Xiao Jue and the other two followed the servants who led the way into the palace.

He Yan was sitting alone in the carriage, listening to the words "I'll take you home". Although he knew that Xiao Jue was just saying it casually, he felt dizzy and buried his head in his palms, feeling a little dizzy.

She didn't know what "home" meant. Although the He family in her previous life was a home, it never gave her family affection and warmth. The Xu family was also a home, but they pushed her into the cold water. In this life, another "He family" finally gave her some attachment and warmth to the world, but she had to meet them again before things were settled.

Thinking of this, He Yan's joy gradually subsided.

She had to find a way to go back and meet Yunsheng and He Sui. She had been gone for more than a year, and He Sui and He Yunsheng must be very worried. As early as when she was in Liangzhou Wei, since her identity was discovered, He Yan had secretly given money to Fei Nu, begging Fei Nu to find a way to let the people in Shuojing take a message to He Sui to report safety. When she went to Jiyang, the Wutuo war broke out, and she forgot about it. She didn't bring any news to He Sui and the others for a while, and He Sui and the others must have been worried.

She still had to find a way to go to the Xu family.

Starting with He Rufei was still a bit difficult. She had to start with the Xu family. He Yan was killed, and Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei never showed up from the beginning to the end. She died at the hands of He Wanru. With Xu Zhiheng's temperament, he would definitely kill He Wanru to silence her. Perhaps everyone present that day could not escape the word "death". But is there no smart person in the Xu family? Just like Chai Anxi fell in the Mingshui battle, there might be fish that slipped through the net in the Xu family's yard.

That was her chance.

She must first prove that Grandma Xu's cause of death was unusual before she can unravel the mystery and uncover the He family's greatest and most dangerous secret.

He Yan was thinking carefully about his future plans after returning to Shuojing. Before he knew it, the sky gradually darkened. When the lantern in front of the palace gate lit up, he saw a familiar figure walking out from inside.

Only Xiao Jue and Yan He came out. Lin Shuanghe was not seen. He Yan asked curiously, "Why isn't Brother Lin here?"

"Doctor Lin is in the palace and he won't leave for the time being." Xiao Jue replied, then looked at Yan He.

"Don't look at me, I'm going home now." Yan He asked the servants to lead the horse. "Chengxiu is still waiting for me at home." He seemed particularly proud of the fact that someone was waiting for him. "You are alone, of course you don't care about these." After saying that, he jumped on the horse, said "let's go", and rode away.

To be honest, He Yan used to think Yan He was stubborn and self-righteous, like a chicken fighting every day, and he would always compare himself with other talented people whenever he saw one. He thought his life was too hard. But now, seeing him leave with a big smile on his face, he actually felt a little jealous.

It is a very pleasant thing to have someone waiting for you at home after a long journey.

She was staring at Yan He's departing back, when she suddenly heard Xiao Jue's voice: "Aren't you coming up yet?"

He Yan quickly retreated back into the carriage.

Fei Nu and Chi Wu were driving outside, while He Yan and Xiao Jue were sitting in the carriage. The journey from Rundu to Shuojing was extremely lively. Yan Nanguang, Lin Shuanghe, Xiao Jue and He Yan were all former classmates, and they could play mahjong at a table together. She didn't notice the noise on weekdays, but now that everyone had left and only she and Xiao Jue were in the carriage, the atmosphere was quiet, and she felt a little uncomfortable.

"What are you nervous about?" Xiao Jue leaned against the carriage and asked casually.

He Yan almost choked on his own saliva. After hesitating for a long time, he managed to say, "I have never been to your house. I came to your house empty-handed for the first time. I just feel a little sorry." At this point, He Yan really remembered this matter and asked Xiao Jue, "Commander, how about we pass by the store later and buy some snacks and silk as gifts for your family?"

Xiao Jue stared into her eyes and curled his lips, "Are you going to propose marriage? Is this your first visit?"

"Don't you need it?" He Yan asked, "I've never been a guest in someone else's house before, so I don't know what to do when I go as a guest for the first time."

