“You’re not allowed to go,” he said firmly.

He Yan froze. After a moment, she asked, “Why?”

Xiao Jue looked at her, his lips curving into his characteristic mocking smile. “Chu Zilan is Xu Jingfu’s man, staying in Liangzhou Guard with ulterior motives. Getting too close to a spy – are you planning to defect and become one of Xu Jingfu’s people?”

This was a serious accusation. He Yan repeatedly denied it, “No, I’m not! I wouldn’t!”

Xiao Jue coldly snorted, ignoring her.

“Commander, I’m well aware of Fourth Young Master Chu’s special status,” He Yan said with sincere earnestness. “I promise, in our daily conversations, we’ve never discussed anything related to Liangzhou Guard’s confidential matters. Besides, I don’t even know any military secrets. If Fourth Young Master Chu truly attempts to probe about military affairs, I would certainly avoid such topics.” In her previous life, she had been particularly sensitive about such matters, so Xiao Jue didn’t need to worry about this.

“Moreover,” He Yan added, “If he truly has ulterior motives in Liangzhou Guard, my closeness to him might help us extract some information that could be beneficial to us.”

Xiao Jue glanced at her. “You’re so foolish, you’d probably have your secrets exposed before getting anything out of him.”

He Yan: “…”

Perhaps Jiang Jiao was wrong – it wasn’t just women who had a particularly irritable period each month; men seemed to have their days too when they found fault with everyone.

Realizing that Xiao Jue wouldn’t relent today, He Yan sighed inwardly and said, “Alright, Commander, I won’t go see him. But I should at least inform the maid from Fourth Young Master Chu’s household, otherwise it would be impolite to break the appointment without any explanation.”

When Ying Xiang had come earlier, she had seemed quite serious – perhaps there was something urgent.

Xiao Jue remained expressionless. “No need. You won’t be associating with them anymore anyway.”

He Yan: “…”

Xiao Jue was certainly very direct.

…

As the night deepened, Ying Xiang entered from outside, closed the door, and approached the man standing by the window. She reported softly, “Fourth Young Master, the light in Miss He’s room has gone out. She must have retired for the night.”

Hearing this, Chu Zhao showed no anger, only shaking his head with a slight smile. “As expected.”

“It must be Commander Xiao who didn’t allow it,” Ying Xiang said. “Though to break an appointment without even sending word is really…”

“It’s fine,” Chu Zhao turned to the thrush in the birdcage hanging by the window. In this harsh land, the bird added a touch of color, reminiscent of the prosperity of Shuojing. After playing with the bird for a moment, he turned and said, “The more protective Xiao Huaijin becomes, the more it proves one thing.”

“He Yan is different to him.”

The lamplight on the table flickered gently, his voice fading into the shadows.

“She will become Xiao Huaijin’s weakness.”

…

The next day, He Yan went to the training ground as usual for daily practice. Xiao Jue was present today, and given his unusual mood these past few days, He Yan didn’t dare slack off, training with particular diligence. Around noon, just before break time, Shen Han and others suddenly came running from the recruits’ section of the Liangzhou Guard. They rushed to Xiao Jue’s side, saying, “Commander, Commander, people have arrived from the capital!”

The announcement was rather loud, but the Southern Garrison troops remained unmoved. He Yan, however, found it strange. Why would anyone from the capital come to the Liangzhou Guard? Since driving away Da Muz and his Wuto people last time, the Liangzhou Guard had been peaceful for over half a year. For the capital to send people now – had something major happened?

Xiao Jue instructed Tian Lang to continue drilling the new troops while he went with Shen Han to another area. After a while, Shen Han and Xiao Jue reappeared, followed by a large group of people. Leading them was a eunuch in palace robes, holding a horsetail whisk and wearing a benevolent smile. Xiao Jue signaled to Tian Lang, who immediately had the Southern Garrison troops halt their training.

The kindly-looking eunuch stepped forward and smiled, “Which one is He Yan?”

He Yan, startled at hearing her name, stepped forward and bowed, “This humble one is He Yan.”

