When He Yan was talking to Chu Zilan, he didn't notice that Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe were standing behind a tree not far away.

Lin Shuanghe looked at them and wondered, "It seems that Sister Zihe actually knows Chu Zilan? Then why did she say she didn't know her when I asked her yesterday?"

"Have you asked her?"

"Yes, I also asked her, if there was a conflict between you and Chu Zilan, which side would she stand on?" Lin Shuanghe waved his fan and smiled, "Do you want to know how she answered?"

Xiao Jue: “I don’t want to.”

"Why are you like this?" Lin Shuanghe said, "Let me tell you, Sister He said without thinking that she didn't know Chu Zilan, so of course she stood on your side. But," he glanced at the two people who were talking in the distance, and said, "She knows her, why does she say she doesn't know her?"

Xiao Jue sneered: "Why would you believe what a liar says?"

"Liar?" Lin Shuanghe looked at Xiao Jue. "What did she lie to you about? Could it be that," he thought of something and pretended to exclaim in a low voice, "she is in the same group with Chu Zilan? Is she also Xu Jingfu's man?"

Xiao Jue was too lazy to pay attention to him.

As they were talking, the beautiful maid named Ying Xiang turned her head and happened to see them. She immediately called out from a distance: "Commander Xiao, Master Lin."

There was no place to hide now, even if he wanted to. Lin Shuanghe stood up and nodded modestly: "Fourth Master Chu, Brother He."

He Yan asked: "Are you guys going out to sunbathe too?"

"Just come out for a walk." Lin Shuanghe held a fan, looked at He Yan and Chu Zhao, and asked tentatively: "Brother He, have you ever known the Fourth Master Chu?"

He Yan said: "It was just a chance encounter. I met him at the Liangzhou Guard Station and only then did I know that he was the Fourth Master Chu. I was also very surprised."

"How did we meet once? Tell me about it." Lin Shuanghe insisted.

Chu Zhao stood there with a smile, not intending to explain himself. Xiao Jue's eyes were also calm, but He Yan felt a little cold. Song Taotao was very curious and asked, "That's right, how did you two know each other?"

"That," He Yan had no choice but to explain, "When I was in Shuojing before, I went to Le Tong Manor to gamble at night and won a lot of money. I was chased and beaten, and I accidentally met Mr. Chu Si. Mr. Chu Si picked up the silver I left and returned it to me. At that time, I didn't know his identity, so I hurriedly thanked him and left."

"LeTongzhuang?" Song Taotao was surprised. "Brother He, are you gambling?"

"Didn't you say that your father is very strict with you and you are not allowed to leave the house?" Lin Shuanghe couldn't help but ask.

He Yan looked up and saw Xiao Jue's half-smile. He felt his scalp tingling. He took a step back and said, "I was also forced to go there by life at that time... I only went there once! I have never been there again!"

Lin Shuanghe and Xiao Jue both knew that she was a woman, and it was shocking to tell others that a woman went out to gamble alone at night. Besides, gambling was not a good thing after all, and she had to tell others about it in front of such a group of big shots, which was really embarrassing.

"I didn't expect Brother He to come to Liangzhou Guard later," Chu Zhao said with a smile, "It can be said that we are destined to meet. I still remember Brother He's amazing skills when he dealt with those thugs that night."

"Are you awesome?" Lin Shuanghe asked He Yan.

He Yan smiled perfunctorily and said, "It's just luck."

"I must have a couple more drinks with Brother He at the celebration banquet tonight." Chu Zhao said, "Only then can this fate be worthwhile."

He Yan: "Thank you...thank you, Fourth Master Chu."

She thought to herself, this Chu Zhao is too approachable. As the son of Shi Jinbo and now Xu Jingfu's favorite student, it is rare for him to be so patient and gentle to an ordinary recruit like her. Regardless of whether he is good or bad, just looking at how he behaves, there is nothing to say.

"Ying Xiang," Chu Zhao glanced at Song Taotao and said with a smile, "Give the golden cake rolls to this little girl. I can't use them."

Song Taotao was flattered and asked, "Give it to me?"

"Yes," he said gently, "If you really like it, you can ask the chef to make it for you every day."

