Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 192

Chapter 192: Returning to the Capital

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As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the room fell silent. Even Lin Shuanghe, who usually paid little attention to national affairs, showed a puzzled expression at the words. 

After all, the enemy invaded and suffered a defeat in battle, yet the emperor was still considering their well-being. It sounded like a child’s play. 

“Nowadays in the court, the Crown Prince, Xu Xiang, and most of the civil officials lean towards peace, while the military commanders have not declared their stance,” Yang Mingzhi looked at Xiao Jue, “I just want to ask you all, what do you think?” 

“Why even bother asking?” Yan He said, “We are not spineless. If someone slaps us, do we offer our other cheek to be slapped again? I must drive the Wutuo people back to their homeland, so that they dare not set foot in Great Wei again!” 

“Then I can feel rest assured,” Yang Mingzhi said in a deep voice, “However… I don’t know if what you say can change the emperor’s mind.” 

After discussing some recent movements of the Wutuo people, everyone stood up to leave. Because of the news Yang Mingzhi brought, Xiao Jue and the others didn’t plan to stay in Jinling for more than two days. Since the Wutuo envoy was already on his way to Shuojing, they had to hasten their journey to report to the emperor. Now, Shuojing was mostly controlled by Xu Xiang. Even if it wasn’t, people were pressured to keep silent. If they agreed to Wutuo’s proposed peace treaty, or worse, allowed them to establish a trading post within Great Wei, it would be harmful to the people of Great Wei. 

After regrouping the troops, having lunch, they were ready to set out. Xiao Jue and Yan He rode ahead with the army, while He Yan and Lin Shuanghe shared a carriage. Chu Zhao and Ying Xiang’s carriage followed at the rear. 

Between the two parallel riders, Xiao Jue spoke, “Since Xianchang Academy, have you ever seen He Rufei?” 

Yan He was stunned before saying, “I’m not familiar with him. I’ve seen him a few times since he was appointed as a general, but only from a distance. But since he became a general, except for the battle in Huayuan, have you seen him lead troops? It seems that he has been living a comfortable life for too long; that’s why he performed so poorly in the Huayuan battle. Why do you ask about him? Do you want to reminisce with him?” 

Xiao Jue didn’t answer his question and continued, “The He Rufei you saw later, is there anything different from the past?” 

“What’s different?” Yan He frowned, “How would I know? I haven’t been with him all the time. But in recent years, he seems to have grown taller. He also seems a bit more eloquent than before. Before I went to Lingjun, I heard that the He family intended to find him a wife. Xiao Huaijin,” he glanced at his companion, “If He Rufei gets married before you do… won’t that be embarrassing for you?” 

Xiao Jue ignored his nonsense and rode ahead. 

In the carriage, He Yan, who didn’t know about the conversation between Xiao Jue and Yan He just now, was getting increasingly worried as they approached Shuojing. Lin Shuanghe noticed her uneasy demeanor and asked, “Little Sister He, what’s wrong with you? I felt something was off when I saw you in Rundu, as if something was bothering you. You’ve been quiet these days. If you have any trouble, just tell your brother, I’ll help you figure it out.” 

He Yan smiled bitterly. 

She was just thinking about how to expose He Rufei when they returned to Shuojing. Now that she had become a Wuan Lang, her identity was even closer to the He family and the Xu family than when she was a military official’s daughter. However, the position of “Wuan Lang” came with many restrictions. Those trusted by He Rufei, who could serve as evidence of the truth, were eliminated by He Rufei himself. In terms of evidence, it was quite difficult, so she had to start with something else. And the one holding the secret was the Xu family. 

If she could start with the Xu family, and the Xu family, to protect themselves, implicated the He family… they would be in chaos. The alliance formed for mutual interests was inherently unstable. 

Lost in thought, He Yan was suddenly interrupted by Lin Shuanghe who reached out in front of her, “Little Sister He?” 

