Just as He Yan was tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, Xiao Jue, who had just returned to the Xiao family, bumped into Xiao Jing and his wife, who had been waiting at the door for a long time.
Bai Rongwei didn't even have time to change her clothes. She and Xiao Jue were sitting in the main hall, waiting for Xiao Jue to return. Xiao Jing immediately asked, "Huaijin, what's going on? He Gong … How could Miss be a Miss? "
Xiao family was in a state of turmoil and chaos.
It was already shocking enough that they found out during the banquet that the young master living in their house was a girl. The Emperor even went as far as to grant a marriage. No matter how magnanimous their family was, they couldn't change the fact that Xiao Jue's good friend had turned into his wife. The only thing they were sure of was that Xiao Jue definitely liked Miss He. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said those things in front of all the civil and military officials. Now that they thought about it, everything, such as wanting He Yan to live in his courtyard, always seeming to protect him … were now explained.
They had just explained the same thing to He Sui at the He Family, and now they had to explain it to Xiao Jing. Fortunately, they were family, so Xiao Jue didn't go into too much detail. He just gave a rough summary so that the husband and wife could understand.
Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei barely understood, and they looked at each other.
Bai Rongwei probed, "Huaijin, do you really like Miss He?"
Xiao Jue calmly said, "If it's fake, then can the Xiao family go against the Emperor's decree?"
Bai Rongwei was speechless. Of course, they couldn't.
His lips curled, "If it's fake, then there wouldn't be this marriage."
Xiao Jue seemed to be indifferent to the affairs of the imperial court, but that did not mean that she did not have any connections. He was the one who pushed for this marriage to achieve his goal. If he didn't like He Yan, he didn't have to do this. Even if Emperor Wen Xuan had the intention, he could have done something to ruin the marriage.
"But," Bai Rongwei grumbled, "you child, it's fine if you're happy, but how could you just bring the girl home? Although there's nothing going on between me and your big brother, if outsiders find out, it's hard to avoid gossiping and damaging Miss He's reputation. "
"Previously, her identity was unknown, so it was not appropriate to bring her home. If we brought her home, no one would know." Xiao Jue said, "This will not happen again in the future.
Only then did the couple heave a sigh of relief. In the past, he had always been worried that with Xiao Jue's personality, he would not want to get married in this lifetime. Now that he finally knew that he liked girls, it was a good thing. But he was afraid that the young man's nature would be greedy for a moment of pleasure, and it would be over if he caused trouble. Now that they saw that he knew what he was doing, the couple was slightly relieved.
"Then where is Miss He from? Where does she live? Is there anyone else in her family? " Bai Rongwei asked him, "When the young master of the Lin family left, he mentioned that Miss He's father was a military officer. Since we are already in-laws, and her parents are no longer here, your big brother and I should pay a visit. We can't let people think that we don't understand etiquette. "
"That's right," Xiao Jing also said, "We should go and discuss the details of the marriage with Master He. We also need to prepare your betrothal gifts. "
This marriage decree came suddenly, so the family didn't prepare anything. These years, the Emperor had bestowed many gifts, but Xiao Jue himself was too lazy to take care of it. Bai Rongwei had carefully stored it in the storeroom for him. Originally, he thought that it would be three to five years before he could use it, but he didn't expect the surprise to come so suddenly.
From beginning to end, the couple didn't care about He Yan's family background. Even when they asked about He Yan's family, they just wanted to understand the situation. The elders above them had all passed away. The eldest brother was the father, and the eldest sister-in-law was the mother. Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei weren't vain people. When Xiao Jing married Bai Rongwei, the rumors were rampant in the capital. The relatives of the Xiao family strongly opposed it, but in the end, Bai Rongwei, the shu daughter, still became the eldest wife of the Xiao family. Therefore, for He Yan, they thought that as long as his family background was clean and his character wasn't bad, it was enough.
