Chapter 200: The One in My Heart
In both her past and present lives, this was the first time He Yan had seen Emperor Wenxuan.
Emperor Wenxuan had already reached the age of knowing his fate, yet he appeared younger than his actual years. His complexion was ruddy, and he was neatly groomed. Although dressed in the bright yellow imperial robe, he lacked the imposing majesty He Yan had imagined. Instead, he seemed quite amiable and kind, like an approachable elder from an ordinary family. He did not put on airs either; after arriving, he took his seat below the high throne and gestured for the officials to relax.
Sitting beside Emperor Wenxuan was Empress Zhang. Empress Zhang and Emperor Wenxuan had been childhood sweethearts, and she came from a prominent family. Appointed as Crown Princess by the previous emperor, Empress Zhang had given birth to a son and a daughter: the current Crown Prince Guang Yan and Princess Yuchan. Princess Yuchan was already married and, feeling unwell recently, had not attended the palace banquet today. Sitting below Empress Zhang was Consort Lan.
Consort Lan was about the same age as Empress Zhang. She was not as dignified and plump as Empress Zhang but appeared slender and delicate. Gentle in temperament and unambitious, she had given birth to the Fourth Prince, Guang Shuo.
The Fifth Prince, Guang Ji, was held by his nanny and stood beside his two older brothers. His birth mother was Consort Ni, who was very young, at the age of blooming beauty. She was arrogant and domineering by nature, originally the legitimate daughter of a minor local official who entered the palace through selection. After becoming pregnant with the imperial heir, she rose rapidly. However, Emperor Wenxuan disliked her arrogant and conceited personality and refused to promote her further. In recent years, Consort Ni had become much more obedient.
The Second and Third Princes had been twins, born to a palace laundress favored by Emperor Wenxuan. Unfortunately, twin births were inherently difficult, and during labor, both the mother and the two sons were lost.
Emperor Wenxuan did not have many heirs. In imperial families, having many heirs was not always a good thing, as there was only one throne. With more people, it was inevitable that some would become discontent and harbor rebellious thoughts. Now, the Fifth Prince Guang Ji was still young, and only Crown Prince Guang Yan and Fourth Prince Guang Shuo were capable of ascending the throne. Empress Zhang’s family was powerful, and the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir. Moreover, Consort Lan was unambitious, so it seemed only natural for the Crown Prince to inherit the throne.
However, Crown Prince Guang Yan was neither talented nor virtuous. He had achieved nothing in governance, and his household was a mess. He was only interested in pleasure. In contrast, Fourth Prince Guang Shuo was both virtuous and talented, gifted, gentle, and self-disciplined.
With the Crown Prince so incompetent and the Fourth Prince so outstanding, some naturally began to entertain other ideas. Moreover, among the three thousand beauties of the harem, Emperor Wenxuan favored Consort Lan the most. Although Consort Lan was unambitious, no one in the harem dared to look down on her. Gradually, the court forces split into two factions: one supporting Guang Yan and the other attempting to persuade Emperor Wenxuan to replace the Crown Prince with Guang Shuo.
He Yan recalled that back in Liang Province, she had vaguely heard that the Crown Prince disliked Xiao Jue. When Xiao Jue led troops to the Liangzhou Guard, aside from avoiding Xu Jingfu’s influence, this Crown Prince had also played a part.
In other words, Xu Jingfu and Crown Prince Guang Yan were likely allies.
She pondered this inwardly while maintaining a calm expression.
The Fifth Prince, Guang Ji, was only five years old this year. Emperor Wenxuan disliked Consort Ni’s arrogant and conceited nature, fearing she would corrupt the child, so he entrusted Guang Ji to Consort Lan to raise alongside her own son. Consort Ni was furious but helpless. Having been raised under Consort Lan’s care for so long, Guang Ji had grown very close to Guang Shuo. Sitting at the banquet now, he tugged at Guang Shuo’s sleeve and whispered, “Fourth Brother, Father said today he has good news to announce. What is it?”
Guang Shuo smiled at him. “I don’t know either. We’ll find out soon.”
Guang Yan, who overheard their conversation, sneered. “Fourth Brother, Father likes you so much. I thought you knew all his secrets. What, didn’t he tell you in advance this time?”
The Crown Prince’s provocations were frequent, but Guang Shuo paid them no mind, remaining gentle. “Your Highness jests.”
