Chapter 23
The young maid reported that Duke Dingguo had retired to Qiyun Hall to change into dry clothes and would soon return to the main courtyard.
Meng Shi encouraged her daughter to join her son-in-law at Qiyun Hall, considering his unfamiliar surroundings and potential discomfort.
Yunzhu scoffed, "He's still playing the shy act? At his age? He's a shameless creature who won't change."
Meng Shi simply replied, "Well then, go check on him."
Yunzhu, however, was too indolent to move. "The sun is too harsh, and I'll sweat even with a short walk. Besides, he's quick. I might catch him on the way."
Meng Shi sighed. Her youngest child was the most independent, needing little guidance.
With preparations in the kitchen nearing completion, mother and daughter returned to the front hall.
Li Yong was discussing the recent competition with Li Xian. "Your brother-in-law is a battle-hardened warrior. He disregards finesse, striking directly at his opponent's vital points. Your eldest brother, on the other hand, is less refined in his marksmanship. Fortunately, his raw power compensates for his technical shortcomings. As the saying goes, brute force can overcome any strategy. Against overwhelming power, tactics are futile."
Yunzhu inquired, "Father, who do you think would win in a duel between your son and his eldest brother?"
Li Yong shook his head. "It's too close to call. Both have a chance."
Meng Shi asked, "And you? Could you defeat your son?"
Li Yong replied, "It's different. I've studied his spear techniques for years and know his weaknesses. Against Fushan, I'm outmatched. A general must be skilled and decisive. As long as one possesses these qualities, even a scholar can lead an army to victory. In this regard, we pale in comparison to Fushan."
The memory of his defeat clouded Li Yong's expression.
Yunzhu quickly reassured him, "Everyone has their own strengths, Father. You're no exception, so don't belittle yourself."
Meng Shi agreed, "Indeed, you're quite accomplished. Had you pursued the imperial examinations, you would've been a top scholar."
How could such an unremarkable man have earned the respect of Emperor Yuan Qing for so many years?
Li Yong's heart swelled with joy at his daughter's return, quickly quelling any lingering doubts.
Li Yao soon reappeared, her attire transformed. Cao Xun, trailing behind with a servant, arrived late for tea.
Both Li Yao and Cao Xun bore the marks of the scorching sun, their faces flushed. Disgusted, Yunzhu retreated into conversation with her parents and brother.
Cao Xun, lost in Li Yao's relentless offers of drink, ignored the young lady's growing irritation.
Exasperated, Meng Shi scolded her eldest son, "Enough! Bringing Fushan to the competition was reckless. Your excessive drinking will be punished."
Li Yao, instead of arguing, glared at Cao Xun and demanded, "Do you find me rude as well?"
Cao Xun, ever the diplomat, replied, "Of course not. My elder brother treats me as family, and we share a drink in camaraderie."
Reassuring Meng Shi, he added, "Mother-in-law, we simply enjoy a casual drink. We won't overindulge."
Impressed by her son-in-law's grace, despite his high status, Meng Shi relaxed.
Yunzhu, having witnessed Cao Xun's drinking prowess, knew he could match her brother's, so she offered no protest.
While the men continued their drinking and conversation, mother and daughter retired to the backyard for rest and a meal.
Meng Shi lovingly combed her daughter's hair, her heart heavy with the impending separation.
Eighteen years of nurturing her daughter filled her with a desire to impart every bit of wisdom before the inevitable departure.
Yunzhu, lulled by her mother's gentle voice, drifted into a peaceful slumber.
A soft voice, "Little Zhu'er," awakened her. It was her mother's affectionate nickname, a relic of her childhood.
Yunzhu, groggy, opened her eyes.
Meng Shi smiled, "Wake up, Fushan and the others have finished drinking. Escort him back to Qiyun Hall, then return after dinner."
A wave of annoyance washed over Yunzhu. "Why couldn't he go alone?" she muttered.
Meng Shi, ever the loving mother, chided her daughter, "He's escorting you home. How could you stay here?"
Feeling a pang of guilt, Yunzhu allowed her mother to tend to her, wiping her face and styling her hair.
With a sigh, Yunzhu resigned herself to her fate and followed her mother outside.
The sun blazed overhead as Yunzhu, half-asleep, was led to the front yard. Li Yong, already tipsy, was being ushered out by his considerate son-in-law, Li Xian.
Meanwhile, Li Yao, quite inebriated, was pouring himself another drink. Upon seeing his mother and sister, he sneered at his brother-in-law's struggle to sit upright. "Look at him! So old and such a lightweight!"
Angered by her son's insolence, Meng Shi scolded, "How dare you! Help Fushan to rest!"
Reluctantly, Li Yao assisted the stumbling Cao Xun. Recognizing his mother-in-law, Cao Xun rose slowly and bowed.
"Go rest, Yunzhu's waiting," Meng Shi urged.
With newfound clarity, Cao Xun bid farewell to his mother-in-law and brother-in-law, then exited with purpose.
Li Yao scoffed, "If he can still walk, fine by me. I'll eat when I'm hungry."
Meng Shi was left speechless.
*
Here's the translation with an assertive and direct active English tone, enhanced with an alluring undertone:
Yunzhu, squinting in the dim corridor, spotted Cao Xun and clung to his arm, demanding, "I'm exhausted. Carry me back to Qiyun Hall."
