Chapter 68
Yunzhu couldnât quite pin down what Cao Xun wanted from herâwhat he really, truly desired. He was an enigma. One moment, heâd level her with a cold, icy warning not to play games with the young emperor; the next, heâd turn and lace her days with sweetness and flattery, making her wonder if he cared more than he let on.
He admired her beauty openly, no pretense there, and his kindness wrapped around her like silk. Yet, beneath it all, his devotion felt wafer-thinâcrumbling when it mattered most. He would turn away effortlessly, as though she werenât worth the risk, leaving her to wonder how much he actually cared.
And if anyone dared to suggest that Cao Xun truly loved her? Yunzhu would laughâsharp, biting, and loud.
The truth was simpler, colder. Cao Xun was just holding true to his wordâthose pre-marriage vows delivered with a cool, unwavering authority:
âIâll honor you, but youâll set the tone, Yunzhu,â heâd said, voice low and deliberate. âDonât mistake me for some besotted boy swayed by your looks. Cross me, and Iâll turn my back without hesitation. Show honor, and weâll share a lifetime. But betray meâfall for another manâand Iâll divorce you.â
It wasnât love. It was control wrapped in conditions. He indulged her quirks, let her dance on the edge of his patience, but never let her forget where the line was drawn. And Yunzhu knewâif she stepped over, Cao Xun wouldnât blink. He was not the fool many men became in the face of beauty.
That day, though, as Cao Xun watched her chat with Cao Shao, he caught a flicker in her gazeâa fleeting spark of interest. And that smug, knowing smile of his spread like slow, dripping honey. He invited Cao Shao to dinner, casual as ever, his words barbed with unspoken warning.
âPower is a flame, Yunzhu,â he reminded her later, his voice laced with both taunt and menace. âThose who chase its warmth are too often left burned.â
Yunzhu stiffened. He suspected her. The man was sharpâtaunting and testing her at every turn, though he held no proof. Divorce was the word he dangled in the air, like a knife poised at her throat, threatening but never striking unless he knew.
And the mere idea of itâdivorceâsent chills rippling down her spine. Another public humiliation, another mark on her reputation? No. She couldnât bear that kind of shameânot again. Her family didnât deserve that disgrace either. If Cao Xun ever cast her aside, sheâd prefer to disappear quietly, with whatever dignity she could scrape together.
So when Cao Xun extended a handâapologies falling from his lips, reconciliation offeredâYunzhu leaned into it. She had no choice but to accept.
Later, as he leaned in to kiss her, soft and slow, Yunzhu hesitated. Then, playfully, she nipped at his lips, sharp enough to sting but careful not to break skin. If thereâd been a mark, it wouldâve embarrassed them both.
He tensed, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce, but he didnât pull back.
Satisfied, she moved her mouth to his shoulder and bit down harderâhard enough to leave her mark, her silent rebellion. No one would see it, after all. That secret was hers. And Cao Xun let herâlet her teeth dig into his skin, saying nothing as her intent sank in.
When he finally tilted his head back down, Yunzhu looked away, feigning defiance. But he wouldnât let her goânot that easily. His hands found her face, turning it back to meet his gaze, his voice a whisper against her skin.
âI was wrong,â he murmured, soft but resolute. âI wonât speak to you like that again.â
Yunzhuâs laugh cut through his wordsâlow, challenging, dripping with fire. âDonât placate me. Iâm the frivolous one, remember? If I werenât, I wouldnât have dared to seduce you. Say whatever you want, Cao Xun. If you decide to divorce me for it one day, Iâll accept it.â
His brow furrowed, the words clearly striking deeper than sheâd expected. âWhat nonsense are you talking about? That day will never come.â
She sneeredâsharp and biting. âWhoâs to say? Youâre Cao Xunâuncle to the emperor, a man of prestige and power. Crushing a mere minister or his unruly wife? Itâs childâs play for someone like you.â
For once, his gaze softened, his tone grave and certain. âYunzhu, if I ever ended this marriage, I wouldnât live to see a peaceful end.â
His words knocked the wind from her lungs. She froze.
Was this another warning?
A clever twist in his game?
Or had he let something slipâsomething real?
If it was an act, it was masterful.
If it wasnâtâ¦
Yunzhu found herself caught in his snare again, unsure whether to believe the man who kissed her lips one moment and wielded threats the next.
Cao Xun grinned and took her hand, his smile tinged with a helplessness that was oddly charming. "Yunzhu," he said, his voice dropping a bit lower, "I want to grow old with you, if I can."
