Chapter 49: C49. Li Yao Embarks on Married Life.

Chapter 49

By February, the capital buzzed with the flirtation of spring, a sensual awakening mirrored in the ambitions of one Sun Yurong.

Yurong had been making regular trips to Duke Dingguo’s estate, her visits deliberate yet cloaked in propriety. But lately, she craved more thrilling diversions. She took to loitering near a bustling inn, nestled discreetly in her carriage, her sharp gaze scanning for captivating men who might serve her purpose. Whenever she found someone promising, she’d rush to Yunzhu, her confidante, brimming with tantalizing news.

“I won’t settle for anything less than a Jinshi,” Yurong declared, her tone sultry but determined. “And I’m not the only one—plenty of noble houses have their spies sniffing out the best candidates.”

Yunzhu smiled, amused. “When will the results be announced?”

“This year’s been delayed,” Yurong said, leaning closer. “The list will drop on March 9, and palace exams kick off three days later.”

Yunzhu arched a brow, her skepticism thinly veiled. “Why start chasing so soon? What if your dream man flunks? You’ll be wasting all that effort on nothing.”

Yurong’s lips curved into a sly grin. “You’re missing the point. The top contenders, the ones everyone knows are destined to pass—they’re the ones I’ve got my eye on.”

Yunzhu couldn’t help but admire Yurong’s brazenness. This wasn’t just about love or lust—this was strategy. Yurong wasn’t after some local hopeful; she wanted a prize, a Jinshi who could elevate her to dazzling new heights.

That evening, over dinner with Cao Xun, Yunzhu relayed Yurong’s high-stakes criteria.

Cao Xun leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “Even if she marries beneath her, a man with true talent and ambition can climb the ranks within a decade. Civil servants rise slowly, but they do rise. Military men, though—they might soar quickly, but the risk of dying young looms large.”

Yunzhu frowned. “What worries me is success. It changes people. They forget who stood by them when they were nothing.”

She recounted tales passed down from her elders: men of humble origins who’d married up, leveraging their wives’ wealth and connections to secure power. But once they outgrew their in-laws’ influence, they’d discard their dutiful wives for new lovers, leaving the women who’d sacrificed everything feeling cast aside and resentful.

“It happens,” Cao Xun admitted, his tone measured. “But love that’s built on real affection—not convenience or ambition—has a chance. Not every commoner is ungrateful, and not every nobleman is faithless.”

Yunzhu’s gaze sharpened. “Is that your way of bragging?”

Cao Xun smirked, his voice soft but loaded with meaning. “I think I’ve outlived the need for that sort of romance.”

Yunzhu murmured under her breath, half amused, half cynical. She knew better—he wasn’t above fleeting pleasures. For men like him, “outliving romance” was just a convenient excuse for indulging in life’s fleeting, sensual delights.

*

Li Yao and Gu Min’s wedding is locked in for March 5th, and the household is already buzzing with preparations.

On the first day of the new year, Yunzhu made her way back to her parents' home to lend a hand to her mother with the upcoming wedding banquet.

Her younger sister, Meng’s sharp-tongued daughter, shot her an annoyed look and said, "I told you I didn’t need your help, so why the rush? Isn’t Fushan home alone?"

Yunzhu, ever composed and assertive, replied with a sly smile, "He’s thirty-one—more than capable of fending for himself. Besides, I plan to stay here for a few days. He understands and supports me. So, why not cut me some slack?"

Meng Shi, their mother, gave in with a chuckle. "Fine. Since you’re here, let me show you how to pull off a banquet this grand."

Eager to learn, Yunzhu followed her mother closely, ready to soak in every detail of the art.

Fast forward to the evening of the third day of the lunar new year: Cao Xun showed up at Ningguo Mansion after work, arms laden with gifts, with his ever-reliable aide, A Jiu, hauling even more behind him.

At that moment, Li Yong hadn’t yet returned from Jinyiwei, and Li Yao was waiting for the next day to begin his wedding leave. Meng Shi came out with her eldest daughter to greet the men, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What’s all this about?" she asked, her eyes scanning the gifts.

Cao Xun smiled knowingly. "If I’m right, today’s your husband’s birthday."

Meng Shi’s eyes widened in shock. She had been so preoccupied with her son’s wedding that she’d completely forgotten her husband’s special day.

