Legend of the Female General

Chapter 138: My Name

The Water God Festival rituals took nearly two hours from start to finish.

By the time He Yan and Xiao Jue came down, it was already quite late. Ling Xiu and Yan Min'er had long since disappeared. Aunt Wei said, "You've been out all day without eating. You must be hungry, Young Master and Miss Yu Yan?"

He Yan patted her stomach. "Not too bad."

"Then let's go eat first," Cui Yuezhi said. "Jiyang has several good restaurants. Which one would you like, Yu Yan?"

"I want..." He Yan pointed at the black-canopied boats on the river. "To eat on one of those."

She had already noticed many people on small boats with stoves burning at the bow, simmering what appeared to be soups or stews. The remaining dishes and wine were bought from vendors along the shore or on other boats. People could eat while floating along, enjoying the lively scenes on both banks and taking in the riverside atmosphere—it seemed quite special.

Having never been to Jiyang before, she found it novel and really wanted to try it.

"Those are Firefly Boats," Aunt Wei explained with a smile. "In the evening, the boatmen row to Falling Firefly Spring. Jiyang's weather is warm, so we have fireflies even before summer. When you row there at night, you can see the riverbanks and forests filled with fireflies—it's very beautiful! I was fortunate enough to go once with the master years ago, and even now, the memory feels breathtaking."

Hearing this, He Yan wanted to go even more. She looked at Cui Yuezhi. "Uncle, how about we take one of these Firefly Boats?"

"Young ladies all like such things," Cui Yuezhi chuckled, waving his hand. "Someone like me won't go. These Firefly Boats are only for couples or lovers—two people per boat. With so many of us, we can't all fit in one."

He Yan's words caught in her throat. She thought to herself, Is Jiyang's Water God Festival actually the Central Plains' Qixi Festival? That seems rather unfriendly to those without lovers. Do people without lovers not deserve to see the legendary Falling Firefly Spring? How unreasonable!

"Since Miss Yu Yan wants to go, why not go with Young Master Huanqing?" Aunt Wei suggested kindly. "There will be many other boats going the same way. Tonight, there should be a Water Stage performance along the route—it will be very lively."

He Yan felt torn. She really wanted to see it, but Xiao Jue... might not be willing.

She turned to Xiao Jue and tentatively asked, "Young Master?"

"Don't even think about it."

"Young Master, I truly want to go."

Xiao Jue gave a slight smirk. "I think you're truly pushing your luck."

"I've never seen a whole swarm of fireflies before," He Yan whispered. "We're already here—don't you want to see it too? Don't think of me as a woman; just think of me as a subordinate. We're passing through, appreciating the local customs."

"Young Master... husband?" He Yan called out ingratiatingly.

Xiao Jue's mouth twitched. "Speak properly."

"If you don't agree, this concubine will keep talking like this."Aunt Wei covered her mouth with a light laugh, seemingly unable to bear watching the young couple’s playful antics. She whispered a few words to Cui Yuezhi, who nodded in response. Aunt Wei then signaled for someone to hail a boat by the river. Once a boat was found, she said to He Yan and Xiao Jue, “The master has already paid for it. Tonight, the boatman will take you along the Jiyang River. If you come across any delicious food or interesting sights, feel free to buy them. When the time comes, he’ll also take you to Falling Firefly Spring.” She paused briefly before adding, “We originally thought of having a few guards accompany you, but since the City Garrison patrols the area around Falling Firefly Spring, there shouldn’t be any trouble. Still, if you’re worried, you could…”

“Thank you, Aunt Wei! There’s no need for guards…” He Yan replied cheerfully, then suddenly remembered something and asked Xiao Jue, “What about Lin Shuanghe and Chi Wu? What if they want to see it too?”

Xiao Jue glanced back and saw Chi Wu and the others had already taken several steps back, shaking their heads to indicate they had no interest in going.

Indeed, rough men like them probably had little fondness for fireflies. Even if they did, they wouldn’t dare show it here.

“Then let’s board first,” He Yan said happily, stepping onto the black-canopied boat ahead of the others.

