He Yan accompanied Song Taotao until evening before heading back to the inn.

On the way, they passed a candied hawthorn fruit vendor. The red, glistening treats were mounted on straw sticks, looking deliciously sweet. He Yan took out her last few copper coins and bought several skewers from the vendor, handing the largest one to Song Taotao. “Hungry? Have this to tide you over. We’ll get something proper to eat when we return to the inn.”

Heaven knew she had been worrying about what to do if Song Taotao wanted to dine at a restaurant, as she wouldn’t have had enough money. Fortunately, perhaps because of their filling breakfast, the young lady was picky and hadn’t wanted to eat much. They had only stopped for tea and two pieces of cake, spending just a few copper coins.

Song Taotao accepted the candied hawthorn, looking at He Yan. “Thank you for your trouble today.” After a pause, she continued, “Actually, there’s nothing much worth seeing in Liangzhou City, and the goods are all mediocre. If it weren’t for avoiding Second Young Master Xiao, I wouldn’t have kept you out so late.”

“Huh?” He Yan had taken a skewer for herself and bit into one. The hawthorn’s tartness mixed with the honey’s sweetness to create a mouth-watering combination. She mused that it had been long since she’d eaten such a childish treat. She asked, “Why? Don’t you like Commander Xiao?”

“It’s not that I don’t like him, it’s just… he’s somewhat intimidating,” the young lady pouted. “It seems everyone becomes self-conscious around him.”

He Yan found this amusing. Self-conscious? Song Taotao’s reaction must be due to her young age. She smiled, “But he’s handsome and capable. Don’t all young ladies like that type?”

In their younger days, many young ladies would secretly come to Xian Chang Academy to catch a glimpse of Xiao Jue. He Yan had never met a girl who didn’t like him. Song Taotao’s response was quite unusual.

“I’m different from them,” Song Taotao sniffed. “They only care about appearances. Such a cold person who won’t speak sweet words would make daily life miserable. I don’t like that type. I prefer gentle people,” she sighed with precocious wisdom, “First Young Master Xiao is perfect that way, but unfortunately, he’s already married.”

He Yan nearly choked on the hawthorn in her mouth.

What? While Xiao Jue wanted to be her nephew-in-law’s uncle, she was thinking about becoming his sister-in-law!

Song Taotao, who had nearly become her “little fiancée,” certainly had unique taste in people. He Yan said, “Actually, Commander Xiao can be quite gentle sometimes… though it’s rare to find someone who dislikes him as you do.” Something occurred to her, and wanting to draw out information from Song Taotao, she asked, “Have you met Flying Swan General, who’s now as renowned as him?”

“Flying Swan General?” Song Taotao replied, “You mean the He family’s eldest son? The one who used to wear a mask all the time, claiming he couldn’t show his face because of injuries?”

He Yan: “…”

“It’s remarkable how he wore that mask for ten years. I saw him before I ran away from my marriage. He had removed his mask by then, and he looked decent enough. Do you know why he wore the mask?” Song Taotao asked.

He Yan: “Why?”

“Obviously to create a mystique around himself. Think about it – he didn’t remove the mask earlier or later, but right before receiving the imperial title and meeting the Emperor. He claimed a divine physician helped heal his facial scars, but what physician could heal scars without leaving any trace? For years, everyone thought Young Master He was hideously disfigured. Then suddenly he removes the mask and appears as a refined gentleman. How extraordinary! So his five-point looks became seven points in everyone’s eyes.”

He Yan mentally applauded Song Taotao’s reasoning. It was so convincing that if she weren’t the mask-wearer herself, she might have believed it.

“So how do you think Flying Swan General compares to Commander Xiao?”

Without hesitation, Song Taotao answered, “Second Young Master Xiao, of course! That He family young master isn’t as handsome as Second Young Master Xiao!”

Well, this world still judges by appearances after all.

He Yan spoke sheepishly, “I’ve never met Flying Swan General. We share the same surname, and I’ve always wanted to see him in person. I wonder if I’ll ever have the chance?”