He Yan looked at him and said, “I’m thinking about what to do when we return to Shuojing.” She counted on her fingers, “Brother Lin also knows that I escaped from Shuojing City and got involved in a case. The neighbors all know that I am a woman. It’s not time to return openly. I’m afraid that when I see my father and brother, it has to be done secretly.” After a moment of contemplation, she continued, “The last time the emperor granted me a title, I saved some silver. It’s enough to rent a small house, but I can’t do it myself. Brother Lin, if you have connections, can you arrange it for me? I will definitely pay you every penny.” 

After hearing her words, Lin Shuanghe slapped his thigh, “I thought it was something troublesome. It’s a small matter; I’ll take care of it for you.” He lifted the curtain of the carriage and shouted, “Huaijin, Huaijin!” 

Xiao Jue slowed down and returned to the carriage, asking, “What’s the matter?” 

Lin Shuanghe smiled at him, “I just promised Brother He that when we return to Shuojing, I will arrange for her to rent a house in the city. But as you know, finding a rental house is not something that can be done overnight. Before finding a suitable place, can Brother He stay at your mansion? Your Xiao family’s yard is large and spacious, giving her a room shouldn’t be difficult, right?” 

He Yan, who was eavesdropping on their conversation, didn’t expect Lin Shuanghe to say this. She hurriedly said, “Brother Lin, you didn’t say that just now. Commander, it’s okay, I can find an inn…” 

“Staying in an inn costs a lot of money,” Lin Shuanghe said, “You’re so young; how can you be so extravagant and not understand the benefits of thrift and housekeeping? Listen to me, just stay at Huaijin’s house. Huaijin, can you agree to this?” 

Xiao Jue glanced at He Yan, and she stiffened, seeing him lightly nod his head and say, “Yes.” 

He Yan, “…” 

After saying this, Xiao Jue rode ahead again. Lin Shuanghe lowered the curtain of the carriage, looking pleased, “You see, now it’s a win-win situation.” 

He Yan leaned weakly on the carriage, thinking that this was truly a twist of fate. Instead of maintaining a distance, they were getting closer. She was now staying at Xiao Jue’s house. 

Although staying at Xiao Jue’s house had its advantages, with various opportunities to be with Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei, who knew if she could find useful clues. 

Suppressing the almost imperceptible joy in her heart, she coughed lightly, silently telling herself that it must be this way. 

… 

In Shuojing City, in the Xu family’s study, a servant stood guard outside, while inside, people were talking.

At a small table, two individuals were seated. One wore a simple blue shirt, exuding a gentle and cultured demeanor, while the other was a handsome young man with an added air of restrained depth in his eyes. The two were engrossed in contemplating the chessboard before them, where black and white pieces were intertwined in what seemed like a chaotic game. 

The elder of the two was Master Xu, the present Hanlin Scholar Xu Zhiheng. The other was none other than He Rufei, who had recently returned to the capital after the decisive victory over the Wutuo invaders in the Battle of Huayuan. 

“Second Young Master Xiao is about to return to the capital,” Xu Zhiheng made a move on the chessboard, “After returning to the capital with Gui De Zhonglang, they will undoubtedly appeal to His Majesty, strongly advocating for expelling the Wutuo people from Great Wei.” 

He Rufei remained silent, his eyes fixed on the chessboard. 

“Brother He, are you still thinking about the matter in Huayuan?” Xu Zhiheng smiled faintly, “Everyone who knew about it is no longer in this world. You can rest assured; this secret will never be known to anyone again. Even if someone knows, there’s no evidence to overturn the situation.” 

He Rufei glanced at him, “Young Master Xu seems overly assured. Don’t forget, when enrolled at Xianchang Academy, both Xiao Huaijin, Yan Nanguang, and even Lin Shuanghe saw He Rufei.” 

“So what?” Xu Zhiheng replied dismissively, “The young He Rufei and his classmates were not particularly close. If they were, there wouldn’t be no one to discover his true identity among his numerous classmates. I think Brother He is worrying too much. Even if Xiao Huaijin and Yan Nanguang return to Shuojing, your interactions with them won’t be too extensive.” 

He Rufei made his move on the chessboard, saying, “I hope so.” 

