Chapter 236: Sacrifice
He Yan is the true Flying Goose General!
If the successive pieces of evidence Xiao Jue had just presented were merely written proofs that still left room for doubt, now that this woman had personally stepped forward to confirm it, the matter was truly settled beyond any dispute.
He Yan stared blankly at Lady He the Second. She had never seen Lady He the Second speak with such intensity, nor had she ever expected that one day she would hear with her own ears the words "she is my daughter." At this moment, Lady He the Second was just like any ordinary mother, pleading hoarsely for justice for her own flesh and blood.
But how could she be here?
Xiao Jue also watched Lady He the Second, his brow tightly furrowed. He had once agreed to make a deal with Lady He the Second to protect He Xinying, but what exactly she intended to do, Lady He the Second had not told Cuiluo. Xiao Jue did not know how Lady He the Second had managed to come here, nor did he know what exactly she planned to do. However, when he saw Lady He the Second's deathly pale face, an ominous premonition immediately rose in his heart.
"Don't listen to this wretch's nonsense, Your Majesty!" He Rufei urgently spoke up. "She is already so ill that her mind is confused. She is talking nonsense!"
"This subject's wife is not talking nonsense!" Lady He the Second suddenly began coughing violently, and a trace of dark blood gradually trickled from the corner of her mouth.
He Yan's heart tightened, and in an instant, her entire body turned cold. She wanted to step forward, but the woman seemed not to see her. Ignoring the blood at the corner of her mouth, she loudly declared, "This subject's wife is not lying. The He family, fearing that this subject's wife would reveal the truth, poisoned me day after day. Knowing that my time is short, I refuse to let the truth of my daughter's wrongful death be buried forever. Your Majesty!" Her voice was mournful, like the bloody cry of a dying beast. "A dying person's words are sincere. Every word I speak is true. If I deceive, may I be struck by lightning, die a horrible death, descend into the eighteen layers of hell after death, and never be reincarnated!"
The oath was both venomous and fierce, but what was even more shocking was her desperate expression. The blood flowing from Lady He the Second's mouth grew increasingly profuse, almost uncontrollable. Lin Shuanghe wanted to rush forward to check on her, but Lin Mu beside him held him back, shaking his head slightly.
"There's no saving her."
Lady He the Second cried out, "I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for this subject's wife's daughter! I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for the Flying Goose General!" After saying this, she seemed finally unable to hold on any longer, her entire body collapsing. Xiao Jue stood not far from her side and instinctively caught her.
Lady He the Second looked at Xiao Jue.
This young man before her was the dream of countless daughters of Great Wei, General Feng Yun. She had once seen this man walking side by side with his fiancée at Jade Splendor Temple. The world spoke of the cold and aloof Second Young Master Xiao, but in truth, when facing the smiling girl before him, his gaze was incredibly gentle.
He was different from Xu Zhiheng, different from He Rufei, different from all those men who used and deceived the women by their sides. If she entrusted He Yan to him, she should be at ease.
Her daughter... He Yan.Lady He the Second's eyes grew moist. She knew He Yan was standing in the distance, watching her—that was her daughter. Even though He Yan had completely changed, even though He Yan no longer shared her blood, even though the two of them had spent pitifully little time together in their previous lives, like strangers—when He Yan stood before her, nodding with a faint smile and politely addressing her as "Lady He the Second," she recognized her at once.
He Yan had a sweet tooth, always held her chopsticks near the top when eating, and would push disliked food to the edge of her bowl, only to obediently finish it in the end... The young woman she had seen dining at Jade Splendor Temple—in that instant, she understood something.
Between mother and daughter, there must be some kind of unspoken connection.
"Commander Xiao..." she gasped with effort, her eyes filled with hope as she looked at the young man before her. "Is she... is she..."
"She is He Yan," Xiao Jue replied softly.
In that moment, Lady He the Second's heart was flooded with immense satisfaction. "Good... good..."
