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“Madame Zhao jests. You seem in great spirits, which suggests you must be living comfortably. I hear Lord Zhao is very fond of you, braving the cold to hunt game in the wilds just at your word. It’s you who has the good fortune,” Su Wenyue said with an equally playful laugh, her words teasing but with an undercurrent of something else.

“You impish thing, to make fun of your older sister like this!” Madame Zhao appeared to be joking with Su Wenyue, but inwardly she marveled at how well-informed the Su family was. Having only just arrived in the prefecture, they were already privy to her family’s affairs. Although it wasn’t a secret, usually only close acquaintances were aware, so her view of Han Yu and Su Wenyue shifted, and she dared not underestimate them anymore.

Noticing the slight changes in Madame Zhao’s reactions, Su Wenyue knew she was dealing with a smart person who had grasped the implications in her words. Just as Han Yu said, it saved effort speaking with an intelligent person. She considered herself sharp, but Han Yu always called her foolish, an irritating and yet somehow endearing quality of his.

After returning from the Zhao mansion, Su Wenyue seemed somewhat preoccupied. She hadn’t known the things Madame Zhao told her; so that was how Han Yu had been transferred here. If mishandled, he could be ostracized by both sides. She wondered if Han Yu was aware of this, but recalling his reaction yesterday, he likely had an inkling.

When Su Wenyue brought up Madame Zhao’s words to Han Yu, he didn’t seem overly concerned and appeared confident, somewhat easing her worries. Given his demeanor, it seemed he had a plan in place, and she had an unwavering belief in Han Yu’s capabilities.

Han Yu was indeed mostly informed about the situation Su Wenyue described. In fact, he already had several pieces of information at hand, and Madame Zhao’s news only solidified his understanding. As for his strategies, he could only devise them now, during the time leading up to joining the General Battalion, and adapt as necessary when the time came.

While Han Yu was certainly calculating and strategic, he had not yet reached the level of his previous life; the ease he displayed was merely to keep Su Wenyue from worrying. Initially, he didn’t want his daughter-in-law entangled in these matters. However, circumstances changed, and although he hadn’t kept anything from Su Wenyue, he didn’t want her to live in fear. There was always a solution to every problem. When he first joined the military camp, he faced exclusion due to his background and other reasons, and his situation didn’t improve much. At that time, he lacked the connections and support he had now, yet he had managed to get to where he was.

“Husband, do you already have a plan in place?” Su Wenyue asked, still concerned.

“Don’t worry, you just need to manage our home well. I’ll take care of outside matters, no need for concern. Don’t you trust in the capabilities of your husband?” Han Yu reassured her, his mannerism becoming even more enigmatic to instill confidence in her.

However, he was dissatisfied with the current situation. Even if he could resolve the immediate complications, Han Yu preferred to be on the battlefield, leading charges and earning military honors through sheer skill rather than navigating daily through scheming for fame and profit. While he was able to handle it, he found it unfulfilling. Young and full of passion, he desired to apply his strategic mind on the battlefield.

The Art of War he’d received from his daughter-in-law was already thoroughly ingrained in him, and he eagerly awaited the chance to apply it on the battlefield. He was confident that the imperial court would soon plunge into chaos, offering plenty of opportunities for battle. Unlike ordinary people, he wasn’t anxious, but rather filled with anticipation and excitement. He knew his wife wouldn’t approve of such thoughts, since he was a family man, yet he believed a man’s legacy should be built on the battlefield, earning glory for his wife and child. Han Yu had not forgotten his promise to make his wife a royal wife.

“Then please be mindful of your safety,” Su Wenyue said, seeing that Han Yu had a plan and thus refrained from asking further. With external affairs in Han Yu’s hands, she had plenty on her plate as well, as the days were already advancing into the month, and the Little New Year was approaching without them having prepared the New Year’s goods yet.

As for food, Su Wenyue planned on producing it herself within the estate, not wanting to overspend. Although they had acquired a treasury of valuables, she was thinking long-term. If Han Yu were to have his own army in the future, the expenses would be considerable.

In her previous life, Han Yu solved these issues alone and even relied somewhat on Noble Consort Li’s aid through his association with Liu Xiu. Su Wenyue didn’t want the same to happen in this life. Preferring to avoid her husband interacting too much with the ‘Noble Consort Li’, she began preparing early on to ensure they didn’t owe any favors to other women.

Besides, nothing purchased outside could compare to what was made at home. Su Wenyue herself was adept at culinary arts. Still, she had to personally source certain unique ingredients the household lacked, which couldn’t be entrusted to Aunt Li. After all, she had a unique talent for recognizing superior items that others often overlooked, like certain foods from outer domains. The City of Daming still naturally traded with foreign lands, occasionally bringing in exotic goods that went unnoticed due to unfamiliarity.

“Madam, take a look—our spices are of the finest quality; some were even sourced painstakingly from outer domains,” said the store owner obsequiously. Judging by the customer’s attire and status, this could turn into a significant sale.

Life was hard for everyone these days, and ordinary folks struggled just to eat and stay warm. Few were willing to spend extra on spices, which were mainly sought after by wealthier households. The store’s business had plummeted, so the owner was keen on serving a potential big spender well.

Su Wenyue surveyed the store’s selection of spices, which was indeed comprehensive. She wasn’t there to buy spices but rather to procure seasonings for the kitchen. The common oil and salt shop sold only the most basic seasonings; to buy a full range, one had to visit spice or herbal medicine shops, which most people didn’t realize. Hence, the foods they cooked were mediocre in flavor.

“These spices do seem quite nice,” Su Wenyue said after smelling them and tasting a bit, affirming their quality. Indeed, the prefecture offered goods that one couldn’t find in a county town.

“You can tell at a glance that the madam knows her stuff. Nowhere in the entire Yiyang Prefecture will you find a more complete selection of spices than in my store, and we have the best sales too. However, the current state of the world has led to a downturn in business; even our shop is struggling. If the madam buys in bulk, or perhaps trades with food, I can offer you some discount,” the shopkeeper offered.