Chapter 27: C27. I Won't Marry Him!

Chapter 27

When Cao Xun returned to the back house, he found his young lady lounging on the bed, already in her undergarments.

He lifted the curtain with a playful smirk. "Aren't you in the mood for another round?" he teased.

Yunzhu shot him a disapproving look. In public, he was the picture of politeness and composure, but behind closed doors, he didn’t hesitate to act in the most ridiculous ways.

After lowering the curtain, Cao Xun moved to the clothes rack, shedding his attire.

Yunzhu lay on her side, watching him through the sheer veil, silently waiting for him to speak.

When Cao Shao arrived, it was clear something important was about to unfold.

Cao Xun, ever the composed one, casually explained, "My second brother is considering marriage. He came to tell me the lady he has his eye on is someone you know well—Marquis Changxing's daughter, Wenying."

He spoke of Xie Wenying with the same casual tone he used when mentioning Gu Min, like an elder referring to a younger.

Yunzhu paid little attention to the detail. The moment he finished speaking, however, something in her eyes froze, and a deep emptiness took hold of her heart.

Words failed her in that instant.

But it didn’t matter—her face gave it all away. Even a fake smile wouldn’t escape Cao Xun’s sharp gaze. So, when he approached again, she instinctively turned away.

He sat beside her, leaned in, and noticed she was staring blankly at the bed frame, her face betraying no emotion.

With a tender touch, he brushed her soft hair aside and whispered, "If you need to cry, just do it. I understand."

Yunzhu had no intention of crying, yet when he spoke those words, the tears came without warning.

Was it really worth her tears for Cao Shao?

Frustrated with herself and him for making her cry, she abruptly sat up and slapped his hand away. "Who said anything about crying? Stop talking nonsense."

Cao Xun silently offered her a handkerchief, watching the tears cling to her cheeks.

Yunzhu snatched the handkerchief and flung it beyond the canopy. The delicate silk drifted down gently, failing to have the dramatic impact of shattering something.

Clenching her teeth, she turned away and reclined again.

Cao Xun leaned in, noticing the spark in her eyes. She wasn’t planning on crying out loud. He settled beside her, glancing up at the ceiling as he spoke, “If something’s bothering you, you should say it. Bottling it up will only hurt you. And about the rest, I already know about your past with him, so there's no need to worry.”

Yunzhu felt nothing but disheartened.

She understood that despite Cao Shao's regrets over the marriage, it was still Pan's wish. Cao Shao still loved her, and his words and tenderness over the years had been sincere. The time spent as childhood sweethearts wasn’t meaningless.

But now, after less than a month of marriage to Cao Xun, Cao Shao was already pushing for a divorce, ready to cut her off entirely.

So what had all his affection meant?

Hadn’t she, in her pride, believed she’d captured Cao Shao’s heart, only to end up a joke?

She could be cruel to Cao Shao, but she couldn’t stomach the thought that his declarations of love were just a lie.

She didn’t want him to long for her forever, but just a few days ago, he had looked at her with aching eyes, and now, he was already thinking of marrying someone else. Had his feelings shifted so quickly?

“Men are heartless,” Yunzhu muttered bitterly.

Cao Xun gave her a knowing look and replied, “You seem to treat him the same way.”

Yunzhu shot back, “What’s the difference? He’s the one who always came after me. He kept saying he liked me. I only entertained him because I thought he was the right match, but I never promised him anything. His persistence is just over the top.”

If you’re cruel, there’s no room for affection. Yunzhu had no time for lies—she prided herself on being direct.

As for Cao Shao, his love wasn’t as deep as he made it seem. He pretended to be more devoted than gold, trying to win her over, but that was a mistake.

Cao Xun smirked. “You talk about being tough, but deep down, you still care for him.”

When Pan shi first ended the engagement, Yunzhu had been more concerned about her reputation than anything else. Aware of Cao Shao’s affection, she’d set out to find a better suitor to save face.

Now, married, she not only had her husband’s favor, but still held a special place in her former lover’s heart. Her vanity was fully satisfied, and she reveled in it.

Tonight, the young woman's quiet affection takes flight—her choice, her will, untouched by coercion. Yet, true loss strikes her only when she truly feels it, when the tears begin to fall.

But those tears don’t last long. Her heart wasn’t deeply entwined, and soon they dry, replaced by frustration and anger toward her “fickle lover.”

“I didn’t care for him enough. If my feelings were real, he wouldn’t have won me over so easily!” Yunzhu countered sharply.

Cao Xun smirked and replied, “Then why waste anger on him? If you don’t care, let him marry whomever he wants.”

Her eyes burned as she retorted, “If someone deceived you for years, would you not feel angry too?”

Cao Xun, ever composed, said, “Perhaps he didn’t deceive you. People must keep moving forward. He has his burdens, ones that don’t always allow for choice.”

Yunzhu laughed bitterly. “A fine brother you are, indeed.”

“I’m just speaking the truth,” Cao Xun replied coolly.

Yunzhu’s hands tightened on the brocade beneath her.

Then, his tone shifted, softer but cutting. “My brother may not be cruel, but he is naïve. I didn’t realize he almost harmed you tonight.”

She turned, wary. “What do you mean?”

Cao Xun’s gaze didn’t waver. “Here we are, newlyweds, and yet you cry over his marriage. If I were less generous, I might wonder if I made the wrong choice.”

Yunzhu froze, her thoughts tangled.

