Chapter 55
When discontent gnawed at a person, indulgence could offer a temporary reprieve. Some turned to drink, others to martial arts, and still others to reckless spending.
In that moment, Yunzhu felt a profound apathy. But then Cao Xun, ignoring Pan Shi, rekindled her spirits. As he leaned in for another kiss, she offered no resistance.
During the national mourning period, and fearing an unwanted pregnancy, Cao Xun exercised remarkable restraint, ensuring they didn't conceive and draw unwanted attention.
Later, when Li Xian was about to leave with King Li to join the feudal clan, Yunzhu, unable to bear the parting, returned to her parents' home for three nights.
Cao Xun pondered this brief separation. And when the young lady was once again in his arms, despite his initial resolve, he found it increasingly difficult to hold back.
Yunzhu saw this as a means to soothe her melancholy.
She paid no heed to the maids outside, indulging her desires without restraint.
Night fell, and she surrendered completely to Cao Xun's embrace.
For over half an hour, they were the only souls in the house. Lian Qiao and the others had retreated to the veranda, respecting their privacy.
The room was cloaked in darkness, the only sound the gentle patter of rain against the window paper.
Yunzhu leaned back, her head cradled in Cao Xun's strong, slender hand. He could see, up close, her damp, closed eyelids and a single drop of sweat or tear tracing down her skin. His warm breath fanned her cheeks. Her lips parted slightly as he kissed her once more, ready to continue at her bidding.
Just as he was about to taste those luscious lips, Yunzhu lazily turned her head.
Cao Xun smiled, summoning a maid.
Yunzhu responded with a vague hum.
Soon, the bath was ready, and Cao Xun gently carried her inside.
Exhausted from their earlier passion, Yunzhu lay languidly on his shoulder, letting him tend to her every need.
Cao Xun leaned in, his voice smooth and full of intention as he spoke to his young wife, a hint of playful mischief in his tone.
"Brother Xianâs future is all but certainâheâll be leading troops one day. Best he gets out there, sees the world, and gathers as much experience as he can while heâs still young."
He paused, letting his words settle. "As a prince, and the third son of Duke Ningguo, no one will dare to cross him. Not even if they try to test divine will, whatever that means."
He continued, voice laced with a quiet confidence. "And honestly, Guizhouâs not as poor as people make it out to be. Itâs just far from the capital. The land is beautiful, the winters mild, summers coolâlike a soft Beijing summer. No need for ice here."
Then, with a wicked glint in his eye, he added, "And with so many lovely women around, Iâm sure Brother Xian will find a few who might catch his eye."
Yunzhu scoffed in response, rolling her eyes. "Whatâs it to you whether the women are beautiful or not, just because you're his brother?"
Cao Xun shrugged, his smile unfazed. "First of all, Iâve never been one to covet anyone's women. Second, while he might be your younger brother when heâs with you, out there, heâs the charming third son of Duke Ningguo. Beautiful women? Theyâll be chasing him. You canât blame him if heâs tempted."
Yunzhu shot back, "Heâs only fifteen!"
Cao Xunâs smile deepened, his voice a low murmur. "Ah, but you of all people know how a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy behaves when a pretty girl catches his attention."
Yunzhu fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.
Noticing her unease, he softened his tone, a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Donât worry. Your parents have thought it throughâBrother Xian is in good hands. Even a doctorâs going with him to make sure everything goes smoothly."
Yunzhu, finally feeling a little more at ease, nodded and sighed in relief.
After a quick change, they made their way to the dining room. Yunzhu, ever curious, asked Lian Qiao, "Has Pan Shi left already?"
Lian Qiao grinned, recalling Panâs irritated look earlier. "Yes, madam. Sheâs gone."
Yunzhu shot a glance at Cao Xun, her tone dripping with annoyance. "Sheâs so boldâsummoning me twice in one day to come to the West Courtyard and pay her respects. The nerve."
