Chapter 234: Truth and Falsehood
In an instant, a chill seeped through his limbs and bones. He Rufei stared wide-eyed in horror at the woman before him. What surfaced in his mind was the scene when he first saw "He Yan" upon returning to Shuojing, in the He residence. At that time, He Yan had already changed back into women's clothing. Standing before her, he watched as this woman, who had lived under his name for years, called him "elder brother," and a subtle sense of jealousy and resentment stirred within him.
How could he not resent it?
He was the true eldest son of the He family, yet he had been replaced for years. If it was once forced by circumstances, then when He Yan left the He family and embarked on the path of joining the army, fate had already broken free from everyone's control, rushing toward a future no one had anticipated.
He Rufei never truly enjoyed martial arts, even after his health had improved. The He family had no military generals, but because of He Yan's self-initiated actions, he had to learn the same sword techniques as her.
The same dietary habits, the same lifestyle preferences, the same handwriting, the same martial skills... even the same temperament.
He and He Yan each played the role of the other's substitute. This feeling was so unbearable that it finally reached its peak after his return to the capital, amid the subtle comparisons of others.
Thus, he proposed blinding He Yan. A blind woman would forever be confined to the inner chambers, unable to stir up trouble again. He would no longer have to worry that one day others might notice the differences between him and the former Flying Goose General, or that his cousin bore too many similarities to the Flying Goose General.
Yet... even blinded, He Yan did not fade into obscurity. After a period of despondence, He Yan, who could no longer see the light, began secretly practicing swordsmanship. Once, when He Rufei visited the Xu family, he saw her training in secret.
A blind woman, secretly practicing swordsmanship.
She seemed to sense someone's presence and stopped her movements, asking tentatively, "Is someone there?"
He Rufei did not answer and turned to leave. Upon returning to the He residence, he resolved that He Yan could no longer be allowed to live.
He Yan's existence was a threat to the He family and a constant reminder to himself that he was not the Flying Goose General, that he could never measure up to the Flying Goose General.
Only after He Yan's death could He Rufei finally set his mind at ease.
His swordsmanship was an imitation of He Yan's, yet now, in this woman's hands, it felt as fragile as a child's play. Her mocking gaze and the way she called him "elder brother" sent shivers down his spine.
The Qinglang sword had fallen to the ground at some point. He Yan glanced at him, bent down gracefully to pick it up, and looked at He Rufei, who had been kicked to his knees. Smiling, she said, "Thank you, Young Master He. The Qinglang sword is mine from now on."
Holding a sword in each hand, she turned and walked out of the square.
Everyone was stunned. This was not something He Rufei could have achieved by holding back. A person who held back would not have been knocked to the ground in such a humiliating manner by a woman.
The kneeling posture was, after all, somewhat humiliating.Yan He frowned and asked Xiao Jue, "Earlier, when He Yan spoke ill of He Rufei with me, I thought she was just trying to flatter me. But now it seems she really does have a serious grudge against He Rufei. Do you know what exactly He Rufei did to offend her?" Before Xiao Jue could answer, he added, "Never mind, I don’t want to know."
No one in the arena spoke, all stunned by the outcome. Who could have imagined that the Flying Goose General would be defeated by a woman?
Maningbu’s gaze flickered slightly.
Before anyone could speak, He Rufei, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly leaped up. He drew a dagger from his sleeve and lunged viciously at He Yan.
"Watch out!" Lin Shuanghe couldn’t help but exclaim. Chu Zhao’s gaze also tightened with tension.
He Yan frowned and swiftly dodged. He Rufei missed but did not relent. The dagger in his hand gleamed with a faint light, as if it might have been coated with something, and he pressed forward step by step toward He Yan.
In the next moment, Xiao Jue flew forward, arriving at the center of the arena. He casually took Drink Autumn from He Yan’s hand, kicked away the dagger in He Rufei’s grip, and swept the sword’s tip past He Rufei’s neck, leaving a thin trail of blood.
"Move again," Xiao Jue’s eyes turned icy as he warned coldly, "and I won’t mind ‘accidentally’ making a mistake here."
