Xiao Jue and the other two followed the servant into the palace.
He Yan sat alone in the carriage. When he heard Xiao Jue say "take you home", even though he knew that Xiao Jue was just saying it casually, the person who heard it felt dizzy. He buried his head in his face and felt like he was floating.
She didn't know what "home" was. Although the He Family in her previous life was a home, they never gave her affection and warmth. The Xu Family was also a home, but they pushed her into the cold water. The other "He Family" in this life finally gave her some attachment and warmth to live in this world. However, before the matter was settled, she couldn't rashly meet with them.
Thinking of this, He Yan's joy gradually calmed down.
She had to find a way to go back and see Yunsheng and He Sui. She had been gone for more than a year. He Sui and He Yunsheng must be very worried. Back when she was in the Liangzhou Guards, He Yan had secretly given Fei Nu money and begged Fei Nu to find a way to send a message to He Sui to tell her that she was safe. When he went to Jiyang and the war in Utuo started, he forgot about this matter. It had been a while since he sent a letter to He Sui and the others. He Sui and the others must be worried sick.
She had to find a way to go to the Xu Family.
It was a little difficult to start with He Rufei. She had to start with the Xu Family. He Yan was killed. From beginning to end, Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei didn't directly show their faces. She died at He Wanru's hands. With Xu Zhiheng's temperament, he would definitely kill He Wanru to silence her. Perhaps everyone present on that day couldn't escape the word "death". But was there no smart person in the Xu Family? Just like Chai Anxi in the Battle of Mingshui, there might be a fish that escaped the net in the Xu Family's courtyard.
That was her chance.
She had to first prove that there was something wrong with Xu Zhiheng's death. Only then could she peel back the layers of silk and reveal the He Family's biggest sinister secret.
He Yan carefully thought about his future plans after returning to Shuo Jing. Unknowingly, the sky gradually darkened. When the lanterns in front of the palace gate lit up, a familiar figure walked out.
Only Xiao Jue and He Yan came out, Lin Shuanghe was nowhere to be seen. He Yan asked curiously, "Where is Brother Lin?"
"Imperial Physician Lin is in the palace. He won't be leaving for now," Xiao Jue answered and looked at Yan He.
"Don't look at me, I'm going back now." Yan He ordered a servant to lead the horse. "Chengxiu is still waiting for me at home." He seemed to be particularly proud of the fact that someone was waiting for him. "You are all alone. Of course, you don't care about these things." Finishing, he flipped onto the horse and said, "Let's go." He swaggered off.
To be honest, He Yan used to think that Yan He was obstinate and self-opinionated. Every day, he was like a cockfight. Whenever he saw an outstanding talent, he would compete with them. His life was too hard. Now, seeing him leave with a face full of smiles, she actually felt a trace of envy.
It was probably a happy thing to have someone waiting for you at home after a long journey.
She was lost in thought as she looked at Yan He's back. Suddenly, she heard Xiao Jue's voice, "Why aren't you getting in?"
He Yan hurriedly shrank back into the carriage.
Fei Nu and Chi Wu were driving the carriage outside. He Yan and Xiao Jue sat in the carriage. From the Rundu to Shuo Jing, the journey was very lively. Yan Nanguang, Lin Shuanghe, Xiao Jue, and He Yan were all former schoolmates. When they were together, they could even play Leaf cards at a table. She didn't feel it when they were noisy. Now that everyone had dispersed, only she and Xiao Jue were in the carriage. The atmosphere was quiet and she felt somewhat uneasy.
"What are you nervous about?" Xiao Jue leaned against the carriage and asked casually.
He Yan almost choked on her own saliva. After hesitating for a long time, she squeezed out a sentence, "I haven't been to your house before. It's my first time coming here empty-handed. I just feel a little apologetic." Speaking of this, He Yan really thought of this matter. She asked Xiao Jue, "Commander in Chief, why don't we buy some snacks and cloth for your family as gifts when we pass by the goods store later?"
Xiao Jue stared into her eyes and pursed her lips, "Are you going to propose marriage? Is it your first time coming here as a gift? "
"Don't we need to?" He Yan asked, "I haven't been to other people's residences before. I don't know what to do when I'm a guest for the first time."
