The day before, Xiao Jue had verbally promised that she would take He Yan with her to the harem banquet. He Yan slept very soundly that night. The next morning, when she woke up, she did not see Xiao Jue as usual. Only Bai Guo was sitting in the yard, waiting for her to get up and eat like yesterday.

He Yan had been used to getting up early in her life, and suddenly she slept till noon, and felt embarrassed to let a little girl wait for her. She asked Bai Guo, "Bai Guo, did your second young master say where he was going?"

Bai Guo shook his head, "Master He, do you have something urgent to discuss with the Second Young Master?"

He Yan smiled and said, "I'm just asking casually." But she felt a little strange in her heart. After returning to Beijing, Xiao Jue seemed to be very busy. What was he busy with?

But she didn't think much about it because she had other things to do today.

He Yan said hello to Bai Guo, then changed her clothes and went out. She didn't call a carriage, put on a veil, and walked on the street by herself. She could walk to the Xu family's house with her eyes closed, and soon she stopped in front of the vermilion gate.

He Yan stood at the door, looking towards the mansion in front of him.

Looking in from the outside, the house looked even narrower, as narrow as if it couldn't contain people's ambitions, as narrow as a coffin that buried her.

He Yan thought that after so much time had passed, she had calmed down. But when she really stood here, her heart was hard to calm down. It was here that He Wanru pushed her into a pool of cold water and she never saw the sun the next day.

The boy at the door was sweeping the floor. Xu Zhiheng was a particular person and wanted the house to be clean at all times. He disliked flaws, just like he disliked scars on a woman's skin.

He Yan walked forward and said, "Brother, I want to ask you about someone."

The sweeping boy stopped, looked at He Yan, and asked, "Who are you..."

"I'm here to ask about someone," He Yan said in a low voice, "Does your family have a concubine named He Wanru?"

As soon as these words came out, the servant's face changed drastically, "You..."

The next moment, he felt something heavy in his hand. He looked down and saw that it was a piece of silver. The servant swallowed his saliva and subconsciously put the silver into his sleeve. He looked around to see if anyone was paying attention, and whispered, "Sir, go wait for me under the locust tree in the alley ahead. This is not the place to talk."

He Yan nodded, "I understand. Brother will definitely come. If you can find out about this person for me..." She smiled slightly, "Brother will definitely help me."

The servant was delighted, "Of course, of course!"

He Yan didn't say much to him. Just as the servant worried, this was not the right place to talk. Moreover, with the relationship between Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei, it was inevitable that there would be no one walking around outside without He Rufei. She lowered her veil and went to the agreed-upon locust tree in the alley, waiting at ease.

He Yan was not afraid that the servant would take the money and not acknowledge it. Although the Xu family was also an official family, they were not generous to their servants. It was probably because Xu Zhiheng was originally a Hanlin scholar, and he learned the literati's purity, so he was more willing to spend the money on decoration, such as the tiles of the house. And Mrs. Xu always liked to say: If you are too good to the servants, it will be bad if they have dissent. You have to know that a little kindness brings a lot of hatred, and the servants and masters should not get too close.

Because she had been in the military for many years, she did not have many views on the relationship between "servants" and "masters". She always felt that people were people, and status was just an accessory brought by reincarnation. How could she really rely on it? Therefore, when she first married into the Xu family and was not blind yet, she was very generous. At that time, the servants of the Xu family were also happy to be ordered around by her. It was also because of this incident that He Yan was secretly complained to Xu Zhiheng many times by He Wanru.

Like the master, like the servants. Xu Zhiheng was a man who could conspire with outsiders to murder his wife for the sake of profit, so the servants in his house would certainly be profit-seeking and opportunistic.

Sure enough, after two incense sticks of time, someone sneaked into the yard. It was the servant from before.

He Yan said, "Brother, there is a teahouse nearby, let's go in and talk."

The servant nodded.

He Yan arrived at the teahouse, ordered a pot of good tea, and a few plates of exquisite snacks, and was extremely generous. Seeing this, the servant in front of him couldn't help but wonder secretly, which family this young master came from to be so rich.

"What's your name, little brother?" He Yan pushed the teacup in front of him.

"Just call me Fuwang, sir."

He Yan did not take off her veil and spoke softly, "So Fuwang, is the aunt He Wanru that I just mentioned in your house now?"

Fuwang looked embarrassed, "Sir, to be honest, we do have a concubine named He in our house, but a year ago, because she stole Madam's property and sold it outside the house, the eldest master punished her. Later, she fell seriously ill and died."

He Yan: “So that’s how it is.”

She was not surprised, because a year ago, not long after her death, He Wanru was dealt with by Xu Zhiheng. In fact, she had already reminded He Wanru that since Xu Zhiheng could kill herself to keep the secret, he could also kill her.