When she was He Rufei, the He family was afraid that she would be exposed, so they didn't even allow her to make friends, let alone visit other people's houses. This time as He Yan, she didn't have time to experience how ordinary people made friends, and she went straight to the military camp.

She was so serious that Xiao Jue was speechless for a moment. He pushed her head aside and said, "No need. Just be casual."

"Commander, don't you still have Young Master Xiao and Madam Xiao in your family?" He Yan recalled what Lin Shuanghe had said before, and said, "It is said that Young Master Xiao is the number one dream lover of women in Wei. Is that true? It is rumored that he is very gentle to others, never harsh to his servants, and a gentleman who is as gentle as jade. Is that true?"

Xiao Jue said calmly: "You want to be my sister-in-law?"

"How is that possible?" He Yan denied it immediately. She thought to herself that she was not Song Taotao and had no interest in having another brother-in-law like Xiao Jue. "I'm just curious. And what about Grandma Xiao? How is she? Is she easy to get along with?" He Yan hesitated. "It's easier with men, but I really don't know how to deal with women. What does she like and what does she dislike? Is she lively or reserved? How can I talk to her to please her?"

Xiao Jue endured it for a while, and finally said calmly: "If you please her, my brother will be in trouble."

He Yan said "Oh" and sat back in his seat, still thinking about it. Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows slightly. He Yan was very interested in "going to visit". He was excited and nervous, like a young child who was invited to his friend's house for the first time. He was at a loss and afraid of making mistakes, but also had a faint sense of joy and expectation of being recognized.

He Sui has only one son and one daughter. Compared to his son, the daughter who looks very similar to his late wife is obviously more favored by the captain. According to what Luanying has learned, He Yan used to be arrogant and sometimes vain. Although this may be a disguise of this fox, the neighbors near the He family said that He Yan still has some little sisters, even though their relationship is not very good.

But why does he have such an expression?

Xiao Jue can see the emotions and contradictions deep in He Yan's heart, but he can't see the reason for all this. There always seems to be a thick fog shrouding He Yan, making many of her actions inexplicable. However, the more mysterious she is, the more people will be attracted to her. Otherwise... being alone in the thick fog will always make people care and feel particularly pitiful.

While thinking, the carriage stopped at the gate of Xiao Mansion. Fei Nu and Chi Wu got off the horse. Before Xiao Jue and He Yan got off the carriage, they heard an excited voice outside: "Grandma, eldest master, the second master is back——"

Immediately afterwards, there was a noise of commotion coming from the mansion, as if someone was coming. As soon as He Yan got off the carriage with Xiao Jue, the door of the Xiao family opened and several people walked out. The one walking in front was a young couple.

The man was wearing a round-necked brocade gown of azure blue, and he was indeed a refined man with a graceful figure. The woman beside him was beautiful, with charming eyes and eyebrows. Her snow-white skirt outlined her graceful figure, like a white pear tree, with beautiful branches and flowers. This was Xiao Jue's elder brother Xiao Jing and his wife Bai Rongwei. He Yan had heard of the couple's names before, but seeing them in person was better than hearing. The two of them standing together were really a delight to the eyes.

The Xiao family is really a place where beauties are born. One or two of them are so beautiful. He Yan thought to herself, if she took this step forward, she wondered if it would hinder the appearance of the Xiao family mansion.

"Huai Jin, you are finally back." Bai Rong said with a smile, "Your elder brother has been thinking about you for a month. He has been waiting for you in the mansion since he was dismissed from office today. He was afraid that you would not be able to return to Shuojing tonight. It just so happens that you made it back."

Xiao Jing also smiled, revealing a pair of small canine teeth, which made his gentlemanly gentleness even more adorable. "Glad you're back. Rong Wei prepared the meal herself, and it's still hot, waiting for you. Fei Nu and Chi Wu, have some too. You guys have worked hard taking care of Huai Jin along the way."

Fei Nu and Chi Wu both said they dared not.

