Chapter 179: Yan He
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
His eyes were like cold stars and shattered jade, his voice calm. Yet, in an instant, it brought He Yan back to that afternoon in Xianchang Academy. His voice overlapped with the youthful and inexperienced voice of the past, making it impossible to discern who was speaking at this moment.
Outside, there came the excited shouts of soldiers, “Lord! Lord! Reinforcements have arrived! Reinforcements have arrived!”
Reinforcements?
He Yan looked at Xiao Jue’s back. Did he bring the Nanfu Army here? How was that possible? Just as she heard this, she saw Li Kuang pushing aside the people in front of him and rushing out. He Yan glanced at Xiao Jue and followed suit.
Outside the city, there was a thunderous roar of battle. He Yan climbed to the top of the city tower. Alongside Li Kuang, she looked down and saw Wutuo people engaged in a fierce battle with the troops of Great Wei on the open field. The banner displayed a character “Yan”. On horseback, a young man sat, with his hair tied high, starry eyebrows and bright eyes, wearing silver-white armor, holding a Fangtian halberd. He was particularly heroic, leading his men in the fight.
Yan He.
A smile appeared in He Yan’s eyes. Looking at this scene, Li Kuang was also excited. He immediately ordered the city’s soldiers, “Follow me out of the city to fight the Wutuo people!”
…
The sudden arrival of reinforcements caught Li Kuang off guard, and Huyate did not anticipate it either. On the day before they decided to attack the city, the soldiers brought by Gui De Lang General Yan He arrived, catching Li Kuang off guard. Li Kuang, with the Rundu soldiers, joined the battle, and the Wutuo soldiers were gradually retreating. The leader, Huyate, abandoned his troops and fled, leaving some Wutuo soldiers captured by Li Kuang, and the rest followed Huyate as they retreated south from Rundu.
“Do not pursue the defeated enemy,” Yan He stopped Li Kuang, who was eager to chase. He wiped the Wutuo blood splattered on his armor, casually tossed a handkerchief to a nearby servant, and mocked, “With just this small number of Wutuo soldiers, you were trapped in the city and dared not come out? You’re too timid.”
The words were harsh, spoken by a young man much younger than himself, but Li Kuang did not get angry. If it weren’t for Yan He bringing troops, the Wutuo people wouldn’t have retreated so quickly upon arriving here. Li Kuang sincerely thanked Yan He; it was unexpected. Instead of the long-awaited Flying Phoenix General, it was Gui De Lang General who arrived.
“Lord Li expresses gratitude on behalf of all the people in the city for General Yan’s timely assistance, a helping hand in a time of need. Rundu will never forget this kindness. However,” he hesitated for a moment, “why did General Yan come to Rundu?”
He had never written to Yan He seeking assistance.
Yan He chuckled, slung the Fangtian halberd behind him, and walked forward nonchalantly. “Let’s talk inside.”
The soldiers continued to clean up the battlefield outside until late at night. The victory was celebrated by everyone. Not only did Yan He bring reinforcements, but he also brought food. Soldiers set up large pots in the city, cooking porridge with the provided grains. The surviving citizens of Rundu, coming from every household, held bowls to receive the porridge, grateful and tearful. The fragrance of rice lingered in the air above Rundu city, lingering for a long time.
Inside the house, Zhao Shiming was nervously rubbing his hands, looking at the two people seated.
One was the Right Army Commander Xiao Huaijin, and the other was Gui De Lang General Yan He. As the county magistrate of Rundu, how could he, with his limited ability, have the fortune to meet such influential figures in his lifetime? It was considered extremely fortunate, but both of them were not easy to approach. Zhao Shiming, aside from repeated expressions of gratitude for saving the people of Rundu, didn’t know what else to say.
At this moment, Zhao Shiming felt a bit melancholic. If Qiluo were still here, it would be better. Dealing with a clever and beautiful woman was much easier than with these dry old men. In the past, Qiluo would always step in during such times.
Li Kuang probably thought of this too, and his expression became somewhat stiff.
