Chapter 17: C17. Joy and Sorrow; Two Sides of the Coin.

Chapter 17

Aside from Yunzhu’s family and Cao Shao—who only found out because his brother spilled the beans—no one in the capital saw this coming: Cao Xun marrying Yunzhu.

Word on the street says the Emperor greenlit the marriage to mislead the masses. But insiders know better—Cao Xun and Duke Ningguo clearly plotted this beforehand, with Emperor Yuan Qing stepping in as the official matchmaker.

By dusk, Cao Xun was still tied up at the Governor’s Mansion, while his two closest buddies, Gu Qinghe and Zhang Xingjian, waited impatiently.

Gu Qinghe, the eldest son of Gu Shoufu, and Zhang Xingjian, the Marquis of Huai’an, were both in their early thirties.

Gu Qinghe isn’t much to look at—plain features, nothing extraordinary. But he’s a poetry geek with a soft demeanor that gives off the vibe of a polished gentleman.

Zhang Xingjian? He’s been in the trenches with Cao Xun for years. Hit the battlefield as a teen, racked up impressive military wins, but his health took a nasty hit during one brutal charge. The injuries forced him to return to Beijing to heal.

On this big day, Cao Xun wrapped up his duties early and met up with his friends.

Dressed in the striking vermilion uniform of a first-class military attaché, complete with a lion insignia, he looked every inch the formidable leader. His towering frame and dignified aura were undeniable, though there was a touch of elegance in his demeanor.

Gu Qinghe smirked, “I can already picture you in your wedding robes—radiant and smug as ever.”

Zhang Xingjian gave a wry smile. “What’s worse is that the great Military Governor didn’t even bother inviting us. Didn’t think to clue us in on this grand event.”

Gu Qinghe’s smile dropped as he shook his head, his tone turning stern. “Disloyalty, plain and simple. How could you?”

Cao Xun chuckled. “Your kids are already talking about weddings of their own. Should I have really gone out of my way to brag about mine?”

Gu Qinghe retorted, “Kids are kids. We’re still young men when it’s just the three of us. A wedding, though—that’s a big deal. You owe us an explanation.”

Cao Xun waved him off. “Fine. Tonight’s on me. Consider it my apology.”

Zhang Xingjian chimed in, “A celebration’s in order. Don’t just apologize—throw us a proper wedding feast.”

But before he could say more, Zhang Xingjian’s face turned pale, then flushed crimson. He stiffened, stifling a cough as if trying to hide the pain.

Cao Xun and Gu Qinghe exchanged a quick, knowing glance, but when Zhang turned his back, they acted as if nothing happened.

Zhang Xingjian’s body was wrecked, his vitality drained beyond repair. All that kept him going were rare and costly medicinal remedies. The imperial physician had already declared: Zhang Xingjian wouldn’t live past forty.

The trio arrived at Zuixianju.

Cao Xun ordered only tea. Zhang Xingjian, on the other hand, waved to the waiter for a bowl of immortal wine. “You drink,” he said, “I’ll enjoy the aroma.”

Cao Xun’s mind drifted to the past—to when they had reclaimed Liaozhou together, glasses raised high at the victory banquet. The memory cast a fleeting shadow in his eyes.

Once the waiter was gone, Gu Qinghe smirked and jabbed at Cao Xun, “Not long ago, A Min was singing praises about Yunzhu, thrilled at the idea of becoming her sister. And now look at you—marrying Yunzhu instead. Seems she’s leveled up. Next time, A Min will have to call her ‘Aunt.’”

Cao Xun stayed calm. “Titles don’t matter,” he said coolly. “Friendship does.”

Zhang Xingjian cut in, “So, are you defying society to marry Yunzhu out of love?”

Cao Xun gave a faint smile. “Love? No. My decision isn’t about love—it’s about loyalty.”

He elaborated briefly, but Gu Qinghe and Zhang Xingjian, both nearing their thirties, didn’t press for more.

“Whatever the reason,” Gu Qinghe shrugged, “it’s good you’re getting married. It’s a blessing to have someone by your side, through thick and thin.”

Cao Xun wasn’t like them. His differences ran deeper than their shared age. He’d lost his mother young and spent countless years stationed at the border, knowing only solitude.