Perhaps Heaven had taken pity on her daughter, who had grown up so pitifully alone—deceived, poisoned, and murdered, her very existence exploited to the last drop to burnish the He and Xu families' reputation for loyalty and righteousness.
How she hated it! The depth of her hatred was matched only by her helplessness. On countless nights, she had gazed at the white silk hanging from the rafters, just one step away from release, from descending into hell to atone for her sins. Yet at the last moment, thoughts of He Xinying always made her retreat.
What else could she do?
She could only live on like a walking corpse.
But perhaps even Heaven had taken pity on her, allowing her to see He Yan again in this lifetime. From the moment she first laid eyes on He Yan, from the moment she understood that He Yan sought revenge and wanted to bring down He Rufei, Lady He the Second had resolved to help He Yan achieve her goal, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
She knew her own body best. Since He Yan's death, she had been clinging to life by a thread. She knew Cuiluo was sent by Xiao Jue and suspected that Xiao Jue might know much of the truth. She was willing to use her life as the final nail in the coffin. She took the poison and crawled out through the dog hole He Yan had dug as a child. He Yan would likely never know that all those years ago, when she slipped out through that hole every morning, Lady He the Second had seen it all.
He Yan thought Lady He the Second didn't care about her, but in truth, all these years, she had been watching her daughter from the shadows. Watching her sit alone in the courtyard wearing a mask, playing by herself. Watching her grow despondent after being scolded by Lady He the First for nearly revealing her true self. Watching the look in her eyes shift from longing and hope to calm indifference. Watching her bury all traces of her original self to become someone else.
Countless nights, Lady He the Second had tossed and turned, wondering: if she hadn't just silently watched, if she had been kinder to He Yan, just a little kinder, letting He Yan feel even a moment of warmth—perhaps in her final moments, looking back on her life, He Yan would have had at least a flicker of fondness and warmth to cling to. Instead, she died in the icy pond water, her entire life sacrificed to a conspiracy.
"Don't... tell her... I knew... who she was..." she struggled to speak, blood gushing in thick streams from the corners of her mouth."Why?" Xiao Jue stared at the woman before him, feeling as if he had been transported back to the day Madam Xiao left. The heart-wrenching pain was something no one who had experienced it would ever wish to endure again. He had tasted this bitterness, never expecting that He Yan would now walk the same path he once did.
How cruel.
"Let her hate me..." A smile flickered in Lady He the Second's eyes, mingled with what seemed like tears. "I never did anything... Let her hate me..."
In front of Cuiluo, she never mentioned He Yan, frequently bringing up He Xinying instead. Even when making a deal with Xiao Jue, she only cared about He Xinying's life. She knew all of this would be seen and heard by Xiao Jue. She knew Xiao Jue valued loyalty and righteousness deeply, perhaps the only person in the world now who truly cared for He Yan. The more she showed favoritism, the more Xiao Jue would ache for He Yan. The fearless and invincible general on the battlefield did not understand the intricate schemes and hearts of women in the inner chambers. She would use this little trick to manipulate Xiao Jue, to make him spare no effort in being good to He Yan.
This was the last thing she could do for He Yan.
Xiao Jue's gaze lingered on the woman before him. After a moment of silence, he finally couldn't help but speak. "She has never hated you."
Lady He the Second froze.
In that instant, the world fell into utter silence, with only the man's words echoing in her ears. Her body had already lost its strength; even turning her head was difficult. She could only shift her eyes slightly, stealing a glance at the figure she had longed to see yet dared not—the one she had wronged most in this life.
But her vision had blurred, and she could no longer see that person clearly. All she could make out was a hazy silhouette standing in the square, tall and upright, heroic and beautiful, like a painting.
Suddenly, she remembered the days when she had just discovered she was pregnant. Back then, He Yuanliang had joyfully invited a fortune-teller to examine her. The fortune-teller gazed at her belly and said mysteriously, "A single star of a general is most auspicious; if the timing aligns, destiny will surely flourish. High office and honors shall be bestowed, bringing peace to the nation and guarding the borders. Madam, what you carry in your womb is a rare talent of a general, seen once in a century. If it is a boy, he will surely rise to great heights. If it is a girl... the household will know no peace."