"Young Master, are you looking for Madam He..." The servant looked at He Yan, but because his face was covered by a veil, he couldn't see clearly what he looked like. He just felt that he was very young.

"I was Aunt He's childhood playmate, but I wasn't in Shuojing before," He Yan sighed, "I haven't seen her for many years. I wanted to come and see her, but I didn't expect..."

Fuwang suddenly realized that what he was talking about was a childhood playmate. Perhaps he was interested in He Wanru, or was she his ex-lover? After all, although he had never met her, he had heard that Aunt He was very charming and charming, and she had once fascinated his young master so much that he even ignored his grandmother.

"A concubine who made a mistake would not be buried in the Xu family's tomb," He Yan said, "Where is she buried? If possible, I want to take her away."

"Sir, when Aunt He died of illness, she was wrapped in a mat and thrown into a mass grave." Fuwang said in a dilemma, "Now, I'm afraid her body can't be found."

He Yan sneered in her heart. Xu Zhiheng had been extremely affectionate to He Wanru in the past, and she had once yearned for and envied him. But now it seemed that this man was extremely cold-blooded and ruthless. To her, she could still say that he did not love her and that was why he was so cruel. But to He Wanru, the woman he had truly doted on, she was no more than that.

Seeing that the man in front of him remained silent, Fuwang thought to himself that he was really a romantic man who could not forget his wife even after getting married.

He Yan looked up and asked him, "What about Aunt He's personal maids? If they are still here, I want to take them away from here. I have missed a lot of things about Wan Ru over the years, maybe they can tell me."

"Sir, Madam He's personal maid left the house after she passed away." Fuwang said.

He Yan smiled slightly, "What about the other servants in the yard?"

Fuwang was stunned.

He had just entered the mansion at the beginning of this year. When he entered, the Xu family also hired a large number of servants. At that time, the children who were traveling with them were still surprised. Generally speaking, such a wealthy family had no shortage of servants and maids. If they suddenly hired so many people, it was either because they were getting married and needed help, or because something happened to the family and the original people were gone.

Master Xu did marry a new wife, but she was the cousin of General Feihong. When the eldest lady came into the house, she brought enough servants with her, and these servants did not serve in the eldest lady's yard.

So...something happened, so the original person is gone. So-called gone...actually dead?

Fuwang is not stupid, on the contrary, he is the smartest among the servants, but he can only guard the gate, so he often complains about his unfair fate. However, at this moment, I glimpsed the tip of the iceberg from the mouth of this strange man.

The more you know about secrets, the easier it is to die, but at the same time, it is also easier to change your fate. Fortunes are sought in danger. Without danger, how can you get rich?

He Yan saw the desire in the boy's eyes, so he said lightly, "Fuwang, I think you are quite smart. How does your master treat you?"

Fuwang was stunned for a moment, and then he said, "Master... I don't remember you."

"That's such a pity," He Yan smiled, "If I were you, I would definitely make good use of your talent."

Fuwang became a little excited.

Some things should be said briefly and no further words are needed. He Yan took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and put it on the table. "I also learned a lot of news today. Thank you very much. However... if you can help me find out more, such as Madam He's maids, or the servants who were still there at that time, you can get much more than this. Also," she instructed, "be careful when doing these things. So many servants have 'left the mansion'. The master of the Xu family seems to be very strict. If you are not careful, Fuwang, you will also 'leave the mansion', which will be a pity."

Fuwang looked at the young master in front of him, feeling both nervous and excited. He asked anxiously, "But where should I go to find you?"

The fish is hooked.

He Yan smiled slightly, "When I have free time, I will come here to sit. Fuwang, if you need to find me for something, you can come here. You never know when I will be here."

After saying this, she stood up and left the tea room, leaving the boy sitting alone at the table with an unpredictable expression.

As soon as he walked out the door, He Yan's smile faded.

Before going to deal with Fuwang, He Yan observed the servants coming in and out of the Xu family's door and found that most of them were unfamiliar faces. The group of people who had been there when she first married into the Xu family were almost all gone.

This is natural. Xu Zhiheng wants to root out the evil, so those servants cannot be left alive. He Yan actually didn't think that she could find any survivors. She was afraid that all the evidences had been destroyed by Xu Zhiheng. But she needed a servant like Fuwang to work for her in the Xu family.

Truth will come to light sooner or later. There will always be traces of what has been done. Even if there is no witness, there will be some physical evidence, such as some things left by He Wanru, which may become physical evidence one day in the future. If no one finds out, Fuwang can collect intelligence for her, but if someone finds out... Xu Zhiheng will be nervous. A nervous person will always make mistakes.

