Chapter 67 : Wife, I like it

Cui Yunzhao led her younger siblings into the carriage, and soon they left Tanhua Alley. Tanhua Alley was only a street away from Zhuangyuan Alley, and it took no more than a short tea break to reach it. Cui Yunzhao first boarded the carriage with her siblings.

Inside the carriage, Cui Yunlan and Cui Yunting exchanged glances.

“Elder Sister, I don’t really understand,” Cui Yunting asked, somewhat bewildered. He couldn’t grasp why their uncle had initially exploded with anger, only to later become affectionate and remorseful, leaving the young boy in a daze. Although he had seen enough of Cui Xu’s true colors not to be swayed by Yin Changfeng, he still didn’t understand why he had behaved that way.

Cui Yunlan nodded in agreement.

Time was of the essence, so Cui Yunzhao quickly explained. As they neared the Cui family residence, she said, “You can ask Aunt San when we get back, she will explain why Uncle acted that way.”

Being a few years older, Cui Yunlan understood her words and nodded, saying, “Okay.”

After dropping off her siblings, Cui Yunzhao returned to her own carriage and told Xu Mingmu, “Let’s go home.”

Two quarters of an hour later, she stepped into the Huo residence. Since it was already past curfew, she didn’t want to disturb the family in the front courtyard, so she had the carriage stop outside and entered through the side door of the east courtyard.

The Huo family was still quiet that night. The family usually went to bed early, and by this hour, they were almost all asleep. Cui Yunzhao instructed Li Qing and Tao Fei to rest and then tiptoed toward the main house.

At this time, Huo Tan was usually already asleep.

Cui Yunzhao gently pushed open the door, only to find the main room still lit, which surprised her. She didn’t say anything, just closed the door, washed her hands and face at the entrance, and then quietly stepped into the bedroom.

The bedroom was still empty. The candle by the window flickered, illuminating the warmly decorated room. The bedding on the canopy bed was neatly arranged, showing no signs of having been disturbed.

Cui Yunzhao felt puzzled. She stepped back out and noticed that Huo Tan wasn’t in the study either, which made her increasingly suspicious.

She returned to the bedroom, sat quietly for a moment, and then heard what seemed to be sounds coming from the water room. It sounded like a familiar, low breathing mixed with the sound of water, echoing in her ears.

Cui Yunzhao froze for a moment. She recognized that sound. In her previous life, whenever they were close, Huo Tan’s voice would be just like this, fiery and intense. Every time she heard it, she would blush.

Now it was no different.

Cui Yunzhao slowly stood up and carefully approached the water room door to listen. There were indeed sounds that would make anyone flush with embarrassment.

Her heart raced. She felt her palms sweat, a wave of inexplicable heat and impulse washing over her, causing her to place her hand on the door.

With a creak, Cui Yunzhao opened the water room just a crack.

“My lord?” she softly called.

Instantly, the water room fell silent. The breathing stopped, and the sound of water ceased.

In that moment, an eerie quiet enveloped the room.

Cui Yunzhao frowned again. She suddenly realized that something might have happened during the evening while she was away.

Feeling uneasy, she reached out to push the door open wider, but Huo Tan seemed to sense her intention and suddenly said, “Don’t come in.”

His voice was filled with suppressed pain.

Cui Yunzhao had never heard him sound so hoarse before. It was as if he was struggling to suppress something, but ultimately, the pain and impulse broke free.

The sound of labored breathing did not cease.

Cui Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat. In an instant, she concluded that something must have gone wrong at home.

Ignoring Huo Tan’s protest, she pushed the door open forcefully and stepped inside.

What she saw left her stunned.

Huo Tan was sitting in the bath, his back to her. His exposed shoulders and neck were flushed, especially with prominent veins on his neck, indicating that he was trying to endure something.

From his silhouette, she could see Huo Tan’s strong arms and broad back.

Perhaps alerted by the sound of the door, Huo Tan’s movements froze. Cui Yunzhao saw him sit there, motionless in the bath.

Her mind was clear. She wasn’t thrown off by the scene before her instead, she quickly sensed that something was wrong.

For example, the water room was extremely cold at this moment, lacking any warmth. Moreover, the water in the tub seemed icy, without a hint of steam rising.

Cui Yunzhao sensed something but wasn’t entirely sure, even feeling somewhat incredulous. Huo Tan had exceptional self-control. In the more than a month since their marriage, she had often playfully teased him, yet when she shook her head to refuse, he always managed to hold back.

His restraint and determination were beyond ordinary. He wouldn’t just come in for a cold bath in the middle of the night over such a trivial matter.