Xiao Jue turned around and glanced at He Yan, who was standing three steps away from him, respectful and polite. He said, "Come here."

He Yan stepped forward as he was told.

Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei looked at each other in bewilderment. They had seen clearly just now that this young master got off the carriage with Xiao Jue. If he was a subordinate, he would probably be riding a horse like Fei Nu Chi Wu, and Xiao Jue himself was not a person who liked to interact with others, so riding in a carriage together was considered very close.

Xiao Jing asked: "Huai Jin, who is this young man..."

"My friend, He Yan." Xiao Jue said.

He Yan bowed and said, "Mr. Xiao, Madam." After saying that, she couldn't help but secretly glance at Xiao Jue. She thought Xiao Jue would say it was a subordinate, but she didn't expect him to directly throw out a friend. This time, Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei were a little surprised.

Bai Rongwei came back to his senses and smiled, "So he is Huai Jin's friend. This is rare. In all these years, except for Master Lin, Huai Jin has never brought friends to the mansion. Is Master He a new friend Huai Jin met in Liangzhou Guard?"

Before He Yan could answer, Xiao Jue said, "Sister-in-law, let's go inside and talk."

".…..Okay." Bai Rong smiled and looked at Xiao Jing with some confusion.

Xiao Jing gave her a look that also showed confusion.

Xiao Jue not only brought his friend back home, but also seemed to be very protective of this friend. The couple became curious about He Yan's identity. Could he be a royal relative who valued him so much? Is there such a person in the capital of Keshuo? And Xiao Jue was not the type to be nice to royal relatives.

not understand.

Several people came to the Xiao family's living room. He Yan and Xiao Jue went to wash their hands first. The living room was brightly lit by the lights, and the room was filled with the aroma of food. The long table was filled with various dishes. He Yan and Xiao Jue sat down at the table. Fei Nu and Chi Wu were also called by Bai Rongwei to move two stools and sit on the side.

He Yan's heart moved when he saw this. It was just as the rumors said, that Young Master Xiao was very kind to his servants. If this happened in the original He family, he would have been reprimanded by Madam He for not following the rules.

The food was all home-cooked, not luxurious, but very delicate and delicious. He Yan was inexplicably nervous, picked up the chopsticks, and followed Xiao Jue's movements, eating in small mouthfuls.

The Xiao family does not have the rule of "no talking while eating or sleeping". Even Xiao Jing, who looks gentle and decent, becomes a chatterbox at the dinner table, and keeps asking Xiao Jue how he has been doing outside in the past year.

"You didn't tell us about what happened in Jiyang before," Bai Rong said with a smile. "Later, when the news was passed back to Shuojing, we learned that the situation was critical. I know you are afraid that Rubi will worry, but don't worry about such things in the future. After Rubi learned about this, if I hadn't stopped him, I was really afraid that he would go to Liangzhou to find you by himself."

Xiao Jing coughed lightly, "I am also concerned about Huai Jin, but..." His eyes fell on He Yan, "I heard that when you were in Jiyang, one of your subordinates also made contributions with you and was commended by His Majesty. Could it be this young master?"

"That's me." He Yan replied shyly, "It's all thanks to the governor. I didn't actually do anything."

Xiao Jue said calmly: "It was Chu Zilan who lifted you up, not me."

He Yan: “….”

At this point, there is no need to explain it so clearly.

Xiao Jing seemed to have figured out something, and shook his head with a smile, "Mr. He, Huai Jin doesn't know how to talk, so don't be angry. But this is the first time he has brought a friend to your house, so it's clear that he really wants to make friends with you."

"I..." He Yan stammered and was about to speak.

"She's not here as a guest," Xiao Jue interrupted her, "She's going to stay here for a while."

Xiao Jing and Bai Rong were slightly stunned.

"To be honest with you two, I have already asked someone to look for a suitable house in Shuojing City, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to find a good one in a short period of time. The governor is kind and is willing to let me stay in his mansion for a few days. Once the house is settled, I will move out immediately." He Yan was a little embarrassed, "I will have to bother the eldest master and his wife for the next few days."