He Yuanliang had many clothes made for a little boy, but Lady He the Second inexplicably felt that what she carried in her womb was surely a little girl.
Fate played its tricks. Although He Yan was a girl, she had lived as a man for so many years.
At Jade Splendor Temple, the mother and daughter who met again were like strangers. Suppressing the storm in her heart, she asked the woman before her, "Miss He... why are you named He Yan?"
The girl smiled carelessly and replied casually, "Who knows? Ordinary girls are rarely given the name 'Yan.' 'Clear rivers and peaceful seas'—perhaps my parents knew from the moment I was born that I was destined to go to the battlefield and protect the people."
Lady He the Second's tears finally fell.
She murmured, "Wearing lotus garments so graceful, yet vast and boundless, they cannot be fastened..."
She had never wanted He Yan to go to the battlefield or achieve great deeds. A mother's initial wish was simply for her to be a beautiful, carefree little girl.
But this initial wish had long since strayed into absurdity, unnoticed.
Before the tear stains on her face had dried, her clenched fists loosened. The woman's last breath faded, and her life came to an end.Xiao Jue's heart jolted violently. He instinctively turned to search for that figure. Beside He Rufei, He Yan stood frozen, her gaze fixed on Lady He the Second in his arms.
She didn't know what Lady He the Second had said to Xiao Jue. Their voices were too soft, the wind too loud. She could only see that in the end, Lady He the Second seemed to glance in her direction.
What was she looking at? Was she looking at the Marquis of Wu'an, He Yan, or at the Second Miss of the He family, He Yan?
Qinglang had already returned to her hand, yet at this moment, He Yan felt not a shred of joy in her heart. She stared fixedly at the woman in Xiao Jue's arms, wishing she could rush over immediately—but she could not. She could not take a step forward. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, it would arouse suspicion. She was now the Marquis of Wu'an, He Yan, with no connection whatsoever to the He military family. If she approached now, who knew what consequences it might bring to the situation.
Xiao Jue turned back, gently laying the woman's body on the ground, and looked toward Emperor Wenxuan. "Your Majesty, Lady He the Second has proven with her life that He Rufei has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. He Rufei falsely claimed military merits, and the He family has deceived and defied the throne. Such treacherous individuals deserve execution. I earnestly implore Your Majesty to severely punish all those involved and show no leniency."
"Your Majesty!" He Rufei cried out in panic, "I am wronged!"
"Your Majesty," Xu Zhiheng also loudly protested, "I was forced into this! It was He Rufei who did all these things. I have nothing to do with it! I am also a victim and knew nothing of this!"
Emperor Wenxuan frowned, his head throbbing painfully. He said sternly, "Guards, take He Rufei and Xu Zhiheng away. Confiscate the properties of the He and Xu families."
This was the final reckoning. The Fourth Prince, Guang Shuo, stirred inwardly and stepped forward. "Father, what about Xu Xiang…?"
He had not forgotten Xu Xiang. Xu Zhiheng and He Rufei were nothing compared to Xu Jingfu. Xiao Jue had finally created such an opportunity. If they could not use it to shake Xu Xiang's position, it would be far too difficult to have such favorable timing, location, and circumstances again in the future.
Xu Jingfu's expression was extremely grim. At this point, He Rufei was already beyond saving. If Lady He the Second had not appeared, they could have slowly planned later. But not only had Lady He the Second appeared, she had also used her life as proof. He understood Emperor Wenxuan too well—the emperor's pity for Lady He the Second would fuel his anger toward the He and Xu families.
He, too, would suffer the consequences.
"Your Majesty, this old minister has always been loyal to you. I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly!" Xu Jingfu looked at Emperor Wenxuan, his gaze frank and open. In the past, Emperor Wenxuan might have felt he was being too aggressive, but now, whenever he thought of the three letters Xiao Huaijin had presented and then looked at Xu Jingfu's demeanor, he felt nothing but disgust.
