Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Although he said he had already thought of the retreat route, it was merely a last resort that would be used only if absolutely necessary. Han Yu had no intention of shying away from the fight. He was a man of valor, as well as a military commander, not someone who only knew to retreat when faced with difficulty. If there was even the slightest chance, he would defend Yiyang. He said these things not wanting his wife to worry. Having chosen this path, he had to bear the responsibilities as a man and a commander. There are some things in life that one cannot abandon, so the apologies to his wife were necessary.

Even though Han Yu felt a tinge of regret in his heart, he did not show it, for he knew his wife would detect it.

As early as when the imperial court army had set out, Su Wenyue had already considered this matter. She hadn’t arranged for the children’s evacuation earlier because the situation was unclear and not yet so dire. Su Wenyue could be headstrong but only to an extent; she knew what was at stake. Hearing Han Yu bringing it up, she wore a contemplative expression without any excessive reaction, which relieved Han Yu.

“Daughter-in-law, this is for your and the children’s safety. If Yiyang falls and the brute’s army invades, you and the children, as my family, would be their prime targets. If you’re captured by the enemy, it’s one thing if they use you to threaten me—as I’ll find a way to rescue you, even if it costs me greatly or even my life. My fear is that they won’t even consider that and instead take their anger out on you and the children. So for your and the children’s safety, you must listen to me and lead them to retreat according to my plan,” Han Yu implored, not ceasing his effort to persuade Su Wenyue. Although he was determined to proceed with or without her consent, having her agreement would make things much smoother, and he wouldn’t have to worry about her trying to return.

“Alright, let’s do as you say, Husband,” Su Wenyue agreed without hesitation, startling Han Yu. He had thought he would need to put in a significant effort to convince his wife, but her easy acquiescence caught him off guard.

“Wife, you really agree, and once you’ve agreed, you can’t go back on it!” Han Yu, fearful of Su Wenyue’s regret, stated at once.

“Are you hard of hearing? Didn’t you hear what I said?” Su Wenyue retorted with irritation, giving Han Yu an annoyed glance. She wasn’t one to reneg on her promises—having agreed, she would act accordingly! Moreover, given the current situation, she had no better choice. She couldn’t neglect the children’s safety or hold Han Yu back. She had already thought this through and had trusted Han Yu to make all necessary arrangements, expecting him to speak up when needed, and now the time had come.

“I said it, Wife—you’re the most sensible of all. You know what’s important, and you truly are my good daughter-in-law!” Overjoyed that he had successfully persuaded Su Wenyue, Han Yu pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her face. Spending most of his time in the military camp had influenced him, making him less reserved in front of people, with a touch of ‘boldness.’ Inside the camp, when everyone relaxed, the main topic of conversation was often women, and crude jokes were plentiful. From initially feeling uncomfortable to getting used to it, and then occasionally applying it to his wife, Han Yu discovered he quite enjoyed it.

Su Wenyue, wiping the saliva off her face, felt even more disgusted. This man’s shamelessness was growing; performing such frivolous acts in front of others was inappropriate. Because the people serving in the house were trusted by Su Wenyue and would accompany her in the retreat, there was no need to dismiss them deliberately.

Even though Su Wenyue had lived through two lifetimes and reached a considerable age, she was still a woman of ancient times at heart, inherently conservative. Being treated so lightly by Han Yu in front of others, she felt her face flush with heat.

“Oh, come on, Han Yu, this isn’t right; there are people in the room!” Su Wenyue exclaimed, both embarrassed and exasperated. If they were alone, it would be one thing, but she and Han Yu were a long-married couple and she still didn’t have the thick skin to be so casual in front of others. She promptly tried to push Han Yu away but was unable to do so.

With Su Wenyue’s limited strength, unless Han Yu held back, there was no way she could move him. Filled with embarrassment, she simply buried her head into Han Yu’s chest.

“Don’t worry, no one dares to peek at us,” assured Han Yu, glancing at the people in the room. They shuddered at his words, their sense of pressure mounting sharply; their already bowed heads dropped even lower until Han Yu said, “Leave us.” Then they hurried out, greatly relieved to be out of the awkward situation of witnessing their masters’ intimacy.

“Alright, the servants are gone now. You can lift your head; don’t suffocate yourself,” Han Yu said with a smile when the servants had left, finding his wife’s shy demeanor extremely endearing. Despite her shyness each time he made such a bold move, he loved it every time and never tired of it.

When Su Wenyue lifted her head from Han Yu’s embrace, flushed and annoyed, her cheeks were red as if they were brushed with rouge, a bewitchingly intoxicating sight.

“Wife, not to criticize, but we are an old couple with several children. How is it that your skin is still so thin, like a young girl’s?” Han Yu teased upon seeing her appearance.

“You still dare to say it, dare to say it; the way you behaved in front of the servants, how do you expect me to face them later?” Su Wenyue protested as she pinched Han Yu, wondering to herself how the once aloof Han Yu had changed so much. It just didn’t make sense.

“Heh, what’s there to fear? We are a proper married couple—such a thing is normal. As for the servants, do you think they’d dare speak ill of their master? If so, then there’s no reason for them to stay,” Han Yu said jokingly, yet there was a hint of severity in his words, and Su Wenyue felt increasingly the changes in the man beside her.