The boat was far less ornate than the pleasure boats on Spring River in Shuojing City. In fact, it looked quite plain from the outside, but the interior was spacious enough, with a floor mat and a small stove for cooking. Sitting there, enjoying some snacks, feeling the river breeze, and taking in the lively night market lights along the banks was truly a delightful experience.

He Yan bent down and sat on the floor mat, gazing out at the river.

The Jiyang Canal was exceptionally long, cutting right through the city. As it was a festival day, countless lanterns lit up both banks, and the air was filled with cheerful shouts and laughter, creating a bustling atmosphere. The boatman was a sturdy middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat, his arms strong as he rowed the boat with vigor.

He Yan leaned over the bow. She had always been somewhat afraid of water, but the lively surroundings and perhaps Xiao Jue’s presence beside her made her forget much of her past fear, leaving only a sense of novelty.

Just as she was enjoying the view, a small boat suddenly brushed past theirs. On it were a man and a woman, and the woman unexpectedly scooped up a handful of water and splashed it toward He Yan. Caught off guard, He Yan was drenched from head to face, leaving her utterly stunned.

The boatman laughed heartily. “Young lady, you must be from out of town and unfamiliar with Jiyang’s customs. On the canal, when two boats meet, people often engage in water fights. It’s said that the canal’s water sustains the entire city of Jiyang, so being splashed isn’t just water—it’s a blessing and good fortune!”

The woman on the other boat smiled at her, her expression kind yet mischievous, making it hard for He Yan to stay angry. He Yan thought to herself, What kind of custom is this? Aren’t they afraid of getting their clothes soaked and being unable to go out?

In truth, He Yan’s assumption was unfair to the people of Jiyang. Those who knew they’d be engaging in water fights on the boats tonight had brought several changes of clothes to switch into. Only she had foolishly come wearing just one outfit. Cui Yuezhi hadn’t taken a Firefly Boat in a long time and had long forgotten about this tradition, which was why things turned out this way.

Perhaps because she seemed like an easy target, several other boats began to gather around. Men and women alike bent down, scooping up water from the canal and throwing it toward He Yan.

He Yan: “?”

She shouted loudly, “Boatman, please row farther away!”Before she could finish speaking, a large splash of water came flying toward her face. He Yan was startled, but in the next moment, someone stepped in front of her, pressing her head against his chest to shield her from the oncoming water.

Xiao Jue glanced at the opposite side. The one who had splashed water at He Yan was a man, and a rather ungentlemanly one at that, grinning foolishly at her. Xiao Jue curled the corner of his lips. In the next instant, a teacup from the boat was flung into the water, creating a large ripple, and a torrent of water poured down with a splash, drenching the man from head to toe.

The woman beside him, whether his wife or lover, anxiously exclaimed, "How could you do that?"

Xiao Jue looked at them with a faint, mocking smile and said leisurely, "Consider it an extra blessing. No need to thank me."

He Yan: "..."

She lifted her head from Xiao Jue's embrace and said, "There was really no need to take it so seriously." Glancing around, she fell silent for a moment. "Look how scared they are."

Several other boats had been approaching, likely amused by He Yan's reaction. But now, seeing what had happened to the man, they all kept their distance, urging the boatmen to row away quickly as if avoiding a plague.

Xiao Jue chuckled. "You still have the heart to worry about others?"

He Yan looked down at herself—half her body was soaked. Xiao Jue stood up, walked to the stern of the boat, fetched a handkerchief, and tossed it to her. Then he sat down by the small stove where tea was brewing. "Come here."

He Yan obeyed and went over. Xiao Jue said, "Dry your hair."

He Yan nodded obediently, placing her long hair over the small stove to dry with the warmth. As she did so, she asked, "Commander, are you hungry?"

"Are you?"

He Yan patted her stomach. "Very."

Her appetite had always been astonishing. Xiao Jue sighed and went to the front to speak with the boatman. Before long, the boatman rowed them to a Water Market.

Though called a Water Market, it was essentially dozens of boats gathered together, selling snacks, hot tea, various small dishes, and even roasted chicken and duck, their aromas incredibly enticing. The boat stopped at the edge of the market, and Xiao Jue motioned for He Yan to come to the bow. "Pick what you want."