Suddenly, he remembered the nightmare from last night. In the dream, he was leading troops in a fierce battle on the Huayuan battlefield when a sword struck him from behind. Unable to dodge, he was pierced through the heart. As he fell, he saw someone approaching, crouching down.

It was a young person wearing a mask and armor. When they slowly lifted the mask, revealing a familiar and graceful face, He Yan smiled and whispered, “Big Brother—” 

He Rufei woke up abruptly, touched his forehead, finding it covered in cold sweat. 

Although He Yan had been dead for over a year, her name gradually faded from people’s memories, or rather, she had never been remembered by the world. After so many peaceful days, she still appeared in his dreams at such moments, keeping him awake at night. 

“About your concubine…” he began. 

Xu Zhiheng’s expression turned cold, “Already dead.” 

He Yan died at the hands of He Wanru. A month after He Yan’s death, he casually found a reason to have her killed. The body was dragged to a random burial mound, fearing it had long been devoured by wolves and wild dogs. Even if, by any chance… if anything was discovered, it could all be blamed on He Wanru. All the hired hands, servants, and maids who had participated were dealt with, and the entire Xu family underwent a complete change. 

He Yan was a general before. After death, so many subordinates were used to accompany her, which could be considered as completing a chapter of camaraderie between them as a married couple.

“Very well,” He Rufei said coldly, “Don’t leave any loopholes.”

While they were talking, there was a knock on the door of the study. Xu Zhiheng stood up to open the door, and a young woman walked in. This woman was also in the prime of her youth. Upon closer inspection, there was a slight resemblance in her features to He Yan, albeit lacking the resolute and determined aura of a female general on the battlefield. Instead, she exuded a delicate and charming softness, akin to the tender flowers of spring in Shuojing City, appearing sweet and pleasant in every gesture. 

This was Xu Zhiheng’s newly wedded wife, He Xinying, currently the Madam of the Xu family. She was also the legitimate second daughter of He Yuansheng, the cousin of He Rufei, and the biological younger sister of He Yan. 

“Brother, husband, while you’re inside talking, I had some snacks prepared in the kitchen for you.” He Xinying smiled as she placed several plates of pastries on the table. “If you’re tired of talking, you can fill your stomach.” 

“It has been hard on you.” Xu Zhiheng spoke warmly, pulling her to sit beside him. “You can sit down too.” 

Following his words, He Xinying sat down beside Xu Zhiheng and looked at He Rufei, saying, “Brother, it’s been a while since you visited the Xu family. Are our parents in good health?” 

He Rufei nodded slightly, “They are well. You need not worry.” 

He Xinying didn’t know what else to say. In the past, she and her cousin weren’t particularly close. He Rufei had a solitary and peculiar temperament from a young age, often wearing a mask. Everyone in the He family knew that He Rufei wore the mask to conceal his ugly appearance. When He Xinying was young, she pitied him seeing him alone on the sidelines at the He family banquets. However, every attempt to approach him was met with avoidance, and over time, He Xinying lost interest. 

Later, He Rufei enlisted in the military without the knowledge of the He family, and surprisingly earned military achievements. This, in turn, elevated the status of all unmarried young ladies in the He family, including her elder sister, the infamous invalid from the second household. 

By the time He Yan returned to the He family, He Xinying was already grown up. Due to He Rufei’s influence, the He family arranged a good marriage for He Yan. Xu Zhiheng, a young and handsome Hanlin Scholar, an already prestigious figure. He Xinying was once envious of her sister, who despite her poor health and years away from the capital, could suddenly become the Madam of the Xu family, a figure unknown to the wealthy ladies of the capital. 

However, after He Yan’s death, He Xinying’s envy dissipated. She felt sorry for He Yan, even though they were not particularly close. After all, blood was thicker than water. Just as she had secured a good marriage, she faced such a tragic fate. 

What puzzled He Xinying was that after He Yan’s death, the He family and the Xu family held a grand funeral for her. The whole of Shuojing City knew that the He family attached great importance to the eldest daughter of the second household who had passed away. However, only He Xinying understood that in the He family, apart from her birth mother, everyone, including her birth father, didn’t seem as saddened as outsiders thought. 

