Chapter 163: Miss Shen
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After helping Chu Zhao split the stone, He Yan went back to her room.
When she arrived in her room before, she left the middle door open, providing a clear view of Xiao Jue’s room. Xiao Jue sat at the table, not reading military scrolls anymore. In the dim light, he closed his eyes, pinching his temples as if in a pseudo-slumber.
He Yan thought, pitifully, he hadn’t rested since returning. She approached Xiao Jue, bending down to look at him. The dim light highlighted his handsome face, making it appear even more enchanting. His eyelashes were long and dense, resembling a small fan, tempting people to reach out and touch.
Just as her fingertips were about to touch the tip of his eyelashes, a voice interrupted, “What are you doing?”
He Yan quickly withdrew her hand. He had opened his eyes, casting a cold and indifferent glance at her.
“Nothing,” He Yan stood upright as if nothing happened. “There was a bug on your face, and I chased it away.”
Xiao Jue couldn’t be bothered to deal with her.
“It’s late,” He Yan said. “Commander, you should sleep. After scrutinizing scrolls for so long, don’t you plan to rest?”
Xiao Jue rubbed his wrist, his expression showing a hint of weariness. When they were in Jiyang before, they shared a room without even a curtain to separate them. However, back then, except for the last few days, there wasn’t much to do. They would just go to bed early each day. But now, returning to Jiyang, there were many more things to attend to.
“Finish looking then sleep,” he said.
“Will I be joining the Nanfu soldiers for training together tomorrow?” He Yan asked. “Do I need to inform Instructor Liang?”
“No need, I’ve already told Liang Ping,” Xiao Jue replied.
He Yan nodded.
“You don’t seem worried?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Why should I be worried?”
“The training intensity of the Nanfu soldiers is much higher than that of the Liangzhou Guards.”
“I’ve known that for a long time,” He Yan sighed. “People climb to higher places. It’s to be expected.” She wasn’t worried about training; it was just a matter of enduring hardships. Enduring hardships with the Nanfu soldiers was better than in the Liangzhou Guards; at least there was more future in it.
As she spoke, her eyes glanced at the small table beside her, where a food basket was placed. The table was previously filled with the local products Cui Yuezhi had sent, but now it seemed to have been tidied up, and the food basket was particularly conspicuous. He Yan asked, “Commander, you haven’t eaten?”
“Why?”
“You can’t skip meals.” He Yan helped him open the food basket, revealing a rich variety of dishes, including meat, vegetables, and desserts. He Yan exclaimed, “Are the dishes of the Liangzhou Garrison this good now?” But after a moment, she denied herself, “No, this should be your exclusive meal as the Commander, right? It’s good to be a Commander; even your solitary meals are so exquisite. Among the many generals of Great Wei, you eat the best.”
Xiao Jue was speechless. “Have you seen it?”
He Yan thought to herself that she had indeed seen it. During the years when she was the Flying Phoenix General, her meals were not even half of what Xiao Jue ate. Not to mention desserts, having meat was already a luxury. Perhaps this was because Xiao Jue was the second young master of the Xiaos, and her military identity at the time was from an “ordinary family”? Generals were also ranked in three, six, and nine classes. However, the chefs of the Liangzhou Garrison were really skilled, and the desserts were beautifully crafted.
She called out to him, “Commander, come and eat. It’s getting cold.”
Xiao Jue glanced at her, seeing her enthusiastic appearance like an innkeeper. He found it amusing, but his expression returned to calm after a moment, and he walked to the table and sat down.
During their time in Jiyang, the two of them often ate together at the same table, and it had become a habit. He Yan subconsciously handed him a pair of chopsticks, and she took a pair for herself. She had actually eaten dinner already. The familiar Liangzhou Guards dry cakes, combined with her already large appetite, she had forgotten that she was no longer in Jiyang, no longer “Wen Yuyan,” and happily picked up a piece of sweet cake.
After picking it up, He Yan realized and looked across at the person. The young man looked at her calmly, raising his eyebrows slightly.