"What does Miss He like?" With something to do, Bai Rongwei felt that the burden on her shoulders had become heavier. Xiao family members were simple, so it was easy to manage. She didn't usually have any disputes with Xiao Jing. Now that Xiao Jue's marriage was finally settled, she felt that she had to handle this matter beautifully. "How about I go buy some beautiful silk cloth tomorrow? Then I'll buy some jewelry, but it can't be too expensive or it'll be disrespectful. How old is Master He? Since he's a military officer, he's bound to have some difficulties. Let's buy some tonics … "
She spoke in detail. She was so engrossed in her discussion with Xiao Jing that she didn't even notice when Xiao Jue slipped away. When she finally reacted and was about to ask Xiao Jue for her opinion, she realized that the chair in front of her was already empty.
Xiao Jue returned to her room, took off her court robe, put it on the chair, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
The room was dimly lit, and there were faint sounds of bustling outside. It was probably Bai Rongwei instructing the servants to take out the key to open the storeroom. Everyone was shocked tonight, so they wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
But … at least it wasn't all for nothing.
Emperor Wen Xuan's marriage bestowment came at the right time. Not only did it remove Chu Zhao, that eyesore, from the equation, it also settled the matter between him and He Yan. The Emperor's mind wasn't clear for all these years, but he finally did something right.
Previously, he thought that He Yan admired Chu Zhao, so even though he had many things on his mind, he didn't want to mention it to He Yan. In this world, there were people who would do anything to take what they liked by force. For people like him, the one thing he hated the most was being forced.
But … he wasn't being forced.
He lowered his eyes and took out a sachet. The sachet was turned inside out. The delicate embroidery on the outside was turned inside out, and the coarse cloth inside was turned outside. Inside the sachet, the crooked corners and the pockmarked embroidery of the "moon" sparkled under the dim light.
It was a little ugly, but …
He even added some gold thread.
The handsome young man lowered his head and couldn't help but laugh.
In the small room outside, Chi Wu threw a punch. Fei Nu caught it firmly and turned it to the side. "Calm down."
"Did you already know?" Chi Wu was so angry that his nose was crooked. "I was wondering why you always looked like you wanted to say something but didn't when I didn't like him. Why is it that every time I'm worried about Young Master's marriage, I'm sweating profusely, but you're so calm and carefree? So it's not that you're careless, but that you already knew! "
"You and I have worked together for Young Master. We've been brothers for so many years, but you hid it from me. Doesn't your conscience hurt?"
Fei Nu dodged his punch again. He was also speechless. "When did I hide it from you? When we were in Jiyang City, didn't you see how he looked like in women's clothing? How could you still think that Miss He is a man?"
Chi Wu was stunned.
That was true. He Yan had worn women's clothing before. When he was wearing skirts in Jiyang City, Cui Yuezhi and his concubine, Princess Mu Hongjin of Jiyang, the commoners, and the peddlers on the street … no one doubted He Yan's identity as a woman. Her eyebrows were beautiful, and her figure was slim. If she wasn't really a girl, how could no one find out?
"I thought it was because he looked like a girl." Chi Wu said in a daze, "Besides, how could I believe that a girl would go to the Liangzhou Guard and throw twenty stone dumbbells in a row? Even a strong man couldn't beat her."
And she ate so much!
He never doubted He Yan's identity as a woman. It wasn't because He Yan didn't dress well as a woman, but because she dressed as a man too well! Which young lady would be able to sit among a group of men and listen to their vulgar words without batting an eyelid?
Sometimes, he could even say a few words.
Fei Nu patted his good friend's shoulder. "Don't think too much. Weren't you always afraid that Young Master would be called gay by the people of Shuo Capital? Miss He is a woman. Now, what you're worried about won't happen. "
"That's true." Chi Wu sat down sullenly. "But now that I think about it, I feel like I'm very stupid."
"It's not that you're stupid." Fei Nu said from the bottom of his heart. "It's because Miss He does a lot of things better than men."
Fei Nu asked himself honestly. If Xiao Jue didn't ask Luan Ying to find out about He Yan's background, and accidentally found out that He Yan was a woman, what would he do? Even if He Yan wore a dress and stood in front of him, he would probably have the same reaction as Fei Nu. He would think that this person was so outstanding in women's clothing.