“Of course you will! Though that He young master is highly favored by His Majesty now. Before I left the capital, the Emperor often summoned him to the palace. When his cousin’s sister passed away, Young Master He didn’t attend court for several days, and His Majesty sent many gifts.”

He Yan’s smile became strained, “You mean Madam Xu?”

“Did she marry someone surnamed Xu? I’m not sure. I don’t even know her name. This sister wasn’t originally from Shuo Capital, and few people in the capital knew her. She didn’t have any close female friends. All I know is that she was Flying Swan General’s sister, married for just a year when she contracted a strange illness that left her blind. After becoming blind, she was walking in the garden when the servants weren’t paying attention, fell into a pond, and drowned.” Song Taotao sighed, “Such a pity. With Flying Swan General as her brother, she should have lived well, but fate was cruel. What was her name again, He something? Oh, I really can’t remember.”

He Yan thought to herself, her name was He Yan, but sadly, that name was destined to be overshadowed by Flying Swan General He Rufei. People only knew her as the naturally frail He family young lady who was sent to grow up in the countryside, Flying Swan General’s sister. No one remembered her name.

“What about Master Xu?” He Yan asked, “How is he after Madam Xu’s death?”

“I usually stay in the mansion and don’t like hearing about such matters. I vaguely remember the sisters mentioning that the He young lady’s husband was quite depressed for a while after her death, showing deep feelings. But who knows about these things,” Song Taotao displayed wisdom beyond her years in such matters, saying, “How can men’s words be trusted? Today they might be mourning, tomorrow they might be welcoming a new bride.”

He Yan smiled bitterly, “You make an excellent point.”

“Why are you suddenly asking about these things?” Song Taotao said, “I don’t know much. If you want to know more, you should ask Second Young Master Xiao. They’re both military officers and colleagues, so he should know more than I do.”

He Yan thought to herself, that’s exactly what she was afraid of – Xiao Jue becoming suspicious. He already didn’t consider her one of his own, and if she kept asking about the He family’s affairs, he might uncover everything about her. It would be counterproductive if her identity as a woman was exposed before she could investigate anything, leaving her unable to stay in the military camp.

By now, they had reached the inn’s entrance. He Yan and Song Taotao went upstairs, and Song Taotao said, “Thank you so much for today. I’ll go in to change and rest for a moment, then you can join me for dinner.”

He Yan smiled, “Sure.”

Though this young lady had the habits of a noble daughter and liked giving orders, she wasn’t unlikeable. After she left, He Yan didn’t return to her room but knocked on the neighboring door.

Fortunately, someone answered today: “Come in.”

Upon entering, He Yan saw Xiao Jue sitting at the table. He was wiping an ancient zither with white silk – it was the Wanxiang zither she had damaged.

“Commander, is the zither fixed? It’s not broken, is it?” He Yan approached and asked softly.

Xiao Jue replied lazily, “What is it?” He seemed completely unwilling to talk with her.

He Yan brought her hands from behind her back: “Look! I brought you a gift from my outing today! Even though I was accompanying Young Lady Song shopping, I was thinking of you. These candied hawthorns are for you!”

Xiao Jue glanced at the candied hawthorns in her hand: “Take them away.”

How unsociable. He Yan said, “Don’t be like that, I’ve tried them, they’re sweet!”

“I don’t eat sweets,” he said coldly.

He Yan looked at him, internally grumbling. What an act. Back when they were at Xian Chang Academy together, he always carried a small sachet. When his companion at the time tried to grab it, he protected it fiercely. He Yan had thought it contained some precious treasure, only to later discover it was just a bag of osmanthus candy.

When he returned home for two days each month and came back to Xian Chang Academy, the sachet would be full again. Someone who carried Osmanthus candy since his youth now telling her he doesn’t eat sweets? Perhaps he’s just looking down on these two copper-coin treats?

