Chapter 48 : As long as you look to the skies, the entire earth will be within your view

Cui Yunzhao and Huo Tan had been talking for so long that the rib soup had gone cold. Feeling calmer now, Cui Yunzhao realized she was quite hungry. She glanced at the soup, considering calling Li Qing to heat it up, but Huo Tan waved his hand. He stood up, picked up the teapot, and replaced it with a clay pot on the stove. Soon, a rich meaty aroma filled the room.

Cui Yunzhao smiled lightly, letting out a soft sigh. “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have brought this up during dinner.”

“It was my fault for starting it,” Huo Tan replied. He always took the blame, never blaming Cui Yunzhao for anything. Looking at her, he suddenly said, “Wife, I’m actually very happy every day since we got married. I feel we’re a good match.”

Cui Yunzhao bit her lip, smiling shyly, feeling an indescribable joy. She had to admit that Huo Tan was quite charming now. When she lowered her guard and listened earnestly, she noticed his words were filled with care and sincerity. Unable to resist, she glanced at him and asked, “Aren’t you going to eat?”

Huo Tan laughed heartily and relaxed. “Let’s eat.” They continued their meal, and Cui Yunzhao gradually mentioned her plan to distribute porridge.

After she finished, Huo Tan said, “Today I went to the Military Affairs Office and ran into General Lu. He’s worried about the refugees outside the city. There are more and more refugees from Wuping, and they’ve occupied the shantytowns outside the North Gate.”

Huo Tan added, “I told him that in this cold weather, people will freeze to death. If the refugees are starving and freezing, it could lead to trouble.” As he spoke, he placed the clay pot back on the table and filled a bowl with hot soup for Cui Yunzhao.

“General Lu also said it’s a tough situation,” he continued. “He asked Councilor Cui for advice. The councilor suggested we should quickly comfort the refugees, providing them with porridge and warm clothing, and settle them before the harsh winter arrives.”

Everyone knew that, but where would the rice and clothing come from? Where would they be housed, and how would they survive afterward? In previous years, when there were fewer refugees, they were typically accommodated in shantytowns because the refugees didn’t want to stay in Bo Ling, they were fleeing due to disasters and wars. Once the conflict ended, they intended to return home. Not everyone had the courage to leave their homeland.

If the government arranged accommodations, they might leave again. If not, they would cause trouble. It was a difficult situation regardless. Especially with the recent battles in Wuping so close to Bo Ling, many refugees had arrived.

Lu Jiming was capable as a general but struggled with political matters. When Cui Xu approached him, they hit it off immediately. However, Cui Xu was merely a theoretical strategist.

Cui Yunzhao asked, “What do you think, my lord?”

Huo Tan thought for a moment and said, “We need to give them something to do so they can support themselves. The shantytowns outside the city have been there for a long time, and while they’re crowded, they can still house people, but managing this task is not easy.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded, slowly sipping her soup, which was sweetened with red dates and lotus root. “My lord, I remember that the water route from Bo Ling to Fulu has been blocked for a long time.”

She carefully continued, “Fulu is a key location in the Central Plains, with many routes open to it. Because of this, it’s easy to attack but hard to defend, unlike Bianzhou, which has Longqing Mountain as a barrier.”

Huo Tan listened intently, his expression changing as he recalled the map of Fulu. “But if you look at the position, if we could reopen the Chang’an Canal from Fulu to Bo Ling, a fast boat could reach Bo Ling in just one hour. This way, Fulu and Bo Ling could form a complete defensive position, allowing for flexible troop movements between the two sides.”

Unable to help himself, Huo Tan glanced at Cui Yunzhao. She smiled and asked, “What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with this idea?”

Huo Tan shook his head but then nodded. “Your thoughts are quite unique, this approach is excellent. The Chang’an Canal hasn’t been dredged for years due to sediment buildup, leaving it abandoned since five years ago. Traveling from Bo Ling to Fulu requires going around Huaiyang Mountain, taking half a day on horseback and almost a full day on foot.”