In the past, when she was "He Rufei", the He family was afraid that she would be exposed. They didn't even make friends, let alone visit other people's residences. In this life, He Yan didn't even have time to understand how ordinary people made friends before she went straight to the army camp.
Her seriousness made Xiao Jue speechless for a moment. She pushed her head away, "There's no need. Just do whatever you want."
"Commander in Chief, don't you have Eldest Young Master Xiao and Eldest Young Mistress Xiao at home?" He Yan recalled what Lin Shuanghe had said earlier and said, "It's said that Eldest Young Master Xiao is the number one dream lover of all women in Da Wei. Is that true? Rumor has it that he is very gentle and never mistreats his subordinates. He is a gentleman who is upright and gentle. Is that true? "
Xiao Jue said calmly, "You want to be my sister-in-law?"
"How is that possible?" He Yan immediately denied it. She wasn't Song Taotao. She wasn't interested in having a brother-in-law like Xiao Jue. "I'm just curious. Also, Eldest Young Mistress Xiao, how is she? Is she easy to get along with? "He Yan hesitated for a moment," It's better if it's a man, but I don't know how to deal with a woman. What does she like and dislike? Is she lively or reserved? How do I talk to her to make her happy? "
Xiao Jue restrained herself and said calmly, "If you make her happy, my big brother will be in trouble."
He Yan said, "Oh." She returned to her seat, as if she was still thinking about this matter. Xiao Jue raised her eyebrows slightly. He Yan seemed to be very interested in the matter of "being a guest". That kind of excitement and nervousness was like a young child receiving an invitation to go to a friend's house for the first time. He was at a loss and afraid of making a mistake, but he was also faintly happy and expectant.
He Sui only had one son and one daughter. Compared to his son, his daughter, who looked very similar to his late wife, was obviously more favored by this military officer. According to the information that Luan Ying had gathered, He Yan used to be arrogant and unreasonable. Sometimes, she was vain. Although this could be a fox's disguise, the neighbors near the He Family said that He Yan still had some sisters, even if their relationship wasn't very good.
But why did he have this kind of expression?
Xiao Jue could clearly see He Yan's inner emotions and contradictions, but she couldn't see the reason for it. He Yan always seemed to be shrouded in a thick layer of fog, making many of her actions inexplicable. However, the more mysterious she was, the more people would be attracted to her. Otherwise … being alone in the thick fog would always make people feel sorry for her.
While she was thinking, the carriage stopped in front of the Xiao Mansion. Fei Nu and Chi Wu dismounted. Before Xiao Jue and He Yan got off the carriage, they heard an excited voice from outside, "Young Mistress, Young Master, Second Young Master is back — —"
Immediately after, there was a burst of noise from inside the mansion. It seemed that someone was coming. He Yan had just gotten off the carriage with Xiao Jue when the Xiao family's door opened. Several people walked out from inside. Walking at the front was a young couple.
The man wore a round neck brocade robe with a sky blue color. He really looked elegant and refined. The woman next to him was beautiful. Her eyebrows were moving. Her snow-white dress outlined her graceful figure. She was like a white pear tree. This was Xiao Jue's eldest brother, Xiao Jing, and his wife, Bai Rong Wei. He Yan had heard of this couple's name before, but seeing them in person was better than hearing a hundred times. When these two people stood together, it was very pleasing to the eye.
The Xiao family was really a place where beauties came from. Each and every one of them was so beautiful. He Yan thought that when she stepped into the Xiao family's mansion, she didn't know if it would be considered a hindrance to the appearance of the Xiao family.
"Huaijin, you're finally back." Bai Rong smiled, "Your eldest brother has been thinking about you every day since a month ago. Today, when he got off work, he waited in the mansion. He was afraid that you wouldn't be able to make it back to Shuo Jing tonight. It just so happened that you made it back in time. "
Xiao Jing also smiled. When he smiled, he revealed a pair of small canine teeth. It added a touch of cuteness to his gentlemanly gentleness, "It's good that you're back. Rong Wei personally cooked some food. It's still warm. We're just waiting for you. Fei Nu and Chi Wu also eat. You guys took care of Huaijin along the way. It's been hard on you. "
Fei Nu and Chi Wu repeatedly said that they didn't dare to.
