Chapter 11: C11. Just Waiting For The Old Man To Take The Bait.

Chapter 11

Li Yunzhu wants Cao Xun, and she sees no need to disguise it. It’s a simple goal, and she has no intention of stooping to petty tricks to achieve it.

Her experience with men of high status, like Cao Shao, has taught her one thing: showing even the faintest interest in a man is enough to set him chasing after her. A mere glance or a hint is akin to throwing an empty hook into water—men eagerly swim toward her, desperate to gain her favor.

Looking back on her time with Cao Shao, she recalls Pan Shi’s cunning maneuvers, which irritated her to no end. But for the sake of her family’s dignity, she dismissed the idea of marriage. Even though she harbored feelings for Cao Shao, she had already decided she would never marry him. However, Yunzhu knows full well that, had she chosen to manipulate him, she could have driven him to grovel—crying, causing chaos, even threatening his own well-being—all to force Pan Shi’s hand into agreeing to their marriage.

By the time she was thirteen or fourteen, Yunzhu had already realized the power her beauty gave her. Even the Empress, renowned for her own youthful charm and beauty, couldn’t help but be captivated when she first laid eyes on her.

It is inevitable that Cao Xun will marry. As a powerful Duke, he doesn’t need to contemplate what he might gain from such a union. What truly matters is the woman he chooses. Men are ruled by appearances, and Yunzhu knows that when Cao Xun looks at her, he will understand—there is no one more radiant or suitable in the entire capital than her.

Yunzhu is certain her grace and subtle charm are enough to capture Cao Xun’s attention. There is no need for her to stoop to degrading acts or desperate schemes unworthy of her rank as the legitimate daughter of Duke Ningguo.

Why should she fake a fall to land in his arms?

Why resort to something so cliché as flinging herself into a pond, awaiting his heroic rescue?

As the beautiful and distinguished daughter of Duke Ning, it is men who should be competing for her hand, not the other way around.

Sitting at the table, Yunzhu offers nothing more than a composed smile to the two men before her.

Cao Xun can read her expression perfectly. He has seen it in countless proud young women who glide through life, believing themselves untouchable.

Xie Lang knows this side of Yunzhu well. They’ve grown up together as part of the Xungui aristocracy. Even as a child, Yunzhu exuded authority. At just four or five years old, when playing house, she commanded the boys—Li Yao, Cao Shao, Sun Guangfu—to play her servants. She wasn’t just a little girl at play; she was a ruler in miniature, fully aware of her power and position.

*

Sunlight pierces through the silk curtains, dominating the room with a stark interplay of light and shadow. The polished mahogany Six Immortals table seizes the sunlight, projecting sharp, intricate shadows across the plush carpets. Faint murmurs emanate from the worn leather armchairs, strategically positioned to claim the prime natural light.

Li Yunzhu and her younger brother, Li Xian, command the west side. Li Yao, typically stationed on the east, has relinquished his place for his guests, asserting himself in the south without hesitation.

Cao Xun situates himself beside Li Yao, his position directly opposing Yunzhu. Xie Lang, slightly removed but still diagonally aligned, leans forward with a smile. "Sister Yunzhu, it’s been a while," he asserts.

Yunzhu’s gaze cuts swiftly across Xie Lang’s face, her smile measured and deliberate. "Didn’t we just meet at the polo field not long ago? Brother Xie, you were quite the spectacle. Surely, many women adorned you with ribbons?"

Their familiarity is evident. Addressing Xie Lang as "Brother Xie" flows naturally, echoing the endearment she once extended to Cao Shao as a child. Yet, her connection to Sun Guangfu starkly contrasts this warmth; he doesn’t even merit the term "brother" in her eyes.

Cao Xun, sharp-eyed, notes her directed smile toward Xie Lang. Her youthful, delicate cheeks, like petals brushed with color, betray her seventeen or eighteen years, exuding a soft charm.

Xie Lang shifts his glance toward Cao Xun, responding to the ribbon comment with a mix of humility and jest. "Compared to the Duke, my collection of red ribbons is embarrassingly sparse."

Li Yunzhu shifts her attention to Cao Xun, her words pointed. "Considering the Duke’s decade of military achievements over you, it’s no wonder you pale in comparison."

Cao Xun’s response is a simple, unreadable smile.

Li Yao interjects with authority. "Those ribbons are handed out based on appearances. Even if I don’t claim the title of most skilled, second place is surely mine. Don’t you agree?"

In truth, he should have dominated, but for the sake of the overall score, he tolerates the indignity of second place, his tone leaving no room for dispute.

