, with the lessons from her previous life, she didn’t dare drink tea from outside carelessly.

The two maids looked at each other, and after a while, Hongqiao asked, “Then Madam, have you decided where to go?”

“I just asked the proprietor, who said there are wolves on the mountain these days, so it’s best not to go up,” He Yan lied without changing expression. “Thinking about it, we are just a few weak women, it would be too dangerous. So we won’t go spring walking on the mountain today, let’s just return to the residence.”

The carriage driver: “…”

He wanted to speak but finally said nothing. How could this be, coming out for a stroll but doing nothing before returning – wasn’t this just playing with people? The madam from Huzhou was truly someone not to be trifled with, clearly taking advantage of her favored position!

Too much!

…

Meanwhile, Xiao Jue and his two companions found the location of Cuiwei Pavilion.

Lei Hou had said the person he corresponded with by letter was in Jiyang’s Cuiwei Pavilion. Xiao Jue suspected this person was Chai Anxi, but now, the shop before them had become a mass of blackened, charred wood. If one sniffed carefully, they could still smell the burnt odor.

“This Cuiwei Pavilion was originally a jewelry shop,” the reporting scout bowed and said. “Half a month ago, one night a fire broke out and burned Cuiwei Pavilion completely. The shop assistants, the proprietor, and the newly arrived accountant Mr. Chai didn’t make it out.”

The person was gone, the lead was dead.

“Were any remains found?” Xiao Jue asked.

“Everything was burned to ashes, no remains to be found. The neighbors all said it was tragic. Cuiwei Pavilion has been like this since then. The officials said they would renovate this place after some time, but the surrounding shops found it inauspicious and closed down.”

Chiyu tossed a silver ingot to the scout, who tucked it into his clothes, bowed to them, and disappeared into the crowd.

Xiao Jue watched his retreating figure and after a while said, “Escaped.”

Not burning earlier or later, but specifically half a month ago -, when Lei Hou’s capture was exposed, the other party shed their cocoon like a golden cicada.

“Should we continue investigating, Young Master?” Feipu asked, “Now that the lead is broken…”

“No need to investigate further.” Xiao Jue turned around.

The two were startled.

“Now that they know they’re exposed, the other party will hide their identity and lurk in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. The enemy is in the dark, and so am I, so there’s nothing to be done.”

“Just wait,” he said.

Chiyu: Don’t ask, it’s just cross-dressing experts.