“I’ll just have a little,” He Yan said, “The Commander won’t be so stingy, right?” Her courage in front of Xiao Jue was growing. When she first joined the Liangzhou Guards, she would never have thought she could be so bold and carefree in front of Xiao Jue.
“Don’t talk while eating,” Second Young Master Xiao said coldly.
With her mouth full of sweet cakes, He Yan looked at the person across from her, who was eating with extreme elegance. She mumbled, “Commander, this beard is cooked well.”
“What are you saying?”
He Yan swallowed the food in her mouth. “I said, this chef is admirable. He makes dishes that you like, Commander. Of course, I also like them very much.”
Xiao Jue pulled the corner of his mouth. “Is there anything you don’t like to eat?”
He had a habit of habitually belittling others, but He Yan had long since stopped caring. At this moment, she accidentally noticed a palm-sized wooden box on the table, picked it up casually, and saw a drawing of the Water God Festival in Jiyang City engraved on the top. She paused, “Did Lord Cui give this to you?”
Xiao Jue: “Yes.”
He Yan opened it and found it to be balm. She leaned in and sniffed, detecting a faint floral fragrance. She couldn’t help but praise, “Things in Jiyang City are indeed exquisite. Lord Cui, who looks so imposing, unexpectedly pays attention to such details. He even prepared this for you.”
Xiao Jue sneered, “I don’t need it.”
“Why?” He Yan was puzzled. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“It’s piercing to the nose.”
He Yan: “…”
Being the son of a wealthy family indeed meant having high standards. He described this delicately fragrant scent as too strong. He Yan asked, “It’s a heartfelt gift, isn’t it a pity not to use it?”
“If you like it, take it,” Xiao Jue replied impatiently.
“Really?” Seeing that Xiao Jue did not object, He Yan knew he wasn’t joking. She immediately put the wooden box containing the balm back. The box was small, but it reminded her of another matter she had pushed to the back of her mind.
In the Cui Mansion in Jiyang, during the battle with the Wutuo people, He Yan was injured. Lin Shuanghe gave her a box of Scar Removal and Skin Regeneration ointment, identical to the one Shen Muxue had given her before. Lin Shuanghe claimed that only Xiao Jue had this ointment. Thinking about it, she looked at Xiao Jue and tentatively asked, “Commander, did you once ask Miss Shen to give me a box of scar removal ointment?”
Xiao Jue’s hand, holding chopsticks, paused, and he only asked, “Don’t want it?”
“Did you really give it?” He Yan hesitated for a moment, “Do you… also think that scars on a woman’s body are shameful and a weakness that shouldn’t be talked about?”
The past Xu Zhiheng was like that. Although she didn’t say anything, some things lingered in her heart and couldn’t be dispelled. This situation seemed familiar; if all men in the world thought the same way, she wouldn’t be surprised. But if this person changed to Xiao Jue… He Yan thought she might be a bit disappointed.
Even though this disappointment was irrational.
Xiao Jue looked at her indifferently, “You’re overthinking.”
He Yan was stunned.
The young man’s voice was calm, “Just a scar, everyone has them. You don’t need to be nervous or care about it. If it can be treated, treat it. If not, forget about it. You don’t need to be so hard on yourself.”
Don’t be so hard on yourself?
He Yan lowered her head, not saying anything, but she held the wooden box containing the balm tightly in her hand. After a moment, she spoke softly, “It seems I was being narrow-minded.”
Perhaps, she really didn’t need to be too hard on herself.
…
Early the next morning, He Yan went to train with the Nanfu soldiers.
The Nanfu soldiers were different from the Liangzhou Guards. When He Yan first arrived at the Liangzhou Garrison, they were all recruits. The recruits were lively, always noisy, forming a close-knit group. Occasionally, during training breaks, they would find time to have some fun. On the other hand, the Nanfu soldiers were all seasoned veterans, and their daily training was extremely serious. No one spoke, and the atmosphere was so tense that it seemed like they were about to go into battle at any moment.