"But sir," Ying Xiang said hesitantly, "that is the cook I brought specially for you."

"I'm not particular about food," Chu Zhao said, "There's no need to do this every day."

"Then..." Song Taotao hesitated for a while and looked at him: "Thank you, Fourth Master Chu."

"You are welcome."

As He Yan looked at them, he felt that what Lin Shuanghe said yesterday about the dream girl of the Wei Dynasty ranked first. No wonder Chu Zilan took the first place. With such a look, he was so gentle and considerate to women. I think he was the type that people of all ages would like.

Ying Xiang handed the plate of golden cake rolls to Song Taotao. Chu Zhao looked at Xiao Jue and asked, "Where are you going, Commander Xiao?"

"Martial arts arena." Xiao Jue raised the corner of his mouth, "Master Chu Si also wants to go with us?"

"I don't have to go." Chu Zhao said with a smile, "Just go back to your room and read a book for a while."

Lin Shuanghe bowed to Chu Zhao and said, "See you tonight then." He looked at He Yan again and said, "Brother He, what are you doing?"

"Me?" He Yan didn't dare to stay with Chu Zhao for too long. This man was still Xu Jingfu's student. Who knew if he was an enemy or a friend? So he said, "The weather is good today. I plan to take advantage of the sun to walk around in the yard and recover."

"That's fine too." Lin Shuanghe instructed, "Just don't make any big movements."

He Yan nodded.

Several people then separated.

Since Chu Zhao also lived nearby, He Yan did not dare to go out easily, even though she really wanted to ask Chu Zhao about Shuo Jing. However, judging from the atmosphere between Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao, now was not a good time to ask.

She went to the yard, tried to throw away the stick, and walked around for a while, stopping when she felt a little tired. Then she went back to her room to sleep and read the storybook, and in the blink of an eye, it was evening.

Cheng Lisu had already knocked on the door: "Brother!"

He Yan went to open the door for him.

Cheng Lisu changed into a brand new amber robe, with a group of black-tailed koi fish embroidered on the corners of the robe. She looked very excited and grabbed He Yan's hand: "I was afraid you were sleeping, so I didn't dare to come early. Come and see my new robe. Does it look good?"

He Yan: "Can I ask you a question?"

"What?"

"Why do you have brocade on every piece of clothing?"

When they were in Liangzhou City, every robe Cheng Lisu gave her had carp embroidered on the corners. He Yan had wanted to ask him for a long time, is there any special meaning behind it?

"You don't know this," Cheng Lisu said with his back turned. "Speaking of which, my father fell in love with my mother at first sight, but my mother's family had already chosen another family for her. They also felt that my father was two years younger than my mother, so my father bribed the chef in the mansion and sent the carp to the small kitchen where my mother cooked. When the chef was butchering the carp, he saw the letter inside. My mother was moved by the letter, and later she persuaded my grandmother to marry my father."

Cheng Lisu usually couldn't remember poems and essays, but now he remembered them clearly and talked about them eloquently: "A guest came from afar and left me two carps. I called my son to cook the carps, and found a letter inside. I knelt down to read the letter. What was in it? The first part said longing for you, and the second part said more food." He said proudly: "My name comes from this."

He Yan was stunned: "Is it so interesting?"

"Not bad." Cheng Lisu turned around and showed He Yan the carp embroidery on his body. "Later, my clothes and hairpins were mostly in the shape of carp. After all, carp is the matchmaker for my parents. When I wear it, I am wearing my parents' love for me!"

At this moment, He Yan was truly envious of Cheng Lisu. She said, "Your parents are so nice."

"Of course." Cheng Lisu said, looking at He Yan, "Brother, don't you want to wear something different for the celebration banquet tonight?"

He Yan looked down at herself and said, "What's wrong with me dressing like this? Isn't that what everyone else wears?"

She was still wearing the uniform of the new recruits of Liangzhou Guards, and she wore a festive red one on purpose today.

"But you are the hero who defeated Ridamuzi. It's too ordinary to wear this."

"I didn't have any other clothes to begin with," He Yan said, "That's great. Let's go. The coach may not be able to wait any longer."

Cheng Lisu shrugged, without forcing her, and closed the door for her. The two of them walked towards the wilderness at the foot of Baiyue Mountain.

