The fact that He Yan was a woman and was arranged to marry Xiao Jue by His Majesty had caused more than just this shock. However, the Shen family in the capital was as quiet as death today.

Shen Muxue knelt on the ground, bowed her head and said nothing. Young Master Shen and Madam Shen stood on one side. Madam Shen looked worried and hesitated to speak. After a while, Young Master Shen finally spoke. He looked at Shen Yushi, who was standing in the hall with his hands behind his back and a cold face, and gently comforted him: "Sister was also confused for a moment. Father, please don't blame her too much."

"Just confused for a moment?" Shen Yushi turned around and looked at Shen Muxue. He didn't know whether it was distress or anger in his eyes. He said, "My Shen family is proud and upright. I didn't expect to raise a daughter who learned those shady methods. She was confused for a moment. If she is not careful, she will kill someone else!"

Shen Yushi was born very thin and handsome. Although he is older now, he can still vaguely see some of his youthful grace. The arrogance and coldness between his eyebrows are exactly the same as Shen Muxue. He is usually strict with his son, but very tolerant with his daughter. This is the first time he got angry with Shen Muxue. Even when Shen Muxue insisted on following Xiao Jue to the border, Shen Yushi was not as angry as he is today.

"You can't say that," Madam Shen felt sorry for her daughter, "That He Yan is a woman, and Mu Xue was just telling the truth. If she hadn't deceived Your Majesty first, how could her identity be exposed by others? She should be punished for making a mistake. You keep blaming Mu Xue, but Mu Xue is truly thinking about Your Majesty. You can't let a woman pretend to be a man and cheat, right?"

As soon as she said this, Shen Yushi looked at her coldly, and Mrs. Shen didn't dare to say anything. Shen Yushi said, "Ridiculous! You only saw her disguised as a man and joined the army to deceive the world, why didn't you see her leading the army to fight against the Wutuo people? The Battle of Jiyang River, the defense of Rundu City... Do you think the merits are easy to gain? If she hadn't saved the common people, how could His Majesty promote her to the Marquis of Wu'an so easily. Besides," he stared at his daughter, "I heard that when you were in Liangzhou, there were spies who infiltrated the guard station. You didn't know the details, and it was He Yan who sent you away. No matter what the result was, she always helped you. I taught you since you were a child to repay a drop of water with a spring. If you accept someone's kindness, even if others don't take it to heart, you should remember it in your heart. I didn't expect that you would remember it in this way."

Shen Muxue lowered her head and said nothing.

"I never thought," Shen Yushi said as if he was going to finish in one breath, "Not only did you become the villain who exposed her identity, but you also didn't dare to stand up openly and hide behind Wang Rong. Do you know that by doing so, you are also harming Wang Rong!"

Shen Muxue trembled slightly.

At the palace banquet, the stranger who revealed He Yan's identity as a woman was Wang Rong, who was also her childhood sweetheart. The two of them had known each other for a long time. Wang Rong's father was good friends with Shen Yushi. Shen Muxue knew that Wang Rong liked her, but her heart was all on Xiao Jue.

It's not that she didn't think about exposing it herself, but in the end, she couldn't do it. She was afraid that He Yan would die because of this. She didn't want to kill He Yan, she just wanted He Yan to stay away from Xiao Jue. She was even more afraid of facing Xiao Jue's disappointed and indifferent eyes. When Wang Rong came to the Shen family, he saw Shen Muxue's worries and asked her. Shen Muxue couldn't help but tell her all her confusion and troubles. After listening, Wang Rong turned around and left without saying a word, saying, "You wait."

What are you waiting for? He didn't say.

"I didn't expect him to do this." Shen Muxue defended herself weakly.

Her father, Shen Yushi, stared at her with sharp eyes and a voice that was like a knife that could cut her open. "Did you really not expect this?"

Shen Muxue was speechless.

Did she really not think of it?

Wang Rong had liked her for many years and was willing to do anything for her. He was impulsive and did not care about the consequences. When she told Wang Rong about this, didn't she guess Wang Rong's reaction?

She just didn't want to admit that she was such a despicable and mean person.

When Master Shen saw Shen Muxue staggering, he finally softened his heart and said, "Even so, I already know I was wrong. Father also knows that I have been thinking about Xiao Huaijin for many years. How can I feel good when another woman suddenly appears? I have never liked to tell others about my grievances. It is also my fault that I, as a brother, was not thoughtful enough to discover it until now. If father wants to punish, punish me as well."

"It's none of my business, brother. I made the mistake myself. Everyone has their own share of responsibility." Shen Muxue knelt straight.

"You have liked Xiao Huaijin for so many years, but has he responded to you at all?" Shen Yushi suddenly said.

Shen Muxue looked at him.

