Chapter 14
In the refined Zhenghe Hall of Duke Ningguo's Mansion, Li Xian dove into his studies after breakfast. Meanwhile, Yunzhu wandered through the garden, flanked by her maids.
With their children busy, Li Yong touched his face and bluntly asked his wife, "What's wrong with my appearance?"
Meng shi gave him a once-over before responding, "Nothing. You're still as handsome as ever."
Unconvinced, Li Yong muttered, "Then why has Yunzhu been eyeing me strangely these past few days, like there's something off about my face?"
Catching his daughter's fleeting gaze, Li Yong noticed her quickly avert her eyes, leaving behind a cryptic smile that gnawed at his curiosity.
Frustrated that Meng shi seemed to brush off his concerns, Li Yong grabbed a mirror to assess his reflection for himself.
When Meng shi entered the room, she found her husband scrutinizing his teeth with pursed lips. She fought the urge to roll her eyes, unimpressed by his self-obsession.
In the garden, Yunzhu admired the peach blossoms before settling onto a swing.
The morning sun hinted at summer's approach, warm but not overpowering, setting the stage for a perfect day.
Lian Qiao and Shiliu gently pushed her on the swing as Yunzhu closed her eyes, basking in the moment's tranquility.
A sharp voice broke through the serene atmosphere.
Yunzhu opened her eyes to see Manager Chen commanding a young boy, who clumsily hacked at the garden's greenery with scissors. The boy's mistakes were obvious.
Yunzhu's focus shifted to Manager Chen.
The son of a long-serving gardener, Manager Chen had stepped up after his fatherâs health declined, keeping the estateâs lush gardens in immaculate shape.
Curious, Yunzhu turned to Shiliu. "How old is Manager Chen?"
Shiliu thought for a moment before answering, "Thirty-two or thirty-three, Iâd say."
Yunzhuâs gaze lingered on him.
Manager Chen and his father, as stewards of the Duke's mansion, enjoyed luxuries in food and attire that outmatched many wealthy farmers. Adding to that, Chenâs tall, commanding figure made an impression.
Clad in a dark gray muslin robe with a round collar, a cloth scarf tied around his head, and a black belt at his waist, Manager Chen cut a striking figure, exuding a quiet confidence.
Just as men often assess women by their faces, Yunzhuâs first judgment of a man lay in his build. Manager Chen did not disappoint.
Yunzhu commanded Shiliu sharply, "Go get Manager Chen." Without hesitation, Shiliu strode down the garden path to summon him.
Manager Chen, oblivious to the young woman lounging on the swing, followed Shiliu with a slight frown, recalling his stern tone earlier. He asked uneasily, "Did I upset Miss?"
Shiliu responded matter-of-factly, "Miss isnât upset, but I donât know why sheâs calling for you."
The hierarchy among the household staff was clear. Addressing Manager Chen required a tone and respect dictated by rank and age.
Moments later, Manager Chen stood before Yunzhu.
Following formalities, Manager Chen lowered his gaze humbly, awaiting her command.
Yunzhu, however, said nothing at first. Her sharp eyes swept over his face, moving from his forehead to his chin, from ear to ear.
The prolonged silence unnerved him. Manager Chen remained in a respectful bow but dared to glance up slightly, revealing faint lines on his forehead.
Finally, Yunzhu spoke, her voice measured but firm. "Manager Chen, smile for me."
Confused, Manager Chen hesitated.
Shiliu, sensing the tension, clarified, "Miss wants to see you smile."
Unused to displaying expressions in the presence of his masters, Manager Chen managed a restrained smile, the hesitation evident. The fine lines around his eyes caught Yunzhuâs attention briefly before her interest faded.
With a dismissive gesture, she said, "You may go back to your duties."
Manager Chen left, still perplexed, as were Shiliu and the other maid. Unable to contain their curiosity, they asked, "Miss, why did you summon him?"
Yunzhu shook her head slightly, offering no explanation.
Her purpose had been simple: to observe the face of a man in his thirties.
Though Yunzhu had once admired Cao Xun for his background, talent, and looks, her interactions with him made his appearance irrelevant. Yet, spurred by his suggestion to reassess her judgments, Yunzhu found herself considering other detailsâlike the wrinkles and texture changes that came with age.
