Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 203

Chapter 203 – Sensation

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While He Yan was tossing and turning in bed, grappling with her own confusion, back at the Xiao residence, Xiao Jue ran into Xiao Jing and his wife, who were waiting at the main gate with questions in their eyes. 

Bai Rongwei hadn’t even had time to change out of her dress when she and Xiao Jing found themselves sitting in the hall, anxiously waiting for Xiao Jue’s return. Xiao Jing immediately bombarded him with questions, “Huaijin, what’s going on? How could Young M.. Miss He turn out to be a lady?” 

The Xiao family was currently in chaos. 

Discovering that the young master staying in their house was actually a young lady was shocking enough. But the emperor’s swift decree of marriage left Xiao Jing and his wife grappling with the sudden transformation of their family’s young master’s close friend into his wife. It was evident that Xiao Jue harbored genuine feelings for Lady He Yan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have uttered those cloying words in front of the court officials. Looking back at various incidents, such as insisting He Yan reside in his courtyard and discreetly protecting her, …everything fell into place. 

Similar explanations had been given to He Yan’s family at the He residence, but now Xiao Jue had to clarify things for Xiao Jing. Fortunately, as family members, Xiao Jue didn’t go into as much detail, providing a brief summary for the couple to understand. 

Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei exchanged glances, trying to comprehend the situation. 

Bai Rongwei tentatively asked, “Huaijin, do you really like Miss He?” 

Xiao Jue replied calmly, “If it’s not true, can the Xiao family resist the imperial decree?” 

Bai Rongwei was left speechless by this response; indeed, they couldn’t. 

He smirked, “If it were not true, this marriage wouldn’t have happened.” 

The couple, somewhat puzzled, agreed. Xiao Jue might seem indifferent to court matters, but he wasn’t without influence and connections. He had orchestrated this marriage himself. If he didn’t like He Yan, not only would it be unnecessary, but he could have also thwarted the whole affair with other means, even if the emperor had intended it. 

“But,” Bai Rongwei complained, “you, my child, even if you like the girl, why bring her directly home without proper arrangements? Although your eldest brother and you don’t have much, if people outside find out, it will inevitably lead to gossip, harming Miss He’s reputation.” 

“When she returned, her identity was unclear. Returning home was not appropriate, taking her back to the residence and keeping it discreet, no one outside knew,” Xiao Jue explained. “It won’t happen again in the future.” 

The couple sighed in relief. Previously, they had worried that Xiao Jue, with his disposition, might never marry. Now that he liked a girl, it was a good thing. However, they feared impulsive actions that could lead to trouble. Seeing that Xiao Jue seemed to know his limits, they relaxed a bit. 

“Where is Miss He from? Where does she live? Does she have any family left?” Bai Rongwei asked. “The young master from the Lin family mentioned that Miss He’s father was a military official. Now that we’re the in-laws, we should visit and discuss the finer details of the marriage. Also, your betrothal gifts need preparation.” 

“Where is Miss He from? Where does she live? Does she have any family left?” Bai Rongwei asked him. “The young master from the Lin family mentioned that Miss He’s father was a military official. Now that we’re in-laws, we should visit and discuss the finer details of the marriage. We can’t let people think we have no etiquette.” 

“Exactly,” Xiao Jing chimed in. “We need to discuss the details of the marriage with Lord He. Also, we need to start preparing your betrothal gifts.” 

The suddenness of this bestowed marriage caught them unprepared. Over the years, the emperor’s rewards had accumulated, but Xiao Jue had neglected to manage them. Bai Rongwei had stored everything properly, thinking it wouldn’t be useful for another three to five years. Little did she expect a surprise demand. 

