He Yan was the true Flying Swan General!

If Xiao Jue’s successive pieces of evidence submitted earlier were merely paper proof that still left room for doubt, this woman’s personal testimony now was the final nail in the coffin.

He Yan stared at Second Madam He in shock. She had never seen Second Madam He speak with such intensity, nor had she ever expected to hear the words that she was her daughter. At this moment, Second Madam He was like any ordinary mother, desperately fighting for justice for her own flesh and blood.

But how did she end up here?

Xiao Jue also watched Second Madam He with furrowed brows. He had agreed to make a deal with her to protect He Xinying, but she hadn’t told Cuiluo exactly what needed to be done. Xiao Jue didn’t know how Second Madam He had made it here or what she intended to do, but when he saw her deathly pale complexion, an ominous feeling arose in his heart.

“Don’t listen to this wretched woman’s nonsense, Your Majesty!” He Rufei anxiously spoke up. “Her mind is confused from illness—she’s talking nonsense!”

“This humble servant speaks no lies!” Second Madam He suddenly burst into violent coughing, dark blood gradually appearing at the corner of her mouth.

He Yan’s heart tightened, her whole body turning cold. She wanted to step forward, but the woman seemed not to see her, continuing to speak loudly despite the blood at her lips: “The He family feared I would reveal the truth, so they poisoned me daily. I know my days are numbered, and I refuse to let the truth of my daughter’s wrongful death be buried forever. Your Majesty!” Her voice was tragic, like the bloody cry of a dying beast. “A dying person’s words are true. Every word I speak is genuine. If I deceive, may heaven strike me down, may I die a horrible death and fall into the eighteenth level of hell, never to be reincarnated!”

Her oath was both vicious and severe. Even more shocking was her tragic expression. The blood flowing from Second Madam He’s mouth was becoming uncontrollable. Doctor Lin Shuanghe tried to rush forward to examine her but was held back by Lin Mu beside him, who shook his head slightly.

“There’s no saving her.”

Second Madam He cried out: “Please, Your Majesty, seek justice for my daughter! Please seek justice for the Flying Swan General!” After these words, she seemed to finally collapse, her body going limp. Xiao Jue, standing not far from her, instinctively caught her.

Second Madam He looked at Xiao Jue.

This young man before her was Commander Xiao, the dream of countless young women in Great Wei. She had once seen him walking side by side with his fiancée at Yuhua Temple. The world spoke of the cold and arrogant Young Master Xiao, but when facing the smiling young lady before him, his eyes held an incredible tenderness.

He was different from Xu Zhiheng, different from He Rufei, different from all those men who deceived their bedfellows. If she were to entrust He Yan to him, she should feel at ease.

Her daughter… He Yan.

Second Madam He’s eyes welled with tears. She knew He Yan was standing in the distance watching her – that was her daughter. Even though He Yan had become a completely different person, even though He Yan’s body no longer carried her blood, even though mother and daughter had so few chances to be together in their previous life that they were like strangers, when He Yan stood before her, bowing slightly with a smile and politely calling her “Second Madam He,” she could recognize her at a glance.

He Yan loved sweets, always held her chopsticks near the top when eating, would pile disliked foods at the edge of her bowl but would still dutifully eat them in the end… When she saw that young lady eating at Yuhua Temple, she instantly understood everything.

Between mother and daughter, there must be some connection.

“Commander Xiao…” she struggled to breathe, looking hopefully at the young man before her, “Is she… is she…”

“She is He Yan,” Xiao Jue said softly.

In that instant, Second Madam He’s heart was filled with immense satisfaction. She said: “Good… good…”

Perhaps Heaven had taken pity on her daughter for being too pitiful, growing up all alone, being deceived, poisoned, and killed. Even after death, she was still being thoroughly used to complete the He family and Xu family’s reputation of deep friendship and righteousness.

