Everyone said that General Feihong and General Fengyun were as incompatible as fire and water, fighting openly and covertly. But in fact, He Yan always felt that it wasn't that exaggerated.
At most, they were both young men who joined the army, had outstanding military achievements, and were bestowed by the emperor at a young age. Everyone liked to compare them together. The others were just hearsay, embellished with oil and vinegar. After being passed around, they became unfamiliar books, making people not know whether to laugh or cry.
At least in the heart of the fourteen-year-old He Yan, she definitely didn't have the slightest bit of hostility towards this young master of the Xiao family.
At that time, she had already disguised herself as a man for many years, and being "He Rufei" was a piece of cake. There was only one thing that was slightly difficult, and that was that at this age, boys should have long gone to the academy to learn from the teachers.
Men and women were different. Women could invite teachers to come to the residence to teach, but men didn't have such a thing. The He family had always invited teachers to teach in the residence, but as they grew older, it wouldn't be good if word got out. In the end, the He family still wanted to save face.
Therefore, they dragged their feet and dilly-dallied. In the end, when He Yan was fourteen years old, she was sent to the Xian Chang Guan.
The Xian Chang Guan was the most famous school in the capital. The founder of the school was once the current emperor's imperial tutor when he was the crown prince. The school taught the six arts, and each teacher was an outstanding person in the imperial court. Those who came to learn were nobles among nobles.
Although the He family had a noble title, compared to the families in the Xian Chang Guan, they were still slightly inferior. Who knew that He Yuanliang had some kind of good luck. One day, when he was drinking in a restaurant, he came across a dispute and casually said a few words. The person he helped turned out to be a teacher in the Xian Chang Guan. He mentioned that it just so happened that there was a new student coming to the school in the spring. He remembered that the He family's first branch seemed to have a legitimate son, so why not send him to the Xian Chang Guan to learn from him?
He Yuanliang hesitated for a long time before discussing this matter with He Yuansheng. He Yuansheng had always pursued fame and profit, so he felt that this matter was feasible. If He Yan was sent to the Xian Chang Guan, she might get to know a lot of other nobles. Being on good terms with them would only be good for the He family, and there would be no harm. If one day, the real He Rufei returned, the title of "Xian Chang Guan student" would be icing on the cake for He Rufei.
He Yan was very happy when he heard about this.
She dressed as a man, but in the He family, she acted according to the rules of a woman. He couldn't play cuju, couldn't show his face in public, and even had to secretly learn martial arts behind his family's back. However, if one were to say that she was a woman, then she was also incompetent. The daughters of the He family learned the four arts, but she, as "He Rufei", could not follow them.
It was as if he couldn't do anything.
However, going to the Virtuous Prosperity Hall was different. It was said that there were many capable people there. Those who came and went were all talented people. There were also many youths of the same age. If they went, not only would they be able to learn some skills, they would also be able to make many friends.
This was a benefit that women could not enjoy. She was suddenly glad that she had taken He Rufei's identity.
He Yuansheng's wife, her mother in name, and her actual aunt, handed the mask that had been meticulously made by the craftsman to her. She said worriedly, "You must be careful when you go. You must not let anyone discover your identity."
He Yan nodded.
In fact, she didn't like wearing this mask. Although the mask was light, it was airtight, only revealing her chin and eyes. For so many years, she had never left the mask. She even wore it when she was sleeping. The craftsman was very skillful. One side of the mask was fastened into her hair bun and installed with a mechanism. Even if she fought, it would not fall off. Only she could open it.
Madam He seriously warned, "Remember, if you leak the trap, the entire He family will be destroyed!"
She knew that these words had been said thousands of times. The crime of deceiving the emperor would implicate nine generations of the family.
"I'll keep that in mind." He Yan replied respectfully.
Madam He anxiously sent her to the carriage.
In the eyes of outsiders, this was a scene of deep affection between mother and child. In He Yan's heart, she was greatly relieved. Her chest was overflowing with the joy of being free. She finally broke free from the days where her every move was controlled. Freedom was in front of her eyes.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Virtuous Prosperity Hall. The servant sent her off the carriage and could only wait at the entrance for her to finish school.
She came too early. The teacher had not yet arrived at the school. She could vaguely hear the sound of students reading and chatting. He Yan stepped through the door, full of longing.
The spring sun came out early in the morning. After entering the school, there was a large yard first, then a garden, and finally the school. There was a stable in the yard, which looked like a small drill ground. The garden was very elegantly renovated. There was a pond and willow trees.