Xie Lang adds, his tone needling. "Brother Li, your reasoning is flawed. Did Miss Gu give you a ribbon purely for your looks?"

Yunzhu’s sharpness resurfaces. "Miss Gu? Gu Min?"

Her curiosity is genuine. She had moved too swiftly during the event to notice Gu Min’s choice, and Li Yao, ever modest, hadn’t boasted of his supposed three-ribbon victory.

Xie Lang counters with precision. "Indeed, Miss Gu. Clearly, these women aren’t swayed solely by appearances—they value skill as well."

Li Yao snapped, "Don't think I didn’t catch that. You're trying to undermine me."

Xie Lang hurriedly retorted, "I wouldn't dare. Your bearing is otherworldly, like an immortal descended to earth. How could Brother Li ever be associated with anything ordinary? It’s just that your presence is so commanding that no mere woman would dare look you in the eye."

Li Yao cut him off, uninterested in his flattery. He signaled to the Zuixianju waiter waiting outside. "Take Cao Xun's order first."

Cao Xun asked directly, "What new dishes do you have?"

The waiter respectfully listed a few specialties. "Fresh seafood arrived this morning—abalone, yellow croaker, shrimp."

Cao Xun barely reacted, his expression indifferent.

Li Yao took charge, issuing orders without hesitation. "Three catties of Pipa shrimp. One catty boiled, two stir-fried."

The waiter swiftly recorded the request, passed the order to the kitchen, and promptly returned with wine and three cold dishes.

Li Yao poured three overflowing bowls of Immortal Drunk, the fragrance of the wine immediately filling the private room.

"Here's the deal—we drink until we're drunk. No one leaves sober!" He raised his sea bowl high and saluted Cao Xun and Xie Lang, leaving no room for argument.

Both men matched his energy without pause, raising their bowls in unison.

Across the room, Yunzhu’s eyes locked onto Cao Xun, seated directly opposite her. The Duke of Dingguo sat with immaculate posture—leaner than his brother, taller than Xie Lang, and undeniably striking.

With his left hand resting casually on his lap, his right hand gripped the sea bowl, partially obscuring his face. Even so, the sharp angles of his straight, well-defined eyebrows and his long lashes framed a commanding gaze.

Then, his eyelashes lifted, and his deep black eyes pierced hers with calm, calculated precision.

Caught staring, Yunzhu, despite her usual confidence in her beauty, faltered. Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly averted her eyes, flustered.

In an effort to recover, she reached for her chopsticks and picked up a piece of crystal dumpling.

The crystal clam—a translucent jelly crafted from boiled carp soup—gleamed like polished jade. As it melted on her tongue, her lips glistened, delicate and vivid, betraying the slight tension beneath her composure.

Beside her sat Li Xian, youthful yet exuding maturity, but Cao Xun barely spared him a glance.

The boiled and stir-fried Pipa shrimp were promptly delivered to the table. Each shrimp, as long as a grown man’s palm, was skillfully segmented. Its tough, razor-sharp shell demanded nimble, precise peeling.

The shop assistant, sharp and observant, asked, "Shall I handle the shrimp for you?"

Yunzhu glanced briefly at the clerk’s clean yet oil-marked fingers. Before she could reply, Li Xian cut in with authority, "We’ll manage on our own."

The clerk nodded respectfully and withdrew without further word.

Li Xian, ever the attentive brother, began peeling shrimp for his sister with steady hands. Meanwhile, Li Yao engaged Cao Xun in a sharp discussion about border battles, his hands working deftly to peel a shrimp before placing it in a pristine porcelain bowl before his sister.

Yunzhu acknowledged her brother’s thoughtful gesture. Once, she had been the one caring for him, but now, taller and more confident, he had embraced the role of a protective elder brother.

Xie Lang, catching sight of Li Xian’s efforts, offered to join in.

Yunzhu rejected him firmly. "Enjoy the shrimp yourself. I have had enough."

Unyielding, Xie Lang countered, "My hands are already messy. Let me finish what I started."

He didn’t stop at aiding Yunzhu. With a casual precision, he dropped a couple of shrimp into Cao Xun’s bowl.

Cao Xun acknowledged the gesture with a brief thanks. Watching the group intently focused on shrimp, his curiosity got the better of him. Taking a plate of the stir-fried variety, he inspected it briefly before attempting to peel one—a task clearly chosen by Li Yao for his sister's benefit.

While Yunzhu quietly nibbled on her shrimp, her true focus lingered across the table.

Cao Xun’s hands—long, lean, and strikingly similar to his elder brother’s—had the delicate appearance of a scholar's, reminiscent of their father’s.

