Chapter 134: Searching for Someone
After Xiao Jue finished playing the qin and accepted everyone's praise, he returned to his seat. From then on, He Yan no longer had much appetite for feasting. Who knew if someone else might come over wanting to see her other talents? What if they asked her to write calligraphy or compose poetry? She couldn’t just brush it off again with another "I have an agreement with my husband."
She sat nervously until the banquet ended, and fortunately, no other mishaps occurred. After the wine and food were finished, the crowd dispersed. He Yan followed Xiao Jue as they walked out, and it was only then that she could finally speak privately with Cui Yuezhi.
Cui Yuezhi’s eldest concubine walked beside He Yan, slightly behind Cui Yuezhi and Xiao Jue. This concubine was older than He Yan, appearing gentle and honest, and her surname was Wei. Aunt Wei remarked, "The young master treats the young madam so well."
He Yan was taken aback for a moment, about to ask, "What makes you say that?" But on second thought, she smiled and replied, "Yes, my husband dotes on me greatly. He’s always indulgent and supportive of me in everything. I truly feel I must have cultivated good fortune in my past life to have found such an ideal husband in this one."
Aunt Wei chuckled softly and said, "They say the women of Jiyang are straightforward, but I think the young madam speaks her mind even more."
He Yan secretly laughed to herself. By giving Xiao Jue the reputation of being "excessively doting on his wife," she could use this "reputation" to act recklessly during their stay in Jiyang. Xiao Jue probably never expected he’d be digging his own grave!
As they spoke, the two entered the main hall of the residence. Another of Cui Yuezhi’s concubines—it was unclear which one—had already prepared hot tea, waiting for them to enter.
Cui Yuezhi sat down in a chair and waved his hand. "All of you, leave."
Several concubines and servants withdrew.
He smiled again and said, "Huanqing, Yuyan, take a seat."
Although Cui Yuezhi was a mid-ranking cavalry officer, he carried no airs and seemed no different from the rough soldiers in the army. He appeared honest and amiable but had a pair of sharp, bright eyes, like a heavy, blunt-looking longsword that, when unsheathed, could strike fear into others.
Xiao Jue and He Yan sat in the chairs beside him.
"Yesterday, I was supposed to return to welcome you, but the Princess kept me for a banquet, so I couldn’t make it back in time. Only today did we finally meet." He studied Xiao Jue carefully for a moment and sighed. "At the banquet earlier, I only thought you were handsome. But now, looking closely, you do bear some resemblance to my late elder brother."
He Yan: "..."
"And you also share some likeness with me," Cui Yuezhi added. "Truly a member of the Cui family."
He Yan: "..."
Xiao Jue nodded.
"When you were just born, I even held you. Back then, you were only about the size of my two fists? Maybe just one fist." At this point, Cui Yuezhi’s expression darkened. "My elder brother was reluctant to let me touch you. Later, you were taken away..." His eyes grew somber. "Before my elder brother and sister-in-law passed away, they often thought of you. If they could see how outstanding you’ve grown today, they would surely be overjoyed."
Xiao Jue remained silent.
Cui Yuezhi laughed at himself. "Look at me, why bring up such unhappy matters? It spoils the mood! Huanqing, Yuyan, you’ve come at the perfect time. In a few days, it will be the Spring Equinox, and our Jiyang’s Water God Festival is a must-see. I guarantee you won’t want to leave once you’ve experienced it."
He Yan was surprised. "The Spring Equinox?""What's wrong?" Cui Yuezhi asked. "Is there something improper?"
"N-no, nothing." He Yan smiled. "It's just that my birthday is also a few days after the Spring Equinox... What a coincidence."
"Really?" Cui Yuezhi was also surprised for a moment, then laughed heartily. "It seems Jade Swallow has quite a fate with our Jiyang! Her birthday coinciding with the Water God Festival—Huanqing, you must celebrate properly for our Jade Swallow then."
Xiao Jue glanced at her and said, "Alright."
They chatted a while longer before Cui Yuezhi stood up. "Huanqing, Jade Swallow, come with me to the ancestral hall to offer incense to your elder brother and sister-in-law. It's been many years since you last saw them. If they are watching from heaven, knowing Huanqing is now married and established, they would surely be very pleased."
