Chapter 19
The Duke Ningguo's Mansion was a whirlwind of activity from the crack of dawn.
Yunzhu had always been her own person, a woman who thought for herself since she was young. Everyone around her, aside from her parents, followed her lead. But today, things were different. She was giving up control, now just another bride being tugged along by the whims of others. Even the smallest detailsâhow much water she drank, what food she ateâwere monitored by Quan furen, all to avoid any mishaps during the procession or once she arrived at the groom's place.
A woman only marries once. So, for the sake of having a flawless wedding, these little inconveniences were something she could bear.
But what really bothered Yunzhu was the removal of her facial hair. Xi Niang, with her skilled hands, used fine threads to strip away the hair from Yunzhu's forehead and temples, and every pull felt like a punch to her nerves.
Duke Ningguoâs mansion had hired Xi Niang, a woman who was a pro at this. Yet, despite the speed, Yunzhu couldnât stop herself from flinching, her eyes welling up with tears.
Xi Niang couldnât help but glance at her. The bride was breathtakingâno wonder Cao Xun had waited until he was thirty to marry. Had he settled for a wife in his twenties, he would have missed out on the opportunity to marry a woman from the esteemed Li familyâthis stunning young woman.
After Xi Niang finished her work, a few of Yunzhuâs sisters arrived, one by one.
First up was Yunzhuâs cousin, Meng Yuehua.
The Meng family, Yunzhuâs maternal side, were a family of scholars. Her grandfather was well-respected, an educator at the Hanlin Academy. While his position wasnât the highest, he was someone who taught the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the princes, a position that gave him the Emperorâs ear. For an ordinary person, this was an unthinkable achievement.
At just fifteen, Meng Yuehua already had the strict temperament of her grandfather. Yunzhu often found herself reluctant to spend time with her cousin. But anyone who dared to bully Meng Yuehua would have Yunzhu on their back in an instant.
Seeing Yunzhu getting ready, Meng Yuehuaâs eyes welled up, and she spoke softly.
Yunzhu glanced at her and asked, "Why are you crying?"
Meng Yuehua sat next to her and murmured, "My sister is leaving the boudoir, and I canât bear to see it."
Yunzhu smirked and shot back, "You barely visit me anyway, so why are you so upset now?"
Tears streamed down Meng Yuehua's face, feeling the sting of her cousinâs words, as though she had been poked intentionally.
Meng Shi was caught up with matters outside, but when she returned, she found her daughter grinning from ear to ear, while her niece looked utterly overwhelmed with emotions. It struck her as amusing, the whole scene.
Sun Yurong, Gu Min, and Xie Wenying showed up almost at the same time.
Sun Yurong, with a pout, said, "You're getting married now. Who am I even supposed to turn to for fun anymore?"
Yunzhu shot back, "Iâve seen you surrounded by a whole bunch of little sisters, all practically throwing themselves at you."
Sun Yurong realized those girls were differentâthey were only there for her as long as her family's fortunes held. Yunzhu, however, had no interest in any of that, remaining above it all, unaffected by their flattery, and sticking around regardless.
Yunzhu gave her a reassuring look. "Donât worry about it. You're only a year younger than me. Maybe youâll be the one engaged soon."
Sun Yurong shot her a look, wondering if Yunzhu seriously thought that a girl from the Dukeâs household was just any catch.
The air grew quiet, and Yunzhu shifted her focus to Xie Wenying and Gu Min.
Xie Wenying, always composed and reserved, wasnât exactly close to Yunzhu, but she was here today out of respect because her parents had attended the morning banquet. She offered Yunzhu a gentle smile and sincerely wished her and the Duke happiness in their marriage.
Yunzhu could sense that Xie Wenying's words were genuine. She might have once had an interest in Cao Xun, but that was clearly a thing of the past.
It made sense. Even though Cao Xun had his good points, his age and family dynamics were a lot to contend with. Xie Wenying had other, more viable options. Countless prestigious and capable men would make fine husbands, so why should she settle for Cao Xun?
