Chapter 33 : Just a kiss

Cui Yunzhao hadn’t seen Huo Tan lose his temper in many years.

At this moment, Huo Tan was like a tiger whose territory had been invaded, radiating anger from every pore.

His deep-set eyes were even more intense now, fixed on Lu Zixian with unblinking severity.

The message was unmistakable.

As long as Lu Zixian didn’t let go, Huo Tan was ready to take action.

Cui Yunzhao was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to react. By the time she came to her senses, she realized Lu Zixian had been forced back two steps by Huo Tan.

At this point, Lu Zixian’s face alternated between pale and green, looking extremely distressed.

Being so publicly humiliated by a subordinate was a severe blow to his pride.

Even though Lu Zixian was drunk, he was now somewhat sobered by the situation.

“H-Huo Tan?” Lu Zixian slurred.

He stood there swaying, clearly having had too much to drink.

Huo Tan, however, remained firmly by Cui Yunzhao’s side. He applied a slight pressure, moving Cui Yunzhao behind him, and positioned his tall frame to block Lu Zixian’s view.

“Commander Lu, harassing a general’s wife on the street is not the behavior of a gentleman.”

Huo Tan’s voice was low, and Cui Yunzhao could clearly hear the anger in his tone.

She was so focused on Huo Tan’s back that she didn’t even notice the momentary disgust she had felt earlier.

At this moment, she suddenly realized that Huo Tan was not yet the astute and strategic General Huo she would come to know in the future.

He was only nineteen now, still a young general, lacking the patience and cunning he would later acquire. He was still brimming with youthful vigor.

When wronged, he couldn’t help but confront the situation immediately, without any restraint.

Cui Yunzhao couldn’t deny it, she felt a sudden surge of joy.

The feeling of being protected was truly wonderful and made her feel genuinely valued.

Just like now.

Huo Tan was completely disregarding Lu Zixian’s status as his superior and his father’s identity. His displeasure and anger were palpable.

“Commander Lu, my wife is timid and cannot handle such things. Your behavior is frightening her.”

“”I will never let this matter go. I will report it truthfully to General Lu.”

Huo Tan’s address to Lu Zixian had shifted from “General Lu” to “Commander Lu.”

Lu Zixian seemed to suddenly sober up and stared at Huo Tan with disbelief.

“How did you get here? What are you saying?”

“W-What are you saying?” Lu Zixian slurred, “Did I… do something just now?”

“I don’t remember.”

He stood there swaying, his face flushed and his clothes disheveled, clearly a drunken mess.

He was nothing like the initially sunny and cheerful young general.

Huo Tan’s gaze darkened slightly. Ignoring the onlookers, he waved his hand behind him.

Immediately, a squad of city guards, hesitant but prompt, stepped forward.

“General Huo.”

Huo Tan nodded, his voice cold “Commander Lu is drunk and causing a scene on the street. Take him back to the yamen and make sure he is well-protected. If anything happens to him and General Lu holds us responsible, none of us can afford it.”

Lu Zixian was shouting over there “I’m not drunk! , don’t go! Let’s have another drink!”

After giving those orders, Huo Tan grabbed Cui Yunzhao’s wrist and pulled her away.

Cui Yunzhao nearly stumbled from the force. She let out a small “ow,” and only then did Huo Tan slow his pace.

They walked in silence, with Li Qing carefully following behind, not daring to speak.

Cui Yunzhao glanced at Huo Tan’s stern profile. The last traces of her discomfort faded, and she found the situation somewhat amusing.

She had never seen Huo Tan so angry before, and it made her feel that he cared about her.

She followed Huo Tan’s small, quick steps until they reached the carriage. Only then did Huo Tan silently take down the carriage step and let her and Li Qing get inside.

After Cui Yunzhao settled into the carriage, she heard him instruct from outside: “Let’s go home.”

“Wait.”

Cui Yunzhao urgently spoke and pulled back the curtain of the carriage.

She looked up and met Huo Tan’s deep-set eyes.

For some reason, his eyes seemed even more profound and shadowed than usual at this moment.

“Aren’t you coming home?”

Huo Tan looked at her intently for a moment, then quietly said, “I’ll ride home.”

Cui Yunzhao said “oh” and then lowered the curtain, choosing not to speak further.

The carriage slowly moved away from the bustling street, heading toward Lotus Flower Alley.

