Lin Shuanghe hadn’t sent any news about the residence he had been searching for He Yan for several days. Since returning to Shuo Capital, Lin Shuanghe had practically vanished. He Yan felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to visit him uninvited, and it seemed improper to rush someone doing her a favor. As time passed, He Yan began to suspect he might be deliberately avoiding the task.
Xiao Jue continued his routine of leaving early and returning late, busy with unknown matters. He Yan maintained her daytime appearances but hadn’t visited the Xu household since meeting Fu Wang. She needed to keep Fu Wang waiting – his absence would make him anxious about losing this source of income. To prove his worth, he would work even harder to find useful information at the Xu residence.
He Yan wasn’t in a hurry.
During these days, besides secretly meeting He Yunsheng once more, she had been observing the He family residence. Perhaps due to He Rufei’s influence, the guards at the entrance had more than doubled, making it difficult for He Yan to expose herself. She could only observe from hiding. Besides attending court, He Rufei hadn’t done much else. His social engagements with colleagues were mostly at restaurants, never bringing anyone home. He had visited the Xu residence once, carrying supposed tonics for visiting his cousin’s sister. But was he there to see He Xinying? He Yan didn’t think so.
However, to outsiders, He Rufei’s actions demonstrated his close relationship with his sister. Some even said that after the incident with the former First Madam Xu, He Rufei became more attentive to his only sister, ultimately earning him another reputation for virtue.
He Yan found it somewhat amusing, noting how the He family’s theatrical performances seemed endless.
Autumn had arrived, completely displacing summer’s heat. One day, when He Yan returned home, she unexpectedly found the courtyard unusually lively. Having left early that morning, she was unaware of what had transpired. Bai Guo came running over excitedly, whispering, “First Madam is entertaining guests in the courtyard, Young Master. You should freshen up and take a look.” She leaned in closer, mysteriously adding, “Today, there are several young ladies present, and the Second Young Master is there too.”
Being young, she spoke without the shyness typical of older servants, maintaining a childlike innocence. However, these words didn’t sound pleasant to He Yan’s ears.
Bai Rongwei had previously mentioned hosting a banquet before the Mid-Autumn Festival, ostensibly to entertain ladies but actually to arrange a match for Xiao Jue. He Yan hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. She thought about how Xiao Jue usually returned late, sometimes after she had already gone to bed, yet today he had returned early when young ladies were present – how convenient.
Seeing He Yan’s silence, Bai Guo asked, “Young Master?”
He Yan snapped back to attention, forcing a smile, “I won’t join. I’ve been out all day and am quite tired. I’d like to rest in my room first.”
Bai Guo started, “But…” She noticed He Yan’s poor mood and found it strange. This Young Master He was usually gentle-natured and unpretentious, even helping clear dishes and secretly saving treats for her when she craved them. Bai Guo felt that among all the masters she had served, besides the First Young Master and his wife, Young Master He was the kindest. Yet today, his unhappiness was written on his face. Having been a servant and master for some time now, Bai Guo wondered if he had suffered some grievance outside.
Before she could figure it out, she saw He Yan hurriedly walking down the corridor with a lowered head.
He Yan thought she could avoid the situation – out of sight, out of mind. However, the corridor connected directly to the main courtyard’s garden, and Bai Rongwei spotted him immediately, calling out, “Young Master He!”
Pretending not to hear would be too obvious, so He Yan reluctantly turned around, smiling at Bai Rongwei, “First Madam Xiao.”
Bai Rongwei rose and walked toward her, “I was just asking Huaijin when you’d return, worried you might miss today’s autumn feast. You’ve arrived at the perfect time – we haven’t started yet.”
With such hospitality from the hostess, leaving would be impolite. He Yan had no choice but to approach and bow, “First Madam is too kind.”
