People often said General Fei Hong and General Feng Yun were like fire and water, constantly in conflict openly and secretly. But He Yan always felt it wasn’t that dramatic.

At most, they were both young military recruits who achieved great military merits and received imperial honors at a young age – people just loved comparing them. The rest was merely hearsay, embellished as it spread until it became unrecognizable, both amusing and ridiculous.

At least in fourteen-year-old He Yan’s heart, she harbored no hostility toward the young master of the Xiao family.

By then, she had been disguised as a man for years, playing the role of “He Rufei” skillfully. Only one thing proved slightly difficult – at that age, boys should have already been attending school to study with teachers.

Boys and girls were different – girls could have teachers come to their homes for instruction, but boys couldn’t do that. The He family had always hired tutors to teach at home, but as she grew older, it wouldn’t look good to others. The He family still had their pride to maintain.

So after much delay and hesitation, they finally sent her to Xian Chang Academy when she turned fourteen.

Xian Chang Academy was the capital’s most prestigious school. Its founder had been the Imperial Tutor when the current Emperor was still the Crown Prince. The academy taught the Six Arts, and all the teachers were prominent court officials. Those who studied there were the elite among the nobility.

Though the He family held a title, they were still a notch below the families at Xian Chang Academy. But somehow He Yuanliang had a stroke of luck – one day while drinking at a restaurant, he helped settle a dispute, and the person he helped turned out to be an instructor at Xian Chang Academy. The instructor mentioned they were recruiting new students for spring, and remembering that the He family’s main branch had the eldest son, suggested sending him to study at Xian Chang Academy.

He Yuanliang hesitated for a long time and discussed it with He Yuansheng. He Yuansheng always pursued fame and fortune and thought it was a good idea. Sending He Yan to Xian Chang Academy might help her meet many other noble young lords – befriending them would only benefit the He family, not harm it. If one day the real He Rufei returned, the title of “Xian Chang Academy student” would only add to his prestige.

He Yan was overjoyed when she learned of this.

Though she dressed as a man, within the He family she had to follow women’s rules – no ball games, no public appearances, even martial arts had to be learned in secret. Yet she wasn’t a proper woman either – while the He family’s daughters learned the four arts, she as “He Rufei” couldn’t join them.

It was as if she couldn’t do anything at all.

But Xian Chang Academy was different. She heard it was full of talented people, and many came and went. There were many youths her age – not only could she learn skills, but she could also make friends.

These were benefits women couldn’t enjoy. Suddenly she felt somewhat grateful for taking He Rufei’s identity.

He Yuansheng’s wife – her nominal mother but actual aunt – handed her the carefully crafted mask, worrying, “Be extremely careful when you go, don’t let anyone discover your identity.”

He Yan nodded.

She disliked wearing the mask. Though thin, it was airtight, only revealing her chin and eyes. All these years, she never removed it, even while sleeping. The craftsman was skilled – one side was secured in her hair bun with a mechanism that wouldn’t fall off even in combat, and only she could open it.

Madam He sternly warned again: “Remember, if you’re exposed, the entire He family will face disaster!”

She knew – this had been said thousands of times. Deceiving the emperor was a crime that would implicate nine generations of relatives.

“I understand,” He Yan answered respectfully.

Madam He anxiously sent her off in the carriage.

To outsiders, this scene appeared to show deep mother-son affection. But in He Yan’s heart, she felt immense relief, her chest filled with the joy of gaining freedom. She had finally escaped a life where every move was controlled – freedom was right before her eyes.

The carriage stopped at Xian Chang Academy’s gate, and the servant helped her down but could only wait outside for her return after classes.

She arrived too early – the teachers hadn’t arrived yet, but she could faintly hear students reading and chatting. He Yan stepped inside, full of anticipation.

The spring sun was already out in the early morning. Past the entrance was a large courtyard, then a garden, with the school buildings furthest in. The courtyard had stables, like a small training ground. The garden was elegantly maintained, with a pond and willows.