People who have a guilty conscience will suspect that their shadow is a ghost seeking revenge when they walk in the sun.

Fuwang is smart and ambitious, and that's enough.

Just like when He Rufei sent Ding Yi to harm him, Xu Zhiheng, as his bedside companion, watched coldly. He would return all the kindness they had shown him, without any change.

Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei's nightmare has just begun.

…

When He Yan returned to the Xiao family, it was almost evening.

As soon as I walked into the yard, I heard Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing talking. Xiao Jing said, "You don't have to do so much. Just make one for Huai Jin."

Bai Rong replied with a hint of annoyance, "How can you be like that? Besides, these sachets were embroidered by the maids. I just stuffed some herbs into them. It's not a big deal."

He Yan stopped and saluted them, "Mr. Xiao, Madam."

"Master He," Bai Rong said with a smile, "You came at the right time. I was just about to ask someone to send you a sachet." She took two sachets from the maid beside her and handed them to He Yan, "One is for you, and the other is for Huai Jin."

He Yan took them and looked at them. The sachets were very small. One was embroidered with a silver python on a black background with gorgeous patterns, and the other was just an ordinary auspicious cloud pattern. They should be for her.

"Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. I asked the maid to make some sachets with some incense and amulets. You and Huai Jin are often out and about, so it would be nice to carry them with you." She smiled, "Master He, please don't dislike them."

He Yan didn't expect that she would have another one, and was very surprised for a moment, "I won't dislike it. I am really grateful to the young lady."

"You are Huai Jin's friend, there is no need to be so polite." Xiao Jing said in a gentle voice.

He Yan nodded. She was always at a loss as to what to do with the Xiao couple's overflowing kindness.

"By the way, there will be a banquet at the mansion in three days," Bai Rongwei seemed a little embarrassed, "I have told Mr. He before that the banquet will be hosted in my name, and there will be many ladies and young ladies... Mr. He, do you have anything to do that day? If not, you can stay at the mansion."

He Yan: “…”

This is a wife selection for Xiao Jue, how come she was chosen? He Yan hurriedly said let's talk about it later, and fled.

Looking at He Yan's hurriedly leaving back, Bai Rong was slightly surprised and asked: "Why is Mr. He so scared when he hears the word girl? Although he is still young, it is not impossible to get engaged. Could it be that he has been with Huai Jin for too long and plans to be alone for the rest of his life?"

Xiao Jing smiled: "Huai Jin treats him very well."

"That's true." Bai Rong nodded slightly. After she married into the family, although she knew that Xiao Jue had a good heart, he was not someone who liked to show his emotions. But for this young Master He, she could be said to be very direct in protecting him.

"It's a good thing to have friends." Xiao Jing looked relieved, "At least, he can discuss many things with others."

…

Under the oil lamp, He Yan lay on the table, looking at the sachet wrapped around his fingers.

Bai Rongwei gave her two and asked her to give the other one to Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue's sachet was very beautifully made. He Yan tied the red string around his finger and sighed in his heart. Even the maids of the Xiao family were so good at sewing. It was really shameful.

Of course, He Yan didn't know how to embroider. So when she first married into the Xu family, He Wanru made shoes and clothes for Xu Zhiheng every few days. He Yan stayed up all night and finally managed to make a handkerchief. She wanted to embroider a duck playing in the water on the handkerchief, but Xu Zhiheng stared at it for a long time before asking, "Is this... a duck?"

He Yan was shocked, Xu Zhiheng laughed loudly, and although he accepted the handkerchief later, he never used it. He Yan understood, he was an official in the court, and if he took out a handkerchief with ducks embroidered on it, his colleagues would probably laugh at him. But later, when he found the wrinkled and yellowed handkerchief at the bottom of Xu Zhiheng's drawer, he still felt a little wronged when he thought about how his hands were full of needle holes.

She had always learned things that men should learn. She knew nothing about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework or embroidery. When she had to do things as a normal woman, she felt at a loss.

There was also a small wooden basket on the table, with some needles and thread and silver scissors in it, probably for the servants to use. He Yan picked up the silver scissors, which were very delicate. Her hands were used to holding long swords, double knives, sticks and long guns, so she felt that the pair of scissors was particularly heavy.

Actually, He Yan was not completely incapable of sewing. After all, during the years of serving in the army, he only had two sets of clothes, so it was inevitable that some of them would be torn. Whenever they were torn, the brothers would just find a piece of cloth or something to fill the holes. It was just that men's craftsmanship was not as meticulous as girls', so they could only sew them, and they really didn't look good. Sometimes a piece of clothing had too many patches, and it looked worse than a beggar on the street.

