Rebirth of a Star General Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Evidence

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Except for the servant who got up to use the toilet just now, the rest of the journey went smoothly without encountering anyone else. Carefully, He Yan walked to a door and leaned close to Xiao Jue’s ear, whispering, “This is He Rufei’s study.”

It used to be He Yan’s study. It had now become He Rufei’s. After circling around and not finding any other traps, He Yan gently pushed the door open and walked in.

Having lived in this place before, she was familiar with the layout, making it easier for her to move around. Xiao Jue followed her inside, and as soon as they entered, He Yan was a bit surprised.

The bookshelf and the desk remained the same, but the study was now adorned with decorations several times more than before. Various antiques and porcelain were scattered throughout the room, giving it a completely different appearance from when He Yan had lived there. She speculated that He Rufei had placed all the gifts bestowed by the Emperor in the study, perhaps to show off to someone. The bookshelf that used to hold only half the books was now crammed full.

In the center of the wall, a sword was hung, its blade a deep blue, and the scabbard had a hint of verdant color—indeed, it was the Qinglang Sword.

She paused for a moment, her gaze inexplicably fixed on the Qinglang sword. Although tempted to reach out and take the sword, she withdrew her hand just as her fingertips were about to touch the blade.

Xiao Jue asked, “What’s wrong?”

He Yan shook her head, “Now is not the time.”

Even if she managed to steal the Qinglang sword tonight, He Rufei would surely report it to the authorities the next day. The sword in her possession would become “stolen goods,” making it impossible to present it openly to others. This would be an insult to the Qinglang sword.

So, now was not the time.

He Yan thought for a moment, then stood up and walked to a hidden compartment on the bookshelf. Crouching down, she reached into the back, and when her hand touched a familiar protrusion, a slight click sounded. It was an empty compartment, and from it, He Yan retrieved a small box about the size of a palm.

Xiao Jue asked, “What is this?”

“Linglong box,” He Yan replied in a low voice. “Back then, it was the only one given to me by the Emperor. There is no other like it in the world. When I left, I handed over all these things to He Rufei. I thought he wouldn’t be willing to throw them away.”

The hidden compartment in the bookshelf was one He Yan had made herself. The Linglong box was precious, and she had handed it over to He Rufei before marrying into the Xu family. It was perfect for storing confidential scrolls, and even the most outstanding artisans in the world couldn’t open it. Only the person who set the unlocking method knew how to open it, and the method could only be set once.

This item was so precious, and with He Rufei’s temperament, he probably wouldn’t have disposed of it. Moreover, in He Rufei’s eyes, He Yan was already dead, leaving him as the only one who knew how to open the delicate box. It seemed he was enjoying this sense of ease.

He, however, did not anticipate that He Yan would die and come back to life, making it convenient for her to act this time.

“I wonder what he put inside,” He Yan thought, picked up the Linglong box, and, following the memory in her mind, gently turned the lock that blinded the box. In an instant, there was a soft “click,” and the lid of the delicate box opened.

Both of them looked into the box.

…..

In Second Madam He’s room, He Xinying and Second Madam He sat at the bedside. He Xinying held a military book she had stolen from He Yan’s former residence in the Xu family and asked, “Mother, what is this exactly? Did my sister leave it behind? Why did she leave this?.”

Her voice was kept very low, and there was only a small oil lamp on the bedside in the room. The maidservants had all been sent out of the room. He Xinying thought it had been a long time since she had seen her mother, and she wanted to share a bed to take care of her at night. Now, she trusted no one, dared to keep no one by her side, especially those people brought out by the Xu family.

Second Madam He stared at the military book in her daughter’s hand with a hint of tears in her eyes but remained silent.

Feeling that her mother must know something, He Xinying became even more anxious. “Mother, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you hiding something from me? I always feel that there’s something strange about Xu Zhiheng. Eldest sister…” She wanted to say that perhaps He Yan’s death was not as simple as the rumors outside, but when she looked at Second Madam He, the words stuck in her throat.

