Chapter 37
The official residences for the accompanying officials in Nanyuan are snugly nestled beside the palace. As you step into the courtyard, the eliteânobles and senior officialsâare treated to the luxury of an entire courtyard to themselves. Meanwhile, the lesser-ranking officials, often traveling solo, find themselves bunking up with colleagues in shared quarters.
Before leaving Beijing, Cao Xun caught wind of some juicy details about the upcoming accommodations. Their soon-to-be neighbors? On one side, his father-in-law's family, and on the other, the Sun family, tied to the Duke of Qi. It was the kind of intel you could easily acquire by greasing the right palms.
The crafty officials arranging these accommodations didnât just randomly shuffle people around; they had an eye for matchmaking, placing those with close ties conveniently next to each other. So, it was no shocker that the powerful Li and Cao families would end up as neighbors.
As for the Suns, though their status was modest, Emperor Yuan Qing still gave them face, respecting the dwindling number of noble founding families. He may host them and show courtesy, but when it came to actual appointments, merit ruled the day.
When Yunzhu finally arrived at Nanyuan, she hadnât even gotten around to visiting her motherâs quarters to the left before Sun Yurong, her fiery neighbor from the right, burst onto the scene.
"Your mother-in-law isnât here?" Sun Yurongâs sharp eyes darted around the small yet well-equipped courtyard, clearly taking stock of the side and wing rooms. Her tone carried an edge of disbelief.
Yunzhu met her gaze with a sly smile. "Why, were you hoping to run into her? Disappointed, are you?"
Though Cao Xun prided himself on keeping up appearances, his respect for Pan Shi, his so-called "legitimate" mother-in-law, was purely for show. Pan Shi had a knack for stirring trouble, often making Yunzhu her target. But Yunzhu and Cao Xun, bound by filial piety, endured her antics with gritted teeth. Still, Pan Shi wasnât blind. She knew better than to overstay her welcome and had politely declined the trip, claiming age as her excuse.
Sun Yurong chuckled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, well, the Imperial Uncle really pampers you. No meddling mother-in-law to deal with, huh? So, if sheâs out of the picture, does that mean Cao Shao will be playing house with you and your husband?"
Her smirk was almost mocking, her tone careless.
Yunzhu shot her a knowing look and replied smoothly, "Heâs shacked up with his Hanlin Academy colleagues."
Feigning sympathy, Sun Yurong teased, "Oh, poor thing. At least with him out of the way, you wonât have to deal with his jealous fits."
Yunzhu nudged her playfully, her tone shifting to match the banter. "Alright, enough about me. I heard the Emperorâs considering a wife for the eldest prince. Feeling tempted?"
With a dramatic gesture, Sun Yurong pointed to her face. "Tempted? Sure. But what good is that? Do you think the eldest prince would even glance my way?"
No matter how unimpressive the eldest prince might be, heâs still a princeâand princes and grandsons command attention. Their marriages come with coveted royal titles, drawing fierce competition among noble and politically poised women. As a noble princess herself, Sun Yurong knows the stakes, but deep down, she doubts her own chances.
Still, she speculated with a casual air, âIf you ask me, itâs going to be Gu Min or Xie Wenying.â
Yunzhu, however, wasnât so sure. She found it hard to believe Emperor Yuan Qing would settle for either of them. The eldest prince had his eyes set on alliances beyond the imperial court.
Why would he tie himself to the chief minister or a general from the capital?
Ironically, someone like Sun Yurongâlacking status but untethered to the halls of powerâmight just be the wildcard. She might have more hope than she allowed herself to believe.
*
Cao Xun spent his days wrapped around Emperor Yuan Qing's little finger, and Yunzhu didnât waste a breath caring. Let the other women scurry for scrapsâNanyuan was a playground bursting with distractions, and Yunzhu had better plans. Dragging Sun Yurong along, she declared with a carefree grin, âToday, weâre heading to the zoo to ogle elephants, lions, and peacocks. Tomorrow? Weâll hit the lake for a little boating and maybe reel in some fish.â
But as carefree as she seemed, Yunzhu couldnât completely dodge her responsibilities as the palace hostess. Whenever Empress Cao decided to host one of her elegant flower banquets or refined tea parties, Yunzhu had to show up, all smiles and obedient charm.
One day, however, Empress Cao threw her for a loop by inviting her to an intimate lunch.
When Yunzhu arrived, the so-called private gathering turned out to be bustling with activity. The room was lively with every significant face presentâexcept for the eldest prince, who had already taken a concubine. The guest list included the Crown Prince, the second Prince, and the charming little Princess Yiâan.
Of course, only the Crown Prince was Empress Caoâs biological childâa striking boy of eleven who looked uncannily like Panâs grandson. The second Prince, born to Concubine Shu, was technically Yunzhuâs nephew by marriage, though his motherâs position set him a step below the Crown Prince. And then there was Princess Yiâan, a delightful nine-year-old currently under Empress Caoâs care, since her own mother wasnât around.
