Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 201

Chapter 201: The Moon is Yours

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

In Great Wei, everyone knew that the Right Army Commander, Xiao Jue, was handsome, and skilled in both literary and military skills. He could ensure the safety of a region with a sword in hand, and when he put down the sword, he was an elegant young master. Fate had favored him with a good appearance and excellent skills. Unfortunately, he was too cold and ruthless, with a heart as cruel as his hands. As for falling in love, it felt like a dream just to think about it. Regardless of his temperament, with his current status and achievements, who in the world would he be interested in? 

Have you not seen the High Peak Fairy, Shen Muxue, who had followed him for so many years and still gained no favor? 

Now, from his mouth, hearing the words “the person I like.” He Yan was in a daze, the officials were also in a daze, and even the emperor on the high seat was stunned for a moment. 

It turned out that the renowned Second Young Master Xiao, when thinking of his beloved, was so gentle. It was as if the moon had shed its coldness and faintness, leaving only clarity and brightness. 

The autumn moon mirrored everything, revealing one’s thoughts without hiding anything. Joy or shyness, secrets or sadness, nothing could escape the eyes of others. 

No one could withstand being looked at by him with such eyes. He Yan heard her own heartbeat, “thump thump,” one sound after another. In the noisy banquet, it was clear and powerful, leaving her powerless to resist. 

The emperor’s laughter broke this momentary trance, “Haha, good. Rarely do I get to see this side of Beloved Minister Xiao! Empress has bestowed something good today, and I also want to bestow something good. Since you two are in love, Beloved Minister Xiao, I can’t think of any reward for your great victory in Jiyang. How about rewarding you with a marriage? Let this Miss He be your wife. Are you willing?” 

Xiao Jue accepted the decree, “I thank Your Majesty for your kindness.” 

He Yan had no choice but to kneel down and accept the decree. 

Shen Muxue’s lips turned pale, almost fainting. The emperor’s words were golden and would not be changed after bestowing a marriage. Lin Shuanghe’s heart twisted and turned with the changes in the hall. He was almost scared to death, but now, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Even though he was full of doubts, it was not the time to speak. He wholeheartedly rejoiced for his friend and enthusiastically told his colleagues, “Did you hear that? A marriage has been granted! The emperor has granted a marriage. This is a good match! Look at them; how well-suited they are!” 

Yan He had not yet recovered from the blow that the “Wuan Lang” was actually a woman who had spoken ill of He Rufei with him. Now, he heard another big news, and for a while, he was stunned, wondering if he was dreaming. 

“Congratulations, Commander Xiao! Congratulations, Commander Xiao! His Majesty has granted a marriage, a beautiful story!” Surprisingly, even Xu Jingfu spoke up for Xiao Jue. He did not seem surprised; rather, he seemed to welcome it, praising how harmonious this marriage was. He Yan thought for a moment and understood. For Xu Jingfu, Xiao Jue, with his status, marrying a woman with no background like her was undoubtedly the best choice. If it were a daughter from a high-ranking official’s family, it would be of no benefit to Xu Jingfu. 

Chu Zhao sat at the table, his lips curved in a faint smile, appearing no different from usual. However, upon closer inspection, one could see the hand placed on his knee, and the knuckles were white, almost wrinkling his robe.

The officials enjoyed the spectacle, joking and congratulating each other. The Fifth Prince, somewhat puzzled, asked Guangshuo, “Fourth Brother, how did the Emperor give a man… a woman disguised as a man to General Fengyun as his wife? She doesn’t look as pretty as Sister Shen.” 

The Fifth Prince liked Xiao Jue very much, and generally, Xiao Jue’s experiences were like a legend in the hearts of young boys. Young boys admired heroes and revered the strong. The Fifth Prince, Guangji, had heard from his birth mother, Ni Guiren, that Older Sister Shen in the Imperial Censor Mansion was the most suitable match for Commander Xiao. Guangji also thought that Shen Muxue looked like a fairy, and now a stranger who dressed as a man and became Xiao Jue’s wife was unacceptable to him. 

