Legend of the Female General

Chapter 240: Severance

The case of the Flying Goose General stirred up a massive uproar throughout Shuojing City. Soldiers and commoners who had once received the general's kindness spontaneously gathered before the palace gates, beating drums and petitioning for a thorough investigation into the truth. The Flying Goose General had enjoyed an excellent reputation among the military and the people. Once the truth came to light, the He and Xu families found themselves facing public outrage.

Emperor Wenxuan handed the case over to the Dali Temple. Within a few days, He Yuanliang could no longer withstand the interrogation and confessed the entire truth. Officials also discovered evidence of He Rufei's dealings with the Wutuo People in the He residence. Through this case, the He family was found guilty of deceiving the emperor, usurping military honors, and colluding with the enemy—crimes punishable by death. Except for He Xinying, the Flying Goose General's legitimate younger sister, all members of the He family were sentenced to death. The principal offender, He Rufei, whose crimes were deemed heinous, was sentenced to death by a thousand cuts. He was to be taken to the marketplace, sliced one hundred and twenty times before execution, and his head displayed as a warning.

As for the Xu family of the Hanlin Academy, apart from Xu Zhiheng, who was sentenced to death, all male members were exiled, and the women were enslaved.

The case was resolved swiftly. Upon learning the outcome, the people clapped and cheered, declaring that the He and Xu families had gotten what they deserved.

On the eve of the execution, in the prison cell, Xu Zhiheng stared at the spoiled food before him, refusing to touch it.

For the final meal before heading to the underworld, other death row prisoners were given wine and dishes, but he received nothing. This was because even the prison guards felt that Xu Zhiheng's actions had been excessively cruel and heartless. Many had once received the Flying Goose General's kindness, and now, for the sake of the deceased General He, countless people were determined to make Xu Zhiheng suffer.

A prison guard mocked him, "Why aren't you eating, Master Xu? After today, there won't be any more food. I advise you not to be picky."

Hearing this, Xu Zhiheng grew agitated. He lunged toward the cell door, gripping the bars as he stared at the guard outside. "No... I won't die! I'll give you money. Go find someone for me, tell them to rescue me! I'll give you money!"

"Alright," the guard replied with a smirk. "Who should I look for, Master Xu?"

Who should he look for?

Xu Zhiheng suddenly froze.

The He family had already fallen alongside him. He Rufei could hardly save himself. Colleagues who had once been close to their families were likely avoiding them now, fearing they might be implicated. No one could save him.

Xu Zhiheng collapsed weakly to the ground. In his despair, a wave of immense resentment surged within him. He muttered, "Why? I didn't kill anyone... I didn't do anything!"

"Did you really do nothing?" a voice echoed from the darkness. Xu Zhiheng abruptly looked up and saw someone slowly emerging before him, shrouded entirely in a black cloak. At first, he felt a surge of joy, thinking someone had come to rescue him. But the next moment, that joy turned to terror as the person removed the cloak's hood, revealing a face.

It was the Marquis of Wu'an, He Yan.

Xu Zhiheng was startled and quickly retreated until his back hit the wall. He spoke warily, "Don't come closer... stay away!"

The prison guard had already left. He Yan looked at this disheveled man. Xu Zhiheng seemed terrified of her, his gaze fixed on her as if she were a demon crawling out of hell, filled with horror.He Yan had never seen Xu Zhiheng like this before. Whether it was the young man in blue who pulled her up from the snow at fourteen, smiling as he helped her retrieve her bundle, or the gentle Master Xu who smiled softly and spoke kindly to her after she married him—neither resembled this unshaven, frightened man before her. Even when He Wanru had people drown her back then, Xu Zhiheng had never shown himself from start to finish.

She had seen Xu Zhiheng in his prime, dignified and proper, but it turned out that Xu Zhiheng in prison looked like this.

He Yan felt somewhat disappointed.

Just as a general would not regret dying at the hands of an evenly matched opponent, but if the opponent was far inferior... it would inevitably evoke a sigh.

"Don't be afraid," she said gently, even offering a faint smile. "I came to ask you something."