Cao Xun, ever the calm one, offered her a plate of her favorite dish. "Let her complain all she wants. If it bothers you, just ignore her."
Yunzhuâs eyes darkened with concern. "But what if she goes to the Empress Dowager, spreading rumors and asking you to divorce me?"
Cao Xun simply shrugged, unfazed. "Our marriage was arranged by the late emperor. If sheâs unhappy, she can take it up with him."
At last, Yunzhu couldnât help but let out a soft chuckle, her worries slowly dissipating under his steady assurance.
*
The next day, just as Cao Xun was about to leave, Pan Shi unexpectedly made her entrance into the main courtyard.
Cao Xun, clad in his striking crimson official uniform as a first-grade military attache, sat in the main room, offering a polite greeting. "I was tied up with official duties yesterday and retired early. What brings you here today, Mother?"
Pan Shi gave a sly, almost unreadable smile. "Oh, it's nothing terribly urgent, but Yunzhu's behavior is starting to become more of a problem. I called for her to meet me in the west courtyard, but she deliberately avoided me. Itâs clear she has no respect for me as her mother, nor any regard for basic etiquette. Her reputation is in tatters, and it's dragging down yours as well. I suggest you speak to her and get her to fix that proud attitude of hers."
In the past, before her grandson took the throne, Pan Shi had relied on Cao Xunâs power and influence in the court. Now, with her grandson in power, she and Cao Xun had formed a more complex, interdependent relationship. Cao Xun was busy trying to secure his place with the new ruler, but Pan Shi wasnât above reminding him of his responsibilities, especially where Yunzhu was concerned. She had made it clear to him that he needed to stop indulging her.
Pan Shi wasnât trying to start trouble with Cao Xun; she just wanted Yunzhu to learn her place. There was no need for a confrontation. The last thing men like Cao Xun wanted was domestic drama getting in the way of their official affairs.
It was easier to keep the peace with his stepmotherâeven if it meant letting his wife suffer a little injustice.
Cao Xun, silent for a moment, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Yunzhuâs only been married a year. Youâve hardly called on her before. Why this sudden summons?"
The smile on Pan Shiâs face faltered for just a second before she recovered. "Xian's left Beijing, and I know sheâs upset. I thought having her over to talk might help ease her mind."
Cao Xun nodded thoughtfully. "Your concern is appreciated, especially by Yunzhu. But she got caught in the rain yesterday and isnât feeling well. Her absence was not intentional."
Pan Shiâs smile twisted slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Really? Sheâs been acting quite lively, though. Then why hasnât she spoken a word to me in the whole year since her marriage? Should I take this up with the Empress Dowager and ask for the imperial physician to check on her? Perhaps thereâs something wrong with her health."
Cao Xun paused, his gaze steady. "The matter of having children is something private between husband and wife. Yunzhu has been spoiled since she was a child, so Iâm sure thereâs no physical issue with her. The problem might lie with me. To be honest, Mother, after spending fourteen years on the border, I've accumulated countless minor injuries, leaving me with much less vitality than I once had. If you feel the need to summon the imperial physician, it could end up damaging my reputation."
Pan Shi went quiet, absorbing his words.
Cao Xun leaned in, his voice low, almost daring as he spoke, "If anyone dares to ask my mother about this, do me a favor. Keep them off my back. Just tell them I don't have time for Yunzhuâso, no, our little family plan wasnât meant to be." His words hung in the air with a certain finality, laced with a boldness that couldnât be ignored.
Pan Shi was left stunned, speechless, as Cao Xun rose from the table, his presence commanding as he said, "Itâs getting late. Iâve got to get going, but Iâll be back later tonight to pay my respects."
And just like that, he walked out, cool and composed, as if the world around him had no power over his stride.
Pan Shi sat there, bewildered, her thoughts racing, while Nanny Fang gave her a sideways look, equally confused.
After a long pause, Pan Shi turned to Nanny Fang, a mysterious look on her face, and murmured, "Do you buy what he just said?"