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Guangshuo patted his head and looked at He Yan’s figure in the hall. “Since General Fengyun is so protective, this Miss He must have extraordinary qualities. Moreover, she, as a woman, has achieved success on the battlefield, obtained official ranks and titles. Since the founding of Great Wei, she is the first to do so.” 

“What extraordinary qualities,” the Crown Prince scoffed disdainfully, his tone somewhat vulgar. “It’s hard to say whether she used some means. Xiao Huaijin is indeed fortunate, with Shen Muxue and now a female soldier who spends every day in the tent. I don’t know what kind of dealings are going on…” 

Guangshuo frowned slightly. “Your Highness, be cautious.” 

The Crown Prince was indifferent. 

Emperor Wenxuan looked at He Yan again. “He Yan, although you are a woman, I know that you joined the military for a reason. I am not a heartless person. While you have the crime of deception, considering your merits in the Jiyang war, I will not pursue it. Merits are merits, faults are faults. I will penalize you with a year’s salary, but… the title of Marquis remains!” 

“This great?” Lin Shuanghe, quick-witted, slammed the table and shouted first, “Long live the Emperor’s benevolence! Long live, long live, long live!” 

He Yan also followed, shouting long live. For a moment, the courtiers knelt down in unison, all chanting long live. 

Emperor Wenxuan felt like he had become a wise ruler and, thinking he had achieved something good, was praised to the point of feeling somewhat floaty. He sat on the high seat with a smiling face. Empress Zhang subtly frowned, and Ni Guiren’s inquisitive gaze swept over He Yan. Only Noble Consort Lan, sitting quietly, smiled as if today’s events had nothing to do with her. 

He Yan and Xiao Jue returned to their seats. As she was now a “female companion,” she had to go to the female companion’s seat. She didn’t know anyone here, except Xia Chengxiu, who waved to her and whispered, “Miss He, come here.” 

He Yan sat down next to Xia Chengxiu, who smiled and said, “Congratulations, Miss He.” She smiled back, returning the courtesy. In her heart, a stone had finally fallen. At least, she had successfully appeared openly in the court as “He Yan.” Although she didn’t know why Xiao Jue was also involved and caused this outcome, at least for now, there were no bad consequences. 

Of course, except for the two of them. 

He Yan’s gaze crossed the seats. The male and female seats faced each other, and her gaze accurately captured Xu Zhiheng, who was sitting in the corner and secretly peeping at her. 

Xu Zhiheng felt very uneasy. This uneasiness reached its peak when He Yan’s female identity was revealed. He didn’t know what was going on. A dead person, someone buried and possibly already decomposed, how could she reappear in front of him? 

This woman called He Yan, who looked nothing like his deceased wife, at least in his memory, had the same demeanor and facial expressions. Especially when he stole glances at her, she would also look over at him through the crowd with meaningful eyes, making his heart beat uncontrollably. 

Who was she exactly? 

Xu Zhiheng did not believe in ghosts and gods. He was the most impatient when it came to praying and offering incense in temples every year. Even though he had been told by his teacher when he was young to respect ghosts and gods, he always thought that if there were truly ghosts and gods in the world, there would be far fewer helpless things. He couldn’t fight against them when he was alive, so how could they become fierce after death?

But… But he didn’t kill He Yan! 

Xu Zhiheng’s heart grew colder. 

He Yan was supposed to die. This was the ending prepared for her by the He family. The one who gave this order was He Yuansheng, executed by He Rufei, and He Wanru assisted, while he just remained silent. Even if vengeful spirits were to return, the first ones they should go after would be the He family, right? 

Why come after him? 

Summoning courage, he looked at He Yan again, only to see that she had already turned her head, chatting with Xia Chengxiu beside her, as if the eye contact just now was his imagination. 

Xu Zhiheng looked at He Rufei again. They were like locusts on the same rope. If He Yan really came back as a ghost, she would not spare He Rufei either. Sensing Xu Zhiheng’s gaze, He Rufei looked over, frowned, and shook his head very slightly, indicating him not to be too obvious. 

In the court, their interactions were always faint to avoid arousing suspicion. 