"Thank you, sister," Yunzhu said, her tone acknowledging the sincerity.
Gu Minâs face was harder to read. She spoke quietly, âI can still call you sister for now. But when I see you next time, Iâ¦â
Yunzhu cut her off, "Just call me by my name. Iâm not about to be called your elder."
She was only eighteen. She didnât want to end up like Cao Xun, stuck in a position where teenagers would start calling her âaunt.â
Gu Min smiled, understanding.
Just then, a slight disturbance came from outside, and before anyone could process it, Li Yao barged in, dressed in a striking red robe, pushing through the curtain.
Meng Yuehua, Sun Yurong, and Xie Wenying were caught off guard. Gu Min, flustered, quickly ducked behind Xie Wenying, stealing a glance at Yunzhu. Her face turned pink as she recalled the red ribbon she had sent earlier, fearing the near-miss of a misunderstanding.
Li Yunzhu greeted her brother with a forced smile, clearly masking her irritation, "What are you doing here?"
Li Yao shot a look at his sister, his tone hard and commanding, "Iâll show up whenever I feel like it. Youâre my sister, and todayâs your wedding day. If I donât stop by now, when the wedding procession rolls in, Iâll barely get a glimpse of you, all covered up in that damn veil."
What rules or protocols are we even talking about here?
This is the Ningguo Duke's estate, and weâre the Li family.
Whatâs the problem with me taking a quick look at my sister?
Yunzhu felt a mix of frustration and a touch of affection but couldnât hide her annoyance, "Then at least act like you belong here, you're scaring my friends."
Li Yao quickly scanned the group of girls around his sister, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the one who was clearly unnerved.
He studied her closely, his gaze briefly lingering on the delicate, exposed side of her neck. Yunzhuâs words pushed the girl to speak up, and she quietly offered, "It's fine, the heir of the family doesnât let go of my sister."
Now, Li Yao took a good look at her face. She was pretty, butâ¦
"Who is this?" Li Yao demanded, his gaze shifting back to his sister, irritated.
Yunzhu: "..."
Gu Min: "..."
Sun Yurong chuckled, clearly amused by the scene, "Brother Li, how could you not recognize her? This is the lady, Gu Min, the one who gave you that red ribbon at the polo match."
Li Yaoâs eyes widened in recognition, and he muttered, "She had most of her face covered last timeâhow the hell was I supposed to know?"
Yunzhu couldnât hide her increasing disdain for her clueless brother, "Alright, you've had your look. Now, get out of here."
*
The wedding entourage rolled up at Duke Ningguo's Mansion exactly when it was supposed to, right on the dot, according to the precise timing calculated by Qin Tian.
As is customary, Cao Xun had to go through the whole ordeal of kowtowing to Li Yong and Meng shi, offering them tea, before he could even think about going anywhere near the bride.
The couple was already chilling in the hall, but as the groom stepped across the threshold and made his move toward them, Li Yong started fidgeting with his clothes, clearly rattled, and Meng shi's smile looked stiff and unnatural.
"Donât worry, itâs totally normal if youâre not used to it!"
The maids laid down two satin cushions, right in front of the main seat, just like they were supposed to.
Cao Xun knelt before Li Yong, doing it with poise. He picked up a cup of tea from the tray, raised it to eyebrow level like it was the most important thing in the room, and offered it to Li Yong, saying firmly, "I invite my father-in-law to partake of the tea."
Li Yong thought to himself that "Brother Li" wouldâve sounded way better.
He let out a dry chuckle, accepted the tea, and took a sip. Then his daughterâs image hit him out of nowhere. Li Yongâs heart sank, and he let his guard down for a second, speaking from the heart: "Fushan, youâre a true hero. Yunzhu is lucky to marry you. This wasnât just a choice, itâs fate. But donât forget, Yunzhuâs still young and a bit naive. As her husband, you need to have patience with her."