The eunuch looked He Yan up and down, his gaze somewhat unsettling. This scene was familiar to He Yan from her past life, and she suddenly wondered if…

The next moment, the eunuch announced, “His Majesty has an imperial decree. Young Master He, please receive it.”

He Yan respectfully knelt as the man before her unrolled the imperial yellow scroll and proclaimed in a long voice: “By Heaven’s mandate, the Emperor decrees: He Yan of Liangzhou Guard has shown unwavering loyalty and valor, repeatedly achieving remarkable merit in the Wuto campaign. We are greatly pleased. Hereby confer the title of Wu’an Lang, with corresponding ceremonial attire. Let this be known throughout the realm. So be it!”

He Yan was stunned. Wu’an Lang?

Seeing her motionless, the eunuch prompted, “Young Master He, quickly accept the decree and give thanks!”

He Yan hurriedly came forward to kowtow and receive the decree, still puzzled in her heart. Why would His Majesty bestow honors upon her at this particular time? On the surface, it was for the previous Wuto military affair in the Liangzhou Guard and the Jiyang City incident. But how had the palace learned of this? Xiao Jue wouldn’t have mentioned it, and even if Mu Hongjin had reported it, he would have only stated the facts. The Emperor wouldn’t normally notice someone as insignificant as her, especially since she wasn’t the main character in these two battles.

While these doubts still lingered in her mind, the eunuch was already smiling and cupping his hands to He Yan, “Congratulations, congratulations! Young Master He, achieving such success at such a young age – your prospects are boundless.”

He Yan smiled and returned the gesture, then looked toward Xiao Jue. His brows were slightly furrowed, seemingly not particularly pleased with the current situation. He Yan understood – this matter had likely caught Xiao Jue by surprise as well.

The capital’s envoys hadn’t come solely to honor her. The main purpose was to reward Xiao Jue, the commanding officer, and chests of rewards were being carried into the Liangzhou Guard. The Southern Garrison troops, under strict discipline, didn’t dare to look aside. But the Liangzhou Guard’s recruits, never having seen such a spectacle, immediately stretched their necks at the training ground, straining to hear what was happening.

When Xiao Jue went with the palace officials to speak inside the garrison, the Liangzhou Guard’s recruits surged forward as one, surrounding He Yan in the middle, offering congratulations from all sides.

“Congratulations, Brother He, promoted so quickly!”

“Does this mean you won’t be staying in our Liangzhou Guard anymore? You’ll be going to the capital! Hey, does anyone know what kind of official Wu’an Lang is? Is it more powerful than an instructor? If so, wouldn’t the instructor have to call Brother He ‘Big Brother’ from now on?”

“I always said Brother He was extraordinary. The first time I saw Brother He, I knew he wasn’t ordinary and would rise above others sooner or later.”

“Bah, stop with your hindsight wisdom!”

The crowd pressed so tightly around He Yan that she couldn’t get a complete sentence out. Finally, Hong Shan, seeing the situation, pulled her out and they ran at full speed. When they reached the riverside where there were fewer people, Xiao Mai and the others caught up, and He Yan finally got some breathing room.

“Ah Yan, congratulations!” Hong Shan laughed heartily. “You’ve finally achieved what you wanted.”

“You’ve completed half the path to establishing merit and fame,” Huang Xiong fingered the Buddhist beads around his neck. “That’s already very quick.”

“What kind of dumb luck is this?” Wang Ba was quite disgruntled. “Did you feed some kind of love potion to the higher-ups?”

Jiang Jiao smiled, “This is Brother He’s own step-by-step achievement. In a place like Jiyang, one wrong move could have cost him his life. Since he risked everything, these current rewards are well-deserved.”

“But,” Xiao Mai looked at He Yan, “why doesn’t Brother Ah Yan look very happy?”

Everyone turned to look at He Yan. Back when competing for the banner in the Liangzhou Guard, He Yan had seemed desperate to enter the Nine Banners Army and establish merit. Now that she had been granted an official position, there was no joy on her face, only traces of worry.

Shi Tou asked, “Did something happen?”

He Yan forced a smile, “Nothing, just… it’s hard to believe, that’s all.”

“Hah,” Wang Ba sneered, “This is like a beggar finding money and going crazy with joy. What’s there not to be happy about? You’re being pretentious!”

