Legend of the Female General

Chapter 93: Yuan Baozhen

He Yan accompanied Song Taotao until evening before heading back to the inn.

Along the way, they passed a vendor selling candied hawthorns—bright red skewers stuck into a straw stand, looking irresistibly sweet. He Yan fished out her last few copper coins and bought several sticks, handing the largest one to Song Taotao. "Hungry? Have this to tide you over. We’ll get something proper to eat once we’re back at the inn."

Thank heavens—she had been worrying the entire time about what to do if Song Taotao wanted to dine at a restaurant and she didn’t have enough money. Fortunately, perhaps because she had eaten too much in the morning, the picky young girl hadn’t shown much appetite, only stopping for a few cups of tea and a couple of pastries, which cost just a few coppers.

Song Taotao accepted the candied hawthorn and looked at He Yan. "You’ve worked hard today." After a pause, she added, "Actually, there’s really nothing worth seeing in Liang Province, and the things here are just average. If it weren’t for avoiding Young Master Xiao, I wouldn’t have made you accompany me for so long."

"Huh?" He Yan took a stick for herself, biting into one of the hawthorns. The tartness of the fruit and the sweetness of the sugar blended into a refreshing tang that made her mouth water. She sighed inwardly—it had been so long since she’d eaten such childish treats. She asked, "What? You don’t like Commander Xiao?"

"It’s not that I dislike him, it’s just… I’m a little afraid of him." The girl pouted. "It’s like everyone becomes inferior in front of him."

He Yan laughed at that. Inferior? Song Taotao was still too young. With a grin, she said, "But he’s handsome and capable—don’t most girls like that?"

Back in the day, at Xianchang Academy, there were always girls sneaking around to catch a glimpse of Xiao Jue. He Yan had never met a girl who didn’t like him—Song Taotao was quite the exception.

"I’m not like them," Song Taotao sniffed. "They only care about appearances, but someone that cold, who doesn’t even know how to sweet-talk, would be miserable to live with. I don’t like that type. I prefer gentle ones." She sighed with an air of worldly wisdom, adding regretfully, "Someone like Eldest Young Master Xiao would’ve been perfect—too bad he’s already married."

He Yan nearly choked on her hawthorn.

What? Xiao Jue had been scheming to become the uncle of his nephew’s wife, but little did he know this girl was actually dreaming of becoming his sister-in-law!

Song Taotao truly lived up to having almost been her "little fiancée"—her tastes were certainly unique. He Yan said, "Actually, Commander Xiao can be quite gentle sometimes… but it’s rare to find someone who dislikes him like you do." A thought struck her, and she decided to probe further. "Do you know about the Flying Goose General, who shares his fame? Have you ever met him?"

"Flying Goose General?" Song Taotao replied. "You mean the eldest son of the He family? The one who supposedly couldn’t show his face because of scars, always wearing a mask to put on airs?"

He Yan: "..."

"It’s impressive how he kept that mask on for ten whole years. I saw him before I ran away from the marriage—he’d taken it off by then, and he looked decent enough. Do you know why he wore it?" Song Taotao asked.

He Yan: "Why?""Naturally, it's to create a spectacle for himself. Think about it—he didn’t remove his mask earlier or later, but specifically chose to do so right before His Majesty’s conferment and audience. He claims a divine physician helped heal his facial scars, but what kind of physician could erase every trace of scarring? For years, everyone knew the eldest He son was hideously ugly. Suddenly, he takes off the mask and turns out to be a handsome gentleman—how bizarre! So what was originally a five in appearance becomes a seven."

He Yan couldn’t help but applaud Song Taotao inwardly. That was so well argued—if she weren’t the one who had worn the mask herself, she might’ve believed Song Taotao’s words.

"And how do you think the Flying Goose General compares to Commander Xiao?"

Song Taotao answered without hesitation: "Of course, it’s the second young master Xiao! That He family’s son isn’t as good-looking as the second young master Xiao!"

Fine. This world truly judges people by appearances.

He Yan spoke with slight embarrassment: "I’ve never seen the Flying Goose General. We share the same surname, and I’ve always wanted to see him in person. I wonder if I’ll ever get the chance?"