In reality, Bo Ling and Fulu were not far apart. The original intent to excavate the Chang’an Canal was to facilitate travel, but with the chaos in the court, local officials focused solely on war, neglecting local issues. The canal remained blocked without any thought to clear it.

If it could be reopened, it would be crucial for both Fulu and Bo Ling, especially for their cooperation. Cui Yunzhao understood that the military governor, Guo Ziqian, was not just interested in one city or region; for him, Qiyang was too small. Who wouldn’t want Fulu?

Currently, Fulu was under the supervision of the Tianxiong military governor, Feng Duo, not directly governed by Tianxiong due to earlier conflicts that led to this situation. Fulu found itself in a somewhat awkward position.

Guo Ziqian and Feng Duo had always been at odds, and now with Fulu in the middle, it was uncertain how they would act. Cui Yunzhao had already formed answers to these issues from her previous life, but she also knew that the battles over Fulu had caused countless deaths.

If fewer lives could be lost and less blood spilled, her rebirth would not be in vain. After returning, she had been contemplating this matter. The Chang’an Canal was her initial thought, but after much consideration, she had abandoned it because clearing the canal would be incredibly difficult.

It would require significant manpower and resources, planning months in advance, and a perfect excuse. However, now with the influx of refugees from Wuping, the situation provided the ideal solution. They had the people and the excuse.

All that was left was food and determination. Huo Tan lowered his gaze, pondering, his fingers tapping three times on the armrest of the chair. “It seems this matter can’t solely be decided by General Lu; it also depends on the governor’s thoughts.”

If Bo Ling wanted to excavate the Chang’an Canal, they would have to dig all the way to Fulu, but how would Feng Duo, acting in the governor’s stead, agree to that?

Cui Yunzhao understood that Huo Tan must have guessed Governor Guo’s thoughts, so he would likely facilitate this matter. She pondered for a moment and asked, “My lord, while I think this way, it would be too cold to ask the refugees to dig through mud in the depths of winter. That’s the hardest part of my plan.”

Huo Tan nodded, acknowledging this point. “That’s true, the ground is hard and cold in winter, making it difficult to clear.”

After some thought, he added, “We could have the refugees start by building temporary shelters along the route. Those without places to stay could have a temporary home. After a month, once the New Year passes, it won’t be as cold, and we could begin the excavation then.”

Cui Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea!”

Huo Tan looked at her and said, “Thank you for thinking of me and the refugees.” Her suggestion showed her thoughtfulness, indicating she had considered this in advance.

“My lord is too polite,” Cui Yunzhao replied with a smile. She took another sip of soup, feeling warmth in her stomach.

Perhaps due to relaxing, she felt a bit drowsy and lazy. “My lord, I know that these days, the common people are struggling, and the soldiers have their own hardships. The world cannot be changed, and destiny is hard to defy. Yet, if through our efforts we can reduce some suffering, it wouldn’t be a wasted life.”

Huo Tan looked earnestly at Cui Yunzhao as she softly expressed her thoughts, feeling a spark of hope ignite within him. He genuinely believed that he could have a good life with her. She was just like him, broad-minded, caring for the country, and her vision extended beyond the narrow confines of their home.

He sighed with relief and smiled. “Thank you, my lady. I will work hard and won’t let your efforts go to waste.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded. After finally finishing their meal, she returned to her room and lay down. She had expended too much energy today and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

During her afternoon nap, Cui Yunzhao didn’t have the usual dreams. Huo Tan quietly entered the bedroom, pulled up the curtains, and then went to the study. He didn’t touch any of Cui Yunzhao’s belongings, only taking a piece of paper to begin writing slowly.

Huo Tan’s handwriting had a sharp, bold quality; at first glance, it seemed unruly, but upon closer inspection, it bore a powerful spirit. He organized the matters discussed with Cui Yunzhao and wrote a letter of advice, sealing it carefully in an envelope and placing it in his pocket.

Once he finished the letter, he stood before Cui Yunzhao’s overflowing bookshelf. Most of the books she brought were her favorites, and the spines revealed that some had been read many times. Huo Tan pulled out two books—travelogues and historical texts, and upon opening them, he found her elegant handwriting inside.