Cao Xun locked eyes with him and said, without a hint of hesitation: "Rest assured, my esteemed father-in-law. I will protect Yunzhu, and Iâll make sure sheâs well taken care of."
Li Yong gave a slow nod of approval.
Cao Xun turned back to Meng shi, offering her the same tea, calling her mother-in-law with the same respect.
Meng shi, visibly moved by the words of her son-in-law, could barely hold herself together as she spoke through tears: "Yunzhu is in your hands now. Please take care of her, protect her for us."
Cao Xun didnât hesitate for a second: "Donât worry, mother-in-law. Iâll be by Yunzhuâs side, doing my duty to her, to you, and to our family."
Meng shi, overwhelmed, hid her face behind her veil, unable to say anything more.
The sounds of the ceremonial music from Qiyun Hall echoed, as Quan furen smiled, gently holding Yunzhu.
Li Yao entered the scene and, with ease, lifted his sister, taking the weight of her heavy phoenix crown onto his own shoulders to keep it from toppling over.
With his towering presence and a calm yet intense stride, Li Yao's usually stern face was now even more intimidating. As he escorted his sister to her wedding, his gaze turned to Cao Xun, Cao Shao, and the restâhe saw them all as nothing but competition, even enemies.
Cao Shao, weighed down by guilt, did his best to force a smile.
Cao Xun, with a sly grin, handed a gift to Li Yao: "These are for my elder brother."
It didnât take long for the onlookers to realize that only someone like Cao Xun could stand up to Li Yaoâs cold, almost aggressive presence.
Reluctantly as always, Li Yao carefully settled his sister into the bridal sedan. Before she left, he gave her a clear, no-nonsense warning: "Ignore the gossip from those women. If Cao Xun treats you right, great. If he doesn't, donât stay quiet. Come back to meâIâve got your back, always."
Yunzhu felt the sting of his words, nearly breaking down, but she forced a smile and shot back with a teasing challenge: "You care so much about meâwhy donât you just find me a sister-in-law and save our parents the hassle?"
Li Yao scoffed, half-joking: "Whatâs so special about a sister-in-law? Are you really that scared Iâll forget about you once I have one?"
Yunzhu responded, her tone playful yet sharp: "We'll see about that."
Li Yao opened his mouth to fire back, but before he could, Quan furen cleared her throat softly beside him.
With a firm step, he stepped out of the sedan, locking eyes with the bearers, and barked, "Lift the sedan with care, and donât mess this up. If anyone canât handle it, step aside."
It was vital that the bearers knew what they were doing. A bumpy ride could make the bride sick, especially on a day like thisâthe wedding of a high-ranking noble's daughter to another noble. The stakes couldnât be higher.
As Ji Shi arrived, Cao Xun hurried over to Li Yong, quickly mounted his horse, and led the welcoming party down a different path.
The sedan was steady, and Yunzhu strained to overhear the gossip from the crowd.
"Did you see the dowry? They say the silver notes alone were worth a hundred thousand taels!"
"What a lucky guy! Heâs marrying someone so beautiful and rich."
"Is that Cao Shao? Heâs looking pretty happy. Didn't he have a falling out with her? Werenât he and Miss Li supposed to be together?"
Yunzhuâs curiosity piqued as she learned that Cao Shao had come with Cao Xun to fetch the bride. He seemed too cheerful. Was he faking it, or had he really moved on that fast? If he had, she couldnât shake off the feeling he was lying to her. After all, Cao Shao had been nothing but devoted to her for years. If heâd really forgotten her so easily, it felt like a betrayal.
Not far from the sedan, Cao Shao and Xie Lang rode side by side. He wanted to look at the sedan, but held back, worried itâd make him look like he was eyeing his new sister-in-law.
Truthfully, he regretted even coming to this reception. Watching the woman he loved marry his brother was worse than learning about his motherâs betrayal with his own engagement.
He had to keep up the smile, playing the part, enduring the judgment of the crowd.