The Xiao family residence had been specially renovated according to Xiao Old General’s wife’s preferences during his lifetime. Since Xiao Jue’s grandmother was from Suzhou, the Xiao family’s courtyard stood out in Shuo Capital for its elegant and distinctive style. Bai Rongwei hadn’t invited many guests, only four or five in total. Whether they were her friends or others wasn’t clear, but the four young ladies seated were each uniquely beautiful, catching everyone’s attention.
Xiao Jue sat beside Xiao Jing. The two brothers, known throughout Great Wei as exceptional beauties, made the courtyard seem almost like a celestial realm.
The Great Wei’s restrictions on male-female interactions, including the rule of separation at age seven, had been abolished shortly after Emperor Wenxuan ascended the throne. Emperor Wenxuan admired the free-spirited nature of ancient scholars and believed in not being bound by outdated customs. Thus, Great Wei was not as strict with unmarried men and women as in previous dynasties.
Bai Rongwei explained to the other guests with a smile, “This is Young Master He, Huaijin’s good friend. Despite his youth, he has already been granted the title of Wu’an Lang by His Majesty.” She instructed servants to add place settings for He Yan, though oddly placing them beside Xiao Jing. Bai Rongwei herself sat next to a round-faced lady and said to He Yan, “Today I’ve invited a few friends to try some newly made chrysanthemum pastries. Please treat this as a casual family gathering and don’t stand on ceremony.”
Despite these words, the only ones truly at ease were the Xiao Jing couple, the older ladies, and the indifferent Xiao Jue. The others could hardly be called relaxed.
He Yan sat beside Xiao Jing and glanced at Xiao Jue, who sat on Xiao Jing’s other side. He barely touched his chopsticks, mostly just sitting there. Though well-concealed, a closer look revealed hints of impatience between his brows.
The young ladies were different. Seated across from Xiao Jue at the long table, the shyer ones stole glances at him, their tender feelings impossible to ignore. The bolder ones stared directly at him, their beautiful eyes brimming with admiration that could melt one’s bones.
“Good grief,” He Yan thought. Bai Rongwei knew Xiao Jue disliked women like Shen Muxue, yet these four ladies, though lacking Shen Muxue’s cold pride, matched her beauty. Sitting here made He Yan want to flip the table and leave. If Shen Muxue were present, she’d surely be furious too.
Despite these thoughts, she couldn’t show them outwardly. He Yan lowered her head to eat, thinking that at such times, silence during meals was best – just treat it as a normal meal, merely with four beautiful ladies sitting opposite.
The meal was extremely awkward.
Not just for He Yan – by the end, even Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei were struggling to manage the situation. Though Xiao Jue’s personality wasn’t as gentle as Xiao Jing’s, his face was certainly attractive enough to draw attention. Since Xiao Jing was already married, all four ladies focused their attention on Xiao Jue.
As carefully raised noble ladies of Shuo Capital, they understood etiquette well. However, while maintaining proper manners, they still found ways to converse with Xiao Jue, asking meaningless questions like “Does Second Young Master Xiao enjoy autumn?” “What do you usually do?” “Will you stay in Shuo Capital afterward?”
Xiao Jue did answer but used one word where possible, never two. Often, Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing had to fill in the conversation.
He Yan felt quite pleased internally, but then thought herself foolish for being happy about such things – had she been possessed?
As night approached and the meal concluded, the ladies bid farewell to Master and Madam Xiao, while He Yan and Xiao Jue stood to the side. The four ladies’ lingering gazes nearly pierced through Xiao Jue. One bolder young lady looked at him with a sweet smile and asked, “Second Young Master Xiao was unmatched in grace at the hunting grounds back then. When you have free time, might you practice archery with me?”
Xiao Jue stared at her expressionlessly for a moment, then curled his lip slightly, “I have a habit when practicing.”
The young lady looked expectant.
“Life and death are not guaranteed.”
“Cough, cough, cough—” Xiao Jing quickly intervened, laughing, “Huaijin is joking, he likes to jest.”