Looking at the familiar notes calmed his restless heart. He took a deep breath and replaced the books on the shelf. From the first day of their marriage, he had noticed that Cui Yunzhao was different from the rumors. She was not the demure young lady they described; she was neither overly reserved nor easily embarrassed. Instead, she was open, cheerful, and intelligent. For Huo Tan, who was only familiar with his elder sister, Cui Yunzhao was truly unique.

No, that’s not quite right. Huo Tan thought of Cui Yunzhao’s always-smiling phoenix eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. She was just different from the rumors—so what? Regardless of her appearance or personality, now that they were married, he needed to patiently get to know her and grow familiar with her, as they had become a family. Their hands could hold each other, never to let go for a lifetime.

With this thought, he recalled the three questions Cui Yunzhao had asked today and narrowed his eyes. He wouldn’t let her have nightmares anymore. Huo Tan turned and left the study, putting on his cloak as he stepped outside. As he pushed open the door, the wind and snow howled around him.

Mother Xia was just coming out of the side room. Seeing him, she quickly said, “Young master, are you going out? Should I have Uncle Ping bring the horse?”

Huo Tan shook his head, telling her not to fuss. “I’ll go myself,” he replied, then added, looking at Mother Xia, “When my lady wakes up, please tell her I’ll return for dinner tonight.”

When Cui Yunzhao awoke, it was already past the hour of Shen. The incense burner by the window had burned down to just a small tail. She lay in bed for a while, shaking off her drowsiness before sitting up.

Outside, Tao Fei’s lively voice called, “Miss, you’re awake?”

Cui Yunzhao responded, lifting the curtain to get out of bed, and saw Tao Fei entering with a bowl of soup. “Mother said you’ve had a bit of a hoarse throat these past few days, and since the room is too dry with the incense burning, she made a pear and Sichuan fritillary soup for you to soothe your throat.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded, smiling. “You should have some too, it’s quite warm in here.”

Tao Fei grinned sweetly. “Thank you, Miss.” Seeing her cheerful demeanor made Cui Yunzhao smile as well. With the conversation flowing, she felt herself relax, especially after such a long midday nap that helped replenish her energy from the morning.

“What about my lord?” she asked.

Tao Fei replied, “Mother Xia just said the Ninth Young Master went out, only mentioning he would return for dinner with you.”

Cui Yunzhao guessed he had gone to discuss matters with General Lu and said, “Could you go to the west courtyard and ask Sister Zhi if she’s free? I’d like to visit her soon.”

Tao Fei nodded, organizing her toiletries before heading out. Cui Yunzhao could do her own hair; she quickly styled it into a peony bun and put on the hairpin Huo Tan had gifted her, just as Tao Fei returned.

“Miss, Sister Zhi said she’s free,” Tao Fei informed her.

Cui Yunzhao nodded, picking up the list of dowries for Huo Xinzhi that Huo Tan had brought back, and then she left on her own. Huo Xinzhi lived in the east wing of the west courtyard, sharing space with Huo Xinliu, though they had separate rooms. This was her first visit here.

The cold weather meant the door was tightly shut. Standing at the entrance, Cui Yunzhao knocked, and the door opened from within. Huo Xinzhi’s cool demeanor greeted her.

“Thank you for coming, sister-in-law. Please, come in,” she said.

Cui Yunzhao followed her into the main room. Without windows, the dim light made the space feel somewhat gloomy. She noticed that Huo Xinliu’s door was ajar, through the crack, she could see Huo Xinliu quietly embroidering in her room. With a delicate, round face, she looked quite charming.

But she was young, shy, and somewhat dull, so she didn’t appear very lively. Huo Xinzhi noticed Cui Yunzhao’s gaze and said, “Liu’er loves to embroider and can spend the whole day doing it.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded and followed her into another room. Huo Xinzhi’s room looked much simpler than Huo Xinliu’s, there were no flowers or red decorations, and even the dressing table had very few items, giving it a sparse feel. There were chairs and a table by the window, so Cui Yunzhao sat with Huo Xinzhi.

