Chapter 56
Cao Xun quickly shrugged off the moment of tension, dismissing it like a fleeting joke, before whisking Yunzhu away for dinner. But the more he acted so nonchalantly, the more Yunzhu couldnât stop her mind from wandering.
After all this time, Yunzhu knew exactly how it worked when it came to making a babyâit was all about a man giving a part of himself to a woman, much like a farmer planting his seeds in the earth. No need to compare him to other men; she knew without a doubt that Cao Xun had already given her plenty.
Xie Wenying and Prince An, only married six months after them, were already celebrating the news of the princessâs pregnancy. Yunzhu couldnât help but wonderâwas there something wrong with her? No, her body was fine, and her cycles didnât seem to be an issue. Soâ¦
As they ate, Yunzhuâs thoughts drifted again, and she couldn't help but sneak a glance at Cao Xun.
Could it be that his vitality had truly waned after all his injuries? Could his seeds no longer be viable? It wasnât unheard ofâsome men, despite their outward strength, were lacking in substance. Just like some fruits might look ripe but taste flat.
âWhatâs going on in that head of yours?â Cao Xunâs voice cut through her thoughts.
Yunzhu quickly turned away, not wanting him to suspect anything. As his wife, she had to be careful not to make him doubt himself. She needed a distraction.
âI was thinking of going out tomorrow. Are you busy?â she asked casually.
âNo, Iâm free. Where do you want to go?â he replied.
She decided to mention the temple, telling him she wanted to pray for her brotherâs safe travels.
Cao Xun seemed to accept it without question and went back to his meal.
Yunzhu dared not stray from her thoughts any longer. After dinner, they walked around the garden before returning to freshen up and head to bed.
Once in bed, her thoughts turned to their desire for a child. No matter his age, Cao Xun was still a manâa flesh-and-blood man, driven by his own emotions and desires.
And now, Yunzhu felt the urge to bring it up.
She slowly moved closer and wrapped her arms around his back, her hands resting gently on his chest, her fingers brushing the hard muscles there. The contrast of his broad shoulders and narrow waist was enough to send a tingle down her spine.
Cao Xunâs voice was a soft murmur in the quiet room, âYou want me?â
Yunzhu smiled playfully, her fingers tapping against him. âYou know I just want to hug you.â
Cao Xunâs lips curled into a grin. âFair enough.â
He took her hand, squeezing it gently, savoring the closeness.
But then Yunzhu paused, something nagging at her. âHave you really been hurt that much?â
He guided her hand to his waist, and Yunzhuâs fingers grazed over a scarâhidden just beneath the hard muscle of his body. Sheâd held him before, even in that exact spot, and never noticed it. But now, with her senses fully alert, how had she missed such a mark?
Cao Xun quickly shook off the brief moment of heaviness, dismissing it as a fleeting joke, and without skipping a beat, whisked Yunzhu off for dinner.
The more he acted like nothing had happened, the deeper Yunzhuâs thoughts sank.
After years of marriage, Yunzhu understood how making a baby worked. It was simpleâa man gave part of himself to a woman, like a farmer planting seeds in the soil. She didnât need to compare him to other men to know that Cao Xun had given her more than enough.
Meanwhile, Xie Wenying and Prince An, who had married only six months after them, were already celebrating the news of the princessâs pregnancy.
Cao Xun casually explained, "When I was eighteen, a Hu general challenged me to a duel. Just as he was about to lose, one of his men ambushed me from behind with a knife. It cut right through my armor, leaving a scar the length of my finger."
Yunzhu winced as though she herself had been stabbed. It wasnât just pity for Cao Xunâit was pure instinct, a reaction she couldnât control.
Her thoughts drifted to her father.
When he returned from the border after three months, he was covered in scarsâon his neck, face, back, hands, and wrists. Surely, there were more hidden under his clothes. Her parents had kept that from her, fearing it would upset her.
Cao Xun had spent fourteen years at the border, fighting in bloody battles to reclaim Jiaozhu. He wasnât the type of general who avoided danger for the sake of preserving his pride.
"Isn't your father worried about you?" Yunzhu asked, her voice soft with concern.
