The news that He Yan was a woman and that she was betrothed to Xiao Jue by His Majesty didn't stop there. The Shen family in the capital was dead silent today.
Shen Muxue knelt on the ground and lowered his head without saying a word. Eldest Young Master Shen and Madam Shen stood aside. Madam Shen looked worried and wanted to say something. After a while, Eldest Young Master Shen opened his mouth and looked at Censor Shen, who was standing in the hall with his hands behind his back and a cold face. He softly comforted him, "My sister was confused for a moment. Father, don't blame her too much."
"Confused for a moment?" Censor Shen turned around and his gaze fell on Shen Muxue. It was unclear whether he was distressed or angry. He said, "My Shen family is proud and loyal. I didn't expect to raise a daughter. I don't know when she learned those dirty tricks. She was confused for a moment. If she is not careful, she will harm others' lives! "
Censor Shen was very thin and handsome. Although he was old now, one could still see some of his charm when he was young. The arrogance and coldness in his eyes were the same as Shen Muxue's. He was usually strict with his son but was especially tolerant with his daughter. This was the first time he was angry with Shen Muxue. Even when Shen Muxue insisted on going to the border with Xiao Jue, Censor Shen was not as angry as he was today.
"You can't say that." Madam Shen felt sorry for her daughter. "He Yan is a woman. Muxue was just telling the truth. If she didn't deceive His Majesty first, how could her identity be exposed by others? She should be punished for her mistakes. You keep saying that Muxue is wrong, but Muxue is really thinking for His Majesty. You can't let a woman use a man's identity to deceive others, right? "
As soon as she spoke, Censor Shen looked at her coldly. Madam Shen did not dare to speak. Censor Shen said, "Ridiculous! You only saw her disguise as a man to join the army and deceive the world. Why didn't you see her lead the army to fight against the Uto? Jiyang water battle, Rundu city defense … Do you think it is easy to earn merits? If she didn't have the merit of saving lives, how could His Majesty promote her to Marquis Wu An so easily? Moreover, "he stared at his daughter," I heard that when we were in Liangzhou, there was a spy who infiltrated the City Guard Institution. You didn't know the details, and He Yan sent you away. No matter what the result was, she was always helping you. I've taught you since you were young that you should repay the kindness of a drop of water with a gushing spring. If you owe someone a favor, even if they don't take it to heart, you should remember it in your heart. I didn't expect you to remember it like this. "
Shen Muxue hung his head in silence.
"I also didn't expect," Censor Shen seemed to want to finish his sentence in one breath, "Not only did you want to be the villain who exposed her identity, but you also didn't dare to stand out openly and wanted to hide behind Wang Rong. Did you know that by doing this, you would also harm Wang Rong?"
Shen Muxue trembled slightly.
At the palace banquet, the stranger who revealed He Yan's identity was called Wang Rong. She was also her Qing Mei childhood sweetheart. The two of them had known each other for a long time. Wang Rong's father and Censor Shen were good friends. Shen Muxue knew that Wang Rong liked him, but her heart was completely focused on Xiao Jue.
It wasn't that she didn't think of personally exposing her, but in the end, she couldn't bear to do it. She was afraid that He Yan would lose his life because of this. She didn't want to take He Yan's life. She only hoped that He Yan would stay away from Xiao Jue. She was even more afraid of Xiao Jue's disappointed and cold gaze. When Wang Rong came to the Shen residence, she saw Shen Muxue's worries and asked. Shen Muxue couldn't help but reveal his confusion and worries. After listening, Wang Rong didn't say a word. She turned and left, saying, "Wait."
Wait for what? He didn't say.
"I didn't expect him to do this." Shen Muxue weakly explained.
Her father, Censor Shen, stared at her with a sharp gaze. His voice was like a knife that could cut her open. "You really didn't expect it?"
Shen Muxue was speechless.
She really didn't expect it?
Wang Rong liked her for many years. For her, she was willing to do anything. She was impulsive and didn't care about the consequences. When she told Wang Rong about this, didn't she expect Wang Rong's reaction?