“Do you understand what it means to endure both the cold and the heat?” Cao Xun mused, raising his glass. A faint, unreadable smile tugged at his lips.

*

Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, Xie Lang brought Cao Shao to a quiet tavern for drinks.

Both men had feelings for Yunzhu, though their situations couldn’t have been more different. Cao Shao had lost her on the verge of marrying her. Xie Lang had glimpsed hope—only for it to shatter when a rival appeared out of nowhere.

With a bitter scowl, Xie Lang broke the silence. “Cao Shao, why on earth is he suddenly marrying Yunzhu?”

He couldn’t bring himself to confront Cao Xun. So, he vented to Cao Shao instead.

When his sister began to suspect that Cao Xun was giving Yunzhu too much attention, Xie Lang firmly defended him, dismissing the idea as absurd. But now, seeing Xie Lang utterly defeated, Cao Shao couldn’t deny the sharp satisfaction it brought him.

At first, he felt uneasy. Now, watching Xie Lang drown in despair, he found pleasure in his downfall. He had never considered his eldest brother a rival. On the contrary, he saw them as equals, and the thought of being overshadowed by someone he'd already bested was intolerable.

After taking a slow sip of wine, Cao Shao refrained from gloating. Instead, he calmly explained the situation to his brother.

Xie Lang, stunned, murmured, "So that's how it is."

Cao Shao answered bluntly, "What else could it be?"

Thinking about Cao Xun’s demeanor around Yunzhu, Xie Lang admitted that his care for her was genuine and without ulterior motives. He nodded in understanding. However, he couldn't resist pressing further. In a quieter tone, he asked, "Have you really let go of Yunzhu?"

Cao Shao's expression darkened. "I let go a long time ago. Maybe I was hesitant before, but now that she’s betrothed to my elder brother, she’s nothing more than a sister-in-law to me. I’ll give her the respect she deserves, and I suggest you do the same."

Xie Lang replied earnestly, "Of course. You and the Duke are tied by blood, and the Duke and I have shed blood together on the battlefield. My respect for him matches yours."

Cao Shao acknowledged this with a nod and raised his wine glass in a silent toast to Xie Lang.

Whatever feelings a man might harbor, he should never fail to show respect for his brothers.

After leaving Cao Shao, Xie Lang returned to the Changxing Marquis Mansion.

When he realized that even his father was puzzled by Cao Xun's sudden engagement, Xie Lang shared what he'd discovered.

Xie Zhen sighed, "He takes after his father. A shame, really. I could have had a remarkable son-in-law."

Unlike others, Xie Zhen didn’t care about Cao Xun’s family background or his title as Great Imperial Uncle. He simply admired the man’s character. If his daughter had married Cao Xun, their offspring would’ve been a perfect blend of the Cao and Xie families—an heir worthy of pride.

Xie Lang, growing more anxious about his sister, said, "Wenying’s situation…"

Xie Zhen looked regretful. "It was a mistake to invite Cao Xun over for Wenying to meet him when I wasn’t sure. Thankfully, she took it with grace. The discomfort will pass in time."

"I’ll go check on my sister," Xie Lang declared before leaving.

Xie Wenying focused intently, fully absorbed in her calligraphy practice.

To Xie Lang, his sister appeared composed, indifferent to distractions around her.

After setting down her brush, Xie Wenying glanced at her brother, catching his hesitation. A faint smile played on her lips as she asked, "Is my brother still brooding over Yunzhu, even now that she's marrying Duke Dingguo?"

Her question startled Xie Lang. He hesitated before replying with a wry smile, "It's hard to describe. I've liked her since we were kids. But Cao Shao was always there, a constant reminder that I didn’t stand a chance. So, I threw myself into the battlefield, thinking I could move on. Then, when I returned to Beijing and heard her engagement to Cao Shao had been canceled, I dared to hope again. Deep down, I knew she still didn't feel the same. Now that the Emperor has arranged her marriage, I’m just disappointed—nothing more."

Xie Wenying nodded thoughtfully. "I understand how you feel, brother," she said plainly.

Her brother’s feelings for Yunzhu spanned years, yet her own infatuation with Cao Xun had only begun in March. Though his charm intrigued her, her emotions weren’t deep enough to leave her heartbroken.