Yan He—the Gui De Lang General who was now in his early twenties, was quite young, and handsome. However, his gaze always carried a hint of provocation, and his chin was slightly lifted, as if he didn’t like to regard others highly. His hair was tied high, and a ponytail fell behind his head, revealing a bit of youthful arrogance.
In contrast, sitting beside him, Right Army Commander Xiao Jue was as calm as autumn water. After removing his armor, he looked more like a noble son sitting in a high tower tavern in Shuojing City. Unlike Yan He’s open arrogance, Xiao Jue’s expression was calm and indifferent, emitting an aura of keeping people at a distance.
Two figures he couldn’t afford to offend, Zhao Shiming wiped the sweat from his forehead, wondering what to say next.
Before he could figure out the next words, Li Kuang spoke first. After a moment of hesitation, he asked Yan He, “General Yan… why did you suddenly come to rescue Rundu?”
Yan He chuckled lightly, straightened up, and said, “I haven’t asked you yet. Is there someone named He Yan in Rundu? In your city?”
With this statement, the expressions of the people in the room varied. Xiao Jue’s eyes moved slightly, but he remained silent.
“It seems there is,” Yan He said, “Lord Li, summon that person. I want to meet them.”
He Yan was waiting outside. Sure enough, not long after, someone came out and said, “Young Lord He, General Yan invites you to come in.”
Wang Ba was puzzled, “What’s going on? Just you going in? Could it be to settle the score?”
“Shall we accompany you?” Jiang Jiao also hesitated, “You left Liangzhou Garrison this time, and if Commander Xiao decides to punish you…”
“It’s not because of that,” He Yan looked towards the door, shaking her head, “Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”
She patted Jiang Jiao’s shoulder, turned around, and walked into Li Kuang’s house alone.
All the people in the room followed He Yan’s entrance, their gaze falling on her.
The young man in silver-white armor looked at He Yan, his gaze assessing her. “Are you He Yan?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
Yan He stood up from his chair, looking down at He Yan. He was a head taller than her, and he gestured with his hand above her head, making a clicking sound. He earnestly asked Xiao Jue, “Are there still people this short in the camp?”
He Yan: “…”
Yan He withdrew his hand, touched his chin, and scrutinized He Yan. “Not tall, but quite bold. Did you write the plea for help that brought me to Rundu?”
With these words, Li Kuang looked at He Yan, and Xiao Jue’s gaze also fell on her. He Yan calmly accepted the diverse expressions of everyone. “Indeed.”
“Well, you have a good eye,” Yan He remarked with disdain. “Instead of inviting the useless one right in front of you, He Rufei, you chose to call me to support Rundu. It seems you are quite aware that I am more reliable than He Rufei.”
He Yan didn’t say anything. How could she respond to this? Following his words would be stepping on herself, and denying his words… He Yan was actually quite happy to hear people scold He Rufei like that.
On the day she argued with Li Kuang, realizing that the situation in Rundu was not good, she borrowed a few people from Zhao Shiming and went to Yan He in Lingjun City for help. She remembered that Yan He stationed troops in Lingjun City, not far from Huayuan. In fact, Yan He’s reputation was not as loud as He Rufei’s. If an ordinary person sought help, the first person they would think of was He Rufei, not Yan He. But He Yan knew very well that He Rufei would never come, so she had to settle for Yan He.
The troops in Jinling were not easy to move, and compared to He Rufei, Yan He was much more free. However, Yan He might not necessarily come, so she wrote in the letter not only about Rundu’s current dangerous situation but also included many bad deeds of He Rufei, emphasizing his irresponsible behavior.
“The words you used to scold He Rufei in the letter were quite pleasant to my ears,” Yan He looked at He Yan. “You really understand this general’s heart.”
He Yan thought, how could she not understand? As fellow students, this person had bullied her quite a bit during the years in Xianchang Academy. Almost every now and then, the few young men led by Yan He would find trouble for her. Either they teased her or bullied her. Seeing this person, she could almost see the dark days in Xianchang Academy.
Yan He hated her from the time they were classmates in Xianchang Academy. So many years had passed, yet he still persistently held onto that hatred. To please him, He Yan included many negative comments about He Rufei in the letter. As the saying goes, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. Now it seemed to be true. Yan He naturally turned He Yan into his own camp because of He Yan’s insults towards He Rufei.