How she hated it! As much as she hated, she felt equally powerless. On many nights, she would look at the white silk hanging from the beam, just one step away from liberation and atonement in hell. But at the final moment, thoughts of He Xinying would make her hesitate.

What could she do?

She could only live on like a walking corpse.

But whether it was Heaven taking pity on her or not, she was able to see He Yan again in her lifetime. From the moment she saw He Yan and understood that He Yan wanted revenge, wanted to bring down He Rufei, Second Madam He decided that even at the cost of her own life, she would help He Yan achieve her goal.

She knew her own body best – after He Yan’s death, she was merely hanging on by a thread. She knew Cuiluo was Xiao Jue’s person, and knew that Xiao Jue probably knew many truths. She was willing to use her life to become the final nail in the coffin. She took poison and crawled out through the dog hole that He Yan had dug in childhood. He Yan would probably never know that when she crawled out through the dog hole every morning back then, Second Madam He had seen it all.

He Yan thought Second Madam He didn’t care about her, but all these years, she had been watching her daughter from the shadows. Watching her sit alone in the courtyard wearing a mask and playing by herself, watching her become dejected after First Madam He’s scolding about not revealing herself, watching her gaze toward herself change from yearning hope to calm acceptance, watching her put away all of her original “self” to play another person.

Countless times, Second Madam He would toss and turn at night, thinking if only she hadn’t just silently watched, if she had been a little kinder to He Yan, just a little kinder, let He Yan feel a moment of warmth, perhaps at He Yan’s final moment, looking back on her life, there would have been at least a moment of attachment and warmth. Instead of dying in the cold pool water, becoming a sacrifice to conspiracy for her entire life.

“Don’t… tell her… I knew… who she was…” she struggled to speak, blood pouring from her lips in large clots.

“Why?” Xiao Jue stared at the woman before him, feeling as if he had returned to the day when Madam Xiao left. The heartbreaking pain – those who had experienced it would never wish to go through it again. He had tasted this bitter pain, never expecting that today He Yan would have to walk the same path he had walked.

How cruel.

“Let her hate me…” Second Madam He’s eyes showed a smile, or perhaps they were tears, “I did nothing after all… let her hate me…”

Before Cuiluo, she never mentioned He Yan, frequently bringing up He Xinying instead. Even when making deals with Xiao Jue, she only cared about He Xinying’s life. She knew all this would be seen and heard by Xiao Jue. She knew Xiao Jue valued relationships and loyalty, perhaps was now the only person in the world who truly cared for He Yan. The more biased she appeared, the more Xiao Jue would sympathize with He Yan. The valiant general, undefeated on the battlefield, did not understand the intricate machinations of women in the inner courtyard. She would use this trick to manipulate Xiao Jue, manipulate him into being good to He Yan at all costs.

This was the last thing she could do for He Yan.

Xiao Jue’s gaze fixed on the woman before him. After a moment’s pause, he finally couldn’t help but speak. He said: “She never hated you.”

Second Madam He froze.

In that instant, heaven and earth fell silent, with only the young man’s words echoing in her ears. Her body had no strength left, even turning her head was difficult. She could only slightly move her eyes to glance at the figure she had always wanted to look at but never dared to, the one she had wronged most in this life.

But her eyes were already blurry, she couldn’t see that person clearly, could only see a blurry figure standing in the square, straight and heroic, beautiful as a painting.

Suddenly she remembered the days when she first learned she was pregnant. He Yuanliang was so happy he invited a fortune teller, who looked at her belly and mysteriously said: “A general’s star most auspicious appears, timing aligned brings destined success, high office and honor through ages sustain, securing the borders brings peace to maintain. The child in your womb is a rare talent of military fortune seen once in a hundred years. If male, they will surely soar to great heights; if female… the household will know no peace.”

He Yuanliang had people make many boys’ clothes, but Second Madam He inexplicably felt that the child in her womb must be a girl.

