Chapter 46
For two months now, Yunzhu had been married to Cao Xun, and she thought she had started to unravel the layers of his personality.
By day, he was the picture of warmth and patience, his gentleness unwavering even when Yunzhu flaunted her pride or crossed lines others might hesitate to. Like the time she raised hell over Cao Shaoâhe not only let it slide but had even fetched her a cloak in the cold evening air, shielding her from judgment and chill alike.
But night... Night was when the real Cao Xun emerged. The soft-spoken restraint fell away, leaving behind a man who demanded, who took, who persistedâuntil her tears blurred the line between surrender and submission.
The wind outside howled relentlessly, rattling the windowpanes and making Yunzhuâs skin crawl with the fear that her muffled cries might spill over into the quiet Sun family courtyard next door. She stifled herself, pressing trembling fingers over her lips, but even that wasnât enough for him.
Cao Xun towered over her, his height both an inconvenience and an advantage, depending on how he chose to wield it. And wield it he did.
In one seamless motion, he leaned in, his lips grazing her ear before his fingers pried her hand away. Turning her face toward him, his mouth claimed hers, swallowing her resistance with an intensity that left her breathless.
For a fleeting moment, Yunzhuâs embarrassment flared, burning hotter than anything her motherâs measured advice about marriage had prepared her for. This wasnât the shy, hesitant man whoâd played coy on their wedding night. No, this was a man who had abandoned all pretense of decorum, unapologetically indulging in the art of possession.
What had changed?
Was this some calculated strategy, or was he simply turning the game on its head to keep her guessing?
The seasons shifted, autumnâs golden hues giving way to winterâs biting edge, and the nights deepened their chill. But Cao Xun never failed to ensure she was blanketed entirely under the quilt, his possessiveness extending even to the creeping cold.
Pressed against his chest, Yunzhuâs lashes fluttered, damp and trembling. Her parted lips released soft, uneven breaths, the rhythm betraying exhaustion and something more primal.
Cao Xun lay beside her, propped against the pillow, watching her. During the day, she was the proud, untouchable peony, blooming in full splendor for the world to admire. But now, under him, she was different. Disheveled, flushed, and rawâlike a flower plucked in the dark, its petals glistening with dew, unable to tell if the wetness was from the rain or something deeper.
His fingers trailed along her face, brushing away the dampness from her cheeks.
Tears?
Sweat?
Maybe both. It didnât matter. He traced the line of her eyes again, his touch firm but deliberate, as though he wanted her to remember this feelingâto know she belonged to him entirely.
Yunzhu stared blankly, Sun Yurong's words still swirling in her head. She and Cao Xun managed to coexist so effortlessly because of his sharp competence and unyielding patience.
Her brotherâ¦
"Do you still have your oil?" she murmured, her voice low and hesitant, snapping out of her thoughts.
Cao Xun turned to her, his gaze steady. "Were you feeling unwell just now?" he asked, his tone laced with subtle concern.
Maybe heâd picked up on somethingâor maybe she was just overly sensitive.
Irritated by his roundabout response, she swatted at him. "Donât dodge the question. Do you have it or not?"
"I brought ten bottles," he said, finally answering her.
He had planned ahead, bringing extras, knowing full well he couldnât predict how much sheâd needâor how she might react.
"So, nine left?" Yunzhu pressed, her eyes narrowing. "Are they stored properly? No damage?"
"Theyâre fine. Shelf life is two years unopened. Once opened, best to use it up in six months," Cao Xun explained, casual yet precise.
She frowned, her voice dropping as she muttered, "How does such a tiny bottle last six months?"
He smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "Well, just like some girls have big faces and others small, those with smaller faces make it stretch longer."
Her jaw tightened, and she gave him a sharp look. "Are you saying I have a big face?"
He feigned innocence, flashing her an infuriating smile. "I wouldnât know. Havenât exactly compared. What is it youâre curious about, anyway?"
She huffed, hitting him again, her cheeks warming as she refused to elaborate.
Cao Xun, ever the fox, played dumb, though he likely had her figured out. He wasnât about to push itâhe knew Gu Min was his junior and that whatever she was trying to say was too delicate for her to voice outright.
And so, he let it hang between them, a teasing glint in his eyes that only added to her frustration.
*
Emperor Yuan Qing lingered in Nanyuan until early September, only returning to the capital on the fifth. And when he came back, he wasted no time getting straight to the point.
His first decree? Bestowing the title of Prince An upon his eldest son and announcing Xie Wenyingâdaughter of the esteemed Marquis of Changxingâas the prince's lawful wife.
Their wedding? Scheduled for the twelfth lunar month, setting the stage for a grand celebration in the capital before the newlyweds set off for Qingzhou Prefecture in Shandong, where Prince Anâs fief awaited.
