Chapter 60 : It should be like

The two of them rode swiftly, and in just a short while, they arrived at the military camp at Wulipo.

The soldiers guarding the gate had never seen Cui Yunzhao before, so when they noticed Huo Tan, who typically kept his distance from women, bringing a girl along, their eyes widened in surprise. However, the officer in charge quickly recognized her.

Once the horse stopped, Huo Tan jumped down first and turned to help Cui Yunzhao down.

The officer approached with a smile, saying, “General Huo, this must be Lady Cui?”

Everyone knew about Huo Tan’s recent marriage to a member of the Cui family. However, no one expected that a noble lady like Cui Yunzhao would come to the military camp riding with him.

Huo Tan steadied Cui Yunzhao and quietly asked if she was alright. Seeing her expression unchanged, he said to the officer, “That’s right. My wife is visiting the camp today, I appreciate your assistance.”

He was always courteous. The rules in the military were strictly upheld, and he never made things difficult for the soldiers under his command. Because of this, the soldiers at Wulipo admired him, and ordinary troops took pride in serving under Huo Tan, as it validated their character and skills.

The officer smiled, saying, “General, you’re too polite. It’s my duty.”

Everyone knew that if Huo Tan achieved another significant victory, he would quickly be promoted to deputy commander, overseeing a battalion and officially becoming a military officer.

Especially after his promotion, he would also hold an official position and receive a salary from the court, gaining formal status and rank.

Huo Tan was known for his bravery and wisdom, always leading charges himself and facing danger head-on, never pushing his men into harm’s way. This is why there were not many people in the army who spoke ill of him.

The officer, having risen through the ranks from a common soldier, understood how hard Huo Tan had worked to reach his current position and felt even more warmly towards him.

“General, don’t worry. We will take good care of Tafeng (the horse), and I’ll make sure Lady Cui’s documents are in order.”

Huo Tan nodded and gave the officer’s shoulder a light pat before leading Cui Yunzhao into the camp.

With the new year approaching and having just returned victorious, the atmosphere in the camp was more relaxed than usual. Occasionally, groups of soldiers could be seen chatting on the paths instead of all practicing drills. They wore smiles and seemed to be in good spirits.

When they saw Huo Tan and Cui Yunzhao, they initially froze in surprise but quickly greeted Huo Tan respectfully.

In front of Huo Tan, no one dared to look too closely at Cui Yunzhao.

Huo Tan was quite fearsome; who would dare to gaze at his wife?

Cui Yunzhao lowered her gaze as they walked forward, suddenly hearing a low voice call out, “Huo Tan?”

She looked up to see a somewhat thin middle-aged man standing under the eaves, accompanied by two young individuals who were clearly reporting military matters to him.

It was this middle-aged man who had called out to Huo Tan.

Cui Yunzhao found him somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall his name, so she speculated that he and Huo Tan weren’t close.

Sure enough, Huo Tan tugged on Cui Yunzhao’s sleeve and led her forward to greet the middle-aged man.

“Governor Feng.”

Cui Yunzhao blinked and followed suit, saying, “Greetings, Governor Feng.”

Feng Lang had a dignified face, with a square jaw and thick eyebrows, but he appeared somewhat thin, lacking the imposing presence of a typical general. Instead, he exuded an inexplicable elegance.

This was the first time he had seen Cui Yunzhao, and after a moment of surprise, he said, “Is this the second lady of the Cui family?”

He was inquiring about her position within the Cui family.

Huo Tan stepped slightly forward to block the gaze of the young man beside Feng Lang, who was assessing Cui Yunzhao.

“Reporting to Governor Feng, this is indeed my wife.”

Feng Lang nodded, embodying the demeanor of a friendly neighbor. “Now that you’re married, make sure to live happily, Huo Tan. Treat your wife well.”

Huo Tan performed a standard military salute, replying, “Yes!”

Feng Lang didn’t ask why Cui Yunzhao was visiting the camp; he waved his hand dismissively, saying, “Go on.”

Huo Tan saluted again and was about to lead Cui Yunzhao away when the young man who had been eyeing her spoke up: “Since when did the camp become his Huo Tan’s domain? How can his wife roam freely here?”

Feng Lang didn’t have time to reprimand him before Huo Tan suddenly turned around.

His expression was serious, his gaze sharp, radiating an intimidating aura.

“General Cen, have you never brought your own wife to the camp?”

“I recall on the ninth, fifteenth, and twenty-eighth of last month,” Huo Tan stated, deliberately pausing for effect, “your wife and concubine both visited the camp.”

“Am I correct?”

Even in front of Feng Lang, Huo Tan remained unflinching, stating the facts without hesitation.

Everyone in the army knew Huo Tan was tough. He never instigated trouble, but he wasn’t afraid of it either. When faced with a challenge, he either fought hard or used logic to defend himself, never allowing himself to be wronged.

General Cen’s face flushed red and then pale, a most unsightly expression.

“You, why are you spying on me…”

Huo Tan sneered, cutting off General Cen’s words. “First, I’m quite busy. Besides training soldiers, I have to take care of family matters, I don’t have time to ‘spy’ on you. Second…”

Huo Tan raised his gaze, coldly locking eyes with General Cen.

“Second, last month it just happened to be your deputy commander’s turn to supervise attendance. While I was helping organize the records, I happened to see the log.”

“General Cen, I’m simply stating facts. Why are you so upset?”

“After all, there’s no rule in the army against bringing family members into the camp,” Huo Tan continued, suddenly glancing at Feng Lang, once again adopting a respectful demeanor, “Governor Feng, what’s your opinion?”

From Huo Tan’s attitude, it was clear he respected Feng Lang and sincerely sought his counsel.

In contrast, General Cen, who had spoken so disrespectfully, seemed far less courteous.

