Chapter 102
In the seven years since Emperor Xining claimed the throne, the Empire of Great Xia has risen like a beast, roaring in power and wealth. Three short months of battle, and the fierce Hu cavalry? Broken. Crushed under the weight of their own defeat, their spirits shattered beyond repair.
Cao Xun, the mastermind behind these victories, is now a legend. The people? They canât stop singing his praises. In wartime, generals always bask in glory, but Caoâs fame spreads like wildfire. And just two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, whispers spread through the capital like poison â rumors that the entire frontier army owes its loyalty not to the Emperor, but to the Cao family, the real rulers behind the throne.
Cao Xun has a name that shakes the very foundations of Great Xia. Itâs no wonder the people eat up every word, spreading his praises like wildfire, eager to worship their new hero.
But for Yunzhu, itâs a different story. The moment those rumors hit her ears, a chill ran down her spine. Itâs one thing to admire Cao Xun, but to denounce the Emperor in favor of the Cao family? Thatâs treasonous. And those inside the palace who echo these rumors? Theyâre not just misguided â theyâre plotting.
Before Yunzhu, or even the Emperor, could get wind of the rumors, theyâd already started their march through the streets. The very people who should be defending the Emperor, like the Cao familyâs own kin and high-ranking officials, have vanished without a trace. Any attempt to find support would be seen as nothing less than bribery. Itâs a game of manipulation, and the stakes couldnât be higher.
Yunzhuâs mother, Meng shi, paid a visit to Duke Dingguoâs mansion, pretending to see her grandson, but she wasnât fooled by the rumors swirling outside. To her surprise, Yunzhu wasnât rattled by it at all.
Yunzhu coolly explained, "At first, I was worried. But whatâs the point? If the Emperor believes those rumors, thereâs nothing I can do to change that. And if he doesnât, even rushing back from the border wonât make a damn bit of difference."
Meng shi sighed, understanding all too well. "Itâs the life of a military general. Lose, and youâre mocked. Win, and the jealousy comes in waves. The Cao familyâs new power? It's a magnet for both admiration and hatred."
Yunzhu didnât flinch. "Exactly. So why panic? Iâll take things one step at a time. Whatâs meant to happen will happen."
Then came the Mid-Autumn Festival, and with it, a family dinner in the palace. Yunzhu and her children were invited, the air thick with tension.
At twenty-two, Emperor Xining, who had married young, still wasnât interested in women. But the palace had its share of children and noise, filling the halls with life. The concubines, however, came from all corners of the empire, and so, most were left outside the banquet â only those from the Dingguo Palace, his motherâs side of the family, were invited.
As the banquet began, the Emperor made his entrance â late as always.
After that unforgettable encounter with the little emperor, Yunzhu had a deliberate plan when she returned to the palaceâshe put on a subtle, barely-there makeup look, the kind that slid under the radar, not drawing too much attention, but leaving just enough of a lingering impression.
Thankfully, Emperor Xining was never one to obsess over women. He wasnât the type to be mesmerized by beauty. Whenever he saw Yunzhu, his attention remained on the formalities, his eyes barely pausing on her face, never lingering too long on her appearance.
Once the emperor settled into his seat, Yunzhu led her two boys to greet him.
Emperor Xining smiled, dismissing the usual pleasantries. "Cao Yuâs becoming quite the steady one," he remarked. "And Cao Bing, that oneâs got some fireâjust like his uncle."
Yunzhu shot a playful glance at Cao Bing. "If he takes after his uncle in height and strength, Iâm all for it, but God help me if heâs as hot-headed as his uncle."
The mention of Li Yao and Li Xian had the emperor chuckling to himself, remembering just how different those two were.
Yunzhu sat down with her sonsâCao Yu on one side, Cao Bing on the otherâfilling the space around her with an energy that kept the entire banquet lively.
As the conversations flowed, never a dull moment, Yunzhu found herself balancing her attention between Emperor Xining and her sons, making sure Cao Bingâs plate was full. She didn't care to stare at the younger concubines, but somehow, they couldnât stop casting sly, envious glances in her direction.