Only then did Li Qing take Cui Yunzhao’s hand, examining the wrist that Lu Zixian had grabbed.

“That General Lu is so uncouth. Who could have known he would turn out like this?”

Li Qing muttered softly, “He really made me furious.”

Cui Yunzhao smiled slightly. She wasn’t angry anymore but asked Li Qing, “Do you think the young master is upset with me?”

Huo Tan was really fierce with Lu Zixian earlier.

He showed no regard for rank or position and issued orders directly to Lu Zixian. The anger he displayed was so intense that even Li Qing could clearly see it.

But if Huo Tan was also angry with the young lady, Li Qing didn’t notice it.

“Could it be?” Li Qing said, “How could the young master be angry with the young lady?”

Cui Yunzhao pressed her lips together, deep in thought “I think he is indeed angry.”

Li Qing sighed “Today’s luck is truly poor. How did we end up encountering such a thing just while having a drink?”

Cui Yunzhao also felt something was amiss.

In her previous life, she had seen Lu Zixian many times. Each time, he was polite and cheerful, and she had never noticed any particular feelings he had towards her.

Later, when Lu Jiming was promoted, Lu Zixian continued to treat Huo Tan like a brother, showing no sign of any unusual behavior.

So when she unexpectedly encountered Lu Zixian today, Cui Yunzhao had no defenses. She thought it would be just a casual meeting, saying a few words and having a drink.

Realizing this, Cui Yunzhao said, “It really is a coincidence.”

She chatted with Li Qing for a while, and the carriage stopped in front of the Huo residence on Lotus Flower Alley. Huo Tan had already taken care of the horse and came to help Cui Yunzhao out of the carriage.

Once they were back in the East Wing, Cui Yunzhao washed her hands and sat down to catch her breath, noticing something was off.

Throughout the journey, Huo Tan hadn’t said a word.

She looked up at Huo Tan, who had his back to her while washing his face, then straightened his broad back and dried his face with a cloth.

Water droplets slid from his chiseled profile down his slender neck, slowly being absorbed by his collar.

Cui Yunzhao suddenly felt a bit overheated.

She quickly drank a large bowl of jasmine tea and sighed in relief.

“How did you end up there? What a coincidence.”

Huo Tan continued to wipe his face without changing his actions or speaking, not even turning around.

Cui Yunzhao: “…

He really is angry, huh?

How can the younger Huo Tan be so temperamental?

Cui Yunzhao looked at Huo Tan, her eyes sparkling. Her voice was like pearls dropping on a jade plateclear and melodious.

“My lord, it was truly a coincidence today. On my way back from the grain shop, I heard people say that the wine from Chunfang Brewery was good, so I thought I’d buy some for you to try.” Cui Yunzhao blinked, appearing obedient and adorable. “I just bought the wine and happened to run into Lu Zixian. I thought he is Lu General’s son and your superior, so…”

“…so I exchanged a few polite words with him, and Lu Zixian was initially quite courteous as well.”

Cui Yunzhao quickly explained the situation.

After she finished speaking, she looked expectantly at Huo Tan, only to find him still with his back turned, silent as ever. This made her find the situation somewhat amusing.

She had never realized before that Huo Tan could be so stubborn and unresponsive when he was angry.

But thinking about how he had defended her against Lu Zixian with such authority, Cui Yunzhao felt a sweet sense of satisfaction and started to savor the feeling of a couple having a little tiff.

Cui Yunzhao squinted her eyes, a smile blooming on her lips.

“Oh my lord, I was very scared when this happened,” she said, her voice gentle and melodious, like a soft breeze soothing Huo Tan’s troubled heart.

She continued, lowering her head and dabbing at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

“If it weren’t for you, I’d have been too afraid to say anything. I just wanted to avoid upsetting him, but he suddenly started making a scene.”

“You don’t know how scared I was.”

Huo Tan’s heart softened as he listened to her voice, which eased his anger. He turned his head slightly to look at the woman sitting at the table.

Cui Yunzhao had dressed elegantly for the outing, and especially when she lowered her head, her slender neck was prominently visible.

Huo Tan forced himself not to look, focusing instead on her hairpin.

Today, Cui Yunzhao’s hair was styled simply into a neat peony bun, adorned with two pearl-encrusted peony ornaments, and secured with a simple silver pin.