"Love never changes from emotions." Shen Yushi said quietly, "You want to go out, leave Shuo Jing, and stay with him. Although I don't support it, I don't object to it either. I know Xiao Huaijin won't fall in love with you, but I always think that as long as you leave the house, walk more roads, meet more people, your mind will naturally be broader, and gradually, you will let him go. Unexpectedly," he sighed, "it pushed you deeper and deeper."

Shen Muxue pursed her lips and said nothing.

Even her own father could see that Xiao Jue would not fall in love with her? She had never felt that she had failed so badly.

These words were too harsh. Madam Shen could not help but get angry and said, "How can there be a father like you in the world! Xiao Huaijin doesn't like Muxue because he has no taste. I don't like him either! A woman went to the army for no reason. I don't understand how to save the people. I only know that all the rules are messed up. Xiao Huaijin would rather marry such a woman than be laughed at by the world!"

Young Master Shen hesitated to speak. This time, Shen Yushi ignored his wife's rebuttal and just looked at Shen Muxue and said, "You have been to as many places as He Yan, and you have met as many people as He Yan, but your vision and ideals are far inferior to hers. It's not that your father doesn't believe in you, but after tonight, the difference between the two of you will be clear."

"You're not as good as her."

Tears welled up in Shen Muxue's eyes. She had always been strong and didn't want to cry in front of others, but at this moment, she could no longer suppress her grievance and shame, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Shen Yushi stopped looking at her and said calmly, "From today on, you are not allowed to go anywhere. We in the Shen family do not use force. If you make a mistake, you will be confined to your home for a year."

"Master!"

Shen Yushi ignored his wife's plea, flicked his sleeves and walked out of the hall. The night wind outside the yard was extremely cold, and it hurt like a knife when it blew on people's faces.

Young Master Shen caught up and walked to Shen Yushi's side, "Dad, is a year too long?"

Shen Yushi looked at the green brick on the ground and smiled bitterly, "Xiao Huaijin is a person who protects his shortcomings. Do you think he can't find out about Muxue?"

"Can……"

"Because of his father's relationship, he won't do anything to Mu Xue. However, the friendship between our family and the Xiao family has come to an end over the years."

…

Of course, these few people were not the only ones who were shocked by this. In the Cheng family, the relatives who learned about Xiao Jue's marriage were all shocked and suspicious. For no reason, His Majesty actually granted a marriage. They were busy being surprised by the marriage, and did not take He Yan seriously. They only knew that He Yan's family probably did not hold an official position, and his status was not comparable to Bai Rongwei's.

As for Cheng Lisu, it was obvious that what surprised her more than the news that Xiao Jue was arranged to marry was that He Yan was a woman.

"My elder brother...how could he be a woman?" The young boy paced back and forth in the room, tugging at the corner of his clothes unconsciously, "How is this possible!"

After he returned to Shuojing City, he was caught by the Cheng family and thrown into the school to study. In the school, he could only go home one day a month, and on the day he went home, he was still locked at home to practice calligraphy and could not go anywhere. Therefore, when Xiao Jue and his friends returned to Beijing, Cheng Lisu was unable to visit the Xiao family.

When he finally returned home from school this month, he not only learned that Xiao Jue and He Yan had returned, but also received a piece of good news: both of them had been arranged to marry by His Majesty.

"My elder brother..." He grabbed a servant and said, "He can kill a tiger with one punch, how can he be a woman?"

Oh my God, is he crazy or is the whole world crazy?

"No, I have to go find my uncle!" Thinking of this, he opened the door and walked out, intending to go out and find Xiao Jue to ask for clarification.

"No, young master. The mistress said that you cannot leave the house... Someone come, the young master is going out!" The servant behind him hurriedly followed.

…

"Wuwuwuwu, they are all liars——"

In the Song family, Song Taotao was crying loudly.

"How could my brother He be a woman? You must be lying!" The little girl's eyes were swollen from crying. Mrs. Song and Old Man Song stood outside the door, looking at each other, both with helpless expressions.

After Song Taotao came back from Shuojing, she changed her usual behavior and became much more obedient. She practiced the arts of calligraphy and painting at home every day. Mrs. Song suspected that she had someone she liked, and she often worried about what she would do if she really had someone she liked. They knew Song Taotao's temperament well. She didn't know what it felt like to be in love before, and Cheng Lisu was a lively young man. The couple thought that they would naturally develop feelings for each other as they got along. But if she had someone else in her heart, I'm afraid the marriage would turn into a feud.

Mrs. Song had asked Song Taotao indirectly who the person in her heart was. She was fooled by Song Taotao every time. The little girl was very smart and knew that He Yan's status was not high now. Even if she told her parents, they would definitely not agree. It would be better to wait a little longer. The young man was so capable that it would be a long time before he was appointed as a high official. Before that, there was no need to tell others, as long as she caught him.