The deputy commander of the Nanfu soldiers’ training was named Tian Lang. He Yan had seen him once before, the big man who got scolded harshly by Xiao Jue when she was returning Xiao Jue’s jade pendant. This man’s temperament was as rigid and tough as Xiao Jue’s. At that moment, He Yan sorely missed the noisy and friendly atmosphere of Liang Ping or the warm concern sometimes displayed by Shen Han. Even Shen Han, who could be unusually enthusiastic and caring at times, had become someone she missed.
Tian Lang was also keeping an eye on He Yan.
It had been a long time since new recruits had been admitted to the Nanfu soldiers. Even if they were to recruit new people, it wouldn’t be a recruit from the Liangzhou Garrison. However, this youth named He Yan was an exception and had a significant reputation within the Liangzhou Garrison. It was said that he had not fallen behind when sparring with Ridamuzi before and had later gone to Jiyang with Xiao Jue to confront the Wutuo tribe. For Xiao Jue, trusting this youth was already a significant endorsement of his abilities.
This seemingly weak young man, whom they thought might struggle to keep up with the Nanfu soldiers’ training, unexpectedly performed quite well, showing no signs of difficulty. Tian Lang felt a little relieved. He Yan was the person personally selected by Xiao Jue to join the Nanfu soldiers. If he couldn’t complete the training, Xiao Jue would probably not be pleased. Tian Lang had always been quite fearful of this young superior.
He Yan was unaware that, because of Xiao Jue’s relationship, she had become the number one person of interest in the eyes of the deputy commander. The most joyful thing, perhaps, was when the day’s training in the evening ended, she could go to the adjacent martial arts field to find Hong Shan and the others.
As soon as she entered, she heard Xiao Mai excitedly calling out, “Brother Ah He, how was it? Are the people in the Nanfu soldiers tough? Did you have any contests?”
“… No.” The soldiers of the Nanfu had long been disciplined, and there wasn’t much competitive spirit among them. Perhaps in their eyes, He Yan was just one of the countless ordinary soldiers and not worth paying much attention to.
“Ah He, why don’t you show them your skills? At least establish yourself in the Nanfu soldiers.” Hong Shan teased with a smile.
“You’ll be taught to behave.” Wang Ba scoffed, “There are always stronger individuals. The soldiers in the Nanfu are not like the Liangzhou Garrison, a bunch of useless people!”
He Yan smiled at him, “Brother Wang, you’re scolding all of us, including yourself. Is that okay?”
“I’m already part of the Vanguard Battalion,” he proudly declared. “I don’t belong to the Liangzhou Garrison anymore.”
Jiang Jiao said, “But it’s still the Vanguard Battalion of the Liangzhou Garrison.”
In the midst of their conversation, He Yan leaped onto the railing beside the martial arts field. She liked sitting up there, swinging her legs like on a swing. However, as soon as she jumped up, something “plopped” out of her arms and rolled to Shitou’s feet.
Shitou bent down to pick up the object, and Xiao Mai asked, “What’s this? Can we eat it?”
“It seems to be balm?” Huang Xiong asked. “I’ve seen my younger sister use it before. What’s painted on it?”
“The pattern of the Water God Festival in Jiyang City,” He Yan said. “Just this.”
“What’s going on with you?” Wang Ba turned his disgusted gaze away. “Balm, isn’t this stuff for women? You, a big man, using these things? Isn’t it disgusting?”
He Yan: “Why can’t men use balm? This is about refinement! You guys, being mountain bandits, naturally wouldn’t understand these things.”
“Why do you look down on mountain bandits?” Wang Ba was furious. “Among us mountain bandits, there are also distinctions!”
Seeing that another argument was about to break out, Jiang Jiao quickly stepped forward to mediate, “Alright, stop arguing. But Brother He, we practice with knives and staves every day on the martial arts field. Using this… isn’t it useless?”
It’s probably just a bit moisturized today, and tomorrow it might get cut again. The speed of moisturizing hands is not as fast as the speed of cutting hands, after all. Everyone on the martial arts field during daily training had scar-covered hands. Thinking about smearing the hand with fragrant ointment one moment and then lifting a huge stone lock the next moment, others probably thought she was crazy.
He Yan vaguely said, “It’s just a kind gesture from a family in Jiyang. Didn’t want to waste it.” Saying that, she reached out, intending to take the box from Shitou’s hand.