Huo Tan’s gaze lingered on the silver pin for a moment before he heard Cui Yunzhao’s plaintive voice “Why are you still angry with me? You haven’t even tried to comfort me.”

The young woman sat there, wiping at her eyes with the handkerchief, her thin shoulders trembling slightly, looking pitiful and helpless.

All of Huo Tan’s remaining anger melted away.

He swallowed hard, wanting to explain but unsure how to begin.

Cui Yunzhao sat there, waiting for an apology that didn’t come, feeling secretly frustrated with him.

Why was he still unresponsive, even after she had tried to be so sweet?

Just as she was grumbling internally, a strong, solid arm enveloped her completely.

In the next moment, the man’s broad chest shielded her from all the cold and danger, as if he had become her most dependable support.

His arms were long and strong, holding her securely.

His arms were firmly around Cui Yunzhao’s shoulders, making her feel as if she were a small bird nestled against him.

At this moment, she realized how much she was like a fragile bird in Huo Tan’s presence.

Her face flushed red. Embarrassed by her earlier actions, she couldn’t bring herself to push him away and could only lower her head, murmuring, “What are you doing?”

Huo Tan was silent for a moment before saying, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

These five words were spoken with such firmness that they seemed to transcend time, as if they were meant for the Cui Yunzhao of ten years in the future.

But at the end of her life, she had been so frightened, so alone, and so in pain.

No one had told her not to be afraid.

No one had saved her.

Cui Yunzhao felt a warmth in her eyes, but she still didn’t cry. She blinked slowly and suddenly asked Huo Tan, “Will you always be here?”

Without waiting for his reply, she continued speaking to herself.

“No matter where we are, no matter if we are separated by distance, no matter how many years pass, will you still be here?”

The question was strange but reasonable.

As a newlywed who had been frightened today, it wasn’t surprising for Cui Yunzhao to ask this.

Huo Tan listened quietly. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her ear seemed to affirm his answer.

“As long as I’m alive, I will always be here.”

These words were neither melodious nor pleasant, and lacked any grandiose expressions. Yet, to Cui Yunzhao, they were the most reassuring promise in the world.

At this moment, she almost forgot the past ten years of her previous life.

She forgot her grievances and frustrations, the pain and fear she felt at the end.

Cui Yunzhao’s heart gradually calmed down.

She suddenly felt a sense of longing. If only the years could pass like this, with her and Huo Tan living together in this small courtyard, having simple meals and a peaceful life. Perhaps it would be quite pleasant.

A life of quiet peace and security, free from worries.

But it was not possible.

Cui Yunzhao couldn’t be so selfish.

She suddenly smiled, a smile filled with an indescribable sense of relief and melancholy.

“I’m very touched to hear you say that.”

Cui Yunzhao said calmly.

Huo Tan’s hand, which had been resting on her back, moved gently. Then he released her and lightly patted her back.

He was clumsily trying to comfort her.

“My lady, you don’t need to be afraid of him.”

Huo Tan’s voice was youthful and full of vitality, yet it carried a steady and practiced tone.

“Even though I am a military envoy and his subordinate, there is no reason for you to bow your head to him,” Huo Tan said, each word deliberate. “In the future, when you see him, you don’t need to pay him any mind. Apart from him, you shouldn’t be afraid of anyone, nor should you be intimidated by General Lu.”

Huo Tan continued, “One day, when people see you, they should first address you as ‘Madam,’ and then greet you respectfully.”

Cui Yunzhao blinked, and a sudden urge to cry came over her.

Huo Tan had indeed fulfilled his promise. Even in her past life, despite the separation, she was still addressed as Mrs. Cui.

However, she was only feeling a surge of warmth in her heart, and after a moment of choking up, she said, “My lord, I don’t have such grand ambitions.”

She extended her hand and gently touched Huo Tan’s solid chest.

She patted him softly, as if trying to soothe his emotions.

“I wish for you to be safe and healthy, and to live a long life. I hope that we can grow old together, watching the days go by from black hair to white.”

These were words that Cui Yunzhao had wanted to say to Huo Tan in her previous life. Yet, due to misunderstandings and separations, her passionate feelings had grown cold.

In the end, she had only said coldly, “Let’s get a divorce.”

All the genuine feelings, all the tenderness, had been drowned in those cold five words.

