"You're not allowed to go."
He Yan was stunned.
After a moment, she asked, "Why?"
Xiao Jue looked at her and curved her lips. Her tone was as sarcastic as ever, "Chu Zilan is one of Xu Jingfu's people. He has ulterior motives for staying in the Liang Province Guard. You're too close to a spy. Do you also want to become one of Xu Jingfu's people?"
This was a serious accusation. He Yan repeatedly denied it, "I'm not, I'm not!"
Xiao Jue snorted coldly and ignored her.
"Commander in Chief, of course I know that Fourth Young Master Chu has a special identity." He Yan's attitude was very sincere, "I promise that the things we talk about on a daily basis do not involve any of the secrets of the Liang Province Guard. Furthermore, I don't know any of the secrets of the Liang Province Guard. If Fourth Young Master Chu really has the intention of probing military affairs, I will avoid him. "In her previous life, she was especially sensitive in this aspect. Xiao Jue really didn't need to worry about this.
"Furthermore," He Yan continued, "if he really has ulterior motives for staying in the Liang Province Guard, I might be able to get some information out of him by getting close to him like this. It'll be beneficial to us."
Xiao Jue glanced at her, "You're so stupid. I'm afraid that before you can get anything out of him, you'll be exposed first."
He Yan, "…"
Perhaps Jiang Jiao was wrong. There were more than just women in the world. Men also had a period of time every month when they were extremely irritable and didn't like anyone.
In any case, Xiao Jue wouldn't let her go today. He Yan sighed inwardly and could only say, "Alright, Commander in Chief, then I won't go look for him. However, I still need to inform Fourth Young Master Chu's servant girl. Otherwise, it wouldn't be good to miss an appointment for no reason. "
Ying Xiang had spoken very seriously when she came. She hoped that there really wasn't anything urgent.
Xiao Jue's expression was calm, "No need. In any case, you won't be seeing each other in the future."
He Yan, "…"
Xiao Jue was a very straightforward person.
It was getting late. Ying Xiang came in from outside and closed the door. She walked to the man in front of the window and said in a low voice, "Fourth Young Master, the light in Miss He's room is off. He should be resting."
When Chu Zhao heard this, he didn't look angry. He just shook his head and smiled. "As expected."
"It should be Military Governor Xiao who didn't allow it." Ying Xiang said, "But he didn't even give us a heads up before breaking the appointment, that's really …"
"Don't worry." Chu Zhao looked at the thrush hanging in the birdcage in front of the window. The bitter cold land actually became much more beautiful because of him, as if he had returned to the bustling countryside of Shuo Jing. He teased the bird for a while, then turned around and said, "The more nervous Xiao Huaijin is, the more it proves one thing."
"He Yan is very different to him."
The lamp on the table swayed gently, and his voice disappeared into the darkness.
"She will become Xiao Huaijin's weakness."
The next day, He Yan went to the practice field for his daily training as usual. Xiao Jue was also present. Because Xiao Jue's mood was truly abnormal these past few days, He Yan didn't dare to slack off and trained especially hard. When it was noon and it was almost time to rest, suddenly, Shen Han and a few others hurriedly ran over from the Liangzhou Guard recruits. They ran to Xiao Jue's side and said, "Governor, Governor, people from the capital have come!"
These words were a bit loud, but the Southern Mansion soldiers didn't move. He Yan felt that it was a bit strange. Why would the capital suddenly come to the Liangzhou Guard? Ever since they chased away Rida Muzi's Uto last time, the Liangzhou Guard had lived peacefully for half a year. Now that people from the capital had come, could it be that something big had happened?
Xiao Jue had Tian Lang continue to train the new recruits while she followed Shen Han to the other side. After a while, Shen Han and Xiao Jue reappeared, followed by a large group of people. The leader was a eunuch wearing palace robes. He held a horsetail whisk in his hand and smiled kindly. Xiao Jue indicated to Tian Lang, and Tian Lang immediately had the Southern Mansion soldiers stop their daily training.
The kind-looking eunuch took a step forward and said with a smile, "Which one of you is He Yan?"
He Yan, who was called out, was startled. He stood up and saluted, "This one is indeed He Yan."