Standing beside her mother, Yunzhu locked eyes with Cao Xun and smiled, a spark of understanding passing between them.

Two quarters of an hour later, Li Yong and Li Yao returned. When Li Yong learned that his son-in-law had thoughtfully brought a birthday gift, he was floored, laughing heartily at the gesture.

Cao Xun’s present was a hit, and Meng Shi made it a point to invite him to stay the night.

In the lively warmth of the new year’s first month, Cao Xun spent three consecutive nights at his in-laws’ house, sharing moments that were both cordial and… undeniably intimate. Each night, he and Yunzhu found themselves wrapped in each other’s quiet embrace, savoring stolen hours together. Tonight was no different, and Yunzhu, reading the subtle cues in his gaze, didn’t resist. They melted into each other seamlessly.

Much later, with Yunzhu tucked against him, Cao Xun pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Once the wedding’s done, come back with me," he murmured.

Yunzhu laughed, her tone playful but teasingly sharp. "Three nights together, and you already can’t stand being apart?"

Cao Xun grinned. "I just don’t want you hanging around here, giving my mother-in-law excuses to keep you forever."

Yunzhu swatted him lightly, her cheeks warm with affection. "Don’t worry, my mother won’t hold me back. But maybe I’ll stick around a little longer—just to keep you on edge."

*

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the Duke Ningguo’s mansion was already buzzing with energy, the air thick with anticipation.

Yunzhu strolled into the main courtyard to find her brother, already clad in a bold red groom’s attire, standing tall as their parents drilled him on how to present himself at the Gu Mansion.

Traditionally, a groom must go through three rituals when welcoming his bride into his home. Last year, Cao Xun had come to collect Yunzhu, and with his military background and the martial arts test, it was a breeze for him.

But this time, with the Gu family’s esteemed civil service background, things were about to get a little more... intellectual. Li Yao, the groom, would probably have to prove he had more than just muscle. Writing and critical thinking were likely to be on the agenda.

Yunzhu could tell her brother would need help. Li Xian, with his sharp mind, had accompanied Li Yao to the wedding, ready to step in and give his brother the edge he needed.

"I’ll do whatever’s needed," Li Yao said eagerly, his eyes burning with determination. He wanted his bride, and he wasn’t going to let anything stand in his way.

Meng shi gave her younger son a loaded look before the brothers and the wedding party took off. Yunzhu stayed behind, her focus on entertaining the guests alongside her mother.

It didn’t take long for Sun Yurong to sidle up to Yunzhu, trying to spark a conversation. Sun Yurong was clearly fishing for something, but Yunzhu saw right through the intent behind her words. She wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction.

By noon, the wedding party returned, and the day’s events unfolded just like Yunzhu’s own wedding day. After paying respects at the altar, the new couple was escorted to their new home.

Yunzhu and Sun Yurong stood side by side, watching as Li Yao lifted the bride’s veil.

The poor girl barely came up to his chest, so Li Yao towered over her, casting a shadow that hid the bride from view, which had the older female guests snickering softly. To the untrained eye, it might have gone unnoticed, but Yunzhu recognized the playful undertone immediately.

As the veil finally lifted, the bride’s flushed, beautiful face came into full view.

Li Yao had met Gu Min before, but he had never really looked at her. It would have been impolite to do so, and frankly, he hadn’t cared enough. What respectable man would gawk at a woman like that? And honestly, women weren’t his type. A strong, muscular man walking by would have gotten his attention much more than some delicate flower.

But today, things were different. Today, he was getting married to her.

Now, with Gu Min right in front of him, Li Yao let his gaze fall on her, taking in every detail.

Under the weight of his stare, Gu Min quickly lowered her eyes, a blush creeping up her neck.

Li Yao, sensing her discomfort, halted, glancing at the woman beside him with a slight smirk.

His duties were done, and the last thing he wanted was to be surrounded by the swarm of women and their perfumes, so he was eager to make his escape. The room was too full, too suffocating for his taste.

The bride still needed to primp before dinner. Yunzhu, the sister-in-law, had been stuck with her at both the lunch and dinner banquets, unable to have a real conversation with her thanks to all the other women around.

Once the coast was clear, Yunzhu dragged Gu Min into a private room. She pulled out a tiny porcelain bottle she’d hidden in her clothes and pressed it into Gu Min’s hand. Before she could explain, she saw Gu Min blushing.