However, it was useless to think about this now. Now that Young Master had gotten what he wanted, and this Young Madam was also a capable and brave person. If news of tonight's matter spread out, Shuo Capital would probably set off a huge wave tomorrow.
In reality, Fei Nu was right. Before tomorrow, the people who had interacted with He Yan in the past, when they found out that He Yan was a woman and that he was going to marry Xiao Jue, they couldn't believe their ears.
In the barracks, Hong Shan's group of people were lying on their bunks, scratching their feet and chatting.
After returning to the capital, they were stationed at the foot of a mountain not far from the capital. Here, they still practiced daily, but compared to Liangzhou, it was much better. At least there were fields at the foot of the mountain. When they weren't practicing, the soldiers in the barracks would help the farmers and get some fresh vegetables and fruits. Shuo Capital also didn't have as much wind and sand as Liangzhou. Therefore, in less than a month after returning to the capital, everyone was already rounder.
Those who lived in Shuo Capital were able to leave the barracks one day a month to visit their families. Jiang Jiao had just gone to find the military instructor to arrange for a few days before returning home. As he was walking back to his room, he saw a small person rushing into his room. His movements were as fast as the wind.
Jiang Jiao remembered this small person. His surname was Bao. Because he liked to inquire about trivial matters and was well-informed, everyone called him Bao Inquire. After a long time, no one remembered his original name. They only remembered that he was called Bao Inquire.
Looking at his posture, he must have gotten some big news. Jiang Jiao followed him unhurriedly. These days, they were in Shuo Capital and it was very boring. He Yan now had an official title, so if he wasn't here, he would miss him.
Bao Inquire ran into Hong Shan's room. Everyone was chatting. He jumped onto the table in the middle of the room and was scolded by everyone.
"Your feet are covered in mud. Hurry up and get down!"
"That's where I eat. Bao Inquire, are you trying to rebel?"
"Just talk. Why are you moving your feet!"
Wang Ba, Huang Xiong, and other people in the room were not to be trifled with. Normally, Bao Inquire would have jumped down obediently after hearing this. However, today was different. Not only did he not move, he seemed to be even more agitated. His face and neck were red. "Big news, big news! I just came back from the military instructor's place. Big news, there's no news more important than this! "
People passing by the other rooms gathered around. It was rare to see Bao Inquire rambling like this. It must be big news. Someone asked, "What's the matter? Is Military Governor Xiao getting married? "
This was just a casual question because there were ten impossibilities in the Liangzhou Guards. For example, Shen Han couldn't be soft-hearted, Liang Ping couldn't not scold people, Ma Damei couldn't not gamble … The biggest impossibility, which was also the one that everyone thought was unshakable, was that Xiao Jue couldn't get married.
If this impossibility was broken, then it would be considered big news. However, it should be impossible.
As they were thinking this, Bao Inquire nodded. "Yes, yes! That's right. Military Governor Xiao is getting married! "
Everyone didn't react at first. When they realized what was going on, they immediately became excited. They surrounded the table and asked Bao Inquire.
"Who? Who? Who is Military Governor Xiao marrying? "
"Are you sure it's Military Governor Xiao who's getting married and not someone else? Bao Inquire, is your information accurate or not? Why do I feel like it's not reliable? "
"Does Military Governor Xiao look like someone who would get married? I think it's fake. Let's disperse. Don't fall for it. "
Bao Inquire was furious when he heard this. The veins on his neck bulged. He clenched his fists and stomped his feet. "Why would I lie … I heard everything clearly. The military instructors were all scared … His Majesty personally bestowed the marriage!"
When the words "bestowed the marriage" came out, half of the people inside and outside the room believed it. Military Governor Xiao couldn't possibly take the initiative to get married. However, bestowing the marriage was something that His Majesty had given. How could he go against His Majesty's orders? Now that he said it, it wasn't impossible.