He Yan and Xiao Jue followed him to the ancestral hall. After offering incense with Cui Yuezhi, it was already quite late. Cui Yuezhi had the servants take them back to their room to rest early, planning to tour Jiyang City the next day.
Once the two returned to their room, He Yan eagerly sat down on the couch first, saying, "I'm exhausted! Sitting properly all day—pretending to be a woman is no easy task. Even daily training on the Martial Arts Field is much easier than this."
"'Pretending' to be a woman?" Xiao Jue chuckled lightly. "It seems you really don't think of yourself as female."
He Yan was also helpless, thinking to herself that the couple Xiao Jue had found were particularly refined. If she were playing the role of "a military family's daughter" or "a dockworker girl who helps move stones and carry firewood," it would have been seamless.
Xiao Jue took off his outer robe and placed it on the wooden table beside the soft couch. He Yan sat up. "Thank you so much today. If you hadn't stepped in, it would have been a disaster."
"Am I not the doting husband who indulges you in everything and always thinks of you?" Second Young Master Xiao's voice carried a sarcastic tease. "It's only natural."
He Yan asked, "You heard that?"
Even though it was all an act, being overheard by Xiao Jue still felt rather embarrassing. She laughed. "I was just making our married relationship appear more loving and realistic. Please don't be angry, Young Master."
Just as she spoke, someone knocked on the door outside. He Yan called, "Come in."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao entered, each carrying a food basket. They took out the dishes one by one and arranged them on the table. He Yan was taken aback and asked, "I didn't ask for food to be brought in."
"I ordered it," Xiao Jue said. "Leave it here and go out."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao obediently withdrew from the inner room.
He Yan asked curiously, "Didn't you eat enough? At the banquet earlier."
Xiao Jue gave a slight, cold smile. "I wonder who was so restless and jumpy because of Ling Xiu that they couldn't even eat." He added, "How impressive."
He Yan mumbled, "You noticed."
Xiao Jue replied, "Anyone would have noticed."
"Was it that obvious?" He Yan was doubtful, but seeing the food on the table, she immediately cheered up. "So this was specially for me? Thank you, Young Master! Young Master, you're so kind-hearted. There's no one better in the world than you."
"Stop talking," Xiao Jue frowned slightly. "It's nauseating to listen to."
He Yan was already used to his way of speaking and pulled him to sit together at the table. "Let's treat it as a late-night snack. You should eat too."
"I'm not eating.""Eat, eat," He Yan tugged at his sleeve to keep him from leaving, handing him a pair of chopsticks. "Look, there are two pairs of chopsticks here, clearly prepared for two people. I can't finish it all by myself. Do me a favor, Young Master."
Xiao Jue seemed to find this amusing and replied coolly, "Miss He may have underestimated her own hearty appetite."
"Though I have a hearty appetite, I'm not a glutton," He Yan said. "Besides, haven't you heard the saying 'beauty is a feast for the eyes'? I could normally eat three bowls of rice, but seeing Young Master's handsome appearance and graceful demeanor, I could eat five."
Xiao Jue was momentarily speechless. "Are you a pig?"
"Don't be so harsh," He Yan said, pushing a plate of shrimp roe with winter bamboo shoots and three-shredded cucumber rolls toward him. "Don't you like this? Go ahead."
Xiao Jue was taken aback. After a moment, he looked up at her. "How did you know?"
He Yan stuffed a piece of thousand-layer steamed cake into her mouth. "I saw you take two servings at breakfast and another at the midday banquet. You never touch things you don't like, so I figured you must enjoy this. But it's strange—why do you prefer vegetarian dishes? Is this how wealthy families are so particular?" No wonder his waist is so slender, she thought to herself.
Xiao Jue didn’t answer her question, simply lowering his head to eat slowly.
He Yan paid him no mind. In her youth, she had to act like a man, and fearing exposure, she became particularly fond of observing details, as details determine success or failure. She had carefully watched every man in the He family, to the point where some thought she had a mental issue. Later, when she joined the army, it improved somewhat, as she had already spent years acting as a man and had gained experience.
If she truly observed someone, she could do so meticulously. Besides, Xiao Jue was now with her day and night, making it all too easy to figure out what he liked or disliked.