"Of course you will! But that eldest He son is highly favored by His Majesty now. Before I left the capital, the Emperor often summoned him to the palace. When his cousin passed away, the eldest He didn’t attend court for several days, and the Emperor even sent many gifts."

He Yan’s smile was strained. "Are you talking about Madam Xu?"

"Was she married to someone surnamed Xu? I’m not too sure. I don’t even know her name. This elder sister wasn’t in Shuojing before, so few in the capital knew her, and she didn’t have close friends. All we know is that she was the Flying Goose General’s sister. She married just a year ago, then fell ill and went blind. After losing her sight, she wandered the garden alone, and the servants weren’t paying attention—she fell into the pond and drowned." Song Taotao sighed. "How tragic. With the Flying Goose General as her elder brother, she should’ve lived well no matter what. It’s just fate being cruel. What was her name again? He something? Ah, I really can’t remember."

He Yan thought to herself: Her name was He Yan. Unfortunately, this name was destined to be overshadowed by the Flying Goose General, He Rufei. What the world knew was only the frail He family daughter, raised in seclusion at a manor—the Flying Goose General’s sister. No one remembered her name.

"And what about Master Xu?" He Yan asked. "After Madam Xu died, what happened to him?"

"I usually stay in my residence and don’t pay attention to such matters. I vaguely recall my sisters mentioning that the He lady’s husband was deeply depressed for a while after her death—truly devoted. But who knows?" Song Taotao displayed a wisdom beyond her years on this matter. "When can a man’s words ever be trusted? Today he might mourn, and tomorrow he could welcome a new bride into his home."

He Yan smiled bitterly. "You speak the absolute truth."

"Why are you suddenly asking me these things?" Song Taotao said. "But I really don’t know much. If you truly want answers, you should ask the second young master Xiao. They’re both military officers and colleagues—he’d know more than I do."He Yan thought to herself, wasn’t it all because she feared Xiao Jue’s suspicion? He already didn’t regard her as one of his own now. If she went around inquiring about the He family, Xiao Jue might just dig up all her secrets. She couldn’t risk having her identity as a woman exposed before she even uncovered anything, losing her place in the military camp—that would be a true loss.

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the inn. He Yan and Song Taotao went upstairs together. Song Taotao said, “Thank you so much for today. I’ll go change and rest for a bit first. Later, you can join me for a meal.”

He Yan smiled. “Alright.”

Though this young lady had the habits of a spoiled noble, liking to order people around, she wasn’t particularly annoying. After Song Taotao left, He Yan didn’t return to her own room. Instead, she knocked on the door next to hers.

Today was a good day—someone answered from inside. “Come in.”

The moment He Yan entered, she saw Xiao Jue sitting at the table. He was wiping the guqin in front of him with a white silk cloth. He Yan took a closer look—it was the Wanxiang Qin she had crushed.

“Commander, is the qin fixed? It’s not broken, is it?” He Yan leaned in and asked quietly.

Xiao Jue replied lazily, “What do you want?” His tone made it clear he had no interest in further conversation.

He Yan brought her hands out from behind her back. “Look! I brought you a gift today! Even though I was accompanying Ms. Song shopping, I still kept you in mind. Here’s some candied hawthorn for you!”

Xiao Jue glanced at the candied hawthorn in her hand. “Take it away.”

So cold. He Yan protested, “Come on, I’ve already tried it—it’s really sweet!”

“I don’t eat sweets,” he said indifferently.

He Yan stared at him, grumbling inwardly. Who are you trying to fool? Back when they were both at Xianchang Academy, this man used to carry a small sachet with him. A close friend of his had once tried to snatch it, and Xiao Jue had guarded it fiercely. He Yan had thought it was some priceless treasure, only to later discover it was just a pouch of osmanthus candy.

Every month, he would go home for two days, and when he returned to the academy, the sachet would be full again. A man who had carried osmanthus candy with him since his youth was now telling her he didn’t eat sweets. Was he just looking down on this two-copper treat?