The eunuch looked He Yan up and down. His gaze made one's hair stand on end. He Yan wasn't unfamiliar with this scene. He had experienced it before. He was immediately shocked. Could it be …
The next moment, the eunuch said, "His Majesty has an imperial edict. Young Master He, please accept it."
He Yan respectfully knelt down. He saw the person in front of him open the bright yellow imperial edict scroll and said in a long voice, "By the will of the heavens, His Majesty summons, He Yan of the Liangzhou Guard. He is loyal, brave, and skilled in battle. He has repeatedly performed miraculous feats in the war at Uto. I hereby confer upon him the title of Mu An Lang and give him a crown. I hereby announce this to the world. By the Emperor … "
He Yan was startled. Mu An Lang?
Seeing that he didn't move, the eunuch reminded him, "Young Master He? Why aren't you accepting the edict and thanking him? "
He Yan hurriedly kowtowed and accepted the edict. He was still puzzled. Why would His Majesty reward him at this juncture? On the surface, it seemed to be because of the Liangzhou Guard's war at Uto and Jiyang City. However, how did the palace find out about this? Xiao Jue probably wouldn't say anything. Even if it was Mu Hongjin, she would only tell him the truth. His Majesty wouldn't pay attention to a minor character like him, especially since he wasn't the main character in these two wars.
Before he could clear his doubts, the eunuch smiled and cupped his hands at He Yan. "Congratulations, congratulations. Young Master He is so young and promising. Your future will be limitless."
He Yan smiled and returned his greeting. He looked at Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue's brows were slightly furrowed. She didn't seem to be happy with the current situation. He Yan understood that this matter was probably beyond Xiao Jue's expectations.
Of course, the people from the capital wouldn't be here just to reward him. The main reason was to reward Xiao Jue, the main general. He rewarded her by carrying boxes of goods into the Liangzhou Guard. The soldiers of the Southern Prefecture were strictly trained. They didn't dare look askance. The recruits of the Liangzhou Guard had never seen such a scene before. They immediately stretched their necks impatiently on the training field, trying their best to listen to the commotion.
When Xiao Jue followed the palace people to the guard station to speak, the recruits of the Liangzhou Guard all rushed over with a whoosh. They surrounded He Yan in the center and began to praise him.
"Congratulations, Brother He. You've been promoted so quickly!"
"Does this mean that you won't be able to mingle with the Liangzhou Guard anymore? You have to go to the capital! Go to the capital! Hey, does anyone know what kind of official Mu An Lang is? Is he even more powerful than Instructor? If that's the case, won't Instructor have to call Brother He big brother in the future? "
"I've already said that Brother He isn't ordinary. When I first saw Brother He, I knew that Brother He wasn't an ordinary person. It was only a matter of time before he became outstanding."
"Bah, don't give me advice after the fact!"
The crowd was so crowded that He Yan couldn't even finish a sentence. It was only when Hong Shan saw that the situation wasn't good that he pulled her out of the crowd and ran wildly. When they reached the riverside, there were fewer people around them. Xiao Mai and the others also caught up. Only then did He Yan have a gap.
"A He, congratulations." Hong Shan laughed loudly, "You've finally gotten what you wanted."
"You've already completed half of your path to success." Huang Xiong twirled the prayer beads around his neck, "It's already very fast."
"What kind of bullshit luck is this?" Wang Ba wasn't satisfied, "Did you feed the higher-ups some kind of bewitching potion?"
Jiang Jiao smiled, "Brother He fought for this step by step. In a place like Jiyang, one mistake and you'll lose your life. Since you're willing to risk everything, you deserve this kind of reward. "
"But," Xiao Mai looked at He Yan, "A He Ge doesn't seem very happy?"
Everyone looked at He Yan. When the Liangzhou Guards were fighting for the flag, He Yan acted as if he couldn't wait to immediately enter the Nine Flags Battalion and make a name for himself. Now that he was promoted to an official, he didn't seem happy at all. In fact, he even looked a little worried.
Shi Tou asked, "What happened?"
He Yan forced a smile, "Nothing, I just … can't believe it."
