Everyone in Da Wei knew that the Commander-In-Chief of the Right Army, Xiao Jue, was well-mannered and well-versed in both the pen and the sword. When he picked up a sword, he could ensure the safety of an entire area. When he put down his sword, he was still an elegant young master. The heavens favored him by giving him good looks and good martial arts skills. Unfortunately, he was too cold and ruthless. As for who he would fall in love with, it was just a dream. Not to mention his temperament, he had already grown up to be so powerful. In this world, what kind of woman would he fall in love with?
After all, the high and mighty fairy Shen Muxue had followed him for so many years, but she had never gained anything from him.
Now, he heard the words "sweetheart" from this person's mouth. He Yan was in a daze. The officials were also in a daze. Even the Emperor on the high seat was stunned.
It turned out that the famous Second Young Master Xiao could be so gentle when he thought of his sweetheart. It was as if the moonlight had faded away from its coldness and thinness, leaving behind only its clarity and brightness.
The autumn moon was like a mirror, reflecting one's thoughts. Happiness or shyness, secrets or sadness, could not be hidden from the eyes of others.
No one could remain unmoved when he looked at them with such eyes. He Yan could hear his own heartbeat. "Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump." In the noisy banquet, it was clear and powerful. He was powerless to resist.
The Emperor's laughter broke the momentary daze. "Hahaha, good. It's rare for zhen to see Beloved Official Xiao like this! The Empress has accomplished a good deed today. Zhen will also accomplish a good deed today. Since the two of you are in love with each other, Beloved Official Xiao, zhen can't think of anything to reward you for this great victory in Jiyang. Why don't zhen bestow you a marriage? This Miss He will be your wife. Are you willing? "
Xiao Jue received the decree. "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
He Yan had no choice but to kneel down to receive the decree.
Shen Muxue's lips turned pale and she almost fainted. The Emperor's words were like gold and jade. Since he had already bestowed the marriage, he would not change it. Lin Shuanghe's heart twisted and turned with the changes in the hall. He was almost scared to death. Now that he was here, he could finally let out a sigh of relief. Even though he was full of doubts, now was not the time to talk. He simply ignored everything and wholeheartedly felt happy for his good friend. He excitedly said to his colleagues, "Did you hear that? The marriage was sanctioned! His Majesty has granted a marriage. This is a good marriage. Look at them, they are so well-matched! "
Yan He had not recovered from the blow that Mu An Lang, who spoke ill of He Rufei together with him, was a woman. He actually heard such a big news. For a moment, he was stunned and wondered if he was dreaming.
"Congratulations, Military Governor Xiao! Congratulations, Military Governor Xiao! His Majesty's bestowment of marriage is a beautiful story!" What was surprising was that Xu Jingfu also spoke up for Xiao Jue. Not only did he not look surprised, he seemed to be happy to see it happen. He kept praising how wonderful this marriage was. He Yan thought for a moment and understood. Xu Jingfu and Xiao Jue were rivals. With Xiao Jue's status, marrying a woman like her who had nothing and no background was naturally the best. If it was a young lady from a high-ranking official's family, it would only bring harm and no benefit to Xu Jingfu.
Chu Zhao sat in the middle of the banquet hall with a smile on his face. He looked no different from usual. However, if one looked carefully, one could see that his hands on his knees were so tightly gripped that his knuckles were white. He was almost crumpling his robes.
The courtiers watched a good show. Some joked and some congratulated him. The Fifth Prince was a little puzzled and asked Guang shuo, "Fourth Brother, why did His Majesty bestow a man … a woman dressed as a man to General Fengyun as his wife? She doesn't look as pretty as Shen jiejie. "
The Fifth Prince liked Xiao Jue very much. Most likely, Xiao Jue's experience was like a legend in the hearts of young boys. Youths yearned for heroes and admired the strong. The Fifth Prince Guang Ji heard from his birth mother, Noble Lady Ni, that Shen jiejie of the Censor Fu was the most compatible person with Military Governor Xiao. Guang Ji also thought that Shen Muxue was born like a fairy. Now, the person who was bestowed as Xiao Jue's wife was an unfamiliar woman dressed as a man. For Guang Ji, this was unacceptable.