If that’s the case, then there could only be one possibility.

“My lord, have you been drugged?”

Huo Tan’s breathing suddenly grew heavier. After a moment, he sighed deeply, “my lady, since you’ve guessed, just go out.”

He struggled to say those words, expending almost all his strength to push them out. But Cui Yunzhao didn’t move.

She steadied herself, watching the veins bulging on Huo Tan’s neck, and an impulsive thought suddenly arose in her heart. Perhaps this was the best moment.

Each day since her rebirth, she had grown closer to Huo Tan. From being strangers to becoming familiar, Cui Yunzhao gradually saw sides of Huo Tan that she hadn’t noticed in her previous life. Moreover, she was certain now that Huo Tan was not the one who had harmed her.

From that day forward, she had let her guard down around him. But due to her shyness, she hadn’t dared to agree openly until now. She actually missed Huo Tan his strong arms, the tender moments they once shared.

What had happened today provided her with the perfect excuse; after all, they were now like an old married couple, and Cui Yunzhao felt no embarrassment at all. She could have Huo Tan completely in her grasp, letting him act according to her desires. What could be more delightful?

Having been given a second chance at life, why shouldn’t she enjoy it?

Cui Yunzhao took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and stepped forward with determination.

Even in his current state, Huo Tan was alert. He immediately noticed her footsteps. For the first time since their marriage, he scolded her, “I said, go out!”

Huo Tan almost shouted, “I could hurt you!”

Cui Yunzhao suddenly laughed. Her voice was light and airy, carrying an inexplicable allure that reignited the thoughts he had tried to suppress.

“My lord, you won’t.”

Cui Yunzhao stepped closer until she was right behind Huo Tan.

“You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?”

After saying this, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist and looked down to see Huo Tan gripping her wrist tightly with his hand.

His hands were large, with defined knuckles, strong and powerful.

His touch was cold.

The contrast of warmth and chill was intoxicating.

Yet the strength with which he held her was unprecedented. Even with his back to her, Cui Yunzhao could feel his fervent desire. It was as if he wanted to pull her into him immediately.

Cui Yunzhao felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation, looking forward to the impending heat.

“My lord, you don’t understand. I’ll teach you, and you will be very obedient.”

“Answer me.”

Huo Tan, almost bewitched, breathed heavily, “I’ll listen to you.”

Cui Yunzhao smiled in satisfaction. She bent down and whispered in Huo Tan’s ear, “My lord, I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom?”

Huo Tan let out a low growl from his throat.

Cui Yunzhao couldn’t hear it clearly but felt he must have cursed under his breath.

The next moment, she heard a loud splash as Huo Tan sprang from the bath, trapping her in his arms.

“Ah.”

With a loud splash, Cui Yunzhao’s sleeve got soaked.

To her surprise, Huo Tan wasn’t cold at all.

His eyes were red, his expression a mixture of frustration and restraint. His hands held her tightly around the waist, leaving her with nowhere to escape.

“Wife,” Huo Tan asked with his last bit of rationality, “are you not regretting this?”

Cui Yunzhao’s lips parted slightly, a teasing smile on her face.

“My lord,” she tiptoed and pressed a warm kiss near his lips, “be gentle.”

After that, Cui Yunzhao could barely remember what happened.

She felt herself pulled into a summer whirlpool, dancing within it.

The candle flickered several times, the wick burning steadily without a sign of stopping.

Cui Yunzhao felt intensely hot.

At that moment, it felt less like a cold winter and more like a scorching summer.

Huo Tan indeed had incredible endurance. Even under the influence of the drug and her provocations, he didn’t lose his rationality.

Delicious food is meant to be savored, slowly appreciated to bring out its true flavor, wonderful and satisfying.

But it was also exhausting.

Huo Tan was just as she remembered him, still that boisterous warrior with strength like an ox.

“Damn you, Huo Tan!”

Cui Yunzhao scolded, pushing him away with force.

“I am, wife , go ahead and scold me.”

Huo Tan’s voice remained hoars, after all, even too much good food could lead to thirst.

Like a beast basking in the sun on a winter afternoon, he could finally sprawl beneath the brilliant sunlight, lazily dozing.

Delicious food and beautiful scenery all thrived under the warm sun.

Yet Cui Yunzhao could not take any of it in.

All she could do was cry and say she was tired.

At this moment, Cui Yunzhao needed some coaxing, but it wasn’t just that.

It wasn’t until the sky began to lighten with the dawn that Cui Yunzhao finally fell into an exhausted sleep.

Huo Tan, however, wasn’t very sleepy.

