Above the river, the moonlight was thousands of miles away, and it was cold enough to penetrate one's clothes. White light leaked through the gaps between the branches, like snow that had not yet melted.
He Yan turned her head and looked at the person opposite her.
The young man's eyes were like autumn water, moving even without adding color. His side profile was angular, heroic, and lazy. The faint smile on his lips instantly made her return to that night in the mountain temple.
It was you. Her mind was a little muddled, and she was at a loss.
In the end, she did not know who the other party was.
She only remembered that she was sent to a room in the mountain temple, and a woman with a gentle voice took care of her, cleaned her up, and sent her back to Xu Zhiheng.
Xu Zhiheng asked her what was going on, and He Yan only said that she wanted to go out for a walk and accidentally lost her way. He did not say much. As for the woman who sent her back, Xu Zhiheng did not mention her again. Therefore, she did not know who the strange man she met was.
But the other party said, "If you really want to be strong, so what if you are blind? Even if you are blind, you can be the most different among the blind." She always remembered it in her mind, and she did not forget a single word.
Later, she tried to distinguish shapes by listening to sounds, and she could live without her eyes. This process was very difficult, but every time she wanted to give up, she would think of the moon behind the Tianshan Temple.
The moon was very beautiful, and it would be a pity to give up like this.
It was not that she did not think about everything that happened that day, but when she calmed down and thought about it, some things were not necessarily unintentional. How could she coincidentally hear the conversation between the maids at the door? How could no one in the Xu Family have noticed a person stumbling into the mountains? When she was sent back, Xu Zhiheng easily believed her words and did not pursue the matter.
He just wanted her to be free.
She was not a snow-white kitten raised in the courtyard of a rich family, and she was not held in the arms of a madam or a young miss. She would be happy after being teased with a ball of thread, and she was docile and weak. She was a wild cat that came out of an alley at night, dirty and tenacious. Even if she was blind, she could sit on the wall and hunt.
They wanted her to die, but she did not want to die. After all, in this world, someone had given her a piece of candy and taught her how to taste the sweetness of the world.
He Yan had always thought that the strange passerby that night might be a kind-hearted young master or a very patient young master, but he didn't expect it to be Xiao Jue.
How could it be him?
She asked softly, "Granny Xu … what kind of person is she?"
Xiao Jue smiled and lazily said, "A very fierce, crybaby, bad-tempered woman."
He Yan also smiled, but his eyes were a little wet. She said, "Does Young Mistress Xu know that you're talking about her behind her back?"
She had saved the worst side of herself for that night with Xiao Jue. And the most gentle side of Xiao Jue's life was probably reserved for her that night.
He Yan did not know that his stay at that time had become the only salvation for the desperate He Yan.
The moon was lonely and cold, hanging in the sky, but no one knew that he had once shone the moonlight so gently on a person.
"She won't have the chance to know," Xiao Jue said calmly.
Because Young Mistress Xu was dead.
"Maybe she knows." He Yan lowered his head and smiled. Suddenly, he looked at the sky and sighed, "The moon is so beautiful."
Xiao Jue supported herself with her hands and looked up, but did not look at him. "Didn't you say that you wanted to drink with Chu Zilan? Didn't you bring wine? "
He Yan said loudly, "A cup of wine for the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas!" She held her hands in the air, and the moonlight fell into her hands, as if it was a cup full. She raised her hands to the sky and said, "To the moon!"
The young man looked on coldly and sneered, "Crazy."
The girl turned around and solemnly raised the 'cup' in her hand to him. "Here's to you too!"
He Yan's eyes were no longer tired and gloomy. At this moment, his eyes were bright, and his smile was bright. There was even a trace of gratitude in his eyes.
Gratitude?
He raised his eyebrows and snorted, but did not respond to her silly gesture. "Flattery."
He Yan looked into Xiao Jue's eyes and said quietly in his heart.
Really … thank you very much.
That night, He Yan and Xiao Jue sat together until very late. In the end, because it was too cold on the mountain, she and Xiao Jue went down the mountain.
When they got back, it was already midnight. The next day, they woke up later. After lunch, they wanted to find Chu Zhao to talk about what happened last night, but when they arrived, they found that he had already left.