The food on the boats all carried the distinctive flavors of Jiyang, quite different from those in Shuojing. He Yan’s eyes lingered on one thing, then another, unable to decide. In the end, she picked a little of everything, gathering a large pile of oil-paper packages. Xiao Jue was silent for a moment before asking, "Are you a bottomless pit?"

"If I can’t finish it, I can take it back for Lin Shuanghe and the others," He Yan said with a smile. "I’ve already shown restraint."

Xiao Jue fell silent for another moment, then picked a few items himself. After paying, he helped her carry the oil-paper packages onto the boat.

With all this food and drink, He Yan was overjoyed. Sitting on the floor mat, she gazed out the window, happily unwrapping the packages and eating. Her appetite was always hearty, and after a day of hunger, she ate without any regard for manners. Xiao Jue couldn’t help but remark, "Mind your manners."

He Yan hummed dismissively and continued as she pleased. After two reminders with no effect, Xiao Jue gave up.

Resting her hands on the small window of the boat, she suddenly remembered her youth, when she had once traveled by boat to Jinling with her classmates from the Virtuous Prosperity Academy. Xiao Jue had been there too. It was her first time on a boat, and she had suffered terribly from seasickness, vomiting several times and nearly dying on the journey.

Now, she no longer got seasick, but the youths of those days had all gone their separate ways. In the end, it was still Xiao Jue by her side.The world is unpredictable.

"Over there seems to be a Water Stage," He Yan exclaimed with delight. "Boatman, could you row the boat over there?"

"Sure thing," the boatman replied, paddling the small boat toward the Water Stage.

Beneath the stage, it was unclear what supported it, with only some wooden stakes visible above the water, and the stage built atop them. The surrounding audience had to watch from their boats, looking up at the performers with painted faces singing energetically. The martial actor's movements were exceptionally graceful, and though the singing was hard to understand, the atmosphere was lively and bustling.

Nearby, another boat was selling delicious honeyed drinks. He Yan ran to the bow to look, seeing many young women making purchases. Noticing He Yan's fascination, the vendor explained with a smile, "Miss, everything here is fresh. Want a sip after watching the play? We have everything—Lychee Paste Water, Bayberry Thirst Quencher, Apricot Crisp Drink, Plum Blossom Wine, Sugarcane Juice, Filtered Pear Syrup, Sweet Bean Soup..."

He Yan spotted a small bowl among the displayed items that looked snow-white, icy cold, and topped with red dumplings. She asked, "What is that?"

"That's Sugar Ice Cold Dumplings. Sweet and cool, one bite and you won't regret it, miss. Want a bowl?"

He Yan felt a craving but was about to speak when Xiao Jue asked, "Is this cold?"

"It's cold," the vendor replied enthusiastically. "The ice hasn't even melted yet—very refreshing!"

"Not this one, switch to something hot," he said.

He Yan was taken aback, but the vendor warmly suggested, "How about Sweet Bean Soup? We just finished cooking it, and it's kept warm. Oh, miss, were you just splashed with water?" The vendor chuckled as he ladled a scoop of Sweet Bean Soup from a small bucket into a bowl and handed it to He Yan. "Then you should drink something hot to warm up. How thoughtful of the young master!"

He Yan was puzzled but didn't dwell on the vendor's words. She asked Xiao Jue, "Aren't you going to drink something?"

"I don't drink sweet things," he replied, turning to walk back into the boat.

He Yan then asked the vendor, "What do you have that isn't sweet?"

"Perilla Drink isn't sweet."

He Yan fished out a few copper coins from her sleeve. "I'll also take a cup of Perilla Drink."

Holding the Sweet Bean Soup in one hand and the Perilla Drink in the other, she followed Xiao Jue into the boat and handed him the Perilla Drink. "This isn't sweet—I asked. Drink it, my treat!"

Xiao Jue said nothing. "Your money came from me."

"It's the thought that counts. How can you be so nitpicky?" He Yan scooped a spoonful of Sweet Bean Soup herself. The sweet broth was clear and warm, and she squinted with pleasure. "It really is delicious!"

Xiao Jue scoffed. "So easy to please."