"Don't talk nonsense," Guang shuo patted his head and looked at He Yan's back in the hall, "Since General Fengyun is so protective, this Miss He must have something extraordinary about her. Moreover, she was able to enter the battlefield as a woman and become an official. Since the founding of Da Wei, this is the first time someone has done so."
"What extraordinary about her," the Crown Prince said disdainfully. His tone was a little obscene, "Who knows what kind of tricks she used. Xiao Huaijin is really lucky. A Shen Muxue, and now a female soldier. I don't know what kind of shady business they are doing in the tent every day …"
Guang shuo frowned slightly, "Your Highness, be careful with your words."
The Crown Prince disagreed.
Emperor Wenxuan looked at He Yan again, "He Yan, although you are a woman, I know that you have your difficulties in joining the army as a woman. I am not an unreasonable person. Although you have committed the crime of deceiving me, I will not pursue the matter on account of your meritorious service in the battle of Jiyang Rundu. Meritorious service is meritorious service, and mistakes are mistakes. I will punish you with a year's salary, but … you will still be bestowed the title of Marquis! "
"So good?" Lin Shuanghe was quick-witted. He slammed the table and shouted first, "Your Majesty is benevolent. Long live Your Majesty!"
He Yan also kowtowed and shouted, "Long live Your Majesty!" In an instant, a large number of courtiers knelt down and shouted, "Long live Your Majesty!"
Emperor Wenxuan became a wise ruler and thought that he had accomplished a good deed. He was a little smug after being praised and sat on the high seat with a smile. Empress Zhang frowned without batting an eyelid. Noble Lady Ni's probing gaze swept over He Yan. Only Concubine Lan sat quietly at the banquet table with a smile, as if everything that happened today had nothing to do with her.
He Yan and Xiao Jue returned to their seats. Because she was now a "womenfolk", she could only go to the womenfolk's banquet. She did not know any of the womenfolk here. Only Xia Chengxiu waved at her and whispered, "Miss He, come over here."
He Yan sat down next to Xia Chengxiu. Xia Chengxiu smiled and said, "Congratulations, Miss He." She smiled and returned the greeting. The Shi Tou in her heart was finally relieved. At least she could openly appear in Da Wei's court under the name "He Yan". She had succeeded in her first step. Although she did not know why Xiao Jue was involved and caused such a result, at least for now, there were no negative consequences.
Of course, except for the two of them.
He Yan's gaze swept across the banquet table. The seats of the womenfolk and womenfolk were facing each other. Her gaze accurately captured Xu Zhiheng, who was sitting in the corner and secretly peeping at her.
Xu Zhiheng was very uneasy. This uneasiness reached its peak when He Yan's identity was revealed. He did not know what was going on. How could a dead person, a person who had been buried, whose corpse might have rotted into mud, appear in front of him again?
This woman, who was also called He Yan, did not resemble his deceased wife at all. However, her every movement and expression overlapped with the He Yan in his memory. Especially when he peeped at her, she would also look at him across the crowd. Her meaningful gaze made his heart palpitate.
Who exactly was she?
Xu Zhiheng did not believe in ghosts and gods. Every year, he would pray for blessings and burn incense in the temple. He was the most impatient. When he was young, his teacher always said that one should fear ghosts and gods. However, he always thought that if ghosts and gods really existed in the world, there would not be so many things that could not be done. When they were alive, they could not fight. How could they become fierce after they died?
But … but, He Yan was not killed by him!
Xu Zhiheng's heart felt cold.
He Yan was going to die. This was the ending that the He family had prepared for her. The one who gave the order was He Yuansheng, and the one who did it was He Rufei. He Wanru was an accomplice, and he just did not say anything. Even if the evil ghost came back for revenge, shouldn't the He family be the first to take revenge?
Why would they look for him?
He gathered his courage and looked at He Yan again. However, he saw that the woman had already turned her head and was talking to Xia Chengxiu. It was as if the gaze just now was just an illusion.