"You can't turn a piece of jade into slag. Being born into the Li family, you know better than anyone," he replied, his tone firm.
Yunzhu thought of her brothers, training relentlessly in archery and spear fighting, regardless of the weather. Her father, at his age, still carried on like a man half his years. Her eldest brother had long been assigned to the royal guard by the late emperor.
Yunzhu sighed and drew him closer, her fingers trailing over his chest.
People envied the nobility, but they didnât understandâbeing âhonorableâ came with a steep price: their lives.
Then, Cao Xun asked, his voice low and serious, "If I canât get you pregnant, what will you do?"
Yunzhuâs temper flared. "Why donât you stop speculating and go see a real doctor? Maybe itâs all in your head."
Cao Xunâs lips curled into a grin. "Actions speak louder than words. You think Iâm too diligent, yet we still havenât gotten you pregnant."
Yunzhu shot back, her voice teasing, "Are you sure youâre not the one being too diligent? I might already be pregnant, and you just missed it."
Cao Xun frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, even the tiniest seed can be damaged without showing any symptoms right away," she said, her tone sultry and full of meaning.
Cao Xun paused, processing her words, before flipping her onto her back, pinning her beneath him. He leaned in, lips just hovering over hers, but before he could kiss her, a chuckle escaped him. He couldnât resist.
"Is something funny?" Yunzhu asked, indignation rising in her voice.
Cao Xun smirked. "Why shouldnât we laugh? Are you planning to divorce me because I havenât knocked you up yet?"
Yunzhu didnât answer immediately. She hadnât really thought that far ahead.
She wasnât exactly in a rush to have a child, at least not yet, so this whole baby talk wasnât enough to shake her thoughts on her marriage to Cao Xun. After all, their relationship was about so much more than just having kids.
Cao Xun could tell she wasnât biting, so he stopped teasing and got real with her, âNot every couple pops out kids in their first couple of years. Some donât even start trying until the third or fifth year. I know a few who waited even longer. Itâs not about something being wrong with either of us, itâs just not the right time. So, donât go getting all worked up because of what anyone else thinks.â
Only then did Yunzhu realizeâhis serious act in the bathroom? All smoke and mirrors!
Sheâd been thinking heâd be some sad old man with a broken heart at his age, worrying heâd be disappointed. Sheâd been so careful with her words, afraid of accidentally making him feel bad. Now, though, she was ready to throw a little fire his way. âYou really are so calm, huh? You not even worried something might be wrong with you?â
Cao Xun shot back, âCan you point out whatâs wrong?â
Yunzhu fell silent. Damn. Sheâd really underestimated how cool he could be.
*
Pan Shi tossed and turned through a restless night, her dreams playing tricks on her mind. In one, Cao Xun, unable to have a child of his own, was forced to adopt a son. But things got even more twisted when Yunzhu tried to seduce the boy, scheming to use him to bear a child. And just as the tension reached its peak, Cao Xun walked in on them, his fury boiling over. Then, the nightmare deepened: Cao Xun, sword in hand, coming at their son with deadly intent.
Pan Shi jolted awake, heart racing, drenched in a cold sweat, her own ragged breathing echoing in the stillness of the room.
After a long, cleansing bath, she couldn't shake the haunting images of the dream from her mind, the feelings swirling in her chest. The unease lingered like a shadow she couldnât outrun.
When the first light of dawn broke, Cao Shao appeared, ready for breakfast with his mother.
Cao Shao had risen through the ranks, now a respected Lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, a man of both culture and military prowess. He worked closely with Emperor Qianxing, narrating history, trusted and positioned for a future of influence. He had earned his place, climbing the ranks as only those who had passed the imperial exam could. Being the emperor's direct uncle only made his position more secureâlikely to be a senior minister within the next decade.
Despite her feelings for her stepson and his wife, Pan Shi found a certain comfort in her own son. He was a pillar she could rely on.
With a sly smile, she leaned in, whispering, "Last night, I had a sweet dream about you. I saw you with four sonsâeach one sharper than the last, destined for greatness."
Cao Shao simply stared, unsure how to respond.
Pan Shi wasnât done yet. "The royal court is still settling. Soon, I'll find you a wifeâone whoâs beautiful and talented, worthy of you."