“If you won’t eat it, then give it to Brother Fei Nu.” He Yan stuck the candied hawthorn into the brush holder on the table, then abruptly changed the subject, softening her expression into an ingratiating smile. “Commander, there’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with you.”

Xiao Jue looked at her, his gaze unreadable.

He Yan, shamelessly, pressed on. “Today, while accompanying Ms. Song, she wanted to buy clothes and jewelry. I’ve already spent all the silver I earned from the flag competition. I figured since Ms. Song is your niece-in-law—your relative—and I was buying things for your relative, the silver really shouldn’t come from me. But my loyalty to you runs deep—how could I let you bear the expense? It’s just… I’m out of money now too. If Ms. Song wants to buy something else, could you spare me some silver? It wouldn’t reflect well on you if I went out shopping without money, right? Uncle? Uncle?”

The young man smiled obsequiously, his eyes glinting with cunning, like a fox cub she had once hunted. Though capable of biting, when begging for food, it put on an act of utmost docility.

Xiao Jue watched her coldly, unmoved.

He Yan asked, “So? Can I?”

His reply was merciless. “No.”

“…Really no?” She refused to give up.

“No.”He Yan straightened up, glaring at him resentfully. In her past life when she enlisted in the army, she had heard someone say that the moment a person truly grows up begins with borrowing money. He Yan now deeply agreed—she had already humbled herself to such an extent, yet Xiao Jue, who was so wealthy, refused to give even a little. Was he deliberately targeting her?

Xiao Jue lifted his head, his expression calm as he mocked, "I still remember I'm not your uncle. Have you forgotten that Song Taotao is Cheng Lisu's fiancée, not yours?"

It took He Yan a moment to process his words. She said, "You don’t actually think I have feelings for Ms. Song…?"

Xiao Jue lowered his gaze, continuing to wipe the surface of the qin. "I hope you still remember who you are."

He Yan nearly cursed him out in her mind. Was this even human speech? Did Xiao Jue think she would steal Cheng Lisu’s fiancée? What a joke! If she hadn’t left home back then, where would Cheng Lisu even get this fiancée? And here Xiao Jue was, so eager to play the uncle—did he know the girl actually wanted to be his sister-in-law? He understood nothing of her ambitions!

Fuming inwardly, He Yan forced a smile and said, "Of course I remember who I am. I’m He Yan, the ‘first-place’ winner of Liang Province’s banner competition." She emphasized the words "first place" heavily before adding, "Since the Commander is unwilling to spare any silver, forget it." She turned to leave but suddenly remembered something. Swiveling back abruptly, she snatched the candied hawthorn from the table. "Since the Commander doesn’t like sweets anyway, I’ll just take this for myself."

She took a large, vengeful bite, chewing noisily with loud crunches as she walked out, mumbling indistinctly, "What Right Army Commander? Just a stingy miser…"

Xiao Jue: "..."

Fei Nu, who had just entered from outside, caught that last remark. Watching He Yan’s retreating figure, he turned back in confusion and closed the door.

Xiao Jue looked up at him.

"Young Master, he—"

"It’s nothing," Xiao Jue cut him off. "Any progress today?"

Fei Nu shook his head. "He Yan stayed by Ms. Song’s side the entire day. They didn’t do much—just strolled around the streets, shopping and drinking tea. He didn’t meet anyone."

Xiao Jue nodded. "Understood."

"Could it be that his contact isn’t in Liang Province?" Fei Nu asked. "I can’t shake the feeling that this He Yan is a bit odd."

His extraordinary martial skills aside, and his knowledge of military formations as a new recruit aside—yet no evidence could be pinned on him. But the way he behaved toward Xiao Jue was truly audacious. An ordinary person… wouldn’t act like this, would they?

"With him by my side, nothing will go wrong. Tell Chi Wu to come here and take over."

"Young Master, do you mean for Chi Wu to accompany Ms. Song?" Fei Nu asked.

Xiao Jue nodded. "Yuan Baozhen is nearing Liang Province. It’s not suitable for Song Taotao to travel with us. This gathering is no friendly meeting, and this banquet is no harmless feast," he said coolly. "We must prepare for all possibilities."

