Cheng Li Su didn't dare to believe her ears when she suddenly received a promise. Only when He Yan repeated it several times and swore to the heavens did Cheng Li Su believe that he really wanted to help her.
She poured a cup of tea for He Yan and offered it with both hands. "Good Big Brother, you really saved Little Brother's life! In the future, if you need my help in any way, even if I have to climb a mountain of swords or dive into a sea of fire, Little Brother will not refuse! "
He Yan was about to speak when Cheng Li immediately continued, "I know that Big Brother's wish is to enter the Nine Flags Battalion and make a name for yourself. Don't worry, once this matter is over, I will definitely put in a good word for you in front of my uncle every day. Even if I have to copy books every day, I will help Big Brother settle this matter!"
"… What I want to say is," He Yan stopped the child's ecstasy, "I have agreed to go to the banquet in your place, but you still have to convince your uncle."
Was Xiao Jue someone who would agree so easily? After all, this matter sounded quite unimaginable.
"Don't worry about that." Cheng Li Su happily came over and said, "I already talked to my uncle before. I only dared to come to you after my uncle agreed."
"Xiao Jue agreed?" He Yan was stunned.
"Perhaps she feels guilty for not letting you enter the Nine Flags Battalion before, so she wants to give you a chance to prove yourself." Cheng Li Su looked at He Yan sincerely. "So you see, Big Brother, you going to the banquet in my place is God's arrangement."
He Yan didn't have time to pay attention to Cheng Li Su's nonsense. He was just surprised that Xiao Jue agreed so easily. This wasn't his style of doing things. Could it be that there was another trap?
Seeing that He Yan was silent, Cheng Li Su became anxious again. "Big Brother, are you going back on your word?"
"No," He Yan said helplessly, "I'm just thinking about how to pretend to be you. After all, I'm different from you."
"Don't worry, that Yuan Baozhen hasn't seen my appearance, so he won't expose me. However, I still need to explain some things to you so that you won't find out. I love mushroom chicken the most, and I hate rice porridge the most. She didn't like people following her around. If she ate peanuts, she would have a rash on her face. I have to bathe every day, change my clothes frequently, and use some incense … "
He Yan only saw the extravagant and luxurious life of a rich man's son. He shook his head unconsciously.
Cheng Lisu talked for the time it took for a joss stick to burn. She talked until her mouth and tongue were dry before she stopped. She picked up the teacup and quickly moistened her throat. Only then did she come back to her senses.
"Big Brother, did you remember what I said just now?"
He Yan: "… I'll remember." She said, "If there's anything else you want to tell me, say it all."
"Let me think about it." Cheng Li Su sat on the chair and looked at He Yan. He Yan was about the same age as him. His appearance was already outstanding among the new recruits of Liang Province. However, he didn't seem to be clumsy or strong at all. Instead, he seemed to be a little thin and weak. However, this was just right for him. If he was dressed like a rich man's son …
"I almost forgot something important!" Cheng Lisu slapped her forehead. "You can't go to the banquet dressed like this. In any case, I'm the young master of the Right Minister's residence. How can I dress so shabbily? Just you wait. " He ran into the inner room and fiddled with something. Not long after, he came out with a bundle.
"These are some clothes I picked out. Take them and wear them. Our figures aren't too different, so you should be able to wear them all. Even if they're fake, Big Brother, you should still wear them. Other than my good looks, I don't have any other good points. If even this good point is forgotten, then wouldn't I be completely useless? "
He Yan couldn't help but sigh in amazement at the way he described the "embroidered pillow" as if he was in the right.
He turned around and took out a small box from the drawer. He put some things in it and handed it to He Yan. "These are some hairpins, fans, jade pendants, and so on. If you want to put on an act, you have to put on a good show. These are necessary."
He Yan said, "You're really thoughtful."
Cheng Lisu scratched her head in embarrassment. "You flatter me, you flatter me."
He Yan put away the bundle and box, then asked, "Did you really talk to your uncle? You didn't lie to me, did you?"
"No, no," Cheng Lisu said, "Come here tomorrow morning at seven in the morning. We can probably set off then."