Her observations often drew comparisons to her father, Li Yong.
Upon discovering her forty-year-old fatherâs wrinkle-free, strikingly handsome face, Yunzhu felt relieved. Yet, her recent encounter with Manager Chen drove home a sharp realization: men are not the same, and preserving oneâs appearance depends on both genetics and habits. She couldnât quite predict when Cao Xun might show signs of aging, whether following his fatherâs footsteps or resembling someone like Manager Chen.
Still, Cao Xun, like his father, practices martial artsâa discipline that strengthens the body. Chances are, by the time heâs forty, heâll look just as youthful as his father. Wouldnât he?
Time moved fast, and in what felt like an instant, four days passed, bringing the month to an end.
The previous day had been gloomy, and when Yunzhu woke that morning, rain drummed steadily outside. The overcast skies felt unsurprising.
The end of the month also marked a holiday, a rare moment for Li Yao to sit down for breakfast with his family.
Meng shi observed her eldest son, then her husbandâwhoâd been jobless at home for the past five monthsâand couldnât suppress a sigh.
When her husband first lost his position, she had tried to console him. Coming from a long-established, affluent family, Meng shi wasnât initially fazed by the setback. But as time dragged on, her husbandâs idleness, despite his good looks, became an exhausting presence in her daily life.
Though Meng shi maintained a strong front to outsiders, deep down, she longed for her husband to secure a role worthy of his talents. Even a minor official position, like Sun Chao of Duke Qiâs household, would suffice. She wanted him to reclaim his purpose and fill his days with meaningful work.
âYao, you serve at the Emperorâs side. Has His Majesty mentioned your father recently?â Meng shi asked, her concern evident.
Li Yongâs hand paused midair, his chopsticks hovering.
Li Yao glanced at his father before shaking his head silently.
Meng shi felt a chill in her heart. After three decades of camaraderie, had Emperor Yuan Qing truly decided to abandon her husband?
Li Xian broke the silence. âTo atone for old mistakes, even if the Emperor wants to use Father again, heâll wait for the right moment.â
Meng shi sighed deeply. âBut how can one prove themselves without responsibilities? Without tasks, thereâs no chance to achieve anything of worth.â
Her husbandâs return to favor with the Emperor was tied closely to their daughterâs future. For her daughter, already eighteen, finding the right match was critical. How could she not feel the weight of it all?
Li Yong ate leisurely, unbothered by his wifeâs restlessness. He understood her worries and held no resentment toward her for them.
If he were bold enough to march into the palace and plead his case before the Emperor, the Emperorâs generosity alone could land him a high-ranking position as a reward. But Li Yong had no intention of doing that.
Yunzhu studied her parents, then offered her advice with calm confidence. "Father, both Mother and Brother have valid points. We must wait for the right moment, but you also have to act when the opportunity arises. The Emperor hasn't assigned you any tasks yet, so take the initiative. Nothing is beneath royal serviceâeven fixing a loose brick in the city wall supports the Emperor's work. Small deeds accumulate, and in time, they become great achievements."
Sitting idly at home, waiting for the public to forget about her fatherâs defeat, or hoping Emperor Yuan Qing would suddenly summon him and grant him a position, was a losing game.
Li Yong's eyes lit up with sudden clarity. He couldn't believe it had taken his daughter's words to open his eyes after all these years.
"I understand," he told his wife firmly. "Don't worry. Iâll earn a place for myself."
Meng shi felt a pang of sorrow. She hated seeing her husband lack ambition, but the thought of him humbling himself to seek opportunities was just as difficult to bear.
Inspired by Yunzhuâs words, Li Yong grabbed his raincoat and stepped out into the drizzling rain. Before leaving, he told his family not to wait for him at lunchâheâd return in the evening.
Li Yao stared, dumbfounded. "Father isnât seriously going to repair the city wall, is he?"
Meng shi scoffed. "What nonsense. Do you think the capital's walls are left unchecked? Any damage is repaired immediately. Your father has more sense than that."
Li Yao rubbed his nose, grumbling inwardly that his mother treated his father with such care but scolded him so freely.
Yunzhu turned to her mother. "Mother, I want to take a walk outside. I wonât be back for lunch."
Meng shi frowned. "Why today? Itâs rainingâitâs inconvenient."