Seeing her composure, Xie Lang felt relieved. He ruffled her hair lightly and said, "Good. Don’t dwell on it. If this one doesn’t work out, another chance will come. Father and I will make sure of it."

*

At Dingguo Mansion, Cao Shao returned home to find Pan Shi waiting for him in the courtyard. Without hesitation, she threw Emperor Yuan Qing's marriage decree at his feet and sneered, "Look at this! Your precious brother. I know how much you idolize him. And now, Yunzhu—he dares to keep luring your affection like this!"

Cao Shao found her accusation absurd. "Mother, listen to yourself! You, my own mother, the one who’s supposed to care about me the most, resort to cruel schemes to push Yunzhu away? And now you expect me to denounce my half-brother when I and her are practically strangers?"

Pan Shi’s expression darkened as she snapped back, "I’m doing this for your future! Yunzhu is not fit for you. I’ll find someone from a better family. Why aren’t you angrier at Cao Xun? He’s fighting to marry the woman you want. He’s humiliating you, rubbing salt in your wounds, and still, you blame me for everything!"

She added harshly, "Shao’er, stop treating a thief like your brother!"

Her bitterness was clear—she could handle losing face in public, but watching her son side with Cao Xun was unbearable.

Cao Shao, observing his mother’s twisted fury, responded coldly, "My elder brother has already proven himself. He inherited the title, reclaimed Jiazhou, and earned the first-class military attaché rank by 30. He wields power in court. Why on earth would he waste time targeting you or me? Mother, you’re overthinking."

But Pan Shi wasn’t buying it. Ever since Cao Xun’s return, her pride had taken a hit, and her relationship with her stepson soured.

Cao Shao, now too drained to argue further, sighed. "I’m tired. If you won’t leave, I will. I’ll stay at my brother’s courtyard tonight."

Pan Shi stood frozen, unable to reply.

She stormed off bitterly and unleashed her fury back in her quarters, smashing tea bowls with abandon. The shattering sounds echoed her frustration—better to break porcelain than to let anger fester.

Her nanny waited patiently, stepping in only after Pan Shi had vented her rage. She led her to the inner room and spoke gently, "Madam, your son is no longer a boy. He’s harboring resentment, and right now, he won’t hear anything you say. If you keep pushing, you’ll only drive him further away."

Pan Shi pursed her lips tightly, her gaze sharp as blades as she stared out the window into the dark night.

The nanny reassured her with a calm but firm tone, "There's no need for you to fret over this. The second master is undeniably smitten with Miss Yunzhu; that much is beyond question. His animosity towards you arises from his frustration over losing out on a beneficial marriage. When Miss Yunzhu eventually weds, he'll come face-to-face with the reality of the Duke's connection to her. Can you imagine his envy when he sees Miss Yunzhu's affection and admiration for someone else? In time, his disappointment and bitterness will naturally drive him back to you."

Pan Shi, brimming with rage, snapped, "That ungrateful scoundrel! Why should I even bother about someone like him? Let him do as he pleases!"

The nanny, maintaining her composure, advised gently but firmly, "Do not let anger cloud your judgment. What is meant to be yours will remain yours. Even fractured relationships can heal over time. The second master is still young and impulsive; with age and experience, he will come to recognize and value your relentless dedication."

Pan Shi, though still visibly agitated, gradually calmed her breathing, her fury simmering into cold disdain. "Fine," she said with an icy sneer. "If they want to marry soon, then I’ll waste no time proposing a union with the Changxing Marquis Mansion. Compared to Wenying, that scheming little vixen Yunzhu is nothing but a cheap seductress. Cao Xun will eventually grow tired of her charms. When that day comes, I’ll have the last laugh. My son will marry a dignified and noble lady like Wenying, and I’ll watch the drama unfold with satisfaction."

The nanny chuckled knowingly, her tone laced with subtle provocation. "You’re not wrong. The wait may be long, but a little well-placed spark within the household, just enough to stir jealousy in Miss Yunzhu, might accelerate things. And if young master Cao Shao does secure a match with an unblemished noblewoman, Miss Yunzhu’s standing could start to crumble. The second master will have fewer choices then."

At these words, Pan Shi’s demeanor shifted. Her sharp ears picked up the hidden implications, and her calculating mind latched onto the possibilities. A cunning smile crept onto her face as she envisioned the potential chaos ahead.