Today is a celebration banquet to celebrate the victory of the new recruits of Liangzhou Guards in annihilating the rebel army of Ridamuzi. There is no snow tonight, but it is a little colder than usual. There is a blazing bonfire burning in the wilderness, and the new recruits are sitting on the ground, drinking and eating meat.

Although we drank and ate meat, it seemed much more bleak than the Mid-Autumn Festival a few days ago. After all, a comrade had just died, and the aftermath of the war had not yet passed. Celebrating victory... was a bit forced.

The rewards had been distributed to the various coaches. Xiao Jue was very generous and distributed all the spoils to the soldiers. He did not keep any of the rewards sent by His Majesty for himself. When Cheng Lisu arrived in Luanye, he went to find Xiao Jue, while He Yan went to Hongshan by herself. She had not been to the martial arts arena these days, and she met them much less often.

When Xiao Mai saw him, he shouted, "Brother He, you're here!"

He Yan sat down next to him.

"How are you?" Hong Shan handed her a piece of roasted rabbit meat. "Are you feeling better? I see you don't have the stick anymore? Can you walk now?"

He Yan took the rabbit meat, which was roasted until it was sizzling with oil. In winter, wild animals hibernated and rabbits were hard to catch. Just smelling it made her hungry. She took a bite and said as she chewed, "Not bad. In two months, I'll be able to fight alongside you again."

"Come on," Wang Ba said in disgust, "Aren't you always the only one who steals the show? I heard that the reward from the higher-ups was 10 taels of silver for you." He was extremely jealous, "You've made a fortune!"

"Brother He almost lost his life. What is ten taels of silver? He should get more." Jiang Jiao said, "But I thought Brother He was going to get a promotion this time, but he didn't."

He Yan was furious when she talked about this. Logically speaking, she had made contributions and helped the Liangzhou Guards. No matter what, she should not be a soldier. Even if she didn't get promoted, she should go to the Nine Banners Camp. Even if she didn't go to the Nine Banners Camp, she should go to the Vanguard Camp. But now, the rewards are more than ordinary recruits, but promotion? There is no sign of it.

Is it so difficult to get promoted while serving in the army under Xiao Jue?

"Stop talking, or Brother He will get sulky again." Huang Xiong saw her unhappiness and said, "You have convinced everyone in Liangzhou Guards. Even if not now, you will be promoted sooner or later. Don't worry."

He Yan said against his conscience: "I'm not in a hurry."

He just tossed and turned in bed at night, wishing he could rush into the next room, grab Xiao Jue and ask him why.

Although it was a celebration banquet, Xiao Jue was not there and the rewards had already been distributed to everyone in advance, so tonight was just a gathering for the new recruits. The Liangzhou Guards were next to Baiyue Mountain, and the Nanfu soldiers were next to Wulu River, so they didn't interfere with each other.

Shitou poured a bowl of wine for He Yan and said, "Drink it."

He Yan stared at the wine in the bowl, "I'm injured now, I can't drink so much."

"That's right, I almost forgot." Hong Shan took the wine bowl away, "Then don't drink any more, just drink water."

He Yan said, "Okay."

After sitting for a while, she heard someone calling her from behind: "Brother He."

He Yan turned around and was stunned for a moment. It was Chu Zhao.

Next to Chu Zhao was the beautiful maid Ying Xiang. There were few women as beautiful as this in Liangzhou. For a moment, Hongshan and the others were stunned. Wang Ba whispered, "How come this boy is always so lucky?"

He thought he spoke quietly, but in fact, everyone present heard it. Ying Xiang couldn't help laughing, and Chu Zhao also laughed and said, "I promised Brother He before that I must have a drink with you today."

Ying Xiang said, "Before our Master came, he brought Chang'an Spring with him. Please have some with us, Master He."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Ba swallowed loudly.

He Yan: “…” She was still a little embarrassed. If Xiao Jue knew that she and Chu Zhao went drinking, would he think that she and Chu Zhao were in cahoots?

That was really snow in June.

As if seeing her embarrassment, Chu Zhao smiled and said, "It's just one cup. If it's inconvenient for Brother He, then forget it."