However, just this one statement was enough to make the young lady’s mother’s face change dramatically, and she quickly left with her daughter.
Bai Rongwei was both annoyed and amused. After everyone had left, she said to Xiao Jue, “Child, why are you still the same as before? If you don’t like someone, just say so. Why deliberately frighten people? Miss Tian has also practiced martial arts and has an open, dignified personality. I think she’s quite suitable.”
Seeing Xiao Jue’s silence, Bai Rongwei continued, “What about Miss Li? The one sitting across from you just now, the delicate one. She has excellent calligraphy skills and can compose poetry impromptu, very gentle and calm.”
Xiao Jue remained silent.
Bai Rongwei caught sight of He Yan and asked, “Young Master He, you’ve also met the four young ladies today. Please give your opinion – aren’t they excellent?”
He Yan: “…”
How was this any of her business? Truly trouble from the sky. However, in front of everyone, He Yan had to search her conscience and slowly respond, “All four young ladies are wonderful, their temperaments and appearances are outstanding. Whoever marries them would have accumulated a fortune from their previous life…”
Seemingly having gained the approval of Xiao Jue’s friend, Bai Rongwei felt she had half of Xiao Jue’s approval as well, saying, “Huaijin, see, even Young Master He thinks they’re good…”
Xiao Jue suddenly spoke, his voice calm, “If Sister-in-law finds them so good, why not invite them back for Big Brother? With Big Brother’s temperament and appearance, they surely wouldn’t feel wrong.”
These words were harsh, and even the usually gentle Xiao Jing couldn’t help but warn, “Xiao Huaijin!”
Xiao Jue remained unmoved, his gaze passing over Xiao Jing as he said coldly, “Big Brother might want to recall how you acted when Mother wanted to arrange your marriage. You should understand the principle of not imposing on others what you wouldn’t want for yourself better than I do.” Without waiting for Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei’s reaction, he left with a sweep of his sleeves.
Standing there, He Yan felt somewhat awkward and quietly defended Xiao Jue, “The Commander might be in a bad mood today, First Madam please don’t take offense.”
“I’m not offended.” Bai Rongwei was stunned for a moment, as if just coming to her senses, and looked at her husband, “But was Huaijin just… angry?”
Despite how outsiders spoke of the Right Army Commander’s harsh training methods and cold demeanor, within the mansion, almost no one had seen Xiao Jue angry. Most times, he simply couldn’t be bothered to care. To see him so clearly showing his anger, to the point where “I’m angry” might as well have been written on his face, seemed like something from many years ago.
“You’ve done this before, so why are you… so angry this time?” she asked, puzzled.
…
Someone knocked on the door.
One knock after another, perfectly measured, persistent. Even though the person inside couldn’t be bothered to respond, the person outside remained undaunted, seeming determined to knock until the end of time if the door wasn’t opened.
In the entire courtyard, only that female hero would have such courage at this moment.
Xiao Jue paused, then said, “Come in.”
He Yan’s head peeked in from behind the door.
Knowing Xiao Jue was in a bad mood, she wore a placating smile. She closed the door behind her and walked forward, “Commander, are you alright?”
Xiao Jue sat in his chair, “Very well.”
Judging by his expression, he didn’t look “very well” at all.
His words to Bai Rongwei earlier had been rather harsh. Though He Yan had felt secretly pleased hearing him speak that way, she quickly chided herself internally. How could she be like this? When family members quarreled, she, an outsider, was cheering from the sidelines for her selfish reasons – how was she any different from those petty people? During her stay here, Bai Rongwei showed her much care. By all rights, she should help reconcile them, not add fuel to the fire.
He Yan ran to sit opposite him, half-leaning on the table while looking at him, “Commander, First Madam Xiao meant well. What you did earlier was a bit hurtful.”
Xiao Jue shifted his gaze to her face, his eyes cooling, “Young Lady He, then what do you think I should have done?”