She just didn't want to admit that she was such a despicable and despicable person.
Seeing Shen Muxue trembling, Eldest Young Master Shen's heart softened. He said, "Even so, sister already knows her mistake. Father, you also know that sister has been in love with Xiao Huaijin for many years. How can sister feel good when another woman suddenly appeared? Sister has never liked to tell others about her grievances. It's my fault as her brother that I didn't think it through. That's why I didn't realize it until now. Father, if you want to punish, then punish me as well. "
"It has nothing to do with elder brother. I made a mistake. I'll take responsibility for my own actions." Shen Muxue knelt straight.
"You liked Xiao Huaijin for so many years. Did he respond to you at all?" Censor Shen suddenly said.
Shen Muxue looked at him.
"Love never changes from being moved." Censor Shen said faintly. "You wanted to go outside and leave Shuo Jing to be by his side. Although I didn't support it, I didn't oppose it either. I knew that Xiao Huaijin wouldn't fall in love with you, but I always thought that as long as you left the residence, walked a wider road, and met more people, your heart would naturally be broader. Gradually, you would let go of him. I didn't expect, "he sighed," that it would push you deeper and deeper. "
Shen Muxue pursed her lips and didn't say anything.
Even her father could tell that Xiao Jue wouldn't fall in love with her? She had never felt that she was such a failure.
These words were too harsh. Madame Shen couldn't help but say angrily, "How can there be a father like you in this world! That Xiao Huaijin didn't like Mu Xue, it's his own fault. I don't like him! A woman entering the military camp for no reason. I don't know what saving the common people is. I only know that all the rules are messed up. Xiao Huaijin would rather marry such a woman than be afraid of being laughed at by the world! "
Eldest Young Master Shen wanted to say something but stopped. This time, Censor Shen didn't pay attention to his wife's rebuttal. He only looked at Shen Muxue and said, "The places you've traveled are no less than He Yan. The people you've met may not be less than He Yan, but your outlook and ideals are much worse than hers. It's not that I don't believe you, but after tonight, the difference between the two of you will be obvious. "
"You're not as good as her."
Shen Muxue's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She had been strong all her life and didn't want to cry in front of others. However, at this moment, she couldn't hold back her grievances and shame.
Censor Shen didn't look at her anymore. He said calmly, "From today onwards, you are not allowed to go anywhere. Our Shen family doesn't use force. If you make a mistake, you will be grounded at home for a year. "
"Master!"
Censor Shen didn't pay attention to his wife's pleas. He flicked his sleeves and left the hall. The night wind outside the courtyard was extremely cold. When it blew on one's face, it was as painful as a knife.
Eldest Young Master Shen caught up and walked to Censor Shen's side. "Father, isn't a year too long?"
Censor Shen looked at the bricks on the ground and smiled bitterly. "Xiao Huaijin is a protective person. Do you think that he won't be able to find out that it was Mu Xue?"
"But …"
"Because of his father, he won't do anything to Mu Xue. However, in these years, the relationship between our family and Xiao family ends here."
Of course, these people weren't the only ones who were shocked by this. In the Cheng family, the relatives who heard about Xiao Jue's marriage were all shocked and suspicious. Everything was going well, but His Majesty suddenly bestowed a marriage. They were busy being surprised by the marriage and didn't pay much attention to He Yan. They only knew that his family didn't have any official position, and his status wasn't comparable to Bai Rongwei's.
As for Cheng Lisu, compared to Xiao Jue's marriage, he was more surprised that He Yan was a woman.
"My eldest brother … how could he be a woman?" The young boy paced back and forth in the room, unconsciously tugging at the corner of his clothes. "How could this be!"
When he first returned to the capital, he was caught by the Cheng family and thrown into school to study. He was only allowed to go home once a month. On the day he went home, he was locked in the house to practice calligraphy and couldn't go anywhere. Therefore, when Xiao Jue and the others returned to the capital, Cheng Lisu didn't even have the chance to visit the Xiao family.