As a couple, they hadn’t concerned themselves much with He Yan’s family background. As long as her character was good and her family was reputable, it was sufficient. “What does Miss He like in her daily life?” Now that there was something to do, Bai Rongwei felt the weight on her shoulders. The Xiao family was simple, making it easy to manage, and she and Xiao Jing rarely disagreed on matters. Now that Xiao Jue’s marriage was finally settled, she felt it was crucial to handle things properly. “Shall I buy some beautiful silk fabric tomorrow? I’ll also get some jewelry, not too expensive, to show respect. How old is Lord He? Since he’s a military official, he might have encountered some obstacles in life; we should buy some supplements…” 

As she went on with her detailed plans, engrossed in discussing things with Xiao Jing, she failed to notice when Xiao Jue slipped away. When she prepared to ask Xiao Jue’s opinion, she found the chair in front of her empty. 

Back in his room, Xiao Jue took off his court attire and tossed it onto a chair. Sitting on the bed, he was surrounded by dim lighting. Faint sounds of bustling activity outside suggested that Bai Rongwei was instructing servants to open the storage room. Tonight, everyone must be shocked, and sleep was out of the question. 

However… there was some gain. 

Emperor Wenxuan’s bestowed marriage was timely. It not only swept away the annoying figure of Chu Zhao but also conclusively settled his relationship with He Yan. The emperor, whose mind had been unclear for these years, finally did something right. 

Before, he thought that He Yan admired Chu Zhao, and even though he had many concerns in his heart, he didn’t want to bring them up to Heyan. In this world, those who like someone would do anything, even resort to forceful means, but for someone like him, what he least liked was force.

But… it wasn’t forced. 

Lowering his head, he took out a sachet from his pocket. The sachet was turned inside out, having the delicate embroidery on the inside and the rough lining on the outside. In the dim light, the poorly embroidered “moon” glowed brightly. 

It was somewhat ugly, but… 

It even had a touch of gold thread. 

The handsome young man lowered his head, unable to suppress a smile. 

Outside the small room, Chiwu threw a punch, caught skillfully by Fei Nu, who dodged to the side. “Calm down.” 

“Did you know all along?” Chiwu was so angry his nose was crooked. “I knew it! Why do you always have that hesitant expression when I find him unpleasant? Why, in my moments of anxiety about the young master’s lifelong affair, are you calm and carefree? It turns out you knew all along!” 

“You and I have been serving the young master together, as brothers for so many years. You kept it from me, doesn’t your conscience ache?” 

Fei Nu dodged the punch coming at him and replied somewhat speechlessly, “Where did I deceive you? In Jiyang City, you’ve seen her dressed as a woman. How could you still think Miss He is a man?” 

Chiwu was taken aback. 

Indeed, He Yan had worn women’s clothing before. In Jiyang City, when she wore a dress, with Cui Yuezhi and his concubine, Jiyang Princess Mu Hongjin, the common people, and the street vendors buying things… not a single person suspected He Yan’s true identity as a woman. With her delicate features, slender figure, if she wasn’t truly a young lady, how could no one have noticed the clues? 

“I thought she had an androgynous appearance.” Chiwu said in a daze. “Besides, how could I believe that a woman would go to Liangzhou Garrison and throw twenty stone locks alone, beating even strong men?” 

And she eats so much!

He never doubted He Yan’s identity as a woman, not because He Yan didn’t disguise herself well, but because she disguised herself as a man so convincingly! Which young girl could sit among a group of big men, listening to their crude jokes without changing her expression? 

Sometimes, she could even throw in a couple of her own. 

Fei Nu patted his friend on the shoulder. “Look at the bigger picture. Weren’t you always afraid that the young master would be criticized for being homosexual by the people of Shuojing City? Miss He is a woman, so you don’t have to worry about that now.” 

“That’s true,” Chiwu sat down gloomily. “But now that I think about it, I feel really foolish.” 

“It’s not that you’re foolish,” Fei Nu spoke sincerely, “It’s just that Miss He has done many things better than men.” 

Fei Nu honestly admitted to himself that if it weren’t for Xiao Jue having Luan Ying inquire about He Yan’s background, accidentally discovering that He Yan was a woman, he might have reacted the same way as Chiwu, thinking that this person in women’s clothing was exceptionally outstanding. 