Xiao Mai asked, "Is it really a bestowed marriage? Then His Majesty bestowed the marriage to Military Governor Xiao, which family's young miss is it? "
A person outside was leaning against the window and listening. When he heard this, he answered without thinking, "Of course it's Young Miss Shen from Censor Shen's Residence!"
Shen Muxue had stayed in the Liang Province Guards for so long and helped many wounded soldiers. This young miss didn't despise them and even gave them medicine. The soldiers all liked her very much and spoke up for her.
"Yes, Young Miss Shen and the Commander in Chief are a match made in heaven!"
"They're a golden couple, a talented man and a beautiful woman. They should be the most compatible couple in Da Wei."
Bao Inquire's answer disappointed them. "No, it's not Doctor Shen!"
Everyone looked at each other.
It's actually not Shen Muxue? Young Miss Shen was such a kind-hearted deity. Even she couldn't become Xiao Jue's wife. Which family's young miss was bestowed the marriage by His Majesty?
"If it's not Doctor Shen, then who is it?"
Bao Inquire: "It's He Yan!"
When the two words "He Yan" came out, the inside and outside of the room quieted down a bit. Wang Ba, who had been lazily dozing off, sat up. Jiang Jiao had just entered the room and heard this sentence. He thought there was something wrong with his ears.
"Which He Yan?" Shi Tou was the most composed and asked.
"It's He Yan from our Liang Province Guards!"
Someone laughed. "Bao Inquire, are you drunk? You're faking His Majesty's edict. If you're not careful, you'll be sued. He Yan is a man. How could His Majesty bestow a marriage to two men? Are you crazy? Or is this He Yan with the same name? "
At this time, Bao Inquire wasn't in a rush.
He knew that his words would explode among the recruits of the Liang Province Guards, no, even among the soldiers of the Southern Prefecture. Who told him to have good ears and be the first to hear such big news?
"Who says His Majesty can't bestow a marriage to two men?" His gaze swept over everyone in the room. Only when he took in everyone's expressions did he say unhurriedly, "Besides, He Yan is a woman. Of course she can be Military Governor Xiao's wife."
Kuang dang –
Liang Ping's foot slipped and he fell flat on his face. However, he wasn't in a hurry to grimace in pain. Instead, he looked towards Shen Han, his gaze filled with doubt. "What did you say?"
"He Yan is a woman," Shen Han said with a cold expression.
Don't be fooled by how calm he looked right now. Heaven knew how much disbelief he had felt when Tian Lang, the vice soldier of the Southern Prefecture Guards, came to tell him this news.
He Yan was a woman?
How was this possible?!
How could there be a woman in this world who could eat more than a man, fight more than a man, and adapt to the harsh climate and training of the Liang Province Guards better than a man? When the instructors heard this news, they all collectively sank into a silence filled with doubt. No matter what, they couldn't imagine that the person who was sweating like rain on the martial arts field, yet was so carefree and cheerful, personally taking the heads of two of Rida and Mu Zi's personal guards was a woman.
This was clearly a youth with exceptional talent, so how could he be a woman? A woman could reach this level, yet they were easily defeated by He Yan. There wasn't a single person in the Liang Province Guards who could compare to He Yan. Didn't this mean that all of them, as grown men, couldn't compare to a 16 or 17 year old little girl?
If it was said that He Yan was a woman, they were only shocked and shocked, then the fact that His Majesty bestowed a marriage between Xiao Jue and He Yan made these instructors tremble with fear.
Before Tian Lang left, he kindly and subtly reminded Shen Han, "The military governor values Miss He greatly."
What a joke, how could he just value her? This iron tree that hadn't bloomed in ten thousand years was blooming for the first time in front of the civil and military officials of the imperial court, in front of the Emperor and the Empress. As soon as the celebratory banquet ended, rumors spread everywhere about how the military governor of the right army treated his "sweetheart" gently.
Then here came the question. If Military Governor Xiao was so considerate to his sweetheart, then how much was Military Governor Xiao's dissatisfaction with these devilish instructors who tortured and trained his sweetheart, often making the little girl run with weights, and standing in the sun for several hours?