At that time, she had been disheartened and lost interest, unable to continue despite any lingering thoughts.

Now, reborn and with fate having turned, Cui Yunzhao suddenly felt the urge to share her feelings with Huo Tan.

No matter how the future unfolded, she needed to be honest at least once and live according to her own wishes.

She had been suspicious of Huo Tan, wondering if he was the one who had harmed her, resenting him for agreeing to the divorce so readily.

But she had once genuinely liked him.

She liked his features, his sturdy chest, and the sweat that flowed from him in the night.

The future was uncertain, the truth elusive, and one had to move forward step by step, and eat meal by meal.

Cui Yunzhao felt a sudden sense of release.

Since the truth was still far off, why should she always hold back and not enjoy herself?

She should enjoy what she can, or else, what was the point of being reborn?

Cui Yunzhao’s hand, which had been comforting Huo Tan, unconsciously began to move down.

Hmm, Huo Tan’s physique was indeed impressive. Especially his muscles, strong and powerful, yet…

Huo Tan didn’t notice Cui Yunzhao’s movements, he was solely focused on memorizing her words.

Instinctively, Huo Tan tightened his embrace and whispered in her ear, “My lady, I will.”

Cui Yunzhao responded indifferently.

The two of them sat warmly embracing each other until Cui Yunzhao’s legs were getting numb, and she gently pushed him away.

After a bit of playful affection, Huo Tan, having clearly forgotten his earlier anger, looked at Cui Yunzhao seriously and asked, “My lady, what did Lu Zixian say to you?”

Cui Yunzhao briefly recounted the conversation, skipping over Lu Zixian’s rude remarks, which made the situation sound less infuriating.

Huo Tan looked at her with lowered eyes and said, “Our marriage was arranged by General Lu himself, not as Lu Zixian described.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded. “I had asked you about this before, so I didn’t doubt it. Lu Zixian probably just made excuses for himself.”

After talking for a while, they both grew hungry.

Cui Yunzhao smiled and said, “Let’s eat first.”

Tao Fei and Mother Xia had long prepared lunch. When Cui Yunzhao called, they brought it in.

“Today, Aunt Qiao made a stew, but I thought you and the master might not like it, so I made some roast meat separately. Please, master, try my cooking.”

Mother Xia had a kind smile and a slightly plump figure, quite different from Lin Xiu Gu. Lin Xiu Gu looked like a typical peasant woman, whereas Mother Xia had the demeanor and composure of someone from a prominent family.

She took good care of Huo Tan, who responded politely, “Thank you, Mother Xia.”

In addition to the roast meat, Mother Xia had prepared two side dishes and osmanthus rice cakes before she left.

Cui Yunzhao and Huo Tan talked while eating.

“Mother used to find the local food in Boling hard to get used to, and it was Mother Xia who helped her with it. Later, as Mother Xia grew older, my mother felt sorry for her and didn’t let her handle these matters anymore.”

Cui Yunzhao said, “Try some, husband.”

Huo Tan picked up a piece of shiny, braised meat and placed it in Cui Yunzhao’s bowl. “You should also eat.”

He tasted it and found it indeed very good, clearly a dish made with care, in stark contrast to the indifferent food Aunt Qiao usually made.

Cui Yunzhao ate a small bowl of rice and suddenly asked, “Do you think Lu Zixian will complain when he returns? Will General Lu make things difficult for you?”

Huo Tan ate with big mouthfuls, and looked like he was enjoying the meal so much.

Huo Tan shook his head as he ate, and after he swallowed his food, he said, “Probably not.”

“Lu Zixian is a man who values his face. He usually gets along with me quite well. He might have had too much to drink today. Once he sobers up, he will probably regret it.”

“Such an embarrassing incident will likely bother him for days.”

Cui Yunzhao nodded and said, “From what he said, it seems General Lu doesn’t like him?”

“Yes. General Lu has a large family with many wives and concubines, and there are six sons. Although Lu Zixian is the eldest son, there are still the second and third sons from the second wife, who are not much younger than him.”

“In these times of war, marriage and customs are not as strictly observed.”

Cui Yunzhao had only heard vague news about Lu Jiming’s family and didn’t know the specifics. She asked, “How does General Lu have a second wife? Isn’t that a concubine?”

Huo Tan smiled a little, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“General Lu was considered a talented young man. When he followed Guo Jiezhi, he was already married in his hometown.”