The undercurrents between them were naturally noticed by those with ulterior motives. Emperor Wenxuan was growing older… some things, whether sooner or later, would come to pass.
He Yan was seated among the men. She sat close to Lin Shuanghe and Xiao Jing, while Yan He was farther away. He Rufei sat even farther, and she could even feel Xu Zhiheng secretly observing her. He Yan also saw Chu Zhao. Today, Chu Zhao did not greet her. He still spoke gently with others, but he treated He Yan like a stranger. He Yan didn’t mind this, but Chu Zhao seemed somewhat unusual today.
Not long after the banquet began, Empress Zhang spoke up. Smiling, she said, “Today is a good day, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. I’d like to take this opportunity to do something good.”
The attendees exchanged glances, thinking of the recent battles at Rundu and Jiyang, where Great Wei had defeated the Wutuo People. Today was supposed to be a victory celebration, but the main protagonist, Xiao Huaijin, was not present. If they intended to reward He Rufei, his achievements in the Battle of Huayuan were hardly outstanding. Granting rewards now would not only fail to bring honor but would even feel insulting.
“Shi Jinbo,” Empress Zhang said with a smile, “the Fourth Young Master of your household should be of marriageable age now, right?”
Chu Linfeng was taken aback but quickly stood up. “Indeed.”
Chu Zhao also stood up.
“Chu Zilan, I know you and Pingting from Minister Xu’s household grew up together as childhood sweethearts. I watched Pingting grow up, and I also like you very much. The two of you look like a match made in heaven. Today, I shall do this good deed and betroth Pingting to you. What do you say?”
Xu Pingting was not present at the banquet. Only Chu Zhao knelt upon hearing this and said, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor. I am deeply grateful.”
Xu Jingfu also smiled and accepted the decree, bowing deeply in thanks.
The banquet immediately grew lively, with those around them congratulating Chu Linfeng and Xu Jingfu. Chu Linfeng was immensely proud. He had four sons, but the other three were average in appearance and talent, nothing special. Only this son, whose birth mother came from a small town, was both stunning and outstanding, and now he had even formed an alliance with the Prime Minister through marriage. This was truly a face-saving matter.
Chu Zhao also smiled and expressed his gratitude, but He Yan noticed that his smile did not seem genuine. Although she hadn’t spent much time with Chu Zhao, he often wore a smile, but even his feigned smile now seemed less sincere than before.
“How pitiful,” Lin Shuanghe murmured softly. “At a time like this, a single sentence decides one’s entire life. What difference is there from being a puppet?”
He Yan glanced at him. Lin Shuanghe realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly laughed. “Ahem, Brother He, Her Majesty said they were childhood sweethearts, so it’s only natural they should be together.”
He Yan said nothing. Although Chu Zhao and Xu Jingfu had a teacher-student relationship, Chu Zhao often relied on Xu Jingfu for many matters. Having chosen this path, he inevitably had to sacrifice something—such as… freedom. Everyone made their own choices. She sympathized with Chu Zhao’s situation, but wasn’t this also Chu Zhao’s own decision?
Because of this happy occasion, the banquet became less restrained and more lively. Seeing this, Emperor Wenxuan smiled and said, “In that case, I shall also do something good today.”
The attendees were startled. What did this mean? Could there be another marriage arrangement? Were they about to witness two happy events today? Since the Emperor and Empress were personally arranging the marriages, the individuals involved must be significant.
Guang Ji’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Guang Shuo. “Fourth Brother, who is being betrothed this time?”
The Crown Prince was also puzzled. He knew about the matter between Xu Pingting and Chu Zilan. Xu Pingting was a beautiful girl, and the Crown Prince felt somewhat regretful. However, he also knew he already had a Crown Princess, and Xu Jingfu would never allow his daughter to become a concubine. As for Chu Zilan, he was someone the Crown Prince needed to win over, so he could only let Xu Pingting be matched with that fellow Chu Zilan.
As for the person Emperor Wenxuan intended to betroth, he had not heard the slightest hint.
“Where is He Yan of the Liangzhou Guard?”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the banquet was stunned. Lin Shuanghe looked at He Yan in surprise. “How…”
He Yan, however, was not worried at all. She stood up and walked forward confidently, kneeling and kowtowing to Emperor Wenxuan. “Your humble subject, He Yan, pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Wenxuan laughed. “You are the Wu Anlang I personally appointed. How can you call yourself a humble subject?”
He Yan replied, “I acknowledge my fault.”