Xu Zhiheng looked at He Rufei again. They were grasshoppers on the same rope. If He Yan really turned into a ghost and came back, she would definitely not let He Rufei go. As if sensing Xu Zhiheng's gaze, He Rufei looked over. He frowned and slightly shook his head at him, indicating that he should not be too obvious.
In the imperial court, the two of them always interacted with each other indifferently to avoid being discovered by others.
Xu Zhiheng was burning with anxiety. However, the banquet was not over yet, so he could not leave without permission. He could only lower his head and continue this long and nauseating "celebration banquet" as if he was sitting on pins and needles.
Emperor Wenxuan was very happy and drank a lot today.
He had been on the throne for many years and did not have much talent in politics. In the first few years, it was okay. He worked hard day and night. Later, he felt that he really did not have any ability and simply became lazy. Although he was not outstanding, he was not an incapable ruler. With the court officials looking after him, nothing major would happen.
Until Xu Jingfu's power became greater and greater. Many officials secretly reported to him to be wary of Prime Minister Xu. Emperor Wenxuan did not know that this was inappropriate. However, he had relied on Xu Jingfu for many years. If Xu Jingfu was not around, he would not be able to find someone to replace Xu Jingfu.
Moreover, Xu Jingfu's status was not low. If something happened to such an important official, the imperial court would definitely be in turmoil. Although he did not have any talent in politics, he had seen the same thing happen when the previous emperor was alive.
However, as long as one was human, they would have their own selfish motives. He turned a blind eye to Xu Jingfu's actions. Xu Jingfu covered the sky with one hand and affected the interests of many people. Gradually, Emperor Wenxuan knew that behind his back, there were people who called him an incapable ruler. However, they did not know that when the water was too clear, there would be no fish. Governing a country was different. Even as the Emperor, there were times when he could not control himself.
Xiao Zhongwu's defeat, Uto's restlessness, the Crown Prince's tyrannical and immoral behavior … all kinds of messy matters came one after another, giving him a headache. However, tonight, he did something that everyone praised as "right". It was not easy. Emperor Wenxuan was happy from the bottom of his heart.
Tonight, at a banquet, the two most promising people in the Shuo capital were both bestowed with marriage. Originally, Chu Zhao and Xu Pingting's marriage was the Chu family's way out of their league. However, now that Xiao Huaijin's marriage was announced, Chu Zhao's marriage was not so surprising anymore.
Everyone whispered to each other. Where did He Yan come from? Xiao Zhongwu's eldest son, Xiao Rubi, did not care about the opinions of outsiders and married a concubine's daughter. His youngest son, Xiao Huaijin, was even more extreme. No one had even heard of his name. Could it be that his family did not even have an official position?
On the other hand, Xiao Jue was very calm from the beginning to the end.
Lin Shuanghe sat beside him. He wanted to immediately pull Xiao Jue to the side and ask him what was going on. However, under everyone's gaze, it was not good to ask, so he could only suppress his curiosity. Looking at Yan He, he was the same. He was so sullen that he wanted to flip the table.
Everyone had their own thoughts during this celebratory banquet. When it ended, the main characters at the banquet all let out a sigh of relief. He Yan stood up. Xia Chengxiu was still a bit worried. "Miss He, do you need me to accompany you?" She was now being stared at by countless pairs of eyes. Everyone looked at her with calculating gazes. Most ordinary women would not be able to handle it.
"It's okay." He Yan smiled and thanked her for her kindness. "I'll go out by myself."
Xia Chengxiu did not insist. Just as he was about to leave, he thought of something and turned to look at Shen Muxue. He saw that Shen Muxue's face was pale and his lips were pale. He was like a stiff puppet, without any signs of life.
She paused. In the end, she did not say anything and got up to look for Yan He.
The Emperor and the other concubines had already left. Yan He pulled Xia Chengxiu and rushed over aggressively. When he saw Lin Shuanghe but did not see Xiao Jue, he was furious. "Where's Xiao Huaijin? And that Mu An Lang! They lied to me so bitterly. I must get an explanation! "
Xia Chengxiu pulled him back and seemed to be speechless. He reminded him, "Marquis Wu An is a woman. You should watch your words."
