Chapter 100
The following day, Cao Xun had to attend to matters at the Governor's Mansion. He rose early, while Yunzhu sat up. By the time he was ready, Cao Xun had donned his scarlet official uniform.
The early morning sunlight filtered in through the window paper, casting a warm glow. Despite nearing the age of forty, Cao Xun displayed a commanding yet elegant bearing with his tall and straight figure, broad shoulders, and lean waist.
His military background had endowed him with a handsomeness and dignity that were heightened by his attire.
Impressed by the striking sight, Yunzhu couldn't help but steal a few more glances.
Sensing her gaze, Cao Xun approached the bedside, embraced her, and said, "Would you freshen up while I go to the front yard?"
At that moment, the two children were expected to come over to greet them.
Yunzhu wrapped her arms around his neck, met his gaze, and said, "Do you know who among all the elders in the capital I dislike the most?"
Cao Xun smiled, "Madam Pan?"
Yunzhu glared at him, "I no longer regard her as an elder."
Cao Xun recognized that she was referring to someone else. After a moment's thought, a particular figure came to mind, "Duke of Qi?"
Sun Chao, the Duke of Qi, was the father of Sun Yurong. Both the Sun and Li families were esteemed nobles in the capital, and their relationship had always been amicable. Naturally, the Duke of Qi was one of the elders acquainting Yunzhu.
Cao Xun was adept at understanding her thoughts, so Yunzhu was unsurprised by his conjecture. She elucidated, "I never cared for him when I was younger. It's not due to his weight or capability, but rather his treatment of his son. Whenever Sun Guangfu errs, Duke Qiguo would first reprimand him and then resort to physical punishment. Sun Guangfu must be afraid of him; he displays obedience when in his presence, but misbehaves behind his back. Now you understand Sun Guangfu's circumstances. They say strict fathers produce filial sons, yet Duke Qiguo's relationship with his son is not much better."
Cao Xun gently reassured her with a pat on the shoulder and said, "I won't quarrel with the children."
Yunzhu remarked, "You don't need to take action, your stern expression is intimidating enough. I don't object to you looking after Bingâer, but your method of training and then leaving him to reflect on his own lacks tenderness. It's as if he's being punished. What's the difference between this cold treatment and physical discipline? Ultimately, it's about making him obey you out of fear."
Cao Xun remained silent.
Yunzhu continued, "Bing'er is stubborn, but he's also very perceptive. He's noticed how often you furrow your brow, and now he's afraid of you. Do you really want to raise a child who hides from you?"
Cao Xun didn't want that at all, so he gently ruffled her hair and said, "Alright, I understand."
Yunzhu assured him, "Okay, you can go ahead. Don't worry, I won't spoil him. They were rare to go out together yesterday, so I didn't want to ruin their fun."
Cao Xun nodded and waited for Lian Qiao and Shiliu to enter before leaving.
As he walked along the veranda, Cao Xun reflected on his own childhood.
He had no mother, only a father who was often away at war. Every time his father returned home, he had to attend to his wife and concubines and educate other children, leaving little time for Cao Xun.
At the age of five or six, Cao Xun had his mischievous moments. Sometimes he would deliberately disobey Pan Shi, and sometimes he would be goaded by Pan Shi to make mistakes in front of his father. His father would then discipline him severely. When he closed himself away to reflect on his misdeeds or to transcribe books, his father had already gone to tend to more important matters or spend time with those he cared about more.
At that time, he was afraid and resentful of his father, but he kept it to himself and no one knew.
As he grew older, he learned that his father was a general who protected the country. He came to respect his father's military achievements, and his childhood resentment naturally faded.
But when he was just a child, what he truly wanted was...
Arriving in the front yard, Cao Xun rounded the corner of the veranda and spotted Cao Yu holding Cao Bing's hand as they entered the courtyard gate.
Upon seeing Cao Xun, Cao Bing immediately sought refuge behind his brother.
For over a decade, Cao Xun had been praised for his gentleness. He couldn't understand why his youngest son was so afraid of him.
Had he unwittingly given his younger son too many cold glances?
When his gaze fell on his eldest son, Cao Xun had a faint understanding.
Every child has their own unique temperament. Li Yong taught two vastly different sons, Li Yao and Li Xian, yet his Cao Yu is so polite and sensible. This is not only a reflection of his innate disposition, but also a testament to Yunzhu's influence. As a father who is often away, only spending time with his son when he has the opportunity, the credit for Cao Yu's development is simply earned without effort.
The truth is, he hasn't learned how to be a good father at all. Cao Yu is sensible and his problems are concealed, but when it comes to Cao Bing, who requires more attention, his shortcomings are revealed.
Cao Xun proceeded to the main room, leaving Cao Bing struggling to break free from his brother's hand and seek refuge with their mother in the backyard.
Facing the situation alone, Cao Yu had no other choice but to pay his respects to his father.
Cao Xun smiled, called his eldest son to his side, and affectionately patted the boy's head. "You are a good brother and know how to take care of your younger brother."
As his father usually smiles in front of him, Brother Yu isn't really afraid of him. He expresses his thoughts openly, saying, "My brother is still young, so I should take care of him."
Although he's outgrown the age for playing with kites and picking up stones, he engages in these activities to please his younger brother. His actions are driven by compassion rather than genuine interest in play.
