The sky gradually darkened.

The medicinal decoction prepared for the instructors had all been taken away and consumed. Since Lin Shuanghe arrived at Liangzhou Guard, Xiao Jue’s medicines had been Lin Shuanghe’s responsibility, leaving no opportunity even for casual conversation. Shen Muxue stood there while Xiao Jue focused intently on the Southern Army’s daily training, showing no intention of speaking with her. As time passed, she naturally began to feel awkward.

She was, after all, a noble young lady from the Imperial Censor’s mansion, with an unbearably strong sense of pride ingrained in her bones. She could give up everything to share hardships with Xiao Jue, forsaking the life of a privileged official’s daughter to become a medical woman in such a harsh place. However, she couldn’t bring herself to express her feelings to Xiao Jue directly and frankly as common girls, servants, or maids would.

Shen Muxue had always hoped that by staying by Xiao Jue’s side, he would eventually discover her worth and take the initiative to tell her they were the most compatible match in the world. This was her dignity, and she had always been at ease, after all, over the years, though Xiao Jue had no shortage of beautiful women throwing themselves at him, he had never shown any interest. Xiao Jue simply wasn’t interested in women.

But now, Shen Muxue was troubled. Some things gave her a bad feeling – what if before she could make Xiao Jue see her worth, he had already fallen in love with someone else?

Shen Muxue couldn’t imagine such a scene.

She picked up the empty bamboo basket and left without bidding farewell to Xiao Jue. He disliked being disturbed during training – over the years, she had come to understand his preferences perfectly.

“Miss Shen.” Someone called out to her.

Shen Muxue looked up to see a man in flowing robes, who pointed ahead with a smile, “If you keep walking with your head down like that, you’ll run into that rock ahead.”

Not far away stood a huge boulder. The recruits of the Liangzhou Guard often liked to sharpen their blades on this boulder, hacking at it randomly. Now it was full of knife marks, with people having carved all sorts of nonsensical insults into it. She had been so distracted that she hadn’t even noticed such a large boulder, and if Chu Zhao hadn’t warned her, she really would have walked right into it.

Shen Muxue stopped and gave Chu Zhao a slight bow, “Fourth Young Master Chu.”

She knew that Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao held different positions, as Chu Zhao was, after all, Minister Xu’s favorite disciple. However, Chu Zhao was handsome and gentle, making it difficult for ordinary women to dislike him. Shen Muxue was no exception, and she never failed to observe proper etiquette when they met.

“Miss Shen seems troubled,” Chu Zhao smiled slightly. “Could it be about Commander Xiao?”

Shen Muxue was startled, instantly feeling flustered at having her thoughts exposed. But she quickly calmed down and said softly, “Not at all, I was just thinking about the medical theories from the medical texts I read today. Fourth Young Master Chu is overthinking.”

Chu Zhao nodded and was about to continue walking. As they passed each other, Shen Muxue felt compelled to ask suddenly, “Fourth Young Master Chu seems to be good friends with a new recruit called He Yan?”

Shen Muxue had seen Chu Zhao talking with He Yan several times. Although Chu Zhao was usually approachable and never put on airs as a noble young master, he wasn’t particularly sociable either. In Liangzhou Guard, apart from talking to that exceptionally beautiful servant, he had little interaction with others. Yet his attitude toward He Yan was notably warm.

“Brother He?” Chu Zhao paused, “Brother He is my good friend in Liangzhou Guard. Does Miss Shen have business with him?”

His straightforward acknowledgment left Shen Muxue unsure of what to ask next. After a moment, she looked at Chu Zhao, “When Wutuo sent troops to Jiyang, I heard Fourth Young Master Chu was there too, staying at the Middle Cavalry Commander’s residence with the Commander and others. Since Fourth Young Master is also He Yan’s friend, you must know quite a bit about him.”

Chu Zhao listened quietly.

Shen Muxue hesitated before asking, “How is the relationship between the Commander and He Yan? Do they get along well?”

“Miss Shen’s question is rather strange,” Chu Zhao’s gaze passed over the woman before him. Shen Muxue nervously clutched at her skirt, and Chu Zhao smiled, “Brother He is skilled in martial arts, straightforward in nature, and has earned Commander Xiao’s trust. Miss Shen should know better than anyone that Commander Xiao isn’t an easy person to approach, yet Brother He seems to have effortlessly opened the Commander’s heart.”