"Have you seen a woman who can chop off several heads with a knife?" Yan He shouted, "I don't care if they're women or not. Are the two of them playing with me? I'm about to become an idiot! "
Xia Chengxiu: "… Be careful. Father is here. What if he hears you?"
Xia Chengxiu's father, Lord Xia, was looking in their direction. Yan He was shocked. He coughed softly and lowered his voice. His face was still angry. He clenched his fist and asked, "Where are the two of them?"
Lin Shuanghe spread his hands. "They left."
"Left?" Yan He widened his eyes in disbelief. "When?"
"After the Emperor left, the two of them left." Lin Shuanghe waved his fan. "They just got married and will be husband and wife in the future. Why are you, an outsider, interfering?" Lin Shuanghe glanced at Xia Chengxiu and said with a smile, "Could it be that you still haven't given up and want to move Meimei He into your tent?"
He Yan's identity had been exposed anyway, so he might as well openly call her "Meimei He".
Yan He was so angry that his face turned green. "Don't talk nonsense!" He looked at Xia Chengxiu, who was smiling but not speaking, and emphasized in a low voice, "I'm not familiar with Mu An Lang at all!"
"Then you should go back early." Lin Shuanghe patted his shoulder. "On the day of their wedding, I'll definitely invite you to the wedding banquet. Don't worry, don't worry." After he finished speaking, he walked away while humming an off-key tune.
In a courtyard somewhere in the palace, weeds were overgrown. It was already autumn, so the flowers and leaves had withered. There was no sign of human habitation here, making it seem even more desolate and lonely. A bright moon shone on the eaves, causing the courtyard to be filled with white frost.
The person in front stopped, and the girl behind him stood still. Puzzled, she asked, "Where is this place?"
"It's an abandoned side palace," Xiao Jue said, "There are people guarding it, so no one can come in."
The palace was huge, and it was He Yan's first time entering the palace, but Xiao Jue wasn't. It was normal for him to know about the secret passages. Seeing that there was no one around, He Yan was slightly relieved. He looked at him and asked, "Commander in Chief, what's going on? Why did the Emperor say today that you had already told him my identity? "
Xiao Jue said calmly, "Didn't you give Zhao Shiming a letter?"
He Yan was shocked, "How did you know?"
He didn't answer, but He Yan understood. Xiao Jue had many capable people under his command. Not to mention entering the palace, he probably would have fallen into Xiao Jue's hands before he even entered the palace.
"Why did you write a letter behind my back?" Xiao Jue asked.
He Yan smiled bitterly, "I always felt that my identity couldn't be hidden for long. Rather than someone revealing it at some point, it's better to prepare myself in advance. Moreover, once the crime of deceiving the Emperor is announced, won't you also be implicated? "
Before she left the Rundu, she had asked the county magistrate of the Rundu to deliver a letter to the Emperor. After the battle in the Rundu, the city officials would record the ins and outs of what had happened in a memorial and present it to the Emperor. The letter in the memorial would expose He Yan's identity.
However, at the same time that she revealed her identity as a woman, the people of the Rundu signed the letter.
He Yan had never met Emperor Wen Xuan, but he had always heard from Lin Shuanghe that Emperor Wen Xuan was a mediocre and soft-hearted emperor. Sometimes, as long as Xu Jingfu didn't fan the flames, he actually had the rare sympathy and compassion of an imperial family. When the late Emperor was still alive, a minister made a mistake and the people petitioned. The late Emperor was grateful for his past merits and pardoned the minister's death sentence. Emperor Wen Xuan worshipped his father the most in his life. He would deliberately imitate the late Emperor in many things. Therefore, when Zhao Shijie's petition was presented, Emperor Wen Xuan hesitated.
What's more, He Yan's contributions were beyond doubt. In the battle of the Liangzhou Guards, the battle of Jiyang, and the battle of the Rundu, her merits in each battle were worthy of praise. In comparison, dressing up as a man wasn't a big responsibility. Moreover, she didn't choose to disguise herself as a man. She had no other choice but to join the army by accident.
