Chapter 235: The Truth
On the high throne, the emperor gazed at the letter presented by the palace attendant, remaining silent for a long time.
He Rufei’s heart felt as if gripped by an invisible hand, squeezing it painfully. At this point, he could be absolutely certain that the thief who had broken into the He residence that night and stolen the letter from the exquisite box was none other than Xiao Jue. But… how did Xiao Jue know how to open the exquisite box? To come and go from the He residence as if it were an open field—if there was no traitor leaking information, then… He looked at He Yan, suddenly recalling the moment during their sword duel when this woman had called him “elder brother.”
Her tone was laden with countless emotions, like a vengeful ghost come to collect a debt.
Could it be that she truly…
“The real Flying Goose General was once my classmate at the Virtuous Prosperity Academy,” Xiao Jue said. “After the Battle of Huayuan, I discovered doubts about General He’s identity. Upon returning to the capital, I visited the Virtuous Prosperity Academy. Someone attempted to set fire to the academy’s library, trying to burn the Flying Goose General’s old journals.” Xiao Jue’s voice was grave. “Fortunately, the arson failed. I compared the journals from the Virtuous Prosperity Academy with the military books the Flying Goose General had once read—the handwriting matched. However, Young Master He’s handwriting bears no resemblance.”
“How can this alone prove the identity of the Flying Goose General?” Xu Jingfu spoke slowly, his gaze fixed on Xiao Jue, inscrutable. “A person’s handwriting does not remain unchanged forever. Over time, it is possible for it to alter.”
He never imagined that Xiao Jue, after taking such a convoluted path, would bring up this matter—something so absurd it was almost laughable.
That He Rufei’s cousin was the real Flying Goose General, and He Rufei was merely a fraud who had usurped the glory, a cuckoo occupying the magpie’s nest? How could that be possible? No one even knew the name of He Rufei’s cousin, let alone how a woman could possess such formidable abilities.
He thought Xiao Huaijin must be joking, but when he saw He Rufei’s expression, his heart sank.
In an instant, many past mysteries became clear. He Rufei had a strong reputation among military officers and did not rely on his, a civil official’s, support. Even if he intended to take sides in the struggle for the throne, there was no need to rush. Why would he hastily collaborate with him, unless it was to use him as a cover for something?
Although Xu Jingfu had once harbored suspicions, investigations had yielded nothing, so he had temporarily dismissed his doubts. Now, it seemed that what Xiao Jue said was likely true. Though he did not understand how Xiao Jue had uncovered these secrets, if He Rufei were to fall, it would bring him no benefit. Considering this, no matter how unwilling he was, at this critical moment, Xu Jingfu had no choice but to speak in He Rufei’s defense.
“This is only one piece of evidence,” Xiao Jue said calmly. “Bring the witness.”
A woman was escorted onto the square by guards. She was timid and, upon seeing so many people, collapsed to the ground in fear.
“Qin,” Xiao Jue said, “in the presence of His Majesty, tell everything you know without omitting a single word.”
Xu Zhiheng’s face turned as pale as paper, and he swayed unsteadily. He had been searching for Nanny Qin’s whereabouts. Earlier, he had caught a lead, but the people he sent had come up empty-handed. Later, because of Fuwang, he thought Nanny Qin had been found by He Rufei, who intended to use her to threaten him. Never had he imagined that Nanny Qin had been found by Xiao Jue.When Nanny Qin saw the emperor, she was so frightened that she repeatedly kowtowed, tears nearly falling from her eyes: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty... This humble woman truly knows nothing. I served the concubine of the Xu family. That day, the concubine said she wanted to kill Madam Xu—it was the master's intention... I only dared to watch from afar. They held Madam Xu underwater until she suffocated to death. I heard the concubine call Madam Xu 'General He'... Madam Xu's eyes were also blinded by them. I didn't lay a hand on her, I truly know nothing!"
"Heavens! What does this woman mean? Was the previously drowned Madam Xu actually the real Flying Goose General? Did they kill her to silence her?"
"So, Master Xu also knew about this? But wasn't Master Xu deeply devoted to his deceased wife?"
"What kind of devotion is this? It's utterly horrifying!"
Lin Shuanghe murmured, "Brother He... was Madam Xu?"
Yan He could not hide the astonishment in his eyes, doubting whether he was dreaming.
Wei Xuanzhang was nudged by a colleague beside him. "Master Wei, so the General He from your academy back then was actually a woman? You didn't notice?"