Until tonight, when the news of Xiao Jue's arranged marriage came, Song Taotao went on a hunger strike at home in protest, crying and making a fuss, and was so sad that she wanted to hang herself. Only then did Mrs. Song and Old Man Song realize that their daughter's sweetheart was Xiao Jue's fiancée.

The couple was really at a loss for words.

"Taotao, stop crying. You are a woman and it is useless for you to cry. Hurry up and wipe your tears. Your eyes are swollen like walnuts..."

"That's right. Anyway, Young Master Cheng's uncle is Governor Xiao. If you like Miss He, and you marry Young Master Cheng in the future and visit the Xiao family often, won't you be able to see Miss He often?"

It would have been better if she hadn't heard it. Once she heard it, Song Taotao became even more sad. "Who wants to visit the Xiao family? She deceived my feelings. I don't want to see her again. Wuwuwuwuwuwu..."

…

There is chaos and war here, and there is laughter and tears over there. Some people are like dogs that have lost their homes, feeling very anxious. When they return to the mansion, everyone they see is a shadow.

Xu Zhiheng couldn't sleep.

After returning home, he told He Xinying that he had a lot of official documents to deal with today, so he slept in the study. He asked He Xinying to go to bed early, and then he locked himself in the study.

In the middle of the night, He Xinying woke up and felt like going to the bathroom. Thinking of Xu Zhiheng, she found a thicker mattress from the closet. The weather was getting colder, and Xu Zhiheng slept in the study, which was not as warm as the bedroom. If he caught a cold, it would be a bit troublesome at this time of year. She carried the mattress to the study, but found that the light was on, but no one was there.

He Xinying sat on the chair in the study for a while, thinking that Xu Zhiheng might come back soon. But after a quarter of an hour, there was still no movement. She was stunned for a moment, feeling worried and suspicious. Even if he was going to the toilet, it took too long. Could something have happened? Last year, a man in the capital went to the toilet in the middle of the night. The ground was frosted and it was dark so he couldn't see clearly. He slipped when he stepped on it. When the servants found him the next day, he was gone.

She was worried that Xu Zhiheng had fallen somewhere, and she didn't dare to disturb others, so she put the mattress in the study and took the lantern to look for him everywhere. She didn't find her parents-in-law's yard, but just walked around her own yard, but didn't find Xu Zhiheng.

It’s so late, could he have gone out?

He Xinying thought about it, and for some reason, she turned her gaze to the yard closest to theirs - He Yan's yard.

This courtyard was where her sister, the short-lived Grandma Xu, had lived before. After He Yan died, the courtyard was sealed off and the servants in the courtyard were also dismissed. However, He Xinying had heard a rumor that there were not many servants serving He Yan, and sometimes those servants had to be assigned to serve another concubine of the Xu family.

He Xinying was skeptical about this rumor. After all, she was the daughter of their He family. No matter how brave the Xu family was, they would not dare to neglect her like this. Moreover, He Xinying did not see the concubine after she entered the house. When asked about it, she just said that she made a mistake and was driven out.

He Xinying knew very well that the Xu family might have done this because they were afraid that the new bride would feel uncomfortable. But since they valued her so much, they would not treat He Yan badly either. After a long time, He Xinying forgot about it and thought it was just a rumor that should not be taken seriously.

However, sometimes there were some strange things about He Yan. For example, this yard, the Xu family said that Xu Zhiheng missed his wife, so he kept this yard, and did not sweep it out to let others live in it, but just left it empty. But He Xinying had never seen Xu Zhiheng go to this yard.

If someone misses his deceased wife, wouldn’t he often go to the places where he had passed away and pick up old things to reminisce about them?

But maybe Xu Zhiheng was afraid of being reminded of his father by the sight of the things, so he deliberately didn't go. He Xinying found a reason for Xu Zhiheng.

She used to be a little jealous of He Yan, but now she doesn't have any jealousy at all. There is no point in arguing with a dead person, especially since no matter how He Xinying convinces herself, she doesn't feel threatened by He Yan.

In other words, she did not feel Xu Zhiheng's deep love for He Yan.

The lantern emitted a dim light, and the wind outside blew away all her sleepiness. She looked at the dark, empty yard, thought for a while, and involuntarily moved her feet and went towards that place.

She had only been to this courtyard once, not long after she married into the Xu family. But she had only been to the courtyard. When He Xinying wanted to enter that room, a maid appeared and said softly, "Grandma, the young master does not allow others to enter this courtyard."

He Xinying was a new bride at that time, and she didn't want to argue with Xu Zhiheng about this matter, so she withdrew. After a long time, she didn't think about going again. Tonight, I don't know why, but I inexplicably want to go and take a look. He Yan had been recuperating in the manor before, and she got married quickly after returning to the He family. Speaking of it, she didn't spend much time with this biological sister, so now, she can hardly remember what He Yan looks like.