"Ha," Wang Ba sneered, "This is called a beggar who picked up money and went crazy with joy. What's there to be unhappy about? Don't be so pretentious! "
He Yan didn't say anything. In fact, she wasn't unhappy. She just felt a little strange. When she was "He Rufei" in her previous life, she relied on herself to fight for her merits step by step. That was why she knew how difficult it was to be promoted. Now that she was suddenly promoted to an official, it didn't make sense at all. Moreover, it just had to be Mu An Lang.
It was hard not to think about it.
Maybe she should ask Xiao Jue about the inside story.
After talking to Hong Shan and the others, He Yan planned to go back to Xiao Jue and ask her what happened.
Before they arrived at their residence, they saw Shen Muxue and Xiao Jue in the courtyard in front of the house. The two of them stood under a tree. Shen Muxue was talking to Xiao Jue. Not long after, Shen Muxue bent down and picked up a piece of silk cloth from a box on the ground. Among the gifts bestowed by the Emperor, there were probably precious fabrics. Unfortunately, Xiao Jue didn't have a family and Shen Muxue was the only girl in the Liang Province Guards. Naturally, these fabrics were given to Shen Muxue.
Shen Muxue seemed to be very happy. She held the silk cloth and thanked Xiao Jue. Ever since He Yan met Shen Muxue, this girl had always been cold and indifferent. She was like a fairy who couldn't be approached. Now that she was smiling brightly at Xiao Jue, He Yan stopped in her tracks. Her legs seemed to weigh a thousand pounds and she couldn't take another step forward.
She hesitated. She wanted to wait for the two of them to finish talking before going forward. Suddenly, she heard a voice, "Why aren't you going over?"
He Yan turned around. Chu Zhao was standing in front of her. He looked at her with some confusion.
"It's not an urgent matter. There's no harm in going over later." He Yan said half-heartedly, "Why is Brother Chu here?"
"I'm here to find you." Chu Zhao glanced at the two people under the tree and then looked at He Yan, "Since Brother He isn't in a hurry, why don't you take care of me first?"
He Yan thought about it and said, "That's fine too."
She turned her head and walked in the opposite direction of Xiao Jue with Chu Zhao. She asked, "Brother Chu, are you looking for me for something urgent?"
"It seems that Brother He is really busy with your daily training. You were so busy that you forgot about our agreement last night. Even now, you still haven't remembered."
He Yan suddenly understood. She originally wanted to remember today. Who knew that after the imperial edict came down, she would forget about Chu Zhao. Hearing this, she apologized, "I'm sorry. I unknowingly fell asleep last night. Today, I wanted to apologize to you, but …"
"It's just a joke. Don't take it to heart," Chu Zhao smiled, "You're going to be an official today. Of course, you should be happy."
He Yan's footsteps paused, "You also know?"
"I found out yesterday."
Seeing He Yan's confused expression, Chu Zhao said, "The people from the capital already sent me a letter yesterday. They said that they would arrive today. I came to find you last night to tell you about this. Thinking that you would suddenly be conferred, I thought it would be better to give you a heads-up in advance so that you wouldn't be at a loss. I didn't think that you would fall asleep. However, looking at Brother He, you're still calm after being promoted. It seems that I worried too much. "
"You said that the people from the capital sent you a letter yesterday?" He Yan looked at him, "Why did they tell you?"
Even Xiao Jue probably didn't get the news in advance.
"Because," Chu Zhao looked into her eyes and smiled slightly, "I was the one who asked His Majesty to confer Brother He as an official."
It was actually him?
Even though He Yan had many guesses, she never thought of this possibility. She only asked, "Why is Brother Chu doing this?"
Chu Zhao continued to walk forward and said softly, "When we were in Jiyang City, you and I both personally saw the ferocity of the Utuo soldiers. Beside the canal, Brother He gave me clothes that could resist water and fire. I was very grateful. War was cruel, but Brother He was not afraid at all. I saw Brother He's bravery and fearlessness. Before this, I also heard about Brother He's fierce battle with Rida Muzi. For the Great Wei to have a hero like Brother He, it is the Great Wei's fortune. "
"I don't know why Military Governor Xiao is not willing to promote you, but I think that if I can help Brother He 'build a career', I am very willing to help."
These words didn't sound like there was anything wrong with them, but for some reason, He Yan still felt that it was strange. After thinking, she said, "But Brother Chu's actions really surprised me."
