Yuhua Temple was bustling with activity, with numerous carriages parked in front of its gates.

When He Yan and Xiao Jue alighted from their carriage, Fei Nu drove it aside to wait. Neither of them brought personal maids or servants. Being naturally eye-catching, they drew curious glances from temple visitors. Those who didn’t recognize them merely looked, while those familiar with official families recognized Xiao Jue and guessed He Yan’s identity. However, they dared not discuss it openly and kept their distance.

The worship procedure was simple. Common families donated oil and grain, while wealthy ones contributed silver. The Xiao family never lacked money, and Fei Nu had prepared everything in advance. After receiving incense from the monks, worshippers would enter the hall to kneel and pray.

Xiao Jue didn’t go in.

When He Yan asked why, he simply said, “I don’t believe in Buddha.”

He Yan: “…”

Standing right at the temple gates and declaring disbelief in Buddha – this man was truly boundlessly arrogant. However, faith was a personal matter; one either believed or didn’t. She couldn’t force Xiao Jue to worship. So she left him outside and entered the hall alone.

He Yan knelt on the prayer mat. The Buddha statue, which she had fabricated as being commissioned by a successful merchant, gazed down compassionately at all beings. She bowed devoutly, praying not for herself but for those harmed by He Rufei and those who suffered because of her, hoping they would achieve rebirth soon and live peaceful, healthy lives free from misfortune in their next existence.

After offering incense and lighting the eternal lamp, He Yan exited the hall. Xiao Jue was waiting outside and casually asked, “What did you wish for?”

“I hope there will be no more wars,” He Yan pressed her palms together, feigning solemnity. “I hope for peace and prosperity, so we can all live more easily.”

This wasn’t entirely untrue. The Wutuo people’s matter remained unresolved, and debates between war hawks and peace advocates continued endlessly in court, with no resolution in sight.

After making donations and paying respects, visitors could enjoy a vegetarian meal at the temple. Yuhua Temple’s vegetarian cuisine was exceptional, though He Yan had forgotten its taste from her previous visit when she was blind and grief-stricken, making even delicacies tasteless. Now she felt a hint of anticipation.

The guest quarters for dining required passing an ancient tree behind Yuhua Temple. The massive tree’s roots spread beside the mountain temple, its branches vast like clouds and mist. Originally emerald green, it was now covered in layers of red, which upon closer inspection proved to be countless red silk ribbons bearing written wishes. Legend said the ancient tree would fulfill wishes tied to its branches.

He Yan stopped, remembering she had once hung a ribbon here.

“This ancient tree is very efficacious,” she told Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue drawled, “Making up stories again?”

“No, it really is,” He Yan smiled, thinking of how in her previous life, she had hung a ribbon wishing to see the moon again. When writing those words, even she thought it was a fool’s dream. Forget the moon – just regaining her sight seemed impossible.

Yet impossibly, even after death, she was reborn and truly saw the “moon” again.

“When I have more money,” He Yan said, “I’ll buy lots of fertilizer specifically to nourish this tree, to show my gratitude and sincerity.”

Xiao Jue choked, “Your sincerity is certainly… unique.”

The guest quarters at Yuhua Temple were located just in front of the monks’ residence courtyard. Those who donated less shared dining spaces with many others, while generous donors had private courtyards, typically one room per household, with fewer people and a more refined environment.

Though somewhat uncomfortable with this preferential treatment, He Yan appreciated the privacy, as she didn’t want to be secretly observed while eating. It already took great courage to appear publicly with Xiao Jue after Emperor Wenxuan’s marriage decree. Though she had been a prominent figure before, at least then she had a mask. Now, exposed in broad daylight, she felt like a white peacock imported by sea merchants, drawing curious glances and gossip from everyone.

After they sat down in the guest quarters, blue-robed monks soon brought numerous vegetarian dishes: steamed white jade Buddha’s hand citron, sweet and sour bitter gourd, wild pepper steamed winter melon, purple sweet potato cakes, immortal tofu… The mountain was colder than the lower regions, and after a morning’s journey uphill, they were hungry. With the hot vegetarian dishes before them, He Yan’s appetite opened up. She gave Xiao Jue a pair of chopsticks and said, “The donation was worth it… Commander, if we’re not full, can we order more?”

Xiao Jue: “…”

He said, “As you wish.”

