Though the capital wasn’t small, finding someone wasn’t a simple task.

However, Fan Cheng, having dismissed all his concubines and intimate servants, and not daring to visit brothels anymore, only frequented a few places. Thus, his previous secret romance with He Yan was quickly revealed to Tang Ying.

“This is outrageous!” Tang Ying slammed her teacup on the table. “He was already involved with that woman when arranging marriage with me. He clearly showed no respect for me! I told my brother and father that this man couldn’t be trusted. Now my words have become a prophecy, leaving me utterly humiliated.”

“Please calm down, Madam,” her maid said. “Young Master hasn’t dared to bring that woman back to the mansion, which shows he still has some reservations. Perhaps this woman has bewitched him, causing him to make mistakes. You and Young Master are newly married; please don’t let such matters create waves that might lead others to accuse you of jealousy.”

“Then what do you suggest I do?” Tang Ying furiously demanded.

“Perhaps we should deal with the woman directly. She’s merely the daughter of a city gate captain – completely at Madam’s mercy…”

“You’re right,” Tang Ying eventually calmed down. “She’s just a lowborn woman, yet dares to dream of marrying into the Fan family as the primary wife. I’ll meet her myself!”

He Yan knew nothing of these developments in the Fan household. She was contemplating how to fill out the recruitment documents at the military office so she could enter the army camp and travel to Liangzhou.

He Yunsheng and He Sui certainly wouldn’t understand. How could she find a good excuse? If she said she wanted to achieve military merit, they would think she had gone mad. If she mentioned revenge… no, that wouldn’t work either.

He Yan rolled over, wondering if she should write a letter, just like before, and simply run away on a dark, windy night when no one was around. The military recruitment would end in two days – if she didn’t submit the documents, she would lose her chance.

Just then, Qing Mei entered with some pastries. Seeing He Yan tossing and turning on the couch, she became alarmed. “Miss has been rolling around in bed all afternoon. Did you eat something bad? Should I call someone to examine you?”

“It’s nothing,” He Yan waved her hand. “I’m just feeling stifled.”

Come to think of it, when He Yunsheng was home, she found him noisy, but after he went to school, she felt lonely. Even practicing martial arts alone in the mansion couldn’t hold her interest. He Yan found it strange – she had lived as a solitary person at the Xu residence for an entire year, lonely day after day, yet after just over a month at the He residence, she had grown accustomed to He Yunsheng’s constant chatter beside her.

Perhaps it was because He Yunsheng truly talked too much.

He Yan rolled over and got up, saying, “I’m going out for a while.”

“Where are you going, Miss? Let me accompany you,” Qing Mei hurriedly said.

“It’s fine, I’m just going to pick up Yunsheng’s clothes,” He Yan replied. It had been twenty days, and He Yunsheng’s spring and summer clothes should be ready. Since he returned late from school, she might as well help him collect them.

Before leaving, she glanced at the military recruitment notice on the table. After some thought, she tucked it into her clothes, not quite understanding why she did so.

Many years later, when He Yan recalled this day, she felt that fate was mysterious. From the moment she picked up that notice, destiny’s mighty hand had turned the clouds and overturned the rain, sweeping her back into the game – everything was predetermined.

It was already afternoon, and the weather was perfect. He Yan found the tailor shop from memory. The old tailor smiled upon seeing her: “You’ve finally come, Miss. The clothes are ready. Is the young master not with you?”

“He’s at school,” He Yan smiled, handing over the remaining silver. “Master tailor, your craftsmanship is excellent.”

Both the spring and summer clothes were beautiful cyan garments, with simple and elegant styles. The fabric was breathable and light – they would surely look graceful when worn. He Yan thought He Yunsheng would like them. She folded both pieces and packed them into a bundle. Just as she stepped out of the tailor shop, an unfamiliar maid approached her.

“Are you Miss He Yan, the eldest Miss He?”

Could this be another acquaintance? He Yan sighed internally – this time, He Yunsheng wasn’t beside her to explain who this person was.

“Yes, I am,” He Yan tried to appear natural.

The maid smiled upon hearing this, “My mistress is just ahead. She happened to see you and would like to have a word.”

“Your mistress?” He Yan pondered for a moment. Since she wasn’t the real eldest Miss He, meeting old acquaintances might expose her identity. She declined, “I’m rather occupied today. Perhaps another day?”

The maid looked troubled, “Well… this servant cannot make that decision. Please come meet my mistress – it won’t take much of your time, and she says she has important matters to discuss with you.”

Throughout her life, He Yan most feared causing difficulty for young ladies. Seeing the maid’s troubled expression made her feel as if she had created problems for her, and her heart softened halfway. Upon hearing there were important matters to discuss, she became concerned – what if something important was delayed because of her?

After hesitating briefly, she said, “Very well, I’ll meet her briefly. However, I have urgent matters to attend to and cannot stay long.”

“Please don’t worry.”

The maid led the way, and He Yan observed her. Though she called herself a servant, her clothes were made of extremely fine material, and her jewelry was extraordinary – certainly not what ordinary household servants would wear. She must either be from a wealthy household or a senior maid to a noble lady – He Yan suspected both.

Lost in these thoughts, by the time He Yan came to her senses, they had arrived at a deserted alley.

“Your mistress is here?” she asked.

“Our mistress has a residence here, though she rarely stays. When she tires of dining at nearby restaurants, she rests here occasionally,” the maid explained with a smile.

Oh, indeed a wealthy household – even their resting places were their property. He Yan marveled internally; if He Yunsheng heard this, he would probably be envious and bitter for quite a while.

“It’s here.” The maid stopped before a residence.

The residence wasn’t particularly large and appeared somewhat old. There were few people around, not even a guard at the gate. He Yan followed the maid inside, first passing through a garden. Upon entering the main hall, the maid suddenly changed her previously gentle and graceful tone, speaking coldly to the other end, “Madam, I’ve brought the person.”

He Yan looked up, meeting an angry, gritting face.

“You’re He Yan?”

This certainly didn’t look like a friendly tea gathering.

“I am. Madam is…”

“I am the eldest daughter of the current Chengwu Lang Tang family, Fan Cheng’s wife.” The lady sneered coldly.

He Yan instantly understood, looking at the threatening maids and servants around her, internally sighing.

This lady seemed to have misunderstood something.

What sin had she committed in her previous life to be reborn as a girl with such messy romantic entanglements?