Xu Zhiheng was anxious, but unfortunately, the banquet had not ended yet, and he couldn’t leave his seat without permission. He could only lower his head and endure this nauseating “victory celebration.” 

Emperor Wenxuan was very happy and had consumed quite a bit today. 

He had been on the throne for many years, lacking talent in political matters. The first few years of his reign were alright, working day and night, but later on, he felt that he truly had no outstanding abilities. He became lazy. Although he wasn’t a wise ruler, he wasn’t considered a tyrant either. With courtiers to look after things, there were no major issues. 

Until Xu Jingfu’s power grew, and many courtiers secretly reported to him, warning him to be wary of Xu Xiang. Emperor Wenxuan also knew that it was inappropriate, but he had relied on Xu Jingfu for many years. If Xu Jingfu were gone, he wouldn’t find anyone to replace him. 

And Xu Jingfu’s status is not low; if such a high-ranking minister were to encounter trouble, it would undoubtedly create turmoil in the court. Although he lacks political talent, during the reign of the previous emperor, he personally witnessed similar incidents. 

However, as long as one is human, there will be personal interests. He turned a blind eye to Xu Jingfu’s actions, and Xu Jingfu, with his unchecked power, also disrupted the interests of many. Gradually, Emperor Wenxuan realized that there were people behind him calling him a ‘negligent ruler,’ unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Yet, they did not understand that in matters of governance, there are different perspectives. Even as the emperor, there are times when one’s hands are tied. 

Xiao Zhongwu’s defeat, the Wutuo people becoming restless, the crown prince’s tyranny… a myriad of chaotic events made his head ache. And tonight, doing something universally praised was not easy. Emperor Wenxuan was genuinely happy. 

Tonight, at a banquet in Shuojing City, the two most promising young individuals were simultaneously given marriage. Originally, the marriage between Chu Zhao and Xu Pingting seemed like a social climb for the Chu family. However, with the revelation of Xiao Huaijin’s marriage, Chu Zhao’s situation seemed less remarkable. 

People whispered and speculated about He Yan’s sudden appearance. Xiao Zhongwu’s eldest son, Xiao Rubi, had married a commoner despite public opinion. Xiao Huaijin, even more audaciously, married someone whose name was unheard of, possibly without any official position in her family. 

Xiao Jue himself remained calm throughout. 

Lin Shuanghe sat beside him, eager to pull Xiao Jue aside and get some clarification. However, in front of everyone’s gaze, it wasn’t appropriate to ask, so he restrained himself. Yan He on the other side was equally frustrated, on the verge of overturning the table. 

In this celebratory feast, everyone harbored their own thoughts. When it finally ended, the main characters at the table all breathed a collective sigh of relief. He Yan stood up, and Xia Chengxiu still had some concerns, “Miss He, do you need me to accompany you?” She was now under the scrutiny of countless eyes, with everyone appraising her with calculating looks, something most women couldn’t withstand. 

“It’s okay,” He Yan smiled and thanked her for her kindness. “I can handle it on my own.”

Xia Chengxiu no longer insisted and was about to leave the seat. However, as she thought of something, she turned to look at Shen Muxue. She saw Shen Muxue’s face was extremely pale, with lips devoid of any trace of color, like a lifeless puppet, lacking any vitality. 

She hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn’t say anything. Instead, she got up to find Yan He. 

The emperor and several imperial consorts had already left. Yan He, grabbing Xia Chengxiu, marched towards them aggressively. When he saw Lin Shuanghe but didn’t see Xiao Jue, he became furious, “Where is Xiao Huaijin? And that Wuan Lang! They deceived me so much; I must demand an explanation!” 

Xia Chengxiu pulled him aside, seemingly speechless, and reminded him, “Wuan Lang is a woman. Be careful with your words.” 

“Have you ever seen a woman behead multiple people with a single stroke?” Yan He shouted loudly. “I don’t care if they are women. Are they playing games with me? I’m almost becoming a fool!” 

Xia Chengxiu said, “… Be careful. What if my father hears you?” 