Upon hearing this name, Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei both turned their gaze toward the young man in the hall. Yan He frowned and muttered to himself, “What kind of act is this now?”
Chu Zhao secretly tightened his grip on his teacup, while Shen Muxue, sitting among the female attendees, lowered her head, her expression inscrutable.
Guang Ji asked, “Who is this brother?”
Guang Shuo shook his head. The name He Yan was too unfamiliar, and they had never seen this young man before. Only the title “Wu Anlang” left some impression—it seemed to be someone who had served under Xiao Jue in the Liangzhou Guard and had achieved merits alongside him.
“I know that you previously went to Jiyang and Rundu with General Feng Yun and were present when Rida Muzi attacked the Liangzhou Guard. The strategies for the naval battle at Jiyang and the defense of Rundu were both your ideas. For someone so young to be both brave and resourceful is already remarkable. I believe the title of Wu Anlang is insufficient for you. How about granting you a marquis title? From now on, you shall be the Marquis of Wu’an.”
“This…” The court officials exchanged glances.
To rise from an unknown youth to a marquis title, with no powerful backing—what an extraordinary spectacle! Even the Flying Goose General back in the day at least had family members in official positions. What was this young man’s background to achieve such prominence so quickly?
They had not seen the memorials, so they naturally did not know how the reports from Jiyang and Rundu detailed He Yan’s crucial role in the battles. Emperor Wenxuan loved talent, especially young talent. It reminded him of the geniuses described in poetry and literature. For geniuses, worldly conventions and rules were mere constraints.
“Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness.” He Yan bowed deeply, her heart equally calm.
“What kind of luck did this kid stumble upon?” Yan He drained his teacup in one gulp and grumbled, “He’s rising faster than I am.”
Lin Shuanghe was genuinely happy for He Yan, his face beaming with joy.
“No!”
At that moment, a sudden voice interrupted. He Yan turned to see an unfamiliar face among the male attendees. She had never seen this person before. He appeared young and wore an official robe. His brows carried a hint of impatience as he strode forward, knelt before Emperor Wenxuan, and said, “Your Majesty cannot grant him a marquis title! This kid is a fraud! He is not a man—she is a woman!”
As if this statement wasn’t shocking enough, the man reached out and pulled out the wooden hairpin holding He Yan’s hair in place. Instantly, her long hair cascaded down. Though her features remained the same, at this moment, she appeared delicate and radiant like a woman.
The young man knelt in the hall, his expression utterly calm, without a trace of panic. In contrast, the onlookers erupted like boiling water, clamoring in an uproar.
“What’s going on? Is she really a woman?”
“Didn’t they say she was from the Liangzhou Guard? Are there women in the Liangzhou Guard?”
“Is she really a woman? This is a crime of deceiving the emperor!”
At the banquet, Chu Zhao’s gaze fixed on the girl’s back, his hands hidden in his sleeves clenched into fists. Yan He couldn’t help but stand up abruptly, exclaiming, “How is that possible?”
When the man said “No,” Lin Shuanghe already had a bad premonition. When he uttered the word “woman,” Lin Shuanghe nearly fainted. However, he forced himself to remain composed. At a time like this, the slightest misstep could label him an accomplice in the “crime of deceiving the emperor.” Lin Mu pressed his arm, signaling him not to act rashly. Lin Shuanghe moved his lips, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to muddle through.
Should they insist it was just a case of a man with feminine features? Impossible—at this point, a simple examination by the palace matrons would reveal the truth. Should they claim He Yan was delusional and mistakenly believed herself to be a woman? That wouldn’t work either—if she were truly delusional, how could she have deceived so many people?
He had always been full of clever ideas, but at this moment, he couldn’t think of a single solution. He scratched his head anxiously, unsure what to do.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei, though seated in different places, were both shaken by the scene, nearly crying out in shock.
The name “He Yan” was a coincidence, but disguising as a man, entering the military, earning merits, and even being granted a marquis title—how could all these be mere coincidences? If a person had a past life, this must be it.
Xu Zhiheng felt guilty and trembled uncontrollably. If Emperor Wenxuan and his entourage weren’t present, he would have fled immediately.
Who exactly was this He Yan?
No one expected that a proper reward ceremony would suddenly take such a turn. Emperor Wenxuan looked at He Yan. “Wu Anlang, what do you have to say?”
“Your subject is indeed a woman,” He Yan replied. “Your Majesty sees everything clearly. I dare not conceal the truth.”
