Chapter 24
The room was steeped in absolute darkness, a veil that wrapped itself around the bed.
Yunzhu wept quietly, cradled in Cao Xun's strong, protective arms.
Three days into married life, Yunzhu had started to decipher the complexities of Cao Xun's nature. By daylight, he was virtuous, his gentle actions mirroring his warm demeanor. In good spirits, he was attentive, catering to her every whim without hesitation. But when night fell, he transformed-his presence grew commanding, his dominance undeniable.
"Perhaps all newlyweds are like this," she told herself, seeking solace in comparison.
Even in their harmony, Yunzhu held her ground. If his behavior pushed her to the edge, she resolved to sleep in a separate room. But his words-"There's no one like you"-tied her in knots. As a new bride, she lacked the experience to challenge him, yet she clung to the belief that moderation was key. "You should learn restraint," she warned.
In the pitch black, Cao Xun's voice curled around her like a flame. "If a man awakens to desire at thirteen, I've been waiting for seventeen years."
Yunzhu fired back, "What a shameless thing to say!"
Cao Xun leaned in closer, his tone daring. "Say that again."
But before her retort could leave her lips, the thirty-year-old silenced her protests with a searing kiss, cutting off her every curse, cry, or plea.
*
The radiant summer sun streamed through the delicate Gaoli window paper, its warmth dimmed by the intricate tapestry screen. Only faint traces of light reached the scarlet wedding bed, shrouded in shadows.
Yunzhu stirred awake to the insistent chorus of cicadas.
Her eyes fluttered open, revealing her nestled figure in the rumpled red silk quilt. Tangled bedding barely draped over her, leaving her modesty to chance. She lay alone in the vast expanse of the bed.
Her gaze drifted to the screen beyond, memories of Cao Xun's early departure flashing in her mind. His wedding leave had ended, and duty at the Governor's Mansion had called. Yet, the words he had whispered before leaving slipped through her memory. At the time, she had been too sleepy to care, likely murmuring for him to hurry and let her rest.
As she moved, a sharp pang of hunger brought her focus back to her body. She touched her flat belly and, unbidden, thoughts of Cao Xun's prowess surfaced.
Though Yunzhu had no other men to compare, she was certain that if Cao Xun set the standard, others would falter miserably. She vacillated between pride in her husband's excellence and a quiet exasperation at his relentless vigor.
Sitting up languidly, she reached for the neatly folded underclothes by the bedside. She chuckled to herself, imagining how Lian Qiao and Shiliu must have seen her-disheveled, sprawled, and marked by last night's fervor. There was little use pretending otherwise.
A quick ring of the bell summoned her maids, who arrived promptly, one carrying a basin. With a cheeky grin, one teased, "Madam, you've truly outdone yourself this time-slept for a full three-quarters of an hour!"
Yunzhu rinsed her mouth, then sipped warm water to soothe her throat. "When did the Duke leave?" she asked, her voice steady.
Lian Qiao replied, "There was a court assembly today, so he rose before dawn. He only grabbed a quick bite before heading out."
Yunzhu let out a soft laugh, amused. Even with such an early start, he'd come to her twice in the night. The thought of him dozing off in court made her smile. Yet, he'd had the sense to pace himself, sparing them both from undue exhaustion or whispers.
By the time she finally emerged, the morning sun bathed the mansion in light. Duke Ningguo's residence buzzed with little activity, leaving Yunzhu to her thoughts as she encountered only a few stewards in passing.
"Bring me the dowry list," she instructed, her tone firm but calm.
"Yes, Madam," came the immediate reply.
Settling onto the couch by the window in her second chamber, Yunzhu basked in the sunlight and the cool breeze wafting from the ice bowl nearby.
From a young age, her parents had meticulously arranged her dowry, ensuring she was well-acquainted with the stewards managing estates and businesses across multiple locations. The Ningguo family, with over two centuries of accumulated wealth, stood as one of the wealthiest in the capital. Yunzhu's dowry alone rivaled the fortunes of several smaller, well-known families.
Her mother had taught her the art of managing these assets. While her maiden years required little involvement, as a married woman, she now bore full responsibility for her dowry. Yunzhu debated whether to rely solely on her maternal family's wealth or let her own holdings flourish under her management. Ultimately, her fortune would reflect her own skills and decisions.
Marriage marked a shift for Yunzhu. Her days would be busier than ever-not wasted on tedious social events or petty rivalries with concubines, as was the case for women with modest dowries-but fully consumed by her substantial responsibilities.
As Lian Qiao refreshed the tea, she noticed her mistress sigh heavily. With curiosity, she asked, "What's on your mind?"
Yunzhu smiled faintly, shaking her head before pointing to two entries on the list. "These two gardens weren't there when my mother first showed me. They must have been added later."
Lian Qiao examined the list and found the new additions: two vast gardens, one in Yangzhou and the other in the old capital of Nanjing, together spanning one hundred hectares of fertile land.
One hectare equals one hundred acres, making the total land a staggering ten thousand acres. In the prosperous Jiangnan region, such fertile land was worth seventy to eighty thousand taels of silver. Lian Qiao guessed these properties were part of the family estate amassed generations ago, likely by the first Duke Ningguo.
The noble service of establishing a country referred to those who had stood beside the founding emperor, earning their titles through loyalty and remarkable achievements. Such honors placed individuals with foreign surnames on equal footing with imperial nobility.
Yet history is fraught with cautionary tales. Noble families often fell from grace, losing wealth, power, and even their lives. Some succumbed to treason, their legacies wiped out by the throne. Others faded due to the ineptitude of their heirs, their family names consigned to oblivion.
The wealth and status of Duke Ningguo's mansion endure thanks to more than just the steadfast loyalty of its leaders, who earned the trust of the Imperial family. It's also the unparalleled talent of the Li family heirs, whose brilliance silences envy from rival families.