He Yan didn’t say anything. In truth, it wasn’t that she wasn’t happy, just that it felt strange. Precisely because in her previous life as “He Rufei,” her merits had been earned step by step, she knew how difficult promotion was. To suddenly be granted an official position now, for no apparent reason, was highly unusual, especially this position of Wu’an Lang.

It was hard not to overthink it.

Perhaps she should ask Xiao Jue what was going on.

…

After finishing her conversation with Hong Shan and the others, He Yan planned to return and find Xiao Jue to clarify what had happened.

Before reaching her quarters, she saw Shen Muxue and Xiao Jue in the courtyard in front of the house. The two were standing under a tree, with Shen Muxue saying something to Xiao Jue. Shortly after, Shen Muxue bent down to lift a piece of silk from a box on the ground. Among the Emperor’s rewards, there were probably precious fabrics, but since Xiao Jue had no family, and Shen Muxue was the only young lady in Liangzhou Guard, these clothing materials naturally went to her.

Shen Muxue seemed very happy, holding the silk and thanking Xiao Jue. Since He Yan had first met Shen Muxue, this young lady had always been cold and aloof, like an unreachable fairy. Now, seeing her smiling like a flower at Xiao Jue, He Yan’s advancing footsteps stopped, her legs feeling as heavy as if they carried a thousand pounds, unable to move forward.

She hesitated, planning to wait until the two finished talking before approaching when unexpectedly, a voice came from beside her: “Why don’t you go over?”

He Yan turned around to find Chu Zhao standing before her, looking at her with some confusion.

“It’s not too urgent, it can wait,” He Yan said evasively. “Why is Brother Chu here?”

“I came looking for you,” Chu Zhao glanced at the two under the tree, then looked back at He Yan. “Since Brother He isn’t in a hurry, why don’t we handle my matter first?”

He Yan thought for a moment and said, “Alright.”

She turned and walked with Chu Zhao in the opposite direction from Xiao Jue, asking, “Does Brother Chu have urgent business with me?”

“It seems Brother He is truly busy with daily training, so busy that you’ve forgotten our appointment from last night, and still haven’t remembered it now.”

He Yan suddenly realized – she had remembered it this morning, but with the imperial appointment coming down, she had completely forgotten about Chu Zhao’s matter. She apologized, “I’m sorry, I fell asleep last night without meaning to, and today I was planning to come to apologize to you, but…”

“I’m just joking, don’t take it to heart,” Chu Zhao smiled. “You received an official appointment today – you should be happy.”

He Yan paused in her steps. “You already knew?”

“I knew yesterday,” said Chu Zhao. Seeing He Yan’s instant confusion, he explained, “The people from the capital sent me a message by carrier pigeon yesterday, saying they would arrive today. When I sought you out last night, I was planning to tell you about this. I thought that since you were suddenly receiving an appointment, I should give you advance notice so you wouldn’t be caught off guard. I didn’t expect you’d be asleep. However, seeing Brother He remaining so calm after the appointment, it seems I worried unnecessarily.”

“You said the people from the capital sent you a message by carrier pigeon yesterday?” He Yan looked at him. “Why would they inform you?”

Even Xiao Jue probably hadn’t received advance notice.

“Because,” Chu Zhao looked into her eyes with a slight smile, “I was the one who requested His Majesty to grant Brother He an official position.”

It was him?

Despite He Yan’s many guesses, she had never considered this possibility. She could only ask, “Why would Brother Chu do this?”

Chu Zhao continued walking forward, speaking softly, “In Jiyang City, we both witnessed the brutality of the Wuto soldiers firsthand. By the river, Brother He gave me clothing that could resist fire and water, for which I’m deeply grateful. War is cruel, yet Brother He showed no fear. I saw your bravery with my own eyes. Moreover, I had heard about your fierce battle with Da Muz before that. Great Wei is fortunate to have a hero like Brother He.”

“I don’t know why Commander Xiao wouldn’t promote you, but if I could help Brother He ‘establish merit and achieve fame,’ I would gladly do so.”

Though these words seemed perfectly reasonable, He Yan still felt something was strange. After some thought, she said, “But Brother Chu’s actions truly surprise me.”