If He Yan’s death was really complicated, Second Madam He, knowing it, would be even more heartbroken. Now, her mother’s health was not good, and she couldn’t afford to add insult to injury.

“Ying Er, don’t worry about these things.” After a long time, Second Madam He spoke, her voice particularly weary. “Just live your life well.”

“How can I live my life well? I don’t want to die inexplicably like my sister!” He Xinying blurted out.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Second Madam He’s face turned pale, and she suddenly coughed twice. He Xinying quickly picked up a nearby handkerchief to wipe her mouth. When the handkerchief fell, there was a bloodstain on it, which looked alarming.

He Xinying was startled and said anxiously, “Mother… why is your illness so severe?” 

When she came, although she already knew that Second Madam He had been bedridden for many days, the He family members only mentioned it was a common cold, and she needed some days of rest at home to recover. However, now it seemed much more serious.

“Didn’t Father call a doctor? What’s going on?” He Xinying was worried and was about to get out of bed. “I’ll have someone bring a note to invite a doctor…”

“Don’t go.” Second Madam He held onto her hand, appearing fragile, but her grip was surprisingly strong, as if she wanted to use all her strength in this lifetime. “It’s an old illness of mine. It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.”

He Xinying was on the verge of tears. “Mother, why won’t you tell me anything? I feel like there’s something being kept from me in the mansion, but I don’t know anything.”

Before she got married, she was carefree and naive, blissfully happy. When her elder sister died, she caused a stir for a while, but soon she was moved by Xu Zhiheng’s tenderness. Never having experienced the dangers of the world, the naive girl thought she could be protected all her life. However, when some ugly truths were unveiled, revealing a glimpse of the dirtiness and danger, she felt powerless as a woman.

“Ying Er,” Second Madam He slowly began to speak, “your elder sister has already passed away, and I only have you as a daughter.” She looked at He Xinying affectionately, reaching out to gently pat her head, just like when He Xinying was still a child. “Remember, whether in the He family or the Xu family, don’t trust anyone. Mother has no ability; I couldn’t protect your sister, and I can’t protect you either. If you want to live well, don’t look, don’t ask, don’t listen.”

He Xinying said in a daze, “Sister went blind shortly after marrying into the Xu family. Didn’t she lose her sight completely? Yet she still died.”

Second Madam He’s eyes flashed with a hint of pain.

“Mother, just tell me, is this military book really left by my elder sister, and why does Xu Zhiheng attach such importance to it? And big brother, he comes to the Xu family every few days, not to see me, but clearly to find Xu Zhiheng. And you…” She said, “Are you, by any chance, being confined by father?”

Second Madam He looked at the woman in front of her. Although they were biological sisters, she always felt that He Yan and He Xinying did not look alike. He Yan was strong, independent, silent, and calm, always wearing a mask since childhood. Even now, when she tried to recall He Yan’s childhood appearance, she couldn’t imagine it. It was only after growing up and returning to the He family as a woman that she had seen her a few times.

A girl with a somewhat heroic and elegant appearance, with determination and courage in her eyebrows.

He Xinying, on the other hand, was different—soft and cute, like a snow-white dumpling, pleasing to look at. If someone stepped on her foot, she would cry loudly, and she would act cute and spoiled for a beautiful dress.

These two daughters had completely different temperaments, so Second Madam He naturally assumed that He Yan was naturally strong, while He Xinying was naturally in need of love.

Until He Yan’s death.

One day, she suddenly realized that perhaps during those days in the past, He Yan, like He Xinying, also felt wronged and wanted to cry, yearned for things she liked, and a strong girl would also need the care and love of her mother. The girl who always clung to her dress and begged for candy had unknowingly grown up.

He Xinying didn’t know that when she lowered her face and earnestly pursued the truth, stubbornly like her deceased elder sister, how much she resembled her.