Shandongâs convenient closeness to the capital wasnât just strategicâit was a blatant display of Emperor Yuan Qingâs favor for his son.
And Xie Wenying? Her selection as princess was no coincidence. Her father, Xie Zhen, had proven himself a war hero in reclaiming Jiaozhu, earning the Emperor's respect and sealing the match with a nod to familial loyalty. Just as Emperor Yuan Qing had elevated Caoâs daughter to Empress, this was a move that turned heads and fueled whispers.
The capitalâs social circles were abuzz. When Sun Yurong heard the news, she couldnât resist visiting the residence of Duke Dingguo to vent her jealousy. âXie Wenyingâs hit the jackpot,â she sighed. âSheâs about to become the highest-ranking princess among us all. Sure, she might be banished to the sticks eventually, but until then, her life in the capital will rival anyoneâs.â
Li Yunzhu, married to Duke Dingguo, felt a pang of envy too. But her practical side quickly took over. âHonestly? I couldnât do it,â she admitted. âLeaving my family? Not a chance. Being so far away, maybe never seeing them again? Thatâs not a life Iâd choose.â
Sun Yurong leaned in, her voice low and conspiratorial. âYouâre too attached to your family. Me? I just need to know theyâre fine. I wouldnât miss them.â
Yunzhu got itâSun Yurongâs family life was no dream. Duke Qiguo, more smitten with his concubine than his own children, barely paid attention to Sun Yurong. No wonder she didnât long for home. Yunzhu, meanwhile, had been sheltered and adored by her family. It made sense sheâd cling to the comfort of home.
But Sun Yurong wasnât done. âYouâve got to admit, Xie Wenying lucked out. Sure, the prince is crippled, but heâs got the looks. And from what I hear, heâs a quiet, gentle typeânot the kind to bark at his servants.â
Yunzhu nodded. She knew the eldest prince better than Sun Yurong, thanks to her fatherâs ties to the Emperor. The rumors were trueâthe prince was a decent man, easy to get along with.
Then Sun Yurong smirked, gesturing westward. âYou know whatâs delicious? The Emperor just slapped your stepmother-in-law across the face with this move. She wanted Xie Wenying to marry into her family, but the Xies refused. Now the Emperorâs flaunting his favor, making Xie Wenying his daughter-in-law, and practically declaring Pan Shi unworthy of such a match.â
Yunzhu couldnât help but agree. It was as though the Emperor hadnât even considered Pan Shiâs feelings. And why should he?
Xie Wenying was already seventeen, yet the marriage arrangement only happened this year. The timing suggested a sudden shift in prioritiesâpossibly linked to her brother becoming a companion to the second prince.
A calculated power play, perhaps? By aligning the Xie family with the eldest prince, Emperor Yuan Qing subtly reaffirmed his support for the crown prince, ensuring everyone knew where loyalties lay.
As for Pan Shi? She was a footnote, nothing more.
*
The town was alive with whispers, swirling with the tantalizing news of a high-profile union: the Xie family's cherished daughter was set to marry a prince. The air buzzed with excitement as Duke Ningguoâs matchmaker, brimming with exuberance, sauntered into the Gu family residence.
Inside, Gu Qinghe had planned an intimate drink with his old comrades, Cao Xun and Zhang Xingjian. The two officials arrived still clad in their ceremonial attire, the weight of their daily duties evident but balanced by a hint of camaraderie. Zhang Xingjian, recovering at home, greeted them in a loose, bamboo-hued robe. His face was pale, yet his sharp, knowing eyes glimmered with warmth, and a subtle smile danced on his lips.
Madam Marquis, Liu Jing, glowing with the fullness of her pregnancy, appeared briefly to exchange pleasantries before retiring to her quarters, leaving the men to their banter.
Zhang Xingjian, trading wine for tea, raised his cup in a mock toast to celebrate the impending marriages of his companions.
Gu Qinghe smirked, swirling his wine bowl lazily before locking eyes with Cao Xun. "I donât know whether to laugh or sigh in frustration," he drawled.
Zhang Xingjian chuckled, always quick with a jab. "Oh, itâs clear why. Fushanâs got Li Yao calling him 'brother-in-law,' while Li Yaoâs set on making you 'father-in-law.' Itâs comedy goldâFushanâs about to drop a generation in rank. Whatâs not to laugh about?"
Gu Qingheâs grin faded. "Laugh all you want, but Li Yaoâs temper is no fit match for A Min. I canât imagine him treating her with the care she deserves. And yet, Fushan didnât raise a single objection."