But now, thinking about all this was pointless. The young master had achieved his wish, and this young madam was also capable and courageous. Once this incident spread tonight, tomorrow, Shuojing City would likely stir up a storm. 

… 

In fact, Fei Nu’s thoughts were correct. Before tomorrow arrived, those who had interacted closely with He Yan and learned that she was a woman, given in marriage to Xiao Jue, couldn’t believe their ears. 

In the military camp, Hong Shan and his men were lying on a large bed, casually chatting. 

After returning to the capital, these soldiers were stationed not far from the city of Shuojing. Although they still trained daily, it was much better than Liangzhou. At least there were fields outside the mountains, and when they weren’t training, the soldiers in the camp would help the farmers with their work, getting some fresh vegetables and fruits. Shuojing also didn’t have the strong winds and sandstorms of Liangzhou, so after returning to the capital for just a month, everyone seemed to have gained some weight. 

For those living in Shuojing, they could leave the camp to visit their families for one day each month. Jiang Jiao had just gone to find the instructor to arrange a trip home for some time, and as he was about to enter the room, he saw a small figure hastily running towards his room, moving like the wind. 

Jiang Jiao remembered this small figure; his last name was Bao. Because he always liked to inquire about miscellaneous things and was well-informed, everyone called him Bao Dating, a name that stuck, and no one remembered his original name anymore. 

Seeing his demeanor, he must have some significant news. Jiang Jiao followed him, not too fast or too slow. These days in Shuojing were quite boring; he missed He Yan now that she had an official title and didn’t stay here. 

Bao Dating rushed into Hong Shan’s room, where everyone was chatting. He jumped onto the table in the middle of the room, and was scolded by everyone in unison.

“You’re covered in mud on your feet, why don’t you roll down!” 

“That’s where I eat, Bao Dating, are you planning to rebel?” 

“Just talk, why move your feet!” 

There were also powerful figures like Wang Ba and Huang Xiong in the room. Normally, Bao Dating would have obediently jumped down after hearing such remarks, but today was different. Instead of moving, he seemed even more excited, his face turning red and his neck thickening. “Big news, big news! I just came back from the instructor, big news, there’s no news bigger than this!” 

People passing by other rooms outside gathered around, rare to see him so incoherent. It must be really significant news, so someone asked, “What’s going on? Is Commander Xiao getting married?” 

This was just a casual remark, as there were ten things impossible in Liangzhou Garrison, such as Shen Han impossible to be softhearted, Liang Ping impossible not to scold people, Ma Damei impossible not to gamble… the biggest impossibility, and the one everyone believed was absolutely unshakable, was that Commander Xiao could not possibly get married. 

If this impossibility were shattered, it would indeed be big news, but it should be impossible. 

Thinking like this, they saw Bao Dating nodding. “Yes, yes! That’s right, Commander Xiao is getting married!” 

At first, everyone didn’t react, but after a moment, they suddenly got excited, and in an instant, they crowded around the table, questioning Bao Dating. 

“Who? Who? Who is Commander Xiao marrying?” 

“Are you sure it’s Commander Xiao getting married and not someone else? Bao Dating, is your news reliable? I feel like this is so unreliable.” 

When Bao Dating heard this, he was furious. His veins popped on his neck, clenching his fists and stomping his feet. “How could I lie… I heard it loud and clear, even the instructors were scared… it was bestowed by the emperor himself!” 

As soon as the words “bestowed marriage” came out, both inside and outside the room, people believed it by fifty percent. Commander Xiao would never voluntarily get married, but if it were a bestowed marriage, how could he defy the imperial decree? Once this was said, it was not impossible. 

Xiao Mai asked, “Is it really a bestowed marriage? Then which young lady from which family did the emperor bestow on Commander Xiao?” 