At twenty-seven, and a mother of two, Yunzhu wasnât exactly a girl anymore, but the years had been kind to her. Her body still held the shape of youth, her skin remained flawless and pale, and without even trying, she stood out, her beauty leaving the younger concubines scrambling to keep up.
Of course, some were drawn to her allure, but others? They simmered with jealousy.
Concubine Hui, young and playful, had just given birth to the second princess and was riding high on the Emperorâs favor. Sheâd grown accustomed to everyone falling over themselves to flatter her. But every time Yunzhu entered the palace, there was that sting of insecurity. Slowly but surely, Concubine Huiâs tolerance for Yunzhu grew thin.
As talk turned to the border victories, Concubine Hui flashed a sweet smile and said, "Auntie, I heard the news. They say the people are praising Uncle, that the armyâs success is all because of his brilliant leadership."
The Empress Dowager Caoâs eyes darted restlessly, her discomfort palpable.
Dingguo Mansion was her ancestral legacy, and Cao Xun was the bedrock that held it all together. Any harm to him would inevitably shake her position within the palace, threatening everything sheâd fought for. But for now, she was powerlessâjust a spectator, waiting to see how Yunzhu would handle the storm.
Emperor Xining glanced at Concubine Hui, his eyes momentarily softening as he turned toward his aunt seated across from him.
Concubine Hui flashed a sly, sugary smile, but Yunzhu didn't even flinch. Her face was a frozen mask of composure, wiping the corners of Cao Bing's mouth with cool detachment. Then, suddenly, something shifted. Her face tightened, her brows furrowed, and before anyone knew it, her expression crackedâtears began to fall, slow and deliberate, like rain on glass.
Anyone else would have garnered a sympathetic glance, but Yunzhuâs beauty only deepened the effectâher tears were like an invitation to a deeper understanding of her pain.
Concubine Huiâs smile faltered, a sudden uncertainty creeping in. She hadnât said anything out of line, had she? Why was Yunzhu crying like that?
Deep down, Concubine Hui knew Emperor Xiningâs loyalty to her uncle ran deeper than just family bonds. If anything went wrong, if things took a turn, the Emperor wouldnât hesitate to make her regret it.
In a panic, Concubine Hui stammered, "Your Majesty, you heard me. I meant no disrespect to Aunt."
But Yunzhu had already concealed her face with a handkerchief, her sobs growing louder and more anguished with each passing second.
Cao Bing stared at his mother, bewildered, completely taken off guard by her sudden outburst. Cao Yu, equally perplexed, quickly stood up, abandoning his meal. He rushed to his motherâs side, hands gripping her shoulders with concern. âMom, whatâs wrong? Whatâs happening?â
Yunzhu could only shake her head, her sobs muffled as she wiped her eyes and turned toward Emperor Xining, her gaze full of silent appeal.
Emperor Xiningâs tone was sharp, seriousâhe didnât miss the gravity of the moment. âIf you have any grievances, Aunt, you need only tell me. Iâll see to it that justice is done.â
Yunzhu nodded, her eyes still clouded with sorrow, but she motioned for her eldest son to stay and watch over his younger brother. Slowly, she made her way to the Emperorâs feet, kneeling before him, her voice barely a whisper, âI am not wronged... only frightened.â
Emperor Xining leaned forward, sensing the urgency. âWhat is it that has frightened you so?â
Yunzhuâs eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting to Concubine Hui with a bitterness that was impossible to miss. âHave you heard of General Le Yi of Yan State?â
Concubine Hui froze. She hadnât expected the question, and the sudden pressure was unmistakable.
Raised in a family where martial skills took precedence over everything else, Concubine Huiâs education had been more about wielding power than learning history. Books had never held her interest, and her limited understanding of history left her vulnerable now. She had no idea where this conversation was headed, but she could feel the weight of every word.
Yunzhu turned to face Emperor Xining again, her eyes sharp and filled with a quiet urgency. "Your Majesty, Iâm sure youâve already caught wind of my worries. But let me lay it out for Concubine Hui, loud and clear."