The tea was already boiling, producing a nice steam. Cui Yunzhao handed the dowry list to her and said, “My lord went to the military affairs office this morning and has already reported on Wanyan Mountain.” She briefly explained the outcome regarding Wanyan Mountain, then continued, “Later, the Wanyan family returned the dowry list of my elder sister, saying they wanted us to look it over. If there are no issues, they’ll come to deliver it tomorrow.”

Huo Xinzhi thanked her and took the list to read. Her dowry included five mu of farmland near Bo Ling, which had been farmed by the Wanyan family since she returned home. Now that the harvest from this land was listed, it was clear the Wanyan family was genuinely afraid that the Huo family would cause trouble again.

Seeing the harvest, Huo Xinzhi couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. After she finished laughing, she felt it was somewhat impolite, so she cleared her throat and said, “I didn’t mean it about you.”

Huo Xinzhi’s complexion was much better now compared to when Cui Yunzhao first married into the family; it was a significant change. There were no dark circles under her eyes, her cheeks had a healthy glow, and she appeared to have gained some weight, looking much more spirited. This was quite remarkable.

In her past life, until the moment Cui Yunzhao left the Huo family, Huo Xinzhi hadn’t improved at all. Instead, she had grown increasingly frail and haggard, particularly after Huo Xinliu went missing.

Cui Yunzhao sighed inwardly and looked up at Huo Xinzhi, smiling brightly. “Sister,” she changed to a more affectionate address, “even though I just got married and we’re not very familiar with each other, I’m rather thick-skinned. If there’s anything I want to say, I hope you won’t mind my being meddlesome.”

Huo Xinzhi instinctively shook her head. “How could I? I should be thanking you. If it weren’t for you…”

Cui Yunzhao waved her hand, “Sister, we are already family, so there’s no need for such formality or politeness. There’s no need to be so restrained in conversation and dealings.”

Huo Xinzhi was taken aback for a moment. She paused for a while, then let out a gentle sigh, smiling lightly at Cui Yunzhao. She was actually quite pretty, resembling Huo Zhan with a crisp, straightforward charm. Especially her eyes, if they could be filled with spirit again, they would shine like a brilliant star.

Cui Yunzhao looked at her seriously and said, “Sister, you look so lovely when you smile. You should smile more often.”

In truth, they were quite different people. One was a widow from a military family, the other a young lady from a prestigious family; one was reserved and quiet, while the other was open and cheerful. They didn’t seem likely to become friends at all. But Cui Yunzhao’s playful words suddenly stirred something in Huo Xinzhi’s heart.

On the day the Wanyan family caused trouble, a seed had been planted in her heart, slowly sprouting and growing each day. Cui Yunzhao’s smile was like timely rain, helping that tender sprout thrive.

For some reason, Huo Xinzhi found herself smiling back. They both laughed inexplicably for a while until Cui Yunzhao asked, “Sister, do you feel better now?”

Huo Xinzhi nodded, her voice filled with warmth, “Much better.”

“Thank you, sister-in-law. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have realized just how despicable the Wanyan family is. Ever since that day, I haven’t had any more nightmares.”

There were many things Huo Xinzhi hadn’t shared with her family. She feared her elder brother would act impulsively and ruin his future, and she worried about her mother’s feelings, all while suffering in silence.

“But the younger sisters are too small, it’s better not to mention Grandmother,” Huo Xinzhi said softly. “Since I returned, the family has been very cautious, afraid to mention the Wanyan family or ask how I’ve been. The more careful they are, the more uncomfortable I feel.”

“My elder brother confronted the Wanyan family on my behalf and was reprimanded by General Lu. It’s all my fault for causing trouble for the family.” Cui Yunzhao listened quietly, waiting for her to express her pain.

Once Huo Xinzhi finished speaking, Cui Yunzhao said, “Sister, it’s not your fault. In this world, how can a victim be at fault?” She continued, “You didn’t choose this marriage, and you didn’t harm Wanyan Dalang. This whole situation is simply due to the Wanyan family’s malicious intentions.”

