The capital had been peaceful these days, though undercurrents stirred in court. Spring had finally ended. After the start of summer, the endless drizzle seemed infinite, shrouding the entire city in misty rain.

Right Army Commander Xiao Huaijin volunteered as commander to lead recruits to Liang Province. With Xiao Huaijin’s departure, the court dynamics shifted again. The Crown Prince’s faction was elated, their joy nearly written on their faces.

Court affairs remained distant from common people, who continued their daily lives of necessities. The murder case of the Fan family’s young master remained unsolved. Unable to find the killer, the Fan family vented their anger at Madam Fan. However, her natal family, the Office Manager’s household, was no pushover. After the seventh day of Fan Cheng’s death, they forced Old Master Fan to write a divorce letter and bring their daughter home. Tang Ying was in her prime, newly wedded before becoming a widow. How could the Tang family let her stay a widow at such a young age? They naturally had to plan for her future. With no children between her and Fan Cheng, the Fan family could do nothing.

In comparison, He Yan, who died with Fan Cheng and drowned in Spring River with no body found, became an insignificant side character in this incident, not even worth mentioning. Except for the He family, no one spoke of her, as if He Yan had never existed in this world.

The rain grew heavier as He Yunsheng went out wearing a bamboo hat. After He Yan’s incident, he temporarily stopped attending school. He Yan had told him to collect a letter from Liu Quan Residence after five days. Today was the tenth day when He Yunsheng finally found time to go out. He feared Fan family members were watching his movements – he couldn’t waste the opportunity He Yan had fought for their family.

These days, he had thoroughly checked around the house. The Fan family’s surveillance had completely withdrawn, so he dared to go out. He changed into old clothes to avoid attention, head lowered under the bamboo hat, leaving through the back door into the rain.

These ten days, He Yunsheng lived worse than death, unable to sleep each night. He wanted news of He Yan, yet feared it. Fortunately, after ten days, officials hadn’t caught He Yan, which perhaps meant she was safe.

But he couldn’t help wondering where He Yan was in the capital now. Without friends besides the He family, she must be wandering. Was she eating well? Sleeping well? Was she being bullied? Thinking of this, He Yunsheng’s pace unconsciously quickened.

Liu Quan Residence was named for its spring eye behind the tavern, with a row of willows by the spring water. On this rainy day, the tavern was empty – no one noticed He Yunsheng’s entrance.

He remembered He Yan’s words:

“Go to Liu Quan Residence tavern in the west city, with willows at its entrance. Find the third willow from the left, and dig three inches down. I’ll leave you a letter there.”

He Yunsheng crouched down.

The third tree from the left, three inches down.

The dug soil was still damp from the rain. As he dug, his fingers touched something hard. He Yunsheng’s heart jumped, his movements quickening. Soon, he unearthed an oil paper package. He didn’t open it immediately, just tucked it into his clothes, quickly filled the hole, then left the tavern.

He hurried home. With He Sui absent, He Yunsheng returned to his room, locked the door, and took out the package.

Kept against his body, the package remained dry and clean. He Yunsheng’s trembling hands unwrapped it to find clothes and a letter inside.

He opened the letter first. It seemed hastily written on a crumpled piece of paper, likely wrapping paper for snacks with oil stains. The plain side bore several dramatic characters written in wood ash ink.

“I’ve joined the army, heading to Liang Province. Over mountains and waters, pardon my brevity. After spring cold comes summer heat – please take care of yourself. Until we meet again, take good care.”

He Yunsheng stared blankly at these lines as if unable to read them. After a moment, he finally understood, biting his lip as he reached for the clothes.

The clothes were summer wear made at the old tailor’s. When they parted, they each wore one in disguise. This one was neatly folded by He Yan and returned.

The fabric felt cool. Touching it seemed to bring back the girl’s cool smile that day and her comforting words.

“Don’t worry, we’ll meet again.”

The room fell silent.

Moments later, someone choked out:

“Liar…”

…

The so-called “liar” He Yan was unaware of being cursed behind her back.

They had been traveling from the capital to Liang Province. This recruitment gathered less than twenty thousand men, with new people joining along the way. Now in summer, traveling became difficult. Early morning departures were fine, but by noon, everyone was drenched in sweat.

Hong Shan sat on the grass, munching dry rations while fanning himself with a leaf, grimacing from the heat: “Damn, it’s too hot. When will we reach?”

“From here to Liang Province, still over two months,” He Yan drank water, “Take it slowly.”

“I miss the capital’s mung bean soup,” Xiao Mai smacked his lips, “Ladled into bowls, soaked in the well for hours, served with sugar – sweet and cool, so refreshing!”

His description was so detailed that listeners swallowed hard.

“Stop talking. As soldiers, forget mung bean soup – we’re lucky not to starve,” Hong Shan sighed, “Want to eat it? Maybe after we earn merits and get promoted, like Commander Xiao.”

Mentioning Xiao Jue made He Yan laugh inwardly.

She joined the army, marching to Liang Province with everyone, traveling day and night, sleeping in field tents, yet hadn’t seen Xiao Jue once. He rode horseback with his subordinates at the front, surely staying in different tents than common soldiers. From their time at Xian Chang Hall, He Yan knew Xiao Jue was extremely particular. Born with a silver spoon, the Xiao family’s second young master lived more luxuriously than princesses.

Even while traveling, his life must be far more comfortable than theirs.

Both were young generals, yet such different fates. In this life, she’d become his soldier. He Yan sighed – who would believe it? She wanted to earn military merits and a quick promotion, but Xiao Jue was very picky. Rising through the ranks under him wouldn’t be simple.

What else could she do? Already registered in the military, she could only wait and see.