The woman's eyes were bright, her gaze free of hatred, and that hint of a smile seemed to bewilder Xu Zhiheng. He remained motionless, staring at He Yan. After hesitating for a long while, he finally asked, "What do you want to ask?"

"You..." He Yan smiled slightly. "When exactly did you learn that your wife, He Yan, was the Flying Goose General?"

This was something He Yan had never been able to understand. When she married Xu Zhiheng, she thought he knew nothing about her and had fabricated many excuses to hide her scars, as well as to explain her differences from ordinary women. It wasn't until the day she died that she learned from He Wanru that Xu Zhiheng had known all along.

All those years of concealment and evasion might have seemed like a joke in Xu Zhiheng's eyes.

But when did he find out? After she married into the Xu family, before she married in, or even earlier? And if so, why did he marry her?

Xu Zhiheng avoided her gaze, a hint of wariness in his eyes. "Why are you asking this? Who are you, really?"

"I am the one who can save you," He Yan said softly.

Xu Zhiheng's eyes lit up. "Save me?" He took a few steps forward, as if still afraid of He Yan, and peered at her through the iron bars of the cell, asking eagerly, "Can you really save me?"

He Yan nodded with a smile.

After hesitating for a moment, he slowly said, "I knew long ago."

When exactly did Xu Zhiheng learn that He Yan was the Flying Goose General? It was actually not long after the Flying Goose General returned to the capital. At that time, he was not yet a Hanlin scholar. Although the Xu family was a scholarly household, the position of Hanlin scholar was not something someone his age could easily attain. Most civil officials in the court were now disciples of Xu Jingfu. Sometimes, climbing the ranks relied more on connections than talent, and without them, one might never rise to prominence in a lifetime.

He had been hailed as a prodigy since childhood, and as he grew older, people praised him too highly. He, too, began to see himself as exceptional, like a cage that had unknowingly trapped him tightly.

His temporary setback in his career left Xu Zhiheng disheartened. Seeing him despondent, Madam Xu thought it was time for him to seek a marriage. Madam Xu was also shrewd, and after careful consideration, she settled on the cousin of the newly appointed Flying Goose General in Shuojing City—the young lady from the second branch of the He family.This second young lady had poor health since childhood and was sent to a manor early on to recuperate, only returning recently. Madam Xu's calculations were extremely shrewd; becoming in-laws with this newly risen court noble would only benefit Xu Zhiheng's official career.

However, at that time, Xu Zhiheng was not the He family's best choice. After all, there were far too many suitable young talents in the capital, and the second young lady of the He family, due to her elder brother's influence, had become a highly sought-after match—many wished to marry her.

When the He family sent out invitations, Madam Xu brought Xu Zhiheng along. Though it was called a visit, it was essentially a matchmaking meeting.

That was his first time visiting the He family. By chance, a servant accidentally spilled tea on his clothes, so he went to a nearby dark room to change. Unexpectedly, shortly after he entered and before he could leave, someone else came in.

Xu Zhiheng found himself in an awkward position—neither able to advance nor retreat. The two who entered seemed unaware of his presence behind them. Someone spoke, a woman's voice, clear and pleasant: "Elder brother, what is Mother... Aunt doing, inviting all these young masters to our home!"

"Among so many gentlemen, is there not one you fancy?" replied a man's voice.

Xu Zhiheng understood almost immediately that the speakers outside were likely the second young lady of the He family and her elder brother, He Rufei.

He should have stepped out immediately to apologize, but as if bewitched, he not only remained still but also held his breath, trying to hide himself better.

Looking back now, the profound meaning of fate had already begun to slowly reveal itself at that moment.

Xu Zhiheng heard a secret.

"Elder brother, are you all so eager to marry me off because you fear I might reveal that we swapped identities, that I am the Flying Goose General?" the woman said. "I've told you, I won't say anything. I've kept this secret for so many years, and I will continue to keep it."

"Not at all," the man's voice carried a hint of impatience. "At your age, ordinary women should already be married. He Yan, you are merely living the life you were meant to live."