She admitted it so openly and honestly?
The officials erupted in an uproar.
Shen Muxue sat among the women, staring fixedly at her cup as if she hadn’t witnessed the commotion. However, upon closer inspection, her fingertips trembled slightly. Xia Chengxiu sat beside her and noticed Shen Muxue’s state, feeling surprised but saying nothing.
Empress Zhang was also taken aback by this turn of events, a flicker of surprise crossing her expression. However, Emperor Wenxuan showed no sign of shock or anger. He merely looked down at He Yan for a moment before the emperor’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Actually, I have long known that Wu Anlang is a woman.”
Shen Muxue abruptly looked up. How was that possible?
Lin Shuanghe was also stunned. The court officials were even more bewildered. This series of twists and turns was more dramatic than any play. First, Wu Anlang’s identity as a woman was exposed, and now the Emperor claimed he had known all along? What exactly was going on?
Chu Zhao frowned slightly and suddenly glanced at Xu Jingfu beside him. Xu Jingfu wore a kindly smile and did not seem surprised. A thought flashed through Chu Zhao’s mind, as if he had glimpsed a clue.
It was Empress Zhang who broke the silence. “Your Majesty, what do you mean by that…”
An attendant outside announced loudly, “General Feng Yun has arrived—”
He Yan’s heart stirred. Why was Xiao Jue here? Didn’t he leave the city and wasn’t supposed to come today?
Emperor Wenxuan laughed. “What’s going on? Let Commander Xiao explain it himself.”
He Yan’s heart shook violently. This seemed… different from what she had expected. Why was Xiao Jue involved? She hadn’t mentioned him at all… Why did Emperor Wenxuan’s words imply a connection to Xiao Jue?
Someone entered the hall.
The young commander had changed into a black court robe embroidered with gold. He was elegant and handsome, like a willow in early spring, graceful as drifting catkins. Despite being a military man who had endured the hardships of the battlefield, he carried no trace of coarseness. Instead, he resembled a noble young master from Shuojing City, his refined elegance overshadowing all the officials present.
Shen Muxue stared intently at Xiao Jue.
Xiao Jue walked to He Yan’s side and knelt in salute. From the officials’ perspective, he and He Yan looked like a newlywed couple bowing in unison.
“Rise, my subject.” Emperor Wenxuan glanced at He Yan. “Wu Anlang, you may rise as well.”
He Yan and Xiao Jue stood up.
Lin Shuanghe tightly gripped his fan, nearly snapping it in half. He knew that since Xiao Jue had appeared, he would definitely protect his own. But how could he ensure He Yan emerged unscathed?
“Miss He is my betrothed,” Xiao Jue said. “Because I feared the uncertainties of war in Liang Province and could not bear to part with her, I brought her along. I never expected Miss He to be so intelligent and brave, achieving merits no less than a man’s despite being a woman. Huaijin dared not deceive Your Majesty and secretly reported the truth to you long ago.”
Emperor Wenxuan laughed heartily, as if amused by Xiao Jue’s explanation. Shaking his head, he sighed, “I always thought Commander Xiao would never marry in this lifetime. I never expected to see the day when an iron tree blooms. In my opinion, there are few men in the world as deeply devoted as Commander Xiao.”
He had secretly reported it to Emperor Wenxuan long ago? He Yan was stunned. When did this happen? How did she not know? Even in the hall, she couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Jue, but the latter’s expression remained calm, revealing nothing.
At that moment, a woman’s sharp voice interjected, “Lies.”
Shen Muxue sat among the female attendees, her gaze fixed on He Yan like a sharp thorn, as if trying to pierce through her. Her voice was no longer gentle and soft but instead sharp and hoarse, like a pot of boiling water.
“When did Commander Xiao acquire such a betrothed? Why did none of us know?”
Everyone in Shuojing City knew about Shen Muxue’s situation. However, upon reflection, when did Xiao Jue have such a betrothed? Why was there no hint of it?
Xiao Jue stared coldly at her.
Shen Muxue couldn’t help but shiver.
“She is indeed not my betrothed.”
He Yan was taken aback. The next moment, the young man’s cool, deep voice rang out, carrying undeniable certainty.
“She is the scenery in my eyes, the thought in my heart, the one I love.”
My obsessive-compulsive self finally rounded off the chapter count with an even number for the confession!
Falling in love and getting married in one step!Hello?°?°?)??
(End of Chapter)
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