Chapter 8 : My lady, let me help you sort it out

That pleasant voice immediately pulled Cui Yunzhao back from her cold dream.

Cui Yunzhao sighed lightly, folded the note in her hand, and tucked it into the book beside her. She turned and left the small study, only to see Huo Tan smiling at her outside.

Time passes, dreams rise and fall, and in a blink of an eye it is noon.

Bo Ling, located north of Shuntian Canal. After October, the weather turns cooler.

Although early winter wasn’t yet freezing, the sun at noon was bright, filling the room with a golden hue.

The door was wide open, and despite the chill, there was an indescribable warmth.

Cui Yunzhao approached the Eight Immortals table and saw two oiled paper packages on it.

Huo Tan glanced at the courtyard to make sure no one was around and said, “There’s an old shop on the way to the western suburbs. Their lotus leaf chicken is the best. I brought some back for you to try.”

It was true that Cui Yunzhao was from Bo Ling.

Huo Tan, on the other hand, was a newcomer.

But he seemed so familiar with the Bo Ling delicacies when introducing them, as if he had seen these things for many years since he was a child.

However, since he had specially brought it, Cui Yunzhao chose not to point that out and simply said, “Thank you, my lord.”

She had never tried this lotus leaf chicken before.

Cui Yunzhao thought for a moment and then asked, “My lord, have you arranged everything for the return visit the day after tomorrow?”

Huo Tan sat down beside her, wiping his face with a handkerchief.

In the dead of winter, he came back sweating from his trip.

“It’s arranged, but I need to go again tomorrow. Twenty men didn’t show up today.”

During peacetime, soldiers have one day off after five days of duty, which helps conserve their energy and saves military expenses.

Huo Tan had over a hundred men under his command, considered as one team in the army. Due to his bravery and skill, he was well-liked by the commanding officers, and he had personally selected these men.

He had always had a good relationship with his comrades.

At this point, Huo Tan smiled, “Since my lady is so generous, I can’t let her good deeds go to waste. Naturally, not a single one should be missing.”

Cui Yunzhao raised her eyebrows and glanced at him, her eyes sparkling with apparent delight.

Huo Tan’s hand on the table moved slightly, feeling an itch.

He wanted to pinch her soft cheek.

However, remembering his wife’s words from yesterday, Huo Tan refrained from acting hastily and simply looked at Cui Yunzhao intently.

As she peeled back the lotus leaf bit by bit, the fragrance of the lotus leaf chicken soon wafted through the air.

She twitched her delicate nose and said with certainty, “It’s really quite good. The cooking is just right, it must be delicious.”

“Thank you, my lord, for your thoughtfulness.”

Huo Tan felt a touch of joy at her praise.

Cui Yunzhao suddenly lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with a smile as she asked, “My lord, what’s the barracks like? I’ve never seen it before.”

In her previous life, Cui Yunzhao had loathed the dirty, smelly soldiers, and the thought of a barracks made her uncomfortable.

Thus, when she was married early on, she had never visited the Wulipo barracks, only going to the Fulu camp later.

Huo Tan, still immersed in her praise, found her question quite ordinary and didn’t dwell on it, replying directly, “I can take you there if the opportunity arises, but…”

He paused and glanced back at Cui Yunzhao.

“But the barracks is no place for fun. It’s orderly and filled with tall, burly men. Aren’t you afraid?”

Cui Yunzhao finished peeling the entire lotus leaf chicken, set her chopsticks down, and replied calmly, “Why should I be afraid?”

Her voice was sincere “The soldiers risk their lives to protect the country. As a protected citizen, I shouldn’t be afraid.”

Huo Tan seemed taken aback by her response and looked momentarily stunned.

However, Cui Yunzhao didn’t want to delve deeper into the topic. She waved to Li Qing outside the door and, once she entered, instructed, “Take this lotus leaf chicken to the kitchen and tell them that Lord Huo Tan bought it as a tribute for grandmother and mother.”

“And have Tao Fei prepare the other one for dinner later.”

Li Qing nodded and left with the tray.

Cui Yunzhao then turned to Huo Tan and asked, “My lord, how do we proceed with the meal?”

Huo Tan came back to his senses and gave her a long, meaningful look. “How would you like to proceed with the meal, my lady?”

Cui Yunzhao gave a gentle smile.

“When married, one follows the customs of the family. I’ll naturally adapt to the local customs.”

Huo Tan responded, “Before we married, I discussed with my mother that, in the future, we would have meals according to my schedule. Since I am often busy with official duties and come home at irregular hours, you should serve me well and follow my timing for meals.”

It had been the same in her previous life.

At that time, Cui Yunzhao was grateful not to have to squeeze into meals with a large family and had never questioned how Huo Tan managed it.

Hearing this now, she was somewhat surprised: “Thank you, my lord.”

Huo Tan dismissed her thanks with a wave. “Grandmother is getting older and often has to wait for me. I usually eat more at the barracks, so…” After marriage, we’ll eat together at home.