But maybe, she could still see the place where He Yan lived and see some traces of where her blood relative once lived.

Before I knew it, I had walked into the yard. The yard was as cold as ever, no matter whether it was summer or autumn, it was always as cold as winter. The maid swept the floor clean, but it could not get rid of the old and decayed atmosphere.

He Xinying walked slowly to the door and was about to push it open when suddenly, she paused and heard a sound in the room.

She was nervous at first, fearing that there was a thief in the yard, but when she heard some noise, she felt that the thief would not be so bold, so she took the lantern, walked stealthily to the bedside, and looked inside through the gap in the window paper.

The oil lamp in the room was lit, and she saw Xu Zhiheng.

A Xu Zhiheng who is completely different from his usual self.

Xu Zhiheng was still wearing the clothes he wore when he entered the palace today. He was a very particular person. He would bathe and change clothes after returning home on weekdays, but not today. He sat in front of the big table in the room, frantically pulling open the wooden bench again and again, searching for something inside.

His movements were rough, no longer as gentle and gentle as before. From the angle of the window, he looked like a complete madman.

He Xinying's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a chill all over her body. Looking at her strange husband, she was actually filled with fear.

In a panic, he accidentally stepped on a stone. With a "bang", the stone slipped and fell down the steps of the yard, making a loud noise.

"Who!" At the same time, Xu Zhiheng in the room raised his head.

He opened the door with a swish, rushed out and yelled, "Who's there?"

He Xinying was frightened.

For a moment, she suddenly wanted to run away, thinking that Xu Zhiheng would turn into a demon and come after her to kill her. She forced a smile, stood up and said, "It's me."

Xu Zhiheng narrowed his eyes and looked at the person in front of him. After a while, the gloom and tension in his eyes gradually faded away, replaced by a smile. However, this smile was stiff and perfunctory no matter how you looked at it. His tone was also slightly anxious. "Xinying, why are you here?"

"I was afraid that my husband would feel cold at night, so I took a mattress and went to the study to look for you, but I couldn't find you. I was worried that my husband might have fallen in the dark night, so I carried a lantern and looked for you everywhere." She saw that Xu Zhiheng looked a little nervous, and she smiled and said, "I just came here to try my luck, but I didn't expect my husband to be really here. He must be missing his sister."

Xu Zhiheng was stunned for a moment, then agreed: "...Yes."

He Xinying sighed and said sadly: "It's good that my husband is loyal, but... sometimes you have to think about your body."

Xu Zhiheng closed the door, blocking He Xinying's gaze, and took He Xinying's hand and walked out, "Forget it, it's cold outside, don't catch a cold with me, go back."

His hands were so cold that they seemed to have no life at all.

He Xinying replied obediently, "My husband, didn't I tell you before that I wanted to go to the mountain to worship the Bodhisattva during the Mid-Autumn Festival? My mother is finally free these days, so I want to go to the mountain the day after tomorrow and pray for my sister in heaven, okay?"

Xu Zhiheng's expression froze for a moment, "...Okay."

"Husband, do you want to go with us?" He Xinying asked.

"I won't go," Xu Zhiheng replied, "I'm very busy these days and may not be able to accompany you up the mountain."

He Xinying was not angry when she heard this, she just smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, then I will count my husband's share and pray to the Bodhisattva. My husband is busy with family and national affairs, the Bodhisattva will not blame you."

She was very well-behaved and considerate, and she was good at saying nice things. She was a woman who was a little smart, but also very stupid. This was exactly what Xu Zhiheng liked about her. Compared to He Yan, it was much easier for her to act in front of He Xinying.

His heart gradually relaxed. The fear caused by the familiar name he heard at the celebration party tonight was also dissipated a lot because of the two of them being together.

He Yan is already dead, and the dead won't come back. So the living are just playing tricks.

Together with He Rufei, he will get to the bottom of this mysterious person.

The lantern emitted a dim light in the night. He did not see the woman beside him hiding her obedient voice and murky expression.

He Xinying felt that she had never really known this husband. The Xu Zhiheng she saw through the crack of the window just now was crazy, stubborn, anxious and cruel, which made her feel vaguely that Xu Zhiheng at that time was the real Xu Zhiheng. She couldn't help but doubt, so now this elegant, considerate, seemingly flawless and almost perfect man, is he the real Xu Zhiheng?

Has her sister He Yan ever seen this side of Xu Zhiheng? He Yan is so weak and has always been in poor health. If Xu Zhiheng accidentally revealed this side of him in front of He Yan, would her sister be frightened and lose her soul?

But He Yan was already dead, and she couldn't ask a dead person.

He Xinying suddenly realized that this seemingly gentle and bright Xu family seemed to have many secrets that she didn't know.

A terrible thought came to her mind.

Did He Yan really drown by accident?