He Yan ate heartily, while Xiao Jue’s eating manner was far more elegant. They had barely started when someone knocked on the door, and monks led two more people in.

For wealthy households like them, the dining quarters were small but refined, usually sufficient for one family. However, today being the Mid-Autumn Festival with good weather, Yuhua Temple had many visitors, and they probably had to share space due to limited capacity.

Xiao Jue frowned, about to speak, but He Yan said, “It’s fine, let them in. I eat quickly, it won’t be a problem.”

Having just gained some reputation in Shuo capital, and not yet having formally confronted He Rufei, she didn’t want to appear overbearing and give others ammunition against her.

Xiao Jue considered this and remained silent.

The two people the monks brought in were women, one older and one younger. He Yan merely glanced at first, but when she saw the older woman’s face, her heart jumped, and she momentarily lost control, dropping her chopsticks.

He Yan quickly bent down to retrieve them, using the opportunity to hide her shock.

The noise attracted the attention of the newcomers, and both women stopped to look at He Yan. Just as she picked up the chopsticks, a monk came over saying, “Benefactor, please wait, this humble monk will fetch you a clean pair.”

Before He Yan could respond, the younger woman had spotted Xiao Jue and exclaimed, “General Fengyun!”

He Yan instinctively looked at Xiao Jue, who frowned slightly, appearing displeased.

He Xinying was surprised to encounter Xiao Jue here. She had only seen him once before while shopping with friends and witnessing a group of horsemen passing through the city streets. People and carriages had made way, and the leading man was handsome and distinguished. Her friend had told her: that was Great Wei’s General Fengyun.

Perhaps because this man was exceptionally handsome and left such a striking impression, she immediately recognized Xiao Jue when she saw him.

However, everyone knew Commander Xiao’s temperament wasn’t particularly good. He Xinying, supporting Second Madam He, found herself stuck – unable to advance or retreat. She feared accidentally offending this jade-faced commander known for his ruthlessness.

Second Madam He, however, paid no mind to such concerns and led He Xinying to sit at the table next to He Yan and Xiao Jue.

He Xinying curiously glanced at Xiao Jue. This Commander Xiao was subject to many rumors, but one constant was his aversion to women. However, this particular rumor was shattered just days ago at the celebration banquet. The Emperor personally arranged his marriage to a woman, and Xiao Jue’s protection and deep affection for that woman displayed before all court officials, spread throughout the Shuo capital overnight, breaking countless maidens’ hearts.

When Xu Zhiheng returned from the celebration banquet that day, his mood wasn’t good, and he hadn’t told He Xinying about these matters. The news reached the entire household the next day through servants who heard it on the streets. Reportedly, Xiao Jue’s fiancée was no ordinary woman – she dared to disguise herself as a man to fight the Wutuo people on the battlefield and became Great Wei’s first female marquis, the Marquis of Wu’an.

Most coincidentally, this Marquis of Wu’an shared the same name as her deceased sister, the late Madam Xu – both named He Yan.

However, her sister He Yan had been frail, requiring constant recuperation at the estate and daily medicine. Far from fighting Wutuo people on the battlefield, she would become breathless just from walking a few steps. Though sharing the same name, their personalities were opposites.

He Xinying observed the woman beside Xiao Jue. She was also young and beautiful, with natural vigor in her bearing. He Xinying guessed that someone who could attract the woman-avoiding Commander Xiao like this, not being the Xiao family’s eldest daughter-in-law, must be his “beloved” fiancée, Marquis of Wu’an He Yan.

While He Xinying was observing her, He Yan kept her head down, pretending to focus on eating, though her mind was in turmoil. Several times she had to stop herself from looking at the person sitting opposite – Second Madam He.

That was her birth mother.

He Yan’s impressions of Second Madam He weren’t very deep. Unlike He Yuanliang, Second Madam He rarely went out, usually staying in her courtyard except during festivals. Perhaps because women were tenderhearted, or First Madam He feared complications, while He Yan often saw He Yuanliang, she rarely had the chance to see Second Madam He. But after learning her true identity, He Yan often wondered what kind of person her birth mother was. She vaguely remembered her as a quiet, gentle woman, sometimes appearing somewhat dull.

He Yuanliang usually maintained a smiling demeanor that women found appealing, and the second household had several concubines who had borne children. In terms of flavor, Second Madam He was certainly not He Yuanliang’s most beloved, but he hadn’t neglected her either, never favoring concubines over his wife. At least before He Yan joined the army in her previous life, Second Madam He lived quite well in the household.

