Everyone in Wei knows that Xiao Jue, the governor of the right army, is handsome and well-versed in both civil and military affairs. He can protect the well-being of the people with a sword, and he is a handsome man when he puts down the sword. God has favored him and given him a good appearance and good skills. Unfortunately, he is too cold and ruthless. As for falling in love with someone, just thinking about it makes me feel like I am dreaming. Not to mention his temperament, he has grown up like this and is so powerful. What kind of woman can he look down on in the world?

Don’t you see that Gaoling Fairy Shen Muxue has been following him for so many years but still hasn’t gained any benefit from him?

But now, he heard the word "dear one" from this person's mouth. He Yan was in a trance, and so were all the officials. Even the emperor on the high throne was stunned for a moment.

It turns out that the famous Second Master Xiao is so gentle when thinking of his sweetheart. It's like the moonlight has lost its coldness and lightness, leaving only clarity and brightness.

The autumn moon is like a mirror, reflecting people's thoughts clearly. Joy or shyness, secrets or sorrows, nothing can be hidden from people's eyes.

No one could remain unmoved by his gaze. He Yan could hear his own heartbeat, "thump," "thump," one after another. In the noisy banquet, it was clear and powerful, and he was powerless to resist.

The emperor's laughter broke the moment of shock. "Hahaha, good, it's rare for me to see this side of you, my dear Xiao! The Queen has done a good thing today, and I want to do a good thing today too. Since you two are in love, my dear Xiao, I can't think of any reward for this great victory in Jiyang. Why not reward you with a marriage? This Miss He will be your wife. Are you willing?"

Xiao Jue accepted the order and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

He Yan had no choice but to kneel down and accept the order.

Shen Muxue's lips turned pale and she almost fainted. The emperor had said that since the marriage was arranged, it would not be changed. Lin Shuanghe's heart was twisted and turned with the changes in the palace. She was almost scared to death. Here, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Although she was full of doubts, it was not the time to talk. She simply ignored everything and was happy for her friend. She excitedly said to her colleagues: "Did you hear it? The marriage is arranged! His Majesty has arranged the marriage. This is a good marriage. Look at them, how well-matched they are!"

Yan He had not yet recovered from the shock of hearing that Wu Anlang, who had spoken ill of He Rufei with him, was a woman, and yet he heard such great news. He was stunned for a moment and wondered if he was dreaming.

"Congratulations, Commander Xiao, congratulations, Commander Xiao, His Majesty's granting of marriage is a good thing!" Surprisingly, Xu Jingfu also spoke for Xiao Jue. He didn't seem surprised at all, but seemed to be happy to see it happen. He couldn't stop praising how perfect this marriage was. He Yan thought about it for a while and realized that Xu Jingfu and Xiao Jue were enemies. Given Xiao Jue's status, it would be best for him to marry a woman like her who was of no family and had no background. If it was a daughter of a high-ranking official, it would be a hundred harms and no benefits for Xu Jingfu.

Chu Zhao sat at the table with a smile on his face, looking no different from usual. However, if you looked closely, you could see his hands on his knees, the finger joints turning white from exertion, and his clothes were almost wrinkled.

The court officials watched a good show, some joked, some congratulated. The fifth prince was a little puzzled and asked Guangshuo, "Fourth brother, why did His Majesty give a man... a woman dressed as a man to General Feng Yun as his wife? She doesn't look as pretty as Sister Shen."

The fifth prince liked Xiao Jue very much. Xiao Jue's experience was like a legend in the hearts of young boys. Young boys yearn for heroes and admire the strong. The fifth prince Guangji heard from his biological mother, Lady Ni, that Sister Shen from the Yushi Mansion was the most suitable person for Governor Xiao. Guangji also thought that Shen Muxue was born like a fairy, but now the person who was given to be Mrs. Xiao Jue was a strange woman, dressed as a man. This was unacceptable to Guangji.