Her hand was halfway there when a soft female voice sounded, “What is this?”
Everyone turned around to see Shen Muxue. In the darkness, she held a lantern in one hand and a basket full of herbs in the other. Dressed in white, she looked like a fairy descending to the mortal realm. Her gaze fell on the box in Shitou’s hand, and she hesitated, “Is this… balm?”
“Yes,” Hong Shan said.
“Can I take a look?”
No one would refuse the request of the beautiful medicine woman. Shen Muxue took the box in front of her, and when she saw the Water God pattern on it, her eyes flashed. After a moment, she raised her head and looked at everyone, asking, “Whose balm is this?”
“Mine,” He Yan said.
Shen Muxue looked at her. At this moment, the night was about to settle, and only dim torches illuminated the surroundings. The young man sat on the railing, wearing a casual smile. The heroic features were softened by a gentle hue, especially the bright and captivating eyes. If these eyes were on a woman’s face, who knows how bewitching they would be.
Shen Muxue was startled by her own absurd thoughts.
He Yan reached out to take the box, but Shen Muxue stepped back, not returning it to her. Instead, she asked softly, “Is this… given to you by the commander?”
Did she see it before? He Yan nodded, “Yes.”
Shen Muxue’s body stiffened a bit.
He Yan noticed that her expression was a bit strange, thought for a moment, and then asked, “Miss Shen, do you like this box? If you really like it, I can give it to you.”
Actually, what Jiang Jiao said makes sense. Using this balm for her was indeed a waste. Her hands were covered in calluses and scars from the blades and staffs. If her hands were pampered and tender, she probably wouldn’t be able to draw a bow.
She hadn’t said anything before, but as soon as she mentioned it, Shen Muxue suddenly looked up. In her usually gentle eyes, there was a hint of anger. She handed the box back to He Yan, saying coldly, “No need.” Then she turned around, carrying her basket, and walked away.
He Yan didn’t even have a chance to bid her farewell.
Shen Muxue, despite her cold demeanor in the Cold Front Battalion, had never lashed out at anyone or uttered harsh words. Today, her clear expression of anger was unprecedented. Xiao Mai tugged at He Yan’s sleeve, “Brother Ah He, it seems like Miss Shen is angry. Why?”
He Yan: “How would I know why?” She and Shen Muxue had always kept to themselves, and this was the first time they had spoken after returning. Shen Muxue’s reaction was truly puzzling.
“Is it because she likes you?” Huang Xiong rubbed the beads on his neck. “Seeing you not understanding her feelings, so she got angry?”
“Give it up. Shen Muxue likes him?” Wang Ba sneered, “Dreaming in broad daylight.”
“Forget it,” Jiang Jiao patted He Yan’s shoulder. “Brother He, you should be mindful of your behavior in daily life to avoid causing misunderstandings among others.” He seemed to recall his deceased fiancée and sighed, “It wouldn’t be good if it cost someone their life.”
He Yan: “…”
Because of Shen Muxue’s unusual reaction, He Yan and her brothers discussed the reasons behind Shen Muxue’s anger. In the end, they couldn’t come to a conclusion. The final consensus was: maybe she just found He Yan unpleasant for a few days, as women tend to do every once in a while.
After having dinner with her friends, the sky had turned completely dark. He Yan walked towards her room, and halfway there, she saw Chu Zhao.
“So late, Brother Chu, why are you still outside?” He Yan greeted him. “Are you picking up stones again today?”
Chu Zhao, upon hearing this, smiled and said, “How come it sounds like I’m a fool when it comes out of Brother He’s mouth?”
He Yan thought to herself that his hobby of coming out to pick stones in the middle of the night, in her eyes, wasn’t much different from that of a fool.
“I saw the wind rising at night, it may rain tomorrow, just taking the books that were left outside to dry back inside,” Chu Zhao smiled and pointed to the book in his hand.
He Yan: “I see.”