During a family banquet years ago, He Yan sat at the same table as Second Madam He. She was only ten years old then, seated across from Second Madam He. Perhaps due to excessive curiosity, she kept stealing glances at Second Madam He. After that banquet, they were never seated at the same table again.

She hadn’t expected to encounter her birth mother here without any warning. Despite her hatred and emotional detachment from the He family, facing Second Madam He, He Yan’s feelings weren’t as indifferent as they appeared on the surface.

He Xinying carefully tugged at Second Madam He’s sleeve and whispered, “The person across from us is Commander Xiao, General Fengyun, and beside him must be Lady He Yan, the Marquis of Wu’an whom His Majesty recently betrothed to him.”

At these words, Second Madam He’s chopsticks paused mid-motion as she looked up at the opposite table.

By now, everyone in the Shuo capital knew about Xiao Huaijin’s imperial betrothal, from noble officials to common folk, even beggars on the street knew his fiancée was named He Yan. Second Madam He couldn’t have missed this news. Hearing of someone sharing the same name as her deceased daughter left her momentarily stunned.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jue noticed He Yan’s sudden silence and asked, “Why have you gone quiet?”

Before this mother and daughter arrived, she had been chattering endlessly, but now she fell silent. Even if people recognized her, He Yan had never been one to act according to others’ expectations.

Fearing Xiao Jue would notice something amiss, He Yan smiled and randomly changed the subject, “Commander, that black jade you gave me before – I’ve kept it with me. Is that alright?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I just feel it’s too precious,” He Yan said while stuffing a potato cake in her mouth, eyes fixed on the table, avoiding looking at the other two occupants. “But your parents chose your name well. ‘Jue’ means paired jade. The Empress Dowager giving you both colored jade was quite fitting.”

Xiao Jue smiled slightly, “Your name is nice too.”

He Yan thought for a moment, her lips moving as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent and continued eating.

Second Madam He stared intently at He Yan’s movements. He Yan had a sweet tooth, always reaching for sweet dishes first. Though not particularly elegant, she was extremely frugal, not wasting a single grain of rice. When encountering dishes she disliked, she wouldn’t discard them but would pause briefly, as if gathering courage, before finishing them in one go and never touching that dish again.

As Second Madam He watched, her expression gradually changed. Her previously empty and numb gaze grew increasingly agitated as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

Since Xiao Jue had his back to Second Madam He and He Xinying, he didn’t notice Second Madam He’s unusual behavior. He Yan saw it but pretended not to notice, changing the subject to talk with Xiao Jue.

He Xinying asked softly, “Mother, why aren’t you eating?”

The young woman seemed to sense something and looked their way. Second Madam He quickly lowered her head, hastily picking up her chopsticks and taking a mouthful of rice. No one saw the tear that fell into her bowl.

During this meal, except for Xiao Jue and He Xinying, both Second Madam He and He Yan ate with hidden thoughts. He Yan’s group had arrived earlier and ate quickly. After finishing, He Yan put down her chopsticks. Xiao Jue, who had finished earlier, said, “Let’s go.”

He Yan nodded, and they left together.

They hadn’t gone far when suddenly a voice called from behind, “…Young Lady, please wait!”

He Yan turned to see Second Madam He hurrying toward them, holding up her skirts. Behind her, He Xinying looked shocked, apparently not expecting her mother to act this way. Second Madam He’s health was poor, and she was already breathless after a few steps. For a noble lady, such behavior was somewhat improper. However, Second Madam He paid no mind to propriety as she approached.

Xiao Jue frowned, “Who are you?”

“I am… the Second Madam of the He family in the capital.” Second Madam He glanced at Xiao Jue. The young man’s cold expression made her nervous, but even so, she kept staring at He Yan, unable to look away.

He Yan nodded with a smile, “Second Madam He.”

“I apologize, I’m sorry.” He Xinying caught up and quietly pulled at Second Madam He’s sleeve, her eyes showing reproach. He Yan had just left, and they hadn’t finished eating when He Xinying wanted to discuss the couple with Second Madam He, only to see her suddenly stand up with determination and chase after them.

Everything happened too quickly for her to prevent it. He Xinying knew they shouldn’t provoke the Right Army Commander without good reason – which noble family in Shuo capital didn’t know that Xiao Huaijin wasn’t someone to be trifled with? If he took offense, it could cause trouble for the He family.