Fei Nu bowed. "Understood."

...

The next few days passed quite pleasantly.

Perhaps because they had overdone it on the first day, and Song Taotao’s hand injury hadn’t fully healed, she had been too lazy to go out these past few days. Xiao Jue and Fei Nu were still often absent during the day, and He Yan couldn’t bring herself to leave Song Taotao alone at the inn, so she had no choice but to keep her company.The young girl was easy to coax. Just by casually sharing some strange and fascinating tales from He Yan's past military days, she would listen with rapt attention. When tired, they would simply grab a bite downstairs at the inn, and the days passed by uneventfully. He Yan herself was eager to follow Xiao Jue and the others when they went out, hoping to gather some information along the way. However, they clearly had no intention of including her, making their exclusion obvious. After a few attempts, He Yan, being self-aware, stopped trying to force her way in.

This trip to Liang Province had turned out to be rather unprofitable. The only thing she could look forward to was the arrival of the Censor Yuan Baozhen. Never before had He Yan anticipated someone's arrival so eagerly. Fortunately, after three days, the esteemed Yuan Baozhen finally arrived in Liang Province City.

That morning, Fei Nu brought someone with him.

This was another young man dressed as a guard, named Chi Wu, who was likely another trusted subordinate of Xiao Jue. He had come to take Song Taotao away.

"You can't stay here for now. Chi Wu will escort you to a safe place. Once matters in Liang Province are settled, I'll come to fetch you," Xiao Jue said.

Song Taotao looked at He Yan and asked, "Then... won't Young Master Cheng come with me?"

The gazes of the others immediately turned toward He Yan, especially Xiao Jue's, whose eyes were icy cold. In that instant, He Yan understood the unspoken message: "Handle your own mess."

She had no choice but to step forward and smile at Song Taotao. "I have something to do with Second Young Master Xiao, so I can't accompany you for now. But don't worry, Brother Chi Wu here will protect you."

"What kind of thing? Is it dangerous?" Song Taotao pressed.

He Yan felt both awkward and touched—after all, the girl hadn't been spoiled for nothing if she was concerned about her safety. She chuckled and reassured her, "With Second Young Master Xiao around, it's not dangerous at all. Don't worry."

"Then you must be careful," Song Taotao urged before reluctantly leaving, glancing back every few steps.

When He Yan turned around, she was met with Xiao Jue's mocking gaze. "I really didn't do anything..." she protested.

Xiao Jue turned and walked away without another word. He Yan hurried after him. "Uncle, don't be angry! Just because Ms. Song only asked if I was safe and not you, it doesn't mean she finds you too cold and unapproachable while I'm warm and likable. Please don't take it to heart!"

"Shut up," Xiao Jue stopped in his tracks and gave her a scrutinizing look from head to toe before scoffing. "If you have the energy to spout nonsense, you'd better think about how not to give yourself away at the banquet tonight. Cheng Li Su is, after all, the young master of the Right Vice Director's household. And you—" He gave her a meaningful glance. "Can you even pretend convincingly?"

With that, he strode off without looking back. He Yan stood frozen for a moment before realizing he had mocked her yet again. She yelled at his retreating figure, "What's so special about the Right Vice Director?!"

After all, she was also a young master from the He family—who wasn't an official? She had spent years pretending to be a young master from a prominent family—what couldn't she pull off? Tonight, she would make sure Xiao Jue saw her in a new light.

...

At the gates of Liang Province, a particularly eye-catching carriage stood out among the crowd.

The carriage was lavishly decorated, adorned with exquisite embroidery depicting a grand landscape. Hidden in the grass was a white crane, its eyes crafted from black crystal, adding an especially refined and whimsical touch.

Someone lifted the carriage curtain to glance outside, but after a brief moment, let it fall back into place.Yuan Baozhen covered his nose with a handkerchief and remarked, "The sandstorms in Liangzhou City are truly severe, far worse than in the capital."

Now in his forties, he was actually about the same age as Sun Xiangfu, but compared to Sun, he had maintained himself exceptionally well. His clothes were neat and refined, his face fair and beardless, and he spoke with a perpetual hint of a smile, exuding an air of amiability.