By twist of fate, though He Yan was a girl, she had lived as a man for so many years.

At Yuhua Temple, the reunited mother and daughter were like strangers passing by. She held back the tremendous waves in her heart and asked the young woman before her: “Young Lady He… why are you called He Yan?”

The girl smiled carelessly and casually answered: “Who knows? Ordinary girls don’t usually have the character ‘Yan.’ ‘Rivers clear and seas calm’ – perhaps my parents knew as soon as I was born that I was destined to take to the battlefield to protect the peace of the common people.”

Second Madam He’s tears finally fell.

She murmured: “Delighting in the lotus flowers’ gentle sway, yet the vast waters cannot be contained…”

She had never intended for He Yan to go to war and achieve military merit. A mother’s initial wish was nothing more than hoping her daughter could be a beautiful, carefree young lady.

But this initial wish had unknowingly gone terribly astray.

The tears on her face had not yet dried when her clenched fist finally relaxed. The woman’s last breath dispersed, and her life ended just like that.

Xiao Jue’s heart shook violently. He instinctively turned back to look for that figure. By He Rufei’s side, He Yan stood in a daze, her gaze falling on Second Madam He in his arms.

She didn’t know what Second Madam He had said to Xiao Jue – their voices were too soft, the wind too strong. She could only see that in the end, Second Madam He seemed to have glanced in her direction.

What was she looking at? Was she looking at Marquis Wu’an He Yan, or Second Young Lady He Yan?

The Blue Wave sword had returned to her hands, but He Yan felt no joy in her heart. She stared fixedly at the woman in Xiao Jue’s arms, desperately wanting to rush over, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t step forward – under everyone’s watchful eyes, it would raise suspicions. She was now Marquis Wu’an He Yan, with no connection to the He military family. Moving forward now would have unpredictable consequences.

Xiao Jue turned back, gently laying the woman’s body on the ground, and looked at Emperor Wenxuan: “Your Majesty, Second Madam He has proven He Rufei’s crime of deceiving the emperor with her life. He Rufei falsely claimed military merit, the He family has deceived Your Majesty – such treasonous criminals should be executed. I implore Your Majesty to severely punish all guilty parties without leniency.”

“Your Majesty!” He Rufei cried anxiously, “I am wrongly accused!”

“Your Majesty,” Xu Zhiheng also loudly protested, “I was forced into this. These were all He Rufei’s doings, I had nothing to do with it. I am also a victim – I knew nothing!”

Emperor Wenxuan frowned, his head throbbing severely, and commanded in a deep voice: “Take He Rufei and Xu Zhiheng away. Search and confiscate the He and Xu family properties.”

The final reckoning was coming. Fourth Prince Guangshuo’s heart stirred, and he stepped forward: “Father, what about Minister Xu…”

He hadn’t forgotten that Minister Xu – Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei weren’t as important as Xu Jingfu. Xiao Jue had finally created such an opportunity; if they couldn’t use this to shake Minister Xu’s position, it would be extremely difficult to find such perfect timing again.

Xu Jingfu’s expression was extremely ugly. At this point, He Rufei couldn’t be saved. If Second Madam He hadn’t appeared, they could have dealt with it gradually later, but Second Madam He not only appeared but proved it with her life. He knew Emperor Wenxuan too well – the Emperor’s sympathy for Second Madam He would catalyze his anger towards the He and Xu families.

He would be implicated as well.

“Your Majesty, this old servant’s heart is completely loyal to you. Please investigate clearly!” Xu Jingfu looked at Emperor Wenxuan, his gaze open and forthright. In the past, Emperor Wenxuan might have felt he was being too aggressive, but now, just thinking of those three letters Xiao Huaijin had presented, and looking at Xu Jingfu’s demeanor, he felt nauseated.

He said expressionlessly: “Imprison him in the dungeon pending investigation.”

“Yes,” the Fourth Prince was overjoyed.