Yunzhu, ever the diplomat, glided into the room with a graceful smile, greeting everyone warmly as she assessed the crowd.
Empress Caoâs lips curved into a playful smile as she purred, âThereâs no need for all that formality, sister-in-law. Weâre just family enjoying a casual meal.â Her teasing tone clung to the words âsister-in-law,â leaving Yunzhu slightly flustered yet oddly entertained by the subtle power play.
The Empress gestured for Yunzhu to sit beside her and then instructed the three children to address Yunzhu as âaunt.â
The second Prince, a serious thirteen-year-old, complied with stiff politeness, while the Crown Prince hesitated, his gaze flickering nervously toward Yunzhu before he dropped his eyes. She read the unease in his body language. Yunzhu understood the awkwardnessâshe wasnât just his aunt; she was also the sister of Li Xian, a man the Crown Prince had once openly loathed. Some truths were better left unspoken, and Yunzhu, perceptive as ever, chose to spare him further discomfort. After all, not every young heart can mask its feelings behind a flawless facade.
Then there was Princess Yiâan, the life of the roomâa nine-year-old bundle of irresistible charm who effortlessly lit up the atmosphere. Wherever she went, smiles followed, and Yunzhu couldnât help but be enchanted by her joyful innocence.
Once the stiff formalities of the ceremony were finally over, it was time to indulge in the feast.
The Crown Prince, despite his initial resistance to Yunzhu as Li Xianâs sister, couldnât help but be captivated by her breathtaking beauty. She wasnât someone you ignoredânot even in a palace brimming with elegance and refinement.
At just eleven years old, the Crown Princeâs fascination was innocent, untouched by adult cravings, but the pull of Yunzhuâs ethereal allure was undeniable. Even then, he was drawn to herâa rare jewel among common stones.
After the lavish banquet wound down, the Crown Princeâs so-called âauntâ called him over with a syrupy affection.
Yunzhu, ever the picture of grace, kept her serene facade intact. Inside, though, she had her doubts. Would this young royal grow into a man ruled by lust, letting old grudges melt away at the mere sight of her? It wouldnât surprise her if he did.
âAlright, you three can go rest. Iâll have a word with your aunt,â Empress Cao said smoothly, dismissing the children with a polished smile.
Once the room cleared, the Empress turned her attention to Yunzhu. With a wave of her hand, she sent away the lingering palace maids, her tone softening as she spoke. âA lot has happened in the capital this year, and weâve hardly had a chance to talk. Donât forget, I was the one most eager to see you and Brother Shao together, wasnât I?â
Yunzhuâs posture stiffened, her eyes darting to the window, her voice barely above a whisper. âYour Majesty, your kindness hasnât gone unnoticed. But Iâm married now, bound to my husband. Please, let the past stay buried.â
Empress Cao took her hand with a tender sigh. âYouâre rightâwhatâs done is done. Thankfully, youâve married into the Cao family, so we remain connected. If my mother ever causes you trouble, donât hesitate to tell me. Iâll do whatever I can to protect you, even if I canât entirely change her ways.â
âYour Majesty is generous with her words,â Yunzhu replied cautiously, âbut your mother has never treated me poorly.â
The truth lingered unspoken: it wasnât that Pan shi didnât care to helpâit was that she simply couldnât.
The Empress smiled knowingly, choosing not to press further. Instead, she gifted Yunzhu a pair of elegant pearl hairpins, the kind of token that carried both weight and subtlety.
Yunzhu accepted the gift with poised gratitude, her thanks polished but measured. With that, she made her departure, leaving behind the carefully orchestrated web of palace intrigue.
*
When Cao Xun returned home that evening, he found the young lady reclining casually on the couch in the second room, her delicate fingers caressing an intricately crafted pearl hairpin. Her gaze lingered on it, a spark of admiration dancing in her eyes. A brocade box lay open before her, brimming with more pearl hairpins, one of which seemed to bear the unmistakable aura of a gift.
With an arched brow and a teasing smirk, Cao Xun asked, "A gift from the Empress?"
Yunzhu glanced up, her voice soft but playful. "Yes. She invited me for lunch earlier today. Your nieces and nephews were there too."
Cao Xunâs lips curled into an indulgent smile. He said nothing more and disappeared to take a bath.
Later, freshly bathed and dressed in his relaxed attire, he joined her again. Picking up one of the hairpins, he leaned in close, the heat of his presence brushing against her. His fingers found her thick, jet-black hair, slipping the pearl accessory into place with deliberate precision. "Pearls have a refined charm that outshines gold and silver," he murmured, his voice low, "but itâs you who makes any jewel come alive."