When he finally returned home this month, not only did he hear that Xiao Jue and He Yan were back, he also received good news that His Majesty had bestowed a marriage upon the two of them.
"My eldest brother …" He grabbed a servant and said, "can kill a tiger with one punch. How could he be a woman?"
Heavens, was he crazy, or was it the world that was crazy?
"No, I have to go find Uncle!" He opened the door and walked out. He wanted to find Xiao Jue and ask him about it.
"No, Young Master, Master and Madam said that you can't leave the manor … Someone, the Young Master wants to go out!" The servant behind him hurriedly followed.
"Wuwuwuwu, you're all liars!"
In the Song family, Song Taotao was crying.
"How could my Brother He be a woman? You must be lying! " The little girl's eyes were swollen from crying. Madam Song and Master Song stood outside the door and looked at each other helplessly.
Ever since Song Taotao returned from the capital, she had become much more obedient and obedient. Every day, she would practice the four arts at home. Madam Song suspected that she had someone she liked. If she really did have someone she liked, what would happen to her marriage with the Cheng family? They knew Song Taotao's temperament very well. In the past, she didn't know what it felt like to like someone. Cheng Lisu was also a lively young man. The two of them thought that after spending time together, their feelings would naturally develop. However, if she had someone else in her heart, they were afraid that the marriage would become an enemy.
It wasn't that Madam Song didn't ask Song Taotao who the person in her heart was. Every time, Song Taotao would fool her. The little girl was very smart. She knew that He Yan's status wasn't high. Even if she told her parents, they wouldn't agree. It was better to wait a little longer. With that young man's ability, it was only a matter of time before he became a high-ranking official. Before that, she didn't need to tell anyone. She just needed to catch him.
It wasn't until tonight that the news of Xiao Jue's betrothal came. Song Taotao went on a hunger strike at home, crying and throwing a tantrum. She was so upset that she wanted to hang herself. It was only then that Madam Song and Old Master Song found out that their daughter's sweetheart was Xiao Jue's fiancée.
The couple didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Taotao, don't cry. You're a girl. Crying is useless. Quickly wipe your tears. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts … "
"That's right. Anyway, Young Master Cheng's uncle is Military Governor Xiao. If you like Miss He, when you marry Young Master Cheng in the future, you can often visit Xiao family. Won't you be able to see Miss He often?"
It would have been better if she didn't hear it. Once she heard it, Song Taotao became even more sad. "Who wants to visit Xiao family? She cheated my feelings. I don't want to see her anymore. Wuwuwuwuwu …"
This side was in turmoil and chaos. On the other side, people didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There were also people who were like stray dogs. They were anxious and uneasy. When they returned to the residence, they saw that everyone was traumatized.
Xu Zhiheng couldn't fall asleep.
When he returned to the residence, he told He Xinying that he had a lot of official documents to deal with today. He told He Xinying to sleep early. Then, he locked himself in the study.
He Xinying got up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet. When she thought of Xu Zhiheng, she found a thick mattress from the cabinet. The weather was getting colder. Xu Zhiheng slept in the study. It was warmer than sleeping in the bedroom. If he caught a cold, it would be troublesome. She carried the mattress to the study. However, she found that the lights were on and there was no one in the study.
He Xinying sat on a chair in the study for a while. She thought that perhaps Xu Zhiheng would come back in a while. She didn't expect that after fifteen minutes, there was still no movement. She was stunned. She was worried and suspicious. Even if he went to the toilet, it was still too long. Could something have happened to him? Last year, there was a family in the capital who got up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet. The floor was covered in frost. It was dark and they couldn't see clearly. When they stepped on the frost, they slipped. When the servants found them the next day, they were already gone.
She was worried that Xu Zhiheng had fallen somewhere. She didn't dare to disturb others. She left the mattress in the study and went around looking for him with a lantern. She didn't find her parents-in-law's courtyard. She only walked around her own courtyard. She didn't find Xu Zhiheng's figure.