She'd rather have been asleep in her mother's chambers, but here she was, a burden on him.
Lian Qiao, her maid, flushed with embarrassment at the thought of such a public display, especially with the Duke still intoxicated.
Cicadas chirped in the distance. Cao Xun looked down at the young woman, her fair skin flushed, soft lips parted in sleep.
Through the window, Meng Shi's scolding of Li Yao echoed. Servants stood at attention in the courtyard.
Cao Xun guided Yunzhu aside, murmuring, "It's too crowded. Let's wait until we're out of sight."
Reluctantly, she agreed.
Once they reached the deserted outskirts of the courtyard, Cao Xun lifted the drowsy Yunzhu onto his back.
Familiar with the path to Qiyun Hall, he strode confidently, Lian Qiao hurrying behind with a blue paper umbrella.
Awoken by the lingering scent of alcohol, Yunzhu stirred, her eyes meeting his. "Don't forget to freshen up," she admonished.
"Are you awake?" Cao Xun asked, perplexed.
"Of course," she snorted. "Mother heard you'd finished dining and insisted I join you."
*
At Qiyun Hall, Lian Qiao retrieved a box of peony-scented facial oil, famous for its skin-whitening and beautifying qualities. Despite the young lady's natural beauty rendering it unnecessary, she gracefully offered it to Yunzhu before bowing and taking her leave.
The Duke, mindful of his "little wife's" comfort, stepped behind a privacy screen, stripped off his clothing, and washed away the lingering scent of alcohol. He then shut the doors and windows, ensuring a cozy, private atmosphere.
Reclining on the bed, Yunzhu heard the subtle sounds of his post-bath movements and glanced up. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of two stick-shaped bruises marking Cao Xun's arms and shoulders.
Sitting upright, she asked directly, "Did my brother do this to you?"
Cao Xun, with a casual smile, lowered his gaze and replied, "It's all part of martial arts tournaments. Nothing unusual."
He explained that he and Li Yao had exchanged fierce blows, each giving it their all. Their intense swordplay inevitably left marks, but Cao Xun's fair skin made the bruises more pronounced, and Li Yao's strength amplified their appearance.
Cao Xun added with a hint of humor, "Your brother is quite generousâI can't deny his kindness."
Yunzhu responded with calm candor, "It must be tiring to entertain him. But with his temperament, even if I wanted to intervene, I couldn't stop him."
Cao Xun smiled faintly at her impartiality.
Noticing his sunburned complexion, Yunzhu recoiled slightly, her tone laced with disdain. "You're all greasy. Later, apply some of that facial oil to your face and neck. You've barely been in the sun for an hour, but maybe some rest will help."
Cao Xun chuckled, brushing off the suggestion. "I'm a man; I don't need such things."
Yunzhu, unfazed, retorted sharply, "Well, I care. You're an eyesore."
Cao Xun was left momentarily speechless.
He reclined on the bed, exhausted from the day's intense competition and social obligations. Even as Yunzhu glanced at him, she couldn't resist a jab, her voice tinged with a touch of pride. "Seems my brother still outmatches you."
Her subtle smirk and the sparkle in her eyes revealed her unwavering loyalty to her brother. Cao Xun chuckled softly, letting the moment pass. It wasn't worth a debate. Instead, he closed his eyes, sinking into the comfort of the bed, utterly drained.
Placing the bottle of face cream firmly on his broad chest, Yunzhu said with a touch of authority, "You should put this on your face."
Cao Xun closed his eyes and mumbled, "I'm too tired for that."
Her repeated attempts to coax him met with no response. His breathing slowed, and the faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air.
Instead of feeling disgusted, Yunzhu softened. After all, he'd worked hard all day. With quiet resolve, she uncapped the cream, scooped some onto her fingers, and rubbed it between her palms before gently applying it to his face.
She couldn't help but think: once they were married, this man would be her husband. She wanted to take pride in his looks. If he didn't take care of himself, she'd be the first to criticize him.
Satisfied with his face, her hands moved to his neck. As her fingers brushed his Adam's apple, Cao Xun's eyes shot open.
Caught off guard, Yunzhu quipped, "Don't play dead. Turn around and let me get the back of your neck."
Without a word, Cao Xun turned to his side.
Her fingers paused when she noticed scratches across his back. Recalling her brother's earlier suggestion for Cao Xun to remove his robe, she frowned. "It's a good thing you didn't take off your robe during the martial arts match. Be more careful next time."
Cao Xun smirked. "Maybe you should go easier on me next time."
Yunzhu shot back with a sly smile, "Next time, we stick to our sides of the bed. Deal?"
He said nothing, and she returned to her task. Spreading the leftover cream onto his scarred back, she gently smoothed it out before sealing the bottle and lying down beside him.
But Cao Xun wasn't done. He leaned closer, aiming for a kiss.
Yunzhu froze. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Just one kiss," Cao Xun teased. "I swear I'll fall asleep right after."
She scoffed. "I'm not interested. You reek of wine."
Dinner earlier had been his undoing. When Li Yao had challenged him to drink, Cao Xun had been hesitant. "I've already embarrassed myself today," he'd admitted with a rueful smile. "I disrespected your father and mother earlier. Please forgive me, brother."
Li Yong and Meng exchanged sharp looks, clearly disapproving of their son's antics.
Li Yao had no choice but to drop the matter.
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