"So soon?" He Yan was surprised.
"Originally, it was going to take a few days. Yuan Baozhen hasn't arrived in Liang Province yet. However, uncle needs to go to the city first to find a craftsman to repair his Evening Fragrance Zither. That's why we have to go earlier."
He Yan thought about the zither he had crushed and fell silent.
Cheng Lisu patted him on the shoulder. "Big Brother He, I'm counting on you this time. Thank you!"
He Yan carried a bundle full of things back to the new recruits' bunk. Wang Ba and the others had not left yet. They were eating the moon balls that He Yan had brought from Cheng Lisu last night. Seeing He Yan come back with things in his hands, Wang Ba said sourly, "Oh, you went to receive filial piety again?"
"Did Young Master Cheng give you food again?" Xiao Mai stared at the bundle in He Yan's hands. She was almost drooling. "What's so delicious in such a big bundle?"
He Yan slammed the cloth bundle on the table. The cloth bundle was loosely tied, so when it fell apart, it revealed the things inside. It was not the food that everyone expected. It was actually some clothes and accessories.
This was unexpected. After a while, Hong Shan asked hesitantly, "A He, why did Young Master Cheng give you clothes? We can't wear normal clothes in the military camp. "
"I'm going to the city with Military Governor Xiao tomorrow." He Yan said, "He's probably afraid that I'll embarrass Military Governor Xiao if I dress too shabbily. That's why Young Master Cheng specially gave me some clothes to decorate my appearance."
"You and Military Governor Xiao?" Huang Xiong looked at him. "This is a good thing. Why do you look so unhappy?"
If last night's incident did not happen, He Yan would also be very happy. After all, he could get a lot of information from Xiao Jue. But after last night's incident, he was afraid that Xiao Jue would dislike him even more. Who knew if he did something wrong and angered this Second Young Master.
He could only brace himself for now.
"I'm so happy that I don't know what expression to make." He Yan answered.
Everyone surrounded him and asked him a lot of questions. Finally, he managed to get everyone to leave. When night fell, He Yan was still thinking about this matter before he went to bed.
The reason why he agreed to help Cheng Lisu attend that troublesome banquet was, of course, not because he and Cheng Lisu were close brothers, nor was he so chivalrous. He only agreed because he heard Yuan Baozhen's name.
He Yan had seen Yuan Baozhen before. When she was conferred the title of General Feihong, He Rufei received the reward on her behalf. After He Yan became his daughter, he had seen this person once at the He Family. At that time, Yuan Baozhen was standing with He Yuansheng and his son. He Yan had even bowed to him.
Looking at the way He Rufei spoke to him, it seemed like they were very close. He Yan had thought at that time that He Rufei had just "received the reward". In reality, he wasn't very close to his colleagues in the Shuojing Imperial Court. He didn't expect that he would have a close friend so quickly.
Now that He Rufei's friend had come to Liangzhou, it just so happened that he had a bit of a relationship with "Cheng Lisu". If he could take this opportunity to get close to He Rufei and find out some information, perhaps it would be helpful for his future. If he wanted to stand out and reach a position where people would listen to him, he needed to make some contributions in the military. However, Liangzhou was thousands of li away from the capital. It was also too far away from the He Family, so a lot of information couldn't be transmitted over.
Yuan Baozhen's arrival in Liangzhou could be considered a pillow delivered to him when he was sleepy. However, he didn't know what Xiao Jue's intentions were. He actually agreed to Cheng Lisu's inconceivable method. He Yan couldn't understand Xiao Jue anymore. He thought that he would pick him to enter the Vanguard Battalion, but he picked Lei Hou. He thought that he wouldn't let him pretend to be Cheng Lisu, but he actually agreed.
Next to him, he heard the sound of someone snoring in Hong Shan. He Yan turned over and closed his eyes. Forget it. Since he couldn't figure it out, he would just follow him personally. Along the way, he had plenty of time to figure out what Xiao Jue was thinking. He would deal with whatever came his way. He Yan wasn't necessarily afraid.
