Chapter 58 : I will fulfill my promise and never betray it.

The two chatted for a while, and then Cui Yunzhao felt thirsty again. Huo Tan poured her a bowl of tea, and after she drank it, he shared news about Tan Qihong and her brother, Tan Qiqiu.

Huo Tan was surprised to learn this. “So Liu Shiba is actually Liu Tong,” he said. “It’s also fortunate for Madam Tan that her life was spared; if you hadn’t gone to distribute porridge today, things could have turned dire in just a few days.”

Indeed, Miss Cheng San had mentioned that Tan Qihong was on her last legs, without medical attention, she wouldn’t last much longer. She had managed to hold on so far purely out of willpower.

Cui Yunzhao said, “My lord, remember to give little Tan three days off so he can take care of Madam Tan. Also, once she recovers, I want to ask her if she’d like to come work for us as a servant.”

Huo Tan nodded at first, then looked a bit surprised. “Come work for us?”

Cui Yunzhao smiled and replied, “I admire her, she seems like a very good person. However, her health isn’t great, and once she’s recuperated, she likely won’t be able to do heavy work. Since she probably doesn’t want to remarry, and we lack hands at home, she’s a good candidate because she’s familiar with our situation.”

Regarding family matters, Huo Tan usually followed Cui Yunzhao’s lead, and hearing this idea, he thought it was reasonable. He smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll listen to my wife.”

“But I vaguely remember little Tan saying her sister is a great cook. If she comes, she can start as our cook that way, Mother Xia can have it a bit easier.”

After the couple chatted for a while, Cui Yunzhao asked, “Is everything alright over at the porridge shelter?”

Huo Tan raised an eyebrow. “With me around, what could possibly go wrong?”

He was teasing her to make her laugh. When she shot him a glare, he chuckled and said, “No worries. After you left, I had the cooks continue making porridge and instructed the attendants to distribute it. As long as we’re here, the vagrants will behave.”

Cui Yunzhao finally relaxed. “Then can I trouble My lord to help again tomorrow?”

Huo Tan looked at her intently. “Are you planning to continue distributing porridge?”

Cui Yunzhao blinked and then smiled. She reached out to gently touch Huo Tan’s cheek and suddenly pinched his sharp, slender jaw.

“I’m not someone who gives up halfway. Besides, today’s troubles were caused by those outlaws. The vagrants are very grateful, when doing good deeds, one must see it through to the end.”

Huo Tan didn’t mind her pinching his face; in fact, he tilted his head to present the other side. “Will you pinch me again?”

Cui Yunzhao couldn’t help but laugh, playfully rolling her eyes at him. “You troublemaker.”

“Don’t worry, my lady. For the next few days of porridge distribution, I’ve arranged for Changxing to take charge. He will be responsible for this tas, you’ve seen Zhou Chunshan before, and he’ll do a great job.”

Cui Yunzhao wasn’t surprised by Huo Tan’s arrangements but still had some concerns. “Won’t this draw too much attention?”

After all, General Lu hadn’t yet made his move, and Feng Lang hadn’t acted either. Huo Tan, as a military officer, doing a good deed first, wasn’t this trying to win people’s favor?

Cui Yunzhao initially hesitated to have Huo Tan send Changxing for this reason.

Huo Tan, however, simply smiled lightly. His eyes were deep and dark, but they held a bright light, like stars twinkling in the night sky, eternal and unchanging.

“What’s there to fear?” Huo Tan said casually. “Some things just have to be done by someone. Besides, with Liu Shiba’s situation, it’s only natural for me to take on my wife’s task.”

Huo Tan looked at Cui Yunzhao and gently patted her hand. “General Lu is magnanimous, and Inspector Feng has a broad mind. How could they make things difficult for a small military officer like me?”

While Huo Tan’s words seemed fine, Cui Yunzhao sensed something more beneath them.

Though Huo Tan had ambition before, at this moment, his ambition felt overwhelming, and Cui Yunzhao could clearly sense it.

The incident with Liu Shiba had not only angered him but also given him tremendous motivation and drive.

He wanted to rise, higher and higher.

