As Xiao Jue and his companions followed the palace servant inside, He Yan sat alone in the carriage. Hearing his casual words “take you home,” though knowing they were spoken offhandedly, made her feel dizzy and lightheaded. She buried her face in her palms, feeling somewhat elated.
She didn’t know what “home” meant. In her previous life, though the He family was home, they never gave her affection or warmth. The Xu family was also home, yet they pushed her into the cold pool waters. In this life, the other “He family” finally gave her some attachment and warmth to living in this world, but before things were properly resolved, she couldn’t rashly meet with them.
Thinking of this, He Yan’s earlier joy gradually settled.
She needed to find a way to go back and see Yun Sheng and He Sui. Having been gone for over a year, He Sui and He Yun Sheng must be extremely worried. Back in Liangzhou, after her identity was discovered, He Yan secretly gave money to Fei Nu, begging him to find a way for someone from Shuojing to send a message to He Sui about her safety. After reaching Jiyang, when the Wutuo warfare began, she forgot about this matter and hadn’t sent word to He Sui and the others for some time – they must be worried.
She also needed to find a way to visit the Xu family.
Starting with He Ru Fei would be rather difficult. She needed to begin with the Xu family. When He Yan was killed, neither Xu Zhi Heng nor He Ru Fei had directly shown their faces – she died at He Wan Ru’s hands. Given Xu Zhi Heng’s nature, he would certainly kill He Wan Ru to silence her, and perhaps everyone present that day would not escape death. But surely the Xu family had some clever people? Just as the Battle of Mingshui left behind Chai An Xi, there must be survivors in the Xu family compound.
That would be her opportunity.
She needed to first prove that the death of Xu’s first madam was suspicious before she could gradually unravel the threads to expose the He family’s greatest sinister secret.
He Yan was carefully considering her plans after returning to Shuojing when, without realizing it, the sky gradually darkened. When the lanterns at the palace gate lit up, she saw familiar figures walking out.
Only Xiao Jue and Yan He emerged, without Lin Shuang He. He Yan asked curiously, “Where is Brother Lin?”
“Imperial Physician Lin is staying in the palace for now,” Xiao Jue answered, then looked toward Yan He.
“Don’t look at me, I’m heading back to my residence now,” Yan He called for servants to fetch his horse. “Cheng Xiu is waiting for me at home,” he seemed particularly proud that someone was waiting for him. “You’re all alone, so naturally you don’t care about such things.” With that, he mounted his horse, said “Farewell,” and rode away.
Truthfully, He Yan used to think Yan He was stubborn and argumentative, constantly comparing himself to any talented person he met, making his life unnecessarily difficult. Now seeing him leave with a face full of smiles, she actually felt a hint of envy.
Perhaps having someone waiting at home after a long journey was indeed something to be particularly happy about.
She was lost in thought watching Yan He’s departing figure when Xiao Jue’s voice suddenly came from beside her: “Aren’t you getting in?”
He Yan hurriedly retreated into the carriage.
Fei Nu and Chi Wu were driving outside, while He Yan and Xiao Jue sat inside. The journey from Rundu to Shuojing had been extremely lively, with Yan Nan Guang, Lin Shuang He, Xiao Jue, and He Yan – all former classmates – enough to form a table for playing cards. They hadn’t noticed during their daily chatter, but now with everyone gone and only the two of them in the carriage, the atmosphere grew quiet, making things feel somewhat uncomfortable.
“What are you nervous about?” Xiao Jue asked casually, leaning against the carriage interior.
He Yan nearly choked on her saliva, and after hesitating for a while, managed to say, “I’ve never been to your home before. Coming empty-handed on my first visit makes me feel somewhat uneasy.” At this point, He Yan remembered this matter and asked Xiao Jue, “Commander, why don’t we stop by a shop on the way and buy some pastries and silk as gifts for your family?”
Xiao Jue stared into her eyes and tugged at the corner of his mouth, “Are you going to propose marriage? Bringing gifts on your first visit?”
“Is it not necessary?” He Yan asked, “I’ve never been a guest at someone else’s home, so I don’t know what to do on a first visit.”