The procession crawled along as the guests flocked to witness it, with Cao Shao doing his best to maintain a facade of joy.
Eventually, they reached Fuâan Lane, where Duke Dingguo's residence stood, marking the arrival of the grand occasion.
As the wedding procession made its turn, fireworks and firecrackersâalready set up in front of Duke Dingguoâs estateâlit up the night sky in a massive show of force. A fierce, dazzling explosion of color tore through the dark, each burst more intense than the last, shooting up like rockets on a mission. Below, firecrackers popped and cracked with wild energy, sending plumes of smoke swirling in the air, wrapping around the entrance like a hazy veil. The air was alive with the sound of laughterâchildren shrieking with excitement, and adults trying to tame the boisterous chaos of their energetic young ones, creating a raucous, joyful symphony of celebration.
But the louder the joy around him became, the more alienated Cao Shao felt. It was as though everyone had already written off him and Yunzhu, treating them as nothing more than a forgotten chapter. Not a single hint of sympathy was to be found in the midst of the festivities.
He shot a glance at Xie Lang, who stood next to him.
Xie Lang, perched atop his horse, stared up at the fireworks with a wide grin, his eyes bright, his teeth flashing in the light.
Cao Shao couldn't help but recognize the truthâhe was the only one who genuinely cared about Yunzhu, and because of that, he stood apart from everyone else. He knew in time, Yunzhu would come to see that his love for her was unshakable, unlike any other.
Finally, the sedan touched the ground, and at Quan Furen's command, Cao Xun made a show of kicking open the door.
Yunzhu gripped the red silk that flowed from the doorway as Cao Xun led the way.
Beneath her veil, Yunzhuâs view was limited to the floor. Everything around her felt distant, like she wasnât even part of it. When she stole a glance, her eyes fell on Cao Xun, noticing the outline of his slender legs moving beneath his clothes.
A flash of images from a booklet crossed her mind, her brow furrowing in quiet suspicion. But now was not the time to get lost in those thoughts.
The newlywed couple made their way into the main hall of Duke Dingguoâs mansion. In Yunzhuâs line of sight stood two grand chairs, each one holding a tabletâa memorial for Cao Xun's father, the late Duke Dingguo, and his first wife, Du Shi. Both of their portraits were adorned with soft, kind smiles.
After a quick ritual and three solemn bows, Yunzhu followed Cao Xun into their new home.
Quan Furen helped Yunzhu sit down, settling her into her new role in the family.
In that moment, Yunzhu couldnât help but feel a rush of hidden relief. She was too drained to bother with formal greetings to the relatives, and her stomach growled in protest. Yet, she found the strength to endure just a little longer.
It was time to pull back the curtain, no more hiding.
The women, gathered to witness this pivotal moment, focused intensely on the groom's hands.
With those same hands, Cao Xun had crushed countless enemy generals and soldiers. Now, they gripped the golden Ruyi Weighing Pole, steady as a rock, as he lifted the veil to unveil the brideâs flawless face. Her delicate features, with brows as slender as fine threads, lips like blooming roses, and eyes as clear and deep as mountain springs, caught everyoneâs breath.
Before marriage, a womanâs hairline is kept hidden, but now, as a bride, her hair is meticulously arranged and tucked under the phoenix crown, showing nothing but grace.
The women held their breath in awe, unable to look away.
The bride, radiant as a full moon rising above a sea of red silk, left a lasting impression that no one would soon forget.
In the narrow range of her vision, Yunzhu first noticed the shock and admiration in the eyes of the women, before she dared to meet her groomâs gaze.
Cao Xun flashed a smile, as if this was just another regular day for him.
Yunzhu fought the urge to shoot him a sharp, accusing look, turning her head away.
Next up, the Hexin wine ceremony.
Each of them took hold of a beautifully crafted melon-shaped goblet, pouring wine into each otherâs cup.
As Yunzhu let the faint aroma of the wine linger before taking a sip, she noticed Cao Xunâs gaze lingering on her, and she felt the tension in her brow tighten for a split second.