"Are you looking for Chu Zilan?" Lin Shuanghe passed by and said, "This morning, Chu Zilan returned to the capital with the people from Shuo Jing."
"This morning?" He Yan was stunned. "He didn't tell me it was this morning."
"They came in a hurry." Lin Shuanghe opened his fan and waved it. "Brother He, meeting and parting is fate. He will return to Shuo Jing sooner or later. You don't have to be too forceful."
He Yan was confused. What was she being too forceful about? She just felt that it was a pity that she didn't even say goodbye to Chu Zhao before leaving. After all, Fourth Young Master Chu had been in Liangzhou with her every day to sort out the relationship between the officials in Shuo Jing.
But since he had already left, there was no point in talking about this.
Not long after Chu Zhao left, Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu also left for Shuo Jing. Xiao Jue arranged for them to be escorted back to the capital. Before the little girl left, she pulled on He Yan's clothes with tears in her eyes. "Brother He, you must come back to see me …"
"See you for what? You're a girl. My big brother is a man. How can he come to see you? " Cheng Lisu pulled her away and replaced her with herself. She laughed and said to He Yan, "Big brother, look at me. Come to our residence as a guest. I'll treat you to all the restaurants in Shuo Jing."
Song Taotao: "Cheng Lisu!"
"I know, I know. When we get back, we'll cancel the engagement." Cheng Lisu picked her ear and muttered, "Bitch, only a ghost would want to marry you."
With the two children playing around, it seemed like they wouldn't be lonely on the road.
He Yan sent them to the carriage. For a moment, he felt a bit disappointed. Usually, he felt that they were naughty and noisy. But when it was time to leave, he felt very reluctant.
When she was "He Rufei", because of her identity, she couldn't get too close to her brothers and sisters in the residence. Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao were like siblings in an ordinary family, just like He Yunsheng. In a way, they made up for the fantasy she had about her family.
Wang Ba and Jiang Jiao walked over. Jiang Jiao said, "Brother He."
After the misunderstanding was cleared, Jiang Jiao finally believed that He Yan didn't steal his wife. His attitude slightly improved. He said, "My family sent some things over. I picked some food and necessities. You can go get them for me later."
Wang Ba said sourly, "The young master of the martial arts school is so good. He's already here to join the army, but people still send him things."
"Aren't you the leader of the mountain bandits?" He Yan asked curiously, "Why didn't your subordinates send you anything?"
"No money! Poor! Can't the bandit's nest be disbanded! "Wang Ba became angry." Why are you asking me? You didn't receive anything either! "
"… I'm just asking. Don't get angry." He Yan thought, how could she be the same as Wang Ba? She was now living in anonymity. If the He family still sent her things, did they want her to die faster? Or was it because the government couldn't write a warrant for her arrest?
"But … Brother Jiang, why did your family suddenly send you things?" He Yan asked.
Jiang Jiao said helplessly, "Brother He, did you forget that it's going to be the New Year soon?"
The New Year?
He Yan was startled. She had been living too comfortably these days. She actually almost forgot that it was going to be the New Year in a few days.
The New Year was coming.
It belonged to "He Yan." The New Year.
She suddenly became happy. Jiang Jiao and Wang Ba were both startled. Wang Ba asked suspiciously, "Why are you so happy? Did Military Governor Xiao give you something good behind our backs again?"
He Yan answered seriously, "That's right! Good wine, good food, good future. Are you envious? Are you jealous? "
After she finished speaking, she turned around and left. Wang Ba was stunned for a moment. He chased after her and said, "Hey, tell me clearly! What did he give you? Don't run! "
The Liang Province Guards had a pretty good New Year. Xiao Jue, as the commander, treated all the new recruits equally. Regardless of whether it was the Southern Prefecture soldiers or the Liang Province Guards, they all had a full New Year's Eve dinner. There were dishes, meat, and good wine. It was very lively. The joy even diluted the bitter cold at the border.