"Is your birthday really after the Spring Equinox?" He Yan was happily eating when Xiao Jue unexpectedly asked.
She paused briefly but showed no sign of it on her face, replying carelessly, "How could that be? I just said it offhand. What if Minister Cui wanted to give me a birthday gift? Wouldn’t that be a chance to make a tidy profit?"
Xiao Jue snorted. "Liar."
"How am I a liar?" He Yan pressed her luck, boldly retorting. "I think Young Master was the one putting on a flawless act at the banquet today, fooling everyone. 'My wife and I have an agreement'... Hahaha, Young Master, honestly, I never expected to hear such words from you."
Xiao Jue watched He Yan mock him with composure, waiting until she had laughed her fill before asking, "Is it that funny?"
"It really is."
He nodded. "Then you can handle it yourself from now on, Lady Qiao."
He Yan stopped laughing.
She said, "Young Master, I was just speaking thoughtlessly. Please don’t take it to heart."
Xiao Jue ignored her, leisurely sipping his soup.
"Petty," she said. "Truly impressively petty."
Xiao Jue remained unmoved.
He Yan’s eyes sparkled as she softened her voice. "Husband, your wife was wrong. Please forgive your wife’s rudeness. Your wife will never dare again. Husband, husband?"
Xiao Jue couldn’t take it anymore. "...Shut up!"
He said, "Speak properly."
He Yan understood—the cold and ruthless Commander Xiao was someone who responded better to softness than force. She burst into laughter.The laughter carried over to the next room, where Fei Nu and Chi Wu, who were playing leaf cards with Lin Shuanghe, simultaneously looked up.
Chi Wu sighed, "To go to such lengths for the act—the Governor is truly pushing himself. And that He Yan, she practically sees herself as a woman now. If they’re both like this, what excuse do we have not to work harder?"
Fei Nu had no words to respond. Hearing this, Lin Shuanghe suppressed a laugh and said, "Mm... indeed, very diligent."
...
That night, it was still one person on the bed and the other on the side couch.
Early the next morning, He Yan woke up a little later than usual. When she opened her eyes, she saw Xiao Jue standing at the door, talking to Fei Nu and Chi Wu.
After washing up, Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao brought breakfast from the kitchen. He Yan then said to Xiao Jue, "Young Master, it’s time to eat."
"Eat by yourself," Xiao Jue replied. "I have matters to attend to outside today and won’t be in the residence. Stay here with Lin Shuanghe and don’t wander off."
"You’re going out? What for?" He Yan asked. "Can I come with you?"
Xiao Jue fell silent for a moment before saying, "It’s not convenient."
He Yan hesitated, then walked over and asked quietly, "Are you going to look for Chai Anxi?"
Hearing this, Chi Wu was taken aback, surprised that Xiao Jue had even told He Yan about this matter.
"Correct. Bringing you along would raise suspicion."
He Yan nodded. "Alright, then go."
Her rare compliance, without clinging to him like a shadow, caught Xiao Jue off guard for a moment. He looked at her thoughtfully.
He Yan turned and walked back into the room. "If you’re going, go quickly. Once I change my mind, none of you will be able to shake me off."
Xiao Jue said nothing more and left with Chi Wu and Fei Nu.
After they left, He Yan finished breakfast alone. Cui Yuezhi wasn’t in the residence either—he had gone to train the troops early in the morning. He Yan went to the neighboring room to look for Lin Shuanghe but found it empty. The maid attending to Lin Shuanghe smiled and said, "Steward Lin went out early this morning, saying he needed to buy some things and would return later."
He Yan thought for a moment and understood. Lin Shuanghe wasn’t a real steward, and after spending the past few days following Xiao Jue around, he was probably already bored. With Xiao Jue out today, he finally had some free time and naturally took the opportunity to go out and enjoy himself for the whole day. But this man was rather inconsiderate—he didn’t even invite her along, likely afraid she’d report it to Xiao Jue later?
However, Lin Shuanghe’s actions played right into He Yan’s hands.
It had been several days since arriving in Jiyang City, but because she was now in the identity of "Wen Yuyan" and constantly by Xiao Jue’s side, she hadn’t had any extra time to inquire about Liu Buwang’s whereabouts. Today, with both Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe absent, it was the perfect opportunity for her to act alone.