In contrast to He Yan's carefreeness, in the Liangzhou City Guard Station, Shen Han's face was full of astonishment. After a moment, the astonishment on his face turned into anxiety.
"Commander, how could you bring He Yan into the city? His identity is still unknown. If he follows you, if he makes a move against you … "
"I won't be threatened by him," Xiao Jue said.
"But …"
The candlelight in the silver lamp on the table flickered in the wind, almost going out. He flicked the wick, and the room lit up again.
"If he's one of Xu Jingfu's men, he might give himself away if he comes with me to the banquet. If he's in the Guard Station, you might not be able to handle him. It's safer to keep him by my side. "
"Moreover," he curled his lips, "He Yan boasts that his skills are extraordinary. This banquet at Hongmen can be used as a stepping stone."
Shen Han's heart trembled. Xiao Jue wanted to use He Yan as a scapegoat.
Military Governor Xiao was still the same old Military Governor Xiao. He didn't even care about their past relationship. He Yan didn't know how he had angered Xiao Jue in the past. Thinking of this, Shen Han felt a trace of sympathy for He Yan.
Xiao Jue said, "After I leave tomorrow, protect Cheng Lisu well. Don't let him run around. I'll leave all the matters in the Guard Station to you for the time being. "
Shen Han put away his fanciful thoughts and said, "Yes!"
The next morning, when Xiao Mai woke up, he found that the bed next to him was empty.
He rubbed his eyes. It was still early, and the other people in the room hadn't woken up yet. He Yan's bedding was neatly folded, but he was nowhere to be seen. Mai Tai asked curiously. Could it be that He Yan had already left? But didn't he say yesterday that he would only depart at seven in the morning? It wasn't time yet.
After a while, everyone woke up one after another and found that He Yan was gone. Hong Shan said, "That kid didn't leave just like that, right? He didn't even say goodbye? "
"Did he leave because he was afraid of waking us up?" Xiao Mai probed.
"Who knows? Shi Tou, have you seen him before?" Hong Shan asked.
Shi Tou shook his head, "No."
The few of them looked at each other in dismay, all of them confused. That being said, they couldn't just wait for He Yan here. They still had to run later, so they all got up and washed their faces.
Xiao Mai had already put on his clothes and was the first to clean up. He pushed the door open and ran out, intending to grab the hot biscuits. Shi Tou and Hong Shan were still washing their faces when they suddenly heard Xiao Mai shouting outside, "Big Brother, Brother Shan —"
"What's wrong now?" Hong Shan wiped the water droplets off his face. "We're washing our faces."
"Come out and see!" Xiao Mai couldn't suppress the excitement in his voice.
Hong Shan looked at Shi Tou in confusion. Shi Tou expressed that he didn't know either. He shook the water off his hands and walked out of the room, saying, "Xiao Mai, next time can you not be so …"
His voice came to an abrupt halt.
He Yan stood facing him and said with a smile, "Brother Shan, how do I look?"
Hong Shan opened his mouth but didn't say anything for a moment. The other recruits in the room also came out one after another at this moment. When they saw He Yan, they all surrounded him with a "huala" sound, talking all at once.
"You look good! He Yan, you look like a young master from a rich family in the capital! "
"Not just a young master from a rich family. I think it wouldn't be wrong to say that he's from the palace."
"Forget it. You're talking as if you've seen someone from the palace."
"I haven't, but I imagine someone from the palace looks like this!"
"These clothes aren't cheap. He Yan, can I wear them too?"
"Bah! Can you wear them? Don't ruin the clothes. Go away! "
He Yan was surrounded by the crowd, allowing them to size him up. Hong Shan and the others stood at a distance. Xiao Mai looked at He Yan with sparkling eyes and said, "A He Ge is so good-looking!"
"No wonder it's said that clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse. Look, you usually don't show off, but when you wear these little clothes and hairpins, you look different from us." Hong Shan touched his chin and asked Stone, "Isn't that right?"
Shi Tou nodded. "Yes."
He Yan let them size him up. Then, she adjusted the bag on her shoulders and said with a smile, "Before I leave, I still want to show you all. My brothers all say that I look good, so I'm relieved. I won't embarrass the Liangzhou Guards." She waved her hand and said, "Then I'm leaving!"