The cold sensation on his neck jolted He Rufei back to his senses. He looked at the man before him, and the indifference in Xiao Jue’s eyes made him fully sober up. Xiao Jue was different from He Yan—that woman had only wanted to scare him, but this man truly wanted his life.
He Rufei forced a smile. "I was merely sparring with the Marquis of Wu’an. Commander Xiao seems overly tense."
"Sparring?" Xiao Jue’s gaze sharpened as he mocked, "I never expected Young Master He to favor sneak attacks when sparring. Nor did I expect Young Master He to be so obsessed with winning."
At these words, the officials immediately began murmuring again.
"Indeed, to sneak attack a woman—it’s disgraceful."
"One should accept defeat gracefully. This is hardly manly."
"But the Marquis of Wu’an reacted so quickly. Even this failed to succeed. It seems her reputation for being skilled and brave in battle isn’t unfounded—she truly has substance. Could it be that General He is truly inferior to her?"
"Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence that this young lady also shares the surname He. If she were to become a general in the future, which general do you think would be more formidable?"
As martial artists, their hearing was exceptional. The officials’ whispers flooded into He Rufei’s ears, and he couldn’t help but clench his fists, feeling a throbbing pain in his head.
Again, again! He Yan was already dead, so why did another He Yan with the same name have to appear? Why was he still inferior to her!
On the Celestial Star Platform, Emperor Wenxuan’s expression had turned very unpleasant.
He had originally hoped to showcase an elegant sword duel before the Wutuo envoy, but in the end, it had come to this—utterly humiliating. Not only had He Rufei lost to a woman, but his defeat had been far from graceful. And to top it off, he had attempted a sneak attack. What kind of spectacle was this? Today had truly become a joke for all to see.The blade of Drink Autumn remained at his neck. He Rufei’s gaze shifted to He Yan, who stood behind Xiao Jue. Though countless suspicions swirled in his heart, under the watchful eyes of the crowd and with Xiao Jue shielding her, he had no choice but to force a graceful smile, masking his unwillingness. “I admit defeat. The Marquis of Wu’an truly lives up to her reputation as a heroine among women. I was merely jesting earlier, and I hope the young lady will not take it to heart.”
He Yan looked at him and returned a smile. “It’s nothing. I haven’t taken it to heart.”
He Rufei inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as He Yan did not press the matter aggressively, he could temporarily cover it up and plan slowly for the future. However, he hadn’t expected Xiao Jue and He Yan to already be targeting him. Could it be that they had discovered the truth about the previous attempt to assassinate He Yan?
Just as this thought crossed his mind, the woman before him chuckled softly and spoke, “But Young Master He, why would you carry a poisoned dagger in your robes when you already have the Qinglang Sword?”
Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone in the square to hear. In an instant, a single stone stirred a thousand waves, and the gazes directed at He Rufei shifted dramatically.
“Poisoned? Is that true?”
“Why would the Flying Goose General carry a poisoned dagger?”
He Rufei had never expected He Yan to suddenly strike back. A flicker of panic flashed across his face as he snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Is that so?” He Yan remained smiling, showing no trace of anger. “Perhaps I was mistaken. In that case, would Young Master He dare to make a cut on his own hand with the dagger? If nothing happens, I’ll believe you—that the dagger isn’t poisoned.”
He Rufei was left speechless.
The dagger was indeed poisoned. If it didn’t draw blood, it would be harmless, but if it did, the poison would quickly seep in, causing death within a few steps.
Lately, due to various events, he had grown uneasy and suspicious, so he had taken to carrying this dagger with him. He wouldn’t use it to harm anyone unless absolutely necessary. However, the woman’s provocative stance earlier had reminded him of the deceased He Yan, easily stirring up the violence and anger within him, which was why he had acted impulsively. And now, Xiao Jue had seized this weakness.
Wait—a flicker of horror crossed his mind. Could it be that He Yan had deliberately provoked him from the start, all for this moment? But how did she know he was carrying this dagger? As a woman, He Yan couldn’t possibly have known. Then it must have been Xiao Jue… Could there be someone from Xiao Jue’s side within the He family?