“If you won’t eat them, give them to Brother Fei Nu.” He Yan stuck the candied hawthorns in the brush holder on the table, then changed her tone, smiling ingratiatingly, “Commander, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you.”

Xiao Jue looked at her, his gaze expressionless.

He Yan continued shamelessly, “Today while accompanying Young Lady Song, she wanted to buy clothes and accessories, and I’ve spent all the silver from winning the flag competition. I figured since Young Lady Song is your nephew’s future wife, she’s your relative, and while I shouldn’t be paying for your relative’s purchases, I’m devoted to you, Commander, and couldn’t let you spend the money. It’s just… I’m out of money now, and if Young Lady Song wants to buy anything else, could you perhaps give me some silver? It wouldn’t look good for your reputation if I can’t afford to buy things when we go out, right? Uncle? Uncle?”

The young man smiled particularly fawningly, his eyes sparkling with cleverness, like a fox cub He Yan had hunted in her youth. Though capable of biting, when begging for food from humans, it would act especially docile and gentle.

Xiao Jue coldly stared at her, unmoved.

He Yan asked, “Will you do it?”

His response was merciless: “No.”

“…Really no?” She still wouldn’t give up.

“No.”

He Yan straightened up, glaring at him resentfully. In her previous life, when she joined the army, she had heard that a person’s true moment of growth begins with borrowing money. He Yan now deeply agreed with this. She had already humbled herself so much, yet Xiao Jue, who was so wealthy, wouldn’t give her anything. He must be targeting her deliberately!

Xiao Jue raised his head, his expression calm, and mocked, “I remember I’m not your uncle. Have you forgotten that Song Taotao is Cheng Lisu’s fiancée, not yours?”

It took He Yan a moment to understand his words. She said, “You don’t think I have feelings for Young Lady Song…”

Xiao Jue lowered his eyes, continuing to polish the zither, “I hope you remember who you are.”

He Yan almost cursed internally. What nonsense was this? Was Xiao Jue worried she would steal Cheng Lisu’s fiancée? What a joke – if she hadn’t left home back then, how would Cheng Lisu even have this fiancée? Moreover, while Xiao Jue was eager to be their uncle, did he know the young lady wanted to be his sister-in-law? Her aspirations lay elsewhere; what did he understand?

He Yan smiled insincerely, anger brewing inside, “Of course, I remember who I am. I’m He Yan, who won ‘first place’ in the Liangzhou Guard flag competition.” She emphasized “first place” heavily, then added, “If Commander doesn’t want to give me silver, so be it.” She turned to leave but suddenly remembered something, spun around, and snatched the candied hawthorns from the table, “Since Commander doesn’t like sweets anyway, I’ll take these back and eat them myself.”

She vindictively took a large bite, chewing loudly “crunch crunch” while walking out, mumbling, “Some Right Army Commander, nothing but a stingy miser…”

Xiao Jue: “…”

Fei Nu, who had just entered, caught this last comment. Looking puzzled at He Yan’s retreating figure, he closed the door.

Xiao Jue looked up at him.

“Young Master, he…”

“It’s nothing,” Xiao Jue interrupted him. “Any findings today?”

Fei Nu shook his head: “He Yan stayed with Second Young Lady Song all day, doing nothing but shopping, drinking tea, and browsing the streets. He didn’t meet anyone.”

Xiao Jue nodded: “I understand.”

“Could his contact be someone from outside Liangzhou City?” Fei Nu asked, “I find this He Yan quite strange.”

Setting aside his exceptional martial skills and his knowledge of battle formations despite being a recruit, he hadn’t been caught doing anything suspicious. Yet his attitude toward Xiao Jue was extremely bold. Normal people… wouldn’t act like this, would they?

“With him by my side, nothing will go wrong. Tell Chi Wu to come here and escort her.”

“Young Master wants Chi Wu to accompany Young Lady Song?” Fei Nu asked.