After the wine, it was time to bind their futures together, literally, with a strand of hair.
Quan Furen carefully cut a lock from both the bride and groom, passing the bride her strand.
Yunzhu, having practiced this moment countless times, expertly tied the knot, her fingers light and nimble. As she worked, she couldn't help but notice how thick and dark Cao Xunâs hair was, in contrast to her own. Though she still preferred her own hair, she wondered if, from a man's point of view, his might seem more desirable.
As the two strands were bound together, Yunzhu suddenly understood, with a weighty clarityâshe was no longer just herself. From this moment on, she was tied to Cao Xun, forever.
*
On the wedding day, the groomâs schedule is likely even more packed than the brideâs.
Once the ceremony wrapped up, Yunzhu got a chance to rest, while Cao Xun had no choice but to keep dealing with guests throughout the banquet.
Inside the palace, the Eldest Prince, Second Prince, Crown Prince, and Princess Yi'an all showed up to give their well-wishes.
"Uncle, congrats on your wedding!" the Eldest Prince raised his cup and led his brothers in a toast to Cao Xun.
Cao Xun smiled, nodded, and locked eyes with the three princes.
Little Princess Yi'an, all of nine years old, grinned mischievously and said, âUncle, donât worry, Second Brother, the Crown Prince, and I are sticking to tea!â
Cao Xun then lifted his wine bowl, his composure never faltering.
Tall and imposing, he drank with an elegant ease that drew the eyes of the princes, young and old alike.
After taking care of their table, he moved on to entertain the rest of the guests.
He drank so much, he lost track of how many toasts he had made.
As the evening wore on and the guests continued offering their congratulations, Cao Xun wrapped up the evening with one final toast before taking his leave.
Back in his quarters in the front courtyard, Cao Xun, who didnât particularly enjoy drinking, never turned it down during social occasions.
Feeling the buzz of too much alcohol and an unsettling fullness, he made his way to the clean room. After a bath and changing into fresh clothes, he slipped into a brocade robe with red soles, sipping on some sobering soup as he slowly regained his equilibrium.
Once he was somewhat restored, he headed to the backyard.
Meanwhile, Yunzhu, utterly exhausted, was fighting sleep. It was her wedding day after all. She had barely slept, staying up late the night before and waking up well before dawn, with hardly any time for rest throughout the day.
She struggled to arrange her hair, so she asked Lian Qiao to sit on the bed, leaning her head on Lian Qiaoâs shoulder for a short nap.
Just as she was about to fall into a deep sleep, Shiliu burst in in a rush, announcing, âUncle Cao Xun is here!â
Yunzhu jerked awake.
Shiliu, seeing her mistress in no condition to greet anyone, quickly checked her over and saw that she only needed a little touch-upâher eyes were just heavy with sleep.
"Miss, you must go greet him outside," Shiliu urged, practically pushing her.
"Iâm not going anywhere," Yunzhu said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
She really didnât see why she had to. They were already marriedâwhat was the point of all these formalities? They werenât strangers meeting for the first time after marriage.
Knowing Cao Xunâs holier-than-thou attitude, and his full awareness that she wasnât a delicate lady bound by all these rituals, Yunzhu had no plans to change her approach.
Before Lian Qiao and Shiliu could step in, Cao Xun effortlessly pushed aside the curtain to the inner room and walked in. His expression and movements were completely composed, no sign of the awkwardness or eagerness typically seen in a young groom.
Yunzhu gave him a brief glance and lazily scolded, "Why did it take you so long to show up?"
Cao Xun briefly looked out the window and smirked, "Too many people. You tired?"
Yunzhu gave a simple nod, confirming it.
Without hesitation, Cao Xun waved the maids away, dismissing them. He then turned toward the clothes rack standing in the room and, with his back to the bed, began to strip down.
Watching him, Yunzhu settled into a more comfortable position on the bed, pretending to sleep.