Since the upheaval in his family, Feng Lang had lost much of his ambition. He always appeared amiable, neither vying with Lu Jiming for the position of defense commander nor getting involved in the internal intrigues of the army. He focused on his duties earnestly.

Because of this, General Cen did not show him much respect. However, Huo Tan was always meticulous in his actions. As Feng Lang was a superior and an elder, Huo Tan respected him. General Cen, on the other hand, spoke and acted without much regard.

During their argument, Feng Lang had remained silent. Now, prompted by Huo Tan’s question, he smiled faintly and stroked his beard, saying, “We’re all colleagues, why should we let minor issues cause unhappiness?Huo Tan, you may go, and Chang Sheng, come with me.”

Feng Lang didn’t bother to judge who was right or wrong; he simply allowed Huo Tan to leave while taking General Cen with him, treating the matter as if it didn’t exist.

Huo Tan wasn’t seeking him to adjudicate, and upon hearing this, he cast a faint glance at General Cen before turning and walking away with Cui Yunzhao.

Cui Yunzhao had keen ears and heard General Cen muttering behind them, “What a thing! Just relying on his father’s achievements.”

As they walked, Huo Tan paused briefly when they reached a deserted alley. Without needing Cui Yunzhao to ask, he quietly explained, “That person is Cen Changsheng, who holds the same rank as me. He’s also under Deputy Commander Mu. His family has a history of bravery; his father commands an infantry battalion and is currently stationed at Wuping. Cen Changsheng’s position as a general is entirely dependent on his father’s military accomplishments.”

With his father still alive, it was that simple. If Huo Zhan were still around, Huo Tan’s life would certainly be much more comfortable.

Cui Yunzhao nodded, “It seems that this Commander Cen’s relationship with Governor Feng isn’t particularly close either.”

Huo Tan chuckled, “He was promoted entirely by General Lu.”

The personnel matters in the military could be complicated or straightforward usually, one could gauge a person’s affiliations by examining who they had served under. However, this wasn’t absolute. Huo Tan himself had been promoted by Lu Jiming, yet he treated everyone equally.

Upon hearing this, Cui Yunzhao said she understood, then smiled, “It appears this General Cen is quite envious of you, my lord.”

Huo Tan’s current status was praised by everyone as a promising young talent who had achieved success through his own military merits, while Cen Changsheng was likely regarded as having relied on his father.

Both men were of similar age and background, yet Cen Changsheng was often compared to Huo Tan, which must have been infuriating for him. Over time, this resentment naturally built up.

Huo Tan didn’t mind, saying, “Although we’re both under Deputy Commander Mu, we usually don’t go out on missions together. He can say what he likes; it has nothing to do with us.”

He was quite magnanimous.

After exchanging a few more words in hushed tones, they arrived at Huo Tan’s tent. It was still early, and the soldiers hadn’t gathered for morning training yet. Huo Tan asked for Cui Yunzhao’s opinion and then took her to the stables.

The morning in Boling was calm and clear; even in winter, the sky remained a brilliant blue.

The stables were spacious, with only a few soldiers busy cleaning the horse stalls.

Huo Tan specifically chose a gentle mare for Cui Yunzhao, saying, “This horse has a very good temperament. Many new cavalry recruits have learned to ride with her, so you don’t need to worry, she’s very experienced.”

Cui Yunzhao naturally wasn’t afraid, but she put on a show, saying, “I’m not scared, my lord, you don’t need to worry.”

Huo Tan thought she was trying to reassure herself and smiled without saying much more.

However, reality quickly proved otherwise.

Huo Tan’s horsemanship had been taught by Huo Zhan, who had given careful instructions. He meticulously explained every detail to Cui Yunzhao, ensuring she understood all the key points.

Cui Yunzhao listened attentively, occasionally feeding the mare some soybean cakes. After Huo Tan finally finished his explanations, she said, “Shall I try riding?”

Huo Tan nodded, carefully helping her onto the horse’s back. Once she was stable, he took hold of the reins and slowly led the horse forward.

“Remember to engage your core and not lean too far back or forward. Keep your legs strong, and you’ll sit steadily.”

Huo Tan was genuinely concerned, walking slowly while continuously reminding her, fully focused on her well-being.

Cui Yunzhao, however, wasn’t nervous at all. In fact, the mare was indeed gentle and obedient, matching her pace to Huo Tan’s slow walk without any urgency.

Cui Yunzhao hadn’t ridden alone in a long time, and at first, it felt a bit awkward, but she quickly adjusted to the sensation of being on horseback.

After walking for a while at a leisurely pace, Cui Yunzhao encouraged Huo Tan, “My lord, let’s go a bit faster?”

Huo Tan turned back and saw that she wasn’t scared at all; her posture was relaxed, and he finally let out a sigh of relief.

“You’re learning to ride, and I’m even more nervous than you,” he laughed.

Cui Yunzhao glanced at him and noticed he was sweating, which made her smile.

Under the warm sun, her heart felt softened as well.

It was because he cared for her that Huo Tan was so anxious.

Cui Yunzhao leaned forward to pat the mare’s neck and said, “My lord, I’ll run on my own now.”

Seeing her determination, Huo Tan slowly loosened his grip on the reins.

The next moment, Cui Yunzhao took off like an arrow, racing forward with the mare.

Huo Tan stood rooted to the spot, watching her gallop ahead.

Her familiar figure raced across the hillside, swiftly approaching the horizon.

In that moment, she was so free and so far away.

Huo Tan’s heart, however, was beating faster than ever, not from anxiety or worry, but from a genuine, heartfelt joy.

He had never so vividly appreciated someone before.

Perhaps it wasn’t merely appreciation.

It was more akin to fondness.