He Yan had also done some lamp repairing before, but that was a lifetime ago.

Two sachets were placed side by side in front of her, Xiao Jue's was more ornate, He Yan's was more ordinary, she stretched out her hand and squeezed it, it was flat inside, she could vaguely feel a triangular piece of paper and some fluffy herbs. He Yan thought for a moment and took out the needle and thread from the wooden basket.

The oil in the oil lamp was almost burned out. He Yan stretched and stood up.

Half a night passed, she wiped the blood from her fingers and sighed softly.

It seems that Miss He's needlework is not that good. In her past and present lives, she really has no talent for needlework. He Yan smiled, turned off the lights and went to bed. The moonlight outside the window was weak, dimly illuminating a corner of the front table.

On the table, two sachets lay side by side, looking no different from before.

…

In Shen Muxue's room in the Shen Mansion in the capital, the lantern was still on.

The servants in the yard had all gone to bed, but Shen Muxue was not sleepy at all. She lay flat on the couch, staring at the sachets hanging on the four corners of the tent.

It has been a few days since she returned to Shuojing, and Xiao Jue should have known about it. This time, she did not go to the Xiao Mansion for the first time, but Xiao Jue did not express anything either. However, the eldest young lady's wife Bai Rongwei sent someone to the mansion to ask her once.

Shen Muxue turned over in annoyance.

Even Shen Yushi noticed something was wrong and asked her if she had quarreled with Xiao Jue. Shen Muxue shook her head and perfunctorily answered, but she felt a little nervous for no reason.

She originally wanted to let Xiao Jue know that she was feeling uncomfortable. But after a few days of stalemate, she was the one who felt unsure. Xiao Jue might not know that he was a person who didn't care about these things, but if he knew... what if he did it on purpose?

There was a fire in Shen Muxue's heart.

When she left Liangzhou Guard, she found a dough figurine and a wooden carving in the box. She couldn't help but think about it. The dough figurine was a woman. Did Xiao Jue have someone he liked? If it was just this, she wouldn't be so panicked. But the person carved on the wooden painting was a female general.

And his eyebrows and eyes are very similar to He Yan.

In an instant, all the things that were doubtful in the past became evidences before her eyes. Xiao Jue was too close to and cared for He Yan, and He Yan sometimes showed a feeling that made her uncomfortable. When Xiao Jue was in Jiyang, he also brought He Yan with him. The black jade that he never left was once held in He Yan's hand. The ointment that Xiao Jue specifically emphasized not to take away appeared in He Yan's hand the next day.

If it was cutting off one's sleeves, it would be a bit too shocking, but...what if He Yan was a woman?

Shen Muxue closed her eyes.

When the young girl was dressed as a boy, she looked exceptionally heroic and bright, with delicate features and charming eyebrows. If she were dressed as a woman, Shen Muxue thought sourly, she would easily catch people's attention.

In the past years, although she had never gotten Xiao Jue, she did not feel too much of a crisis. This young man was exceptionally outstanding when he was young, and his temperament was lazy. Later, his family experienced a great change, and he became more indifferent and introverted. Although his temperament was like this, his talent and appearance made girls who liked him still rush to him one after another, but Xiao Jue had never favored anyone.

He was not easily moved, so Shen Muxue believed that she was the only woman in the world who could accompany him on the battlefield and support him. As long as time was long enough, everything would come naturally.

Her determination came from her self-esteem. But now, all her self-esteem has been broken.

There was a woman who could do more than her. Not only could she accompany Xiao Jue to the battlefield, but she could also fight alongside him. What she couldn't do, He Yan could do. As for the family background... Xiao Jing could marry Bai Rongwei, a concubine's daughter, and the Xiao family didn't care about it at all.

Shen Muxue's heart tightened.

She couldn't get Xiao Jue's favoritism, but she didn't want to see He Yan get there first. She was the one who came first, and she was the one who had been with Xiao Jue the longest...

In the dark night, Shen Muxue sat up suddenly.

She put on her coat, walked to the table, lit the oil lamp, found paper, pen and ink, and sat down at the table.

The bright light from the oil lamp made her eyes hurt a little, and her hands trembled slightly. After a while, Shen Muxue seemed to have made up her mind and picked up the pen to write.

After spending so much time and energy, no one would be willing to not get a happy ending. She would not accept such an ending. If Xiao Jue was destined not to stand on her side and think about her, then... she could only start from He Yan's side.

Shen Muxue wrote faster and faster, and suddenly, the tip of her pen misaligned and she wrote with too much force, tearing the paper. She stared blankly at the thin paper in front of her, raised her hand suddenly, crumpled the paper into a ball, and threw it to the ground.

After a while, she covered her face with her hands and cried softly.