Xiao Jue turned to look at He Yan. He Yan stood three steps away from him. He was very respectful and polite. He said, "Come here."
He Yan followed his instructions and went forward.
Xiao Jing and Bai Rong Wei looked at each other. They also saw clearly that this young master and Xiao Jue came down from the carriage together. If it was a subordinate, he would probably be riding a horse outside like Fei Nu and Chi Wu. Moreover, Xiao Jue wasn't a person who liked to interact with others. Sharing a carriage was already considered very close.
Xiao Jing asked, "Huaijin, this young master is …"
"My friend, He Yan," Xiao Jue said.
He Yan bowed and said, "Young Master Xiao, Madam." After saying that, he couldn't help but secretly look at Xiao Jue. He thought that Xiao Jue would say that he was a subordinate. She didn't expect him to be a friend. This time, Xiao Jing and Bai Rong Wei were somewhat surprised.
Bai Rong Wei came back to her senses and said with a smile, "So he's Huaijin's friend. This is strange. In all these years, other than Young Master Lin, I've never seen Huaijin bring a friend to the residence. Is Young Master He a new friend that Huaijin made in the Liang Province Guard? "
Before He Yan could answer, Xiao Jue said, "Sister-in-law, let's talk inside."
"… Okay." Bai Rong Wei smiled and looked at Xiao Jing with some confusion.
Xiao Jing replied to her with a confused expression.
Not only did Xiao Jue bring a friend to the residence, but she also seemed to be very protective of this friend. The husband and wife were curious about He Yan's identity. Could he be a relative of the imperial family? Why did she care so much about him? But was there such a person in the capital? Moreover, Xiao Jue didn't have a good temper towards the imperial family.
They didn't understand.
The group arrived at the Xiao family's hall. He Yan and Xiao Jue went to wash their hands first. The hall was brightly lit and the room was filled with the aroma of food. On the long table, there were all kinds of dishes. He Yan and Xiao Jue sat down at the table. Fei Nu and Chi Wu were also called by Bai Rong Wei to bring two stools to the side.
He Yan's heart skipped a beat. Just like the rumors said, Young Master Xiao treated his servants very well. If this was the original He Family, he would have been reprimanded by Madam He for not following the rules.
The dishes were all home-cooked dishes. They weren't extravagant, but they were exquisite and delicious. He Yan was inexplicably nervous. He picked up his chopsticks and ate in small bites, following Xiao Jue's movements.
Xiao family didn't have the rule of "don't talk while eating". Even Xiao Jing, who looked gentle and proper, became a chatterbox at the dinner table. He kept asking Xiao Jue how she had been this year.
"You didn't tell us about what happened in Jiyang," Bai Rong smiled and said, "Later, when the news reached the capital, we found out that the situation was critical. I know you were afraid that Rubi would be worried, but in the future, don't take responsibility for this kind of thing. After Rubi found out about this, if I didn't stop him, I'm afraid he would have gone to Liangzhou to find you. "
Xiao Jing coughed softly, "I'm also concerned about Huaijin, but …" His gaze fell on He Yan, "I heard that when you were in Jiyang, one of your subordinates made contributions with you and even received a reward from His Majesty. Could it be this young master?"
"That's me," He Yan replied shyly, "It's all thanks to the Governor's praise. In fact, I didn't do anything."
Xiao Jue said calmly, "The one who praised you was Chu Zilan, not me."
He Yan, "…"
At this time, there was no need to be so clear.
Xiao Jing seemed to have noticed something and shook his head with a smile, "Young Master He, Huaijin doesn't know how to speak. Don't be angry. However, this is the first time he has brought a friend to your residence as a guest. It can be seen that he really wants to be on good terms with you. "
"I …" He Yan stammered and was about to speak.
"She's not here as a guest," Xiao Jue interrupted him, "She's going to stay here for a while."
Xiao Jing and Bai Rong Wei paused.