Most likely intentional, Chu Zhao’s residence was really simple, even more so than the last time. Last time, he even brought a chef with him, but this time, coming directly from Jiyang to Liangzhou Garrison, besides Ying Xiang and a few attendants, Chu Zhao had no one else with him. Therefore, his living conditions were not great, and his meals were simple. But some people just look calm and composed even in the worst conditions, and Chu Zhao was probably one of those people. Not only did he not make people think he looked in a sorry state, but he also had a touch of elegance.
“I heard Brother He went to the Nanfu Army for military training today?” Chu Zhao walked side by side with her, “How was it? Any discomfort?”
“It’s fine,” He Yan smiled, “Except that the deputy commander doesn’t talk much, everything else is good.”
Chu Zhao shook his head and smiled, “Brother He has good skills, and can adapt anywhere.”
He Yan looked at him. This person always spoke with a good temper, a gentle and refined appearance. Knowing that she belonged to Xiao Jue, and their positions were delicate, he never asked about military matters. He handled it very well, even in casual conversations like this. If he were an ordinary person, an ordinary girl, over time, she would inevitably feel guilty, thinking that she was harboring malicious thoughts. Moreover, with Chu Zhao’s appearance, this guilt would easily turn into pity, and pity, when taken further, becomes affection.
No wonder he was the first in the dreams of the girls in Shuojing City.
However, having looked at Xiao Jue’s face too much on ordinary days, she would feel that this gentle smile carried some formality, and his slender figure seemed excessively frail. He Yan felt a sudden chill in her heart, thinking that what Hong Shan and the others said about “women finding someone annoying every month” seemed true. For example, now, Chu Zhao hadn’t done anything, yet she was being so picky, really making a fuss for no reason.
To avoid overthinking, He Yan asked Chu Zhao, “With such a good temper, Brother Chu must rarely make women angry, right?”
Chu Zhao was puzzled, “Which young lady did Brother He make angry?”
This person was too sensitive. He Yan brushed it off, “It’s not anger, it’s just that today, Doctor Shen looked at me strangely. My friend told me…” Although it was a bit difficult to say, He Yan still spoke, “Perhaps Doctor Shen has a secret admiration for me?”
Chu Zhao stared at her for a moment, then burst into laughter. He was always mindful of his appearance, and this behavior was already somewhat unusual. After laughing for a while, Chu Zhao said, “Brother He, even though you look very handsome now, but…”
He Yan was puzzled; she hadn’t reached that extent. Seeing Chu Zhao laugh as if falling in love with her was something unreasonable, she couldn’t help but feel confused. One should know that Song Taotao had also liked her.
“Brother He can rest assured,” Chu Zhao cleared his throat, “Doctor Shen will absolutely not like Brother He. Brother He doesn’t need to worry about it at all.”
He Yan asked, “…Why?”
“Because Doctor Shen has liked Commander Xiao for many years. He is the only one in her heart, so how could anyone else catch her eye?”
He Yan was stunned.
After a while, she finally spoke, “Doctor Shen… likes the Commander?”
“Brother He didn’t know?” Chu Zhao was also surprised by her reaction. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Well, you are a new soldier in Liangzhou Garrison, so you probably don’t know about these things. But colleagues in the court actually know that Doctor Shen has liked Commander Xiao for many years.”
“The young lady from the Grand Secretary’s Mansion, if she didn’t really like someone, how could she abandon her identity as a young lady, disregarding the difficulties and hardships, and come to this cold and bitter place to be a small doctor?” Chu Zhao smiled, “It shows how much she likes Commander Xiao.”
He Yan suddenly brightened up. In an instant, she remembered why she felt so familiar the first time she saw Shen Muxue. In fact, it wasn’t the first time she had seen Shen Muxue; she had seen her once when she was young. At that time, Shen Muxue was even younger than she is now, but she was already exceptionally beautiful. On the day when the scholars from Xianchang Academy went hunting on the mountain, the emperor personally attended, and many court officials were present. As the youngest daughter of Minister Shen, Shen Muxue attracted the attention of all the young men present.
He Yan was also among those young men, just looking at the beautiful girl holding a heater, wrapped in a rabbit fur cloak. She was as beautiful as a celestial being, and He Yan admired her greatly.
At that time, Shen Muxue had been looking at Xiao Jue.
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