"Don't talk nonsense," Guang Shuo patted his head and looked at He Yan's back in the hall. "Since General Feng Yun is so protective of her, this Miss He must have some extraordinary qualities. Moreover, she was able to fight on the battlefield as a woman and was promoted to an official position. This is the first time since the founding of the Wei Dynasty."

"What extraordinary qualities?" The prince said with disdain, his tone a little vulgar, "Who knows what means he used. Xiao Huaijin is lucky to have Shen Muxue and now a female soldier who stays in the tent every day. I don't know what she is doing..."

Guangshuo frowned slightly, "Your Highness, be careful with your words."

The prince disagreed.

Emperor Wenxuan looked at He Yan again: "He Yan, although you are a woman, I know that you have your own reasons for joining the army as a woman. I am not an unkind person. Although you are guilty of deception, I will not pursue it considering your merits in the battle of Jiyang Rundu. Merits are merits, faults are faults. I will fine you one year's salary, but... the title of marquis will still be granted!"

"Is it so good?" Lin Shuanghe was smart. He slapped the table and shouted first, "Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. Long live Your Majesty!"

He Yan also kowtowed and shouted long live the emperor. For a moment, a large number of court officials knelt down and shouted long live the emperor.

Emperor Wenxuan was a wise ruler for once, and he thought he had accomplished a great deed. He was flattered by the praise and sat on the high throne with a smile on his face. Empress Zhang frowned calmly, and Noble Ni's inquiring eyes swept over He Yan again and again. Only Noble Concubine Lan sat quietly at the table and smiled, as if everything that happened today had nothing to do with her.

He Yan and Xiao Jue returned to their seats. Since she was now a "female relative", she could only sit at the female relative's table. She didn't know any of the female relatives here. Only Xia Chengxiu waved at her and whispered, "Miss He, come here."

He Yan sat down next to Xia Chengxiu, who smiled and said, "Congratulations, Miss He." She smiled and returned the greeting, feeling relieved. At least she had successfully taken the first step of appearing in the court of the Wei Dynasty under the name "He Yan". Although she didn't know why Xiao Jue was involved and how this happened, at least for now, there were no bad consequences.

Except for two people, of course.

He Yan's eyes passed over the table where the men and women sat facing each other. Her eyes accurately caught Xu Zhiheng, who was sitting in the corner and secretly peeking at her.

Xu Zhiheng was very uneasy, and this uneasiness reached its peak when He Yan's identity as a woman was revealed. He didn't know how this could happen. How could a dead person, a buried person, whose body might have already decayed into mud, reappear in front of him?

This woman, also called He Yan, didn't look like his late wife, but her every move and expression was exactly the same as the grandmother He in his memory. Especially when he peeked at her, she would also look at him across the crowd, with a meaningful look that made people feel nervous.

Who is she?

Xu Zhiheng did not believe in ghosts and gods. He was the most impatient of praying and burning incense in temples every year. When he was a student, his teacher always told him to be fearful of ghosts and gods, but he always believed that if there were really ghosts and gods in the world, there would not be so many helpless things. If he could not fight against them when he was alive, how could he become fierce after death?

But...but, He Yan wasn't killed by him!

Xu Zhiheng felt a chill in his heart.

He Yan was going to die. This was the ending that the He family had prepared for her. The one who gave the order was He Yuansheng, the one who did it was He Rufei, He Wanru was an accomplice, and he just didn't say anything. Even if the evil ghost wanted to come back for revenge, the first ones to take revenge should be the He family, right?

Why did you find him?

He mustered up the courage to look at He Yan again, but saw that the woman had turned her head away and was talking to Xia Chengxiu beside her, as if the eye contact just now was just his illusion.

Xu Zhiheng looked at He Rufei again. They were grasshoppers on a rope. If He Yan really turned into a ghost and came back, he would definitely not let He Rufei go. As if sensing Xu Zhiheng's gaze, He Rufei looked over, frowned, and shook her head at him very lightly, signaling him not to be too obvious.

In the court, their interactions were always subtle, so as to avoid being discovered by others.