Wei Xuanzhang remained silent, his mind filled with disbelief. Back then, he had disliked that He Rufei very much. If not for the intercession of his teacher, he would never have allowed He Rufei into the academy in the first place. That youth was diligent and eager to learn, but unfortunately, he had little talent for academics. As for martial arts, he was not outstanding either. The Virtuous Prosperity Academy cultivated the future talents of Great Wei—such an ordinary person should have attended an ordinary academy.
Later, however, when He Rufei led the Pacify Yue Army to fight the Western Qiang, Wei Xuanzhang had been impressed. Anyone who could defend the nation was a fine young man.
Now, looking back, He Rufei had already shown signs of being different from the other youths while at the Virtuous Prosperity Academy. For instance, he wore a mask all day and was always alone. The teachers had always assumed he was ashamed of his ugly appearance, but now everything became clear.
It turned out that clumsy yet hardworking youth was a girl, afraid of being discovered, and thus always kept to herself.
Wei Xuanzhang could not describe the feeling in his heart. He had always believed that women should stay at home, support their husbands, and raise children—they should not appear in public. Women were all short-sighted and narrow-minded. Yet now, he found it difficult to utter a single word of criticism, feeling only respect and pity for the deceased Flying Goose General.
The Fifth Prince, Guang Ji, quietly tugged at Guang Shuo beside him. "Fourth Brother, I don't understand what they're saying. What happened to the Flying Goose General?"
Guang Shuo suppressed the shock in his heart and said, "It's nothing." Watching He Rufei kneeling before the emperor, he sighed inwardly.
He remembered He Rufei. Back then, He Rufei had become famous in a single battle with the Pacify Yue Army. Later, it was discovered that he was the eldest son of the He family, and everyone in the court praised him. For a well-born young master from a noble family to go to war was always an act of courage. Moreover, the heroic bearing of the Flying Goose General was widely celebrated among his subordinates, and Guang Shuo had admired him greatly. But now, Xiao Jue had uncovered the truth—that brave general who had charged into battle without regard for his own life was, beneath the armor, a delicate woman.
And after the victory, the merits were not hers, the praise was not hers, and even her identity was not hers. In the end, she died in a conspiracy orchestrated by her own family. Hearing this, one could not help but feel the cruelty of fate.The emperor's gaze was heavy as he looked toward the civil officials. "Xu Zhiheng, did you also know about this matter?"
"No... no... I have been wronged!" Xu Zhiheng's legs gave way, and he knelt to the ground. "This vile woman is slandering me! I never... it was her mistress! Her mistress, He Wanru, was jealous of my wife and secretly harmed her, causing her to drown. After I learned of this, I killed He Wanru to avenge my wife. But I never knew my wife was the Flying Goose General! I truly had no idea!"
Tears and snot streamed down his face as he spoke with utmost sincerity. Anyone who saw him would think him utterly innocent. He Yan watched coldly as Xu Zhiheng put on this pitiful act. Suddenly, she felt that this spineless man before her bore no resemblance whatsoever to the young man in green she had once encountered at the hunting grounds.
The Crown Prince couldn't help but speak up. "Commander Xiao, surely you don't intend to convict General He based solely on a few handwritten notes and the baseless accusations of a servant? This is the Flying Goose General of Great Wei, and besides, the truth you speak of seems rather far-fetched. A woman, that formidable?"
Guang Yan had no dealings with He Rufei and only knew that He Rufei seemed to have some connection with Xu Xiang. Speaking up for He Rufei now was not for He Rufei's sake, nor for Xu Xiang's, but to silence Xiao Jue. After all, Xiao Jue was his enemy, not his friend.
"Based on this alone, of course, we cannot convict the eldest son of the He family. Moreover," his eyes held a mocking glint, "the eldest son of the He family's crimes are not limited to this."
Guang Yan was taken aback, while Xu Jingfu inwardly felt a sense of foreboding. Xiao Jue continued, "He Rufei colluded with the enemy and betrayed the nation. To avoid his identity being exposed, during the Battle of Huayuan, he secretly communicated with the Wutuo People, sacrificing the innocent lives of our Great Wei soldiers in exchange for the Wutuo People's leniency."
Ma Ningbu had been watching the spectacle from the sidelines, never expecting the fire to suddenly spread to him. His face paled in shock.
No one spoke.