“Rather than master and confidant, I think the relationship between Commander Xiao and Brother He is more like friendship.”

“Friendship?” Shen Muxue’s voice became slightly sharp for a moment, she frowned: “How can the Right Army Commander be friends with a recruit when their status differs so greatly?”

Chu Zhao smiled: “Miss Shen’s words are mistaken. Friendship should be natural and spontaneous; age, status, and position don’t matter. How can there be hierarchical distinctions between friends? Commander Xiao treats Brother He very well. In Jiyang, they shared a room and ate at the same table. Commander Xiao even arranged clothing and personal items for Brother He. If we call this merely a superior-subordinate relationship, it seems rather forced.”

Shen Muxue listened with a secret alarm.

Xiao Jue was clean and solitary by nature; sharing a table for meals was already his limit, but sharing a room? She could hardly imagine it. And even arranging personal items for He Yan – when had he ever cared about such details for others?

Chu Zhao stared into Shen Muxue’s eyes: “What is Miss Shen worried about?”

Shen Muxue met his thoughtful gaze and unconsciously stepped back, instinctively shaking her head in denial: “Nothing.”

“Miss Shen, as a woman who could travel thousands of miles from Shuojing to Liangzhou, you must be determined and brave. Why show such timidity in this matter?”

Shen Muxue pressed her lips together without speaking.

“I think I understand what Miss Shen is concerned about. Brother He is my good friend, so I can’t say too much, but I also admire Miss Shen’s intentions, so… if Miss Shen truly can’t let go, why not investigate for yourself? Sometimes,” he said quietly, “one should trust their instincts. Especially… women.”

Shen Muxue looked up. The man before her was still smiling slightly, his gaze gentle and concerned, yet it involuntarily caused a faint chill to run through her body.

“I… don’t understand what Fourth Young Master Chu means.” She frowned, clutching her basket tightly, “I need to go back to prepare medicines. Fourth Young Master Chu, farewell.”

Shen Muxue hurried away, her retreating figure appearing somewhat flustered. Chu Zhao watched her back, his smile fading slightly. After a moment, he muttered to himself: “This is getting more and more interesting.”

“Shen Muxue,” he murmured, “Xiao Huaijin, which one will you choose?”

…

The recruits’ daily training at the martial arts ground had ended.

When Lin Shuanghe passed by the training ground, he happened to see Xiao Jue dismissing the Southern Army troops, so he went up to greet him, planning to return together for dinner.

“Huaijin, haven’t you been training my little sister He too hard these past few days? I haven’t seen her in a long time. I must remind you, she’s still injured, and though it’s not too serious, young ladies are different from men and should rest more. You should be more considerate.”

Xiao Jue coldly replied: “Mind your own business.”

“How can this be called minding others’ business? Little Sister He is my friend, and your friend too. Friends should help each other.”

“Take care of yourself first.”

Lin Shuanghe waved his fan, sensitively detecting that Xiao Jue wasn’t in a good mood today. Although this person’s mood, whether good or bad, rarely showed on his face, after years of friendship, some subtle details could still be noticed.

He was about to inquire further when he looked up and saw someone else walking ahead. In the Liangzhou Guard, apart from new recruits and instructors, people not wearing the uniform always stood out. Lin Shuanghe said, “Fourth Young Master Chu?”

Chu Zhao turned around, saw it was Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe, and nodded, “Commander Xiao, Young Master Lin.”

“So late, what is Fourth Young Master Chu doing here?” Lin Shuanghe asked.

“I just took a walk by the Wulu River and am heading back now.”

The weather had gradually started to warm up, bringing early summer heat. The Wulu River bank had lost its winter desolation and become pleasantly cool. Taking a walk at night was indeed comfortable.

Xiao Jue remained cold as ice, completely unwilling to engage with Chu Zhao. Lin Shuanghe, however, was naturally diplomatic and couldn’t bear to leave the atmosphere so tense. Though he didn’t have much interaction with Chu Zhao, he tried to make conversation, asking, “What is Fourth Young Master Chu carrying at his waist?”

Chu Zhao followed his gaze and smiled: “It’s just a stone.”