Everyone waved goodbye to her.
While she was saying her goodbyes, Cheng Lisu had also left the house early.
Shen Han was talking to Xiao Jue in the courtyard. Green Ear was eating grass with his head down. Cheng Lisu went to the stable last night to choose a beautiful red horse. She felt that the horse looked cute and smart, and was a good match for her.
"You're not going, so why are you choosing a horse?" Xiao Jue didn't comment.
"Although I'm not going, my eldest brother is going on behalf of me. I can't let people say behind my back that the young master of the Right Minister's residence is good at martial arts, but he doesn't look good. They say that we should play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses. I only have one strength, so of course, I have to play to it. "
Xiao Jue sneered, "What should we do? With your eldest brother's looks, he can't help you grow."
"Uncle, you're wrong." Cheng Lisu looked at him seriously. "I've looked carefully. My eldest brother is not bad. Although he can't be compared to you and me, he can be considered outstanding in the Liang Province Guards. "
Shen Han listened to the uncle and nephew chatting and was momentarily speechless. Just as they were talking, they saw someone coming in front of them. He said, "He Yan is here!"
The two people who were talking turned their heads to look, and their eyes lit up.
It was an autumn morning, and the air was clear. The cool autumn wind blew, refreshing the heart. The sun had not completely risen, and only a small head peeked out. A ray of golden light fell on the youth's body, making her stand out.
The youth wore a dark red brocade robe with a cicada pattern and a belt around her waist. Normally, she was too thin and weak. Wearing Cheng Lisu's clothes, her weakness was completely hidden, leaving only her elegance. She was born delicate and pretty. With her long hair tied up with a carved wooden hairpin, she looked fresh and energetic. Her footsteps were leisurely, and she carried a bag. She was completely different from the sweaty new recruits on the training field. She was the living image of an elegant youth in the capital's academy. Her every frown and smile was poetic.
The youth walked in front of them and opened the fan in her hand with a "pa" sound. The fan fluttered elegantly, and her smile was even more eye-catching than the landscape painting on the fan. She deliberately lowered her voice. "Sorry, I'm late."
Cheng Lisu stared at him with wide eyes. After a while, she finally regained her senses. She circled around He Yan and was unable to contain her joy. "Eldest Brother, I didn't expect you to be such a handsome man. The Liang Province Guards have really buried your charm! Looking at you now, you're almost catching up to me! "
He Yan was pleased with himself, but he still said humbly, "You're too kind. You're too kind."
She went to the riverside early in the morning and changed her clothes when no one was around. Cheng Lisu's clothes were mostly yellow. This youth loved bright colors, but He Yan felt that it was a bit frivolous. It wasn't easy for her to find a color that wasn't so flashy. She also picked out a simple hairpin from the box. She stood by the riverside and looked at the surface of the river for a long time. In order to ensure that nothing unexpected happened, she even showed it to Hong Shan and the others.
The new recruits of the Liang Province Guards all applauded. She thought that it wasn't bad. In her previous life, when she disguised herself as a man, she had no choice but to wear a mask. Now that she could openly look like a young master, she felt a strange sense of nervousness.
Shen Han looked at He Yan from the side and sucked in a breath of cold air in his heart. He originally thought that He Yan was just a youth. Even if he had feelings for Xiao Jue in the past, how could he have caught Xiao Jue's eye? After all, there were countless beautiful women who admired Xiao Jue. Now that he saw He Yan like this, he understood a little. It was normal for a woman to be so beautiful, but it was rare for a man to be so beautiful. Moreover, this youth's skills were outstanding and his temperament was good. If it wasn't for his identity being suspicious, in fact … in fact, it wouldn't be strange for him to stand together with Military Governor Xiao.
Cheng Lisu was still talking endlessly. He Yan looked at Xiao Jue and saw that Xiao Jue was still standing in the same place. Her gaze swept over him calmly, without the slightest hint of appreciation. He immediately felt mischievous and walked over to Xiao Jue's side.
