Chapter 18 First Encounter
It was widely said that the Flying Goose General and General Feng Yun were like fire and water, constantly locked in open and covert strife. But He Yan had always felt it wasn’t quite so exaggerated.
At most, they were both young men who had joined the army early, achieved illustrious military merits, and received imperial honors at a tender age—naturally, people loved to compare them. The rest was just hearsay, embellished and exaggerated until it became an unrecognizable tale, both ridiculous and amusing.
At least in the heart of fourteen-year-old He Yan, she harbored not the slightest hostility toward the young master of the Xiao family.
By then, she had been disguised as a boy for many years, playing the role of "He Rufei" with ease. Only one thing posed a slight difficulty: at this age, boys were expected to attend academies to study strategy under tutors.
Men and women were different. Women could have tutors come to their homes for instruction, but men had no such privilege. The He family had always hired tutors to teach at home, but as she grew older, rumors would spread if this continued, and the He family still cared about their reputation.
After much delay and hesitation, they finally sent He Yan to Xianchang Academy when she turned fourteen.
Xianchang Academy was the most prestigious academy in the capital, founded by the former Grand Tutor to the current emperor when he was still crown prince. The academy taught the Six Arts, and its tutors were all outstanding figures from the court. Those who studied strategy here were the cream of the nobility.
Though the He family held a noble title, they were still a step below the families whose children attended Xianchang Academy. Yet, by some stroke of luck, He Yuanliang happened to intervene in a dispute while drinking at a tavern one day. The person he helped turned out to be a tutor from Xianchang Academy, who mentioned that the academy was recruiting new students for the spring term and remembered that the He family’s eldest branch had a legitimate son—why not send him to Xianchang Academy to study strategy together?
He Yuanliang hesitated for a long time before discussing the matter with He Yuansheng. He Yuansheng, ever eager for fame and profit, thought it a feasible plan. Sending He Yan to Xianchang Academy might allow her to befriend many other noble youths, which could only benefit the He family. And if the real He Rufei ever returned, the title of "Xianchang Academy student" would only enhance his prestige.
When He Yan learned of this, she was overjoyed.
Though she dressed as a boy, within the He household, she followed the rules for girls. She couldn’t play sports, couldn’t appear in public, and even her martial arts training had to be done in secret. Yet, as a girl, she was also inadequate—the He daughters learned music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but as "He Rufei," she couldn’t join them.
It was as if she could do nothing at all.
But attending Xianchang Academy was different. She had heard it was filled with talented individuals, and all who came and went were people of ability. There would also be many boys her age. Going there would not only allow her to master new skills but also make many friends.
These were privileges girls could never enjoy. For the first time, she felt a flicker of gratitude for having taken He Rufei’s place.
He Yuansheng’s wife—her nominal mother, but in truth her aunt—handed her the meticulously crafted mask made by artisans and said with deep concern, "You must be extremely careful in everything you do there. Never let anyone discover your true identity."
He Yan nodded.She never really liked wearing this mask. Though thin and light, it was stifling, revealing only her chin and eyes. For so many years, she had never been without it, even wearing it while she slept. The craftsman had been highly skilled—one side was fastened into her hair bun with a hidden mechanism, ensuring it wouldn’t fall off even during a fight. Only she could remove it.
Madam He once again sternly warned her, “Remember, if you slip up, the entire He family will face utter ruin!”
She knew. This had been repeated countless times—the crime of deceiving the emperor, punishable by the extermination of nine generations.
“I remember,” He Yan replied respectfully.
Madam He, still uneasy, sent her off in the carriage.
To outsiders, this scene might have looked like a touching farewell between mother and son. But in He Yan’s heart, it was a moment of immense relief, her chest swelling with the joy of newfound freedom. At last, she had broken free from the days of being watched and controlled in every move. Freedom was right before her.
The carriage stopped at the gates of Xianchang Academy. The servant helped her down, then could only wait outside until classes ended.
She had arrived too early—the teacher had not yet arrived, but faint sounds of students reciting and chatting could be heard. He Yan stepped inside, her heart brimming with anticipation.
The spring sun had risen early. Past the academy’s entrance was a large courtyard, followed by a garden, with the school building at the very back. The courtyard had stables, resembling a smaller training ground. The garden, however, was elegantly landscaped, with a pond and willow trees.