When she was “He Ru Fei,” the He family was so afraid she would expose herself that they wouldn’t let her make friends, let alone visit others’ homes. In this life as He Yan, before she could experience how ordinary people maintained friendships, she went straight to the military camp.
Her earnestness left Xiao Jue momentarily speechless. He pushed her approaching head aside, “No need, just be casual.”
“Commander, don’t you have Elder Young Master Xiao and his wife at home?” He Yan recalled what Lin Shuang He had mentioned earlier and said, “They say Elder Young Master Xiao is the number one dream husband for Great Wei’s women. Is that true? They say he treats people very kindly, never mistreats servants, and is as refined as jade – is that true?”
Xiao Jue asked expressionlessly, “You want to be my sister-in-law?”
“How could that be possible?” He Yan immediately denied it, thinking to herself that she wasn’t Song Tao Tao, and had no interest in having another brother-in-law like Xiao Jue. “I’m just curious. And what about Elder Young Master’s wife? What is she like? Is she easy to get along with?” He Yan hesitated, “Men are easier to deal with, but I don’t know how to interact with women. What does she like and dislike? Is her personality lively or reserved? How should I speak to her to win her favor?”
Xiao Jue held back for a moment before calmly saying, “If you win her favor, my elder brother will be in trouble.”
He Yan made an “oh” sound and sat back in her place, seemingly still thinking about this matter. Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows slightly – He Yan seemed to have quite an interest in this matter of “being a guest.” That excitement and nervousness were like a naive child receiving their first invitation to a playmate’s home, both anxious about making mistakes and subtly happy and expectant about being accepted.
He Sui had only one son and one daughter, and compared to his son, this daughter who strongly resembled his deceased wife won the Colonel’s favor. According to the information Luan Ying gathered, He Yan had been arrogant and willful in the past, sometimes rather vain, though this might have been this fox’s disguise. However, the neighbors around the He family said that He Yan did have some female friends, even if the relationships weren’t very close.
Yet why would she show such an expression now?
Xiao Jue could see the emotions and contradictions deep in He Yan’s heart, but he couldn’t discern their cause. There seemed to always be a thick fog surrounding He Yan, making many of her actions inexplicable. However, the more mysterious something was, the more it drew people closer; otherwise… being alone in the thick fog would always make one concerned and feel particularly pitiful.
Lost in thought, the carriage stopped at the gate of the Xiao residence. As Fei Nu and Chi Wu dismounted, before Xiao Jue and He Yan could get off, they heard an excited voice outside saying, “First Madam, First Young Master, Second Young Master has returned—”
Immediately after, there was a commotion from inside the residence as if people were coming. He Yan had just dismounted with Xiao Jue when the main gate of the Xiao family opened, and several people walked out. At the front was a young couple.
The man wore a sky-blue round-collared brocade robe, truly elegant and refined. The woman at his side was gracefully beautiful, with captivating eyes, her snow-white skirt outlining her slender figure, like a white pear blossom tree, with jade-like branches and a flowery appearance. These were Xiao Jue’s elder brother Xiao Jing and his wife Bai Rong Wei. Though He Yan had heard of this couple’s names before, seeing was believing – these two standing together were truly a feast for the eyes.
The Xiao family was truly a place that produced beautiful people, each one blessed with such beauty. He Yan thought to herself, wondering if her stepping in would lower the appearance standards of the Xiao family residence.
“Huai Jin, you’ve finally returned,” Bai Rong Wei smiled, “Your elder brother has been thinking of you daily for the past month. Today after finishing his official duties, he waited at home, worried you wouldn’t make it back to Shuojing tonight. How fortunate that you made it.”
Xiao Jing also smiled, and when he did, revealing a pair of small canine teeth, it added a touch of adorableness to his gentleman-like gentleness. “It’s good that you’re back. Rong Wei personally prepared the dishes, they’re still warm, just waiting for you. Fei Nu and Chi Wu should also join us for a meal, you’ve worked hard taking care of Huai Jin along the way.”
Fei Nu and Chi Wu repeatedly declined, saying they wouldn’t dare.