"Military Governor." She half-opened her folding fan and covered her face as she laughed softly. She looked like a lecher who was teasing a woman from a good family. "What do you think of me?"
The young man looked at her indifferently. After a moment, he bent down slightly and lowered his head until it was almost at her ear. His voice was lower and hoarser than normal youths when he was young. Now that he was older, there was a hint of laziness and magnetism in his voice.
"You actually …"
He Yan seemed to be able to feel the other's hot breath by his ear. He Yan inexplicably felt his face blush. He thought to himself, to hear this face praise someone with this kind of tone, not everyone could withstand it.
"… You're even shorter than Cheng Lisu." He finished the rest of his sentence.
He Yan: "…"
He Yan took two steps back and looked at him in disbelief. Shouldn't normal people say, "You're actually so eye-catching" or "You're actually so stunning"?
Shorter than Cheng Lisu?
The handsome young man looked as if he didn't think he was bad enough. He looked at her and curled his lips. "Also, you're wearing your belt the wrong way."
He brushed past her and walked forward. He Yan looked down. Cheng Lisu's clothes were complicated. She had never worn this kind of clothes before and didn't know how to tie it. Now that she heard the reminder, she hurriedly undid it. When Cheng Lisu saw this, she finally understood and came over to help. "Ah, I forgot to tell you. My belt is different from other people's. You have to tie it like this …"
He Yan looked at Xiao Jue's back and gritted his teeth.
Xiao Jue definitely didn't let her be Cheng Lisu's substitute because he felt guilty towards her during the battle for the flag. He Yan seriously suspected that he brought her along just to make it easier for him to humiliate and torture her.
They were really born to be enemies.
The Liangzhou Guards arrived at the city and rode non-stop. It took about six hours. They set out in the morning and arrived in the afternoon. Other than He Yan and Xiao Jue, there was also a guard named Fei Nu.
Probably because she wasn't the real Cheng Lisu, they didn't even need a carriage. They rode all the way and didn't even have time to eat. They finally arrived at the city in the afternoon.
The last time He Yan came to Liangzhou City, he had just arrived with the new recruits from Shuo Jing. However, he didn't stop in the city and went directly to the guard station at the foot of Mount Baiyue. Now, she changed into the clothes of a normal young master and came to the bustling city. Unlike Shuo Jing, Liangzhou had a different style.
This place was in the east and had four distinct seasons. Although it wasn't as prosperous as the capital, it could still be considered lively. People came and went hurriedly. In the city, they didn't have to ride as fast. He Yan looked around as he walked and felt that he couldn't get enough of it.
However, Xiao Jue didn't come to the city to sightsee. They arrived at an inn. This inn looked like it was one of the most luxurious in Liangzhou City. It had three floors. The exterior was decorated magnificently. When they arrived at the entrance of the inn, Xiao Jue dismounted from her horse. The waiter helped lead the horse to the stable and they walked into the main hall together.
To be honest, although He Yan was the eldest young master of the He Family, he had never stayed in a particularly expensive inn. Xiao Jue was as extravagant as his nephew. Even the place to rest was so particular. He Yan was thinking this when he heard Xiao Jue say to the innkeeper, "Two rooms."
"Two rooms?" He Yan was surprised, "I'll share a room with Fei Nu?"
It wasn't easy for her to leave the barracks. Couldn't she have a room by herself? Cheng Lisu also told her to bathe every day. How could she bathe with Fei Nu in the room?
"Or else?" Xiao Jue stared at her and asked, "You want to share a room with me?"
"No, no, no," He Yan said, "Then I'll share a room with Fei Nu." What a joke. She wasn't that ignorant. After all, Second Young Master Xiao was as pure as ice and as pure as jade. How could he share a room with such a crude person like her? He Yan silently cursed. Second Young Master Xiao should live with the Bodhisattva in the temple. Just put an incense burner in front of him and he would be worshipped.
Xiao Jue ignored him.
The innkeeper took the money and ordered people to clean up the rooms. Since the morning, the three of them hadn't eaten lunch. They could eat on the first floor of the inn, so they planned to eat here before going upstairs.