Lin Shuanghe was somewhat curious. As the fourth young master of the Chu family and Minister Xu’s favorite disciple, though Chu Zhao’s dress wasn’t excessively luxurious or expensive, it was still refined. He had thought Chu Zhao was wearing jade at his waist, but unexpectedly it was just a stone. Had the Chu family fallen on hard times? How shabby!

Seeming to notice the surprise in Lin Shuanghe’s eyes, Chu Zhao smiled and untied the stone from his waist, handing it to Lin Shuanghe.

Lin Shuanghe took a look – it was a flat stone naturally shaped like a horse, with traces of carving at the tail. There were also engravings on the horse’s head and body. If it were made of jade, it might have been considered interesting and lively, but made of stone, it looked more like a child’s toy, with nothing particularly special about it.

Indeed, it was just a stone.

“Why would Fourth Young Master Chu choose to wear a stone?” Lin Shuanghe returned the stone to him, clearing his throat, “This stone hardly befits Fourth Young Master Chu’s status.”

“A friend’s gesture is priceless, even if it’s just a stone,” Chu Zhao replied seriously.

Hearing this, Lin Shuanghe felt mischievous and smiled at Chu Zhao: “Is Fourth Young Master Chu suggesting this is a gift from a sweetheart?” In his heart, his opinion of Chu Zhao greatly improved. After all, Chu Zhao was someone Xu Pingting had her eye on. No matter how capable Chu Zhao was, he wouldn’t dare openly oppose Minister Xu, who doted most on his precious daughter. The prideful Xu Pingting would certainly never give Chu Zhao a stone – whoever gave such a gift must be a daughter from an ordinary family. For Chu Zhao to openly wear a gift from a woman other than Xu Pingting, unafraid of the consequences should the Xu father and daughter discover it…

How could one not admire that?

Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a smile: “It’s not from any sweetheart, it’s from Brother He.”

With these words, the surroundings fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Jue’s gaze fell on Chu Zhao’s face, while Lin Shuanghe eagerly asked: “You say it was given to you by… Brother He?”

“More or less,” Chu Zhao said, “She carved and completed the stone herself.”

Lin Shuanghe was greatly alarmed.

Despite all precautions, He Yan had still fallen into this! Even giving away stones – it was clear she must be quite fond of him. But this couldn’t be blamed on her; at such an age when one first experiences love, who could resist the advances of a gentle, kind, and handsome young master?

If it were anyone else it wouldn’t matter, but Chu Zilan, Lin Shuanghe believed, was no good match. Setting aside the mess of affairs in his father Chu Lingfeng’s household, just dealing with Xu Pingting alone would be difficult enough. He Yan had no status or background; it would be child’s play for Xu Pingting to find an excuse to deal with her. If Chu Zhao truly cared for He Yan, the best course would be to keep his distance, yet his obvious display only made He Yan a living target, placing her in front to await Xu Pingting’s trouble.

Moreover, Chu Zhao knew of He Yan’s true identity as a woman.

For a moment, even the usually benevolent Lin Shuanghe regarded Chu Zhao with hostility.

Being who he was, Chu Zhao noticed Lin Shuanghe’s sudden hostility but maintained his composure. He looked at Xiao Jue – the young master’s dark blue brocade robe took on a cold luster in the night, his figure tall and graceful, his eyes dark as he gazed calmly at Chu Zhao.

There seemed to be a sharp edge to that gaze.

He smiled and cupped his hands: “I’ve reached my quarters, so I won’t disturb Commander Xiao and Young Master Lin any further. See you tomorrow.” With that, he turned and went in another direction.

“This Chu Zilan seems to have ill intentions,” Lin Shuanghe muttered, watching his retreating figure.

It seemed he was targeting He Yan.

…

The lamps were lit again in the room.

Xiao Jue changed his clothes and sat at the table. After watching the recruits train at the martial arts ground during the day, he still had to review military registers sent from the capital at night.

Lin Shuanghe sat to one side, watching him. He went out briefly and quickly returned, silently placing a plate of preserved fruits on Xiao Jue’s table.

Xiao Jue glanced at him.

“The kitchen just made these today. Since you like them, have some more.”

Xiao Jue frowned: “What is this?”