He should have been tired, his body was clamoring for rest, yet he still held Cui Yunzhao tightly in his arms, cherishing the sight of her.

It was as if she were the most precious treasure in the world, an exclusive gem belonging solely to Huo Tan, the brightest pearl at the center of his heart.

At that moment, this pearl nestled obediently in his embrace, unable to go anywhere.

How wonderful.

Huo Tan sighed softly.

So wonderful.

In that instant, he finally felt at peace.

Or rather, he experienced a long-lost happiness, one that Cui Yunzhao had brought him, a sense of completeness in life.

Huo Tan gazed at Cui Yunzhao for a long time, until she turned over, at which point he allowed himself to close his eyes for a moment.

He wasn’t tired, but he needed to rest.

Not knowing what the drug was, Huo Tan felt extremely weary, his spirit was satisfied, but his body was utterly weak.

He thought he wouldn’t fall asleep, but soon enough, he drifted off into a dream.

Cui Yunzhao slept soundly.

She didn’t dream, and when she woke the next day, she still felt groggy.

What roused her wasn’t a sound but rather warmth.

Cui Yunzhao struggled to open her eyes, only to realize she was wrapped in a blanket, with Huo Tan holding her tightly in his arms.

Could it not be hot?

Cui Yunzhao was sweating, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. She struggled a bit and muttered irritably, “So annoying.”

Huo Tan stirred slightly.

He was in deep sleep, but seemed to sense her movements, instinctively shifting his grip.

Cui Yunzhao thought he might release her, so she struggled again in excitement.

But to her surprise, Huo Tan merely changed positions, still firmly holding her.

Cui Yunzhao: “……”

Exhausted and sleepy, she didn’t have the energy to play around with Huo Tan, nor did she want to wake him. Eventually, she drifted back into a hazy sleep.

When she woke again, she felt somewhat disoriented.

Lying there for a long time, she finally managed to open her eyes and glanced beside her.

Huo Tan wasn’t holding her, the blanket was loosely draped over her, making her feel comfortable.

But Huo Tan had not gotten up.

Cui Yunzhao turned her head and saw him looking deeply at her, his head tilted.

Their eyes met, and Cui Yunzhao suddenly felt her face heat up.

Instinctively, she tried to turn away, but as she moved, she winced.

Her back ached, and her legs hurt.

Unable to help herself, Cui Yunzhao cursed, “Huo Tan, you’re so annoying.”

Huo Tan chuckled softly behind her, reaching out to gently massage her back.

The next moment, a warm kiss landed on her cheek.

“Wife, I like this.”

The couple snuggled together on the bed for quite a while, until Cui Yunzhao finally felt fully awake.

Huo Tan’s massage was quite effective; after a bit, her back didn’t hurt as much.

Cui Yunzhao pushed him away and struggled to sit up, unable to resist scolding him again, “Didn’t you say you’d listen to me?”

Huo Tan touched his nose and adjusted her pillow before saying, “It was my fault.”

Cui Yunzhao let out a cold snort.

Sitting side by side, the couple felt quite intimate.

After last night, Huo Tan clearly sensed that the atmosphere between them had changed, becoming closer and more difficult to resist.

He sighed softly before asking, “Why did you suddenly come back last night?”

Speaking of this, Cui Yunzhao had a lot to say.

But as the words reached her lips, she glanced at him, “What about you?”

Though it was a question, she had already guessed much of the situation.

At the mention of last night, Huo Tan’s expression turned cold.

He briefly recounted what had happened, concluding with, “I didn’t expect Grandmother to resort to such despicable means, nor that the Gu family would be so shameless.”

Cui Yunzhao wasn’t particularly angry.

First, she knew Huo Tan was resolute, even under the drug’s influence, he wouldn’t succumb. Second, the Gu family’s tactics were indeed beneath contempt, having used them once, they likely wouldn’t succeed again in trying to manipulate Huo Tan with family ties.

So in a way, it was a blessing in disguise.

Cui Yunzhao agreed, unable to muster any anger, and instead comforted Huo Tan, “My lord, don’t take it to heart. Grandmother has always acted this way.”

Huo Tan shook his head.

“Grandmother has treated me coldly for years, I’m used to it and don’t care. But she cannot harm me.”

“This is my home.”

If he had to constantly be on guard at home, how exhausting would that be for Huo Tan?

His eyes were deep as Cui Yunzhao looked at him, asking, “What do you plan to do?”

“Of course, to teach them a lesson.”

Cui Yunzhao reached out and held Huo Tan’s hand.

“Alright, don’t be angry anymore.”

Yet the more she said this, the more he cherished her.

