He Yan didn’t end up becoming sworn brothers with Xiao Jue but instead got entangled with his nephew’s request for brotherhood.

Cheng Lisu dragged He Yan to his private room in the garrison. Unlike the recruits’ shared dormitory, it was a separate chamber. Though not luxuriously decorated, it was far superior to where the recruits stayed.

The room even had burning incense, held in an exquisite celestial maiden holder. Seeing He Yan staring at it, Cheng Lisu explained, “This is something nice I brought from the capital. Uncle forbids me from burning it here, so I do it secretly. Don’t tell him.”

Just like a child secretly misbehaving behind an elder’s back.

He Yan thought that not just Xiao Jue, even she wouldn’t allow burning incense. It was summer, so hot – what was the point of burning incense? It would only make one dizzy.

Seeing her silence, Cheng Lisu again misunderstood her meaning and tentatively asked, “Do you like it? If you do, I can give it to you!” He pushed the incense burner into He Yan’s hands. “It’s fine, our relationship warrants it!”

He Yan returned it to him. “…Thanks, but I have nowhere to put it.”

Ah yes, Cheng Lisu considered this and nodded regretfully. “I’ll talk to Uncle later about getting you a room like mine.”

He Yan: “…”

As if Xiao Jue would agree! If Cheng Lisu managed this, she’d even be willing to call him “Big Brother”!

“Oh right, you probably don’t know who my uncle is. My uncle is the current Right Army Commander, General Feng Yun, Second Master Xiao, your superior.” Cheng Lisu said in one breath, then watched He Yan’s expression. Seeing no change in her demeanor, he exclaimed, “Eh? Why aren’t you surprised?”

Should she appear surprised? He Yan said, “I observed Young Master’s distinguished bearing, unlike ordinary people, and figured your uncle must be similar. Indeed, like uncle, like nephew.”

These words pleased Cheng Lisu. He showed an embarrassed smile, scratched his head, and said modestly, “Not really, I’m far inferior to my uncle. He lives next door to me, but he’s out right now. Otherwise, I’d take you to meet him.”

He Yan thought that wouldn’t be necessary.

“Come, come, I’ve prepared tea.” Cheng Lisu bustled about, pushing a cup of tea into He Yan’s hands. “After drinking this cup, we’ll be sworn brothers!”

He Yan looked at the tea in her hands, hesitated, then put it back on the table.

Cheng Lisu froze. “What’s wrong?”

“Young Master Cheng, I don’t think we should address each other as brothers. The generational order would be wrong,” He Yan said.

She and Xiao Jue were of the same generation, yet Cheng Lisu called Xiao Jue uncle. If she became sworn brothers with Cheng Lisu, wouldn’t she have to call Xiao Jue’s uncle too?

How could she let Xiao Jue have such an advantage? Dream on!

“How would it be wrong?” Cheng Lisu didn’t understand. “I’m fifteen, and I heard from Instructor Liang that you’re sixteen. We’re close in age.”

“You call Commander Xiao uncle, and he’s not that old, is he?” He Yan asked. Xiao Jue was only a year older than her previous life; now he had just come of age. “Is he your blood uncle?”

“Yes, we’re related by blood,” Cheng Lisu explained very seriously.

It turned out that Cheng Lisu’s mother, Madam Cheng, wife of the Right Director, was Xiao Jue’s cousin. However, due to their large age gap – Madam Cheng was already married when Xiao Jue was born – the cousins rarely interacted. It wasn’t until Cheng Lisu grew up that he became very attached to his uncle who was close to his age.

He Yan recalled that when she was at Xian Chang Hall before, there was a chubby young master who often came to find Xiao Jue, though she couldn’t remember if he called Xiao Jue “uncle.”

“My uncle excels at everything, both in civil and military affairs, one in ten thousand. It brings honor to be associated with him, and others don’t dare call me ‘Useless Young Master’ anymore.” Cheng Lisu mentioned his nickname without shame. “Now that I’m friends with you, who’s as excellent as my uncle, I must be amazing!”

He Yan: “…” Wondered where this “amazing” came from.

Speaking of He Yan, Cheng Lisu thought of something else and asked her, “By the way, being so excellent, Brother He, what does your family do?”

They hadn’t even drunk the brotherhood tea, yet he was already calling her “Brother He.” He Yan didn’t know whether to answer his question first or correct his form of address. She said, “My family is just ordinary.”

Her reluctance to elaborate appeared meaningful to Cheng Lisu, who solemnly said, “I understand, great people like you prefer to keep their movements secret.”

He Yan thought, could this child have mental problems?

“Being so capable, why did you come to Liangzhou Garrison?” Cheng Lisu asked. “With your skills, why join the army?”

He Yan repeated to the nephew what she had told his uncle: “A man should establish merit and achieve success, earn rewards to build a house, take a wife and have children – that makes life worthwhile.”

The nephew was less impulsive than his uncle. The fair-skinned youth looked at her for a while, then nodded approvingly: “Your thinking is very good, very… practical. However, Brother He, isn’t joining the army for merit and achievement too slow? There are no wars these years. They say heroes emerge in chaotic times, but in our peaceful era, your martial skills have no outlet. What a waste.”

He Yan: “…” This child thought quite thoroughly.

“Let me point you toward a bright path,” Cheng Lisu moved closer and said quietly, “You know about the South Mansion troops under my uncle?”

He Yan nodded: “I’ve heard of them.” The South Mansion troops were established by Old General Xiao, invincible and undefeated.

“Within the South Mansion troops, there’s an assault cavalry unit called the Nine Banners Camp.”

He Yan knew about the Nine Banners Camp too. After Xiao Jue took over the South Mansion troops, he trained this group as his force, specializing in surprise attacks with mysterious tactics.

“Besides other matters, my uncle’s visit to Liangzhou Garrison includes selecting some recruits to join the Nine Banners Camp.”

He Yan was startled. “Isn’t the Nine Banners Camp no longer recruiting?”

“That’s just what they say publicly. What’s the rarest in the world? Talent. Everyone in the Nine Banners Camp is talented. Last time, when a senior brother was injured and lost an arm, making him unable to fight, he got an official position in court. So, for merit and achievement, for promotion and wealth, you must first find the right place. With your skills, and being one of us, you should go to the Nine Banners Camp.”

He Yan gradually dropped her smile. After a moment, she frowned and said coldly, “Have you told anyone else what you just said?”

Her gaze was sharp, startling Cheng Lisu, who stammered, “No…”

“Then remember, don’t tell this to anyone else.”

Cheng Lisu nodded instinctively: “…Alright.”

He Yan was satisfied and suddenly curved her eyebrows again, lips lifting. “But what you said earlier was very right.”

“Eh?” Cheng Lisu was confused.

The fastest way to promotion was secondary. Fighting on the battlefield for merit was too slow, and even if she got promoted, she might not encounter the He family. But being with Xiao Jue was different. General Feng Yun and General Fei Hong were sworn enemies – just this point alone provided countless opportunities.

Moreover, being by Xiao Jue’s side made it much easier to learn about court affairs. In her previous life, she never thought of having any connection with Xiao Jue, but now she had to rack her brains to become his confidant. It seemed incredible, yet somehow fated.

He Yan drained the tea in one gulp and stood up. “I want to join the Nine Banners Camp.”