Emperor Xining exhaled, the weight of it all pressing down on him, and he acknowledged her with a resigned sigh. "Auntie, thank you."
Yunzhu then locked eyes with Concubine Hui, her tone unflinching. "Let me tell you something, straight up. Back in the day, the State of Yan sent General Le Yi to hit the State of Qi. Despite his relentless efforts, the cities of Ju and Jimo just wouldnât break. Then, out of nowhere, General Tian Dan in Jimo spread liesârumors about Le Yi planning to take over Qi for himself. With these stories floating around, the King of Yan decided to pull Le Yi and replace him with Qi Ji. Le Yi, fearing retaliation, sought refuge in Zhao. Thatâs when Qi came roaring back, reclaiming everything Yan had taken."
Concubine Huiâs eyes were cold, but she said nothing. She didnât need to. The message was clear, and Yunzhu knew it.
Yunzhuâs eyes welled with tears again as she leaned in, voice trembling but fierce as she spoke to Emperor Xining, "Your Majesty, weâve crushed the Hu cavalry time and time again, but now, out of nowhere, these poisonous rumors are spreading in the capital, trying to pit my husband against you. I see it. Right now, what my husbandâs going through feels eerily similar to Le Yiâs. And it scares me to my core, for both of youâ¦"
She couldnât go on.
Cao Yu, seeing his motherâs distress, moved quickly to kneel beside her, bowing his head to Emperor Xining. "Your Majesty," he said firmly, his voice unwavering. "My father has always taught me to be loyal to the Emperor and the nation. He would never betray you."
Meanwhile, Cao Bing, still too young to understand the politics, felt the deep sadness hanging in the air. He abandoned the half-chewed bite in his mouth, running to his motherâs side, clinging to her with wide, worried eyes. Without fully grasping what was happening, the little one simply offered his heart, his innocent empathy all he had to give.
It was a raw, painful sightâYunzhuâs tears, her childrenâs concern, the weight of it allâand it stirred something in the onlookers. Sympathy and compassion flooded the room.
Emperor Xining, burdened by the situation, turned his gaze toward the Empress Dowager. With a look, they both moved toward the distraught family. The Empress Dowager offered her hand to Yunzhu in comfort, while Emperor Xining reached for Cao Yu, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
His voice was steady, yet cutting through the tension like a blade. "Donât worry, Auntie. Iâm not about to make the same mistake as the King of Yan. My uncle has been serving this nation since he was a boy. If I had to doubt anyone in this world, it wouldnât be him."
Yunzhuâs voice cracked as she expressed her gratitude, "I⦠Iâll let my husband know, Your Majesty. Heâs forever grateful."
Emperor Xining stopped her, his eyes narrowing as they locked on Concubine Hui. "You," he barked, his voice turning cold. "You ignorant fool. Why havenât you apologized to Auntie yet?!"
Labeled as foolish and ignorant by the Emperor, Concubine Hui burned with humiliation. The sting of his public scorn hit deep, but she swallowed her pride and pushed it down. She couldnât afford to look weak, especially not in front of Yunzhu. She walked over, careful not to come off as someone trying to fan the flames between the Emperor and the general.
Yunzhu, with a sharp sense of understanding, broke the tension with her own words. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice cool but assertive, "I know your intentions were genuine. It was my own unfounded fears that got the best of me, causing that outburst. I disrupted the peace between the Emperor and the women of the court."
The air calmed, and respect simmered between them, a quiet acknowledgment of the situation and their positions.
Once the banquet ended, Yunzhu left with her two children in tow, climbing into the carriage.
Cao Bing, still clinging to his mother as he always did, found comfort in the safety of her arms, but it was Cao Yu who caught Yunzhuâs attention. The young boy, more aware of the dangers within the palace, instinctively pressed closer to her, seeking the shelter of her protective embrace.
Yunzhu, with a small smile, pulled both children into her arms. She kissed each one, her touch gentle but fierce with love. "Donât worry," she whispered, her voice low and soothing. "Even if Daddyâs not here, Mommyâs always here. Always."