He had called her “Young Lady He” many times before – sometimes teasingly, sometimes sarcastically. But this time, it was ice-cold and even carried a hint of anger.
He Yan carefully chose her words, “At least, you could have been more tactful.”
Xiao Jue gave a cold laugh, “Why should I?”
He Yan was taken aback.
“Would Young Lady He be more tactful in such a situation?” he suddenly asked.
He Yan replied, confused, “I am a woman.”
“If your father and brothers did the same thing today, bringing several outstanding young men before you,” he said sarcastically, “wouldn’t you reject them directly?”
He Yan thought to herself that in the past, she would have maintained politeness for everyone’s face. But now, having someone she liked, such pretense became difficult to maintain.
She couldn’t say this to Xiao Jue, but he ignored her evasiveness and stared at her directly, asking again, “Young Lady He, what would you do?”
Meeting his gaze, He Yan couldn’t bring herself to lie. After a long pause, she slapped the table, “Thinking about it, if it were me, I’d probably make the same choice as the Commander, maybe even say something harsher. Commander, you’re right, absolutely right! If you don’t like someone, reject them. There’s no need to give others false hope. Sometimes politeness becomes flirtation in others’ eyes, keeping them awake at night when you had no such intention – isn’t that deceptive!”
By the end, her tone carried a hint of complaint, though it wasn’t clear who she was talking about.
Seeing her righteous indignation, Xiao Jue’s expression softened slightly, and he curved his lips, “At least you understand something.”
Seeing his mood improve, He Yan pulled out a sachet from her sleeve, “This is for you.”
Xiao Jue took it, looked at it, and raised his eyes, “Did you make this?”
“How could I?” He Yan replied without thinking, “I don’t know how to make these things. First Madam Xiao made it. She made one for me too, but I forgot to give yours to you earlier.” She took out her cloud-patterned sachet, “I heard it contains calming herbs and protective charms.”
Seeing Xiao Jue holding the sachet without speaking, she moved closer: “I didn’t expect First Madam Xiao would prepare one for me too. Commander, First Madam Xiao is gentle and kind-hearted, doing all this because she cares about you. Although the method… isn’t quite to your liking, you could just talk to her about it. There’s no need to harm the harmony between you. Why be so particular with family…”
As she rambled on, her head moving closer and closer, Xiao Jue laughed and used his finger to push her head back, “Stop, I’m not angry.”
He had been angry at first, but not because of Bai Rongwei… This person still didn’t understand anything, he thought with some resignation. Being angry at someone who didn’t know – such anger was destined to remain unexpressed.
“Really?” He Yan examined him.
“Really.” He lowered his eyes, seemed to think of something, and after a while said, “I’ll be leaving the city for a few days. Will you be alright staying here alone?”
He Yan was startled, “Do you need my help?”
Xiao Jue had been leaving early and returning late these days, and He Yan could sense he had some urgent matter to attend to. She thought it must be related to Xu Jingfu and Xiao Zhongwu. Although she was busy with matters concerning the He family and Xu family, if Xiao Jue needed her help, He Yan wouldn’t refuse.
“No need, I can handle it myself.”
He Yan nodded, “Then when will you return?”
“Not sure,” Xiao Jue looked at the burning lamp wick, “I’ll try to be back before the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
…
In Minister Xu’s mansion in the capital, lights were blazing at this moment.
Minister Xu was a scholar who didn’t favor dancing girls at his usual household banquets, at most inviting two musicians to play the zither. At a small table, Chu Zhao knelt, looking at the teacup before him. The steam rising from the cup was like a thin veil, obscuring his expression and making his face appear somewhat indistinct.
Xu Jingfu didn’t like drinking alcohol, only tea. Those who came to the Xu household bringing gifts knew his preferences well, and even the tea given to servants could fetch a good price when sold.
The servants stood on both sides, respectful. Xu Jingfu had no son, and everyone in the Xu household knew he regarded this favorite student as his own son. Moreover, Xu Jingfu’s only daughter Xu Pingting had deep feelings for Chu Zilan… Sooner or later, the teacher and student would become father and son-in-law.