There was also a swing.
The wind blew the swing slightly. He Yan reached out and wanted to sit on it, but she didn't dare to. If a man played on a swing, she was afraid that people would laugh at her. She could only reluctantly touch it before continuing to walk forward.
The willow trees had all sprouted. Clusters of green flowers fell into the lake, which made the mountain look more beautiful. The sunlight made people sleepy. She rubbed her eyes and saw a loquat tree in front of her.
The He family didn't lack money to eat loquats. In these years, He Yan also ate loquats. But this was the first time she saw a loquat tree full of fruit. The yellow fruit seemed to contain honey. It was full and fragrant. Under the sunlight, it was very tempting.
She was only a fourteen-year-old girl, but she was very playful. Seeing this scene, she remembered the scene of the servant girls in the courtyard picking plums with bamboo poles in the summer. It was just that the eldest young master of the He family naturally couldn't pick plums himself. But now that they were in the school, picking a loquat should be fine, right? It wasn't shameful for a boy to pick loquats.
Thinking of this, He Yan rolled up her sleeves and prepared to go all out.
But she came out in a hurry. Other than the bundle, paper, and pen that she gave to the teacher, she didn't have anything else. There was also no long pole around. Fortunately, the loquat tree wasn't very tall. She should be able to reach it by jumping.
He Yan stared at the nearest fruit in front of her. The fruit was pressed against the top of the branch. It was heavy and golden, as if it was tempting her to pick it.
She jumped with all her might, but she missed.
Almost.
He Yan wasn't discouraged. She persevered and jumped with all her might.
She still missed.
She had a personality that didn't admit defeat, so she tried again.
Again, she missed.
She failed again and again. She didn't know how many times she failed. Just when He Yan was tired and panting, she suddenly heard a sneer from above her head.
He Yan looked up in confusion.
The loquat tree was lush with branches and leaves. She only stared at the fruit and didn't notice that there was someone sitting on the tree.
She didn't know how long this person had been sitting here. He probably had a panoramic view of all her actions. She looked up. The sunlight shone down, illuminating this person's face inch by inch.
This was a beautiful young man in a white robe and embroidered boots. He looked lazy and arrogant. With his hands behind his head, he looked bright and elegant like a cool breeze leaning on a jade tree. He impatiently looked down. His eyes were moving.
He Yan was stunned.
She had never seen such a good-looking young man. It was as if the whole spring scenery was shining on him. For a moment, she felt ashamed. Fortunately, the mask covered her blushing face. But in the end, she was still young and couldn't hide the amazement in her eyes.
After the handsome young man glanced at her, he casually pulled a fruit down.
This … was he giving it to her?
He Yan felt a burst of shyness.
The young man suddenly turned over and landed on the ground. He Yan's eyes were dazzled by his white robe. She looked at the young man approaching with the fruit. For a moment, she hesitated and didn't know what to say.
Should she say thank you? Or should she say that you are really good-looking?
She was so nervous that she wanted to reach out and twist the hem of her clothes.
The young man had already walked in front of her. Suddenly, he smiled.
This smile was like a thousand flowers blooming. It was as bright as the spring dawn. He Yan said excitedly, "Thank …"
Before she could finish the second "thank you", the young man brushed past her.
He Yan: "?"
She looked back and saw the young man in the white robe tossing the big yellow loquat up and down as he walked forward. His posture was leisurely, as if he was laughing at her unrequited love.
He Yan stood in the same place. After calming down for a while, she followed the young man into the school.
However, she had just walked to the entrance of the school when she heard people talking inside. It was very lively. A cheerful voice asked, "I heard that the new Eldest Young Master of the He Family is also coming to our school today. Brother Huaijin, did you see him?"
She took a step forward and secretly peeked through the crack in the window. She heard a lazy voice say, "I didn't see the Eldest Young Master of the He Family. I only saw a stupid and short person."
Stupid and short?
He Yan had never been talked about like this in her life. It was fine if she was stupid, but short … short?
How was she short? Her height, compared to other girls her age, was already considered to be very outstanding!
He Yan wanted to see which blind person would come up with such a conclusion. As soon as he raised his eyes, he saw the bright and pretty young man who was surrounded by the group of young men. His eyes were nonchalantly looking towards the crack in the window.
It was as if he knew that she was peeping.
Bursts of laughter came from the school.
The world of grass and trees was boundless. Spring was lush and the forest flowers were like brocade.
This was the first time she met Xiao Jue.