“Plums!” Lin Shuanghe slapped his thigh, saying earnestly: “Don’t you like sour things? These are freshly picked without pickling – as sour as can be.”

After a moment’s silence, Xiao Jue said: “Take them away.”

Lin Shuanghe stood straight, fanning himself: “I won’t leave. Xiao Huaijin, after what Chu Zilan said, how can you still sit here calmly? If you don’t make a move, it’s only a matter of time before Little Sister He is taken away by Chu Zilan.”

The young man replied indifferently: “It’s none of my concern.”

“You, me, and Little Sister He faced life and death together in Jiyang City. If not for love, then at least for loyalty. We both know what kind of person Chu Zilan is. As men, his intentions are clear as day. Chu Zilan can’t break free from Xu Pingting, yet he keeps my Little Sister He pining for him. You don’t know, but when I was in Jiyang before, Little Sister He told me she wouldn’t marry in this lifetime because of her unrequited love for Chu Zilan. Tell me, how great a sin is this man committing?”

Xiao Jue lowered his eyes, his gaze flickering slightly, but he didn’t stop Lin Shuanghe from continuing.

“To flirt without the ability to marry – I think this shows poor character,” Lin Shuanghe said. “My Little Sister He may be a bit foolish, but she’s skilled in martial arts, loyal, and not bad-looking. Besides her ordinary background, how is she inferior to others? Such a good girl shouldn’t be wasted on Chu Zilan. In Liangzhou Guard, besides me, only you can match Chu Zilan. Go and win back Little Sister He’s heart, then we can plan for the long term.”

Xiao Jue sneered: “What kind of person do you take me for?”

“I know this is unfair to you,” Lin Shuanghe patted his friend’s shoulder. “But think about it – if Chu Zilan continues this way unchecked, something bad will happen eventually. Can you say there aren’t people arranged by Xu Pingting around him? Once word gets back to her, Little Sister He will be in big trouble. I can’t stand by and watch, and neither can you. After all, you two even played at being husband and wife – one day as spouses means a hundred days of affection. How can you be so heartless?”

He was going too far. Xiao Jue said: “One more word of nonsense, and tomorrow I’ll have someone escort you back to Shuojing.”

Lin Shuanghe choked, sighed, and said: “I’ve said what needed to be said. If you won’t act, I will. I can’t let my Little Sister He be bullied by Xu Pingting for nothing.”

With that, he waved his hand and left.

The room fell quiet again. Xiao Jue’s gaze fell on the plate of unripe plums on the table, and he suddenly felt irritated. The brush in his hand paused, then snapped in two.

The next moment, there came a rustling sound from the middle door. The lock clicked open, and though the door was already opening, the person still made a show of knocking: “Commander, may I come in?”

Xiao Jue: “…”

“I’ll take your silence as agreement.” The person said naturally, pushing the door open, and immediately met Xiao Jue’s ice-cold gaze.

“Ahem,” He Yan stood straight, “Commander, you’re in here? Why didn’t you say anything? I thought you weren’t in.”

Xiao Jue: “Do you need something?”

“I came to ask,” He Yan said seriously, “for tomorrow’s training, should I follow today’s amount or return to the previous level?”

Although she had offended Xiao Jue and made him angry today, he was still her superior, so He Yan had to come to ask good-naturedly.

“If you have enough strength, you can do five times as much.”

Why did it sound like his anger hadn’t subsided, and was growing? He Yan pondered, feeling it would be best to avoid provoking today’s Xiao Jue further, so she nodded, “I understand. Then Commander, rest early. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you further.” With that, she turned to leave.

“You’re busy?” Xiao Jue sneered: “With what?”

“Fourth Young Master Chu asked me to meet him tonight, saying he has something important to tell me,” He Yan said: “It should be about time.”

She spoke uncertainly; in truth, He Yan wasn’t clear what Chu Zhao wanted to discuss. When Yingxiang came to deliver the message, she had seemed solemn, making it impossible to take lightly.

Xiao Jue raised his eyes to look at her.

In the lamplight, the young commander’s features were impossibly handsome, his inner robes loose, his skin like jade, yet his eyes were like a frozen pond of three winters, his gaze so sharp it inspired fear.

His voice, however, was very calm, with barely detectable anger.

“Not allowed to go.”