But this New Year's passed, and training continued. After the end of the year, He Yan's injuries were almost healed. She also trained with them. Even though she wanted to enter the Nine Flags Battalion, the amount of daily training for the Southern Prefecture Soldiers wasn't something He Yan, who had just recovered from a serious illness, could afford. As such, she could only suffer alongside the Liang Province Guards.
The days passed peacefully until one day, Fei Nu received a letter from Lou County.
In the room, Fei Nu was talking to Xiao Jue.
"Young Master, Luan Ying said that if the Commander in Chief is looking for a suitable person to travel with, it would be best to set off in the next few days. Jiyang is not close to Liang Province. If we set off now, it would be spring by the time we arrive. We should be able to make it in time for Princess Mengji's birthday. Chai Anxi might appear on that day. "
Xiao Jue looked up. "Qiao Huanqing?"
"This child is the nephew of Princess Jiyang's general, Cui Yue Zhi," Fei Nu said. "When he was young, he was taken away by the Cui family's enemies. Later, he was luckily rescued. He was stranded in the Central Plains and was adopted by a rich merchant. The rich merchant had no children, so Qiao Huanqing inherited his wealth. He married his wife last year, but for some reason, Cui Yue Zhi found her whereabouts. Cui Yue Zhi has no other family members, so he wrote a letter to invite him to attend Princess Mengji's birthday banquet. However, Qiao Huanqing is very timid. Before he reached Jiyang, he was robbed by bandits when he passed by Lou County. He was slightly injured. He also heard that there were many bad people on the road to Jiyang, so he refused to go forward. "
Xiao Jue's eyes moved slightly. She smiled but did not say anything.
Needless to say, the "bad people" were definitely Luan Ying's doing. However, after scaring Qiao Huanqing, this person did not dare to go to Jiyang. Wasn't he too cowardly?
"The person sent by Luan Ying agreed with Cui Yue Zhi that he would replace Qiao Huanqing to attend the banquet in Jiyang. However, Qiao Huanqing would have to pay a thousand taels of gold as a reward. Qiao Huanqing had been separated from his family for many years. Cui Yue Zhi had not seen this nephew of his for more than ten years, so no one knows what Qiao Huanqing looks like now. This person's identity is suitable, and the time is suitable. Luan Ying also sent a pass and a jade tablet to prove his identity. Young Master, there shouldn't be any problems. "
A nephew who had been separated from the vassal king's trusted aide for many years. This identity could be said to be very convenient, but …
"You make it sound so easy," Chi Wu could not help but say, "But Luan Ying already said that Cui Yue Zhi invited Qiao Huanqing and his wife, as well as his newly married wife. It's not a big deal to be a governor, but where can we find a woman to pretend to be his wife? We can't say that the madam disappeared halfway! "
Fei Nu's face was wooden, but he also knew that Chi Wu's words made sense. The Southern Prefecture Army and the Nine Banners Battalion did not lack men. Whenever there was a need for people, there were people who were agile, smart, handsome, and strange. There were all kinds of people, but there were no women. Luan Ying was the only woman, but Luan Ying … her son was already twelve years old. How could she be "Qiao Huanqing's" wife?!
Xiao Jue frowned. For the first time, his handsome face showed some embarrassment.
"You can find a death warrior with high martial arts …" Fei Nu reminded.
"How can that be!" Chi Wu refused without thinking, "We haven't known each other for a long time. Who knows if they are good or bad. If they secretly harm Young Master, can you and I bear the responsibility?"
Chi Wu spoke without thinking. Fei Nu had nothing to say, so he only said, "Then do you have someone in mind?"
"Me?" Chi Wu thought hard and said solemnly, "Let's not talk about the Southern Prefecture Army. Even in our Xiao Mansion, we don't know many girls who know martial arts. When the madam was still alive, she didn't like Master to play with swords and sticks. Even the maids we took in only knew how to write poems and flowers and tend to the flowers and plants. I haven't seen many girls like this. "
"Find a girl?" Someone outside the window unhurriedly waved a folding fan and elegantly said, "I know this. Why don't you ask these two uncouth men instead of me? Xiao Huaijin, aren't you recklessly wasting God's gift? Have they seen a girl before? Why don't you ask me such a difficult question? This young master will answer your question. "
Xiao Jue glanced at him and said indifferently, "Who let him in?"