And a swing.

The wind gently swayed the swing. He Yan wanted to sit on it but didn’t dare – a man swinging would likely invite ridicule. She could only reluctantly touch it before continuing forward.

The willows had all sprouted, their green reflection in the lake enhancing the scenery. The sunlight made her drowsy. She rubbed her eyes and saw a loquat tree ahead.

The He family could afford loquats, and He Yan had eaten them over the years. But this was her first time seeing a loquat tree full of fruit. The golden fruits seemed filled with honey, plump and fragrant, very tempting in the sunlight.

Being just a fourteen-year-old girl with a playful heart, seeing this reminded her of the maids using bamboo poles to pick plums in the courtyard during summer. Of course, the He family’s eldest young master couldn’t personally pick plums, but surely picking one loquat at school wouldn’t be improper? Boys picking loquats wasn’t shameful.

Thinking this, she rolled up her sleeves, ready for action.

But having left in a hurry, she had nothing besides the tuition payment and study materials for the teacher – and there were no poles around. Fortunately, the loquat tree wasn’t too tall; she might reach it with a jump.

He Yan fixed her gaze on the nearest fruit, hanging heavily at the branch tip, golden and seemingly beckoning to be picked.

She jumped with all her might but caught nothing.

Almost had it.

He Yan didn’t give up, tried again with all her strength.

Still caught nothing.

She had always been stubborn, so she tried again.

Still caught nothing.

After countless failures, just as He Yan was panting from exhaustion, she suddenly heard a snicker from above.

He Yan looked up bewildered.

The loquat tree was thick with branches and leaves, and she had been so focused on the fruit that she hadn’t noticed someone sitting in the tree.

This person must have been there for a while, probably witnessing all her attempts. She looked up, and the sunlight gradually illuminated his features.

He was a handsome youth in white robes and embroidered boots, his expression lazy yet proud, hands behind his head, the very picture of elegant refinement. He looked down impatiently, his eyes captivating.

He Yan froze.

She had never seen such a handsome youth, as if he embodied all of spring’s beauty. She felt suddenly inferior, thankful that her mask hid her blushing face, though her young age couldn’t hide the amazement in her eyes.

The handsome youth glanced at her and casually plucked a fruit.

Was he… going to give it to her?

He Yan felt shy.

The youth suddenly turned and gracefully landed, his white robes dazzling He Yan’s eyes. She watched him approach with the fruit, hesitating, unsure what to say.

Should she say thank you? Or tell him he was handsome?

She was so nervous she wanted to twist the hem of her clothes.

The youth came before her and suddenly smiled.

That smile was like a thousand trees blooming, bright as dawn. He Yan excitedly said, “Tha-“

Before she could finish “thank you,” he walked past her.

He Yan: “?”

She turned to watch the white-robed youth walking away, tossing the big golden loquat up and down, his manner casual, as if mocking her presumption.

He Yan stood there, taking a while to calm her emotions before following in the youth’s direction toward the school building.

However, just as she reached the building’s entrance, she heard people talking inside, lively voices, one cheerful voice asking, “I heard the He family’s eldest young master is also coming to study at our academy today, Brother Huaijin, have you seen him?”

She took a step forward, secretly peering through the window gap, and heard a lazy voice reply, “Haven’t seen the He family’s eldest young master, only saw someone short and stupid.”

Short… and stupid?

He Yan had never been described this way in her life. Stupid was one thing, but short… short?

How was she short? Among girls her age, she was quite tall!

He Yan wanted to see who would make such a blind judgment. Looking up, she saw that radiant youth surrounded by others, his gaze carelessly turning toward the window gap.

As if he knew she was peeking.

Laughter rang out from the school building.

Among the world’s grass and trees, in the boundless scenery, spring flourished, the forest flowers like brocade.

This was her first meeting with Xiao Jue.