Someone outside, eavesdropping at the window, replied without thinking, “Needless to say, it must be Miss Shen from Imperial Censor Shen’s mansion!” 

Shen Muxue had stayed in Liangzhou Garrison for so long, helped many wounded soldiers, and this young lady who didn’t mind them and even provided them with medicine was well-liked by the soldiers. Many spoke up for her. 

“Yes, someone like Miss Shen, matched perfectly with the commander! They are a golden boy and jade girl, a match made in heaven, probably the most compatible couple in Great Wei.” 

However, Bao Dating’s answer disappointed them. “No, it’s not Doctor Shen!”

The crowd looked at each other. 

Not Shen Muxue? Such a kind and charitable fairy-like lady, couldn’t even become Commander Xiao’s wife? Who exactly did the emperor bestow upon him?

“It’s not Miss Shen, then who is it?” 

Bao Dating replied, “It’s He Yan!”

The moment the two characters “He Yan” were mentioned, there was a moment of silence both inside and outside the room. Even Wang Ba, who was dozing lazily, sat up. When Jiang Jiao entered the room, the first thing he heard was this sentence, thinking there was something wrong with his ears. 

“Which He Yan?” Shitou, the most composed one, asked. 

“It’s He Yan from our Liangzhou Garrison!” 

Someone laughed, “Bao Dating, did you get drunk on wine? You’re spreading false imperial decrees. If you’re not careful, you might end up in a legal dispute. He Yan is a man, how could the emperor bestow marriage on two men? Are you crazy, or is this just someone with the same name and surname, He Yan?” 

At this point, Bao Dating was not in a hurry. 

He knew that the sentence he just said would become a bombshell among the new recruits of Liangzhou Garrison and even the Nanfu soldiers. He was the first to hear such significant news because of his good ears. 

“Who says the emperor can’t bestow marriage on two men?” His gaze swept around the room, observing everyone’s expressions. When he saw that everyone’s reactions were within his grasp, he spoke calmly, “Besides, He Yan is a woman, of course, she can be Commander Xiao’s wife.” 

“Bang—” 

Liang Ping slipped and fell on the ground, but at this moment, he wasn’t busy groaning in pain. Instead, he looked at Shen Han with a suspicious look, questioning life. “What did you say?” 

“He Yan is a woman.” Shen Han said with a cold face. 

Although he looked calm now, only heaven knew how unbelieving he was when the deputy commander of the Nanfu soldiers, Tian Lang, came to inform him of this news. 

He Yan is a woman? 

How could that be possible! 

How could there be a woman who could eat more than a man, fight better than a man, and adapt to the harsh climate and training of Liangzhou Garrison better than a man? When the instructors heard this news, they collectively fell into silent doubt. In any case, they couldn’t imagine that the person sweating profusely on the martial arts field, cutting off the heads of two guards personally, could be a woman. 

Clearly, this was an exceptionally talented young man. How could he be a woman? If a woman could reach such a level, they were effortlessly surpassed by He Yan. There was no one in Liangzhou Garrison who could compare to He Yan. Didn’t that mean that these big men couldn’t even surpass a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl? 

If the fact that He Yan was a woman was just a blow and shock to them, then the emperor bestowing marriage upon Xiao Jue and He Yan made these instructors tremble with fear. 

Before Tian Lang left, he kindly and subtly reminded Shen Han, “The Commander values Miss He greatly.” 

Joke, just valuing her? This millennium-old iron tree bloomed for the first time, facing the civil and military officials in the court, in front of the emperor and empress. As soon as the celebration banquet ended, rumors spread everywhere, saying how gentle the Commander was to the “one he liked.”

So here comes the question, with Commander Xiao being so considerate to the one he liked, what is their value from Commander Xiao, who tortured and trained the one he liked, making the young lady carry heavy burdens and run under the scorching sun for hours, facing devilish instructors at every stop? 

It’s hard to say. 