“You don’t seem happy about the appointment?” he asked.

“I’m just a bit overwhelmed at the moment.”

Chu Zhao looked at her, then smiled after a moment. “I thought you would be happy, since after the appointment, the distance between you and Commander Xiao has shortened. Since you like him, you needn’t worry about status differences anymore.”

He Yan nearly choked on her saliva and sharply looked at Chu Zhao. “What did you say?”

“Doesn’t Brother He like Commander Xiao very much?” Chu Zhao smiled gently, rubbing his nose. “Otherwise, why would you look so troubled when you saw Lady Doctor Shen with Commander Xiao just now?”

“I don’t,” He Yan reflexively denied.

Chu Zhao smiled without speaking, neither pressing her nor glossing over her words. He Yan felt quite dejected, wondering if she had missed many subtle details in the past. How did everyone see it so clearly – Liu Buwang, Lin Shuanghe, and even Chu Zhao?

Had she been that obvious? She thought she had always been restrained and polite, careful and cautious.

Chu Zhao looked into the distance. “Commander Xiao might have feelings for you too. Given his personality, he’s already shown you considerable care.”

He Yan asked, “You think so?”

“If Brother He wants to know Commander Xiao’s true feelings, it’s quite simple,” Chu Zhao smiled. “I can help you test him.”

“Test him how?” He Yan was puzzled.

The man before her suddenly drew closer. He Yan’s back was against a tree, and when he leaned in, she nearly reflexively threw a punch. His face stopped just in front of hers, his gaze smiling and particularly intoxicating. “It’s very simple. Brother He is a lady who doesn’t understand men’s possessiveness. If I deliberately act very close to you, and if Commander Xiao has feelings for you, he will surely become very angry. If he remains unmoved… then you needn’t waste any more thoughts on him. So, this is a very simple method.”

He Yan silently repeated his words in her mind before understanding his meaning. While she could recite the Thirty-Six Stratagems backward when it came to military matters, this kind of emotional scheming was entirely new to her. She immediately asked, “…According to what you’re saying, wouldn’t that be using you?”

Chu Zhao continued looking at her with a smile, his gaze unbearably gentle. “If it’s Brother He, I don’t mind being used.”

Those words were truly touching.

However…

He Yan straightened up and stepped sideways, avoiding his proximity. “Thank you for your kind intentions, Brother Chu, but I don’t want to do this.”

A flash of surprise crossed Chu Zhao’s eyes. “Why not?”

“I think I understand what you mean. But how can matters of the heart involve such schemes? Whether I openly express my feelings for someone or keep them silent forever, it should be straightforward and honest. If I had to exhaust myself with tests and guesses, wouldn’t that be tiresome? Even if such methods led to success, it wouldn’t be what I truly want. Haven’t you heard the saying? Using lies to verify lies only leads to more lies. In the end, I wouldn’t even know what’s true and what’s false.”

He Yan didn’t say another thing: knowing how much Xiao Jue disliked Chu Zhao, even if Xiao Jue didn’t like her, he would still be furious seeing her with Chu Zhao. If she misinterpreted that reaction, wouldn’t she be fooling herself?

Chu Zhao was taken aback. “Doesn’t Brother He wants to know what place you hold in Commander Xiao’s heart?”

“No, I don’t.”

He Yan’s quick answer left Chu Zhao momentarily speechless.

“Fourth Young Master Chu, I never intended for him to know,” He Yan said. “And I don’t plan for him to know in the future either. So, while I appreciate your kind intentions…”

“You don’t want to be with him?”

“In this world, everything changes in an instant. Being together, Fourth Young Master Chu, is something you can only be certain of for a moment, not a lifetime. And all I can be certain of is my own heart.”

Chu Zhao looked at He Yan, his lips moving as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing. After a moment, he recovered his earlier smile. “Since these are Brother He’s wishes, I shouldn’t presume. However, my earlier offer still stands – if someday Brother He changes your mind and wishes to ‘use’ me, I won’t refuse in the slightest.”

He Yan also smiled, her tone particularly firm: “That day will never come.”

…

As He Yan’s figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Ying Xiang walked out of the house and softly said, “Fourth Young Master.”