"You don't understand," He Yan said. "I rarely ate sweet things before, but I actually love them." She added, "Jiyang is so wonderful. I wish I could be from Jiyang."

"You could stay here."

"How could that be?" He Yan sighed. "There are always other things to do."

As they spoke, another small boat approached nearby. Someone exclaimed in admiration, and He Yan crawled over to look. At the bow sat a craftsman sculpting dough figurines. Whatever the performers on stage were singing about, he sculpted accordingly. The straw stand was already filled with dough figurines, each resembling the opera's female and male performers with remarkable skill.He Yan leaned over the bow of the boat, watching intently as the dough transformed rapidly in the man’s hands. The elderly dough figurine maker smiled and asked, “If you like it, young lady, would you like to buy one? I can make one that looks just like you.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

He Yan was tempted but hesitated for a moment. “Never mind.”

Xiao Jue was brewing something over the small stove for tea. Hearing this, he looked up at her and asked, “Why not?”

He Yan turned around and whispered, “Right now, I’m a woman, so I could buy it. But when I return to the garrison, I’ll have to dress as a man. Carrying this figurine around would be inconvenient, and if someone discovered it as evidence, it wouldn’t be good. Since I’d have to discard it eventually, why bother having it in the first place?”

Xiao Jue stared straight at her, then suddenly smiled faintly. “You’re not tall, but you sure have a lot on your mind.” He flicked his fingers, and a string of copper coins flew onto the artisan’s table. “Make one for her.”

The old man cheerfully collected the coins. “Right away!”

He Yan hurriedly turned back and walked over to Xiao Jue. “Why did you buy it? When I leave Jiyang, I won’t be able to take it with me. Isn’t that a waste of money?”

“You like it, don’t you?” he said with a mocking smile. “If you like it, buy it. In this world, if you don’t pursue something just because you’re afraid of losing it, life would be too dull.”

Seeing He Yan still unmoved, his gaze was sarcastic, but his tone remained calm. “Miss He, this is Jiyang. Today, you can do whatever you want without worrying about the consequences. Be who you truly are. Say what you like or dislike directly. Don’t force yourself, and don’t deceive everyone.”

He Yan was speechless, unsure of what to say.

After a long pause, she asked, “Can I really do whatever I want?”

Xiao Jue shrugged. “Do as you please.”

He Yan sat down.

The elderly dough figurine maker was exceptionally skilled. In no time, he finished one and called out to He Yan from the other side, “Young lady, your figurine is ready!”

He Yan thanked him and took the figurine from his hands. It was exquisitely crafted, with even the lace on the skirt identical to what she was wearing. Its appearance was also charming. She stared at it in a daze for a while before holding it up and asking Xiao Jue, “Commander, does she look like me?”

Xiao Jue replied coldly, “Much better than you.”

He Yan, accustomed to his teasing, wasn’t annoyed. Instead, she said delightedly, “I really do look quite like a woman.”

She noticed Xiao Jue scooping something out of a pot on the small stove and placing it in a bowl. He Yan went over to look and saw that, without her noticing, Xiao Jue had cooked a bowl of clear broth noodles. The noodles were snow-white, with a splash of soy sauce, no scallions, just an egg nestled inside and a few green vegetables, emitting an enticing aroma.

He Yan was taken aback. She had been too busy admiring the scenery outside and eating snacks to notice when Xiao Jue had cooked the noodles. She asked, “Commander, are you hungry?”

Xiao Jue didn’t answer. Instead, he pushed the bowl toward her and handed her a pair of chopsticks. “Eat.”

“For me?” He Yan took the chopsticks, feeling both surprised and honored. “Why? I bought a lot of snacks, and I’m not…”

Before she could finish saying “hungry,” the man before her said calmly, “Isn’t today your birthday?”

He Yan froze.After a long pause, she asked, "...How did you know?" Even in front of Cui Yuezhi, she had only said... a few days after the Spring Equinox.

"Young Lady He," Xiao Jue said leisurely, "do you know that your skill at lying is inconsistent, sometimes full of holes?"

He Yan remained silent. After a while, she spoke softly, "So today, the reason you treated me so well is because you knew it was my birthday, right?"