Xiao Jue looked back at He Yan, who was standing three steps away from him, respectful and polite. He said, “Come here.”
He Yan complied and stepped forward.
Xiao Jing and Bai Rong Wei exchanged glances. They had seen that this young gentleman had alighted from the carriage with Xiao Jue. If he were a subordinate, he would probably have been riding outside with Fei Nu and Chi Wu, and Xiao Jue wasn’t someone who enjoyed contact with others – sharing a carriage already indicated considerable closeness.
Xiao Jing asked, “Huai Jin, this gentleman is…?”
“My friend, He Yan,” Xiao Jue said.
He Yan bowed and said, “Elder Young Master Xiao, Madam.” After speaking, she couldn’t help but steal a glance at Xiao Jue, as she had thought he would introduce her as a subordinate, but unexpectedly he directly called her a friend. At this, both Xiao Jing and Bai Rong Wei were somewhat surprised.
Bai Rong Wei came to her senses and smiled, “So you’re Huai Jin’s friend, this is rare indeed. In all these years, besides Young Master Lin, we’ve never seen Huai Jin bring friends to the residence. Young Master He, did you meet Huai Jin in Liangzhou?”
Before He Yan could answer, Xiao Jue said, “Sister-in-law, let’s talk inside.”
“…Alright.” Bai Rong Wei smiled, exchanging a puzzled look with Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing returned her an equally confused expression.
Not only had Xiao Jue brought a friend home, but he also seemed particularly protective of this friend. The couple became curious about He Yan’s identity – could they be from some noble family, to warrant such regard? But were there such people in Shuojing city? Moreover, Xiao Jue wasn’t one to show favor even to nobles.
They couldn’t understand it.
Everyone arrived at the Xiao family’s main hall. He Yan and Xiao Jue first went to wash their hands. The hall was brightly lit by lamps, and the room was filled with the aroma of dishes. Various dishes were laid out on the long table. He Yan and Xiao Jue sat down at the table, and Fei Nu and Chi Wu were also called by Bai Rong Wei to bring over two stools and sit to one side.
He Yan’s heart was moved at the sight. Indeed, as rumored outside, Elder Young Master Xiao was extremely kind to servants. If this were in the original He family, they would have long been scolded by Madam He for not knowing their place.
The dishes were all simple home cooking, not extravagant but delicate and tasty. He Yan felt inexplicably nervous, picking up her chopsticks and following Xiao Jue’s movements, eating in small bites.
The Xiao family didn’t have rules about “silence during meals,” and even the seemingly gentle and proper Xiao Jing became quite talkative at the dinner table, constantly asking Xiao Jue about his year away.
“You didn’t tell us about the earlier situation in Jiyang,” Bai Rong Wei smiled, “We only learned how dire things were when news reached Shuojing. We know you didn’t want to worry Ru Bi, but in the future, don’t shoulder such things alone. When Ru Bi learned of this, if I hadn’t stopped him, I truly feared he would have gone to Liangzhou to find you.”
Xiao Jing lightly coughed, “I was also concerned about Huai Jin, but…” his gaze fell on He Yan, “I heard that in Jiyang, there was a subordinate who achieved merits alongside you and received Imperial praise. Could it be this young gentleman?”
“Yes, that was me,” He Yan replied shyly, “Though it was thanks to the Commander’s support – I didn’t actually do much.”
Xiao Jue said flatly: “It was Chu Zi Lan who promoted you, not me.”
He Yan: “…”
At this point, there was no need to be so precise about it.
Xiao Jing seemed to notice something and smiled, shaking his head, “Young Master He, don’t mind Huai Jin’s way of speaking. But this is the first time he’s brought a friend home as a guest, which shows he truly wants to be friends with you.”
“I…” He Yan was just about to speak hesitantly.
“She’s not here as a guest,” Xiao Jue interrupted her words, “She will be staying here for some time.”
Xiao Jing and Bai Rong Wei were startled.
“To be honest with you both, I’ve already asked someone to look for a suitable residence in Shuojing city, but it might be difficult to find one quickly. The Commander is kind enough to let me stay here for a few days. Once the housing matter is settled, I’ll move out immediately,” He Yan said somewhat embarrassedly. “I’ll be troubling Elder Young Master and Madam for these few days.”