"I won't hide it from the two of you. This one has already asked people to look for a suitable residence in Shuo City. However, I'm afraid it will be difficult to find one in a short period of time. The Governor is kind and is willing to let me stay here for a few days. Once the residence is settled, I will immediately move out. "He Yan was slightly embarrassed," I'll have to trouble Young Master and Madam for the next few days. "
Bai Rong Wei smiled and said warmly, "Young Master He, you don't have to be so polite. Since you are Huaijin's friend, you are also our friend. It is not easy to find a residence in the city. Young Master He, please treat this place as your own home. You can stay for as long as you want. "
He Yan gratefully agreed. He didn't know how the Xiao family found a daughter-in-law. Among the young madams of the large families, Bai Rong Wei's personality was the best. It seemed that only someone with such a personality would be a good match for Xiao Jing. He heard that Bai Rong Wei was a concubine's daughter. When the news of Xiao Jing's marriage was announced, the entire Shuo City was saying that Bai Rong Wei's status was not good enough for Xiao Jing. However, He Yan felt that Xiao Jing had good taste.
"Eat." Xiao Jue said and placed a folded milk skin in front of her.
He Yan quickly lowered his head and ate.
Just by looking at her appearance, one couldn't tell that Xiao Jing was a chatterbox. Throughout the meal, Xiao Jing was the only one talking non-stop. She asked about this and that, even asking about how many blankets Xiao Jue used in Liangzhou's winter. If it wasn't for Bai Rong Wei pulling him back, he would have talked even longer.
Was this the feeling of being a "family"? He Yan looked at them and felt a trace of envy in his heart.
After the meal, Bai Rong Wei stood up and said, "We have instructed the servants to clean the rooms in Huaijin every day. Just now, I've already sent someone to boil some hot water. After the servants in Huaijin clean up the rooms, you can rest early tonight. You must have had a long journey, so rest well. If there's anything else, you can talk about it tomorrow after you've had enough sleep." She then looked at He Yan, "There are empty rooms and courtyards in the residence. Just now, when we were halfway through the meal, I had the servants clean them up. There's no one else in the courtyard other than the two servants. Young Master He, you can rest assured. "
When He Yan heard this, he felt that Bai Rong Wei was very considerate. He was about to thank her when Xiao Jue said, "No need."
Everyone looked at him.
"There's an empty room in my courtyard. She can stay in my courtyard." Xiao Jue said.
"Cough cough cough —" Chi Wu, who was walking at the back, coughed.
Bai Rong Wei and Xiao Jue didn't think of anything else. They were just a little surprised. However, Xiao Jue quickly smiled and said, "If that's the case, that's fine. If you stay in the same courtyard, it'll be more convenient for you to discuss anything. "
Chi Wu's face was filled with despair.
Since Xiao Jue had made the decision, He Yan had no reason to object. After Bai Rong Wei and Xiao Jing left, she followed Xiao Jue to his courtyard. On the way, she asked quietly, "Commander in Chief, why do I have to stay in the same courtyard as you?"
They weren't in the Liangzhou Guard, nor were they in Jiyang. There were so many rooms. Between men and women … it was better to be careful.
Xiao Jue glanced at her. "Do you really want your identity to be exposed?"
He Yan was stunned.
"There are no other servants in my courtyard."
He Yan understood and thought that it made sense. If they stayed in another courtyard, it was inevitable that they would be exposed. If they were discovered by the servants of Xiao family … it wouldn't be a good thing. Living in Xiao Jue's courtyard was peaceful and quiet.
Xiao Jue's courtyard was in the middle of the residence. It was spacious and bright. It wasn't as elegant and simple as Yang Mingzhi's residence, nor was it as luxurious and extravagant as Cui Yuezhi's residence. It was probably because no one had lived here for a long time that it felt empty and cold. Although it was clean and tidy, when they walked in, they didn't feel hot even though it was summer. Instead, they felt a little cold.
After passing through the flower wall, they arrived at the main building. Next to the main building was a pomegranate tree with extremely small fruits hanging from the branches. They swayed back and forth like lanterns the size of half a fist. It was very cute.
"This is your courtyard?" He Yan turned to look at him. "Commander in Chief, did you live here when you were young?"