Her plans were clear. The right daughter-in-law would be chosen from the family of the most esteemed officialâsomeone with enough power to secure the family's future.
Cao Shao furrowed his brow, caution evident in his voice. "The national mourning lasts only twenty-seven days. The late emperor was generous to us, but rushing into marriage now might invite gossip. Itâs better to wait until next year, after the reign name changes. Itâs only half a year awayâthereâs no need to rush."
Pan Shi raised an eyebrow, her voice sharpening. "Are you sure about that? Or are you still hung up on someone?"
Cao Shao sighed, his face a mask of resignation. "Iâve long moved on. Otherwise, I wouldnât have agreed to the marriage proposal last year. Walls have earsâletâs not stir up trouble by talking about it."
Pan Shi nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. Weâll wait until next year."
Her sonâs dutiful visit, though, had become a kind of quiet torture. His patience for her endless chatter was starting to wear thin.
Finally, with the conversation winding down, Cao Shao rose to leave. But as he made his way out of the courtyard, he couldnât avoid running into his brother and sister-in-law near the Duke's Mansion gate.
On that scorching summer morning, the sun beat down with a blistering intensity, making everything feel alive, almost too hot to touch. But Yunzhu, oh, she was an oasis in the middle of it all. She wore a light green gown that shimmered with a cool, effortless elegance, as though it could shield her from the sun's fury.
Cao Shao caught a glimpse of her face, radiant and glowing like she was the very essence of summer itself. But as quickly as his eyes found her, he looked away, a flicker of something passing through his mind. With a charming smile, he stepped forward, greeting his brother and sister-in-law with all the respect due to his elevated status.
Under the shelter of Cao Xun's umbrella, Yunzhu didn't bother with a smile or a flirty glance. She just studied Cao Shao with that detached, almost knowing look that made his heart skip a beat.
Her presence was magnetic, undeniable. Nobility only added to the allure of it allâshe was untouchable in a way that made men want to reach out and grab. Her family had lost favor with the new emperor, but the Cao family was rising higher, especially since the nephew took the throne. Cao Shao, with his jade-like features and calm confidence, grew more irresistible by the day.
"Brother, sister-in-law, are you heading out?" Cao Shao asked smoothly, his eyes briefly flicking to his brother.
Cao Xun's smile was as warm as always as he responded, "Yes, we're off to the temple to offer our prayers. And what about you, dear brother?"
"Just a trip to the bookstore," Cao Shao replied, "See if I can find something rare to occupy my time."
Cao Xun hummed in acknowledgment and began walking, Yunzhu following closely behind. Naturally, Cao Shao trailed them, moving with a purpose, but his eyes kept flicking back to Yunzhu, the woman who effortlessly held his attention.
By the carriage, stools were arranged. Yunzhu, with a slow, deliberate movement, placed one hand on Cao Xun's, her other hand lifting her skirt as she prepared to step inside. But just before she leaned in, her eyes darted behind her, meeting Cao Shao's gaze.
His eyes immediately snapped away, but it was too late. His brief moment of weakness was already exposed. He had been watching herâhow could he not have been? And the way he quickly averted his eyes showed the guilt that churned inside him. But she caught him, and she knew it, even if she didnât acknowledge it.
Yunzhu barely spared him another thought. She reminded her husband to bring the umbrella before he got in, her voice calm and casual. Cao Xun smiled, folded the umbrella, and said his goodbyes before stepping into the carriage.
As the carriage rolled away, Cao Shao's eyes lingered on the spot where they had stood just moments ago. Yunzhu, already lost in her own world, had shifted her position. She pulled off her embroidered shoes and curled up against Cao Xun, her head resting on his lap. "I'm tired," she murmured. "Wake me when weâre close."
The journey would be long, over an hour, so why not sleep through it? She had barely gotten any rest the night before.
Cao Xun looked down at her, her serene face a picture of tranquility, her delicate form almost defenseless in its vulnerability. Reaching for the fan nearby, he gently fanned her, his other hand a steady presence on her shoulder, ensuring she stayed balanced and at ease as the carriage swayed gently on its path.