“You know what this is, right?” Yunzhu asked.

Gu Min nodded, her eyes drifting to the bed. “My mom gave me one last night, too.”

Yunzhu smirked. “Good. Keep this one. I’ve got a few more if you need them. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

Gu Min’s face turned even redder.

As Yunzhu was about to leave, Gu Min stopped her, her eyes filled with doubt.

Yunzhu reassured her, “We’re family. You can tell me anything. If not, your husband will be back soon.”

Gu Min was a mess. She’d read that pamphlet last night and couldn’t stop thinking about Li Yao’s size. She wanted to run.

“Is it...is it gonna hurt?” she whispered.

She couldn’t ask her mom, so she confided in Yunzhu instead.

Yunzhu didn’t want to scare her sister-in-law, so she spoke softly and sweetly.

In the end, they found happiness through understanding.

*

At weddings, when other guys were about to head to the bridal chamber, they’d be all eager to get to the bed, but the guests would drag them into another round of drinks. But when it was Li Yao’s turn, well, a few of them found themselves face-first on the floor after pushing him too hard to drink more than he wanted.

Cao Xun, trying to be the good father-in-law, kept trying to shove Li Yao out, but the man wasn’t having it. “What’s your rush? Drink up!” Li Yao shot back, holding him right where he was.

Cao Xun, a little stunned, just stood there.

Finally, Cao Shao stepped in. The two brothers locked in on each side of Li Yao, with Li Xian giving him a little push from behind, finally getting him out of the room.

Cao Xun, tired of this circus, waved the others off and pulled Li Yao aside, giving him a private word. "Listen, A Min’s always been sweet and quiet, the kind to take whatever you dish out. The more you treat her like that, the more she’ll just take it. But you’ve got to take care of her, not just think about yourself."

If Li Yao wasn’t so drunk, maybe the conversation would’ve made more sense. But he was in no state for deep talks.

Still, with Gu Min being so delicate and soft, Cao Xun wasn’t about to let Li Yao screw things up.

Li Yao wasn’t exactly the subtle type. He grunted, “Go on, drink your own damn wine. Don’t worry about me or my wife.” He pushed past his brother-in-law and made a beeline for the new home.

Cao Xun could only sigh, realizing he wasn’t going to change Li Yao’s mind tonight.

As soon as Gu Min saw him, she smelled the booze on him. Trying to shake it off, she nervously grabbed some tea to help him sober up. When she handed it to him and he sat down, she couldn’t help but notice how much bigger he was than her—his broad shoulders practically swallowing her whole.

Li Yao, catching her stare, glanced her way and muttered, “How the hell are you so short?”

Gu Min could only blink, feeling a little taken aback by the blunt comment.

The truth? She was way shorter than Yunzhu.

Li Yao, already looking to freshen up, stood up to get some water, but then suddenly remembered something. He fumbled around in his pocket and pulled out a small porcelain bottle, setting it on the table with the intent of using it later in the night.

He was in such a rush he didn’t even notice the bride’s stunned expression or the red creeping up her cheeks.

In the washroom, a bucket of icy water sat forgotten. Li Yao, remembering his mom’s ‘take care of yourself’ lecture, shrugged off the chill and toweled off. He threw on a robe and stepped out.

Gu Min was sprawled on the bed. She glanced at him, then rolled over.

Li Yao approached, a tiny vase in hand. He eyed the petite bride and stammered, “Scared? We can just go to bed, I promise I won’t touch you.”

What the hell kind of line was that?

Gu Min shook her head slowly.

Li Yao smirked, “Sure you’re not scared? Alright then, let’s do this.”

The damn guidebook laid out every step. First, he had to hold her for fifteen minutes.

His old man had stressed the importance of following every step.

After fifteen minutes, she’d visibly relaxed. Dad was right. He lifted her face and kissed her cheeks and ears for another fifteen. She kissed back, so he went for her lips for the final fifteen.

As the kiss deepened, his blood started to boil.

This step-by-step crap was a drag. Why couldn’t he just skip to the good part?

———TN:

Oh my God, Yunzhu’s brother is an absolute riot! Honestly, I can't decide if he’s totally innocent or just trying to act like he’s not bothered by everything. Either way, he’s definitely got a quirky charm about him.