It was so late. Could it be that he went out of the residence?
He Xinying thought for a while. She didn't know why, but for some strange reason, she turned her gaze to the courtyard next to hers — — He Yan's courtyard.
This courtyard was where her elder sister, the short-lived Eldest Madam Xu, used to live. After He Yan's death, this courtyard was sealed and all the servants in the courtyard were dismissed. However, He Xinying once heard a rumor that there weren't many servants serving He Yan. Sometimes, those servants were assigned to serve another concubine of the Xu Family.
He Xinying was skeptical about this rumor. In any case, she was still a daughter of the He Family. No matter how bold the Xu Family was, they wouldn't dare to neglect her. Moreover, He Xinying didn't see that concubine after entering the residence. When he asked, she only said that she made a mistake and was kicked out.
He Xinying was well aware that the Xu Family might have done this because they were afraid that she, as the new bride, would feel uncomfortable. However, since they valued her so much, they wouldn't treat He Yan badly. After a long time, He Xinying forgot about this matter and thought it was just a rumor that couldn't be taken seriously.
However, there were some strange things about He Yan. For example, this courtyard. The Xu Family said that Xu Zhiheng missed his wife, so he left this courtyard empty and didn't let anyone else live in it. However, He Xinying had never seen Xu Zhiheng go to this courtyard.
Wouldn't someone who missed his wife often go to places where she used to live and pick up old things to reminisce?
However, perhaps Xu Zhiheng was afraid that he would think of her when he saw the things, so he deliberately didn't go. He Xinying found an excuse for Xu Zhiheng.
She was originally a bit jealous of He Yan, but now, she didn't feel any jealousy at all. There was no meaning in fighting with a dead person, especially when He Xinying didn't feel that He Yan was a threat to her.
In other words, she didn't feel Xu Zhiheng's unforgettable love for He Yan.
The lantern gave off a faint light, and the wind outside blew, blowing away all of her sleepiness. She looked at the dark and empty courtyard and thought for a while. She couldn't help but move her feet, heading towards that place.
She had only been to this courtyard once, not long after she married into the Xu Family. However, she only went as far as the courtyard. When He Xinying wanted to enter the room, a servant girl came out and quietly said, "Young Mistress, the Young Master doesn't allow others to enter this courtyard."
He Xinying was a new bride at that time and didn't want to quarrel with Xu Zhiheng over this matter, so she left. After a long time, she didn't want to go back. Tonight, she didn't know why, but she inexplicably wanted to go and take a look. He Yan was previously recuperating in the farmstead, and after returning to the He Family, she quickly got married. Speaking of which, she didn't spend much time with this older sister of hers. So much so that she almost couldn't remember what He Yan looked like.
But perhaps, she could still see the place He Yan lived and catch a glimpse of the traces of blood relatives who once lived there.
Unknowingly, she had already walked to the courtyard. The courtyard was as cold as always. Whether it was summer or autumn, it was always as cold as winter. The servant girls cleaned the ground, but they couldn't get rid of the old and decadent air.
He Xinying slowly walked to the door and was about to push it open when suddenly, she paused. There was a sound in the room.
She was nervous at first, afraid that there was a thief in the courtyard, but after hearing the sound, she felt that the thief wouldn't be so daring. So, she carried the lantern and secretly walked to the bedside, peeking through the gap in the paper window.
The oil lamp in the room was lit, and she saw Xu Zhiheng.
A Xu Zhiheng who was completely different from his usual self.
Xu Zhiheng was still wearing the clothes he wore when he entered the palace today. He was an extremely particular person. Normally, after returning to the residence, he would take a bath and change his clothes, but he didn't today. He sat in front of the large table in the room, frantically opening the wooden drawer over and over again, rummaging through it.
His movements were very rough, no longer as gentle and refined as before. From the angle of the window, he looked like a complete madman.