Chi Wu: "It wasn't me!"
Fei Nu: "It wasn't me."
"Do you still need to let him in?" Lin Shuanghe felt very good about himself, "Everyone in the Liang Province Guard knows that you and I have been close friends for many years. I'm also the White Robed Divine Hand who can bring people back to life. Of course they respect me. I can go anywhere in the Liang Province Guard unimpeded."
"Throw him out."
Fei Nu: "…"
"Ai, Xiao Huaijin, what kind of dog temper is this?" Lin Shuanghe said as he walked in through the door. He waved his hand, indicating that Fei Nu and Chi Wu should leave, "Let me solve your young master's difficult illness."
Fei Nu and Chi Wu left. Lin Shuanghe closed the door and windows. Xiao Jue coldly watched his actions. Lin Shuanghe sat down on the chair in front of him and asked, "Looking for a girl?"
Xiao Jue kicked him.
Lin Shuanghe jumped up, "If you want to talk, then talk. Don't keep hitting me. I didn't eavesdrop on your conversation just now. I only heard half of it. What do you mean a girl with good skills? Why are you looking for a girl with good skills? A female guard? "
Xiao Jue stared at him and suddenly laughed. He lazily curled his lips and said unhurriedly, "Looking for a 'wife'."
Lin Shuanghe: "?"
After a while, he suddenly came back to his senses and realized what Xiao Jue meant. "You're going to get married? That can't be! "
"That's not right. You're always talking about blind marriages and mute marriages. If you're going to get married, you should find a wife yourself. Why are you asking Fei Nu and the others to find one for you as if you're picking vegetables? Xiao Huaijin, are you talking nonsense?"
Xiao Jue: "Did I say that you're looking for a wife for me?"
Lin Shuanghe: "You're looking for someone else! You don't even know where you are! "
Xiao Jue said impatiently, "It's fake. Don't you know how to act?"
"What?" Lin Shuanghe stared blankly for a moment before slowly coming back to his senses. He stared at Xiao Jue for a while, until Xiao Jue revealed a displeased expression. Only then did he move closer and say, "Are you going to do something like last time when you went to the Liang Province Guard to deal with Sun Xiangfu? Find someone to pretend to be your wife and do something?" Lin Shuanghe finally got the truth out of Song Taotao's mouth. The little girl was no match for this kind of person. In just a few sentences, Lin Shuanghe knew what was going on.
"You're not that stupid."
"Then isn't there someone in front of you?" Lin Shuanghe said without thinking, "Of course you're looking for my Little Sister He! Have you forgotten that my Little Sister He is also a girl? And she's quite skilled. She's brave and smart, not pretentious, and very cute! If she can pretend to be your nephew, then of course she can pretend to be your wife. "
Xiao Jue: "No."
"Why not?" Lin Shuanghe was dissatisfied, "She can call you father. Is it wrong for you to call her wife?"
Xiao Jue took a sip of tea and looked at him indifferently, "Did you accept He Yan's money to speak for her?"
"I'm so rich, why would I accept money from others? But you," Lin Shuanghe leaned closer, "Why are you so resistant? Xiao Huaijin, ah, Xiao Huaijin, have you forgotten that you found a fake wife? At this time, don't be picky about your real wife. Or … "He stood up straight and waved his fan. Using a mysterious tone, he said," Are you afraid that you'll fall in love with her? "
"Cough, cough, cough." Xiao Jue choked.
He said expressionlessly, "You can leave now."
"Then I'll leave," Lin Shuanghe said, "Don't blame me for not reminding you. He Yan is the best candidate you can think of. Although I don't know what you're going to do, but whatever you do, it will be very dangerous. Normal girls won't be able to handle this kind of dangerous situation. You don't trust those who can handle it. He Yan has fought side by side with you a few times. You know her quite well. In terms of loyalty … "His gaze fell on Xiao Jue. He seemed to be pondering," Are you going to take Shen Muxue with you? I think she would be very happy to go with you. However, I'm afraid that if Lord Shen finds out, he won't be able to resist rushing to Liangzhou to chop off your legs. "
"I've seen more girls than you've trained soldiers. I think Little Sister He doesn't like you now. A girl who doesn't like you and you pretend to be husband and wife is the least likely to cause trouble. If you change Shen Muxue? Then something big will happen. Most importantly, Little Sister He always dresses as a man. Other than you, no one knows what she looks like. It's like a person who fell from the sky. If she's really exposed, it'll be easier to hide her identity. "
Xiao Jue calmly looked at the teacup in her hand. She didn't know if Lin Shuanghe had heard or not.