He paused, adding, “I usually don’t come back for lunch, so you’re free to do as you please.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded but said, “My lord, since we’re newlyweds, it’s inappropriate not to attend to the elders. How about we have lunch with grandmother and mother these three days while you’re home?”

Huo Tan was momentarily stunned.

“My lady…”

Cui Yunzhao stated firmly, “It’s settled then. Li Qing, check if the kitchen has prepared the meal. We’ll go to the main hall to eat.”

Once she had made the arrangements, she turned to Huo Tan and said, “My lord, let’s go.”

Huo Tan gazed at her slender figure with deep interest. Without hesitation, he stood up and walked to her side.

“My lady, you’re truly filial, I’m very touched.”

His hands, feeling restless, moved to her delicate waist this time without restraint.

Cui Yunzhao glanced at him but didn’t resist much.

The two of them walked out together, and upon looking up, they saw Huo Xinzhi carrying dishes towards the main hall.

Huo Xinzhi was dressed in a somewhat worn-out coat with its sleeves patched in a different color, clearly repaired.

She wore only two wooden hairpins, giving her a very simple appearance.

Seeing her younger brother and sister-in-law, she showed no expression but nodded and said, “The meal will be ready soon.”

When informed about the lunch arrangements, she wasn’t surprised and continued walking calmly.

In the main hall, the table and chairs were already set. With only a few people in the house, a round table was sufficient and not crowded at all.

Huo Chenzhang and Huo Xinliu were setting out the dishes, while Lin Xiu Gu arranged the food.

Upon seeing the couple, Lin Xiu Gu eyes clearly showed delight. However, she raised her voice and asked, “Why are you here? The meal isn’t ready yet?”

Huo Tan explained that they would be having lunch there for the next two days. Cui Yunzhao noticed Lin Xiu Gu restrained smile.

Though she was evidently happy, she also appeared a bit anxious, scolding the younger ones.

“Don’t talk nonsense during the meal. In a prominent family, one must eat quietly.”

Her words were well-meaning and intended to help Cui Yunzhao adapt, but her loud voice made her sound a bit stern.

Those unfamiliar with her would certainly think she was hinting at something. Because of this, Cui Yunzhao had previously felt that her mother-in-law disliked her.

Lin Xiu Gu didn’t think her tone was problematic and continued, “Chenzhang, go call your younger brother. Where has he gone?”

Huo Chenzhang, who was curiously looking at Cui Yunzhao, was startled by his mother’s shout and immediately ran off.

Lin Xiu Gu then turned to Cui Yunzhao and Huo Tan.

“Your grandmother has gone back to her family for a few days. She said that the wife of Yuan Ge has given birth, so she went to take care of her.”

Upon hearing this, the last bit of coldness in Huo Tan disappeared.

He smiled faintly and said, “Grandmother is truly kind-hearted.”

Lin Xiu Gu gave him a glance and tugged at his sleeve, indicating he should be careful with his words.

Everyone knew the strict rules and high standards of prominent families, and it wouldn’t be good if his wife thought he was disrespecting the elders.

Huo Tan smiled and said nothing more.

Perhaps due to Li Qing and Tao Fei guidance, today’s meal was unusually well-prepared.

A pot of cabbage and tofu looked particularly appetizing, and the old vinegar cucumbers and green beans with eggplant didn’t have too much soy sauce. Together with the whole lotus leaf chicken, the meal was quite lavish.

The Huo family wasn’t as wealthy as the Cui family, but they were still comfortable. Each person’s bowl was filled with white rice, and there was also a basket of oil cakes.

Lin Xiu Gu sitting at the head of the table with her son on one side and daughter-in-law on the other, looked radiant and called out, “Let’s eat!”

Cui Yunzhao almost laughed out loud.

The meal was enjoyable and pleasant for both host and guests.

After lunch, Cui Yunzhao and Huo Tan returned to the East Courtyard. She asked Huo Tan, “My lord, will you be taking a nap?”

Huo Tan nodded. “I’ll rest for a short while.”

Cui Yunzhao, aware of his habit but not fully familiar with it, said, “Then you should rest first. I’ll tidy up a bit.”

Huo Tan glanced at her and nodded. “Alright.”

Cui Yunzhao had brought many books from home, half of them were books she had read, and the other half were on medicine and military affairs. She sighed, looking at the books, and remembered the early days of her marriage.

Preparing these books meant she once had the intention of building a good life with Huo Tan.

But why did things end up as they did? Cui Yunzhao didn’t know and couldn’t analyze the reasons.

She had been reborn, not enlightened by divine intervention or skilled in various arts. She was still herself.

She looked up, stood on tiptoe, and reached for the books on the top shelf. But the bookshelf was too high, and after failing to reach the first time, she tried again, but lost her balance and began to fall backward. Before she could cry out, she landed in a warm and solid chest. A long and strong arm reached around her and easily retrieved the book.

Cui Yunzhao heard the voice behind her, tinged with a smile.

“My lady, let me help you sort it out.”