Bai Rong smiled and said gently, "Mr. He, you don't have to be polite. Since you are Huai Jin's friend, you are also our friend. It is indeed not easy to find a house in the city. Mr. He, just treat this place as your own home. You can stay as long as you want. Just be casual."

He Yan gratefully agreed. He thought that the Xiao family didn't know how to find a daughter-in-law. Among the young ladies of this wealthy family, Bai Rongwei's temperament was really the best. It seemed that only people with such temperament could be a perfect match with Xiao Jing. It was said that Bai Rongwei was a concubine's daughter in the family. When the marriage of Xiao Jing was decided, the whole Shuojing said that Bai Rongwei's status was not worthy of Xiao Jing. But He Yan thought that Xiao Jing did have good taste.

"Eat." Xiao Jue said, placing the folded milk skin in front of her.

He Yan quickly lowered his head to eat.

From his appearance, you wouldn't have guessed that Xiao Jing was a chatterbox. During the entire meal, Xiao Jing was the only one chattering non-stop. He asked this and that, even asking how many quilts Xiao Jue had covered himself with during the winter in Liangzhou. If Bai Rongwei hadn't pulled him back, he would have talked even longer.

Is this what it feels like to be a family? He Yan looked at them, a hint of envy welling up in his heart.

After dinner, Bai Rong stood up and said, "We have had servants clean Huai Jin's room every day. We have just sent someone to boil some hot water. After Huai Jin has finished cleaning, you can rest early tonight. You have been busy on the road, so you should rest up first. If there is anything, you can talk about it after you have had enough sleep tomorrow." He looked at He Yan again, "There are empty rooms and yards in the mansion. I asked the servants to clean them up when we were halfway through dinner. There is no one else in the yard except the two maids. Master He can live there at ease."

When He Yan heard this, he felt that Bai Rongwei was really considerate. Just as he was about to thank her, Xiao Jue said, "No need."

Everyone looked at him.

"There is an empty room in my yard, so she can live in my yard." Xiao Jue said.

"Cough cough cough——" Chiwu, who was walking behind, started coughing.

Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jue didn't think of anything else, they were just a little surprised, but soon, Xiao Jing smiled and said: "If that's the case, it's good. You live in the same yard, it will be convenient to discuss anything."

Chiwu's face showed despair.

Xiao Jue made the decision immediately, and He Yan had no reason to object. After Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing left, she followed Xiao Jue to his courtyard and asked quietly on the way, "Commander-in-chief, why should I live in the same courtyard with you?"

We are neither in Liangzhouwei nor in Jiyang now. There are so many rooms, and between men and women... we should be more careful about the limits.

Xiao Jue glanced at her and asked, "Do you really want your identity to be exposed?"

He Yan was stunned.

"There are no other servants in my yard."

He Yan understood and thought so. If he lived in another courtyard, he would be careless and exposed occasionally. If he was found by the servants of the Xiao family... it would not be a good thing. Living in Xiao Jue's courtyard, he enjoyed the quietness.

Xiao Jue's courtyard is in the middle of the house, spacious and bright. It is not as elegant and simple as Yang Mingzhi's mansion, nor as gorgeous and luxurious as Cui Yuezhi's mansion. It seems a bit empty and deserted because no one has lived here for a long time. Although it is cleaned up, once you walk in, you don't feel hot even though it is summer, but a little cool.

Passing through the flower wall is the main house. Next to the main house is a pomegranate tree, which has already produced very small fruits, which are swaying at the branches like lanterns half the size of a fist, which are very cute.

"Is this the yard where you live?" He Yan turned around and looked at him. "Captain, did you live here when you were a child?"

She stood under the tree, and there happened to be a fruit hanging above her head, like a bunch of gourds on her head. Xiao Jue was a little amused and replied, "No, I didn't live in the mansion when I was young. I lived here after I was a teenager."