The innkeeper could probably tell that Xiao Jue was either rich or noble. He stood at their table and said, "Our signature dishes are green bean noodles, steamed five-flavored gluten, spicy shredded tripe, sesame rolls, wild duck with eight treasures, shredded chicken with cucumber, spicy pigeon … what would you like to order?"
Before Xiao Jue could speak, He Yan asked loudly, "Innkeeper, do you have mushroom chicken?"
"Yes, yes," the innkeeper quickly replied.
Xiao Jue turned her head and looked at her calmly. He Yan blinked, "What's wrong, Uncle? You know that mushroom chicken is my favorite dish!"
Fei Nu: "…"
Cheng Lisu had told her that she had to be thorough when putting on an act. Now that she was in Liangzhou City, she was no longer He Yan. She was Cheng Lisu, Second Young Master Xiao's nephew. Was it wrong for her nephew to want to eat her favorite dish?
Absolutely not!
Xiao Jue looked away and said, "Give him mushroom chicken."
Why was she so easy to talk to? He Yan's heart skipped a beat. That's right, what if she met someone she knew here? Xiao Jue couldn't deny it in front of outsiders. This time, He Yan's courage grew. She had been eating dry biscuits for so many days in the Guard Institute and had only tasted meat a few times. Since she seized this opportunity and Xiao Jue did not lack money, wouldn't she be letting herself down if she didn't ruthlessly take advantage of this fat sheep?
"Uncle!" He Yan's voice was crisp and sweet. She smiled and said, "I also want to eat spicy tripe, sesame rolls, wild duck with eight treasures, shredded chicken and cucumber, steamed gluten with five flavors, pigeon … and that, what's that, mung bean noodles! I want to eat all of them! "
Fei Nu's lips moved. She wanted to say something, but she held herself back. It had been a long time since she met someone who wasn't afraid of death.
The innkeeper was surprised at first, but then he smiled happily. He looked at He Yan as if he was looking at the God of Fortune. He said to Xiao Jue, "This young master has good taste. He really believes in our inn's dishes!"
"My apologies," Xiao Jue laughed lightly. His movements were graceful, but his tone was harsh and sarcastic. He said lightly, "My nephew has not seen the world. I'm sorry for making a fool of myself."
He Yan: "…"
"Give me a portion of each dish."
Second Young Master Xiao spent money like it was dirt. The innkeeper was overjoyed. He turned around and ordered the kitchen to prepare the dishes.
He Yan originally wanted to tease him. He thought that it would be good enough if he could eat a few of the dishes. He didn't expect Xiao Jue to be so obedient and really order a portion of each dish. Could it be that Cheng Li Su was usually so favored by her uncle? He was simply going crazy and getting whatever he wanted. Even He Yan was a little jealous.
She moved closer to Xiao Jue and asked carefully, "Commander in chief, why are you so easy to talk to?"
"Why?" Xiao Jue said lightly, "As an uncle, of course I can't let my nephew go hungry."
This "uncle" really had a deep meaning behind it. He Yan pondered and pondered, but he felt that something wasn't right. She and Xiao Jue were of the same generation. They were schoolmates in the past. Later on, they both became generals and were equally famous. But in this life, she first became Xiao Jue's soldier and called him Commander in chief. Now, she was Xiao Jue's nephew. Even her seniority was lower than his.
Xiao Jue took advantage of this!
She remained silent. She didn't want to call him Xiao Jue anymore. Who knew that teasing Xiao Jue would cause her to lose out? She was really one step behind.
The innkeeper's dishes were not good, but he cooked quickly. Not long after, all the dishes were served and filled the entire table. They were so extravagant that the people around them looked at them.
He Yan felt a little embarrassed and said, "Commander in chief, I'm sorry for the expense."
"Since you want to eat it, of course you have to eat it," Xiao Jue said slowly, "But I've taught you before. Simple rules lead to prosperity. Indulgence leads to death. Don't waste it. "
He Yan felt that something was wrong. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the person in front of him say, "If there's a grain of rice left, you can forget about eating tomorrow."
He Yan: "…"
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