"You don't look like you're happy about being promoted?" He asked.
"I was just at a loss for a moment."
Chu Zhao looked at her. After a moment, he smiled. "I thought you would be very happy. After all, after becoming an official, you are one step closer to Military Governor Xiao. Since you like him, you don't have to always be distressed about your status."
He Yan almost choked on her own saliva. She suddenly looked at Chu Zhao. "What did you say?"
"Brother He, don't you like Military Governor Xiao very much?" Chu Zhao smiled gently and touched his nose. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have to be so sad when you saw Doctor Shen and Military Governor Xiao together just now."
"I didn't." He Yan instinctively retorted.
Chu Zhao smiled but didn't say anything. He didn't force her to answer, but he also didn't go along with her words. For a moment, He Yan was very depressed. She wondered if she had missed many details in the past few days. How could she see clearly all of them? Liu Buwang, Lin Shuanghe, and even Chu Zhao?
Was she so obvious? She had clearly been very restrained, polite, and cautious.
Chu Zhao looked into the distance. "In fact, Military Governor Xiao may not necessarily not have you in his heart. After all, with Military Governor Xiao's temperament, he has already taken care of Brother He a lot."
He Yan asked, "Do you think so?"
"If Brother He wants to know Military Governor Xiao's feelings, it's actually very simple." Chu Zhao smiled and said, "I can help you sound him out."
"How do you want to sound him out?" He Yan was puzzled.
The man in front of her suddenly approached her. He Yan's back was against a tree. When he came so close, she almost punched him out of reflex. The man's face stopped in front of He Yan. There was a smile in his eyes, which was especially intoxicating. "It's very simple. Brother He is a girl and doesn't understand men's possessiveness. If I deliberately act very close to you, if Military Governor Xiao has you in his heart, he will definitely be very angry. If he is indifferent … Then you don't have to spend too much effort on him. So, this is a very simple way. "
He Yan silently repeated his words in her heart before she understood what he meant. She couldn't wait to recite the Thirty-Six Stratagems backwards when it came to marching and fighting, but this was the first time she heard about such a thing. She immediately asked, "… According to you, isn't this using you?"
Chu Zhao still looked at her with a smile, and his eyes were extremely gentle. "If it's Brother He, it doesn't matter if I use you."
What he said was really touching.
But …
He Yan stood up straight and took a step to the side to avoid his chest. "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Chu, but I don't want to do this."
Chu Zhao's eyes flashed with a trace of surprise. "Why?"
"I think I understand what you're trying to say. But how can you mix your feelings with other people's feelings? When I like someone, no matter if I say it openly or never say it for the rest of my life, it's always open and aboveboard. If I still have to spend so much effort to probe and guess, wouldn't it be very tiring? Even if I get this kind of feeling, it won't be what I want. Brother Chu, haven't you heard of this saying? Using a lie to verify a lie will only lead to another lie. In the end, I won't know what's real and what's fake. "
He Yan didn't say anything. After all, Xiao Jue didn't like Chu Zhao very much. Even if Xiao Jue didn't like her, she would still fly into a rage if she saw He Yan and Chu Zhao together. If she misunderstood because of this, wouldn't she be overthinking?
Chu Zhao was stunned for a moment. "Brother He, aren't you curious about Brother He's position in Military Governor Xiao's heart?"
"I'm not curious."
He Yan answered straightforwardly, and Chu Zhao didn't say anything for a while.
"Fourth Young Master Chu, I've never wanted him to know." He Yan said, "I don't plan to let him know in the future. So, I appreciate your kindness. "
"You don't want to be with him?"
"Things in the world change rapidly. Fourth Young Master Chu can only be sure of the word 'together' for a while, and not for a lifetime. The only thing I can be sure of is my own heart. "
Chu Zhao looked at He Yan, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say anything. After a moment, he recovered his previous smile. "Since this is Brother He's intention, I can't make a decision on my own. However, what I said just now will always be valid. If Brother He changes his mind one day and wants to 'use' me, I won't refuse. "
He Yan also smiled, and his tone was especially firm. "That day won't come."
He Yan's figure gradually disappeared into the distance. Ying Xiang walked out of the room and said softly, "Fourth Young Master."