She stood under the tree and coincidentally had a fruit hanging from her head. It looked like a string of gourds. Xiao Jue found it funny and replied, "No, I didn't live in the residence when I was young. I lived here when I was in my teens."
He Yan vaguely heard that Xiao Jue used to live on the mountain. It was said that Xiao Zhongwu had invited a famous master to teach him martial arts on the mountain. Thinking about it this way, Xiao Jue was more pitiful than him. Although she couldn't call her biological parents father and mother, they lived in the same residence and would see each other often. Xiao Jue was a child living on the mountain. Xiao Zhongwu couldn't go up the mountain to visit him all the time. He was all alone and pitiful.
He Yan wanted to cheer him up. He turned to point at the lowest pomegranate and asked, "Wait a few more days, will you be able to eat this? Have you eaten the pomegranates on this tree before? Is it sweet? "
"You only want to eat?" Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows. "It's very sour."
"You must be lying to me." He Yan disagreed. "If it's very sour, you would have cut this tree down a long time ago. Why did you leave it here for so long?"
Xiao Jue sneered. "Not everyone plants trees to eat."
"What's the difference between planting a tree and planting grass if it's not for eating?" He Yan raised his head and looked at the highest pomegranate on the tree. This pomegranate was probably the biggest one on the tree. He Yan reached out to grab it, but the branch was too tall. She jumped and tried to grab it, but she still couldn't reach it.
The next moment, someone stood behind her and reached out to pull the pomegranate branch to a place where she could reach it.
He Yan's body stiffened. He subconsciously turned around and almost sprained his ankle. Xiao Jue grabbed his arm and pulled him up. He looked down and asked, "You can't even walk?"
He Yan coughed loudly. "I can't stand properly."
"You're not plucking it anymore?" Xiao Jue gestured to He Yan to look at the branch in her hand.
"No, I'm not plucking it anymore." He Yan explained. "I don't want to pluck it. It's not ripe yet. I'll pluck it when it's ripe. It'll be sweeter. "
She herself didn't know what nonsense she was spouting. She only felt her entire body tense up when she met that pair of limpid, limpid eyes. He Yan immediately turned around and said loudly, "Which room am I staying in? I want to go and wash up first. "
Xiao Jue pointed to a room. He Yan immediately rushed into the room as if there was a ghost chasing after him. Immediately after, the entire courtyard only heard a "bang" sound as her door was closed.
Xiao Jue: "…"
He stood in place and stared at He Yan's room door. Not long after, he looked at the pomegranate tree in front of him and smiled.
In the distance, Chi Wu and Fei Nu were huddled at the door of the courtyard. They didn't know whether to enter or not. Fortunately, as long as Xiao Jue returned to the residence, all the servants in the courtyard would be chased out. They wouldn't have to see such an embarrassing scene.
Chi Wu said with a trembling voice, "They … they …"
"Don't speak." Fei Nu interrupted him.
"How can I not speak!" Chi Wu lowered his voice and couldn't hide the anger and grief on his face. "It was fine when he was with the Liangzhou Guards in Jiyang, but now that he's back in Shuojing … he's actually so brazen … is that He Yan crazy?"
Fei Nu wanted to say something but stopped.
"I know that when he was in Jiyang, he disguised himself as a woman. However, he wasn't a real woman after all. Eldest Young Master and Young Madam don't know about this yet. What if they do? "
Fei Nu tried to comfort his anxious companion. "You're overthinking this matter. It's actually not that serious."
"What do you know!" Chi Wu said, "Young Master has ordered us to investigate He Yan's matter every few days. It's clear that He Yan's background isn't clean. Otherwise, why would it be like this? If he's honest and clean, I'll accept it … "Chi Wu's voice was choked with emotion." If he approached Young Master with ulterior motives, with Young Master's current concern for him … I'm afraid he's more concerned than the Xu family's Hanlin scholar whose wife died! "
Fei Nu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His words reminded him of another matter. He said in a low voice, "Speaking of which, Young Master has returned to the capital. Luan Ying and the others should also be back. When Luan Ying returns, we'll be busy. "
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