His prolonged silence, in the eyes of the crowd, was a sign of guilt. Regardless of anything else, just this duel alone had caused He Rufei’s reputation among the officials to plummet. If what He Yan said was true—that the dagger was poisoned—then He Rufei’s earlier sneak attack on He Yan as she turned away was not merely a sign of poor sportsmanship but also malicious and ruthless. If Xiao Jue hadn’t stepped in, who knew what the outcome might have been.
But was this truly the kind of person the Flying Goose General of Great Wei was?Emperor Wenxuan felt that his old face had been thoroughly shamed today and had no desire to speak. Xu Jingfu stood among the civil officials, his expression dark enough to drip water. He Rufei was truly useless, losing to a woman and even getting caught with his tail between his legs. Since Xiao Jue had intervened, it was likely that He Rufei had fallen into their trap from the very beginning without even realizing it. But... Xu Jingfu pondered, what exactly was Xiao Jue trying to achieve by going to such lengths?
Lin Shuanghe suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, whether Young Master He's dagger is poisoned or not, this humble subject can tell at a glance. Why not allow me to step forward and examine it, lest the two generals misunderstand each other and damage their harmony."
To be fair, Lin Shuanghe held no particular ill will toward He Rufei. Unlike Yan He, he and He Rufei had once shared the camaraderie of "progressing together" as classmates. Although he didn’t know what had transpired between Xiao Jue and He Rufei, based on his understanding of He Rufei, he didn’t seem like the kind of malicious person who would resort to a sneak attack. There was likely some misunderstanding, and at this point, Lin Shuanghe still hoped that Xiao Jue and He Rufei could reconcile, or at least avoid such a tense confrontation.
He believed his intentions were good, but to his surprise, He Rufei paused for a moment upon hearing this, gritted his teeth, and said, "There’s no need. The dagger is indeed poisoned."
The officials erupted in an uproar.
Emperor Wenxuan angrily demanded, "He Rufei, why did you bring a poisoned dagger to the Celestial Star Platform?"
Upon hearing this, He Rufei immediately knelt down, prostrating himself before Emperor Wenxuan. He raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, Shuojing City has been unsettled these past few days. A few days ago, I encountered assassins while traveling, and not long ago, my residence was targeted by thieves. I suspect someone is secretly plotting against me. To guard against unforeseen dangers, I concealed a dagger in my robes as a precaution. However, in the heat of today’s moment, I became so engrossed in sparring with the Marquis of Wu’an that I momentarily forgot the dagger was inappropriate. I am ashamed and beg Your Majesty for punishment."
He Yan watched him weave lies so fluently and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He Rufei was indeed a talent, able to concoct an excuse in such a short time. Although the excuse was flimsy, it was still an excuse.
Seeing this, Xu Jingfu also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has also heard of the theft at General He’s residence. Carrying a dagger on one’s person, while inappropriate, is not a capital offense. Today’s banquet at the Celestial Star Platform should not be marred by bloodshed. I hope Your Majesty will show leniency. However, General He’s actions were indeed dangerous. Had he accidentally injured the Marquis of Wu’an, I fear Commander Xiao would have flown into a rage for his beloved."
His words were light and tinged with mockery, clearly intended to downplay He Rufei’s offense. After all, He Rufei was secretly connected to him in many ways. If He Rufei were to truly face consequences, it would not bode well for him.
Xu Jingfu looked at He Yan and smiled, "The Marquis of Wu’an must have been quite frightened."
Everyone watched Xu Jingfu and Xiao Jue. These two were known throughout the court as bitter rivals. Xiao Jue’s ruthlessness was well-known, but his fiancée, the Marquis of Wu’an, was always smiling, speaking gently and with restraint, appearing to be an agreeable person. Moreover, in front of so many people, if He Yan were to press the matter aggressively, it would not only make her seem unreasonable as a woman but also displease Emperor Wenxuan.
After all, this was a family scandal. In front of outsiders, it was best not to make too big a fuss.Xu Jingfu provided the stepping stone, and Emperor Wenxuan was happy to take the opportunity, scolding, "He Rufei, hurry up and apologize to the Marquis of Wu'an!"