Huo Tan turned his head to look at her, and after a moment, pulled her into his embrace again.

He gently patted Cui Yunzhao’s back, his voice thick with guilt: “wife, if it weren’t for this, our wedding night should have been gentle and sweet.”

“I’m sorry.”

It was he who apologized.

Cui Yunzhao chuckled softly.

Her laughter lingered in Huo Tan’s ears, easing his guilty heart.

Cui Yunzhao reached out to gently pat Huo Tan’s back, “So, My lord promises to listen to me from now on, no matter what?”

Huo Tan silently smiled.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Last night had indeed been quite a tumult.

But now that the sun was high in the sky, Huo Tan and Cui Yunzhao still needed to tidy up the mess at home. So, they didn’t rest any longer and got up together.

As Cui Yunzhao stepped down, she immediately felt soreness in her legs and couldn’t help but shoot a glare at Huo Tan.

Huo Tan lowered his eyes and said obediently, “It won’t happen again.”

“There’s no ‘next time,’” Cui Yunzhao replied, her eyes sparkling as she huffed.

Today, Mother Xia was the one attending to them.

She entered with a smile, bringing in a basin of water for them to wash up, then said to Cui Yunzhao, “Miss, I’ve prepared red sugar and millet porridge. Please eat plenty.”

At first, Cui Yunzhao was puzzled about why Mother Xia was the one attending to them today, but when she looked up and saw the smiling eyes of Mother Xia, she instantly blushed.

“Mom!”

Mother Xia beamed, her gaze full of warmth.

“Miss, this is wonderful.”

“Congratulations, Miss.”

Cui Yunzhao’s face turned red, her eyes filled with vibrant charm, radiating springtime brightness.

“Mom, please stop. If you keep talking, I’ll be embarrassed.”

Only then did Mother Xia stop.

By the time the couple was freshened up, breakfast was already set in the main room.

Cui Yunzhao didn’t have much of an appetite and only ate the red sugar and millet porridge, while Huo Tan looked ravenous and finished both baskets of dumplings.

After they finished breakfast, the courtyard remained eerily quiet.

At this time, Huo Tan would usually be leaving for the military camp, and Cui Yunzhao would be home alone, not finding the quiet overly strange.

But after what had happened the previous evening, the silence in the west courtyard felt especially jarring.

Gu Yinghong was missing, and surprisingly, Grandmother Gu hadn’t caused a fuss?

Cui Yunzhao and Huo Tan exchanged glances before heading out together toward the west courtyard.

Huo Chengpu and Huo Chenzhang had already gone to school, leaving only the female family members at home.

Huo Xinzhi happened to come out of a side room and, upon seeing Huo Tan, paused for a moment.

“Eldest Brother, why are you still at home?”

Huo Tan’s expression was calm, his tone slightly cold “There’s something today.”

Huo Xinzhi immediately sensed that something was wrong at home.

She recalled the quiet breakfast table that morning, Grandmother Gu’s silent demeanor, and Gu Yinghong’s disappearance, feeling a heaviness in her heart.

Huo Xinzhi set down the basket she was carrying and immediately followed them “I’ll go with you.”

Once they entered the main room, Lin Xiu Gu also came in response.

She was a bit slow to grasp the situation and looked at Huo Tan with confusion. Then she heard Huo Tan say, “Mother, let me speak in a moment.”

“Sister, go invite Grandmother out.”

After saying this, Huo Xinzhi walked over to Grandmother Gu’s door.

Surprisingly, Grandmother Gu had actually closed her door today.

Usually, she would leave it open for Lin Xiu Gu’s convenience, only hanging a curtain in front.

Seeing this, Huo Xinzhi furrowed her brows.

She knocked on the door directly: “Grandmother, there’s something at home. Please come out to discuss it.”

Inside, it was completely silent, not a sound to be heard.

Only then did Lin Xiu Gu realize something was amiss; her brow furrowed as she tightly clutched the hem of her clothes, looking very nervous.

However, she didn’t immediately speak up to ask.

Having lost her husband five years ago, she had grown accustomed to relying on her eldest son and daughter, letting them take charge of everything.

Since her separation from the family, Huo Xinzhi had always treated Grandmother Gu with a cold demeanor.

And Grandmother Gu, feeling guilty, would become more reserved whenever Huo Xinzhi spoke, secretly fearing her.

Usually, when Huo Xinzhi sought her out, she would respond immediately, but today, she remained locked away.

Huo Xinzhi’s expression darkened.

She quickly understood that something major had definitely happened yesterday.

Recalling what Huo Xinliu had told her earlier that morning, Huo Xinzhi’s heart raced.