Amused, Yunzhu watched as his movements faltered. A sharp pause. A bead of blood welled up on his slender index finger, quickly wiped away and hidden from view.

Yunzhu smothered a laugh, her lips twitching. It must have been the Duke of Guo’s first encounter with peeling shrimp—a task the capable general had clearly underestimated.

Cao Xun quietly stepped away to tend to his wound, washing his hands briskly at the room’s washstand. When he returned, he made no further attempt at peeling.

The three men, resolute in their camaraderie, resumed their wine-drinking with unbroken focus.

Meanwhile, the Yunzhu siblings, now satisfied, watched as the men barely touched their chopsticks, fully absorbed in their second jug of wine as the evening wore on.

Upon learning about the military attachés' dinner and wine, Yunzhu had no intention of being a passive observer. When Cao Xun and Xie Lang stepped away to visit the washroom, she directly addressed Li Yao: "Brother, stay and enjoy your time with the Duke and Brother Xie. Take your time with the wine. I’m tired and will head home now."

Li Yao nodded and instructed his younger brother firmly, "Don’t drink. Escort her."

Li Xian replied, "I’ll take her to the carriage and return."

It made no difference if Yunzhu left early; failing to offer such respect in front of Cao Xun would be rude. Knowing his younger brother’s sense of propriety, Li Yao didn’t argue further.

Yunzhu, accompanied by her brother, exited the private room and walked halfway down the long corridor. At the stairwell entrance, Cao Xun appeared, dressed in a cloud-blue brocade robe. His dignified, commanding presence and tall stature seemed to narrow the corridor, though it easily accommodated two people walking side by side.

In the quiet corridor, theirs were the only figures. Yunzhu could feel Cao Xun’s eyes lingering on her face.

As they approached, Li Xian respectfully saluted and announced, "My sister is feeling fatigued. I will escort her downstairs."

Cao Xun simply responded, "Very well," his gaze shifting to Yunzhu.

Meeting his eyes directly, Yunzhu walked past with unwavering composure and grace.

Cao Xun moved toward the private room but paused at its entrance, glancing briefly toward the stairs.

When Xie Lang returned, only the Li brothers and Cao Xun remained. Noticing Yunzhu’s absence, disappointment flashed across his face. He muttered, "Has Yunzhu left?"

Li Yao’s eyes narrowed sharply. He retorted, "What? You didn’t want her to leave?"

This man had spent the evening peeling shrimp for his sister, chatting with her, and sipping wine, yet Li Yao wasn’t oblivious. He recognized the subtle maneuvers of those who coveted his beloved sister.

Li Xian frowned at his brother’s bluntness. Though both Li Yao and Xie Lang were young and uninhibited, such words felt inappropriate in the presence of Duke Dingguo, with whom they were not yet closely acquainted.

Sensing the tension and the potential for misunderstanding, Xie Lang quickly clarified, "Brother Li is joking. I see Yunzhu as nothing more than a younger sister."

Li Yao snorted coldly. "Don’t play coy. If you truly care for her, pursue her openly. As long as she agrees, I’ll have no objection."

There were only a few outstanding youths in the capital. In terms of family background and appearance, Xie Lang was slightly inferior to Cao Shao, but just about suitable for his sister.

Xie Lang was taken aback, surprise welling up within him.

Li Xian kicked his brother under the table.

Li Yao glared at his younger brother, then turned to Cao Xun and stated, "I am straightforward and speak my mind. Please do not misunderstand, Your Eminence. My sister has high expectations. It's uncertain whether Xie Lang can bring her happiness."

Cao Xun smiled and replied, "You young people are free to pursue your desires. Do not worry about me."

Li Yao's expression darkened, "Do you truly want me to address you as uncle?"

Cao Xun responded, "Initially, you regarded me as an elder who adheres to proper conduct, and that's why I offered this explanation."

Xie Lang chuckled, while Li Yao snorted and fixed an intense gaze on Cao Xun. "If the Duke of Dingguo truly wishes to be our equal, he must first endure my scolding," he declared.

Cao Xun asked, "Why are you scolding me?"

Li Yao responded, "I am not scolding you, I am reprimanding the Cao family for their lack of decency..."

Li Xian interjected with a serious expression, "Brother, sister does not mind anymore. Why do you feel the need to bring up past grievances? Furthermore, the Duke has previously been stationed at the border, and has no involvement in the affairs of the capital."

Cao Xun waved his hand, signaling to his brothers to cease arguing. "I understand your point. The Cao family has made errors. I have already apologized to your father. If you are still unsatisfied, I will find a way to make amends."

Li Yao tightened his grip on the wine bowl. "I don't need any amends. I simply bear a grudge in my heart, I..."