It was hard to say.
Ma Damei's face was pale. "Previously, during the winter in Liang Province, I soaked in the hot spring with Miss He …"
Everyone's faces were ashen, especially the instructor who had been the happiest at that time. He was about to cry. They now understood why He Yan refused to go into the hot spring in every possible way and even said that he had a hidden illness. It turned out that he was actually a girl. Fortunately, Xiao Jue didn't appear at that time. Otherwise, if things continued to develop, perhaps all the instructors in the room would have hidden illnesses.
"Then … what should we do now?" someone asked in a trembling voice.
"What do you mean what should we do?" Shen Han said, "Just do your own thing. It has nothing to do with you!"
Although now it seemed that it was stupid of him to believe that He Yan and Xiao Jue had broken up, Shen Han felt that he was quite far-sighted. At least he could see the unusual atmosphere between the two at a glance, right? Shen Han didn't stray from the path of standing between these two people. Now, he just changed from a man to a woman. What was wrong with that?
Anyway, he had always stood firmly on the side of Xiao Jue and He Yan. He Yan was a person with a temperament. He probably … wouldn't bite the hand that fed him, right?
Chu Linfeng's residence was also very happy today.
Shi Jinbo was said to be an official in the Shuo Capital, but these years, he was no longer as glorious as before. Chu Linfeng had three legitimate sons. Other than the eldest son who got a small official position in the Shuo Capital, which was bought by Madam Chu with money, the other two legitimate sons didn't get to be officials. On the contrary, the illegitimate son who was brought back from outside became the most promising one. Not only was he the current prime minister's favorite student, but he was also the prime minister's son-in-law. With this relationship, the Chu family would definitely prosper in the future.
Thinking of this, Chu Linfeng was very proud. When the celebration ended and he returned to his residence, he immediately sent people to spread the news and buy things. He also said that he wanted to renovate Chu Zhao's courtyard so that Xu Pingting wouldn't think their courtyard was shabby after she married into the Chu family.
Madam Chu coldly looked at Chu Linfeng's undisguised joy and didn't say anything. Her three sons, however, were a little angry. After Chu Linfeng left, they complained to Madam Chu, "Father is too biased! He's just the son of a brothel girl and he's already like this. When we three brothers got married, father wasn't as happy as he is today. "
These words were true. Although Chu Linfeng didn't treat his three sons badly, he still disliked them for being too mediocre. In comparison, he preferred Chu Zhao, who could make him proud in front of his colleagues. When Chu Zhao first came to the Chu family, the three brothers bullied him a lot. Madam Chu also wanted to get rid of Chu Zhao when he grew up, just like those concubines. The worst part was that the boy had somehow learned to be so cunning. He had made Chu Linfeng so happy that he took him everywhere. Madam Chu couldn't find a chance to make a move on him. Later on, he even had a relationship with Prime Minister Xu. Madam Chu didn't dare to make a move on Prime Minister Xu's people.
"His mother relied on her face to make a living. She gave birth to a son like that." Third Young Master Chu's words were especially harsh. "Fourth Young Master Chu is better than his mother. At least he sold his body to the capital's Xu family for a good price."
Madam Chu frowned.
Although she didn't like Chu Zhao and wanted Chu Zhao to die in the suburbs tomorrow, she didn't want her sons to become as mean as a woman because of this. Sometimes, when she thought about it, it was no wonder that Chu Linfeng doted on Chu Zhao. These three sons of his were probably spoiled since they were young. Compared to Chu Zhao, they were indeed much worse.
"Are we just going to let that kid have a meteoric rise?" Eldest Young Master Chu said unwillingly. "If that happens, we won't have a say in the Chu family in the future!"
"Don't worry." Madam Chu laughed and said in a gloomy tone, "Do you really think that it's so easy to marry the prime minister's daughter? Don't forget that Chu Zilan has a femme fatale, Ying Xiang. "
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