When that time came, with Huo Tan’s name backing him, who would dare harm his loved ones?

Noticing Cui Yunzhao in a daze, Huo Tan lowered his head and gently bumped his forehead against hers.

Cui Yunzhao didn’t have a fever, her forehead wasn’t hot, and Huo Tan felt a little relieved. “My lady, everything will be alright.”

Cui Yunzhao closed her eyes.

The two remained close for a while before Cui Yunzhao spoke, “My lord, whatever you do, you must stay alive.”

As long as Huo Tan was alive, everything was possible.

Huo Tan chuckled softly and promised her, “I will.”

At that moment, Huo Tan’s dark eyes turned back to Cui Yunzhao. “I hope my wife will as well.”

Huo Tan spoke slowly, “I wish for my wife to be safe, happy, healthy, and long-lived, to witness the prosperity of the world and enjoy its riches.”

Cui Yunzhao’s heart jolted.

Memories surged back, and she suddenly recalled that Huo Tan had whispered this very line beside her sickbed before.

But at that time, she was ill and in a daze, thinking she was merely dreaming.

Cui Yunzhao blinked, feeling a bit dazed.

Perhaps, in her past life, Huo Tan really had said these words.

Her heart lightened suddenly.

Her doubts about Huo Tan, which had begun at fifty percent, had nearly vanished, but until the final outcome was confirmed, she couldn’t fully relax.

She understood how steadfast Huo Tan was, even if he became an emperor, he wouldn’t change.

His words and promises were like gold, he had never been unfaithful.

Yet Cui Yunzhao still wanted to know the truth of the past.

Even if it wasn’t Huo Tan’s imperial decree, the fact remained that she had been poisoned in the Chang Le Garden.

How could an emperor, wise and mighty, remain oblivious and allow someone to poison his ex-wife, whom he had promised to ensure would live a long and joyful life?

This was the second question weighing heavily on Cui Yunzhao’s mind.

Even if it wasn’t him, why didn’t he notice? Why didn’t he stop it?

What had happened in the palace of Bianjing back then?

At that moment, looking into Huo Tan’s deep eyes, Cui Yunzhao sighed deeply.

She grasped Huo Tan’s hand, looking at him earnestly. “I hope you’ll keep your promise.”

Huo Tan stared deeply at her, and after a moment, he replied, “By my life, I will fulfill my promise and never betray it.”

Cui Yunzhao pressed her lips together and finally smiled at him.

That evening, after the two had dinner, Cui Yunzhao felt much better and went to the guest room to visit Wang Huzi.

The guest room had several smaller rooms, not particularly spacious but mostly empty. Wang Huzi had taken the smallest one for himself.

Huo Tan followed her, and upon seeing Wang Huzi looking full of energy and completely unconcerned about his bruises, Huo Tan rarely praised him, saying, “You’re a good kid.”

Wang Huzi’s face flushed with excitement.

He cautiously asked, “Boss, Boss wife can I learn military boxing from Ping Shu?”

Cui Yunzhao didn’t need Huo Tan to nod, she smiled and replied, “Of course, you can. We don’t have any servants at home, and Ping Shu is getting old. If you learn well, you’ll be the one to protect the house in the future.”

Wang Huzi was truly moved and nearly cried.

Huo Tan chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Ping Shu is very strict, so don’t cry when the time comes.”

After visiting Wang Huzi, the couple walked toward the eastern courtyard. Just a few steps in, they saw Gu Yinhong carrying a basin toward the small kitchen.

She seemed surprised to see them, her face turning red. She lowered her head to greet them, saying, “Greetings, cousin, cousin sister.”

Cui Yunzhao was quite friendly to her. “How’s your illness? Are you feeling better?”

Gu Yinhong was taken aback, appearing a bit flustered.

Everyone knew her illness was just an excuse to leave the Gu family, she didn’t want to be ordered around by her brothers and sisters all day. But now that Cui Yunzhao had asked, she had to answer.

“Thank you, cousin sister, for your concern. I’m better, but I still need to recuperate.”

Cui Yunzhao replied, “That’s good”.