The Crown Prince’s expression showed some panic. Of course, he didn’t want this to happen, but looking at the current situation, it was clear that Xiao Huaijin had come prepared. Even Xu Jingfu himself hadn’t anticipated how much evidence Xiao Jue had – no one knew. One piece after another, they had likely been preparing for today for a long time. Since that was the case, it would be better to wait and observe, and after Xiao Huaijin had used up all his cards, then plan the next move.

Guangyan remained silent. He Rufei and Xu Zhiheng had been taken away. Xu Jingfu couldn’t let himself appear as pathetic as those two, so he straightened his collar and said calmly: “This old servant will walk himself.”

Passing near Chu Zhao, Xu Jingfu glanced at him. Chu Zhao stood among the civil officials with lowered eyes, giving him an almost imperceptible nod, and Xu Jingfu felt slightly reassured. They couldn’t count on that fool Guangyan to act outside, but fortunately, there was still Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao was meticulous and had followed him for many years. With him outside, the situation wasn’t too dire.

However, he hadn’t expected Xiao Huaijin would use He Rufei to deal with him. In this round, he had underestimated Xiao Jue.

“As for the envoys from Wutuo…” Xiao Jue swept his gaze over them and said: “Today’s events at Tianxing Platform were sudden. In the coming days, the envoys should stay comfortably in Shuojing City. Once this matter is concluded, we can make plans.” He turned to Emperor Wenxuan, “What does Your Majesty think?”

Emperor Wenxuan’s mind was already extremely confused and tired. Hearing this, he waved his hand and said: “Do as you say.”

Maningbu’s face changed as he realized that now they couldn’t leave either. This Xiao Huaijin was truly formidable. Everyone knew his opponent was Xu Jingfu, yet he had targeted He Rufei. After today, not only would the He and Xu families suffer, but Xu Jingfu’s future was also uncertain. Sometimes in opponents’ games, the competition came down to the exchange of just one or two pieces. Xu Jingfu aside, with the exposure of He Rufei’s agreement to battle with their Huayuan, forget about establishing trading posts – even the peace negotiations might face complications. Thus, the advantage that Wutuo had worked so hard to gain would disappear completely, and their efforts might come to nothing.

However, one must bow their head when under another’s roof. Now was not the time for confrontation, so Maningbu smiled and said: “Of course.”

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Jue stepped forward, lowering his voice slightly, “Although Second Madam He was also from the He family, she actively exposed their deception today, willing to trade her life for the truth. Her merits and faults balance each other. Considering that the true Flying Swan General once fought through thorns and brambles for Great Wei, bathing in blood on the battlefield, please allow this humble servant to bury Second Madam He’s body and let her rest in peace.”

“Commander Xiao, this seems inappropriate,” the Crown Prince frowned and said: “After all, she was complicit and guilty of deceiving the emperor. How can you plead for a criminal?”

“She was the Flying Swan General’s birth mother,” Xiao Jue looked at him, his gaze sharp. “Show mercy where mercy can be shown, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince coughed lightly and said nothing more.

Emperor Wenxuan was already being supported by his attendants to stand up. Hearing this, he glanced at the woman on the ground who had long since breathed her last, and felt a touch of compassion. A mother sacrificing her life to seek justice for her dead daughter was indeed pitiful. Moreover… the person was already dead, so he couldn’t be bothered to dwell on these matters anymore.

He said: “Granted.”

Xiao Jue felt slightly relieved.

Today’s feast at Tianxing Platform had not a moment of joy – some died, some were arrested, and people witnessed a great injustice from many years ago. Who could have imagined that the masked Flying Swan General on the battlefield was not the same person as the later widely beloved Flying Swan General who served in court? And that legendary woman had died so tragically – when placed alongside her experiences, it was especially ironic.

The ground was scattered with intermittent blood stains and weapons. After the emperor and nobles left, the Tianxing Platform was in disarray. The wind seemed to sob, making people’s eyes sting. Xiao Jue turned around to see He Yan slowly walking step by step toward Second Madam He’s body.