And a swing.
The breeze gently swayed the swing, and He Yan reached out, longing to sit on it but not daring to. A man swinging on a swing would surely invite ridicule. Reluctantly, she just gave it a pat before moving on.
The willow trees had all sprouted, their fresh green reflections shimmering in the lake, enhancing the beauty of the scenery. The sunlight made her drowsy. Rubbing her eyes, she spotted a loquat tree ahead.
The He family had no shortage of money to buy loquats, and over the years, He Yan had eaten them before. But this was the first time she had seen a loquat tree laden with fruit. The golden fruits looked as if they were filled with honey, plump and fragrant, irresistibly tempting under the sunlight.
Still a fourteen-year-old girl at heart, her playful nature stirred at the sight, reminding her of the maids in the courtyard using bamboo poles to knock down plums in the summer. Of course, the young master of the He family couldn’t be seen doing such things—but here in the academy, surely picking a loquat wouldn’t be a problem? Boys picking loquats wasn’t embarrassing.
With that thought, He Yan rolled up her sleeves, ready for action.
But she had left in a hurry, carrying only the tuition for the teacher, books, paper, and brushes—nothing else. There were no long poles around either. Fortunately, the loquat tree wasn’t too tall. A good jump should be enough to reach.
He Yan fixed her gaze on the nearest fruit, hanging heavily from the tip of a branch, golden and enticing, as if beckoning to be picked.
She leaped with all her might—and missed.
Almost there.
Undeterred, she tried again, jumping with even more effort.
Still missed.
She had always been stubborn, so she tried once more.
Missed again.
Trial after trial, failure after failure—she had no idea how many times she had tried when, just as she was panting from exhaustion, she suddenly heard a mocking laugh from above.
He Yan looked up in confusion.
The loquat tree was lush and dense, and she had been so focused on the fruit that she hadn’t noticed—there was someone sitting in the tree.The person had been sitting there for who knows how long, likely observing her every move. She looked up as sunlight spilled down, illuminating his features inch by inch.
This was a beautiful youth dressed in white robes and embroidered boots, his expression lazy yet undeniably proud. With his hands pillowed behind his head, he leaned against the tree like a jade-adorned breeze—radiant and effortlessly graceful. His impatient gaze swept downward, and the look in his eyes made her heart skip.
He Yan was stunned.
She had never seen such a handsome young man before—it was as if all the splendor of spring had gathered upon him. For a moment, she felt unworthy in comparison. Thankfully, her mask hid her flushed cheeks, but youth betrayed her, unable to conceal the awe in her eyes.
The beautiful youth glanced at her once before casually plucking a fruit from the tree.
Was… was he going to give it to her?
A wave of bashfulness washed over He Yan.
Suddenly, the youth flipped down, landing gracefully, his white robes dazzling her vision. She watched as he approached with the fruit, hesitating, unsure of what to say.
Should she say thank you ? Or maybe you’re so handsome ?
She was so nervous she could have twisted the hem of her clothes.
The youth stopped before her, lips curling into a smile.
That smile was like a thousand blossoms blooming, radiant as the dawn of spring. He Yan blurted out excitedly, "Tha—"
Before the second syllable could leave her lips, he brushed past her.
He Yan: "?"
She turned to see the white-robed youth tossing the golden loquat up and down as he strolled away, leisurely, as if mocking her for reading too much into it.
Standing there, it took He Yan a while to compose herself before she followed in the youth’s direction toward the academy.
But just as she reached the entrance, she heard lively chatter inside. A cheerful voice asked, "I heard the eldest young master of the He family is joining our academy today. Brother Huaijin, have you seen him?"
She took a step forward, peeking through the window crack, when a lazy voice answered, "Didn’t see the eldest young master of the He family. Only saw someone foolish and short."
Foolish… and short ?
He Yan had never been described like this in her life. Foolish was one thing, but short ?
Where was she short? Among girls her age, her height was already quite impressive!
She wanted to see who this blind fool was to make such a judgment. Lifting her gaze, she saw the radiant youth surrounded by his peers, his eyes drifting carelessly toward the window crack—
As if he knew she was spying.
Laughter rippled through the academy.
Amidst the boundless beauty of spring, the flourishing trees, and the blossoms like brocade—
This was her first meeting with Xiao Jue.
(End of Chapter)
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