Nanny Fang had no answer. How could she? Pan Shi was caught in the web of Cao Xun's words, but so much about them didnât sit right. Men, especially men of stature, prized their honor, their dignity. A man like Cao Xun would never degrade himself unless something was deeply wrong. But if he truly had a hidden affliction, why would he drop that bombshell to his stepmother so casually?
And Pan Shi? Her mind spun with the weight of it. If Cao Xun couldnât father a child, the title of Duke's Palace would pass to someone elseâhis son. This was more than gossipâit was about power, legacy, and control.
Pan Shi wasnât deterred by what could be an icy reception from Yunzhu. She wasnât about to let the chance slip through her fingers. She waited, pacing the main courtyard, eager for her moment.
Yunzhu, however, wasnât planning to make it easy. She had no intention of walking over to the west courtyard for Pan Shiâs sake. Sheâd make her way to the front, just enough to catch the drama unfolding.
But when Yunzhu arrived, she didnât expect Pan Shi to send Nanny Fang away with such authority, her eyes burning with curiosity. The look she gave Yunzhu was sharp, unsettlingâexactly like the intensity sheâd seen from her brother and Gu Min. It was the kind of look that came with questionsâdangerous, probing ones. This woman wanted something, but what?
Yunzhu couldnât quite read her, the tension thickening between them. Pan Shi, with a sly smile, called for Lian Qiao. "I need to have a private word with your mistress. Wait outside," she ordered.
Lian Qiao hesitated, glancing at Yunzhu, who gave a subtle nod. As soon as Lian Qiao was gone, Pan Shi didnât waste any time. She laid it all out, her concern for Yunzhu almost too rehearsed, and then told her about Cao Xunâs confession.
Yunzhu paused, the weight of it sinking in. For the first time, she couldnât see through Cao Xun.
Pan Shi pressed, her tone smooth and insistent, "Tell me, does Fushan act any differently when he's with you?"
After all, any difference in the matter of offspring would surely come from that.
Yunzhu threw Pan Shi a look full of sharp sarcasm. Why on earth would she think she'd spill the details of her marriage?
"There are things I'm open to hearing, but some things? Best left unsaid. I trust you'll know where to draw the line."
Pan Shi, standing tall and poised, replied coolly, "I'm only looking out for you. If you had an heir, the Dukeâs palace would have its rightful successor."
Without a word, Yunzhu turned on her heel and walked away, her back to Pan Shi as if the conversation had never happened.
*
Yunzhu had her mind completely consumed with thoughts of Cao Xun, not her brother, and certainly not Pan Shi. The day dragged on, but it was clear where her attention was fixed. As soon as Cao Xun returned that evening, she wasted no time seeking him out. She followed him to the bathroom, leaned against the screen, and shot him a piercing look. âSo, what did you tell your stepmother?â
Her mind churned with suspicion. If his energy had been lacking that night, Yunzhu couldn't even imagine what a truly vibrant man might feel like. She couldnât shake the thought that something was off, but he was acting cool, casual, dismissing it like it was nothing. âIf I hadnât said anything, sheâd have blamed you. Even if itâs just gossip among the women, I didnât want you to deal with that nonsense.â
His words caught her off guard. Since they had married, Cao Xun had always been kind, patient, even affectionate. Yunzhu had dismissed it all as nothing more than polite marriage ritual. How much weight could those small gestures really carry?
But now, he was acting differently. It wasnât like him to dismiss concerns about his reputation so easily. âArenât you worried theyâll mock you?â she asked, clutching her handkerchief tightly.
Cao Xun stayed quiet, not even offering a response. After getting dressed, he finally turned to her, the usual nonchalance gone, replaced with a solemn look. âEver thought that maybe the problem is me?â he asked quietly, voice low and heavy. âIâve been through a lot of injuries over the years.â
Yunzhu was left speechless, frozen in place.
âââTN:
I need to get this retranslation wrapped up fast, no hesitation. I want it done and dusted, seriously.