“Your trip to Jiyang was very successful,” Xu Jingfu said with a smile. In his youth, he had been handsome and refined; in his old age, he had become kindly and gentle-looking – just seeing his appearance, one would think he was an approachable elder. He took a sip of tea before continuing, “However, why did you stay extra days in Rundou?”
Chu Zhao answered gently, “The people of Rundou were suffering from hunger. Zilan couldn’t bear to leave alone, hoping to stay and help arrange for relief forces. Unexpectedly, General Yan brought troops to aid, resolving Rundou’s urgent crisis.”
These matters could be easily verified with a simple inquiry; he wasn’t lying. Xu Jingfu continued smiling kindly, neither approving nor disapproving.
The atmosphere became somewhat tense.
Just as things were getting awkward, suddenly a woman’s voice rang out: “Father! Why didn’t you tell me Brother Zilan was here!” The next moment, a young woman in yellow robes flew in like a flower, sitting down beside Chu Zilan.
This girl was very beautiful, as delicate as a porcelain doll, with natural pride in her expression. She appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, wearing expensive clothes and jewelry. The ruby hairpin in her hair was so vibrant it seemed to drip, making her appear even more radiant like a rose.
This was Xu Jingfu’s only daughter, Xu Pingting.
Xu Jingfu had this precious daughter late in life and had practically spoiled her to the heavens – even the current princess might not live as luxuriously as Xu Pingting. As soon as Xu Pingting entered the banquet hall, the atmosphere immediately relaxed. Xu Jingfu shook his head and laughed, “You come in demanding answers, not even considering your father anymore. People say daughters become outsiders after marriage, how true…”
Hearing this, Xu Pingting wasn’t embarrassed at all. Instead, she raised her eyebrows and said coquettishly, “I see Father every day, but I haven’t seen Brother Zilan for so long. Father, next time could you not send Brother Zilan so far away?” She naturally took Chu Zhao’s arm and looked at him, “Brother Zilan, when I heard you went to Jiyang earlier, Pingting was terrified. How could Father do this? Fortunately, you’re safe. During the days you were gone, Pingting prayed before the Buddha every day for your safe return. It seems Buddha heard Pingting’s prayers and protected you.”
Xu Jingfu said sourly, “Never seen you pray for your father.”
“Father!”
“Alright, alright, my little ancestor, I’ll stop talking, okay?” Xu Jingfu yielded, looking at Chu Zhao, “However, Zilan’s arrival is timely. I just happened to have something to discuss.”
Chu Zilan looked at Xu Jingfu, “Please speak, Teacher.”
“I heard that today, Xiao Rubi’s wife invited several colleagues’ daughters to the Xiao mansion as guests. Though they say it’s just a visit, it’s clearly to find a wife for Xiao Huaijin. Come to think of it, you and Xiao Huaijin are about the same age. As your teacher, I should also be concerned about these matters for you.”
Xu Pingting was startled, her face immediately turning red, “Father, you’re…”
“Now you know how to be shy?” Xu Jingfu teased with a smile, then continued, “Zilan, you are my most outstanding student, and you grew up with Pingting as childhood friends. I had planned long ago to marry Pingting to you when you grew up and looking at things now, that time has come. What do you think?”
The servants in the hall all kept their heads down, hiding their surprise. Although they had known this day would come, hearing it spoken still felt unexpected. After all, given Chu Zhao’s status, marrying Minister Xu’s daughter was truly marrying above his station.
Chu Zhao stood up, lifted the hem of his robe, and properly knelt before Xu Jingfu, performing a deep bow.
“Student thanks Teacher for your great kindness. Being able to marry Pingting is a blessing from three lifetimes of cultivation. For this matter of marriage, the student will follow the Teacher’s arrangements completely.”
[The forced matchmaking dodo: Don’t touch me.JPG]