Xu Zhiheng was extremely anxious, but the banquet had not yet ended and he was not allowed to leave without permission. He had to keep his head down and continue this long and nauseating "celebration banquet" in a very uncomfortable manner.

Emperor Wenxuan was very happy and drank a lot today.

He had been on the throne for many years, but he had no talent for politics. He was fine in the first few years after he ascended the throne, working hard day and night. Later, he felt that he really had no ability, so he just became lazy. Although he was not outstanding, he was not a tyrant either. With the court officials watching over him, nothing serious would happen.

Until Xu Jingfu's power grew, many ministers secretly told him to beware of Xu Xiang. Emperor Wenxuan was not unaware of the inappropriateness, but he had relied on Xu Jingfu for many years, so if Xu Jingfu was gone, he would not find anyone to replace him.

Moreover, Xu Jingfu's status was not low. If such a minister got into trouble, the court would inevitably be in turmoil. Although he had no political talent, he had witnessed the same thing when the previous emperor was alive.

But as long as they are human, they will have selfish desires. He turned a blind eye to Xu Jingfu's actions. Xu Jingfu's arbitrariness also affected the interests of many people. Gradually, Emperor Wenxuan knew that some people behind his back scolded him as a "tyrant" who could not distinguish between loyalty and treachery, but they didn't know that if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. Governing a country is different. Even as the emperor, there are times when he cannot help himself.

Xiao Zhongwu was defeated, the Wutuo people were ready to make a move, the crown prince was tyrannical and immoral... all kinds of messy things happened one after another, which was a headache. And tonight, he did something "right" that everyone praised, which was not easy. Emperor Wenxuan was happy from the bottom of his heart.

At a banquet tonight, the two youngest and most promising people in Shuojing City were arranged to marry at the same time. Originally, Chu Zhao and Xu Pingting's marriage was seen as the Chu family marrying up. But now that Xiao Huaijin's marriage has come out, Chu Zhao's marriage is not so surprising.

Everyone was whispering, wondering where this He Yan came from. Xiao Zhongwu's eldest son, Xiao Rubi, married a concubine's daughter without caring about the opinions of others, and the youngest son, Xiao Huaijin, was even more outrageous. He had never even heard of his name. Could it be that his family did not even have an official position?

Xiao Jue himself, on the other hand, remained very calm from beginning to end.

Lin Shuanghe sat next to him, and wanted to pull Xiao Jue aside to ask him what was going on. However, he could not ask in front of so many people, so he had to hold back. Yan He was also in the same situation, and was so frustrated that he was about to flip the table.

Everyone had their own thoughts at the celebration banquet, and when it was over, the protagonists all breathed a sigh of relief. He Yan stood up, and Xia Chengxiu was still a little worried, "Miss He, do you need me to accompany you?" She was now being stared at by countless eyes, and everyone was looking at her with a calculating look. Most ordinary women would not be able to resist.

"Nothing." He Yan smiled and thanked her for her kindness, "I can go out by myself."

Xia Chengxiu no longer insisted and was about to leave when he thought of something and turned around to look at Shen Muxue. He saw that Shen Muxue's face was pale and her lips were completely bloodless. She was like a stiff puppet, without a trace of life.

She paused, and finally said nothing, then got up and went to find Yan He.

The emperor and several empresses had already left. Yan He pulled Xia Chengxiu and rushed over here with great momentum. When he saw Lin Shuanghe but not Xiao Jue, he was furious: "Where is Xiao Huaijin? And where is Wu Anlang! They deceived me so badly, I must ask for an explanation!"

Xia Chengxiu pulled him, seemingly speechless, and reminded him: "Marquis Wu'an is a woman, you should be more careful with your words."

"Have you ever seen a woman chop off several heads with one knife?" Yan He shouted, "I don't care if they are women or not, are they playing a trick on me? I'm almost going crazy!"

Xia Chengxiu: "...Be careful, Dad is here, what if he hears it?"