After the funeral, aside from occasionally wiping away a few tears when He Yan’s name was mentioned in public, the He family never brought up her name. It was as if the eldest daughter of the second household had never existed. 

He Xinying always felt that something was amiss, but before she could figure out why her family treated her sister so indifferently, He Yuansheng surprisingly took the lead and arranged her marriage to Xu Zhiheng, instructing her to marry him.

Even though Xu Zhiheng had become a widower, he remained a favored candidate for a good son-in-law in the eyes of the people in Shuojing. Especially after He Yan’s death, his displays of deep affection earned him the admiration of many young ladies. Although He Xinying knew of Xu Zhiheng’s excellence, she was extremely reluctant to marry into the Xu family. Sharing a husband among sisters was not uncommon in Shuojing, but it mostly involved the legitimate daughter as the principal wife and the illegitimate daughter as a secondary concubine, supporting each other. It was rare to have two legitimate daughters successively married to the same person, and the girls of the He family were certainly not difficult to marry off. As a young and beautiful lady from a respectable family, marrying a young master from a well-matched background would be better than becoming the Madam of the Xu family. 

However, on this matter, her usually doting elder brother, He Yuanliang, surprisingly insisted. Despite her mother, Madam He, trying to advocate for her, she was powerless—in the He family, women’s opinions were often disregarded. 

He Xinying ended up marrying into the Xu family against her will. 

After marrying into the Xu family, He Xinying discovered that Xu Zhiheng was even more considerate and gentle than she had imagined. A husband who was outstanding in every aspect and cared for her in everything easily captivated her. Moreover, Xu Zhiheng was indeed very likable to women. The occasional expressions of regret and longing for his deceased wife added to the belief that he was a man of deep feelings and worth entrusting a lifetime to. 

After marrying into the Xu family, her cousin He Rufei, surprisingly, would occasionally come to see her. He Xinying was somewhat flattered; she was currently the best married among all the girls of the He family. She enjoyed all the blessings that He Yan could not. 

However, sometimes, it felt unreal. 

“Oh, by the way, Brother, husband,” He Xinying spoke, “every autumn, I used to go to the temple on the mountain with my mother to burn incense and pray for blessings. Although I’m not at home this year, I still want to go with my mother.” 

Xu Zhiheng smiled, “Of course, if I have nothing to do that day, I’ll accompany you.” 

“That’s wonderful.” He Xinying joyfully replied. 

After sitting for a while longer, she got up and left, leaving Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei inside to continue their conversation. Once outside, her personal maid, Xiao Liu, asked her, “Madam, are we going back to the courtyard?” 

He Xinying shook her head, “Let’s take a walk.” 

In the courtyard, the summer pond shimmered with lush greenery, and the still water resembled a mirror. The He family’s pond was usually filled with many lotus flowers, and during this season, a faint fragrance lingered. However, unlike most ponds, there wasn’t even a rockery in the Xu family’s pond. 

Xu Zhiheng was a refined man, but this pond seemed like stagnant water, like an abyss that could pull people in at any time. Her sister, He Yan, had drowned here. Perhaps because of this or maybe due to their blood ties, whenever she reached this place, she always felt an unusual chill, and the water, especially, felt cold, making her uncomfortable. 

He Xinying shifted her gaze away. 

Her accompanying maidservant, Xiao Liu, asked her, “Madam, why didn’t you stay a little longer inside? The longer you stay, the better the Xu family will treat you.” 

He Xinying also understood that the kindness of the Master and Madam of the Xu family towards her was likely due to He Rufei’s influence. The better her relationship with this “Flying Phoenix General,” the more the Xu family dared not mistreat her. 

He Xinying shook her head with a self-deprecating smile, “Brother didn’t come to see me. It makes no difference how long I stay inside.” 

If anyone who knew He Yan was present, they would notice the resemblance between this soft and sweet face and the insightful, bright eyes that had once been characteristic of “Madam Xu.” It was just self-deception. 

