Chapter 41
After leaving the Peacock Garden behind, Yunzhu took Cao Xun on a casual stroll, leading him to explore other corners of the estate. As they stopped to watch the grizzly bears from a secluded vantage point, a sudden voice broke the stillnessâa voice filled with authority and mischief.
"Uncle!" The Crown Prince's tone rang out from behind them.
Yunzhu's expression barely faltered, but there was a flicker of tension in her eyes as she turned toward Cao Xun.
Cao Xun, already facing the voice, responded with a surprised yet warm smile, his poise unshaken. "Your Highness."
He started to bow, a sign of respect, but the Crown Prince waved him off dismissively from a distance. "Uncle, save the formalities. Itâs just us hereâno need for all that."
Yunzhu followed suit, turning gracefully, her smile masking any unease. She paid no mind to the Crown Princeâs persistent interest in her younger brother, exuding a cool detachment that only heightened her charm.
Nearby, Zhang Hu and the other eunuchs lingered, careful not to intrude, their presence a mere backdrop to this charged reunion.
The Crown Prince, now standing beside Cao Xun, gazed down at the bears before suddenly breaking the silence. "So, Uncle, are you fond of these creatures? Do they fascinate you as much as they do me?"
Cao Xun responded calmly, his tone measured but relaxed. "I took a day off to enjoy a leisurely stroll with your aunt. She deserves a moment of peace."
The Crown Princeâs gaze flickered to Yunzhu, his composure slipping just enough to betray his thoughts. "Aunt," he began, his tone carrying an edge of frustration, "I ran into Li Xian earlier. I wanted him to return to my side, but heâs still clinging to old grievances."
Yunzhuâs curiosity flared instantly, though she masked it well, her eyes narrowing with feigned indifference. "Oh? And what exactly did he say?"
The Crown Prince wasted no time recounting Li Xianâs bitter words, each one laced with disappointment.
Yunzhuâs expression darkened, her displeasure evident. "That fool," she declared sharply. "To be offered the chance to serve Your Highness again is an honor he should embrace. Yet heâs stuck in the past, blind to your generosity. Such stubbornness is infuriating. Rest assured, Your Highness, Iâll deal with him personally."
The Crown Prince, pleased by her loyalty and quick defense, softened his stance. "Forget it," he said magnanimously. "If he doesnât want to return, I wonât force him. Save your energy, Aunt. Itâs not worth it."
Yunzhu hesitated, torn between letting the matter drop and continuing her subtle campaign on her brotherâs behalf.
Meanwhile, Cao Xun turned his attention to Zhang Hu and the other eunuchs, his gaze appraising. He addressed the Crown Prince. "How have they been performing?"
The Crown Prince glanced over his small retinue and smiled, his tone casual yet proud. "Theyâve impressed me. Theyâre keeping pace with my studies, both civil and martial."
Cao Xun nodded thoughtfully, leaning closer to the Crown Prince. His voice dropped, intimate but resolute. "The Marquis of Huaiâan and I share a bond. Iâll ensure this child is looked after. If itâs no trouble, Your Highness, extend your kindness to him as well."
The Crown Princeâs expression lit up, delighted by his uncleâs rare request. "Consider it done," he said smoothly, clearly pleased.
As for Zhang Hu, the Crown Prince thought, while not particularly sharp, he lacked the distance and defiance of Li Xian. For Uncleâs sake, building a connection wouldnât be a burden.
The group wandered through three more enclosures, the Crown Prince lingering just long enough to make his presence felt before parting ways.
As the Crown Prince disappeared from sight, Yunzhuâs resolve sharpened. She seized the opportunity and led Cao Xun away from the garden, her pace brisk, her mind set.
Once they were alone, Yunzhu turned to him, her voice hesitant but resolute. "You must think poorly of me. Iâve been unfair to my younger brother before. Do you find me contemptible for my lack of grace?"
Cao Xunâs smile was slow and understanding, his words steady yet intimate. "Hardly. Youâre only human. Just ensure no one else catches wind of it."
Yunzhu faltered for a moment, her gaze lifting to meet his. The sunlight broke through the canopy above, casting fleeting patterns on his noble, composed features. His expression was tender, almost forgiving, as if he held the worldâs patience just for her.
Yet, deep inside, Yunzhu questioned the sincerity of his words. Were they spoken to soothe her, or did he truly mean them?
Still, Cao Xun had given her what she neededâa quiet moment of connection, a reprieve from the weight of her thoughts. And for now, that was enough.