"Well?" Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow. "You seem to have many misunderstandings about what 'well' means. Did I treat you well?"

No, He Yan thought to herself. Apart from Liu Buwang, she had never met anyone who treated her as well as Xiao Jue did. No one had ever remembered her birthday. In the past, on her birthdays, they called her "He Rufei." That was He Rufei's birthday, not hers.

But today, this bowl of longevity noodles was made by Xiao Jue for "He Yan."

She lifted her head, smiled brightly at Xiao Jue, and said, "Commander, you treat me so well. Thank you."

The girl's eyes curved into crescents, clearly smiling, yet the corners of her eyes, warmed by the steam, seemed slightly red. Xiao Jue was momentarily stunned and was about to speak when He Yan buried her head in the noodles.

So he said nothing more.

The sky had completely darkened, the vast expanse like ink, sprinkled with countless stars. The water below mirrored the starry river, cradling a boatful of old dreams.

The boatman slowly rowed the oars. At some point, they had already left the busiest stretch of the river. The surrounding boats had dwindled, and a cool breeze blew, refreshing the heart.

A faint green glow skimmed across the water's surface and landed on the bow of the boat.

The boatman had stopped rowing, and the small boat drifted quietly on the water.

He Yan pulled Xiao Jue out to look. By the spring's edge, deep within the dense forest, countless points of light—some bright, some faint—drifted and danced, flickering around the water and the woods. Like glowing drizzle, thousands of flying lights reflected in their eyes.

"It's so beautiful," He Yan sighed.

In all those past years, she had seen beautiful scenery before, but on the military road, there was no time to appreciate it. Thinking back, it had been many years since she had let go of everything like this.

She would never forget this night. He Yan turned her head and saw Xiao Jue lying down on the bow, hands behind his head, watching the fireflies. After a moment's thought, she lay down beside him, mimicking his posture with her hands behind her head, gazing at the lights that even the night breeze couldn't extinguish, as if the stars were within reach.

"Today's birthday is the happiest one I've ever had, Commander. Thank you," she said.

Xiao Jue neither agreed nor disagreed. "On birthdays, don't people usually make wishes? Go ahead, finish what you started."

"Wishes?" He Yan said. "I don't have any wishes."

Praying for heaven's favor was, for the most part, a self-deceiving act. If you wanted something, you had to strive for it yourself.

"So indifferent?"

"If I really had to say, I wish there was someone in this world who came just for me."

Not for He Rufei, not for the Flying Goose General, but just for her, for her alone.

"What kind of wish is that?" Xiao Jue scoffed. "I thought you'd say something like gaining rank, achieving merit, or at least joining the Nine Banners Battalion."

The lights in the forest sparkled, shining brightly into the night. Perhaps the breeze was too gentle, the scenery too enchanting, and she felt like saying a little more.She then said, "Commander, have you noticed that ever since I've been with you, I'm always acting as someone else's substitute. One moment it's Cheng Li Su, the next it's Wen Yuyan. Who knows what identity I'll take on next."

Xiao Jue asked, "Feeling wronged?"

"Not exactly, it's just..." She gazed into the distance with a hint of melancholy, "Sometimes, when you play someone else's substitute for too long, it's easy to forget who you really are."

"Commander, you must remember my name."

"My name is..."

"He Yan."

The young girl faced the vast sky, smiling faintly. Xiao Jue glanced sideways at her, seeing the clarity in her eyes, which seemed to hold a layer of obscure sorrow amidst the joy. The brightness of the past had vanished, as if there were countless unspoken hardships, all swallowed back one by one.

He turned his head, also gazing at the vast sky. In the wilderness, flickering wild lights danced, stars flowed like a waterfall, and a cool breeze brushed against people’s cheeks, while the water’s surface lay heavy and unsettled.

Who knows how many people’s sweet dreams would be filled with this tonight, or how many had glimpsed the faint glow in the deep of night.

The young man curled the corner of his mouth, speaking slowly, “Such an unpleasant name—hearing it once is enough to remember.”

“Don’t worry about me forgetting, Miss He.”

“He Yan.”

Uncle isn’t a clueless straight guy; Uncle has high emotional intelligence~

Still a two-update day~

(End of Chapter)