She glanced back at her brother and sister-in-law, noticing their expressions were calm, seemingly not too angry, which only made Huo Xinzhi more anxious.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked harder on the door.

“Grandmother, if you don’t come out, I’ll break the door down.”

This was quite disrespectful, but it was the most effective method with someone like Grandmother Gu, who was always prone to drama.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, a hesitant voice came from inside.

“Xinzhi, what, what is it? I’m sleeping.”

Grandmother Gu’s words were mumbled and stammered, revealing her nervousness.

Huo Xinzhi maintained her expression and continued, “Grandmother, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law have come to greet you. If you don’t come out, won’t that be disrespectful to Eldest Brother?”

This was almost a threat.

Inside, Grandmother Gu seemed to hesitate for quite a while before finally coming to open the door.

As soon as Huo Xinzhi saw her grandmother’s guilty eyes, she narrowed her own. Stepping back a bit, she gestured, “Grandmother, please take your seat.”

Grandmother Gu’s complexion was pale, her hair disheveled, and her clothing not as tidy as usual, giving off an overall sense of disarray.

However, at this point, Grandmother Gu clearly understood she couldn’t escape, so she steeled herself and walked out from the bedroom.

The moment she stepped out, she met Huo Tan’s cold gaze.

From childhood, Grandmother Gu had always disliked his eyes.

They were too sharp, too cold, as if they could see through the deepest secrets, revealing all the shame and dirt.

Grandmother Gu disliked this grandson, even more so, she loathed him.

But now was not the time to express her disdain.

With great difficulty, Grandmother Gu forced a smile at Huo Tan before stiffly moving to sit in the main seat.

Once she was seated, the family took their seats as well.

Lin Xiu Gu, not understanding the situation, remained silent throughout, while Grandmother Gu, feeling nervous, couldn’t hold back her urge to speak.

“Why have Ninth brother and the daughter-in-law come to greet me at this time?” Grandmother Gu tried to force a smile. “I’ve said that our family doesn’t need those troublesome rules. You just need to live well.”

At this moment, Grandmother Gu seemed quite reasonable and benevolent.

Huo Tan raised his gaze to her.

His expression was calm, and he didn’t appear irritable or angry. Yet the more he was like this, the more alarmed Grandmother Gu felt.

She knew this grandson all too well.

Huo Tan had come this far, certainly due to Huo Zhan’s sacrifice for the country, but his greatest achievement was still himself.

He was incredibly composed, more so than a young man who hadn’t even reached his twenties.

Grandmother Gu’s fear stemmed from the events of that morning.

Last night, she had set everything in motion, urging Gu Yinghong to go to the east courtyard.

Since she shared a room with Lin Xiu Gu, it was inconvenient for her to move around much, so she waited in her bedroom.

After waiting for a long time without hearing any noise from the east courtyard, she felt confident that her plan had succeeded.

At that moment, she was quite pleased and happily fell asleep.

The original plan between Grandmother Gu and Gu Yinghong was that upon waking up, Grandmother Gu would pretend Gu Yinghong was missing, leading the family to search everywhere, ultimately finding the two who had engaged in wrongdoing in the east courtyard.

This way, the deed would be done, and Huo Tan wouldn’t be able to wriggle out of it.

However, upon waking this morning, Grandmother Gu sensed something was off.

The person attending to her was actually Granny Fu.

It had always been Granny Qiao taking care of her.

Grandmother Gu questioned Granny Fu about why she was there, and Granny Fu said that Granny Qiao had been called away early by Ping Shu, saying there was something urgent.

At that moment, Grandmother Gu’s heart sank.

She immediately realized that things might not have gone according to her expectations.

If it had worked, Huo Tan would be preoccupied thinking about how to explain it to Cui Yunzhao, not immediately dealing with Granny Qiao.

At that moment, Grandmother Gu was anxious.

She thought about it and decided she couldn’t just sit back and wait, and forgetting about Gu Yinghong, she quickly took her hidden stash of money and prepared to leave the Huo family.

After all, once she reached the Gu family, Huo Tan wouldn’t be able to do anything to her.

But the Huo family’s door was tightly shut, and the two brothers from the Su family sat stoically at the door, expressionless, watching her.

No matter what she said, they insisted it was an order from the military and refused to open the door.

At that moment, Grandmother Gu realized the situation was serious.

That’s when she returned to her bedroom and locked herself inside.

But now it seemed, Huo Tan wouldn’t let it go easily.

Grandmother Gu was not one to sit idle, her eyes narrowed as she suddenly spoke “Where’s Yinghong? My poor Yinghong, where has she gone?”