Yunzhu, not one to resist, slid onto his lap, her arms curling around his neck like a lover's embrace. Her voice dropped to an intimate whisper. "The Empress holds you in high regard. She was very kind to me today. She even hinted that if your elder madam ever gave me grief, Iâd have her support. Does this mean your brother and sister share a good relationship?"
Cao Xun, ever composed, smiled faintly. "My father was a hard man, strict to the bone. I wasnât like your brother, always doting on my sisters. Distance grew naturally."
Yunzhu tilted her head, processing his words. She understood that while there was respect between him and Empress Cao, they werenât the type to share childhood closeness. After all, they werenât raised by the same mother.
Breaking the moment, Cao Xun shifted gears, his tone casual but meaningful. "Thereâs a hunting competition tomorrow. Women are welcome to attend."
Yunzhuâs interest piqued instantly, her eyes lighting up. "Will you be joining?"
He chuckled softly. "Iâm already thirty, Yunzhu."
Hunting competitions were for the young, eager to prove themselves under the emperorâs watchful eye. For a man of Cao Xunâs rank and stature, such displays of bravado were beneath himâbetter left to those seeking attention. "Besides, if I donât participate, it saves you the trouble."
She frowned, curious. "Trouble? What trouble?"
His gaze locked on hers, a spark of amusement glinting. "Your brother will surely participate. If I were to compete, who would you cheer for?"
Caught off guard, Yunzhu bit her lip, her playful smile betraying her thoughts.
Cao Xunâs expression darkened, playful but possessive. Leaning in, his lips found hers. Without hesitation, he bit down gently, claiming the lips she dared to tease.
*
The next day, with Emperor Yuan Qing and Empress Cao leading the way, the entire court gathered just outside the hunting grounds. Civil and military officials, ladies of refinement, and attendants moved with pomp and purpose, filling the air with tension and expectation.
Yunzhu, now the wife of Duke Dingguo, sat elegantly beside her mother, Meng. Unlike the bustling crowd, mother and daughter exuded an air of poised detachment, drawing envious, lingering stares that whispered of admiration and jealousy alike.
But Yunzhu's thoughts were elsewhere. After exchanging a few polite words with the Duke of Qi, her focus shifted sharplyâto the men.
Among them, Cao Xun sat with the pavilion elders, draped in a crimson official robe, exuding an aura of indifference that bordered on arrogance. His disinterest only sharpened the contrast with the restless young military officers, already eager to prove themselves.
And then there was Cao Shao. Dressed in a pristine white round-neck brocade robe, he was a visionâa living portrait of charm and charisma that left onlookers breathless. Even Li Yao, with all his muscle and bravado, paled next to the magnetic pull of Cao Shaoâs presence.
Yunzhu heard murmurs from the women around herâlow, reverent whispers dripping with admiration for Cao Shao.
It had been a month since his rejection by the Xie family, and though the initial mockery had faded, a new narrative was forming. People were beginning to see him for what he truly wasâa man of substance and allure, unmarred by scandal.
Every glance in his direction from the crowd, every sly comment from the ladies, only heightened Yunzhuâs awareness of him. She couldnât stop her gaze from drifting toward him repeatedly, her composure slipping just enough to betray her intrigue.
Yes, Cao Shao was extraordinary. She had always known it. He wouldnât have been her fiancé otherwise. But now, her feelings were tangledâadmiration, frustration, even a simmering bitterness.
When others praised him, she used to bask in the glow of their compliments, proud to stand beside him. But now? Now, every admiring word felt like a dagger, a cruel reminder of what could have been, and what wasnât.
Her eyes flicked to Cao Xun, and a surge of resentment bubbled up. His mere presence seemed to dim Cao Shaoâs radiance, casting an imposing shadow over his younger brother.
Cao Xun caught the weight of her stare and responded with a calm, knowing glance. Rising from his seat, he approached the group of young men with an air of command that silenced the chatter around them.
âBrother,â Cao Shao greeted him with a smile, his voice warm yet deferential. âWhat brings you here?â
Without a word, Cao Xun adjusted the quiver slung over Cao Shaoâs shoulder, his movements deliberate and unhurried. His firm grip and brief words of advice had a quiet authority that reminded everyone of who he wasâa man who needed no introduction, no embellishment.
Side by side, the brothers painted a striking picture: Cao Xunâs towering frame and unshakable composure effortlessly outshining Cao Shaoâs more youthful charm. Where Cao Shao was striking, Cao Xun was commanding. Where Cao Shao was admired, Cao Xun was revered.
The shift in the crowdâs attention was palpable, their praises seamlessly transferring to Cao Xun.
Before returning to his seat, Cao Xunâs sharp eyes swept over the gathering, landing briefly on Yunzhu. He caught the fleeting curve of her lips, her expression betraying a rare moment of satisfaction.
She had wanted to see Cao Shao outdoneâand she got her wish. But the smugness in her smile didnât go unnoticed.