Xia Chengxiu's father, Lord Xia, was looking over here. Yan He was startled and coughed softly. His voice became quieter, but he still looked angry. He clenched his fists and asked, "Where are they?"

Lin Shuanghe spread his hands and said, "Let's go."

"Gone?" Yan He widened his eyes in disbelief. "When?"

"After the emperor left, they left." Lin Shuanghe waved his fan, "They just got married, and they will be husband and wife in the future. Why are you, an outsider, interfering?" Lin Shuanghe glanced at Xia Chengxiu and said with a smile, "Are you still not giving up and thinking of moving Sister He into your tent?"

Since He Yan's identity had been exposed anyway, she might as well call her "Sister He" openly.

These words were so heartbreaking that Yan He's face turned blue with anger. "Don't talk nonsense!" He looked at Xia Chengxiu who was smiling but not saying anything, and emphasized in a low voice, "Wu Anlang and I are not familiar with each other at all!"

"Then you should go back earlier." Lin Shuanghe patted his shoulder and said, "On the day they get married, I will definitely invite you to the wedding. Don't worry, don't worry." After saying that, he walked away humming a tuneless little tune.

…

In a courtyard somewhere in the palace, weeds grew thickly. It was autumn, and the flowers and leaves had withered. There was no one here, and the place was sparsely populated, making it seem even more desolate and lonely. A bright moon fell on the eaves, casting a frost-white glow across the courtyard.

The person in front stopped, and the girl behind him stopped and asked in confusion, "Where is this place?"

"It's an abandoned palace," Xiao Jue said, "It's guarded by someone, no one can come in."

The palace was huge. This was He Yan's first time entering the palace, but Xiao Jue's was not. It was normal for him to know about the secret passages and dark places. Seeing that there was indeed no one around, He Yan felt a little relieved and looked at him and asked, "Commander-in-chief, what's going on? Why did the emperor say today that you had already told him my identity?"

Xiao Jue said calmly: "Didn't you give Zhao Shiming a letter?"

He Yan was surprised, "How do you know?"

He didn't answer, but He Yan figured it out. Xiao Jue had many talented people under his command. Let alone going to the palace, I'm afraid that before I even got there, I would have already fallen into Xiao Jue's hands.

"Why did you write the letter behind my back?" Xiao Jue asked.

He Yan smiled bitterly, "I feel like my identity won't be kept secret for long. Rather than having it exposed by others at some point, it's better to prepare in advance. Besides, if the crime of deceiving the emperor is committed, won't you also be implicated?"

Before she left Rundu, she asked the county magistrate of Rundu to deliver a letter to His Majesty. After the battle of Rundu, the city officials would record the whole story in a memorial and present it to the emperor. The letter in the memorial would expose He Yan's identity.

However, while clarifying her identity as a woman, the letter also bears the signature of Rundu Wanmin.

Although He Yan had never met Emperor Wenxuan, he had always heard from Lin Shuanghe that Emperor Wenxuan was a mediocre emperor and a soft-hearted emperor. At certain times, as long as Xu Jingfu was not fanning the flames, he actually had the rare sympathy and compassion for others in the imperial family. When the late emperor was alive, a minister made a mistake, and the people petitioned. The late emperor appreciated his past merits and pardoned the man's death sentence. Throughout his life, Emperor Wenxuan admired his father the most. In many things, he would deliberately imitate the late emperor's actions, so when Zhao Shijie's petition from the people was presented, Emperor Wenxuan would also hesitate.

Moreover, He Yan's contributions are beyond doubt. The Liangzhou Wei battle, the Jiyang battle, and the Rundu battle, each victory is worthy of praise. In comparison, dressing up as a man is not a big deal. Moreover, dressing up as a man was not her initiative. She was desperate and joined the army by accident.

Her merits outweigh her faults, she is a young genius, and she is also a woman. The petition of the people will be the last straw that breaks the emperor's back. If he wants to win the support of the people, Emperor Wenxuan will not order her execution. Otherwise, what will the new soldiers of Liangzhou Guard think, what will the people of Jiyang City think, and what will the women who were rescued in Rundu think?