He said expressionlessly, "Take him to the prison. Await trial."
"Yes." The Fourth Prince was overjoyed in his heart.
The Crown Prince looked somewhat flustered. Of course, he did not want this to happen, but judging by the current situation, it was clear that Xiao Huaijin had come prepared today. Even Xu Jingfu himself had not expected it. No one knew exactly how much evidence Xiao Jue held in his hands. One after another, it seemed he had been preparing for this day long ago. In that case, it was better to wait and observe for now. Once Xiao Huaijin had played all his cards, he could find a way to plan for the aftermath.
Guang Yan said nothing. He Rufei and Xu Zhiheng had both been taken away. Xu Jingfu could not allow himself to be as disgraced as those two. He straightened his collar and said calmly, "This old minister will walk on his own."As he passed by Chu Zhao, Xu Jingfu glanced at him. Chu Zhao stood with lowered eyes among the civil officials and gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Xu Jingfu felt slightly reassured. He couldn’t rely on that fool Guang Yan to act outside, but fortunately, there was still Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao was meticulous and had followed him for so many years. With him outside, the situation wasn’t too dire.
However, he hadn’t expected Xiao Huaijin to use He Rufei against him. In this game, he had underestimated Xiao Jue.
“As for the envoys from Wutuo…” Xiao Jue swept his gaze over them and said, “Today’s incident at Tianxing Terrace was unexpected. For the next few days, please stay peacefully in Shuojing City. Once this matter is resolved, we can discuss future plans.” He turned to Emperor Wenxuan. “What does Your Majesty think?”
Emperor Wenxuan’s mind was already overwhelmed and weary. Hearing this, he waved his hand and said, “Do as you suggest.”
Maningbu’s expression changed as he realized that now even they couldn’t leave. This Xiao Huaijin was truly formidable. Everyone knew his opponent was Xu Jingfu, yet he had targeted He Rufei instead. After today, not only would the He and Xu families face misfortune, but Xu Jingfu’s future was also uncertain. Sometimes, in a game between rivals, victory hinges on the clash of a few key pieces. Xu Jingfu aside, with the exposure of He Rufei’s secret agreement with them regarding the Battle of Huayuan, not only would the establishment of the Trade Market be jeopardized, but even the peace negotiations might face obstacles. Thus, the hard-won advantages the Wutu Kingdom had gained would vanish, and there was no guarantee that all their efforts wouldn’t come to nothing.
However, under another’s roof, one had no choice but to bow. Now was not the time for a direct confrontation, so Maningbu smiled and said, “Of course.”
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Jue stepped forward, lowering his voice slightly, “although Lady He the Second is also a member of the He family, today she took the initiative to expose the He family’s deception, even at the cost of her life. Her merits and faults offset each other. In honor of the true Flying Goose General, who fought valiantly and shed blood on the battlefield for Great Wei, I implore Your Majesty to allow this humble official to bury Lady He the Second’s body and grant her peace.”
“Commander Xiao, isn’t this somewhat inappropriate?” the Crown Prince frowned. “After all, she was complicit and guilty of deceiving the emperor. How can you plead for a criminal?”
“She was the birth mother of the Flying Goose General,” Xiao Jue looked at him, his gaze sharp. “Where there is room for leniency, show mercy, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince coughed lightly and fell silent.
Emperor Wenxuan, supported by an attendant, rose to his feet. Hearing this, he glanced at the lifeless woman on the ground, feeling a twinge of pity. A mother who had sacrificed her life to seek justice for her deceased daughter was, after all, pitiable. Besides… she was already dead. Let it be, he thought, too weary to dwell on it further.
He said, “Granted.”
Xiao Jue felt a slight sense of relief.