“Although you’re short and a bit frail, I think you’re quite clever,” Yan He’s hand rested on her shoulder the next moment. “How about you follow me in the future?”
“Yan Nanguang,” Xiao Jue’s gaze focused on his hand, reminding him, “She is from the Liangzhou Garrison.”
“Liangzhou Garrison?” Yan He withdrew his hand and looked at He Yan, puzzled. “Aren’t you from Rundu?”
“Responding to General Yan,” He Yan said, “I was previously in the Liangzhou Garrison’s new recruit camp. Later, after His Majesty personally conferred the title of Wuan Lang, I heard that Rundu was in trouble, so I came to assist the city.”
She emphasized the words “Wuan Lang” heavily. Although Xiao Jue categorized her as a member of the Liangzhou Garrison, it was best to clarify the relationship if she didn’t want to implicate him.
“You’re from the Liangzhou Garrison, and you came to Rundu on your own?” Yan He glanced at Xiao Jue, then at He Yan. The relationship between them was probably too complicated for him to understand. Returning to his seat and leaning against the chair, he sneered, “Forget it, I don’t want to know about these intricate internal affairs. But this He… what’s the name?”
He Yan had long been accustomed to this guy’s arrogant attitude. She reminded him, “He Yan.”
“He Yan, I didn’t come because of your plea for help. Even if I did, I wouldn’t have come so quickly.”
Zhao Shiming asked cautiously, “Then may I ask General Yan, why…”
Yan He chuckled, provocatively looking at Xiao Jue. “Our prestigious Right Army Commander personally invited me to assist. This is the first time someone as great as me has been requested for help in so many years. This general is so generous; of course, I had to come and help. Isn’t that right, Commander Xiao?”
Xiao Jue remained indifferent, paying no attention to his words.
He Yan was surprised by Yan He’s implication. Did Xiao Jue also ask for Yan He’s help? Right, he did not bring the Nanfu Army to Rundu. Liangzhou was not as close as Lingjun, but she unexpectedly thought along the same lines as Xiao Jue. Even if she didn’t write that plea for help letter, Yan He would still have arrived on schedule.
Rundu City should not fall.
“Lord Li, County Magistrate Zhao,” Yan He played with his hair, “although this time He Yan and Commander Xiao invited me to assist, the one who brought the troops here is me, Yan He. You should be clear about where the credit lies.”
“This great victory in Rundu is all thanks to General Yan,” Zhao Shiming quickly said. Once the words were spoken, he realized there was another person in the room and immediately looked at Xiao Jue. Seeing the young man’s calm expression without a hint of displeasure, he felt relieved. Fortunately, this one did not care about credit; if both of them came to claim credit, the small temple in Rundu could not accommodate a dispute between two great figures.
He Yan was used to hearing about Yan He’s love for taking credit, but the credit for defending Rundu this time did indeed rely on his assistance. It was not unreasonable for him to claim credit.
Yan He stretched lazily, yawning, “I’ve been on the road for days, arrived and fought the Wutuo people right away, and didn’t even get a good rest. I need to take a break. Kindly prepare a room and hot water for me. As for food, there’s no need. I heard that people here are so hungry they’re almost resorting to cannibalism. I don’t have a taste for that.”
Zhao Shiming agreed repeatedly and quickly ordered the servants to prepare for Yan He.
Yan He stood up and was about to leave. As he passed by Xiao Jue, he stopped again, looked at Xiao Jue, and spoke with self-confidence, “Regardless of whether you admit it or not, Xiao Huaijin, this time, I have surpassed you.”
After saying this, he seemed to be in a good mood, placed his hands behind his head, and swaggered out.
He Yan stared at his departing figure, feeling somewhat puzzled. Honestly, in the past, Yan He disliked Xiao Jue, always opposing him at every turn. It was probably because Xiao Jue excelled in both civil and military affairs, always overshadowing him. After doing the second place job for so long, he wanted to taste what it was like to be first, but the first place just wouldn’t come down. It was indeed somewhat annoying. However, even she, who ranked last, was always being picked on by him. He Yan couldn’t understand. What did she do to him? She was competing with Lin Shuanghe for the last place, not with Yan He. Why did Yan He hold such a grudge against her for so many years?