However, even so, there were things she couldn’t say.

Knowing too much would be dangerous for He Xinying. She had already lost one daughter and couldn’t afford to lose another.

“I…”

Before Second Madam He could speak, she suddenly heard someone outside shouting, “Thief! There’s a thief in the mansion! Catch the thief!”

Immediately, the entire He mansion became lively.

“A thief?” He Xinying instinctively shrunk towards the head of the bed and said, “Which idiot dares to break into our mansion?”

Second Madam He grabbed her arm. “Don’t speak, don’t go out, be careful!”

He Xinying nodded.

On the other side, He Yan was running around the courtyard with Xiao Jue, cursing He Rufei’s cunning. Although He Rufei couldn’t make any changes to the solution of the Linglong Box, he was very suspicious and had set up a mechanism inside the box. Once the Linglong Box was opened, an alarm would sound.

In this way, as long as someone opens the Linglong Box here, they will be discovered.

However, just now when she opened it, she saw clearly that there were several letters inside. She tucked the letters into her embrace. Since He Rufei did not leave the Linglong Box empty and even deliberately tampered with it, these letters must be very important. Today’s trip was not in vain.

“The guards are all awake,” Xiao Jue reminded her. “Should we escape or fight?”

“I have your sword with me. If the sword is drawn, it will be exposed. We can’t fight,” He Yan lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and said, “Follow me!”

She was familiar with every corner of the He mansion’s courtyard, making it easy to avoid people. However, perhaps He Rufei was feeling guilty and paranoid lately, as there were more guards in the mansion than servants. As soon as the alarm sounded, torches and people emerged from all directions.

“They are over there, chase them!”

“The general said, capture the assassin, no need to leave them alive, life or death doesn’t matter!”

He Yan sneered inwardly, feeling more certain that the letters she had hidden were definitely not simple. She grabbed Xiao Jue and moved swiftly. When passing by a house, she quickly ducked inside.

Second Madam He was pulling He Xinying, leaning against the head of the bed, holding the blanket tightly and looking nervous. Suddenly, she noticed two more people in the room. He Xinying was about to scream, but the next moment, a cold sword was placed against her neck. The masked figure spoke, “Shut up. If you dare to scream, I’ll kill you.”

He Xinying immediately silenced herself in fear.

He Yan held a long sword and felt annoyed. She had originally thought that Second Madam He’s courtyard was the closest to the outer wall, providing a convenient escape route. Who would have thought that at this late hour, Second Madam He was still awake, and He Xinying was also here? Why weren’t they resting at this late hour? Were the mother and daughter gossiping? A sour taste suddenly welled up in He Yan’s heart, but what did it matter now? She was holding her biological mother and younger sister at swordpoint.

Perhaps the commotion inside had reached the outside, as a servant outside asked, “Second Madam? Is something wrong, Second Madam?”

He Yan’s heart skipped a beat. Before she could threaten, Second Madam He had already spoken calmly, “Nothing is wrong, just a little cough.”

There was no more noise outside, and He Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Xiao Jue behind her, who was vigilantly watching the door, preventing anyone from entering.

“Listen,” He Yan whispered, “I have no intention of harming both of you. Give me the key to the backyard, let us two leave.”

He Xinying trembled and spoke hesitantly, “How do we know if you won’t kill us to keep us silent?”

He Yan was somewhat surprised. This younger sister looked obedient and gentle, but she unexpectedly had some courage. Deliberately lowering her voice to sound ominous, He Yan said, “Do you think you have the qualifications to negotiate terms with me?”

He Xinying turned pale and dared not speak.

On the other hand, Second Madam He, ignoring the cold sword against He Xinying’s neck, walked down from the bed and took out a key from the drawer, handing it to He Yan, “Go.”

He Yan was greatly surprised.