Yunzhu smiled faintly. "The rain only makes it better. Thereâll be fewer people out."
Meng shi relented and told her two sons to escort their sister.
*
In the heart of the capital stood the "Wangyou Tea House," famed not only for its exceptional tea but also for its celebrated storyteller. His sharp wit and captivating tales packed the house daily.
The siblings lingered for over an hour, immersed in the teahouse's atmosphere.
As they left, only thirty minutes remained before noon.
Yunzhu asserted, "Let's eat at the Taihe Building later. My elder brother can head to the Zhanya Room first, and my younger brother will come with me to pick out some jewelry."
The Taihe Building, another famed establishment in the capital, stood just a few doors down from the Zuixianju.
Li Yao, feeling the pull of a drink, quickly agreed. Handing his purse to Shiliu, he hinted at leaving the expenses to his sister.
Yunzhu picked a jewelry store at random and began browsing. Time slipped by unnoticed.
Li Xian started to worry his elder brother might be drinking a bit too much but, seeing his sister engrossed in her shopping, decided to keep quiet.
After spending several hundred taels of silver, Yunzhu, pleased with her purchases, led her brother to their waiting carriage.
She stalled just enough to get a view of the Zuixianju as they passed.
The carriage rattled along the stone road. Through the half-open curtain, Yunzhu felt the soft drizzle in the air. Drawing the curtain closed, she opened a jewelry box, revealing a golden butterfly hairpin. Admiring it, she turned to her brother.
"Are you hungry?" she asked casually.
Li Xian shook his head, feeling only a faint pang of hunger.
Li Yunzhu teased, "Would you have this much patience shopping for jewelry with a lady from another family?"
Li Xian shook his head again.
She smirked. "Ordinary girls wouldn't catch your eye. But for the right one, you'd gladly do it."
At just fourteen, Li Xian had no interest in romantic notions and couldn't fathom why his sister teased him so.
As the carriage neared the Zuixianju, Yunzhu told the driver firmly, "Stop at Zuixianju and buy a jar of Immortal Drunk."
"Understood," the driver replied, hopping out as soon as the carriage halted.
Li Yunzhu lifted the curtain on the carriage's right side, her eyes fixed on the second-floor private rooms of Zuixianju that overlooked the street.
Unbeknownst to her, Cao Xun sat leisurely in one of those rooms, savoring his tea after a satisfying meal.
Ah Jiu, Cao Xun's right-hand man, noticed his master glancing out the window repeatedly. He assumed Cao Xun was admiring the rain. Outside, the rows of shops, the gentle drizzle, and the strolling figures with umbrellas painted a serene, almost dreamlike scene.
Suddenly, a carriage with green curtains rolled to a slow stop below.
Sharp-eyed Ah Jiu immediately caught on and announced, âThatâs Duke Ningguoâs carriage.â
Cao Xun put down his tea, his attention shifting downstairs. He watched as the coachman hurried into Zuixianju. His eyes lingered on the carriage as a corner of the curtain shifted, revealing a face that was hauntingly beautiful, almost unreal.
Their eyes met briefly, charged with an unspoken intensity. Just as swiftly, she dropped the curtain, retreating as if his gaze had intruded where it didnât belong.
Moments later, the coachman returned, carrying a jar of wine. Without delay, the carriage began to move away, slow and deliberate.
Cao Xun didnât look away until it was gone. A faint, knowing smile crept onto his lips.
She had come because he had summoned her.
*
April began with a gathering of all civil and military officials at court.
Cao Xun, despite his youth, stood head and shoulders above his older peers like Xie Zhen. His unmatched wisdom and decisiveness in battle spoke for themselves. Emperor Yuan Qing personally granted him the prestigious title of Zuo Governor of the Central Military Governorâs Palace, a decision met with unanimous agreement from the court.
The Cao familyâs legacy was unshakable. Three generations of extraordinary military accomplishments by the Duke of Dingguo's lineage cemented their prestige, earning the family the ultimate honor of having their daughter named Empress.
As the newly appointed official took on his duties, Cao Xun dove headfirst into his responsibilities. Even when his peers called it a day, he stayed behind, leaving the office half an hour later. When he finally stepped out, he ordered the coachman to drive straight to the Ningguo Dukeâs residence.