Bai Rong Wei smiled and said gently, “Young Master He, no need for such formality. As Huai Jin’s friend, you are our friend too. Finding a residence in the city is indeed not easy. Please consider this your home, stay as long as you wish, and make yourself comfortable.”
He Yan gratefully accepted. She thought to herself that the Xiao family must have some special way of finding wives – among the young madams of noble families, Bai Rong Wei’s temperament was truly exceptional, and it seemed only someone with such a disposition could be truly compatible standing beside Xiao Jing. She had heard that Bai Rong Wei was a concubine’s daughter, and when news of Xiao Jing’s marriage arrangement spread, all of Shuojing said Bai Rong Wei’s status wasn’t worthy of Xiao Jing, but looking at it now, He Yan thought Xiao Jing truly had good judgment.
“Eat,” Xiao Jue said, placing some folded milk skin in front of her.
He Yan quickly lowered her head to eat.
Judging by appearance alone, one couldn’t tell that Xiao Jing was such a chatterbox. Throughout the meal, it was just Xiao Jing talking endlessly. He asked about everything, even wanting to know how many blankets Xiao Jue used during winter in Liangzhou. If not for Bai Rong Wei pulling him back, he could have gone on even longer.
This must be what it feels like to have a “family”? He Yan looked at them, feeling a trace of envy in her heart.
After the meal, Bai Rong Wei stood up and said, “We have servants clean Huai Jin’s room daily, and hot water has already been prepared. Huai Jin, after you’ve settled in, get some rest early tonight. You must be tired from traveling, rest well first, and we can discuss anything else after you’ve had enough sleep tomorrow.” Then she looked at He Yan, “There are empty rooms and courtyards in the residence. I had servants prepare one while we were eating. Besides two maids, there’s no one else in the courtyard. Young Master He can stay there comfortably.”
He Yan heard this and thought Bai Rong Wei was extremely thoughtful. Just as she was about to express her gratitude, Xiao Jue spoke: “No need.”
Everyone looked at him.
“There’s an empty room in my courtyard, she can stay there,” Xiao Jue said.
“Cough cough cough—” Chi Wu, walking behind them, started coughing.
Bai Rong Wei and Xiao Jing hadn’t thought of anything improper, they were just surprised. Soon, Xiao Jing smiled and said, “That works too. Living in the same courtyard will make it convenient if you need to discuss anything.”
Chi Wu’s face showed an expression of despair.
With Xiao Jue having decided, He Yan naturally had no reason to object. After Bai Rong Wei and Xiao Jing left, she followed Xiao Jue step by step to his courtyard, quietly asking along the way, “Commander, why do I need to stay in your courtyard?”
Now they weren’t in Liangzhou or Jiyang anymore, with so many rooms available, shouldn’t they maintain some propriety between men and women?
Xiao Jue glanced at her, “Do you want your identity exposed?”
He Yan was stunned.
“There are no other servants in my courtyard.”
He Yan understood, thinking it made sense. If she stayed in another courtyard, she might occasionally slip up, and if the Xiao family’s maids discovered… it wouldn’t be good. Staying in Xiao Jue’s courtyard would be peaceful.
Xiao Jue’s courtyard was in the middle of the residence, spacious and bright. It wasn’t as elegantly simple as Yang Ming Zhi’s mansion nor as luxuriously grand as Cui Yue Zhi’s residence. Perhaps because no one had lived there for a long time, it felt somewhat empty and quiet. Although it was clean, walking in, despite it being summer, it didn’t feel hot but rather had a hint of coolness.
Past the flower wall was the main room, with a pomegranate tree beside it. It had already borne very small fruit, dangling on the branches like lanterns half the size of a fist, quite adorable.
“Is this your courtyard?” He Yan turned to look at him, “Commander, did you live here as a child?”
She stood under the tree, with a fruit hanging just above her head like a gourd. Xiao Jue found it somewhat amusing and replied, “No, I didn’t live in the residence as a child. Living here only happened after I was in my teens.”