Tan Qihong nodded vigorously, “Of course I recognize you. Thank you, Mrs. Cui, for saving me, I am endlessly grateful.”

Although her face was pale and sickly, she showed no signs of weakness. Her eyes lacked luster, but her gaze was resolute. From her, Cui Yunzhao could clearly see the essence of strength.

Cui Yunzhao said, “I’ve already told little Tan that I’ll take care of your medical expenses, and I also thank you for coming forward to identify Liu Shiba.”

Upon hearing that name, Tan Qihong showed no sign of shrinking back. Instead, she let out a cold laugh and said, “Mrs. Cui, you have a kind heart, and I remember that. When I’m able, I will repay you. It’s my duty to report him because he is a bad person.”

Her words were unwavering.

Cui Yunzhao paused for a moment before smiling. “What a coincidence, I was actually hoping to repay your kindness as well,” she joked with Tan Qihong. “I’ve already discussed it with my husband, once you’re feeling better, I’d like you to come to our home as a cook. I’ve heard you can make medicinal tea and that your culinary skills are excellent. You’d be a perfect addition to our household.”

Cui Yunzhao asked, “Would you be willing?”

Earlier, when she scolded Liu Shiba, Tan Qihong hadn’t cried, she didn’t feel sorry for herself when discussing her illness. But now, hearing Cui Yunzhao’s kindness, her eyes reddened.

She tightly clutched the bedding, the veins on her hands bulging with emotion.

Tan Qihong looked seriously at Cui Yunzhao and nodded vigorously, “I’m willing. Thank you, Mrs. Cui.”

At this point, she could no longer hold back and lowered her head to wipe away her tears.

After a moment, she lifted her head, her eyes filled with determination. “I will never forget your kindness, Mrs. Cui.”

Cui Yunzhao didn’t need any repayment. After her rebirth, she didn’t want to waste her precious opportunity.

In her past life, she had experienced wars, faced life and death, and endured the pain of separation from loved ones. After being reborn, she lived each day with clarity.

Saving a life is worth more than building a pagoda, she would help whenever she could, without expecting anything in return.

She didn’t need anyone to repay her. She just wanted to stay true to her heart and do good deeds, making the most of this rare chance at rebirth.

Living two lives and being reborn was a tremendous opportunity. If she focused solely on her own emotions and didn’t see the broader world, then all those years of study and her thirty years of life would have been wasted.

So in this moment, Cui Yunzhao’s expression remained gentle and calm. She exuded a tranquility that made others feel at ease.

“The cook at home makes terrible food,” Cui Yunzhao said with a smile. “I’m really asking for your help.”

Tan Qihong realized Cui Yunzhao was trying to cheer her up and couldn’t help but smile, feeling increasingly grateful and reassured. She was determined to do her best to repay Mrs. Cui’s life-saving grace.

After chatting for a while, Cui Yunzhao asked, “What about Tan Qiqiu?”

Tan Qihong replied, “I’m feeling much better now. I can move around on my own, so I let him go back to work.”

Tan Qihong was indeed very resilient; even Miss Cheng had said she had never seen someone recover so quickly from such serious injuries. Her will to live was truly admirable.

Cui Yunzhao enjoyed talking to her; their conversations were filled with optimism and vitality, reminding her of the strength of life, even after enduring so much suffering.

As they chatted, Cui Yunzhao noticed Tan Qihong suddenly freeze.

Cui Yunzhao asked, “What’s wrong?”

Tan Qihong’s gaze was fixed on the door.

Cui Yunzhao had been facing away from the entrance since she entered, but now she realized Tan Qihong seemed to have seen something.

Turning her head, she immediately noticed a figure in the doorway.

The sickroom was adjacent to the room where Cui Yunzhao had collected medicine, and the door faced the medicine cabinet, allowing a clear view of the people passing outside.

If she looked closely, she could even make out their faces.

At first, Cui Yunzhao hadn’t seen who was outside until the person stepped back slightly, revealing their identity.

It was Bau Xiaochuan.

Cui Yunzhao suddenly turned around.