Xiao Jue nodded: “Yuan Bao Zhen will arrive in Liangzhou soon. It’s not suitable for Song Taotao to travel with us. No meeting is without purpose, no banquet without reason,” he said coolly, “We must be fully prepared.”

Fei Nu acknowledged: “I understand.”

…

The next few days passed quite pleasantly.

Perhaps because of their long outing on the first day, and Song Taotao’s hand hadn’t fully healed, she was too lazy to go out these days. Xiao Jue and Fei Nu were still often absent during the day, and He Yan couldn’t leave Song Taotao alone at the inn, so she had to keep her company.

The young lady was easy to entertain. She listened intently to stories about strange people and events He Yan had encountered during her military service. When tired of listening, they would eat something downstairs at the inn, and the days passed like this. He Yan herself wanted to go out with Xiao Jue and the others to gather information, but they clearly wouldn’t take her along, obviously excluding her. After several attempts, He Yan, being self-aware, stopped trying to join them.

This trip to Liangzhou wasn’t very worthwhile. The only thing to look forward to was the arrival of Investigating Censor Yuan Bao Zhen. He Yan had never anticipated someone’s arrival so eagerly before. Fortunately, after three days, Yuan arrived in Liangzhou City.

That morning, Fei Nu brought someone over.

This was another young man dressed as a guard, named Chi Wu, who must also be one of Xiao Jue’s trusted men. He came to take Song Taotao away.

“You can’t stay here for now. Chi Wu will take you to a safe place. Once matters in Liangzhou are settled, I’ll come for you,” Xiao Jue said.

Song Taotao looked at He Yan: “Then… Young Master Cheng isn’t coming with me?”

Everyone’s gaze suddenly turned to He Yan, especially Xiao Jue’s, which was intensely cold. He Yan instantly understood the meaning of “handle your problems.”

She had to step forward and smile at Song Taotao: “I need to do something with Second Young Master Xiao, so I can’t accompany you for now. Don’t worry, Brother Chi Wu will protect you well.”

“What kind of thing? Is it dangerous?” Song Taotao asked again.

He Yan felt both embarrassed and touched – her care for the child hadn’t been wasted, as she even asked about her safety. She smiled, “With Second Young Master Xiao there, it’s not dangerous at all, don’t worry.”

“Then please be very careful.” After Song Taotao’s instructions, she left, looking back several times.

He Yan turned around to meet Xiao Jue’s mocking gaze. She said, “I didn’t do anything…”

Xiao Jue turned and walked away. He Yan hurried after him, “Uncle, don’t be angry. Though Young Lady Song only asked about my safety and not yours, it’s not because she finds your personality too cold and unapproachable while I’m warm and likable. Please don’t take it to heart!”

“Shut up.” Xiao Jue stopped and gave her a scrutinizing look from head to toe, sneering, “Instead of wasting breath, you should think about how not to expose yourself at tonight’s banquet. After all, Cheng Lisu is a young master from the Right Director’s household, and you,” he cast her a meaningful glance, “can you act the part?”

He left without looking back after dropping these words. He Yan was stunned for a moment before realizing he had mocked her again. She shouted at his retreating back, “What’s wrong with being from the Right Director’s household!”

After all, she was also a young master from the He family. Who wasn’t an official? She had been playing the role of a noble family’s young master for so many years – what couldn’t she pretend to be? Tonight she would make Xiao Jue see her in a new light.

…

At Liangzhou City’s gate, a carriage stood out conspicuously among the crowd.

This carriage was decorated magnificently, with its exterior adorned with fine embroidery depicting a grand landscape. In the grass was a white crane, its eyes made of black crystal, particularly exquisite and interesting.

Someone lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, but quickly let it drop.

Yuan Bao Zhen covered his nose with a handkerchief and said, “The sandstorms in Liangzhou are indeed strong, far inferior to the capital.”

He was now over forty, actually close to Sun Xiangfu’s age, but compared to Sun Xiangfu, he was remarkably well-maintained. His clothes were neat and refined, his face fair and beardless, and when he spoke, there was a hint of a smile, giving him a very pleasant demeanor.