"Tell me, isn’t Xiao Jue just asking for hardship by coming to such a place?" he asked the person beside him.

Seated next to him was a man who appeared to be a guard, with an ordinary face and a thin, frail build. Were it not for the thick calluses on his palms and the base of his thumb, one might mistake him for an ordinary servant.

"I don’t know," the guard replied.

"Never mind. I’ll see him today anyway, and I’ll ask him myself when we meet," Yuan Baozhen chuckled. "Ah, is that the Sun family’s entourage ahead?"

Sun Xiangfu had come in person to receive him.

A satisfied smile appeared on Yuan Baozhen’s face. "Good, good. This Magistrate Sun understands propriety."

Sun Xiangfu wiped his sweat as he watched the carriage come to a halt. Although he couldn’t afford to neglect an imperial censor’s arrival in Liangzhou, he wouldn’t normally have gone to the city gates to greet them. But now that he had already offended Xiao Jue, if he were to slight Yuan Baozhen as well, he would have no way out. He was counting on Yuan Baozhen to back him up and make Xiao Jue suffer a little. Naturally, he had to exert every ounce of effort to please the man before him.

As soon as Yuan Baozhen stepped out of the carriage, Sun Xiangfu hurried forward, clasping his hands in greeting. "Your Excellency Yuan, I failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive any discourtesy."

"Not at all," Yuan Baozhen replied amiably. "I find Magistrate Sun quite congenial. There’s no need for such formality."

After exchanging pleasantries, Sun Xiangfu said, "In that case, please allow me to escort you to my residence for some rest."

Yuan Baozhen would be staying at Sun’s residence during his time in Liangzhou. The two boarded the carriage Sun had prepared, and during the ride, Yuan Baozhen asked, "I’ve heard that the Right Army Commander has already arrived in Liangzhou. Is he currently at your residence?"

"Commander Xiao is temporarily staying at an inn in Liangzhou City, citing urgent matters. He will arrive at my residence tonight. Speaking of which, there is a matter I’d like to ask for Your Excellency’s assistance with."

Yuan Baozhen’s eyes flickered, but his smile remained unchanged. "What seems to be troubling Magistrate Sun?"

"It’s about Commander Xiao. My unfilial son accidentally offended Commander Xiao’s nephew. I fear Commander Xiao may hold a grudge against me because of this. Since we’re hosting a banquet tonight in Your Excellency’s honor, I was hoping you might mediate and help clear up this misunderstanding." Sun Xiangfu wore an embarrassed expression.

Though he didn’t specify the details, Yuan Baozhen could guess. A magistrate who wielded unchecked power in Liangzhou would naturally raise a son who was no paragon of virtue. Xiao Jue’s nephew was the young master of the Right Secretary’s household. If the two had clashed, Sun’s son was bound to come off worse.

Thinking this to himself, he said aloud, "I believe Magistrate Sun is overestimating the severity of the matter. Commander Xiao is not an unreasonable man. If it was an accidental offense, a simple explanation should suffice. Why would he bear a grudge?"

"That may be so," Sun Xiangfu wiped his sweat and forced a smile, "but didn’t Commander Xiao deal with Zhao Nuo in the same manner back then?"

At these words, Yuan Baozhen’s expression darkened.Back in the day, when Xiao Jue beheaded Zhao Nuo, the eldest legitimate son of the Minister of Revenue, at the memorial hall, it was known throughout Great Wei. However, as time passed and people dismissed it as the recklessness of youth, the incident gradually faded from memory. Now that Sun Xiangfu had brought it up again, Yuan Baozhen was reminded of it. When Zhao Nuo met his end, the first person Minister Zhao sought out was actually Xu Xiang. Xu Xiang submitted a memorial, and Minister Zhao went before the Golden Chariot Hall, weeping bitterly before the Emperor. Though the Emperor was deeply sympathetic, he took no action against Xiao Jue.

"Cutting a tree without uprooting it ensures its regrowth; damming a river without stopping its source ensures its flow will resume; eliminating calamity without addressing its root ensures chaos will return." At the time, Xu Xiang had only said this: "If this boy is not removed, he will surely become a grave threat to us in the future."