The cold wind in the square howled through the fluttering banners, like the vengeful spirits of the dead from the battlefield finally reaching the court where grievances could be aired.
"He Rufei," Xiao Jue sneered, "you truly are a coward."
"Commander Xiao, one must not speak recklessly before matters are clarified," Xu Jingfu said.
Unmoved, Xiao Jue ordered his subordinates to present the evidence to the emperor.
"The eldest son of the He family reported a theft in his residence, claiming that antiques and cultural relics were stolen. Yet, for mere external wealth, the He family panicked and searched the entire city for the thief," Xiao Jue said calmly. "Why? Because the eldest son of the He family knew full well that if the stolen items were made public, he would be utterly disgraced."
He Rufei gritted his teeth. "You..."
"Three letters," the young man turned to the emperor, "two were exchanges with the Wutuo People, and one," he glanced at Xu Jingfu, a faint smile curling his lips, "was received from Xu Xiang."
Emperor Wenxuan's eyes snapped up.
If the earlier matter regarding He Rufei had only shocked and bewildered him, Xiao Jue's final words filled him with overwhelming anger and a profound sense of betrayal.
Xu Jingfu... and the Wutuo People?
He was a mediocre emperor who preferred to delegate authority, but that did not mean he enjoyed being manipulated by others. This trampled upon the dignity of the imperial family—how could he tolerate it?Xu Jingfu was stunned, instinctively kneeling down and immediately saying, "Your Majesty, this old minister has absolutely no disloyalty. I do not know where Commander Xiao forged these letters to slander me like this. My devotion to Your Majesty is as clear as heaven and earth!"
He had no idea where Xiao Jue had obtained the letters, nor when He Rufei had hidden them away. He had not put much thought into dealing with He Rufei—a crude military man was not worth the effort. Yet it was this carelessness that had pushed him into a pit of fire. He Rufei had actually kept a backup, preserving a letter from somewhere without destroying it. And it had been discovered by Xiao Jue!
Emperor Wenxuan looked at the letter in his hand, his expression growing darker and darker as he read, until finally, it was completely devoid of emotion.
Whether the letter was genuine or not, he already had an idea in his heart. Over the years, he had turned a blind eye to Xu Jingfu’s actions, largely out of gratitude for his assistance when he first ascended the throne. He considered himself an emperor with a sense of humanity, different from his predecessors. But now it seemed that the bond between ruler and subject meant nothing to some people. He had given Xu Jingfu power and status, yet the other remained unsatisfied.
The phrase "colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation" had barely been uttered when his gaze toward Xu Jingfu lost all traces of past affection.
"Commander Xiao," Yan He suddenly spoke up loudly from among the military officials, "did He Rufei truly disregard the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers in the Battle of Huayuan for his own selfish desires?"
Xiao Jue did not speak, calmly looking at him.
Yan He’s eyes instantly reddened.
Military officials were different from civil officials—they fought on the battlefield, wielding swords and spears, and the bonds between brothers and comrades who faced life and death together were unlike any other. In battle, military officials wished to save as many lives as possible and despised meaningless sacrifices. Yet there were such beasts who willingly betrayed their own people, watching them march to their deaths, all for the sake of their own worthless lives.
Yan He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt before Emperor Wenxuan. "I implore Your Majesty to severely punish He Rufei! Avenge the innocent soldiers who died unjustly in the Battle of Huayuan!"
The military officials were first stunned, then fell silent, and finally, one by one, they removed their swords and spears and knelt down. "We implore Your Majesty to severely punish He Rufei and avenge the innocent soldiers who died unjustly in the Battle of Huayuan!"
The shouts shook the heavens. Ma Ningbu inwardly thought, "This is bad." Looking at Emperor Wenxuan, he saw that his expression was also shaken.
Xiao Jue spoke coldly, "The Wutuo People secretly colluded with officials in the court, leading to the devastation of the Battle of Huayuan and the unjust deaths of soldiers. Now they pretend to seek peace while harboring malicious intentions. Your Majesty," Xiao Jue bowed, "the Wutuo People’s wolfish ambitions are clear for all to see. I implore Your Majesty to revoke the order for peace negotiations. As for establishing a Trade Market in Great Wei, it is nothing but a fantasy. The urgent task now is to purge the officials in the court who are colluding with the Wutuo People."
Xu Jingfu rebuked, "Xiao Huaijin, you are slandering me!"