Cao Xun, closing his eyes, found her hand with his own and gave it a reassuring pat. “Don’t worry. I’m not a prime minister with endless wisdom or power, but I’m generous where it counts.”

She had no words to offer.

After a pause, he glanced at her and mused, “If we ever have a daughter, we must teach her this: when choosing a husband, it’s not just about background, appearance, character, or talent. He must also be attentive and careful. A careless man, even with the best intentions, can bring harm.”

Yunzhu: ...

*

Cao Xun wouldn't have needed to rise so early if not for the morning court appointment with the Emperor.

Mindful of the young lady's sour mood the night before, he chose to make amends in the early hours.

Duke Dingguo had been in high spirits for days, and Yunzhu found herself struggling to keep pace.

Sweeping aside her messy hair, Cao Xun pressed a soft kiss to her earlobe. "Such a strong-willed temperament," he murmured, "but now, you're fragile."

Yunzhu's cheeks burned, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her parted lips quivered, unable to form a single coherent word.

For now, Cao Xun let her go. He’d wait until evening, giving her time to adjust.

Dressed in his formal robes, he sat by her side, noticing her languid position had barely shifted. Smiling, he brushed the back of his hand against her warm cheek. "Do you regret choosing me?"

Yunzhu shut her eyes, pretending to sleep.

His tone turned direct. "Madam wants to propose marriage to the Marquis Mansion, but their stance remains unclear. Until it's settled, keep this between us. No word to anyone."

Irritated by his persistence, Yunzhu nearly forgot the matter but finally shot him a sidelong glance. "From your tone, do you have any expectations?"

Cao Xun shrugged. "I don’t know. It's best to stay cautious in speech and action."

Uninterested in dragging out the conversation, Yunzhu waved him off. "Understood. Now, leave quickly."

With a gentle pat on her head, he finally left.

Half an hour of rest left Yunzhu refreshed. She dressed, had breakfast, and was preparing to summon the manager when Lady Pan arrived unannounced.

This morning, Lady Pan appeared unusually youthful, radiating confidence.

Feigning confusion, Yunzhu smiled. "Mother, you look especially vibrant today. Is there something worth celebrating?"

With only Nanny Fang and Lian Qiao in tow, Lady Pan grinned brightly. "Shao'er is considering marriage."

Her tone, brimming with triumph, seemed to taunt: Little fox, did you think you could ensnare my son? Let me tell you—he's let you go!

Yunzhu's expression shifted subtly, as though the news were entirely new to her. She replied cheerfully, "Oh? Then congratulations to you and my second brother! I'm curious—who is the lucky young lady you've chosen as my new sister?"

Pan Shi scrutinized Yunzhu closely, noting the young woman’s complete lack of disappointment or sadness. Fury surged through her as she became convinced—this clever girl was simply playing with Shao’er’s feelings, showing no genuine emotion at all.

Determined to make her point, Pan Shi showered Xie Wenying with praise, applauded Xie Zhen's military triumphs on the frontier, and slyly dismissed Li Yong's merits.

Yunzhu, calm and composed, took a sip of her tea, a faint smile on her lips. Once Pan Shi finished her glowing speech, Yunzhu replied casually, "You're absolutely right. It’s a fine match. Go ahead and arrange the proposal, Mother. I'll be waiting for the good news at home."

What did it matter if Cao Shao married Xie Wenying?

She already had a better match in Cao Xun. Even if Cao Shao married a goddess, it wouldn’t change the fact that he could never compare to Cao Xun.

*

On a crisp day, Pan Shi chose her moment wisely, arranging a meeting with the Madam of Marquis Changxing—Xie Wenying’s mother—to pay respects at the temple. During the visit, she made her intentions clear: she wanted Chao Shao to marry the daughter of the Xie family.

The Madam, ever composed, smiled politely and promised to discuss the matter with her husband.

But for Pan Shi, this wasn’t ideal. If Cao Shao hadn’t been entangled with Yunzhu, she might have embraced the idea of this marriage. The situation, however, was far from perfect.

Despite Cao Shao’s status as the Crown Prince’s uncle and his notable talents, the Madam couldn’t ignore a nagging sense of regret.

Marquis Xie Zhen, however, was blunt. “If a man can’t even decide on his own marriage, I won’t accept him as a son-in-law.”

He had no patience for Pan Shi’s scheming or Cao Shao’s lack of backbone.

The Madam, in a more measured tone, suggested, “Shouldn’t we at least consider our daughter’s feelings? Perhaps she’s open to it.”

After all, few unmarried men in the capital could rival Cao Shao’s charm and good looks.

They summoned Xie Wenying.

Her reaction was swift and unyielding. With her delicate brows knitting into a frown, she declared, “Everyone in the capital knows where his affections lies. I won’t marry him.”

Her voice sharpened, carrying her disdain. “Even if every honorable man in the world were gone, I’d rather stay single than marry someone who repels me.”

Her father laughed heartily. “Now that’s the spirit of a true Xie daughter—unyielding and resolute!”

Xie Wenying shot her mother a look of quiet frustration before turning on her heel and leaving.

The Madam sighed, pressing her temples. She shot her husband a glare. “You and your daughter dismiss these proposals so easily, but I’m the one left to smooth things over. They have an Empress in the family now—what if they lodge a complaint at court? What then?”

The Marquis was unfazed. “Let her complain. Even the Emperor can’t force me to marry off my daughter unless he finds someone truly worthy of her.”

The Madam stared at him, exasperated.

My dear Marquis, you truly live without fear of loose tongues!