*
As they left the zoo, the sun blazed in full force, prompting Yunzhu to demand Cao Xun open the umbrella. With a coy smile and graceful steps, she slipped under its shade, her demeanor effortlessly magnetic. Every time Cao Xun lowered his gaze, his eyes were drawn to the delicate curve of her pale neck, her rosy cheeks glowing softly. She was a vision of allure, and he couldnât resist the quiet pleasure of protecting her from the sun. There was no need for her to insistâhe was more than willing to hold the umbrella for her, relishing every second of it.
As they strolled, the official residence still a distance away, something caught their attention. From the lake near the palace, a figure on horseback approached, accompanied by a tall man carrying someone on his back. The girl, dressed in a light green jacket and flowing white gown, perched delicately on the horse, while the man moved with an ease that belied the burden on his shoulders.
Yunzhu squinted, her curiosity piqued. âIs that my brother?â she asked, though the familiarity of his frame left little doubt.
Cao Xun, with his sharp archerâs eyes, confirmed, âYes. Thatâs A Min on the horse, and the one heâs carrying looks like Mr. Gu.â
Her surprise was palpable. âMr. Gu? Is he injured?â Without waiting for a response, she quickened her pace, her intrigue turning to urgency.
When they finally reached them, Yunzhu saw Gu Shoufu, his gray hair disheveled, lifting his head weakly from her brotherâs shoulder. Despite his exhaustion, he mustered a faint smile, while Gu Min, pale and sweating, seemed on the verge of tears. Only her brother, Li Yao, maintained his unbothered composure, easily carrying Gu Shoufu on his back as if it were nothing.
âWhat happened to Mr. Gu?â Yunzhu demanded, her voice a mixture of concern and command.
Li Yao glanced at the man leaning against him and answered nonchalantly, âI found him by the lake after he collapsed while fishing. He was already conscious when I arrived but too weak to standâprobably heatstroke.â
Gu Shoufu gave a feeble nod, his voice barely above a whisper. âYes, likely heatstroke. No need to fret.â
Wasting no time, Yunzhu directed Cao Xun to shift the umbrella over Gu Shoufu, then turned her attention to Gu Min, who looked like she might dissolve into tears at any moment. âA Min, why do you look so distraught?â
Before Gu Min could answer, Li Yao broke into a chuckle, earning a sharp glare from Yunzhu that quickly silenced him. âShe was trying to help Mr. Gu but tripped over a fishing rod and twisted her foot,â he explained, still visibly amused.
Yunzhu ignored her brotherâs smugness, brushing past him to focus on Gu Minâs injury. âDoes it hurt?â she asked gently, her voice softer now.
Gu Min shook her head, though her trembling hands told another story as she handed over the reins. âSister Yunzhu, could you help lead the horse? I canât ride properly, and Iâm afraid it might bolt.â
Yunzhuâs grip was firm and steady as she took the reins. Without hesitation, she mounted the horse, settling behind Gu Min and wrapping her arms securely around her. The closeness brought a visible relief to Gu Min, who let out a deep, shaky breath.
Li Yao stood nearby, unimpressed. âThis horse knows me better than anyone. If I tell it to walk slowly, it wonât dare run. Youâre panicking for no reason. Honestly, I couldâve left you by the lake and sent someone to fetch you later. But out here, with so few people around, what if a wolf showed up? If one took a bite out of you, your grandfather would have my head.â
Gu Min turned her tear-filled eyes away, her distress clearly evident.
Yunzhu shot her brother a scolding glare. âDo you have to be so callous? Not everyone is as at ease with riding as you are. Iâll take A Min back myself. In the meantime, you can carry Mr. Gu and arrange for an imperial doctor. And do try not to dawdle.â
Li Yao smirked and waved her off. âFine. Go.â
Without another word, Yunzhu nudged the horse forward, sparing Cao Xun a quick farewell before riding away with Gu Min safely in her embrace.
*
The humble courtyard of the Gu family sat snugly next to Yunzhuâs residence, unassuming and quiet. With Gu Minâs parents conveniently absent, the house was left in the hands of Gu Shoufuâs fretful wife, who now paced restlessly.
Yunzhu helped Gu Min down from her carriage with a grace that belied the situationâs tension. She immediately launched into explaining things to Gu Shoufuâs wife, who was nearly beside herself with worry. Her husband and granddaughter were both on her mind, but her main regret? Allowing the old man to go fishing in this oppressive heat. She blamed herself for not stopping him, knowing full well his frailty could succumb to heatstroke.