By the time Cao Xun was down to nothing but his crimson silk coat, he turned back toward her.
Yunzhu, lying on her side, couldn't help but eye his slender form and asked, "What time did you wake up this morning?"
Cao Xun, casting a glance at the young bride lying on the bed, replied casually as he made his way toward her, "Around the time of Yinshi."
He reached her in just a few quick steps.
The difference in their height, the weight of their new marriage, and a feeling of dominance seemed to wash over Yunzhu, completely pushing aside the tiredness that had made her so relaxed moments before.
She couldnât bring herself to meet his gaze anymore.
Cao Xun made himself comfortable in the middle of the bed, his eyes locking with hers, a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. "You donât seem scared, looking at you like this."
Yunzhu tried to hold onto her composure, her voice steady, "Whatâs there to be afraid of? This happens to all women when they get married."
Cao Xun hummed in acknowledgment, "True."
And with that, the room fell silent. Yunzhu could feel his gaze still on her, no need for words to make her feel it.
The comfortable position she had once been in now felt constricted under his watch. She wanted to shift, but it seemed like she had already lost.
So, Yunzhu closed her eyes and let him do whatever he wanted. If he wasnât going to make a move, then sheâd just sleep. She wasnât going to start anything herself, for one, because she didnât know how, and secondly, because she didnât want to. There was no need.
Why?
She didnât want to be the one to make the first move with a man. Cao Xun might have craved her beauty, but she had no interest in his body.
After a while of watching her, Cao Xun finally covered himself and laid down.
Yunzhu turned her back to him, her eyes flicking open. The soft, red glow of the candle bathed the room, giving the new space a hazy, almost dreamlike qualityâhalf her vision sharp, half muddled in the glow.
In the stillness of the moment, she could hear Cao Xunâs slow, controlled breaths.
Curiosity prickled, and she asked, her tone blunt, "Are you really planning to sleep like this?"
Cao Xun lay flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling, his voice low. "You're only eighteen. I know itâs hard right now," he said, almost too calmly.
Yunzhu gave a sharp laugh, filled with disdain. "If itâs bothering you so much, maybe you shouldnât have married me in the first place."
Cao Xun glanced at her, unfazed. "I think youâre still not quite ready for this."
Just because she agreed to marry him didnât mean she was ready for everything that came with it.
Yunzhu understood exactly what he meant. She went quiet for a beat, then snapped, "Fine. Just get on with it. Iâve done this before."
Cao Xun smirked, his gaze raking over her, before snaking his arms around her lithe form. He pressed her back against his hard chest, his breath hot against her ear. "Think you can handle this, little bird?" he purred, his voice a low rumble. "Just let me know when you want me to stop."
Yunzhu's haughty facade shattered like glass, replaced by a flush of heat that spread across her cheeks. No one had ever touched her like this, not her father, not her brother. This was a new, forbidden territory, and she was lost in it.
But this was marriage, and this step was unavoidable. Whether with him or someone else, this was something she would have to endure.
She wouldn't let him see her weakness. She forced herself to relax, her fingers tentatively tracing the hard muscles of his shoulder.
Cao Xun's lips grazed her ear, sending shivers down her spine. He leaned in, his breath mingling with hers. Before she could react, his lips claimed hers, demanding and possessive.
And that's when the beast within Cao Xun awakened, a primal hunger that consumed him entirely.
Just when Yunzhu thought she might lose herself to it, he suddenly pulled back. Her eyes snapped open, and she saw him reach under the pillow to pull out a small porcelain bottle.
"Whatâs that?" she asked, her voice shaky, the first sign of fear creeping in.
His gaze was intense, his voice low and purposeful. "Oil."
He twisted the lid off, and a soft, heady fragrance filled the air. It reminded her of sesame oil, but something about it was uniquely different.
She was about to ask what he planned to do with it, but the question died in her throat when she saw the look on his face.
He had no shame. Absolutely none. A man of his age should have known better!