Ma Damei had a solemn expression, “Previously, during the winter in Liangzhou, I soaked in the hot springs with Miss He…” 

Everyone’s faces turned ashen, especially the instructor who was the most joyful troublemaker at the time, who was almost on the verge of tears. Now they understood why He Yan refused to enter the water back then, claiming to have a hidden ailment. As it turned out, she was actually a young lady? Fortunately, Commander Xiao had appeared at that time, otherwise, if things had developed further, it’s uncertain if all the instructors in this room would have developed hidden ailments by now.

 “Uh… what should we do now?” someone asked shakily. 

“What can we do?” Shen Han said, “Just focus on your own tasks. What does it have to do with you!” 

Although it now seemed foolish to believe in the separation of Xiao Jue and He Yan, Shen Han felt that he had some foresight. At least, he could see the unusual atmosphere between these two from the beginning. He had always firmly stood on the side of Xiao Jue and He Yan, and now that He Yan had changed from a man to a woman, what was the problem? 

Anyway, he had always stood firmly on the side of Xiao Jue and He Yan. He Yan was a straightforward person and should… not retaliate with ingratitude. 

… 

In the city of Shuojing, Shi Jinbo, who claimed to be an official family, had seen a decline in his prestige over the years. Of the three legitimate sons born to Chu Linfeng, besides the eldest who secured a minor official position in Shuojing City—arranged by Madam Chu using her money—the remaining two legitimate sons failed to enter officialdom. On the contrary, the illegitimate son brought back from outside in the past had become the most successful one. Not only was he the current Prime Minister’s proud student, but he had also become the Prime Minister’s son-in-law. With this connection, the Chu family could expect a bright future. 

Thinking of this, Chu Linfeng was very pleased. After the celebratory banquet, he immediately sent people to spread the news, make preparations, and even announced plans to refurbish Chu Zhao’s courtyard so that it would not be considered shabby when Xu Pingting married into the Chu family. 

Madam Chu watched Chu Linfeng’s undisguised joy with a cold gaze, not saying anything. However, her three biological sons were somewhat resentful. After Chu Linfeng left, they complained to Madam Chu, “Dad is being overly biased! He’s just the son of a woman from a brothel. He gained a bit of momentum, and now Dad is so delighted. When the three of us got married, Dad wasn’t this happy.” 

This was not untrue. Although Chu Linfeng did not mistreat these three sons, he found them too mediocre. Compared to them, he preferred Chu Zhao, who could make him look good in front of his colleagues. When Chu Zhao first came to the Chu family, the three brothers had bullied him a lot, and Madam Chu had also thought about sending him away after he grew up—just like those mistresses who were sent away when they got pregnant. Unfortunately, this kid somehow learned to be cunning, he coaxed Chu Linfeng into high spirits, taking him wherever he went, making it difficult for Madam Chu to find an opportunity to act. Later on, he even formed a relationship with Xu Xiang. With people from Xu Xiang’s side, Madam Chu didn’t dare to act rashly. 

“His mother made a living by relying on her face. She gave birth to a son, and it’s the same,” the third young master of Chu said acerbically, “Chu Four is even more formidable than his mother. At least, he sold his body to the Xu family in the capital and got a good price.” 

Madam Chu frowned. 

Although she didn’t like Chu Zhao and wished he would encounter a catastrophe outside tomorrow and lie dead on the outskirts, she didn’t want her own sons to become as bitter and mean as women. Sometimes, she thought about it. It’s no wonder Chu Linfeng doted on Chu Zhao so much. Comparing her three sons, they were indeed far inferior. 

“Are we supposed to just let that kid rise to prominence like this?” The eldest Chu son was unwilling, “In this way, we won’t even have the right to speak in the Chu family in the future!” 

“No need to worry,” Madam Chu smiled, her tone sinister, “Do you really think that the Prime Minister’s daughter is so easy to marry? Don’t forget, beside Chu Zilan, there is also the femme fatale like Ying Xiang.”

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