“What can I do for you, Madam?” He Yan asked politely.

Second Madam He looked at her, yet seemed to be seeing someone else. Her voice was soft, as if afraid of startling the young woman before her, like she was soothing her three-year-old daughter, “You… are called He Yan?”

He Yan looked at the woman before her.

In her memory, Second Madam He had been young, with a gentle, amiable face unlike First Madam He’s strict demeanor. She had once seen her sister He Xinying break an expensive vase, and Second Madam He, far from angry, had held He Xinying close to check if the broken pieces had cut her hands.

He Yan had envied that then, thinking her birth mother was indeed better than her “mother.”

Later, when she returned from war and became “He Yan” again, Second Madam He had visited several times. But they had missed too many years together – even sitting in the same room, they felt only awkwardness and distance. On her wedding day, though, when Second Madam He came to help her with the bridal veil, she had said something.

Holding He Yan’s hand, she had said slowly, “A’He, take good care of yourself from now on.”

That single sentence had made He Yan’s eyes wet beneath her veil.

Unfortunately, even this simple wish of “taking care” hadn’t been fulfilled. Even when she went blind at the Xu family home, Second Madam He, claiming illness, had never visited once.

The woman before she had aged considerably, no longer the young woman in her memories. He Yan could even see traces of gray at her temples.

She had grown old.

He Xinying glanced nervously at Xiao Jue and hurriedly explained to He Yan, “I apologize, Lady He. It’s because you share the same name as my sister, so my mother…”

She didn’t know how to continue, unsure if mentioning that He Yan shared a name with a dead person would be considered inauspicious and displease the female marquis.

Second Madam He looked at He Yan and asked tremblingly, “Lady He… why were you named He Yan?”

The question seemed nonsensical, but He Yan stared at her for a moment before responding carelessly with a light tone, “Who knows? It’s unusual for girls to have the character ‘yan’ in their names. ‘He qing hai yan’ means peace and prosperity – perhaps my parents knew from birth that I was destined to fight on battlefields to protect the people’s peace. In that sense, this name is quite different from ordinary ones.”

Her words carried a hint of self-mockery.

“He qing hai yan” suggested an era of peace and prosperity, but when she went to war, her blood relatives showed no concern – instead, they sought to extract her last bit of value here, which was truly disheartening. He Yan had thought her yearning for family affection had been ground away in childhood. Without hope, there would be less disappointment. Now that she had found warmth in another He family that she never had before, meeting Second Madam He again brought forth all the resentment and grievances deliberately buried deep in her heart.

While He Xinying hadn’t noticed anything unusual about these words, Second Madam He’s expression changed dramatically, the color draining from her face as she nearly stumbled.

He Yan nodded to them, “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going.” She gently tugged at Xiao Jue’s clothes and walked ahead.

Behind them, once the pair was far enough away, He Xinying complained quietly, “Mother, what were you thinking, rushing out like that? You startled me. You know Commander Xiao’s reputation – we’re fortunate they didn’t take offense. If they had gotten angry, neither Big Brother nor my husband could have helped… Mother? Mother?”

He Xinying suddenly fell silent because she saw large tears welling up in the older woman’s eyes. The tears rolled down her wrinkled corners like cold dew in the deep night, carrying shattered sorrow.

He Xinying knew Second Madam He was thinking of her deceased elder sister. After He Yan’s death, her mother’s health had deteriorated. Though doctors always said rest and recuperation would help, He Xinying knew it was heartbreak. Mother always dwelled on her elder sister’s death.

However… there were things she didn’t understand. She had always thought her mother was distant toward her elder sister, perhaps because He Yan had always been recuperating at the estate, never growing close to their mother in the household. But now, seeing her mother’s deep grief after He Yan’s death, she realized it wasn’t due to lack of feeling.

But if that was the case, why had she been so cold and distant back then?

And her father, He Yuanliang, who was kind to everyone and always wore a smiling face, hadn’t seemed as grieved by He Yan’s death as he appeared.

In short, He Yan’s existence in the He family seemed peculiar, and her death finally revealed the strangeness beneath seemingly normal circumstances. She had many questions but no one to answer them.

No one would answer them.

He Xinying held Second Madam He’s arm and said nothing, using a handkerchief to wipe away her mother’s tears before saying softly, “Mother, let’s go back.”