But Yan He’s temperament was still exactly the same as it was back then: competitive, eager to win, stubborn and self-willed, with all emotions written on his face.
While she was pondering, Xiao Jue, who was beside her, had already stood up and walked out. When passing by her, he coldly said, “Come.”
He Yan: “…”
She sighed inwardly. She had known that this day would come sooner or later, but she never expected it to come so early. After all, who would have thought that Xiao Jue would come to Rundu with Yan He?
Outside the room, Jiang Jiao and the others finally waited for He Yan to come out. Seeing her walking out with Xiao Jue, their expressions became solemn. From the looks of it, it seemed like they were going to settle accounts privately. Hong Shan made a gesture to her, asking if they should go together to plead. He Yan shook her head slightly.
This was not something a few pleas could smooth over.
…
Inside the room, the darkness settled in, with only the light from the lamp on the table casting shadows on the wall, outlining the figures.
The room that Zhao Shiming arranged for Xiao Jue could almost be considered luxurious. He Yan followed him inside, buried her head in thought, considering how to round up this matter. Unexpectedly, the person in front had already stopped and turned around, so she bumped into Xiao Jue’s chest.
He Yan stepped back and stood still, raising her head. The person in front lowered his gaze lightly, falling on her. Although he didn’t speak, it felt somewhat intimidating.
The air became so silent that it seemed to produce a chill in the summer air. He Yan paused for a moment, coughing lightly, “Commander…”
Xiao Jue looked at the sword in He Yan’s hand.
It was the sword she took from a guard at Li Kuang’s door in the urgency to save those captive women. She forgot to return it to Li Kuang. He Yan’s heart tightened. Instinctively, she placed the sword on the table and explained, “This is someone else’s sword.”
Xiao Jue took a step forward. He Yan held her breath, thinking he was going to interrogate her. But the next moment, he grasped her arm, turning her palm upwards.
There was a slight knife wound in the palm, not very deep. It had been held tightly, and though the bleeding had stopped, it looked somewhat menacing. Perhaps, during the struggle with Li Kuang’s guard earlier, she had injured her hand. At that critical moment, she hadn’t paid attention. Now, if it weren’t for Xiao Jue’s actions, He Yan wouldn’t have noticed.
He didn’t say anything, turning around and walking towards the side. He Yan was just standing there, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, she heard him say, “Come here.”
A handkerchief soaked in clean hot water covered her palm, causing a slight tingling sensation and more itching than anything. It felt like a colorful butterfly landing on her palm, crawling slowly, leaving behind a tingling shadow.
He lowered his head, sprinkling the powder of golden medicine finely on the wound in He Yan’s palm. His expression was focused and calm, and He Yan stared at him. The young man’s eyelashes were thick and long, and the side profile under the light was handsome as a painting.
Silent, gentle, calm.
There was no expected reproach, no sarcasm.
He Yan inexplicably felt a sense of guilt, as if she had committed an unforgivable sin, feeling terribly sorry for Xiao Jue. She hesitantly spoke, “Commander, actually, I… didn’t come to Rundu with the Fourth Young Master Chu.”
The presence of Chu Zhao here was a coincidence, but in Xiao Jue’s eyes, he might not necessarily see it that way. Although she was determined to stay away from Xiao Jue to avoid causing trouble for him, she also didn’t want him to misunderstand and think she was siding with Chu Zhao.
“I know,” he said in a cold voice, without any ripples.
For a moment, He Yan didn’t know what to say.
His movements were very gentle, even lighter than when He Yan applied medicine to herself. Because he was tall, he had to slightly bend down when applying the medicine. He Yan was initially just looking at her palm as he did, but gradually, her gaze fell on Xiao Jue’s face.
Elegant and graceful, no matter how many flattering words were used, it always felt like something was missing.
Lost in her thoughts, He Yan suddenly looked up, caught off guard when Xiao Jue raised his head. His black eyes were profound and clear, like autumn water.
Caught red-handed, her ears turned slightly red. However, she maintained a calm expression and pointed at her palm, saying, “…It’s done.”