Behind the screen, Xu Zhiheng covered his mouth in shock.

What had he heard? Swapped identities? He Yan was the Flying Goose General?

He pinched his arm hard, and the pain reminded him that this was not a dream.

Xu Zhiheng didn't hear the rest of the siblings' argument. Only after the two had left did he slowly straighten up and look toward the closed door.

He was not foolish; in fact, he was quite clever. With just a few words, he pieced together the whole story. He was astonished by the He family's audacity and He Yan's remarkable abilities, but more than that, he discovered an opportunity—a gift bestowed upon him by fate.

Thus, he straightened his clothes and returned to the banquet table. Looking at the belatedly arriving second young lady of the He family, he revealed a gentle and refined smile.

Xu Zhiheng sought out He Rufei.

He Rufei looked at him with an inscrutable expression. "Does Young Master Xu wish to marry my sister?"

Xu Zhiheng smiled. "Indeed."

"This matter requires discussion with the elders," He Rufei said. "I cannot decide alone; it also depends on my sister's wishes." With that, he turned to leave.

Xu Zhiheng spoke unhurriedly, "Your sister is a heroine, no less remarkable than any man. I admire her deeply and hope General He will help fulfill this wish.""What did you say?" He Rufei suddenly turned to look at him, a surge of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Before coming to see General He, I wrote a letter and entrusted it to a friend. If anything were to happen to me, that secret letter would spread throughout Shuojing City." Xu Zhiheng smiled faintly. "I hope General He will grant my request."

He was confident, he was determined.

And so, Xu Zhiheng married He Yan as his wife. It was just before he married He Yan that he became a Hanlin Academician, a "dowry gift" from General He to his sister.

Fortune is sought in danger—Xu Zhiheng understood this well. The more secrets one knows, the quicker death comes. But he didn’t believe such a thing would happen to him, because he knew when to stop. After all, he was a civil official, not a military one. The most He Rufei could help him with was becoming a Hanlin Academician. The path ahead would have to be walked by himself. As for marrying He Yan... marrying General He’s daughter brought him many benefits.

The He family should also rest assured. After all, rather than marrying the second young miss of the He family to another household that might discover the secret, it was better to marry her to someone who had a request of the He family.

"So," He Yan looked at Xu Zhiheng before her and slowly said, "from the moment you sought to marry the second young miss of the He family, it was all to use her?"

"Use?" Xu Zhiheng shook his head. "No... not exactly use. Even without me, she would have had to marry someone... From beginning to end, it wasn’t me who wanted her life. I did nothing."

Xu Zhiheng could hardly remember He Yan’s face anymore.

Back then, although he had married He Yan, deep down, he had always felt a bit of disdain. The etiquette and rules he had learned since childhood made him look down upon a woman like He Yan, who defied conventions. He preferred gentle, charming women like He Wanru, not He Yan... She was careless and straightforward. Though she tried her best to act like a proper lady, she would unconsciously reveal a few moments of awkwardness that were out of place. She couldn’t play the qin, chess, calligraphy, or painting—she couldn’t bring him honor, nor could she learn to be coy and pleasing. On her skin, there were even terrifying scars. Sometimes, when Xu Zhiheng looked at He Yan, he would think of how she had once eaten and slept alongside other men in the military camp, which was simply unbearable.

Though he was willing to be a "good husband," more often than not, even he couldn’t control his own disdain.

Fortunately, those days soon came to an end. The He family sent over a bowl of medicine, and after He Yan drank it, she went blind.

In truth, at that time, Xu Zhiheng was sitting in the adjacent room, watching He Yan drink that bowl of medicine, and he had felt a twinge of sympathy. The He family’s actions were rather heartless. Moreover, a blind mistress—what would others say behind his back when he took her out?

Fortunately, He Yan was obedient and didn’t make much noise. Even after going blind, she didn’t cry or fuss much. More often than not, she would just sit silently, lost in thought. It was said that before He Yan married, she had kept a mute dog in the courtyard. Sometimes, Xu Zhiheng felt that He Yan was quite similar to that mute yellow dog—unnoticed, living in silence.