She originally thought that Second Madam He would negotiate with her or find a way to inform the He family members. He Yan even prepared herself for possible resistance, but she didn’t expect Second Madam He to be so calm. He Yan couldn’t help but look at the woman in front of her. The lady’s eyes were fixed on her, with a gaze that He Yan couldn’t decipher—complex and unfathomable.

It seemed like she was looking at He Yan, yet also looking through He Yan at someone else. If He Yan didn’t know that her face was covered with a black cloth, she would have doubted whether Second Madam He had already recognized her.

Seeing He Yan not moving, Second Madam He pushed her again. “The guards will be here soon. Go quickly.”

Xiao Jue nodded at He Yan. “Let’s go.”

He Yan, without time to think about other matters, grabbed the key to the backyard and turned to leave. In the moment they passed each other, she suddenly felt something being thrust into her hand. Without examining it closely, she subconsciously tucked the item into her embrace and used the key to open the door to the backyard, running out.

Second Madam He was right; the pursuers arrived in an instant. They had used a secret passage to enter, but now there was no time for that luxury on their way back. Since they were exposed, they opted to go over the back wall. The guards chasing them were about to catch up when suddenly one of them felt a pain in his knee. Lowering his head, he saw a yellow dog biting onto his calf. The pain made him howl like a ghost and a wolf, unable to catch up. He could only watch the two figures in black disappear into the night.

…

The entire mansion was in chaos. He Xinying finally managed to calm herself down. She relit the lamp on the table and patted her chest, saying, “I was really scared just now. That person had such a fierce look. I was afraid he would kill us. Mother, if Uncle were to find out that we let an assassin escape, even if it was for self-preservation, he would be angry. If no one discovers this, let’s not tell anyone for now, okay… Mother?”

Second Madam He just stared blankly at her hands, seemingly not having heard what she had just said. He Xinying urged, “Mother!”

Second Madam He snapped back to reality and looked at her, saying, “Understood. Don’t tell anyone about this… Don’t tell Master Xu either.”

He Xinying felt something was off. Her mother’s expression when she looked at the black-clad person just now was strange. Then she remembered something, “But were those two really here to steal things? I saw that their hands were empty, and they didn’t seem to steal anything. What about my military book… Oh right, where is my military book?”

While Second Madam He was talking to He Xinying on the bed, the military book was placed on the bedside. Now, it was gone. He Xinying was puzzled, “Oh no, could those two have taken my military book? But why would they steal it? Mother, did you see my military book?”

Second Madam He coughed and said, “No need to look for it. I gave the military book to the black-clad people just now.”

“Why?” He Xinying couldn’t have expected Second Madam He to take such action.

“That thing is a trouble, whether it stays with you or me.” Second Madam He’s expression became empty. “Those two came to steal, with empty hands. I don’t know if they stole what they wanted. If they did, it’s an added bonus. If they didn’t succeed, it’s still a favor to them for taking risks to come to the He family.”

“Mother,” He Xinying was anxious, “how can there be such reasoning? That military book is something I worked hard to get from the Xu family.”

“Ying Er, remember,” Second Madam He’s expression became serious, “whether it’s tonight’s assassin or the military book from the Xu family, let them both rot in your stomach. Don’t mention a word to anyone.”

He Xinying originally came to unravel mysteries. Now, with one puzzle unresolved, more questions arise, but she felt helpless. In the end, she could only respond with a resigned tone, “Understood. I won’t mention it to anyone else.”

…

Fei Nu was outside, when he picked up He Yan and Xiao Jue, the three immediately took refuge in a secluded courtyard.

“Where is this?” He Yan asked curiously.

“It’s a detached courtyard in Shuojing City. Sometimes it’s inconvenient to do things in the mansion, so I stay here,” Xiao Jue replied.

He Yan quickly understood. The couple, Xiao Jing, and his wife were exceptionally kind. Xiao Jue’s circumstances were destined to be misunderstood by most people for the actions he took. This way, they wouldn’t see and it would save them a lot of trouble.