"Master Duke is lucky to have you as his bride," Lian Qiao said earnestly.
Yunzhu smiled faintly. "Lucky? Hardly. He doesn't even care about my dowry."
The truth? Cao Xun's real fortune is marrying her. She's breathtakingly beautiful, a vision that brightens his world. That's the joy he truly savors.
Just then, Shiliu stepped in. "Madam, Miss Yurong has arrived."
As the guest entered, Yunzhu instructed Lian Qiao to stow away the dowry list.
Sun Yurong strode in briskly, clearly expecting Yunzhu to greet her outside. Leaning lightly against the ice mirror, she sighed, "It's sweltering today. If not for seeing you, I'd never have left the house."
Melon and fruit cakes were brought to the red sandalwood Kang table. Yunzhu, seating herself gracefully, asked with quiet curiosity, "What brings you here today?"
Sun Yurong sat across from her with an easy smile. "Nothing too serious. We haven't seen you since the wedding, and I came to check on you."
Yunzhu answered her questions as best she could.
But then Sun Yurong pried deeper. "So, how's the Duke treating you? Better or worse than Cao Shao?"
Yunzhu's tone turned sharp. "Let's not rehash the past. He's my husband now. Keep this idle chatter up, and you'll damage my reputation."
Still, her thoughts wandered. She couldn't help comparing Cao Xun and Cao Shao. The difference was stark.
For all of Cao Shao's later faults, his affection had been genuine. His gaze held endless longing, his smiles lit with boyish excitement when she returned his warmth. Ignoring him left him restless and desperate.
Cao Xun? He treated her like a cherished doll. Indulgent, yes, but only within his boundaries. Push too hard, and his charm turned to unyielding steel. Her smile might earn his fleeting admiration, her tears only a shallow claim of concern.
And the rest? Pure lust.
Yunzhu wasn't naive. She knew his passion didn't stem from love, just as she didn't draw near him for his prowess.
But feelings? No.
Not for this composed, calculating man of thirty.
The stirrings of her heart still belonged to the fox she had known half a year before.
*
In the late afternoon, Yunzhu took a short break before heading to her study, where she compiled a list of stewards to meet in the coming days. Those based in the capital could be summoned at her leisure, while others in outlying areas required careful planning to coordinate.
As evening fell, a refreshing breeze finally swept through the courtyard, chasing away the day's lingering heat. Joined by Lian Quan, Yunzhu strolled through the serene gardens of Duke Dingguo's residence, a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the day.
The estate, a generous gift from the emperor, rivaled the grandeur of Duke Ningguo's mansion. Wandering past a tranquil lake, Yunzhu's gaze fell on a cluster of water lilies scattered across the surface. Unlike the graceful beauty of lotus flowers, these blooms were lackluster, their once-white petals thick and muted.
Yunzhu and Cao Shao had been childhood sweethearts, and she had visited Duke Dingguo's mansion for as long as she could remember. Back then, Pan Shi had welcomed her warmly, treating her like his own daughter. Few knew that Pan Shi harbored a quiet disdain for lotus flowers, prompting him to replace the elegant blooms with these humbler water lilies.
After a brief pause to admire the scene, Yunzhu continued her unhurried walk.
Meanwhile, Cao Xun returned at a perfectly timed hour. After freshening up in the front courtyard, he learned that Yunzhu was still enjoying the gardens. Judging from the darkening sky, he guessed she would be back soon. Settling onto a nearby couch, he leaned back, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to rest.
Cao Xun's position as Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army placed him among the nation's military elite, second only to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army.
During the early Xia Dynasty, the Grand Governor held both military and political authority. But as the dynasty matured, reforms fragmented that power, creating the Five Military Governors' Office and the Ministry of War. Over centuries, the Ministry of War steadily grew in influence, outmaneuvering military leaders in public and private struggles. Civilian officials now dominated, often dictating strategies from afar.
Cao Xun had played a pivotal role in reclaiming Jiuzhou, a campaign supported by Emperor Yuan Qing. At the time, the Ministry of War had cooperated smoothly. But with Jiuzhou secured, the generals' importance waned, and the Ministry of War tightened its grip.
Reflecting on this shift, Cao Xun gazed out of the window, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The courtyard stirred with signs of movement-Yunzhu had returned from her garden stroll.
As soon as she stepped inside, Cao Xun shifted his posture, his eyes catching her flushed cheeks and the faint sheen of perspiration. With casual curiosity, he asked, "What kept you wandering so long?"
Yunzhu, having walked quite a distance, felt a dull ache in her feet. She slipped off her embroidered shoes and started toward the couch, but before she could take another step, strong hands seized her waist, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Her cheeks warmed, and she instinctively glanced at Lian Qiao.
The maid, ever meticulous, carefully placed the discarded shoes on the table. When she turned back, her eyes widened at the sight of her masters locked in a passionate embrace. Flustered, she quickly dropped her gaze and hurried out, her face burning with embarrassment.
Once the door closed, Yunzhu shot Cao Xun a reproachful look. "Do you have no restraint in front of the servants?"
He smirked. "The Duke's Mansion is mine to command. Must I tiptoe around because of a maid?"
Yunzhu paused, then arched a brow. "What's mine is yours, isn't it?"
Meeting her pointed gaze, Cao Xun didn't waver. "Always."
Letting the argument drop, Yunzhu smiled faintly. "I walked through the entire garden today. Some parts don't suit my taste-I'd like them changed."
His fingers tightened around hers, his tone encouraging. "Tell me exactly what you want."
After hearing her suggestions, Cao Xun nodded. "Excellent ideas. Honestly, water lilies don't hold a candle to the refined beauty of lotuses."