“Tell me, isn’t Xiao Jue asking for trouble by coming to a place like this?” he asked the person beside him.

Next to him sat someone dressed as a guard, ordinary in appearance and slight in build. If not for the thick calluses on his palm near the tiger’s mouth, others would have taken him for a common servant.

“I don’t know,” the guard replied.

“Never mind, I’ll see him today anyway, and I can ask him myself then,” Yuan Bao Zhen smiled, “Ah, aren’t those Sun family’s people coming up ahead?”

Sun Xiangfu had come to receive them personally.

Yuan Bao Zhen’s face showed a satisfied smile, “Very good, very good. This Magistrate Sun understands propriety well.”

Sun Xiangfu watched the stopping carriage, wiping his sweat. Originally, when an Investigating Censor came to Liangzhou, while he couldn’t be negligent, he wouldn’t need to greet them at the city gate. However, having already offended Xiao Jue, he couldn’t afford to offend Yuan Bao Zhen as well – that would leave him no way out. He was counting on Yuan Bao Zhen to back him up and give Xiao Jue some trouble. Naturally, he had to put in his utmost effort to please this man.

As soon as Yuan Bao Zhen alighted from the carriage, Sun Xiangfu went forward to greet him, cupping his hands: “Lord Yuan’s arrival – this humble official failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive any discourtesy.”

“Not at all,” Yuan Bao Zhen smiled warmly, “I find Magistrate Sun very cordial. There’s no need for such formalities.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Sun Xiangfu said, “In that case, please allow me to escort Your Excellency to my residence to rest.”

Yuan Bao Zhen was to stay at the Sun residence while in Liangzhou. They both got into the carriage Sun Xiangfu had prepared, and inside, Yuan Bao Zhen asked, “I hear the Right Army Commander has arrived in Liangzhou. Is he at your residence now?”

“Commander Xiao is staying at an inn in the city, saying he has urgent matters to attend to. He’ll come to the residence tonight. Speaking of which, this humble official has a favor to ask of Lord Yuan.”

Yuan Bao Zhen’s eyes flickered, though his smile remained unchanged as he asked, “What troubles Magistrate Sun?”

“It concerns Commander Xiao. My unfilial son previously offended the Commander’s nephew accidentally. I fear the Commander may harbor resentment toward me because of this. Since we’re hosting a welcoming banquet for Lord Yuan tonight, I hope you might mediate and clear up this misunderstanding.” Sun Xiangfu looked embarrassed.

Though he hadn’t specified exactly what happened, Yuan Bao Zhen could guess somewhat. The son of a magistrate who ruled Liangzhou with absolute power naturally wouldn’t be a person of good character. Xiao Jue’s nephew was the young master of the Right Director’s household – in any conflict between the two, Sun’s son was bound to come off worse.

While thinking this, he said aloud, “I think Magistrate Sun is taking this too seriously. Commander Xiao isn’t unreasonable. If it was an accidental offense, explaining should suffice. How could he hold a grudge?”

“That may be true,” Sun Xiangfu wiped his sweat, smiling apologetically, “but Commander Xiao… didn’t he handle Zhao Nuo the same way back then!”

At these words, Yuan Bao Zhen’s expression changed.

Everyone in Great Wei knew about how Xiao Jue had beheaded Zhao Nuo, the eldest son of the Minister of Revenue, at the Memorial Hall. Too much time had passed, and people attributed it to youthful impulsiveness, gradually forgetting. Now that Sun Xiangfu brought it up, Yuan Bao Zhen remembered. When Zhao Nuo’s incident occurred, Minister Zhao first sought help from Minister Xu. Minister Xu sent a note, and Minister Zhao went to the Golden Palace, crying his eyes out to His Majesty. Though His Majesty was deeply sympathetic, he still didn’t punish Xiao Jue.