Xia Chengxiu’s father, Lord Xia, was looking their way. Yan He was startled, coughed lightly, lowered his voice a bit, but still had anger on his face as he clenched his fists, asking, “Where are those two?” 

Lin Shuanghe shrugged, “They left.” 

“Left?” Yan He couldn’t believe it, widening his eyes. “When?” 

“After the emperor left, they left too,” Lin Shuanghe waved his fan. “They just got engaged; they’ll be a couple in the future. What business do you, an outsider, have meddling in their affairs?” Lin Shuanghe glanced at Xia Chengxiu and grinned, “Don’t tell me you haven’t given up and still want to bring Little Sister He into your tent?” 

Since He Yan’s identity had already been exposed, Lin Shuanghe boldly used the term “Little Sister He.” 

The words were cutting, and Yan He’s face turned green. “Stop talking nonsense!” He looked at Xia Chengxiu, who remained silent, and emphasized in a low voice, “I’m not familiar with Wuan Lang at all!” 

“Then you better go back early,” Lin Shuanghe patted his shoulder. “When they get married, they’ll surely invite you to the wedding. Don’t worry, don’t worry.” With that, he hummed a tuneless little song and left. 

….

In a deserted courtyard somewhere in the palace, overgrown with weeds, it was already autumn, with flowers and leaves falling. There was no sign of human activity, making it even more desolate and lonely. The bright moon hung over the eaves, casting a frosty white glow over the courtyard. 

The person in front stopped, and the girl behind him, puzzled, asked, “Where is this?” 

“An abandoned palace,” Xiao Jue replied. “Someone guards it, so no one will come in.” 

The imperial palace was vast, and while He Yan was entering the palace for the first time, it was not the case for Xiao Jue. It was normal for him to be familiar with hidden passages. Seeing that there was indeed no one around, He Yan felt a little relieved and looked at him, asking, “Commander, what’s going on? Why did the emperor say today that you had informed him of my identity long ago?” 

Xiao Jue said indifferently, “Didn’t you give Zhao Shiming a letter?” 

He Yan was surprised, “How did you know?” 

He didn’t answer, but He Yan figured it out. Xiao Jue had many capable subordinates, and even before entering the palace, he might have already fallen into Xiao Jue’s hands. 

“Why did you write a letter behind my back?” Xiao Jue asked.

He Yan chuckled bitterly. “I always felt that my identity couldn’t be concealed for long. Instead of having it revealed by someone else at some point, I’d rather prepare for it in advance. Besides, once the accusation of deceiving the emperor arises, won’t you also be implicated?” 

Before leaving Rundu, she asked the county magistrate of Rundu to deliver a letter to the emperor on her behalf. After the Battle of Rundu, the local officials would record the details in a report presented to the emperor. Enclosed with this report would be the letter, exposing He Yan’s identity. 

However, in addition to revealing her female identity, this letter also contained the signatures of the people of Rundu. 

Although He Yan had never seen Emperor Wenxuan, she had always heard from Lin Shuanghe that Emperor Wenxuan was a mediocre ruler, a soft-hearted one at that. In certain situations, as long as Xu Jingfu wasn’t there to stir up trouble, he actually possessed rare sympathy and compassion for others. During the reign of the late emperor, when a high-ranking minister made a mistake, and the people petitioned, the late emperor, remembering the minister’s past merits, pardoned the person from a death sentence. Throughout his life, Emperor Wenxuan admired his father the most, and he often deliberately emulated the late emperor’s actions. So, when Zhao Shijie presented this petition, Emperor Wenxuan would hesitate. 

Moreover, He Yan’s merits were unquestionable. The battles in Liangzhou, Jiyang, and Rundu—each victory was praiseworthy. Compared to these accomplishments, disguising herself as a man was not a significant offense. Furthermore, it was not something she did voluntarily; it was a last resort, an accidental enlistment in the military. 

Great achievements outweighed faults. Being a young genius and a woman, a petition from the people would be the last straw that breaks the emperor’s back. To gain popular support, Emperor Wenxuan could not order her execution; otherwise, what would the new recruits of the Liangzhou Garrison think, or the people of Jiyang City, or the women saved in Rundu? 