Back when Liu Buwang parted ways with her, he had once said that if she ever passed through Jiyang in the future, there was a tea house at the foot of Lian Mountain outside the city. If she wanted to find him, she could inquire there, and there might still be a chance to meet again.
He Yan put on her outer robe and gathered her things. Seeing this, Cui Jiao asked, "Is Madam going out?"
"Today, the Young Master and the steward are both out. I don’t know anyone else in the residence, and it’s rather dull. Let’s go out and take a look. The weather has been lovely these past few days—why don’t we go for a spring outing in the mountains outside Jiyang City?"
The two maids exchanged glances. A spring outing? Out of nowhere?
"It’s settled then," He Yan said. After a moment’s thought, she tucked the retractable Nine-section whip into her robe and turned to walk out the door. "Let’s go."
...Without Xiao Jue, He Yan was free and completely unrestrained.
As a guest of the Cui family, naturally no one in the Cui household dared to stop her. Zhong Fu, however, was uneasy about her going out alone and wanted her to take two guards from the Cui residence, but He Yan firmly refused.
"I'm just going to wander around nearby, I won't go far. Besides, it's broad daylight in a public place—no one would dare to try anything. Steward Zhong, you can rest assured. I'll only be out for a while before going to find my husband. The two guards by his side are highly skilled in martial arts, which is more than enough."
Only then did Zhong Fu reluctantly agree.
Once she left the Cui residence, He Yan had Cui Jiao hire a carriage not far from the estate and instructed the coachman to head toward the outskirts of the city.
Hong Qiao cautiously asked, "Madam, are we really going outside the city?"
"Not exactly outside the city, just to Qiyun Mountain outside the city," He Yan replied. "When I passed by Qiyun Mountain on my way here, I saw how beautiful the scenery was and was quite drawn to it. Today, I happen to have some free time, so why not seize the opportunity? Now is the perfect time."
She spoke as if it were the truth, and the two young girls didn't suspect anything.
When they reached the city gate, He Yan showed the token Cui Yuezhi had given her to the guards. Seeing that she was from the Cui residence, the guards easily let her pass, allowing He Yan to leave the city.
Qiyun Mountain was straight ahead outside the city gate, and the road wasn't difficult to travel. When they reached the foot of the mountain, He Yan pretended, "I'm a bit thirsty. Why don't we look around for a tea house nearby, sit down and rest for a while before continuing?"
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao naturally wouldn't object. Hong Qiao got off the carriage and said, "Madam, please rest in the carriage for now. This servant will go and take a look."
Before long, Hong Qiao returned, smiling. "There happens to be a tea house nearby, just a short distance away. Madam, let this servant help you down, and we can walk there directly."
He Yan happily agreed.
They hadn't walked far when they saw a thatched-roof tea house under a locust tree at the foot of the mountain, with a few tea drinkers sitting and chatting leisurely.
He Yan went up and ordered several cups of tea and some snacks, allowing Cui Jiao, Hong Qiao, and the coachman to quench their thirst.
"Madam, this servant isn't thirsty."
"This servant isn't thirsty either."
"After such a long journey, how could you not be thirsty?" He Yan said. "Drink up. I'll go ask the shopkeeper if there's anything interesting nearby."
Without waiting for their response, He Yan walked straight ahead.
The tea house was run by a middle-aged couple, both wearing blue headscarves, their skin tanned and slightly flushed from the heat. The woman, seeing He Yan, asked, "Miss, is the tea or snacks not to your liking?"
He Yan smiled. "No, I came to ask you about someone."
"Ask about someone?" The shopkeeper draped the towel in his hand over his shoulder. "Who is it you're looking for, miss?"
"His name is Liu Buwang," He Yan gestured. "He's about a head taller than me, quite handsome, around forty years old, carrying a qin and a sword. He likes to wear white clothes, like a swordsman or a knight." She paused, then added, "Though he might not necessarily be wearing white. In any case, he's an extremely elegant man."
After all, it had been many years since she last saw Liu Buwang. Perhaps he no longer favored white clothes.