She walked extremely slowly as if each step required great effort. Her face was completely drained of color, like a lost traveler who couldn’t find their way home, about to be lost in the desert.

Xiao Jue called out softly: “He Yan.”

He Yan showed no response, her gaze fixed on the woman on the ground. She walked up to Second Madam He, her trembling hand wanting to touch the woman’s hand, but as soon as she reached out, she withdrew it.

The woman’s eyes were already closed, but the corners of her mouth were slightly curved as if smiling, though with a hint of bitterness. This was the first time she had looked at her mother from such proximity. In all those past years, she could only watch from afar, and couldn’t look for too long, otherwise if First Madam He discovered it, she would be scolded again.

She wanted to call out “Mother,” but she also knew that even if she did, there would never be a response.

A sudden pain struck her heart, coming so violently it almost suffocated her. He Yan suddenly coughed up fresh blood.

Xiao Jue: “He Yan!”

She collapsed softly.

On the other side, Lin Shuanghe noticed the commotion and hurriedly ran over. Seeing the blood on He Yan’s lips, he was startled: “What happened to Sister He? Did she sustain internal injuries while dueling with He Rufei? What should we do? What should we do?”

Xiao Jue lifted He Yan from the ground in his arms and said to him: “Come with me.” He then ordered his subordinates, “Carefully prepare Second Madam He’s body for burial. Wait for my return before proceeding.”

Lin Shuanghe was worried about He Yan’s injuries and didn’t say much more, following Xiao Jue onto the carriage. Their movements caught others’ attention. Chu Zhao was slightly startled, his gaze following Xiao Jue’s retreating figure. He seemed to want to follow, but a voice sounded beside his ear: “Now that Minister Xu is in trouble, Fourth Young Master, we must think of ways to save him.”

In an instant, all emotion disappeared from Chu Zhao’s eyes. When he looked at the person before him, his voice already carried a hint of worry: “We must indeed.”

The colleague beside him nudged Yan He’s arm and asked: “Yan He, why are you standing there in a daze?”

After a long while, Yan He came back to his senses and shook his head: “Nothing.” He looked around again, not seeing Xiao Jue’s figure, and asked: “Where’s Xiao Huaijin? Where is Xiao Huaijin?”

“The Marquis of Wu’an just coughed up blood, probably injured from the duel with He Rufei,” the person answered honestly. “Commander Xiao took the Marquis away, and Young Master Lin went too, probably to treat the injuries. But… I was just saying how could the Flying Swan General be so weak, unable to even defeat a novice woman, turns out it wasn’t the real Flying Swan General at all, hmph!”

“What’s wrong with being a woman?” Yan He looked toward the sky, his voice slightly deep. “The Flying Swan General herself was just a woman too.”

This response left his colleague speechless. After a while, he finally said: “That’s true. Such an extraordinary woman – if only she were still alive. It’s a pity that beauty is destined for tragedy. I never saw what Xu Zhiheng’s previous wife looked like before, but if I had, I could now boast that I had seen the Flying Swan General. Oh right, Nanguang,” he remembered something and asked Yan He, “When you were studying at Xianzhang Academy back then, weren’t you classmates with the Flying Swan General? At that time, it must have been the real Flying Swan General. What kind of person was she? Since she was a woman, even though she wore a mask, didn’t you notice anything unusual?”

“No,” said Yan He.

“What?”

He remembered that youth who would secretly practice swordplay in the bamboo grove behind the academy at night, rain or shine, unfailingly, practicing with difficulty but stubbornness. At the time, he thought it was just a useless effort, but looking back now, he realized his shortsightedness. Among all the young men, not one of them discovered Young Master He’s identity, not because they were careless, but because she had abandoned everything that belonged to being a woman.

“She did better than any man,” Yan He answered.