"The innocent need not fear slander. Why is Prime Minister Xu so agitated?" Xiao Jue spared him not even a glance, his gaze fixed on Emperor Wenxuan. "I implore Your Majesty to revoke the order."
Emperor Wenxuan suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.
Having been emperor for so many years, he had enjoyed few days of ease. Most of the time, he was weary, but never before had he felt as old as he did today—so old that even sitting on this throne felt too high and too cold."Father," the Fourth Prince Guang Shuo, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward. He addressed Emperor Wenxuan, "Regardless of whether Commander Xiao's words are true or false, the matter of establishing friendly relations with the Wutu Kingdom must be reconsidered at this critical juncture. As for the eldest son of the He family and Minister Xu... until the truth comes to light, they cannot be left unchecked. The matter of the Flying Goose General is of utmost importance. If what Commander Xiao says is true, everyone involved in this affair cannot escape responsibility."
These words implicitly included Xu Jingfu as well.
Xu Jingfu felt a sweet taste in his throat, a surge of anger trapped in his chest, nearly making him spit blood. The Fourth Prince Guang Shuo had always been obedient and proper. Although Xu Jingfu supported Crown Prince Guang Yan and remained wary of Guang Shuo, in his heart, Guang Shuo lacked the courage to contend for the throne. If he had, he would not have waited until now. Guang Shuo's temperament resembled that of Emperor Wenxuan, carrying a touch of the useless benevolence typical of the imperial family. Thus, he was destined to be no match for Guang Yan.
And now, Guang Shuo's intervention would become the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Sure enough, Emperor Wenxuan glanced at Guang Shuo. At this critical moment, he did not resent Guang Shuo's interference in political affairs. Instead, he felt that Guang Shuo's words offered a solution to the current predicament, pulling him out of the sense of betrayal that had clouded his judgment.
Seeing the emperor's expression, Xu Jingfu knew things were turning sour. If Emperor Wenxuan spoke now and accepted Guang Shuo's proposal, then He Rufei would have no chance of recovery. If He Rufei had no chance, that letter would become the irrefutable evidence that sealed his fate. He could not be taken away here and now, leaving only Guang Yan outside. That fool Guang Yan would be utterly incapable of rescuing him, and Xiao Huaijin would not let this opportunity slip. Once today passed, he would be completely and irrevocably defeated!
"Your Majesty..." Xu Jingfu wept bitterly, his tears streaming down his aged face. "This old minister is wronged. I believe that not a single word Commander Xiao has spoken is true—it is all fabricated nonsense. It is said that the Flying Goose General and General Feng Yun have long been at odds, and now it seems this is true. However, this old minister does not know how General He offended Commander Xiao to provoke him into such a heartless act!"
Even at this moment, he refused to give up.
"Commander Xiao is not lying!" A woman's voice suddenly rang out, sharp and piercing.
He Yan was startled and turned to look. From the crowd, a woman stumbled forward, her clothes dirty as if she had rolled on the ground, appearing out of nowhere. Her hair was disheveled, yet her features were delicate and refined.
It was actually Lady He the Second.
He Yan was stunned. She wanted to step forward but feared revealing any clues, so she remained rooted to the spot.
Xiao Jue was equally surprised. He Rufei trembled visibly, but Lady He the Second paid no attention to anyone. She rushed directly to the foot of the Tianxing Platform, prostrating herself before Emperor Wenxuan, and cried out loudly, "This humble woman can testify, Your Majesty. This humble woman can testify. He Rufei is no Flying Goose General—he is an impostor! When He Rufei and my daughter were born together, he was frail and sickly. The physician declared he would not live past three years old. To preserve the family title, my husband and his elder brother made my daughter, He Yan, disguise herself as a boy and swap identities with He Rufei."
He Yan's hands trembled slightly.Lady He the Second crawled forward two steps. "My daughter went to the battlefield at sixteen and, by chance, earned military merit. By the time she returned to the capital, He Rufei had already recovered from his illness. When His Majesty bestowed rewards and appointed generals, He Yan and He Rufei had already returned to their rightful places. This was originally nothing," she gasped, pointing angrily at He Rufei not far away, "but they were utterly heartless! Fearing their identities would be exposed, they poisoned my daughter—first blinding her eyes, then drowning her in a pond."
"Commander Xiao did not deceive you, Your Majesty," Lady He the Second cried out. "My daughter, He Yan, is the true Flying Goose General!"
(End of Chapter)
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