He Yan has always been soft-hearted, and seeing such a fairy-like gentleman being so gentle and knowing how to act, she felt a little apologetic. She was not a big shot, and she still needed to be invited. It was just a glass of wine, so she would just consider it as a way of repaying the favor of the silver ingot.

He Yan said, "It's just a glass of wine, it's not inconvenient."

"Then please follow me, Mr. He." Ying Xiang turned around with a smile.

He Yan originally thought that Chu Zhao was talking about drinking in the wilderness where the new recruits were, but who knew that she was brought to Chu Zhao's house. I don't know if Xiao Jue was seeking revenge, but Chu Zhao's house was not really luxurious, not even as good as Cheng Lisu's, and only slightly better than the dormitory of the new recruits. But the yard was quite large, and on the stone bench in the yard, there was a pot of wine and some dried fruit snacks.

"I don't know what Master He likes to eat, so I just prepared some side dishes." Ying Xiang said shamefacedly, "If it doesn't suit your taste, Master He, please treat me with more."

"You're welcome, it's already very good." He Yan was flattered. She was just a new soldier in Liangzhou Guards, and it was the first time she was treated as a person of status. However, He Yan was also secretly wondering why Chu Zhao was so nice to her? A new soldier shouldn't be so polite.

While she was thinking, Ying Xiang had already picked up the white jade wine pot on the table and poured wine into two jade cups. She smiled and said, "I heard from Master Lin before that Master He was injured and it would be inconvenient for him to drink. This Chang'an Spring is warm but not strong. It tastes sweet. Master He should be fine if he drinks a little."

He Yan smiled and said, "Ms. Ying Xiang is really thoughtful."

Ying Xiang pursed her lips and smiled, put the wine pot away, and stepped back behind Chu Zhao.

"The last time I saw Brother He in Shuojing, I was in a hurry and didn't get to know him properly." Chu Zhao smiled and said, "Since we meet in Liangzhou, it shows that we have a deep connection. I should toast you." He picked up the wine cup and slammed it in the air at He Yan.

He Yan understood and raised his wine cup, thinking, last time on Mid-Autumn Night, he got drunk and had a fight with Xiao Jue, and even broke his zither, so he must not repeat the same mistake tonight. However, this wine is not strong liquor, so it won't make you drunk like last time, and he will only drink a little, so it shouldn't be a problem.

She tilted her head back and poured all the wine in the glass down her throat.

He Yan was stunned.

Chu Zhao was also stunned.

After a while, Chu Zhao smiled and said, "Brother He is really generous."

He Yan: “….”

It has become a habit for me to drink in one gulp. I want to drink in small sips, but my hands act subconsciously. When I come to my senses, I regret it so much that I want to scold myself: Why can't I control my hands?

However... He Yan praised: "What a fragrant wine!"

Ying Xiang chuckled: "You can't drink Chang'an Spring every day. The only bottle left in the Chu Mansion this year is here."

"Is it so precious?" He Yan was shocked and pushed the wine cup back. He didn't dare to drink anymore.

"Although the wine is precious, it is not as good as you, Brother He." Chu Zhao smiled, reached out to pick up the wine pot, and filled He Yan's empty wine cup: "If Chang'an Spring is gone, I can buy Eighteen Immortals. If like-minded friends are gone, it will not be so easy to find them."

He Yan: “…”

She said, "Brother Chu, do you know that you are the number one dream lover among women in Wei?"

Chu Zhao was stunned.

"Now I think that maybe I can add the category of men as well." She is so gentle and generous to men. Any man who stays with her would be dangerous.

The yard was silent.

After a moment, Chu Zhao laughed happily. He shook his head and said, "Brother He, you are really funny."

"I'm telling the truth." He Yan said sincerely.

"Brother He, you are overdoing me." He waved his hands, "I don't deserve to be the first."

Chang'an Spring smelled refreshing, not as strong as the Eighteen Immortals, but the alcohol was quite strong. He Yan felt a little dizzy. Seeing the man in front of him with a gentle and elegant smile, he raised the wine cup and said to him, "Brother Chu, you deserve it. I toast you a glass!"

He drank it all in one gulp.