Gu Min, protective as ever of her grandfather, couldnât hold back. "He hardly gets any time to relax," she interjected firmly. "Fishing is his way of unwinding. Yes, itâs unfortunate heâs unwell now, but when he returns, I hope youâll go easy on him."
The Chief Assistantâs wife, recognizing her overreaction, sighed and nodded, murmuring, "Alright, fine. Everything he does has its reasons."
Gu Min retreated to the eastern wing where she and Yunzhu both stayed. Yunzhuâs sharp eyes didnât miss the redness and swelling creeping up Gu Minâs ankle. The girl mustâve taken quite a nasty fall, and Yunzhu wasnât about to let it go unnoticed.
The tranquility of the courtyard was soon shattered by a commotion at the gate. Li Yao burst in, carrying none other than Gu Shoufu on his back, his face etched with effort. Cao Xun and a small entourage of officials trailed behind, their concern as evident as their frowns.
And then, as if to crown the chaos, Emperor Yuan Qing himself swept in, trailing the imperial doctor. The modest property transformed into a bustling hub of activity, tension crackling in the air.
Yunzhu, tethered to Gu Min by duty or perhaps something deeper, stayed put. She wouldnât leave her side, not now.
The imperial doctor, quick and precise, confirmed what everyone dreaded: Gu Shoufu had indeed fallen victim to heatstroke. His old body, worn down by years and now this reckless excursion, had faltered. The Emperor and officials, though deeply concerned, couldnât resist the opportunity to chide the elderly man. Rest, they emphasized. And for once, he was in no position to argue.
As the dust settled, the imperial doctor turned his attention to Gu Min. Her injury, thankfully, was less dire. After applying a cooling plaster and prescribing a few days of rest, the swelling was already showing signs of retreat.
By the end of the day, the Gu household, though battered, began to reclaim some semblance of calm, leaving Yunzhu to guard her charge with unwavering watchfulness.
*
Once everyone had finally cleared outâYunzhu, her brother, and even her husbandâthe Gu family courtyard was cloaked in a quiet stillness, like a sigh of relief after a storm.
Gu Shoufu, unwilling to endure another round of his wifeâs relentless nagging, practically celebrated when the first assistant's wife volunteered to take charge of their granddaughter.
Noticing the girlâs sulky, forlorn expression, the first assistant's wife leaned in, her voice soft yet probing. âWhy the long face? Whoâs wronged you this time?â
Gu Min lowered her gaze, her mind swirling with the vivid memory of Li Yao by the lakeside.
Her grandfather had collapsed back then, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldnât lift him. She had felt helplessâuntil Li Yao emerged like a force of nature, reviving her grandfather with ease. In that moment, he wasnât just a rescuer; he was her anchor, someone she couldnât help but trust and admire.
But the man didnât stop there. Insistent on escorting her back to the official residence, heâd gone so far as to let her ride his horse when her grandfather couldnât manage. When she protested, he didnât listen. Instead, the audacious man swept her up like she weighed nothing, plopping her onto the horse without so much as asking.
Even her grandfather had betrayed her, siding with Li Yao as though her protests were mere background noise.
Despite the warmth of his actions, Li Yaoâs brazenness had gotten under her skin, and she couldnât help but grumble about him to her grandmother.
The first assistantâs wife, ever sharp, chuckled knowingly. âAh, heâs quite the reckless one. But thank heavens your little red ribbon was just a gesture of gratitude, not a token of love. Youâre lucky. If the Dukeâs wife and her scheming daughter caught even a whiff of affection between you two, youâd already be married off by now. And then, discovering his rude streak wouldâve been too late to regret!â
Gu Min fell silent, her lips pressed into a line as her cheeks flushed a deep red. Her grandmotherâs teasing hit a little too close to home.
The older woman gasped, her eyebrows lifting. âWaitâdonât tell me! Have you fallen for him?â
Gu Min froze, torn between denying it and staying quiet. She didnât want her grandmother to think she was swooning over a man she also found utterly infuriating. Yet, no words came to her defense.
Because as much as she wanted to curse Li Yao for his boldness, she couldnât deny his kindness. The image of him carrying her grandfather without a hint of weariness left an impression. He was solid, dependableâsomething she hadnât even realized she craved until that moment.
Watching her granddaughterâs bashful, conflicted expression, the first assistantâs wife smirked knowingly.
It was clear now.
The old man might have failed to catch any fish that day, but heâd reeled in something far betterâa grandson-in-law with strength and spirit!
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The author adds:
Li Yao: Show some respect, I'm amazing!
Meng shi, Yunzhu: Enough! Keep quiet!