If that were all, it would have been fine. But she was just too diligent, so diligent that even after going blind, she still posed a threat to the He family. And so, she died at the hands of He Wanru, in the pond of the Xu family.

"I didn’t use He Yan," he tried to defend himself. "I was protecting her... It was all He Rufei’s fault, all the He family’s fault!"He Yan stared at Xu Zhiheng and asked, "Aside from the He family, have you ever seen the Second Miss He elsewhere?"

Xu Zhiheng was taken aback, instinctively shaking his head. "No, no! The first time I saw Second Miss He was at the He residence."

He had already forgotten.

This was expected.

He Yan realized that she now faced Xu Zhiheng with complete calm. Perhaps in the past, when she faced Xu Zhiheng, she always thought she was facing the young man in green she had met on the hunting grounds in her youth. But it turned out that perhaps from the very beginning, they were two different people. To Xu Zhiheng, "He Yan" was merely an exchange item born of interest. What mattered was the status, not the name, and certainly not the person. Whether it was He Yan or He Xinying made no difference, as long as it could secure him the position of a Hanlin academician.

A human life was nothing more than an official title.

She slowly stood up.

Xu Zhiheng watched her movements and, finally disregarding everything, grabbed the bars of the cell. "I've told you everything I know. Can you save me now?"

His gaze was filled with longing, just like when he had stumbled upon the He family's secret and sought to use it to advance his career.

He Yan leaned forward slightly, looking into his eyes. "I lied to you."

Xu Zhiheng froze.

"I didn't do anything. I just lied to you." Her eyes curved into a smile. "You lied to me too. That's fair."

With that, she straightened up and walked away. Behind her, Xu Zhiheng's angry shouts echoed from afar, but He Yan paid them no heed.

She walked out step by step, as if leaving her past life behind. From now on, Marquis of Wu'an He Yan would have no further ties to the He family's Second Miss.

The final question from her previous life had finally been answered, yet He Yan felt no great emotion at this moment.

It was as if these people and these events could no longer stir ripples in her heart.

Only... her heart felt hollow.

Outside the prison gates stood a man, his back to her. His posture was as straight as the sword at his waist as he tilted his head to look at the snow piled under the eaves, revealing a handsome profile.

He Yan stood still, gazing at this figure. Unconsciously, her heart slowly filled, as if the emptiness that had left her ungrounded finally gained substance at this moment. A traveler who had lost her way had finally found a glimmer of light in her aimless search.

He Yan walked over and called out softly, "Xiao Jue."

He turned around, glanced at He Yan, and asked, "Finished?"

He Yan nodded.

Tomorrow was the day of execution. There was nothing left to say between her and He Rufei or between her and He Yuansheng and his wife. But regarding Xu Zhiheng, she had wanted to understand when exactly he had discovered her identity. So she had begged Xiao Jue to bring her here to see Xu Zhiheng one last time.

"Why did it take so long?" Xiao Jue frowned.

"Was it long?" He Yan asked in surprise. "I didn’t think it took much time. I kept it brief..." She glanced at Xiao Jue's expression and promptly fell silent. After a moment, she quietly tugged at his sleeve. "Are you angry again?""What is there to say to someone like that." Xiao Jue turned and walked ahead. He Yan caught up with him, "There really isn't much to say, but the more I think about it, the more I feel letting it go just like that is too easy on him. So I said I was a vengeful ghost coming back for revenge and scared him half to death. Am I not amazing?" she rambled casually.

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying to you, it's true. You should have seen the expression on his face when I scared him just now..."

The girl chattered incessantly beside him, the earlier gloom when they came out now completely gone. He watched her out of the corner of his eye, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. Deliberately ignoring her, he let her ramble on about everything under the sun.

"Xiao Jue, this habit of yours where you get angry at the drop of a hat is not good. You should change it."

"I'm not angry."

"You're not angry, you're just unhappy."

"..."

"Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue!"

"What is it."

She grabbed a corner of his sleeve, "Nothing."

(End of Chapter)