Chapter 30
A month into their marriage, Cao Xun found himself often embraced by his young wife, especially in the bedroom. She would hold him close, sometimes weeping or gently scratching him when her emotions overwhelmed her. Other times, she'd act like a playful child, lounging on the second couch and then clinging to him, asking to be carried to the inner room.
Her playful nature seemed so natural, as though she expected him to give in to her every whim without hesitation. And, to be fair, he never did refuse her. After all, these were small things that brought them both immense joy.
"I just wanted to hug you," she'd say.
Each time, Cao Xun couldn't help but smile, waiting for her to finish before responding.
The river lanterns drifted away, their soft glow lighting a path, almost like they were guiding lost souls.
Though the July night was comfortably warm, something in the stillness unsettled her.
The Ghost Festival, or Ghost Month, was approaching.
Cao Xun was about to hold her tighter when she suddenly asked, "At what age did you start remembering things?"
He paused for a moment, thinking. "Around three," he replied.
Yunzhu was surprised. "That early? I only remember things from when I was six or seven."
"Why do you ask?" Cao Xun gently inquired.
As she lay in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, she gazed at his profile in the moonlight and asked softly, "Since you started remembering, has anyone ever held you like this before?"
Cao Xun instantly understood the meaning behind her question.
He smiled, "I had a wet nurse."
Yunzhu realized her sympathy had been misplaced. A caring wet nurse was like a mother, and Cao Xun must have received plenty of care from hers. He shared it so calmly, so matter-of-factly, that she knew he wasnât someone who longed for that kind of affection anymore. He was a grown man, well into his thirties, past the point of needing the comforts of childhood.
Her arms, too short to wrap around his broad shoulders, made hugging him difficult. With a sigh, she pulled back and nestled into his lap, returning her gaze to the drifting lanterns.
Cao Xun playfully pinched her ear. "Were you feeling sorry for me just now?"
Yunzhu admitted with a grin, "A little, but now I see you donât need it."
"Indeed, my father is very good to me," Cao Xun replied, with a glint of fondness in his eyes.
Yunzhu had met his father before, remembering him as a commanding presence with fierce brows and intense eyes. But, being of the same generation as her grandfather, she never paid much attention to a man of his age.
Cao Xun, however, stood outâhis exceptional nature likely made the older man treat him with the same affection his grandfather showed his younger brother. After enjoying the river lanterns, they returned to the Duke's Mansion by carriage. The city offered little else on the Ghost Festival night, so there was nothing to keep them busy.
Even amidst the eerie festival atmosphere, Cao Xunâs vitality didnât wane. It wasnât until the second watch that Yunzhu finally gave in to sleep, no longer battling the warmth of his body. As she brushed against him, she pulled the quilt closer and drifted off.
Cao Xun, lying on his back in the darkness, had a piercing light in his eyes. Even at three, he was precocious, already understanding more than most children.
While other three-year-olds, whether cared for by mothers or wet nurses, clung to their caregivers, Cao Xun was different. He grew impatient with the wet nurse's advice and affection, resenting each one until his father gave up on them.
When Pan Shi entered the household at three, the wet nurses tried to win him over, but they were mere servants and never dared defy him when he showed displeasure. Pan Shi, eager to be a loving stepmother, sought to charm him with affection to win his fatherâs favor. But her efforts falteredâlittle Cao Xun resisted her embraces, and she eventually abandoned the attempt.
From that point on, as far as Cao Xun could remember, no one had ever embraced him like Yunzhu did tonight. But, truth be told, he didnât need it.
*
Cao Xun decided to stay in bed a little longer on the 16th, since there was no need to attend court. He planned to enjoy the morning with his beloved.
As dawn began to break, a guest arrived at Duke Dingguo's mansionâsomeone so important that even he demanded immediate attention.
The concierge quickly spread the word to the main courtyard, and Ah Jiu immediately sent a maid to inform Lian Qiao and Shiliu.
"Madam, wake up! The Duke is here!"
Yunzhu was about to scold Lian Qiao for disturbing her precious sleep when the words "the Duke" snapped her wide awake. Despite several Dukes in the capital, including one by her side, hearing "the Duke" made her think of her father first.
She glanced at Cao Xun, who was already getting out of bed. "What time is it?"
Cao Xun checked the timepiece, frowned, and replied, "It's three in the morning."
At this hour, most people were still asleep. If her father was visiting at this time, it could only mean something urgent.
Yunzhu quickly threw on her coat, not bothering to comb her hair, and hurried after Cao Xun to the front hall to meet her father.
The mansion was still quiet, with only Zhang Tai and Ah Jiu standing guard in the front hall. Cao Xun acknowledged them and led Yunzhu inside.
Father and daughter exchanged a look. Her father's dark brocade robe was stained with dirt, and his boots showed signs of a long journey.
Cao Xun thought, Has Father-in-law just arrived in the city?
Li Yongâs face was grim. He briefly glanced at his daughter before handing a freshly written document to Cao Xun. "Deploy a hundred men to secure this location immediately. Keep it quietâno alerting the target. Capture everyone involved, and ensure no one can commit suicide or destroy any evidence. Once youâve completed this, Iâll go to the palace to meet with the Emperor."