She looked at Tan Qihong again and saw that Tan was gripping the quilt tightly, her lips pale and her eyes fixed on the crack of the door, unblinking.

Cui Yunzhao squinted slightly, sensing that something was amiss.

She gently asked, “What’s wrong? Did you see someone you know?”

At the sound of her voice, Tan Qihong seemed to wake from a dream and abruptly withdrew her gaze. She slightly turned her head, as if not wanting the person outside to see her.

Cui Yunzhao didn’t get up to close the door, recalling that Wang Huzi had mentioned Bau Xiaochuan was cautious, suddenly closing the door might raise his suspicions. Instead, she subtly shifted her chair to block Tan Qihong’s profile with her back.

“Tan Qihong, you don’t need to be afraid. You can tell me anything.”

Tan Qihong raised her eyes, her gaze slowly climbing to Cui Yunzhao’s face.

The first time they met was in front of a porridge stall in the northern suburbs.

Cui Yunzhao, a noble young lady, was wearing an apron and rolled-up sleeves, serving porridge to the refugees.

When she saw Tan injured, she didn’t gasp in shock but quietly asked if she needed help.

Cui Yunzhao looked like she hadn’t even reached her teenage years, yet she was more composed, clever, and perceptive than Tan herself. Even in the face of Liu,Shiba and his gang’s chaos, she remained calm and showed no sign of panic.

It was precisely for this reason that Tan Qihong found the courage to stand up and denounce Liu Shiba’s crimes. Cui Yunzhao shone like the moon, bright and radiant, and her name, Yunzhao, was indeed a perfect reflection of her character.

Tan Qihong took a deep breath and recalled, “The person I saw outside looked like a soldier; I recognized him from Wuping.”

Cui Yunzhao paused for a moment but quickly regained her composure.

“He’s a long-xing soldier who once accompanied my husband’s generals to quell the rebellion. It’s not surprising you saw him in Wuping,” she explained.

Cui Yunzhao paused and asked, “But why are you so wary of him?”

Tan Qihong quietly peeked through the crack in the door, and only when she saw Bau Xiaochuan had left did she reply, “Because I didn’t see him during the rebellion, I saw him when Liu Shiba was fleeing Wuping.”

Upon hearing that he was a long-xing soldier under Huo Tan, Tan Qihong hesitated for a moment but quickly steadied herself.

Huo Tan had saved her life.

When those bandits invaded their tea stall, after stealing their belongings, they had also intended to insult her. If not for her husband fighting to protect her, she might not be alive today.

Those bandits were fierce, with seven or eight of them, but Huo Tan, alone, bravely charged in to rescue her, truly a heroic deed.

Tan Qihong remembered that Huo Tan had fought against seven or eight bandits alone; although he ultimately defeated them, he had been wounded in the process.

Her life had been saved by her husband, as well as by Huo Tan and Cui Yunzhao. She had to live well and not let their sacrifices go to waste.

Taking a deep breath, Tan Qihong said, “If he is a long-xing under Huo Junshi, then Mrs. Cui must inform the military officer that this long-xing has some issues.”

Cui Yunzhao narrowed her eyes. “Tell me; I’m listening.”

Tan Qihong explained, “During the chaos in Wuping, Liu Shiba and the others changed into military uniforms and stole some clothes from the refugees, hiding a lot of silver to escape the city.”

“At that time, the common people were terrified by the war, fearing that Wuping’s situation wouldn’t stabilize, and after months of siege, they couldn’t survive, so they all crowded to leave the city.”

“That soldier was one of the guards at the gate. I was in line with Liu Shiba when he recognized at a glance that Liu was a rebel’s henchman.”

“He wanted to arrest Liu Shiba and the others, but Liu directly pulled out some valuables to shove into his hands.”

Tan Qihong said, “I was right next to Liu Shiba, to make it more convincing, he even had me pretend to be pregnant.”

“I saw him give that soldier at least twenty taels of silver.”

Twenty taels was no small amount.

In times of frequent warfare and uneven resources, a consistent amount of money could be directly exchanged for one tael of silver. This meant that those twenty taels were roughly half a year’s salary for Bau Xiaochuan.