Li Xian kicked him again.

Li Yao reluctantly drank his wine.

*

Li Yunzhu had no clue about her brother's antics after she left. Once home, she rested briefly before going to her mother to recount some amusing incidents.

"Mom, Gu Min stood up for my brother and even gave him a red ribbon. Do you think she likes him?" she asked directly.

Meng Shi dismissed the idea, her tone sharp. "Impossible. I haven't heard of her eyesight being impaired."

Li Yunzhu shot back, "Why are you so harsh on your own son? He may be stubborn, but he’s certainly not ugly."

Meng Shi retorted, "His looks aren't the issue. His temper drives people away. Young women don't appreciate men like him. Besides, he’s in no rush, and neither am I. But you—when you head out to watch polo today—anyone catch your eye?"

The image of Cao Xun's intense glance as he drank surfaced in Yunzhu’s mind. She played with her hair, a smug smile on her lips. "Maybe, but I’m not telling you yet."

Meng Shi speculated sharply, "Xie Lang?"

"Not him," Yunzhu snapped back.

Xie Lang had shown interest in her, but compared to Cao Shao, he was lacking in every way—boring, humorless, and unimpressive. She had rejected him before and had no intention of settling for less now.

She was determined to marry only the best.

Yunzhu had set her bait. Now, she would wait for Cao Xun to take the hook. The old man knew about her connection with Cao Shao and had dared to test her. It was intentional, and she would handle it.

"Mom, I want to invite Gu Min out to enjoy the spring with me. I’ll gauge her intentions. Maybe I can help you secure a good daughter-in-law," Yunzhu declared.

Meng Shi warned coldly, "Assess all you want, but don’t offend her. Perhaps she gave him the ribbon out of pity."

"Don’t worry. I know exactly what I’m doing," Li Yunzhu said confidently.

*

At Dingguo Mansion.

Cao Xun arrived home thirty minutes later than Yunzhu, carrying the unmistakable scent of alcohol. He pretended to be drunk, and Li Yao chose not to press the matter.

It wasn’t that Cao Xun couldn’t outdrink Li Yao—he simply saw no reason to indulge excessively. Age had nothing to do with it. Even in his twenties, he wouldn’t have stooped to competing in such trivialities.

After bathing, changing, and resting briefly, he headed to his study to read.

He was still on paid leave, set to return to office in early April.

As the evening deepened, Pan shi arrived at the main courtyard.

From the moment Cao Xun replaced the chief steward of the Duke’s Mansion upon his return to Capital, Pan shi understood he wouldn’t bother pretending to be dutiful in front of her. Nor did she dare to assert the authority of an Empress's mother in his presence. Fortunately, he remained wary of his daughter and the Crown Prince at court, maintaining a thin facade of harmony that spared her outright humiliation.

“Mother, I apologize for keeping you waiting,” Cao Xun said, a faint smile curling his lips as he stepped into the hall.

Pan shi nodded, scrutinizing him from head to toe. It was undeniable: apart from his age, Cao Xun outshone her own son in every regard.

“I heard from your brother, Shao'er, that you earned the most red ribbons from the ladies on the polo field today,” she said, a touch of humor in her tone.

Cao Xun rested his right hand on the armrest and idly toyed with the jade pendant at his waist. “It’s nothing significant. Those young ladies, swept up in our team’s victory, must have mistakenly attributed our success to me.”

Pan shi chuckled. “You truly don’t understand the hearts of young women. It’s obvious they’re fond of you. That’s why they gave you those ribbons. Tell me—are you tempted by the attention of so many admirers?”

“I didn’t pay it much mind,” Cao Xun replied coolly.

“You should,” Pan shi said firmly. “Forget your age—Cao Shao is just twenty-one, and I’ve already found a suitable match for him. Once your marriage is settled, I’ll send a matchmaker to finalize his.”

Cao Xun’s interest piqued. “May I ask who has earned Mother’s favor?”

“Wenying,” Pan shi revealed, “the daughter of Marquis Changxing. She’s close to both the Marquis and his son. Surely, you’ve heard of her?”

Cao Xun offered a polite smile and nodded. “Indeed, I have. She’s widely praised and certainly a fine match for my younger brother. Your choice is impeccable, Mother.”

Pan shi exhaled deeply, relieved by his words. “If your marriage hadn’t already been sanctioned by the Emperor, I would have arranged for her to be your wife first.”

Her anxiety had stemmed from the fear that Cao Xun, too, might be drawn to Xie Wenying, potentially stealing away the daughter-in-law she so desperately wanted for her favored son.