“It has nothing to do with you. You should hold your head high and enjoy each day. The better you do, the more the Wanyan family will suffer.” Huo Xinzhi looked at her calmly, but her eyes turned red without her realizing it. “Can I really do that?”

Cui Yunzhao smiled again, saying, “Of course you can!” She added seriously, “Sister, you must have already heard about my proposal to Mother, right?”

Huo Xinzhi nodded, but then she looked a bit flustered. “Sister, I… I’m not capable.” She hesitated, saying, “I’ve never managed family affairs before.”

Cui Yunzhao laughed, “What’s so difficult about it? I’ve never dealt with this many matters either.” She encouraged, “Sister, every beginning is hard. Once you get the hang of it, it will become easier. Besides,” she lowered her voice, “I’m saying something unfilial, but it’s only you who can manage Grandmother.”

“If my husband rises higher in the future and with so many younger siblings at home, if we let Grandmother have her way, I really worry something bad will happen.” Huo Xinzhi, having grown up in the family, knew better than Cui Yunzhao about Old Lady Gu. Hearing this, her previously smiling lips turned down, and her expression became serious.

She understood well that Cui Yunzhao’s concerns were not unfounded. Old Lady Gu was a person who would do anything to achieve her goals and had a habit of throwing tantrums. When it came to confronting her, as juniors, they had little recourse. It was easier when their father was around, but now the family consisted solely of Old Lady Gu’s juniors, and she was even less concerned.

Huo Xinzhi didn’t want family matters to drag Huo Tan into trouble, not at all. Seeing her expression change slightly, Cui Yunzhao felt certain she would agree, so she continued, “Of course, this is just my speculation, but sister, if you can manage the household, everything will be different.”

“I see that Grandmother only likes you.” Liking was just a nice way to put it; in reality, Old Lady Gu was guilty and afraid to act against Huo Xinzhi. Upon hearing this, Huo Xinzhi suppressed her feelings and smiled. She realized that smiling truly helped to calm her emotions.

“You’re right, as the eldest sister, I should protect my younger siblings.” Huo Xinzhi looked at Cui Yunzhao and asked, “Sister, what do you think I should do?”

Cui Yunzhao raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with laughter. “Sister, you are so decisive!”

Cui Yunzhao finished speaking and first pointed to her dowry list. “Sister, the dowry you have in hand needs to be counted carefully once it’s returned. Mother should know how to do this. As for those five acres of land, along with the twenty acres at home, you can entrust everything to the tenants. There should already be tenants in place, so you can just continue with them.”

Cui Yunzhao continued, “The silver left by Father, if Mother and you want to increase profits, you could buy shops. Whether you run a business yourself or lease them out, both are good options. It’s best not to just hold onto the money, especially the account tickets, you should exchange or use them quickly.”

Seeing that Huo Xinzhi was listening intently, Cui Yunzhao added, “My steward, Mother Xia, as you should know, is in charge of domestic matters and understands all of this well. If you want to learn, just go ask her. I’ve already spoken to Mother Xia about it.”

Cui Yunzhao smiled, “Sister, don’t worry. It’s not that difficult.”

“As long as we’re willing to do it, there’s no challenge too great,” Cui Yunzhao encouraged, her eyes sparkling. “I have a great-aunt you may have heard of.”

Huo Xinzhi thought for a moment and asked, “Is it Cui Yingnian?”

Cui Yunzhao laughed, “Yes, it’s Cui Yingnian. My great-aunt had a passion for historical texts when she was young. Later, after she got married and managed the household, she developed a love for poetry as well.”

“At that time, my great-aunt was already thirty and had children, yet she still insisted on learning to write poetry for ten more years.”

“After ten years, she became famous in Bianjing with a single poem.”

Cui Yunzhao looked at Huo Xinzhi, her eyes shining with light. “Sister, it’s never too late to work hard,” she said with a bright smile. “Women are resilient and can succeed through determination.”

“My great-aunt taught us not to be confined to the inner chambers or bound by rules, we should set our hearts on the heavens.”

“As long as you look to the skies, the entire earth will be within your view.”