“If you don’t cut down a tree at its roots, it will grow again; if you don’t block water at its source, it will flow again; if you don’t eliminate trouble at its foundation, chaos will return.” Minister Xu had only said these words at the time, “If this youth isn’t eliminated, he will become a great threat to us in the future.”

They had all wanted to eliminate Xiao Jue while he was still young and developing, but after he led the Southern Army to the Southern Barbarians, they never got another chance. His growth was astonishing – in just a few years, the same person who had beheaded Zhao Nuo, whom everyone thought unreasonable, now did similar things that people considered ordinary.

This was what Xiao Jue had achieved in these years.

He was far more formidable than Xiao Zhongwu, and much younger too.

“Your Excellency? Lord Yuan?” Seeing Yuan Bao Zhen’s strange expression and silence, Sun Xiangfu anxiously spoke up, not understanding.

“It’s nothing, I was just thinking of something else,” Yuan Bao Zhen smiled, “Since Commander Xiao is coming to the banquet tonight, I’ll speak to him on your behalf. However, I’m not sure about his temperament – if he doesn’t listen to me, please don’t hold it against me.”

“Not at all,” Sun Xiangfu was moved to tears with gratitude, “This humble official is already grateful that Your Excellency is willing to speak up.”

Yuan Bao Zhen smiled and shook his head, his thoughts already elsewhere.

No matter how formidable Xiao Jue was, his purpose in coming to Liangzhou was simply to eliminate this great threat to Minister Xu.

Hopefully, everything will go smoothly.

…

By evening, He Yan was preparing to leave with Xiao Jue.

They were going to the Sun residence, which was why they had sent Song Taotao away. Otherwise, if Sun Ling saw Song Taotao, or if Song Taotao saw Sun Ling, who knew what complications might arise.

Since they were attending a banquet, He Yan especially changed into very “Cheng Lisu-like” attire – a honey-colored robe with a red carp embroidered on the hem. While Cheng Lisu wore this clothing with an adorable innocence, He Yan wore it differently, appearing more bright and open, but still a handsome youth. She also chose a matching hairpin for her head and didn’t forget to bring that folding fan. Holding the half-opened fan across her chest, she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, quite satisfied.

After getting ready, He Yan stepped out the door, immediately seeing Xiao Jue standing there.

He had also changed clothes. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with a subtle crane pattern. Today he wasn’t wearing a gold crown, just a purple sandalwood hairpin. Though simple, upon closer inspection, both the fabric and embroidery were of the highest quality. He was already exceptionally handsome, and in this attire, he appeared less cold and more refined – truly a noble and elegant young master.

He Yan thought to herself, that once bright and beautiful youth had grown into such an elegant and handsome man. He looked unchanged, yet somehow completely different from the past.

Xiao Jue turned sideways, meeting He Yan’s slightly dazed gaze. He curved his lips and said, “Wipe your drool.”

He Yan instinctively wiped her mouth, then came to her senses: “What drool?”

“You look like an idiot,” he said with disdain. “You still think you can fool Yuan Bao Zhen?”

Hearing this, He Yan became indignant. She snapped open her fan with a “whoosh,” very gracefully, and walked to Xiao Jue’s side, smiling gently and speaking softly: “Looking like this, in Shuo Capital, though I dare not compare to Commander, I should at least be on par with Young Master Cheng. Otherwise, why did Young Lady Song specifically instruct me before leaving, and not you?”

The youth’s eyes and brows were full of laughter, eyes bright as stars, yet still couldn’t hide that hint of foolishness. Xiao Jue mocked, “Because you’re stupid.”

“What?”

“Stupid people always need more reminders.”

He Yan frowned, “Uncle, do you specifically dislike me?” Would this person die if he didn’t mock her for one day?

“You’re my nephew, how could I dislike you?” Xiao Jue cast her an ambiguous glance, then ordered Fei Nu, “Let’s go.”

Yan Yan: An adult’s breakdown begins with borrowing money.