He Rufei quickly bowed and saluted He Yan, saying, "My apologies, Marquis of Wu'an. Earlier, during our spar, it was entirely my fault for being overly competitive and nearly harming Miss He. Fortunately, the young lady is unharmed." Although he was speaking to He Yan, his gaze was fixed on Xiao Jue standing beside her. In He Rufei's view, He Yan's actions must have been directed by Xiao Jue. He wasn't worried about He Yan, but he couldn't help feeling wary of Xiao Jue.
Yet, amidst his wariness, He Rufei also felt a hint of smugness.
What could Xiao Jue do? Once Emperor Wenxuan spoke, no matter how dissatisfied he was, he could only let the matter drop. Xu Xiang was truly formidable, and it was worth sacrificing a trusted aide to secure a connection with Xu Jingfu.
As he was thinking this, he saw the Right Army Commander of Great Wei standing before him, looking down at him with silent mockery in his eyes, as if watching a clown. A sudden surge of anger rose within him, but before he could speak, He Yan spoke up.
He Yan said, "There's no need for Young Master He to apologize to me. After all, you didn't actually harm me. If you had harmed His Majesty today, Young Master He would truly be beyond redemption."
He Rufei's expression changed. "What did you say?" He instinctively glanced toward the emperor on the celestial platform.
"I said," He Yan bent down to pick up the dagger that He Rufei had dropped earlier, twirling it in her hand before looking at him, "Young Master He went to great lengths to hide a dagger on your person. Was it really meant to harm me? I am merely a woman. Why would Young Master He go to such lengths? The person Young Master He truly intended to harm... was actually His Majesty!"
Her voice sharpened like a blade at the end, startling everyone present.
"He Yan!" He Rufei cut her off sharply before she could continue. "Do not slander me here! This is a false accusation. Your Majesty," he hurriedly turned to Emperor Wenxuan, loudly proclaiming his innocence, "I harbor no such treacherous intentions. I do not know how I have offended the Marquis of Wu'an or Commander Xiao, but they are trying to frame me unjustly."
Xu Jingfu also hadn't expected He Yan to directly accuse He Rufei of regicide. Hearing this, he quickly added, "Marquis of Wu'an, such words must not be spoken carelessly. General He merely accidentally harmed you during the spar. Why must you push him to the brink of death?"
"Your Majesty, when I followed the Pacify Yue Army to quell the rebellion, my only wish was for Great Wei to be prosperous and its people at peace. My lifelong ambition is to guard Great Wei's land for Your Majesty, with no ulterior motives. Your Majesty, please believe in my loyalty!" He Rufei cried out.
Maningbu widened his eyes slightly. This turn of events was something he hadn't anticipated, and it was quite intriguing. Although He Rufei had cooperated with their Wutuo People, the Wutuo People didn't truly trust him. After all, He Rufei's military tactics were evident to all. If Great Wei's two renowned generals were to join forces, it would be anything but good news for the Wutu Kingdom. Now that they were at odds, as long as one of Emperor Wenxuan's arms was broken, Great Wei could be torn open.
He had no intention of speaking.
The emperor sat on his high throne, looking down at his minister who was kowtowing incessantly, his expression somewhat inscrutable.Though he was a mediocre emperor, unskilled in court affairs, he possessed the innate quality of a ruler: suspicion. If left unmentioned, it was fine, but once a seed was planted, his perspective inevitably shifted.
The military officers, however, were moved by He Rufei’s earlier words and couldn’t help but speak in his defense.
“Indeed, General He risked his life to quell the Western Qiang rebellion. His loyalty is evident to all—how could he harbor intentions to harm His Majesty?”
“Marquis of Wu’an’s words are excessive. If he truly intended harm, why would he risk his life in battle?”
“I’ve heard from those in the military camp that the Flying Goose General is fiercely loyal and fearless in the face of death—nothing like the person described.”
These discussions reached He Yan’s ears, and she smiled faintly, offering no comment. Only when the hall gradually quieted did she speak slowly, “The Flying Goose General served the nation with unwavering loyalty, majestic and peerless, unmatched in valor. Of course, she would never commit treason or regicide.”