Seated in the carriage, he changed swiftly into his usual attire.
In the Yunzhu household, dinner preparations had just wrapped up.
Yunzhu gazed at the horizon, watching the last remnants of daylight disappear. Was Cao Xun planning to discuss their marriage with her father soon? Or was he still irritated by her tardiness at their last meeting?
Yet she had no regrets. Arriving too early would betray eagernessâsomething unbecoming. Even her brother had patiently accompanied her to pick out jewelry. If Cao Xun truly intended to wed her, waiting half an hour shouldnât matter.
As she idly poked at the rice in her bowl, a messenger entered. âYour Eminence, the Duke of Dingguo requests an audience.â
Everyone froze, startled by the sudden announcement.
âWhatâs he doing here at this hour?â
âSomething urgent, no doubt. Please, see him to the hall,â someone suggested.
Li Yong didnât need anyone to tell him twice. Still, hunger gnawed at himâhe hadnât had a proper meal all day. Cao Xunâs timing was far from ideal.
Accompanied by the steward, Li Yong strode to the front yard, ready to greet the unexpected visitor. Upon seeing Cao Xun, he set aside his hunger, forcing a warm smile. Cao Xun returned it, bowing slightly as he spoke:
âDuke Ningguo, itâs been a while. Forgive my unannounced visit.â
Li Yong blinked, momentarily caught off guard. âDuke?â Cao Xun had never been so formal; he usually called him "Brother Li."
Ever adaptable, Li Yong replied smoothly, âAlways an honor, my dear brother. But what brings you here at this hour?â
Upon learning that Cao Xun had come straight from the Governorâs Mansion, Li Yong brightened. He quickly called for food to be brought out, turning back to Cao Xun.
âAs it happens, I havenât eaten yet either. Letâs talk business over a meal.â
Cao Xun, true to his nature, treated Li Yong as a guest of the highest regard.
âI wasnât aware youâd be visiting. These are just humble home-cooked dishes. Donât let them disappoint you, brother,â Li Yong stated firmly, offering a bottle of wine and pouring a glass for Cao Xun.
Cao Xun accepted the glass with both hands and replied curtly, âThank you, Duke Ningguo.â
Li Yong raised an eyebrow, smirking. âWeâre equals here, both Dukes. Usually, we treat each other like brothers. Why the formal tone today?â
Cao Xun scanned the table before him, a faint smile playing on his lips. âLetâs eat first. Iâll share my purpose afterward.â
Li Yongâs expression tightened. âYou think I can eat peacefully with that hanging in the air? Whatâs going on?â
Cao Xun sat up straighter, his voice steady and direct. âDonât worry. Itâs not about our official duties. Iâm here to propose marriageâto Yunzhu.â
Li Yong froze mid-breath, his mind reeling as relief over matters of state gave way to utter shock. Slowly, his disbelief surfaced. âWhat did you just say?!â
Cao Xun stood again, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Presenting a heavy gift box, he declared, âI may not be extraordinary, but I am sincere. I wish to marry Yunzhu. I humbly ask for your approval.â
Li Yongâs appetite vanished as he stared, dumbfounded. âWhy on earth would you think this is acceptable?â
It was no secret in the capital that his daughter Yunzhu was long associated with Cao Shao, Cao Xunâs younger brother. Every prominent family knew the unspoken understanding between them. For the elder brother to now make such a bold declaration was unthinkable.
Cao Xun remained steadfast, meeting Li Yongâs gaze directly. âUpon returning to the capital, I learned of my younger brotherâs disgraceful behavior toward Yunzhu. Iâve come to personally apologize and express my gratitude for your patience. I see now how much pain Yunzhu has endured, and itâs clear her suffering will follow her for years to come.â
âYour Grace, Yunzhuâs reputation has been unjustly tarnished by my brotherâs betrayal. Words alone cannot restore what she has lost.â
âMy younger brother has proven himself unworthy of her hand. As his elder, it is my responsibility to step in. I will take his place and restore the bond between our families, as it should have been.â
Some might scoff at the idea of two brothers entangled with the same woman, but fulfilling a familyâs promise with integrity was a different storyâone that could command respect.
Cao Xunâs resolve left no room for doubt or hesitation. He stood tall, unashamed, and presented his case as a man of honor.