At night, the wind crept through the window cracks, making the candlelight flicker slightly. Shadows danced erratically upon the wall as Hé Yan looked at the silver pieces before her and asked, "Is this all?"
"This servant has already begged the shopkeeper for more," Qing Mei said apologetically. "But the shopkeeper said those jewelry pieces could only be pawned for this much."
Hé Yan nodded. "You may leave now."
Qing Mei withdrew.
Hé Yan picked up the silver pieces one by one into her palm. There were only two pieces in total, and she felt as if her heart was breaking along with them.
Back in that family household, there had never been a shortage of money. Even if there had been, any piece of jewelry or jade pendant could be pawned for silver. Later on the battlefield, there hadn't been any need for silver, and after returning to the capital, His Majesty's rewards had filled several courtyards of the He family.
She thought about the gold, silver, and jewels bestowed upon General Fei Hong—any single piece would have sufficed to solve this He family's urgent needs. Yet now she was no longer part of that He family.
Hé Yan heaved a heavy sigh, finally comprehending the saying "A single coin can defeat a hero."
Money aside, there was another matter—she wanted to go to the training grounds. While chopping firewood in the mountains daily could strengthen her body, it only built physical endurance. To recover her former abilities, sparring at the training grounds, practicing archery, and horseback riding would prove the quickest methods. However, she wondered whether the overprotective He Sui would agree.
She extinguished the candle and got onto the bed. Whatever the case, everything could wait until tomorrow.
The next day, after descending from the mountain with firewood and having lunch, He Yunsheng prepared to sell cakes.
Hé Yan looked at his fully loaded steamer basket and asked, "Can you sell this many?"
"Now that the weather's getting warmer, there are many customers," He Yunsheng said. "After some time, we'll need to sell something else."
He Yunsheng truly worried endlessly about this family and understood these business matters with remarkable clarity. Hé Yan felt deep respect and patted his shoulder, saying, "Let's go then."
He Yunsheng's body stiffened—Hé Yan's gesture was indeed... quite masculine.
When they arrived at the stalls, since they came early and there weren't many vendors, they found an excellent spot near the street. They set out the Da Nai cakes for display.
It was early April, and when the afternoon sun emerged, it carried a hint of summer. The Da Nai cakes were sweet and sour with a fragrant plum aroma—perfect as a snack for this season. As He Yunsheng predicted, business flourished. While He Yunsheng was selecting cakes and Hé Yan was collecting money, both occupied with their work, they suddenly witnessed a group of people aggressively approaching their position, led by Wang Jiugui from yesterday.
With a loud "bang," Wang Jiugui slammed both hands upon the table. People around quickly backed away, not wanting to become involved in the trouble.
He Yunsheng showed no fear and angrily demanded, "What are you doing?"
"What am I doing?" Wang Jiugui sneered. "Yesterday you struck me—did you think that would be the end of it?"
He Yunsheng rolled up his sleeves, his face cold as ice: "You want to fight? Bring it on!"
"Good lad, you've got guts!" Wang Jiugui stepped back slightly, and his lackeys immediately surrounded He Yunsheng. "Young man, I advise you not to be too arrogant!"
He Yunsheng remained unmoved, but at this moment, Hé Yan called out: "Stop!"
Both He Yunsheng and Wang Jiugui turned to look at Hé Yan.
Seeing Hé Yan, Wang Jiugui smiled again and said, "This boy is ignorant, but since he's your brother, Miss He, I shall give face to you. If Miss He is willing to go spring-viewing with me, we can let this matter go. I'm magnanimous and won't bicker with children."
"I see your mouth can't speak anything decent!" He Yunsheng erupted in anger.
"Wait." Hé Yan firmly gripped He Yunsheng's hand. He Yunsheng tried to break free, but no matter how hard he tried, Hé Yan's hand held him securely. He Yunsheng was stunned—since when did Hé Yan become so strong?
"Let's not discuss this here and frighten others," Hé Yan said calmly. "Let's talk over there." She pointed to a small alley near the back of Zui Yu Lou.
"No!"
"Good!"
He Yunsheng and Wang Jiugui spoke simultaneously.
He Yunsheng anxiously protested, "You're a young lady, how can you go with them... these people are no good!"
But Wang Jiugui laughed. "It seems Miss He is more sensible. Let's go then, I've brought gifts for Miss He today..."
As He Yunsheng continued to protest, Hé Yan leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Do you think all those days of chopping wood with you were for nothing? Don't worry, nothing will happen. Just give me the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
The young lady's voice was gentle, carrying a mysterious smile. He Yunsheng was stunned, and by the time he recovered his senses, Hé Yan had already departed with Wang Jiugui's group.
He Yunsheng wanted to chase after them, but remembering what Hé Yan had just told him, he forced himself to stop.
Just trust her this once. The time it takes to drink a cup of tea—if she wasn't back by then, he would go find her.
Meanwhile, Hé Yan and Wang Jiugui reached the small alley.
Above the alley stood the Zui Yu Lou tavern. The faint sound of string instruments could be heard from inside, melodious and pleasant. Hé Yan had long yearned to visit but had never been. Shortly after her return to the capital, He Rufei had come back, and dressed as a woman, she couldn't enter such places.
"Sister He," Wang Jiugui grinned as he moved closer, "what did you want to tell me?"
"My brother."
"You mean Young Master He?" Wang Jiugui was slightly surprised but quickly resumed his smiling face and waved magnanimously. "How could I hold a grudge against him? You know that." He pulled out a celadon-colored round powder box from his clothes and reached out to touch Hé Yan's face with his other hand. "You're in my heart, in the future we'll be family..."
Wang Jiugui's words were cut short by a scream.
In Zui Yu Lou, the strings quivered at the scream, hitting a wrong note, like a flaw upon beautiful jade—abrupt and regrettable. Someone asked, puzzled, "What was that sound?"
A silk screen was lifted slightly by a fan handle, the teacup's delicate design no match for the long, jade-like fingers holding it.
Hé Yan released her grip, and Wang Jiugui's arm fell limply. His face showed terror as Hé Yan smiled faintly, tossing the celadon powder box at Wang Jiugui's head, covering his face in white powder.
"Thank you for the gift, but I don't appreciate such poor-quality cosmetics. Remember, don't send me such things in the future."
"You witch! Get her!" Wang Jiugui howled while issuing the order.
The young lady in her prime years heard this and seemed to find it amusing, her eyes curving as she laughed, the sound clear as mountain springs. She was genuinely delighted. The spring breeze lifted her skirt hem, her black hair contrasting with her snow-white skin, her bright almond eyes full of kindness—she looked exactly like some beautiful young lady out for a spring outing.
But her words sent chills down their spines.
She rubbed her wrist and smiled. "You'd better not regret this."
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