He Yan thought he had considered everything and tried hard to convince Zhao Shijie, but he didn't expect Xiao Jue to interfere at this juncture.

"I blocked the letter," he said.

He Yan stared at him.

"Your idea is good, but it's not perfect. You may escape unscathed, but you may also die." And if there is even a slight possibility, he would not let He Yan take the risk.

"But didn't you, Commander, also expose my identity?" He Yan was puzzled. "How did you convince His Majesty?"

She didn't know that the memorial Xiao Jue submitted on her behalf had tied them together from the beginning. There was no such thing as Fan Cheng or having to do it. It was all because Xiao Jue brought He Yan into the barracks for his own selfish desires. If it was considered a crime of deceiving the emperor, they would be punished together. But now that the Wutuo people were eyeing them covetously, Emperor Wenxuan simply couldn't afford the consequences of not having Xiao Jue guarding the Great Wei territory, so Emperor Wenxuan would not punish him. Even if he did, Xiao Jue would take the responsibility.

Of course, he told the story in a somewhat sentimental way, and the memorial was as moving as a love story passed down from generation to generation, which easily touched the heart of the romantic and talented Emperor Wenxuan.

After that, he secretly let Xu Jingfu know about this matter. Speaking of Xiao Jue's marriage, the person who is most worried about it, apart from Xiao Jing and his wife, should be Xu Jingfu. Everyone in Shuojing knows that Shen Muxue is the most likely person to marry Xiao Jue. If the Shen family and the Xiao family become in-laws... everyone on Shen Yushi's side will stand on Xiao Jue's side, which makes Xu Jingfu very distressed.

Even if it wasn't Shen Muxue, Xu Jingfu would not be happy if any daughter of an official in the Shuojing officialdom could make Xiao Jue more powerful. At this time, He Yan suddenly appeared. Xu Jingfu sent people to investigate and found out that she was just the daughter of a city gate captain. He simply thought this was a godsend.

Therefore, not only would he not stand in the way, he would even do his best to promote the marriage between Xiao Jue and He Yan. For Xu Jingfu, Xiao Jue would marry He Yan, a woman who would not help him in his career at all.

So there was the scene at today's celebration banquet.

Xiao Jue only mentioned some important points. He Yan was silent for a long time after listening. She never expected that things would get to this point. The purpose of her writing that letter, in addition to getting rid of the possible death charge, was to avoid implicating Xiao Jue and distance herself from him. But she didn't expect that she would end up getting married.

Although at one point, when he said the word "dream lover", her heart was indeed moved and she wished time would stop at that moment.

But dreams must eventually end. She had things she had to do, and she couldn't let Xiao Jue sacrifice his precious life just because he was soft-hearted and wanted to protect her. His life should be like the bright moon in the sky, clean and bright, and never be mixed with the black and rotten mud of ditches.

It was enough to be illuminated, she didn't expect more.

"Commander," He Yan took a deep breath and looked up at him, "In fact, you don't have to ask His Majesty to arrange a marriage for me. It's too unfair for you to try your best to maintain a fake marriage."

"It's not fake." Xiao Jue interrupted her.

He Yan was stunned, "What did you say?"

"What was said in the palace is not false." The young man's voice was gentle, his eyelashes drooped, and there were faint ripples in his dark pupils, which were unspeakably gentle.

In the cold night of late autumn, the courtyard is deep, the Milky Way is quiet, the slanting moon climbs up the curtains, the good night is not as moving as someone's eyes.

He asked, "Do you like the moon?"

He Yan replied blankly: "...I like it."

The next moment, something warm and cool was stuffed into her hand. He Yan looked down and saw the black jade with snake pattern that she had stolen after drinking and was said to be the Xiao family heirloom. It was lying in her palm, and the giant python looked lifelike.

"Now the moon is yours."