They all thought of eliminating Xiao Jue swiftly while he was still young and unformed. But ever since he led the Southern Garrison Troops to the southern barbarian lands, he left no further opportunity for others. His growth was astonishing—within just a few years, the same person who had slain Zhao Nuo and was once deemed incomprehensible by the world now made such actions seem utterly ordinary.

This was the result of Xiao Jue's efforts over these years.

He was far more formidable and much younger than Xiao Zhongwu.

"My lord, Lord Yuan?" Seeing Yuan Baozhen's strange expression and prolonged silence, Sun Xiangfu grew uneasy and spoke up hesitantly.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking of other matters," Yuan Baozhen replied with a smile. "Since Commander Xiao is attending the banquet tonight, I’ll speak to him on your behalf. However, I can’t quite grasp Commander Xiao’s temperament. If he doesn’t heed my words, don’t hold it against me."

"Not at all, not at all," Sun Xiangfu said, overwhelmed with gratitude. "Just the fact that Lord Yuan is willing to speak up for me is already more than I could ask for."

Yuan Baozhen shook his head with a smile, his thoughts already drifting elsewhere.

No matter how formidable Xiao Jue was, his purpose in coming to Liang Province this time was to eliminate this thorn in Xu Xiang’s side.

He could only hope everything would go smoothly.

...

By evening, He Yan was ready to leave with Xiao Jue.

They were heading to Sun Xiangfu’s residence, which was why they had to send Song Taotao away beforehand. Otherwise, if Sun Ling saw Song Taotao, or vice versa, who knew what chaos might ensue?

Since it was a banquet, He Yan deliberately dressed in a very "Cheng Li Su" style—a honey-colored robe with a red carp embroidered at the hem. While Cheng Li Su wore such clothes with an air of adorable innocence, He Yan carried it differently, exuding a bright and carefree charm, yet still appearing as a refined young man. She also picked out a matching hairpin to adorn her head and didn’t forget to bring along her folding fan. Holding the half-opened fan across her chest, she admired her reflection in the bronze mirror, quite pleased with herself.

Once ready, He Yan stepped out the door—only to find Xiao Jue standing right outside.

He had changed into a dark blue Double Crane Brocade Robe with subtle patterns. Today, he wasn’t wearing his Golden Coronet, opting instead for a simple sandalwood hairpin. At first glance, his attire seemed understated, but upon closer inspection, the fabric and embroidery were of the finest quality. His striking beauty, now accentuated by this ensemble, softened his usual coldness, adding a touch of elegance. With his jade-like grace and noble bearing, he was the very picture of a dignified and aristocratic young lord.

He Yan thought to herself: the radiantly beautiful youth of the past had finally grown into this exquisitely handsome man. At first glance, he seemed unchanged, yet upon reflection, he appeared entirely different from before.

Xiao Jue turned slightly and met He Yan’s slightly dazed gaze. The corner of his lips curled as he remarked, "Wipe your drool."

He Yan instinctively wiped her mouth before snapping back to reality. "There isn’t any!"

"You look like a fool," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "And you still think you can deceive Yuan Baozhen?"

He Yan bristled at his words. With a flick of her wrist, she snapped open her fan with an air of effortless charm. Walking up to Xiao Jue, she smiled sweetly and whispered, "Dressed like this, if I were in Shuo Jing, I wouldn’t dare compare myself to the Commander, but at the very least, I could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Young Master Cheng. Otherwise, why would Ms. Song specifically entrust me with her parting words—and not you?"The young man's eyes and brows were brimming with laughter, his gaze sparkling like stars, yet still undeniably foolish. Xiao Jue mocked, "Because you're stupid."

"What?"

"Stupid people always need constant reminders."

He Yan frowned. "Uncle, do you really hate me that much?" Could this man go a single day without taunting her?

"You're my nephew. How could I hate you?" Xiao Jue gave her a faintly amused glance and ordered Fei Nu, "Let's go."

Yan Yan: An adult's breakdown begins with borrowing money.

(End of Chapter)