He Yan took out the letters from the Linglong Box that she had shown off to Xiao Jue earlier. “Look, this trip was quite rewarding. I said it before, going to the He family would definitely bring gains.”

Xiao Jue glanced at her and said, “It’s very dangerous. This is a one-time thing; it won’t happen again.” After a pause, he added, “Starting tomorrow, He Rufei will likely use this as an excuse to search the entire Shuojing City. You stay at home these days and don’t act rashly. If these letters are lost, I’ll be the first one He Rufei suspects, and it might implicate you.”

“No problem. I’m at least the Wuan Marquis appointed by the Emperor. If he can’t produce evidence, he won’t be able to do anything to me.” He Yan eagerly opened the letters. “Let’s see what the letters say first. I don’t believe they’re just love poems, especially given how secretive He Rufei was.”

There were three letters in total. He Yan and Xiao Jue opened them and, after reading, both of their expressions changed.

“D*mn it!” He Yan slammed the letters on the table, unable to control her anger. “Such heartless and ruthless people exist in this world!”

In those three letters, two were addressed to the Wutuo people, and one was for Xu Jingfu. Although He Yan had suspected in Liangzhou City when she saw He Rufei’s servant, Ding Yi, that He Rufei might have a connection with Xu Jingfu, there was no evidence. Now, the letters explicitly confirmed it.

In the battle at Huayuan, He Rufei did indeed make a deal with the Wutuo people. He deliberately won the battle brutally, providing gruesome scenes, as the price for forming an alliance with Xu Jingfu. Additionally, he strongly advocated for peace negotiations when the Wutuo envoy came to the Great Wei, facilitating the establishment of a Wutuo market in the country.

He Rufei’s most feared thing was being exposed for his true identity, different from the “Flying Phoenix General” who was once known for his military achievements. But just to conceal his identity, he actually collaborated with foreign enemies, disregarding the lives of the Great Wei people and acting without loyalty or righteousness.

Xiao Jue looked at the letter in his hand, realizing that He Rufei’s connection with Xu Jingfu was indeed troublesome. Xu Jingfu held considerable influence among civil officials, and most civil officials advocated for peace. Currently, the few military officials advocating for war were only a handful. However, “Flying Phoenix General” had always been highly respected among military officials. If He Rufei advocated for peace, the remaining military officials supporting war would be scarce.

He Yan took a deep breath and said, “Such shameless individuals, once they enter the officialdom, become even more shameless. Moreover, they are using my reputation. It’s truly nauseating.”

“You can rest assured,” Xiao Jue said in a calm voice. “There is me.”

Suddenly, He Yan remembered that when she left the He Mansion earlier, Second Madam He had slipped something into her hand. At that critical moment, she didn’t have the time to examine it closely and had stuffed it into her bosom. Now, with some time on her hands, she retrieved it.

It was a book, likely rolled up for a long time, with the paper wrinkled and yellowed, and the corners all curled up. It seemed to have been read many times, as the pages were thin from frequent handling. He Yan opened it and was immediately stunned.

Xiao Jue stood behind her, his gaze also falling on the scroll.

“What is this…”

“My military book,” He Yan muttered, flipping through a few pages. Indeed, it was in her handwriting. Since joining the military in her previous life, she had read many military books, repeatedly studying the most precious ones and adding her own notes and annotations.

When she got married and everything related to “Flying Phoenix General” had to be discarded, she couldn’t take the sword, warhorse, or her trusted subordinates. In the end, He Yan secretly hid a military book in her dowry chest and brought it to the Xu family.

In public, Madam Xu was dignified and gentle, no different from an ordinary woman. However, in private, she missed the days when she freely roamed the battlefield. Whenever her fingers touched the pages of a military book, she would remember her comrades-in-arms from the military camp.

She hid this military book in the bedpost where she slept, and now, she had regained what was once lost.

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