Cao Xun, ever the diplomat, interjected. "If you, Mr. Gu, have given your blessing, how could I object? Besides, Li Yao may be rough around the edges, but his talents and character are undeniable."
Gu Qinghe scoffed. "Easy for you to say, defending your brother-in-law. But let me ask you this: if you had a daughter, would you really choose a son-in-law like Li Yao for her?"
Cao Xun leaned back, unfazed. "If she accepted him, why wouldnât I?"
Gu Qinghe snorted. "Thatâs rich coming from someone who doesnât even have a daughter."
Cao Xunâs lips curled into a sly smile. "For now. That doesnât mean I wonât have one someday."
Zhang Xingjian, ever the instigator, smirked. "Well then, youâd better hurry. At this rate, Qingheâs going to be a grandfather before youâve even become a father."
Laughter bubbled around the table as Cao Xun took another measured sip of wine, the image of fatherhood lingering in his mind, though he wasnât in any rush. The future, as uncertain as it was, could unfold at its own pace.
Gu Qinghe, notorious for his low tolerance, was soon swaying drunkenly at the table. Zhang Xingjian, ever the responsible host, eventually coaxed him into laying down his cup for the night.
As the mood mellowed, Cao Xun caught Zhang Xingjianâs penetrating gaze. He lowered his wine bowl, his brow lifting in silent question. "Youâve got something on your mind, donât you?"
Zhang Xingjian hesitated but finally nodded, his voice low and somber. "I canât keep this from you."
They slipped into a quiet side room, the air thick with unspoken tension. Zhang Xingjianâs tone turned grave. "Itâs maddening to be a spectator to palace politics, powerless to influence whatâs unfolding. I worry for Ah Hu."
His son, Zhang Hu, was a spirited young man, determined to carve a name for himself through martial prowess and unshakable loyalty to his family. If the crown prince ascended the throne, his future seemed bright. But if the second prince claimed power, Zhang Huâs path would be far murkier.
"My concern isnât about his title or station," Zhang Xingjian admitted, his voice heavy. "Iâm afraid heâll lose his spark, that fire that makes him who he is. Or worseâheâll take reckless risks trying to shield the crown prince."
With only a year left to live, Zhang Xingjian felt the weight of time pressing down on him. His sonâs letters from the East Palace painted a pristine picture, free of any shadows. Too pristine, too perfect. The truth, no doubt, was darker, but Zhang Xingjian could do nothing to change it.
Resignation tinged his voice as he murmured, "I just hope he finds his way without losing himself."
Watching him closely, Cao Xun spoke in a smooth, steady voice, "Don't worry yourself. I see Ah Hu as my own flesh and blood. I'll look out for himâwhether he's chasing a career or settling down to start a family."
Zhang Xingjian, hiding whatever stirred inside him, lowered his eyes and replied quietly, "Knowing he's under your care gives me peace."
With a warm smile, Cao Xun gave Zhangâs shoulder a firm pat. "Itâs getting late. Iâll take Qinghe home now."
Outside, Zhang Xingjian followed, his gaze lingering as Cao Xun helped the tipsy Gu Qinghe navigate into the night, guiding him with steady hands. When the pair finally disappeared into the darkness, Zhang turned back toward the house.
*
By the time Cao Xun returned, midnight had long since crept in.
Yunzhu lay waiting, her form shadowed under soft covers, her eyes sharp as he walked in. Her nose twitched slightly, catching the faint but unmistakable scent of alcohol.
"How much did you drink tonight?" she asked, her tone laced with playful reproach.
Cao Xun grinned faintly, settling at the edge of the bed. "Three, maybe four measures. I rinsed my mouth before coming in, though, just for you."
Her brow arched, her voice turning inquisitive. "Were you discussing my brother and A Min's wedding again? How did it go? Is Mr. Gu happy with my brother?"
Cao Xun nodded, his tone casual but certain. "Heâs satisfied enough."
Yunzhu narrowed her eyes, skeptical. "Satisfied? Donât play coy with me. Be honest."
With a knowing smile, Cao Xun shrugged. "Heâs about to hand over his daughter. Even if your brotherâs practically flawless, heâs bound to nitpick somethingâitâs a fatherâs nature."
Yunzhu leaned back, letting his words settle. Her lips curved into a sly smile. "Well, it doesnât really matter, does it? A Min loves my brother, and thatâs all that counts."
Her grin turned teasing, a spark in her eyes. Cao Xun leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers, but she twisted away, one hand lifting to block him as she smirked.
"Iâm not in the mood to taste your wine," she quipped, her tone laced with playful mockery.
For a moment, Cao Xun could only stare, speechless, before letting out a resigned laugh.
Perhaps next time, he mused silently, I should really drink lessâif only to keep her from turning away.