Chu Zhao looked at his empty hands and clicked his tongue. “She refused.”

“Miss He doesn’t intend to let Commander Xiao know her feelings,” Ying Xiang sighed. “She probably doesn’t want to put Commander Xiao in a difficult position.”

Chu Zhao gave a faint smile. “To think there exists such a foolish woman in this world, neither willing to fight for love nor seeking to be together, clinging to intangible feelings while believing it to be the noblest thing in the world. How laughable.”

It reminded him of Ye Runmei, who was just the same. Women who sacrifice themselves for love are all so foolish, deserving only contempt.

Ying Xiang lowered her eyes and remained silent. After a while, she heard Chu Zhao say, “Let’s go.”

…

He Yan walked back slowly.

She never would have imagined that it was Chu Zhao who had requested her official appointment from Emperor Wenxuan. The reasons Chu Zhao gave her sounded perfectly reasonable. If He Yan had truly been an ignorant recruit, she would have been overjoyed at suddenly receiving an appointment. Any previous prejudices or suspicions about Chu Zhao would have instantly vanished, and she would have blamed herself for judging a gentleman with a petty person’s heart.

But she wasn’t an ignorant recruit – she was Fei Hong, someone very familiar with military affairs and leadership. Therefore, He Yan understood better than anyone that Wu’an Lang was in a position without real power. Though it sounded impressive as a fourth-rank position, with all its pomp and circumstance, in reality, it commanded no troops. In her previous life, without anyone to rely on, she had to start as a recruit, trading countless military achievements to superiors just to get a minor official position, gradually working her way up until no one could overshadow her merits, finally earning the Emperor’s recognition. But now, while it appeared she had achieved instant success, she had less power than a captain of a hundred men.

If Chu Zhao had merely requested an appointment from the Emperor, with the specific position being the Emperor’s own decision, that would have been fine. But if the position of Wu’an Lang had been Chu Zhao’s specific suggestion, the implications ran much deeper.

He requested an appointment for her, yet chose a position completely devoid of real power – what exactly was he plotting?

…

In the room, Fei Nu and Lin Shuanghe stood watching the person by the window.

“My little sister Yan received an appointment?” Lin Shuanghe was bewildered. “Didn’t you say we had to wait until returning to Shuojing for you to see His Majesty? What happened?”

“Master Lin,” Fei Nu couldn’t help saying, “This time, it was Fourth Young Master Chu who requested the appointment from His Majesty.”

“Chu Zilan?” Lin Shuanghe frowned. “What business is it of his whether my little sister Yan receives an appointment or not? What kind of favor is he trying to curry?”

Xiao Jue’s expression remained calm, but looking closely, there was a hint of frost in his eyes.

Fei Nu sighed, “It’s not about currying favor. Receiving an appointment now isn’t a good thing.”

Lin Shuanghe’s fan-waving stopped abruptly. He looked at Fei Nu, then at Xiao Jue. “What do you mean by that? I don’t quite understand.”

“I had planned to request her appointment after returning to the capital, revealing her identity as a woman,” Xiao Jue said coldly. “Chu Zilan acted first, appearing to help He Yan while laying a trap.”

“When the day comes that He Yan’s identity is exposed, it will be considered deceiving the emperor, a crime punishable by death for nine generations of the family.”

Lin Shuanghe drew in a sharp breath.

He stammered, “That… that can’t be right. Didn’t Chu Zilan already know about little sister Yan’s female identity? It’s been kept secret so well all this time, surely… surely it won’t be exposed in the future?”

“This is exactly where Chu Zilan is clever,” Xiao Jue sneered. “Originally, he only wanted to deal with me.”

He Yan was merely a tool to be used. Chu Zhao had indeed kept He Yan’s identity secret, not revealing it to the world, yet turned around and requested an official appointment for her, successfully turning He Yan’s identity into a trap. Without this incident, when He Yan’s female identity was eventually revealed, various reasons could have been used to handle the situation. But after receiving the Emperor’s honors and appointment, everything was different.

He Yan would become the perfect knife to pierce Xiao Jue’s heart.

This was Chu Zilan’s plan.