Her merits outweighed her faults. She was a young genius and a woman. The petition from the people would be the last straw that broke the emperor's back. If she wanted to win the hearts of the people, Emperor Wen Xuan couldn't order her to be executed. Otherwise, what would the new Liangzhou Guards think? What would the people of Jiyang think? What would the rescued women in the Rundu think?
He Yan thought that he had considered everything and tried his best to convince Zhao Shijie. However, he didn't expect Xiao Jue to interfere at this moment.
"I stopped the letter," he said.
He Yan stared at him.
"Your plan was good, but it wasn't perfect. You might be able to escape unscathed, but you might also lose your life. "As long as there was a slight possibility, he wouldn't let He Yan take the risk.
"But didn't you also expose my identity?" He Yan didn't understand. "How did you convince His Majesty?"
She didn't know that the memorial that Xiao Jue had presented on her behalf had tied the two of them together from the beginning. There was no Fan Cheng or no other choice. Everything was because Xiao Jue had brought He Yan into the army camp for her own selfish desires. If the crime of deceiving the emperor was to be considered, then both of them would be punished. However, with Uto eyeing them like a tiger watching its prey, Emperor Wen Xuan couldn't bear the consequences of not having Xiao Jue guarding Da Wei's territory. Therefore, Emperor Wen Xuan wouldn't punish them. Even if he did, Xiao Jue would bear the responsibility.
Of course, he made this matter a little more soul-stirring. The memorial was as moving as a love story passed down by word of mouth. It easily moved Emperor Wen Xuan's romantic and talented heart.
After that, he secretly leaked the news to Xu Jingfu. When it came to Xiao Jue's marriage, other than the Xiao couple, Xu Jingfu was most worried about it. Everyone in Shuo Jing knew that Shen Muxue was the most likely person to marry Xiao Jue. If the Shen family and Xiao family were to become in-laws … Imperial Censor Shen's people would all stand on Xiao Jue's side. This made Xu Jingfu very distressed.
Even if it wasn't Shen Muxue, Xu Jingfu wouldn't be happy if she was the daughter of a court official in Shuo Jing, as long as it could increase Xiao Jue's power. At this time, He Yan suddenly appeared. Xu Jingfu sent people to investigate and found out that she was just the daughter of a military officer at the city gates. He simply thought that this was a good thing that fell from the sky.
Therefore, not only did he not stop it, he even tried his best to facilitate the marriage between Xiao Jue and He Yan. For Xiao Jue to marry He Yan, a woman who wouldn't be of any help to his career, Xu Jingfu was happy to see it happen.
Therefore, there was the scene at the celebration banquet today.
Xiao Jue only picked out a few important points. After listening, He Yan was silent for a long time. She never thought that things would turn out this way. Her purpose for writing that letter, other than to get herself out of the possible death sentence, was to not implicate Xiao Jue and draw a clear distance from him. However, she didn't think that she would be involved in a marriage.
Although at some point, when he said the words "sweetheart", she was indeed moved and wished that time would stop.
However, she had to wake up from the dream. There were things that she had to do. She couldn't let Xiao Jue be soft-hearted and let him sacrifice his precious life just to protect her. His life should be like the bright moon in the sky, clean, bright, and never mixed with the dark and rotten mud of the ditch.
As long as it shone on her, she didn't expect anything more.
"Governor," He Yan took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Actually, you don't have to help me by asking His Majesty to grant you a marriage. It's too unfair for you to try your best to maintain a fake marriage. "
"It's not fake." Xiao Jue interrupted her.
He Yan was stunned. "What did you say?"
"What was said in the palace is not fake." The young man's voice was gentle. His eyelashes drooped down, and there were faint ripples in his dark eyes. He was unbelievably gentle.
In the cold autumn night, the courtyard was deep and the Milky Way was quiet. The slanting moon climbed up the curtain. The night was not as beautiful as a certain someone's eyes.
He asked, "Do you like the moon?"
He Yan answered blankly, "… I like it."
The next moment, something warm and cold was stuffed into her hand. He Yan looked down. It was the black jade that was rumored to be the heirloom of the Xiao family, which she had snatched away when she was drunk. It was lying in her palm with a lifelike python.
"Now, the moon is yours."
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