… 

In less than a month, from Jinling to Shuojing, with occasional rest and quick travel, they finally arrived at the city gate just before the beginning of autumn.

At the city gate of Shuojing, the guards who received the news had already opened the city gates, and soldiers entered the city. The people along the street all pointed and discussed as the procession passed. 

He Yan and Lin Shuanghe hid inside the carriage, paying no attention to the onlookers. Lin Shuanghe couldn’t contain his curiosity and said to He Yan, “If I had known it would be this grand, I should have asked Huaijin for a horse. Sitting on a horse, the young ladies could see my face more clearly.” 

“…Even if you don’t sit on a horse, Brother Lin, the young ladies in Shuojing are already quite familiar with your face,” He Yan reassured him.

“That’s true,” Lin Shuanghe, upon hearing her words, thought it over and stopped worrying. 

He Yan herself had no strong feelings about standing out. When she returned to the capital with the victorious Fuyue troops from the pacification, it was just as lively as it was today. However, back then, she wore a mask and felt extremely uneasy, fearing someone might discover her identity. After returning to the He family, on the second day, the real “He Rufei” took over all the glories and burdens that followed. 

She had never used her own face to face the consequences brought about by “Flying Phoenix General.” 

The carriage creaked to a stop, and the voice of Yan He came from outside, “How much longer are you going to sit inside? We’re almost at the palace gate.” 

He Yan was startled and dismounted with Lin Shuanghe. 

Chu Zhao had already parted ways with them after entering the city, only sending a servant to inform them. He Yan didn’t mind; they were not traveling together in the first place. It wouldn’t make sense for her to stay in the Xiao family and Chu Zhao staying there too. 

“Commander, what do we need to…” He Yan began. 

“I’m going to the palace,” Xiao Jue glanced at her, “You wait in the carriage.” 

“Wait,” Yan He looked at him puzzled, “Why don’t you bring this young man with you? Going to the palace requires an audience with the emperor. Seize this opportunity to let His Majesty get to know him, which will benefit him in the future. As his superior, you should find every opportunity to promote your subordinates. Or are you afraid that someone with the surname ‘He’ will surpass you in the future, deliberately keeping him in the background?” 

He Yan truly admired Yan He’s ability to think of the most boring possibility, no matter how many possibilities there were. 

“It’s not the right time yet.” Xiao Jue couldn’t be bothered to explain to Yan He and looked at He Yan, asking her patiently, “Are you okay waiting here alone?” 

He Yan smiled, “What problem could I have? Commander, go ahead; I’ll just take a nap in the carriage.” 

Lin Shuanghe sensed something and popped his head out, “Huaijin, are you suggesting that I should also go to the palace?” 

Xiao Jue coldly glanced at him. 

Lin Shuanghe coughed lightly, “Excuse me, can I choose not to go?” 

“No.” Xiao Jue sneered, “Although I wrote a letter inviting you to Liangzhou, you left without informing anyone in the Lin family. The urgent letter from Imperial Physician Lin asking me to find someone has piled up in my tent. Do you want to take a look now?” 

Lin Shuanghe awkwardly smiled, “That’s… thinking that you must be in a dangerous situation, and with my mind not working well under pressure, I forgot. Yes, I forgot to inform my family.” 

Yan He, arms crossed, watched silently, afraid that the world would not be chaotic enough, before coldly speaking, “Aren’t you his good friend? Helping him carry a black pot won’t kill you.” 

Lin Shuanghe was deeply moved, “Brother Nanguang, I’ve known you for so many years, and I finally heard a human word from your mouth.” 

“Shut up.” Xiao Jue frowned slightly, and Lin Shuanghe immediately fell silent. When he got off the carriage, Xiao Jue was about to leave with the others but suddenly remembered something and walked to the carriage. 

He Yan lifted the carriage curtain to look at him. 

“Stay here, don’t wander around. There are many people near the palace, and eyes,” Xiao Jue instructed her, pausing for a moment before softening his tone a bit, “Wait for me to leave the palace, and I’ll take you home.”

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