“Later, as he rose through the ranks and achieved outstanding military accomplishments, General Ma, the old general on the front lines, valued him highly and wanted to marry his daughter to him.”

“General Ma’s daughter naturally couldn’t be a concubine to Lu Jiming.”

Cui Yunzhao felt a bit sorry for the original wife upon hearing this.

Huo Tan continued, “Of course, General Lu wanted to marry General Ma’s daughter, but everyone knew he was already married. His reputation in the army was always good.”

“He couldn’t be like Chen Shimei.”

“So, he tactically declined the marriage proposal.”

“However, by that time, the Ma family was declining. General Ma arranged the marriage to Lu Jiming to protect his daughter and the Ma family. Thus, he said that his daughter could be a primary wife, the second wife, and respectfully referred to General Lu’s original wife as the elder sister.”

Huo Tan said, “This way, it was a win-win situation for everyone.”

Cui Yunzhao looked up at him and placed a piece of stir-fried Chinese cabbage in his bowl.

“So, Lu Zixian is the son of the primary wife.”

Huo Tan nodded, “That second Mrs. Ma is exceptionally beautiful and talented, highly favored by General Lu. Especially since the Lu family’s sons, who are both literate and martial, are only eighteen this year. Lu Zixian has already been serving as General Lu’s personal bodyguard and officer.”

Cui Yunzhao responded, “No wonder Lu Zixian looked so worried.”

He himself had no capable younger brothers, wasn’t favored by his father, and merely occupied the position of the eldest son, with even his marriage prospects not being favored by his father.

Though the Cui family’s daughter might not be of imperial status, Cui Yunzhao, herself,

A person’s reputation is highly regarded, she is the most praised noble lady in Bo ling. If Lu Zixian could marry a Cui family daughter, his position would be solidified.

Thinking of this, Cui Yunzhao suddenly spoke, “No wonder General Lu is unwilling to marry into my family.”

Huo Tan looked at her with admiration.

“You’re truly perceptive, my lady.”

“Whether he chooses any of his sons to marry a Cui family daughter, they would eventually be seen as the designated successor. So, he decided not to marry any of his sons to us and instead passed this great opportunity to me, a minor military envoy with no connections.”

Huo Tan’s tone was calm, but if you listened closely, you could hear the hidden delight in his voice.

The satisfaction was almost spilling over his lips.

Cui Yunzhao laughed, “Then I should congratulate you, my lord?”

Huo Tan glanced at her and served her a bowl of duck soup, saying, “I should congratulate you too, my lady.”

“If you married into the Lu family, life would definitely be difficult. With so many people in the family, not to mention the two main wives, but also the seven or eight concubines, it would be quite troublesome for you.”

Indeed.

Having a large household can bring its own set of problems.

Cui Yunzhao had lived in a large family for many years and knew well the difficulties of such a life. Although Huo Tan came from a modest background, his family was simpler and easier to get along with.

Cui Yunzhao mimicked his actions from yesterday, picking up the soup bowl and clinking it with his.

“Then let’s congratulate ourselves.”

After the meal, Huo Tan’s face was once again smiling, and Cui Yunzhao no longer spoke of fear.

It seemed that the encounter with Lu Zixian today had passed without affecting the newlywed couple’s relationship at all.

When it was time for bed, they entered the canopied bed one after the other.

As the heavy pomegranate blossom curtain fell, Cui Yunzhao was about to lie down when a pair of large hands firmly pressed her against a solid chest.

Cui Yunzhao feigned a soft gasp and then laughed.

“Who is it?”

The young girl’s breath, fragrant with osmanthus, spread through the canopy and soon dominated Huo Tan’s senses.

“Who?”

Huo Tan slowly pressed her down.

Soon, his lips met hers.

In an instant, it was like a wildfire spreading.

The lamp on the table flickered and made a snapping sound.

Huo Tan’s voice was deep and low, tickling the edges of Cui Yunzhao’s heart.

“We can’t do anything else, but a kiss is always acceptable,” Huo Tan’s voice carried heat and dissatisfaction, “What do you think, my lady?”

In the darkness, Cui Yunzhao was still catching her breath.

During that passionate moment, Huo Tan had almost taken all her breath away.

She savored the taste of that moment as his soft hands slowly drifted down, creating ripples.

“Just a kiss.”