Without asking more questions, Cao Xun examined the paper and left swiftly.
Yunzhu, anxious, asked, "Father, whatâs going on?"
Li Yong, trying to ease his daughterâs worry, answered, "There are wrongdoings, some protected by those in power. But I trust Fushan. He's handling the perpetrator, and then Iâll meet with the Emperor. Thereâs no need to worry about leaks or evidence being destroyed. Iâll go to the palace with him. You stay calm."
His pace was so quick that Yunzhu struggled to keep up with him to the door.
Back in the rear quarters, Yunzhu managed to collect herself.
Her father had uncovered evidence of someone else's wrongdoing, and everyone at Duke Ningguo's residence was handling the matter with meticulous care, leaving no reason for concern.
At Ningguo Dukeâs Mansion, Meng shi had barely slept the entire night.
Her husband had expressed his intention to bring the culprits to justice, spending multiple nights outside to gather clues and monitor suspicious individuals. But last night was different. Despite her usual skepticism of the supernatural, she couldnât find him. Her anxiety grew as she remembered he had only mentioned taking a stroll the night before and hadnât dressed formally. Unless heâd overindulged in wine, something must have gone wrong.
Unable to sleep, she went to the front courtyard early to wait for him.
Li Yao, about to leave for the palace, noticed his motherâs distress and tried to ease her concerns. "Father is a skilled martial artist. If he runs into any trouble, theyâll regret it. You need not worry."
Meng shi shook her head. "He may be skilled, but what if he faces a group of criminals?"
Li Yao responded confidently, "Those criminals are bold, but theyâve dared to cause chaos right under the Emperor's nose."
"Fine, fine, go on then. Stop bothering me," Meng shi dismissed him, exasperated.
Li Yao fell silent and left on his own.
As he passed through an intersection, a horse suddenly appeared from the right, startling his own mount. Li Yao was about to scold the rider when he froze in shock. "Father?"
Unfazed by his son's presence, Li Yong continued riding on the horse borrowed from his son-in-lawâs family.
Li Yao quickly followed, his brow furrowed, and demanded, "Have you truly been wronged? Who is responsible? Iâll seek justice for you!"
Li Yong ignored him completely.
Outside the imperial city, palace officials rushed to deliver news of Li Yongâs request to see the Emperor.
Emperor Yuan Qing, who had been sleeping soundly, was informed of Li Yong's long-awaited audience. He yawned and sat up. "Summon him."
A short while later, Li Yong entered the emperor's palace alone.
Emperor Yuan Qing was still lounging on the grand throne when a sleek black cat with piercing green eyes jumped down, circled Li Yong, and wandered off with casual indifference.
Seeing Li Yongâs agitation, Emperor Yuan Qing was immediately alert. âWhat have you stumbled upon now?â
Fury boiled in Li Yongâs veins as the memories of the previous nightâs horrors surged. His temples throbbed as he snapped, âYour Majesty, corrupt officials in the capital are conspiring to rape and murder innocent girls. You must investigate this immediately!â
The emperorâs lazy demeanor vanished as he straightened, his expression turning serious. âTell me everything youâve uncovered.â
Li Yong, his resolve steely, recounted his findings without hesitation. He had been tracking fugitives for months, and during the lunar New Year, the city curfew had been lifted. Heâd intended to take a stroll but had spotted two menâone particularly shifty-eyedâwatching young girls in the city center.
At first, he suspected they were human traffickers, so he secretly followed them to protect the girls.
But after half an hour of tailing them, the two men gave up when they couldnât find a suitable victim. They retreated to a dark alley, where they complained bitterly about their misfortune. They also spoke disdainfully of the officials who took advantage of young beauties theyâd acquired for their own pleasure.
It was then that Li Yong realized something much darker was happening. He spent the night trailing them outside the city, eventually finding the villa the men had mentioned. Stealthily entering, he discovered a room full of young girls, awaiting their fate. He overheard conversations among men discussing their sordid plansâ¦
If it had been the old Li Yong, he would have charged in recklessly. But having learned the consequences of impulsiveness, he restrained his anger and watched from the shadows as the menâmaskedâleft the villa, scattering into the night.
With no way to return before the city gates closed, Li Yong decided to investigate the villa further, planning to return at dawn.
When Li Yong told the emperor that he had sent Cao Xun to secure the villa before visiting the palace, Emperor Yuan Qing smirked. âWell done. If youâve uncovered this, why hasnât the Jinyiwei reported anything? Looks like these criminals have their grip on the inside.â
The emperor then bent down, barefoot, picked up a dragon-patterned jade pendant from the floor, and handed it to Li Yong. âI leave this case in your hands. Investigate thoroughly, no matter what it takes. Let no one slip through your grasp!â
âAny official who would harm the weak and the innocent is no longer human. They donât deserve to be called officials.â
------TN:
In Chinese ancient culture, é¦è¡£å« (JÇnyÄ«wèi) literally translates to "brocade-clad guard" and refers to the imperial secret police that served the emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). They were known for their distinctive crimson attire and held immense power during their existence.