Xiao Jue had originally lived in the mountains, something He Yan had vaguely heard about. It was said that Xiao Zhong Wu had invited renowned scholars to teach him literature and martial arts in the mountains. Thinking about it this way, Xiao Jue was even more pitiful than her. Although she couldn’t call her birth parents mother and father, at least they lived in the same residence and saw each other frequently. Xiao Jue was just a child in the mountains, and Xiao Zhong Wu couldn’t go up to see him constantly – all alone, quite pitiful.
He Yan, wanting to cheer him up, pointed at the lowest pomegranate and asked, “After a few more days, will this one be ready to eat? Have you eaten the pomegranates from this tree? Are they sweet?”
“Do you only think about eating?” Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows, “They’re very sour.”
“You must be lying to me,” He Yan said dismissively, “If they were very sour, you would have cut down this tree long ago. How could you keep it for so long?”
Xiao Jue smiled slightly, “Not everyone plants trees just for eating.”
“If you don’t plant trees for eating, what’s the difference from planting grass?” He Yan looked up at the highest pomegranate on the tree top, which seemed to be the largest on the tree. She could vaguely see its red, full skin. He Yan reached out to grab it, but the branch was too high. She jumped to try to pick it up but still couldn’t reach it.
The next moment, someone stood behind her and reached out to pull down the branch with the pomegranate, bringing it within her reach.
A clear warmth came from behind, along with heat. He Yan’s whole body stiffened, and she instinctively turned around, almost twisting her ankle. Xiao Jue caught her arm and pulled her up. He looked down and asked, “You can’t even walk properly now?”
He Yan coughed loudly twice, “I just… lost my balance.”
“Not going to pick it?” Xiao Jue gestured at the branch he was still holding down.
“No… no more picking,” He Yan defended, “I wasn’t planning to pick it anyway. It’s not ripe yet. I’ll pick it when it’s fully ripe, it will be sweeter then.”
She didn’t even know what nonsense she was saying, only feeling that when she met those clear autumn-water-like eyes, her whole body became tense. To cover it up, He Yan immediately turned her head and said loudly, “Which room am I staying in? I want to go wash up first.”
Xiao Jue pointed to a room, and He Yan hurried there as if being chased by ghosts. Then the whole courtyard heard a “bang” as her door was closed.
Xiao Jue: “…”
He stood there, his gaze fixed on He Yan’s door. After a while, he looked at the pomegranate tree in front of him, and the corner of his mouth curved slightly in a smile.
In the distance, Chi Wu and Fei Nu were crouching at the courtyard entrance, unsure whether to enter or not. The only fortunate thing was that whenever Xiao Jue returned to the residence, all the servants would be sent out of the courtyard, so they wouldn’t witness this awkward scene.
Chi Wu spoke with a trembling voice: “They… they…”
“Don’t speak,” Fei Nu interrupted him.
“How can I not speak!” Chi Wu lowered his voice, unable to hide the anger and grief on his face, “It was one thing in Jiyang and Liangzhou, but now that we’re back in Shuojing… they’re being so blatant… has the He surname gone mad?”
Fei Nu seemed to want to speak but held back.
“I know that in Jiyang when he dressed as a woman, he could pass for real, but he’s still not a woman. The First Young Master and Young Madam don’t know about this yet, what will happen when they find out?”
Fei Nu tried to comfort his agitated companion, “You’re thinking about this too complexly, it’s not that serious.”
“What do you know!” Chi Wu said, “Young Master previously had us investigate the He surname’s background every few days, clearly showing something’s not clean about their background, otherwise why go to such lengths? If he were honest and pure, I’d accept it…” At this point, Chi Wu’s voice became somewhat choked, “If they’re approaching Young Master with ulterior motives, given how much attention Young Master is paying to them now… it might be even worse than that Hanlin scholar whose wife died!”
Fei Nu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but this reminded him of another matter, and he said quietly, “Speaking of which, now that Young Master is back in the capital, Luan Ying and the others should be returning too. When Luan Ying returns, we’ll have plenty to keep us busy.”
Chi Wu: [Subway, elderly, phone.JPG]