Chapter 17: Classmates
He Yun Sheng went to the training grounds empty-handed but returned leading a horse by the reins.
It felt a bit like getting something for nothing—though he quickly dismissed the thought with a mental "tut-tut." How could this be called getting something for nothing? This was a gift from a hero!
But General Feng Yun was even more handsome and elegant than the rumors had claimed. When would he ever become someone like the Second Young Master Xiao?
He Sui glanced at He Yun Sheng. The boy was lost in thought, his face alight with rare enthusiasm. Then he looked at He Yan, who, despite her covered face, seemed deeply preoccupied.
What was wrong with these two? On the way back, neither had spoken a word, each lost in their own thoughts. He Yun Sheng’s behavior was understandable—after all, Xiao Huaijin had just given him a horse—but why was He Yan so silent? That Xiao Huaijin was young and accomplished, one of the most outstanding and handsome men in Great Wei. Could it be that his daughter had taken a liking to him? What a predicament! They had just gotten rid of one Young Master Fan, and now Commander Xiao appeared? The capital had countless Young Masters Fan, but Great Wei had only one Xiao Huaijin!
The thought gave He Sui a headache.
The three of them returned home, each weighed down by their thoughts. Even Aunt Li, the tofu seller next door, noticed their odd behavior and pulled He Sui aside to ask, "Brother He, has something happened at home? Yan Yan and Yun Sheng both seem troubled."
He Sui didn’t know how to respond.
Once inside, Qingmei had already prepared dinner. As they ate their porridge, He Sui finally mustered the courage to ask, "Yan Yan, what brought you to the training grounds today?"
He Yun Sheng’s presence was one thing, but He Yan never visited the training grounds.
He Yan snapped out of her thoughts and replied, "Actually, I wanted to discuss something with you, Father. Yun Sheng is at the age where he should start attending school. Learning martial arts haphazardly isn’t as good as proper instruction. It’s not too late—spring is the perfect time to enroll. What do you think?"
He Sui opened his mouth, unsure whether to feel touched that his daughter was looking out for her brother or troubled by the question he couldn’t answer.
"Yan Yan, I’ve thought about this before, but right now… we’re a bit short on funds," he admitted awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "We might have to wait a little longer—until I receive my monthly salary and can gather a bit more."
If not for this, he wouldn’t have endured Young Master Zhao’s insults earlier.
He Yun Sheng kept his head down, eating quietly, but his ears perked up. He knew how hard his father worked to earn money and had always felt guilty bringing up the topic, as if it were unfilial. Now that He Yan had voiced it for him, he felt a wave of relief.
"Don’t worry about the money." He Yan stood and went into the inner room, returning moments later with a jewelry box. When she opened it, the silver and jewels inside dazzled He Sui and Qingmei.
He Sui’s chopsticks clattered onto the table. "Yan Yan… where did this money come from?"
"Yun Sheng won it at Letong Manor," He Yan answered smoothly.
He Yun Sheng choked on his porridge, spraying it across the table.
"He Yan!"
She blinked at him, her expression unchanging despite the lie. "Yun Sheng’s luck was incredible. On his first visit to Letong Manor, he won a fortune. I counted it—this money will cover his tuition and support us for years."
He Yun Sheng’s lips moved, but no words came out.What could he say? Admit that it was He Yan who gambled? Not only would He Sui not believe it, even he himself found it hard to believe. Besides, He Yan had been wearing his clothes that day, and others only remembered seeing a young boy. Even with a hundred mouths, he couldn’t explain it clearly. Moreover… recalling how He Yan had stood up for him today during the horse race against that Zhao fellow, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of camaraderie.
Fine, he’d take this fall—for the sake of brotherhood!
He Yun Sheng declared, “Yes, it was me. I won the money gambling. Dad, let’s use this silver for school!”
He Sui stared at him intently. “You won this at the gambling den?”
“That’s right.”
“And you hit the jackpot on your first try?”
“Exactly.”
“Exactly… Exactly!” He Sui flew into a rage, slamming the table and grabbing a wooden plank to swing at He Yun Sheng. “You unfilial brat! You actually dared to go to Letong Manor!”
“After all the hard work I’ve put into feeding and clothing you, you dare to step foot in Letong Manor! Have you no shame? How can you face your late mother?”
He Yun Sheng dodged the blows, scrambling in panic. “Dad, it’s only because our family is so poor! If you don’t blab to Mom, how would she even know?”
“Still making excuses! Where did you pick up such reckless habits, gambling in dens? He Yun Sheng, you’re asking for trouble!”
He Yan quietly retreated to a corner of the room, relieved that He Yun Sheng had taken the blame. If He Sui had known it was her, and she accidentally fought back and hurt him while being disciplined, she’d truly be labeled an “unfilial daughter.”
After much chaos, the matter finally came to an end.
He Yun Sheng endured the beating and managed to brush it off. Next came the decision of which academy in the capital to enroll him in. Ideally, it should be one that balanced both academics and martial training—not too shabby, but not too elite either. Birds of a feather flock together, and the top academies were filled with wealthy young masters, which might lead He Yun Sheng astray.
Sitting in He Yan’s room, He Yun Sheng tapped the lampstand with a small comb from the table and grumbled, “After all this deliberation, we still haven’t decided. What a headache.”
“It’s not something to be decided overnight,” He Yan glanced at him. “There’s plenty of time.”
He Yun Sheng pouted. “Now that you’ve seen the world, don’t you know which academy in the capital is the best?”
“I don’t attend academies. How would I know?” He Yan replied. “Gambling dens, on the other hand…”
He Yun Sheng scoffed. “Now that’s impressive!”
He Yan grinned. “Thanks for the praise.”
Remembering the unjust beating he’d taken that night, He Yun Sheng sulked again. “I’m going to feed the horses,” he muttered before leaving.
After He Yun Sheng left, Qingmei took away the washbasin, and He Yan blew out the candle, removing her shoes to get into bed.
The window was left open, but the spring night wasn’t cold. Moonlight spilled in, casting a silvery glow across the table. As she gazed at it, her thoughts drifted to Xiao Jue, whom she had encountered earlier that day.
In her panic, she had feared he might recognize her and quickly lowered her head. But later, she realized—she was no longer that “He Yan.” Even face to face, Xiao Jue wouldn’t recognize her now. Besides, back then, she had always worn a mask.
The last time she had seen Xiao Jue felt like a lifetime ago. Back then, he hadn’t been as cold and aloof as he was now, keeping everyone at arm’s length. He had been an arrogant yet carefree youth, full of restless energy.The best academy in the capital was called Xianchang Academy. The two most famous generals of Great Wei today, General Feng Yun and the Flying Goose General, both came from this institution.
Counting back, she and Xiao Jue had only been classmates for a single year.
(End of Chapter)
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