He Xinying's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine from head to toe. Looking at her strange husband, she actually felt a sense of fear in her heart.
In her panic, she accidentally stepped on the Shi Tou. "Bang!" The Shi Tou slipped and fell down the steps in the courtyard, making a loud noise.
"Who is it!" At the same time, Xu Zhiheng raised his head from inside the room.
He pulled open the door with a whoosh and rushed out, shouting, "Who's there!"
He Xinying was scared out of her wits.
For a moment, she suddenly wanted to run away. She felt that Xu Zhiheng would turn into an evil spirit in the next moment and pounce on her to take her life. She forced a smile, stood up, and said, "It's me."
Xu Zhiheng narrowed his eyes and looked at the person in front of him. After a while, the viciousness and nervousness in his eyes gradually faded away and was replaced by a smile. However, this smile was stiff and perfunctory no matter how one looked at it. His tone was also a little anxious. "Xinying, why are you here?"
"I was afraid that husband would be cold at night, so I took the mattress and went to the study to look for you, but I couldn't find you. I was worried that husband would fall in the dark at night, so I took the lantern and went around looking for you. " She saw that Xu Zhiheng's expression was somewhat nervous, and her heart was moved. She smiled and said, "I only came to try my luck. I didn't think that husband would really be here. Husband must have missed Big Sister. "
Xu Zhiheng stared blankly for a moment, then agreed, "… Yes."
He Xinying sighed and said sadly, "It's a good thing that husband is in love, but … sometimes you have to think about your own body."
Xu Zhiheng closed the door and covered He Xinying's eyes. He pulled He Xinying's hand and walked out, "Forget it, it's cold outside. Don't catch a cold with me. Let's go back."
His hand was so cold that it seemed as if there wasn't a trace of life in it.
He Xinying obediently replied, "Husband, didn't I tell you before that I wanted to take advantage of mid-autumn to go up the mountain to pray to the Bodhisattva? My mother is finally free these few days. I want to go up the mountain the day after tomorrow and pray for Big Sister in heaven. Is that okay? "
Xu Zhiheng's expression stiffened for a moment, "… Okay."
"Husband, do you want to go together?" He Xinying asked.
"I won't be going," Xu Zhiheng replied, "I'm very busy these few days, so I might not be able to accompany you up the mountain."
When He Xinying heard this, she didn't get angry. She just smiled and said, "It's okay, then I'll count your share and pray to the Bodhisattva. Husband is busy with important matters of the country, so the Bodhisattva won't blame you. "
She was very obedient and considerate. She was also very good at saying things that flattered people. She was a smart woman, but also very stupid. This was what Xu Zhiheng liked about her. Compared to He Yan, it was much easier to put on an act in front of He Xinying.
His heart gradually relaxed. The fear he felt when he heard that familiar name at tonight's celebration banquet was also washed away by the two of them.
He Yan was already dead. The dead wouldn't come back. Then the living person was just pretending to be a ghost.
Together with He Rufei, he would thoroughly investigate the background of the person who was pretending to be a ghost.
The lantern emitted a dim light in the night. He didn't see the dark and gloomy expression of the woman beside him hidden in her obedient voice.
He Xinying felt that she had never really known this husband of hers. The Xu Zhiheng she saw through the crack in the window just now was crazy, paranoid, anxious, and ruthless. It made her vaguely feel that the Xu Zhiheng at that time was the real Xu Zhiheng. She couldn't help but have doubts. Then, was this refined, considerate, and seemingly flawless man the real Xu Zhiheng?
Had her sister, He Yan, ever seen this side of Xu Zhiheng? He Yan was so weak, and her body had always been weak. If Xu Zhiheng accidentally revealed this side of him in front of He Yan, would her sister be scared out of her wits?
But He Yan was already dead. She couldn't ask a dead person.
He Xinying suddenly felt that this seemingly gentle and beautiful Xu family seemed to have many secrets that she didn't know.
A terrifying thought surfaced in her mind.
Did He Yan really accidentally drown to death?
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