He Yan thought she had considered everything comprehensively and successfully persuaded Zhao Shijie. However, she didn’t expect Xiao Jue to intervene at this critical moment. 

“I intercepted the letter,” he said. 

He Yan stared at him. 

“You thought well, but it’s not flawless. You might escape unscathed, but there’s also a chance of meeting your end,” and wherever there was even a slight possibility, he wouldn’t allow He Yan to take the risk. 

“But Commander, haven’t you also exposed my identity?” He Yan was puzzled. “How did you convince the emperor?” 

She didn’t know that, in the report Xiao Jue submitted on her behalf, he initially firmly linked the two of them together. Everything, from Fan Cheng’s actions to the unavoidable circumstances, was included. It was all because Xiao Jue, for his own selfish desires, had brought He Yan into the military. If they were to be punished for deceiving the emperor, they would face the consequences together. However, with the Wutuo people lurking, Emperor Wenxuan couldn’t afford the consequences of not having Xiao Jue guarding the borders. Thus, Emperor Wenxuan wouldn’t punish them. Even if he intended to, Xiao Jue would bear the responsibility alone. 

Of course, he narrated the story with great emotion, making the report read like a widely circulated love story, touching Emperor Wenxuan’s romantic poet’s heart effortlessly. 

Afterward, he secretly conveyed this information to Xu Jingfu. Regarding Xiao Jue’s marriage, besides Xiao Jing and his wife, the person most concerned should be Xu Jingfu. Everyone in Shuojing City knew that Shen Muxue was the most likely candidate to marry Xiao Jue. If the Shen family and the Xiao family formed a marital alliance, everyone on the side of the Imperial Censor Shen would support Xiao Jue. This troubled Xu Jingfu. 

Even if it wasn’t Shen Muxue, any official’s daughter in Shuojing, as long as she could enhance Xiao Jue’s influence, Xu Jingfu wouldn’t be pleased. At this time, He Yan suddenly appeared. Xu Jingfu sent someone to investigate and found out that she was just the daughter of a military official. Xu Jingfu considered it a stroke of luck. 

Therefore, he not only wouldn’t stop it, but he would also actively facilitate the marriage between Xiao Jue and He Yan. For Xu Jingfu, it would be a welcome development if Xiao Jue married a woman who wouldn’t help his career. 

So, the scene at today’s celebration banquet unfolded. 

Xiao Jue only mentioned some key points, and He Yan remained silent for a long time after hearing the story. She never expected things to escalate to this extent. The purpose of writing that letter was not only to clear herself of the potentially fatal charge but also to distance herself from Xiao Jue. But unexpectedly, while trying to create that distance, she had inadvertently pushed herself into an engagement. 

Although at some point, when he said the words “the person I like,” she did feel her heart flutter, wishing time could freeze at that moment. 

But dreams must come to an end. There were things she must do, and she couldn’t let Xiao Jue sacrifice his precious life just to protect her, driven by his soft-heartedness. His life should be like the bright moon in the sky—clean, bright, never entangled with the dark and rotten channels of the earth. 

Being illuminated by him was enough; she didn’t wish for more. 

“Commander,” He Yan took a deep breath and looked up at him. “Actually, you don’t need to arrange a marriage from the emperor just to help me. Trying so hard to maintain a fake marriage is too unfair to you.” 

“It’s not fake,” Xiao Jue interrupted her. 

He Yan was stunned. “What do you mean?” 

“The words spoken in the court are not fake,” his voice was gentle, and his dark eyes, with a faint ripple like autumn water, were unexpectedly tender. 

In the deep autumn night, in the quiet courtyard, the Milky Way laid silently, the slanting moon climbed up the curtain, and the beautiful night was not as enchanting as someone’s captivating eyes. 

He asked, “Do you like the moon?” 

He Yan, dazed, answered, “… Yes.” 

In the next moment, he placed a cool and smooth object in her hand. He Yan looked down, and the black jade snake-patterned ornament, once taken away by her when she was drunk, rumored to be the heirloom of the Xiao family, laid in her palm like a lifelike python. 

“Now, the moon is yours.”

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>