Chu Zhao looked at his hands. They were empty. He clicked his tongue and said, "He actually refused."
"Miss He doesn't plan to let Military Governor Xiao know about his feelings." Ying Xiang sighed. "He doesn't want to make things difficult for Military Governor Xiao."
Chu Zhao smiled faintly. "There's actually such a stupid woman in the world. She doesn't want to fight for it, nor does she want to be with it. She's guarding an unseen and untouchable feeling, and she thinks that it's the most noble thing in the world. Ridiculous. "
This made him think of Ye Runmei. She was the same. Women who sacrificed themselves for love were all so stupid that people looked down on them.
Ying Xiang looked down and didn't say anything. After a while, she heard Chu Zhao say, "Let's go."
He Yan slowly walked back.
She never thought that it would be Chu Zhao who asked Emperor Wen Xuan to make her an official. The reasons Chu Zhao gave her sounded very reasonable. If He Yan was really a new recruit who didn't know anything and suddenly received the title, he would probably be wild with joy. Even if he had any prejudices or suspicions towards Chu Zhao, they would instantly vanish into thin air. He would even blame himself in his heart for measuring the heart of a gentleman with the yardstick of a villain.
However, she wasn't a new recruit who didn't know anything. She was Fei Hong, who was very familiar with military affairs. Therefore, He Yan knew better than anyone else that Mu An Lang was just an official without any real power. It sounded like a fourth-ranked official, but in reality, she couldn't mobilize any soldiers. In her previous life, she couldn't rely on anyone and could only start as a new recruit. She didn't know how many merits she sold to her superiors to get a small official position. Her small official position gradually rose until no one could hide her merits. Finally, she was valued by the Emperor. But now, she seemed to have reached the heavens in a single step. In reality, she didn't have as much power as a centurion.
If Chu Zhao only asked for a title from the Emperor, and the Emperor himself decided what official he wanted, then this matter was still fine. But if the position of Mu An Lang was personally proposed by Chu Zhao, then there was a deeper meaning behind it.
He asked for a title for himself, but he asked for an official position without any real power. What exactly was he scheming?
In the room, Fei Nu and Lin Shuanghe stood and looked at the person standing in front of the window.
"My He Meimei became an official?" Lin Shuanghe was confused. "Didn't you say that you have to wait until you return to Shuo Jing to see the Emperor? What's going on? "
"Young Master Lin," Fei Nu couldn't help but say, "This time, it was Fourth Young Master Chu who asked for a title from the Emperor."
"Chu Zilan?" Lin Shuanghe frowned. "What does it have to do with him whether my He Meimei becomes an official or not? What kind of solicitude is he trying to show? "
Xiao Jue's expression was calm, but when she looked carefully, there was a hint of coldness in her eyes.
Fei Nu sighed. "It's not a matter of solicitude or not. It's not a good thing for her to become an official now."
Lin Shuanghe stopped waving his fan. He looked at Fei Nu, then looked at Xiao Jue. "What do you mean? I don't understand. "
"I originally wanted to wait until we returned to the capital to ask for a title for her as a woman," Xiao Jue said calmly, "Chu Zilan took the first step. It seems that he helped He Yan, but in fact, he planted a hidden danger."
"One day in the future, He Yan's identity will be exposed. He will be guilty of deceiving the Emperor, and his family will be implicated."
Lin Shuanghe sucked in a breath of cold air.
He stammered, "No, it can't be. Didn't Chu Zilan already know about Meimei's identity as a woman? It's been such a long time. Didn't he keep it a secret? In the future … it shouldn't be exposed, right? "
"This is Chu Zilan's brilliance." Xiao Jue sneered. "He only wanted to deal with me."
He Yan was just a tool that could be used. Chu Zhao did keep it a secret for He Yan. He didn't announce He Yan's identity to the world, but he turned around and asked for a title for He Yan. He successfully turned He Yan's identity into a trap. If this didn't happen, He Yan's identity as a woman would be revealed one day. He could use all kinds of reasons to deal with it. But after the Emperor rewarded him and made him an official, it would be different.
He Yan would become the best knife to stab Xiao Jue in the heart.
This was Chu Zilan's plan.
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