Today’s banquet at Tianxing Terrace had brought no joy whatsoever. Some had died, others had been captured, and a grave injustice from years past had been laid bare. Who could have imagined that the Flying Goose General who wore a mask on the battlefield was not the same person as the later, widely beloved Flying Goose General who served in the court? And that nearly legendary woman had met such a tragic end—a bitter irony when contrasted with her extraordinary life.The ground was scattered intermittently with bloodstains and weapons. The emperor and nobles had departed, leaving the Celestial Star Platform in disarray. The wind howled as if weeping, stinging people's eyes. Xiao Jue turned around and saw He Yan slowly, step by step, walking toward the corpse of Lady He the Second.
She walked extremely slowly, as if each step required immense effort. Her face was devoid of any color, like a lost traveler who could not find her way home, about to vanish into the desert.
Xiao Jue called softly, "He Yan."
He Yan seemed not to hear, her gaze fixed intently on the woman on the ground. She walked up to Lady He the Second and reached out a trembling hand to touch hers, only to withdraw it immediately.
The woman's eyes were already closed, but the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if smiling, yet tinged with bitterness. This was the first time she had seen her mother so closely. In all those past years, she could only watch from afar, and even then, not for too long, lest Lady He the First discover her and scold her again.
She wanted to call out "Mother," but she knew that even if she did, there would never be a response again.
A sudden, overwhelming pain surged in her heart, nearly suffocating her. He Yan abruptly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Xiao Jue cried, "He Yan!"
She collapsed softly to the ground.
On the other side, Lin Shuanghe noticed the commotion and hurried over. Seeing the blood at the corner of He Yan's mouth, he exclaimed in shock, "What happened to Sister He? Was she injured internally during the sword fight with He Rufei? What should we do? What should we do?"
Xiao Jue scooped He Yan up from the ground and said to him, "Come with me." He then instructed his subordinates beside him, "Carefully prepare Lady He the Second's body for burial. Wait for my return before proceeding."
Lin Shuanghe, worried about He Yan's injuries, said nothing more and followed Xiao Jue into the carriage. Their commotion caught the attention of others. Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned, his gaze following Xiao Jue's retreating figure. He seemed to want to follow, but a voice sounded in his ear, "With Xu Xiang now in trouble, Fourth Young Master, we must find a way to save him."
In an instant, all emotion vanished from Chu Zhao's eyes. When he looked at the person before him again, his voice carried a hint of concern. "That is only right."
A colleague beside Yan He nudged his arm and asked, "Yan He, why are you standing there in a daze?"
It took a long time for Yan He to snap out of it. He shook his head and said, "It's nothing." He glanced around but did not see Xiao Jue, so he asked, "Where is Xiao Huaijin? Where is he?"
"Just now, the Marquis of Wu'an vomited blood, probably injured during the sword fight with He Rufei," the person replied honestly. "Commander Xiao took the Marquis of Wu'an away. Young Master Lin went with them, likely to treat the injury. But... I always said the Flying Goose General was so incompetent, unable to defeat a novice woman. Turns out, he wasn't the real Flying Goose General at all. Tsk!"
"What's wrong with being a woman?" Yan He looked up at the sky, his voice slightly low. "The Flying Goose General herself was originally a woman, wasn't she?"These words left his colleague speechless. After a long pause, he finally said, "You're right. Such an extraordinary woman—if only she were still alive. It's a pity that beauty often meets an untimely fate. I never even saw what Xu Zhiheng's former wife looked like. If I had, I could boast about it now—that I had seen the Flying Goose General. By the way, Nanguang," he remembered something and asked Yan He, "when you were studying at the Virtuous Prosperity Academy back then, weren't you classmates with the Flying Goose General? At that time, it must have been the real Flying Goose General. What kind of person was she? Even though she was a woman and wore a mask, surely you noticed something unusual?"
"No," Yan He said.
"What?"
He recalled the young man who would sneak out to the bamboo grove in the backyard late at night to practice swordplay, unwavering through wind and rain, undeterred by thunder. At the time, it seemed like a futile effort, but now he realized it was his own shortsightedness. None of the young men had discovered the true identity of the eldest son of the He family, not because they were careless, but because she had completely abandoned all traces of her identity as a woman.
"She did better than any man," Yan He replied.
(End of Chapter)
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