Cao Xun nodded and posed a question. "If there is something you like very much, but your brother wants to take it from you, what will you do?"
Cao Yu considered his father's question, understanding that "something" was no longer just an ordinary toy. After careful thought, he replied, "If it is food, I will still give it to my brother. If there are many items left, I will give it to my brother if he likes it. If it is something that I also need very much and it is more beneficial for me to keep it, I will reason with him."
Inciting pride in his son, Cao Xun commented, "That's the right way to approach it. You will graciously accommodate your brother in everything. However, if you feel wronged, you will not allow him to take advantage of you."
With a smile, Brother Yu replied, "Mom taught me this a long time ago. Father, please don't worry."
In the backyard, while Yunzhu was still combing her hair, Cao Bing ran in from outside and sought comfort in her arms.
Yunzhu discerned the situation without needing to guess, and softly patted the boy's backside. "Are you too afraid to face your father?"
Cao Bing squirmed and remained silent.
Yunzhu caressed his little head and advised, "Your father loves you greatly. Yesterday, he promised to go with you to the stream to catch fish, but you didn't gather enough flowers to trade for the reward."
Cao Bing blinked.
Yunzhu continued, "You understand that your behavior was unreasonable, don't you? Therefore, next time, when you do what is expected of you, you will still be a good boy."
Cao Bing lifted his head, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Can we go fishing instead?"
Yunzhu smiled gently, "Mom doesn't know how to fish. You should ask your father about that."
Cao Bing's expression abruptly fell.
Yunzhu remarked, "You can ask him later. Dad has agreed. We will visit that valley and play at the end of the month."
Cao Bing liked to go, but he also harbored fear towards his father.
Yunzhu continued to provide encouragement, and they eventually encountered Cao Xun and the elder son in the main hall. Cao Bing lingered beside his mother, covertly observing his father with his big, dark eyes.
Upon spotting him, Cao Xun warmly inquired, "Bing'er, do you want to tell me?"
Yunzhu offered the little boy one last boost of encouragement and gently nudged his shoulders, guiding him towards Cao Xun.
Cao Bing took a few steps and then attempted to hide. Cao Xun reached out in time and lifted Brother Bing onto his lap, enveloping him in a warm embrace.
Cao Bing's anxiety caused his face to flush with color.
Smiling, Cao Xun said, "Tell me what you want to say, and daddy will make a promise to you and your brother."
Cao Yu's eyes sparkled with excitement, causing Cao Bing to cease his struggle. Turning to look at his father's gentle face, Cao Bing glanced at his mother and brother before whispering, "I want to catch fish."
Before Cao Xun could respond, Yunzhu interjected, "Pick ten flowers on your own and then catch fish with dad as a trade."
Cao Bing nodded eagerly, looking to his father with anticipation.
Cao Xun readily agreed to the trade.
Cao Bing was elated that his father was so approachable and happily sat next to him at breakfast.
At the end of the month, Cao Xun kept his promise and took his wife and children to the valley.
Cao Yu and Cao Bing each gathered ten small yellow flowers. Cao Yu's reward was for his father to tell him a story from the battlefield, while Cao Bing's was to catch fish.
Cao Xun first told the children a story and then took them to catch fish in the stream.
Meanwhile, Yunzhu sat comfortably on the carpet, watching Cao Xun and his two children play in the water.
Cao Xun was able to easily persuade Yunzhu to change her mind and effortlessly win over the three-year-old child's heart. In just one month, Cao Bing was no longer afraid of his father and was no longer worried about being punished when he got into trouble. Instead, he felt confident enough to make requests to his father.
The family of four lived in harmony, but in May, news of an enemy advance at the border reached them. The Hu people, who had been preparing for years, were planning to take back the Jiaozhu from the Central Plains by leading 100,000 cavalry southward.
Cao Xun and Li Yao volunteered for the mission.
Emperor Xining trusted his uncle Cao Xun the most, appointing him as the commander-in-chief and Li Yao as the general to lead the troops to meet the enemy.
Since marrying Cao Xun, this was the first time Yunzhu had seen him go off to fight.
The last time little emperor asked Cao Xun to fight against the Japanese, little emperor passed away halfway through. The couple was not separated for long, and considering the complicated situation at that time, Yunzhu did not feel any grief at the prospect of parting.
This time, Yunzhu clung to Cao Xun all through the night, reluctant to leave his embrace.
In the soft morning light, Yunzhu sat beside the bed, quietly observing as Cao Xun donned his armor.
He had to leave; countless soldiers awaited him at the border, and as the general who had reclaimed Jiaozhu, he was the bedrock of his troops. In his presence, their spirits soared.
Approaching her, Cao Xun took her in his arms and said with a smile, "Li Xian and Zhang Hu are both there. This time, we will see how well they have trained."
At the mention of his younger brother, Yunzhu, without thinking, expressed, "They are young and impulsive; they may act rashly. Please watch over them."
Cao Xun reassured her, saying, "Do not worry. I will spare no effort to ensure their safety."
Yunzhu took hold of his neck and spoke close to his chest, "They will be safe, and so should you. We will be here, waiting for your return."
Before she could finish her sentence, a coolness enveloped Cao Xun.
Quietly, he embraced his beloved wife.
Indeed, this time during his expedition, he was not alone; he had a true home in the capital.