…

On the other side, Lin Shuanghe was looking for He Yanren everywhere.

"Have you seen He Yan?" he asked.

The barbecue was finished, and Xiao Mai was just about to steal some food from the fire. Hearing this, he turned around and said, "Are you looking for Brother He? Brother He was just taken away by the fourth Master Chu from the capital."

"Chu Zhao?" Lin Shuanghe asked curiously, "Why did he take Brother He away?"

"Let's drink," Xiao Mai shook his head, "Say I'd like to invite Brother He to taste Chang'an Chun."

When Lin Shuanghe got the news, he hurried back without stopping. When he returned to Xiao Jue's house, he pushed the door open as it was not closed.

Xiao Jue was sitting at the table polishing his sword.

Yinqiu is not an ordinary sword. It needs to be cleaned and wiped every day to ensure that the sword is crystal clear. Lin Shuanghe asked: "Do you know where He Yan went?"

Xiao Jue was too lazy to pay attention to him.

"Chu Zhao took me out for a drink!"

Xiao Jue raised his eyes: "So?"

"Aren't you in a hurry, brother?" Lin Shuanghe slammed the fan on his desk, "That's Chu Zhao!"

"Get out of the way," Xiao Jue said unhappily, "You're blocking the light."

Lin Shuanghe moved aside, "Don't wipe it. Sir, Chu Zhao is Xu Jingfu's man. If he intends to recruit He Yan to his camp, what will you do? I heard that He Yan's strength is among the best in Liangzhou Guards. If such a talent falls into Xu Jingfu's hands, it will be very troublesome!"

Seeing that Xiao Jue's expression did not change, he went around to the other side and said, "Personally, how can you let your girl drink with another man?"

After hearing this, Xiao Jue paused. He raised his head and glanced at Lin Shuanghe calmly: "Who told you that she is mine?"

"Don't give me that," Lin Shuanghe made it clear that he didn't believe her, and said, "If she's not yours, how could you let her live next door to you, with a door between you, and even let her use the lock to pry open? Why didn't I notice it before? You can still play like this? It's quite interesting."

Xiao Jue: "...If you have nothing to do, get out and don't bother me."

"Xiao Huaijin, you are so fierce, you are no match for Chu Zilan."

As he was speaking, they heard a rustling sound coming from the middle door of the room, as if a mouse was running among the debris. They looked up and saw a silver thread sticking out from the "I" shaped keyhole on the door. The silver thread moved crookedly for a moment and accurately pushed the key core in.

With a "click", the lock fell to the ground and the door opened.

Lin Shuanghe clapped his hands: "Good skills!" He glanced at Xiao Jue again: "And you still say she is not yours!"

Xiao Jue was silent for a moment and stood up.

He Yan walked over from the door.

She walked slowly and steadily. When she saw Lin Shuanghe, she even bowed and greeted him, "Brother Lin."

Lin Shuanghe: "....Why don't you call me Doctor Lin anymore?"

He Yan, however, seemed not to have seen him and walked straight up to Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue looked down and landed on He Yan.

The young man was wearing the red uniform of the new recruits of Liangzhou Guards. He was well-behaved, with his hair neatly combed, and he bowed respectfully to him.

This time, Lin Shuanghe and Xiao Jue were both stunned.

The window was not closed, and the wind blew in from outside, causing the books on the table to turn slightly, bringing with them waves of coolness and a faint aroma of wine, a subtle, unreal, sweet and refreshing taste, like a spring day in the city of Chang'an, bright and colorful.

Even more beautiful than spring day is her gaze.

Xiao Jue was startled, and felt that this scene was familiar. He vaguely remembered that someone looked at him in this way during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"Have you been drinking?" As he spoke, he subconsciously pushed the evening osmanthus piano inside.

When this person is drunk, it is impossible to tell whether she is sober or not just by looking at her face. But her actions are just incredible.

Lin Shuanghe picked up the tea with a smile, intending to take a sip while watching the show.

He Yan raised his head and gave Xiao Jue a big smile.

"I can recite The Way of University, Dad."

Lin Shuanghe spat out a mouthful of tea.

——Digression——

Congratulations to the Governor on becoming a father.

Yanyan: well behaved.jpg