Xiao Jue originally lived in the mountains. He Yan had also heard about this vaguely. It was said that Xiao Zhongwu invited famous scholars to teach him civil and martial arts in the mountains. If you think about it this way, Xiao Jue is more pitiful than her. Although she can't call her biological parents father and mother, after all, she lives in a mansion and can see them when she looks up. Xiao Jue is a child in the mountains, and Xiao Zhongwu can't go up the mountain to see him all the time. He is all alone, which is very pitiful.

He Yan wanted to cheer him up, so she turned around and pointed at the lowest pomegranate and asked, "Will this be edible after a few days? Have you ever eaten a pomegranate from this tree? Is it sweet?"

"Are you just thinking about eating?" Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows, "It's very sour."

"You must be lying to me." He Yan said in disbelief, "If it was sour, you should have cut down the tree long ago. Why did you keep it for so long?"

Xiao Jue sneered, "Not everyone plants trees for food."

"If I don't plant trees for food, what's the difference between that and planting grass?" He Yan looked up at a pomegranate at the top of the tree. This pomegranate should be the largest one growing on this tree. The red, plump skin was vaguely visible. He Yan reached out to pull it, but the branch was too high. She jumped to pick it, but still couldn't reach it.

The next moment, someone stood behind her, reached out, and pulled down the branch with the pomegranates and put it within her reach.

A distinct temperature came from behind, and along with it came heat. He Yan's whole body froze, and he turned around subconsciously, almost spraining his ankle. Xiao Jue grabbed his arm and pulled him up. He lowered his eyes and asked, "You can't even walk?"

He Yan coughed loudly twice, "I just didn't stand steadily."

"Aren't you going to pick them anymore?" Xiao Jue motioned for He Yan to look at the branch he had pulled down.

"No, I won't pick them." He Yan defended, "I don't want to pick them. They're not ripe yet. I'll pick them when they're fully ripe. They'll be sweeter."

She herself didn't know what nonsense she was talking about. She just felt tense up when she met those clear eyes. In order to cover up, He Yan immediately turned around and said loudly: "Which room do I live in? I want to go wash up first."

Xiao Jue pointed to a room, and He Yan rushed into it without stopping, as if there was a ghost chasing her. Then the whole yard heard a "bang" and her door was closed.

Xiao Jue: “…”

He stood there, his eyes fixed on He Yan's door. After a while, he looked at the pomegranate tree in front of him, and smiled with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Far away, Chi Wu and Fei Nu huddled at the gate of the courtyard, not knowing whether to go in or not. The only thing to be thankful for was that as long as Xiao Jue returned home, all the servants in the courtyard would rush out, so they would not have to witness this embarrassing and helpless scene.

Chiwu spoke with a trembling voice: "They...they..."

"Don't talk." Fei Nu interrupted him.

"How could he not speak!" Chi Wu lowered his voice, unable to hide the anger and grief on his face, "It was fine when he was in Jiyang and Liangzhouwei before, but now he has returned to Shuojing... He is so brazen... Is the He guy crazy?"

Fei Nu wanted to say something but stopped.

"I know that when he was in Jiyang, he was able to disguise himself as a woman, but after all, he was not a real woman. Now the eldest master and the young mistress don't know about this. What if they knew?"

Fei Nu tried to comfort his anxious companion, "You are overthinking this matter. It is not that serious."

"What do you know!" Chi Wu said, "Young Master has been asking us to investigate the matter of surnamed He every other day. It is obvious that surnamed He is not clean, otherwise he would not be in this situation. If he is an honest and innocent person, I would accept him..." At this point, Chi Wu's voice was choked with sobs, "If he approaches Young Master for other purposes, considering Young Master's current concern for him... I am afraid he cares more about him than the Hanlin scholar of the Xu family whose wife died!"

Fei Nu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What he said reminded him of another matter. He whispered, "Speaking of which, the young master has returned to the capital, and Luanying and the others should be back soon. When Luanying comes back, we will have things to do."

－－－－－－－A side note－－－－－－－

Chiwu: subway, old man, mobile phone. JPG