With the wound covered in medicinal powder, it no longer looked as dreadful as before. He Yan withdrew her hand, feeling somewhat uneasy.
This didn’t seem like Xiao Jue’s usual style. According to Xiao Jue’s usual temperament, he should have asked questions long ago. Today, he was unusually silent, leaving He Yan at a loss for words.
Why the change in demeanor? He Yan didn’t understand.
After Xiao Jue finished applying the medicine for He Yan, he sat down in a chair in the room without indicating for He Yan to leave or showing any intention to ask questions. After a while, He Yan couldn’t help herself and asked, “Commander, why don’t you ask me why I left the Liangzhou Garrison and came to Rundu on my own?”
“You are personally appointed as Wuan Lang by His Majesty, with an official seal and official attire. You can decide to stay or leave on your own, without the need to consult with me,” Xiao Jue said calmly. “Your choice is yours.”
This was the excuse He Yan had prepared for herself, but she didn’t expect Xiao Jue to articulate it before her. Now, with Xiao Jue being silent, He Yan didn’t know where to begin.
“Wang Ba and the others came together because I forced them. Please, Commander, don’t punish them. I’ll take responsibility for this matter alone. I didn’t have any malicious intentions; it was just because I was worried about Rundu falling that I recklessly came to support the city.”
Well, since Xiao Jue refused to speak, she decided to take responsibility herself, expressing her apology.
“Why did you think,” Xiao Jue asked, “that He Rufei wouldn’t send reinforcements to Rundu?”
Finally, he asked this question. He Yan sighed inwardly and looked at him. “If I say that He Rufei is not a good person, will the Commander believe me?”
Xiao Jue glanced at her indifferently and smirked, “Evidence.”
“I can’t provide evidence, and I can’t convince the Commander. But, in my view, He Rufei is not the hero that people perceive him to be.” She addressed him as “He Rufei” instead of “Flying Phoenix General.”
“Commander,” He Yan looked at him and slowly spoke, “if one day I stand opposed to He Rufei and draw my sword, which side will you be on?”
This was a question she had wanted to ask for a long time. There would come a day when she and He Rufei would be at odds. Xiao Jue knew He Rufei as the “He Rufei” from the Xianchang Academy, while he knew He Yan as the current “He Yan.” Both were her, but how would Xiao Jue choose?
He Yan wasn’t entirely sure. It seemed that every version of her had a good relationship with Xiao Jue but not to the extent of being close friends. She didn’t understand how Xiao Jue perceived her, whether in the past or now.
Xiao Jue silently looked at her. After a while, he said, “It’s very late today. You can leave.”
He didn’t answer He Yan’s question.
In He Yan’s heart, there was a mix of disappointment and relief. She was disappointed that Xiao Jue didn’t give her a direct answer, yet relieved that he didn’t provide a negative response.
She nodded, “Yes.”
He Yan left, and the room regained its quiet atmosphere.
Xiao Jue’s gaze fell on the golden healing medicine on the table, his beautiful eyes lowered in contemplation, his thoughts unclear.
After a moment, someone walked in – it was Fei Nu. He approached Xiao Jue and whispered, “Young Master, news from Luan Ying has returned. For now, there’s no sign of any problems with He Sui.”
“She has no issues,” Xiao Jue interrupted him.
Fei Nu was taken aback. Many doubts surrounded He Yan. She hadn’t informed anyone from the beginning until now, bringing a few new soldiers from the Liangzhou Garrison to Rundu. Regardless, she still followed Chu Zhao, and now she was seen with him in Rundu. Both Chiwu and Fei Nu couldn’t help but suspect that He Yan might be associated with Chu Zhao. However, they also felt that if He Yan was indeed connected to Chu Zhao, her actions were too bold and unmasked.
The young man stood up, his shadow stretching under the light, his gaze thoughtful as he looked at the lamp on the table. After a while, he said in a low voice, “Tell Luan Ying not to investigate He Yan anymore. Investigate He Rufei instead.”
––––––––––Side Note ––––––––––
In fact, the current person in charge is not Commander Xiao but Player Xiao o(*≧▽≦)ツ ┏━┓
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 5 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