“But,” she smiled as she looked at He Rufei, her gaze gradually cooling, “Young Master He, are you the Flying Goose General?”
He Rufei felt as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss.
The woman before him stared, the curve of her lips cold, her gaze filled with disdain, as if looking at an insignificant ant.
She looked down on him.
Chu Zhao was taken aback, while someone beside him muttered, “What does the Marquis of Wu’an mean? How could General He not be the Flying Goose General? Of course he is!”
Yan He frowned, his gaze toward He Rufei now tinged with scrutiny.
He Rufei said, “What are you….”
“I said,” this time, before he could finish, He Yan interrupted him, “Young Master He, aren’t you tired of pretending to be the Flying Goose General for so long?”
“I think it’s time to take off that mask you’re wearing,” she said calmly.
The Celestial Star Terrace erupted into commotion.
Even with Emperor Wenxuan present, the situation was spiraling out of control. For a moment, He Rufei felt as if he had been stripped bare and exposed under the glaring sun, its brightness too intense for him to open his eyes. Sharing his shock was Xu Zhiheng.
His legs trembled, his eyes filled with panic, and only one thought echoed in his mind: flee, flee. But as he tried to move, he realized his legs had gone weak, leaving him unable to take a single step.
“What nonsense are you spouting?” He Rufei struggled to maintain his composure, his voice laced with resentment. “Has the Marquis of Wu’an lost her mind? Pretending to be the Flying Goose General? A mask? His Majesty personally bestowed upon me the title of Flying Goose General—how could it be false? Accusations are easily fabricated. I once thought the Marquis of Wu’an was a heroine of broad-mindedness, but now I see her pettiness. Had I known, I would never have agreed to compete with you.”
“At this point, is there any meaning to such words?” He Yan looked down at him. “You’ve pretended to be the Flying Goose General for so long, yet you’ve learned nothing of her essence. The Flying Goose General dared to act and take responsibility. You, on the other hand, have done the deeds but now shrink from admitting them.”
“Marquis of Wu’an,” Emperor Wenxuan looked at He Yan, his gaze inscrutable, “what do you mean by this?”
“Your Majesty,” He Yan bowed to Emperor Wenxuan, “the Flying Goose General would never betray Great Wei or Your Majesty, but Young Master He would. This Young Master He is not the true Flying Goose General.”"You are speaking nonsense!" He Rufei couldn't help but exclaim, "I am not the Flying Goose General. Who is the Flying Goose General then?"
He Yan's lips curved into a smile, her tone eerily gentle. "Young Master He, have you truly forgotten your cousin who accidentally drowned?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell into silence.
Xu Zhiheng nearly fainted, Xu Jingfu's face turned pale, and Emperor Wenxuan coughed several times, clutching his chest. The attendant beside him hurriedly handed him a handkerchief and massaged his chest. Only then did Emperor Wenxuan speak, "He Yan, do you know what you are saying?"
The Wutuo envoy, the sword dance—none of it mattered now. Emperor Wenxuan stared intently at He Rufei on the ground. A moment's reflection on He Yan's words made it clear what she was implying. Yet no one dared to discuss it, for the truth was simply too shocking.
Wei Xuanzhang widened his eyes, filled with disbelief. Yan He frowned deeply, while Lin Shuanghe stared blankly at He Rufei, struggling to accept what he had just heard.
"Your Majesty," Xiao Jue finally stepped forward, having spoken very little until now. He glanced at He Rufei before continuing, "The eldest son of the He family is not the Flying Goose General. Or rather, the Flying Goose General who led the Pacify Yue Army to quell the Western Qiang rebellion on the battlefield is not the same person as the one who returned to the capital to receive rewards."
"This young master He knows nothing of warfare—only how to claim rewards."
Tens of thousands stood in silence at the Celestial Star Platform.
Emperor Wenxuan's voice carried restrained fury: "Do you have evidence?"
Xiao Jue curled his lips: "Yes."
(End of Chapter)
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