The woman thought for a moment, then smiled. "Miss, the person you're describing sounds like Yunlin Recluse."
"Yunlin Recluse?""Yes, we don't know his name either, but around a few days after the Water God Festival each year, he always appears at our tea house, asking for a cup of tea. As for 'Yunlin Recluse,' that's just what we heard others call him, so we followed suit. We don't know his real name either, but based on your description—wearing white, looking elegant and handsome, and carrying a qin—it should be him."
He Yan's heart leaped with joy, and she asked, "Then do you know where he is now?"
"Young lady, that's putting us in a difficult spot," the shopkeeper replied. "In our place, it's not customary to ask about people's whereabouts. Naturally, we don't know where he is now, but don't be discouraged. He comes here every year after the Water God Festival, so I think he should be in Jiyang City now, to make it in time for the Water God Festival around the spring equinox."
He Yan frowned. Jiyang City was not small, and if she borrowed Cui Yuezhi's men, finding Liu Buwang might not be difficult. Unfortunately, this matter couldn't be known to others, so she had to search alone.
It wouldn't be easy.
Seeing her troubled expression, the woman asked, "Young lady, who is he to you? Why are you looking for him?"
"He's... an old friend I haven't seen in a long time." He Yan smiled bitterly, then added after a moment, "If that Yunlin Recluse comes here for tea again after this year's Water God Festival, could you please pass on a message for me? Tell him that Ah He is now in Jiyang and asks him not to leave. Please wait here for a meeting."
"Of course," the shopkeeper said with a beaming smile. "I'll make sure to deliver the message!"
Only then did He Yan feel at ease.
She returned to her seat in the tea house. Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao asked, "Madam, the tea has gone cold."
"If it's cold, it won't taste good, so I won't drink it," He Yan replied. To be honest, after the lessons of her past life, she really didn't dare to drink tea outside casually.
The two maids exchanged glances. After a while, Hong Qiao asked, "Then, Madam, have you decided where to go?"
"I just asked the shopkeeper, and he said there have been wolves on the mountain these past few days. It's best not to go up." He Yan lied without batting an eye. "I thought about it and felt it would be too dangerous for a few weak women like us. So today, we won't go up the mountain for a stroll. Let's head back to the residence directly."
The coachman: "..."
He hesitated, but in the end, said nothing. How could this be? Coming out for a stroll, doing nothing, and then going back—wasn't this just playing with people? The ladies from Huzhou were truly not to be trifled with. Clearly, they were spoiled and arrogant!
Too much!
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Jue and the other two found the location of Cuwei Pavilion.
Lei Hou had said that the person who corresponded with him was at Cuwei Pavilion in Jiyang. Xiao Jue suspected this person was Chai Anxi, but now, the shop before them had been reduced to charred, blackened wood. If one sniffed carefully, the smell of burning could still be detected.
"Cuwei Pavilion was originally a jewelry shop," the scout reporting back said with a bow. "Half a month ago, a fire broke out one night and burned Cuwei Pavilion to the ground. The clerks, the shopkeeper, and the newly hired accountant, Mr. Chai, all failed to escape."
The person was gone, and the trail had gone cold.
"Were any remains found?" Xiao Jue asked."Everything was burned to ashes, there are no remains. The neighbors all say it was a terrible tragedy. This Cuiwei Pavilion has remained here ever since. The authorities said they would renovate the place in a few days, but the surrounding shops found it inauspicious and have all closed down."
Chi Wu tossed a silver ingot to the informant, who tucked it into his robe, cupped his hands in salute to the group, and disappeared into the crowd.
Xiao Jue watched his retreating figure for a long moment before saying, "He escaped."
It didn't burn earlier or later—it caught fire just half a month ago. Clearly, the news of Lei Hou's capture had been exposed, and the other party had slipped away like a cicada shedding its shell.
"Should we continue investigating, young master?" Fei Nu asked. "Now that the trail has been cut off..."
"No need to investigate further." Xiao Jue turned around.
The two men were taken aback.
"Since we already know we've been exposed, the other party is hiding their identity and must be lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. The enemy is in the dark, and so are we, so there's no need to do anything."
"Just wait," he said.
Chi Wu: Don't ask, just know it's a cross-dressing master (.
(End of Chapter)
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