Receiving half a year’s salary all at once would certainly tempt even the long-xing soldiers.

Moreover, in such chaos, letting a couple of people go wouldn’t raise much alarm; even though Huo Tan was strict, he couldn’t keep an eye on all his subordinates to ensure they acted fairly.

Cui Yunzhao asked, “Did he accept it?”

If Bau Xiaochuan had taken the bribe, it would be damning evidence.

Tan Qihong shook her head and then nodded, “That soldier didn’t accept Liu Shiba’s bribe, but he called Liu out of line to speak privately.”

“When Liu Shiba returned, we were let go without incident,” Tan Qihong continued, “Later, I was curious and asked Liu what had happened, and he cursed that military officer fiercely.”

At this point, Cui Yunzhao understood.

Sure enough, Tan Qihong said, “Liu Shiba had given him twenty taels, but the officer deemed it too little and bargained for the release of Liu’s men as well. The two negotiated, and in the end, this is what they settled on.”

Tan Qihong extended her hand, her fingers showing signs of frostbite, but it didn’t hinder her movements.

Cui Yunzhao contemplated, “Fifty taels?”

Tan Qihong confirmed, “Yes, fifty taels. For those months in Wuping, Liu Shiba burned, killed, and looted without restraint, but he still had superiors and subordinates to manage, and they were quite extravagant, so he hadn’t saved much silver. This fifty taels was about eighty percent of his savings.”

“If it weren’t for that fifty taels, Liu Shiba wouldn’t have dared to offend Huo Junshi and insist on kidnapping you to extort money.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Yunzhao finally understood where Bau Xiaochuan had gotten the money for medicine and wine.

At such a young age, he had mastered the art of extortion and intimidation.

Tan Qihong hesitated and looked at Cui Yunzhao, “Will what I said implicate Huo Tan?”

Cui Yunzhao smiled, “No, and we should thank you for revealing the truth. Otherwise, he would continue to act with impunity under my husband’s command, and if things escalated, it would eventually implicate him.”

Seeing that her words had value, Tan Qihong couldn’t help but smile, looking quite pleased.

After they finished talking, Miss Cheng entered.

She checked Tan Qihong’s pulse and said she no longer needed acupuncture; once she returned home to rest and take her medicine, she would likely improve in about a month and just needed to continue with her medication.

Cui Yunzhao directly accompanied Tan Qihong back home.

Tan Qihong still lived in the old house with only three rooms and a narrow courtyard. When Cui Yunzhao saw that he had cleaned the house thoroughly, with Tan Qihong’s room tidy and the charcoal stove ready, she praised him, “Tan Qiqiu is truly a good child.”

After sending Tan Qihong off, Cui Yunzhao headed home.

On the way, Mother Xia spoke up, “That Bau Xiaochuan cannot be kept, for the sake of money, he’s capable of anything. He could easily betray like Liu Shiba, showing no integrity as a long-xing soldier.”

Mother Xia’s words were very on point.

In chaotic times, everyone becomes selfish. As a long-xing soldier, one is essentially risking their life for a better future, and in such circumstances, their occasional petty actions often go unpunished by their superiors.

However, as a person, one must have boundaries. Since it was known from the beginning that the military bandits in Wuping were committing atrocities, bullying the common people, burning, killing, and plundering, such people cannot be allowed to act with impunity.

No matter how much money is offered, such deeds cannot be condoned. Allowing these thugs to roam free puts the common people in danger.

People can be greedy, but they should never lose their conscience or morality for the sake of money. If everything can be bought with money, then what is the purpose of law and order?

With this thought, Cui Yunzhao couldn’t help but clench her fists.

She suddenly realized that Bau Xiaochuan’s behavior might have initially gone unnoticed by Huo Tan. As Bau Xiaochuan gained more followers and elevated his position, it might take Huo Tan a long time to discover the truth.

By then, Huo Tan would likely not keep Bau Xiaochuan by his side.

Once expelled, Bau Xiaochuan would certainly face hardships. Would he then resort to desperate measures, even becoming the one to kill her for the sake of money?