"A girl's thoughts are the most difficult to guess. A girl like Little Sister He who is simple and straightforward, with everything written on her face, or who says it directly, is suitable for this job."
"You might as well say that she's an idiot.
Lin Shuanghe choked and said angrily, "I've said all that needs to be said. I only said this because we're brothers. Think about it carefully! Think about it carefully before you choose someone! "After he finished speaking, he grabbed his fan and left.
After he left, Xiao Jue put the teacup back on the table and sighed lightly.
It was late at night. He Yan washed up and sat in front of the mirror.
He ate too well during the New Year in the army. He looked at himself in the mirror and felt that he seemed to have become slightly chubbier. Fortunately, Lady He was born slender and weak. Now that he was slightly chubbier, he didn't look too plump. Instead, he looked a little less skinny and more delicate. He looked like a young lady who was raised by a wealthy family.
It was just that this kind of coquettish behavior was really inappropriate in the military camp. He Yan waved his fist at his reflection in the mirror and made a fierce expression. He felt that he still looked imposing and was relieved. He walked to the bed and climbed onto it.
The bed was as cold as ice. There wasn't enough charcoal in the army camp. Although the weather was slightly warmer after the New Year, it was still a little cold at night.
He had to use his body to warm up the mattress under him.
Just as he felt a little warm, he suddenly heard someone knocking on the door. He Yan was stunned for a moment. He cursed in his heart. Who was it? It was the middle of the night. It wasn't easy to warm up the bed, but now that he went out, it was cold again. The knocking continued. He Yan couldn't pretend that he didn't hear it even if he wanted to. He could only put on his outer garment and open the door. When he opened the door, Lin Shuanghe was standing outside.
This person was seriously wearing a thin white shirt on such a cold day. Even if he added cotton, it wouldn't be very thick. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to look so elegant. He was even fanning himself. He Yan couldn't help but grab his fan: "Doctor Lin, can you stop fanning yourself? It's really cold."
Lin Shuanghe stopped and smiled: "Okay."
"Why are you looking for me so late at night?"
Lin Shuanghe: "Brother He, let's talk inside."
"I don't have a problem," He Yan replied, "But Brother Lin, didn't you say that a man and a woman alone …"
Before she could finish speaking, the young man walked past her and went inside. He stomped his feet and said: "It's so cold!"
He Yan: "…"
She closed the door and turned around. Lin Shuanghe was still nagging: "Why didn't you light a charcoal brazier in your room? It's too cold."
"I ran out of charcoal," He Yan said patiently: "Since it's so cold, can Doctor Lin just tell me what's the matter?"
"I've thought about it. There's something I must tell you …"
The sound of knocking interrupted his words. The two of them looked at the door in the middle of the room. The knocking sound was coming from inside.
He Yan was stunned. Knocking on the middle door meant that it was Xiao Jue? What did Xiao Jue mean by knocking on the door in the middle of the night? She looked at Lin Shuanghe. Lin Shuanghe also had a suspicious look on his face. He Yan walked over, hesitated for a moment, and unlocked the door.
Second Young Master Xiao's expression was calm and elegant. His gaze swept past Lin Shuanghe for a moment and quickly returned to He Yan. He Yan didn't know if it was an illusion, but she felt that Second Young Master Xiao's expression was a little strange.
"Commander-in-chief … What's the matter?"
"Lady He." He took a step forward and bent down slightly, looking straight at her. The young man had a handsome face. His eyes were like autumn water, full of moonlight. At such a close distance, she could clearly see his long and slightly curled eyelashes. His voice was low and magnetic, making her heart beat faster.
"Do you like me?"
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