Itâs common for lovers to vow that, right? To age together, to face life's twists and turns hand-in-hand. But Cao Xun added the "if" because, despite the years between them, he knew the truthâhe was much older and the odds of him living to see her hair turn gray were slim. Heâd likely leave her behind before she even reached old age.
Yunzhu caught the weight of that. She lowered her eyes, a flicker of emotion playing across her features. "You donât need to say that," she said, her tone playful yet a little sharp. "Iâve had people curse me and berate me my whole life. From childhood, theyâve looked at me with envy and spat their insults, but Iâve never cared. But youâsomeone who usually keeps it all togetherâscolded me."
Her eyes didnât tear up, but they glistened with the subtle sting of feeling misunderstood.
Cao Xun tried to smooth things over, his voice firm but gentle. "I didnât scold you, Yunzhu. I understand who you are. Youâve got too much pride for something so trivial. What happened with Second Brother... it ended before it could even start. And now, youâre looking for someone better than him. And you found me. Every time weâre together, itâs like youâre testing me. If you hadnât been betrothed to him, thereâs no way you'd look at someone my age."
She absorbed his words, fully aware of the truth behind them.
But Yunzhu wasnât naive. She smiled a little, a teasing glint in her eye. "True, even though youâre older, youâre still better than those younger men. If I hadnât been betrothed, maybe I wouldâve fallen for you anyway... but I wouldnât have played these games to get to you."
Cao Xun chuckled, a rich sound that warmed the room, before tapping the tip of her nose. "No need to flatter me, sweetheart. Just promise you wonât hold this against me again."
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Who said Iâm resentful? You were the one pushing me to be composed, and now you're complaining because Iâm not holding back."
"You're made to lead, Yunzhu," he said with a soft laugh. "If you ever try to change that, you wonât be you anymore."
She shot him a sly look, a playful challenge in her gaze. "I fear one day you might get sick of my ways and scold me again. Youâve got a tongue, and everything you say sounds so convincing."
Cao Xun raised an eyebrow, his tone amused but serious. "No need to worry. If you doubt me, Iâll put it in writing."
Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Then do it. Write it now."
Cao Xun took a piece of parchment and began writing, his hand steady as he composed the formal vow. When he finished, he handed it to her.
Yunzhu read the words aloud, her voice teasing but sincere: "I promise to cherish my wife Yunzhu until the end of my days." It was signed by the esteemed Royal Uncle himself.
Her heart warmed at the sight, but she knew it was just a little game between them, a way to tease and reassure her at the same time.
She couldnât help but smile, a proud, satisfied smile that crept onto her lips even though she tried to hide it.
Seeing that smile, Cao Xun couldn't resist. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a lingering heat, soft and insistent.
Yunzhu playfully swatted him away, but when he released her, she couldnât resist joking, "It takes a lot of work to turn a dog into a horse, but now I want you to be my steed. Take me around the house ten times."
She wasnât afraid to take charge when the moment called for it, especially if he wouldnât accept the respect she was offering.
Cao Xun, always the sport, got up and moved to the bed. Yunzhu, smirking, relaxed on his broad back as he stood, his muscles solid beneath her.
She had to admit, he was built for this.
He moved with ease around the spacious room, crossing past the window and circling the partition by Babuâs bed, his every step deliberate.
Yunzhu's fingers traced lightly along his ear, counting softly in a voice that made his pulse quicken. By the time she reached ten, Cao Xun was still pacing, the tension between them thickening.
With a smirk, Yunzhu murmured, "Alright, enough for tonight. Time to call it a day."
But Cao Xun wasnât ready to stop. His voice, low and teasing, replied, "Just a little longer. I'll let you go once you're asleep."
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "So if I donât fall asleep, youâll keep holding me?"
He smiled, the curve of his lips suggestive, âWhy donât you test it and find out?â
A playful struggle followed, her body settling on his, and she resumed her counting, each breath heavier than the last.
It didnât take long, though. Whether it was the intense closeness or the calming, intimate atmosphere of the room, Yunzhuâs eyelids fluttered and her breath evened out. She drifted off first.
Cao Xun circled her for a moment longer, his gaze lingering, before he finally eased her onto the bed, his movements gentle, yet filled with the quiet promise of more.
*
On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Cao Xun once again escorted Yunzhu to visit his parents. This wasn't just a casual trip to see Li Yongâit was also to deliver their gifts for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.
Li Yong, having nearly recovered after a long, grueling period, wore the guise of a man still weakened. He pretended his right shoulder remained uselessâa silent refusal to return to the unforgiving role of a Jinyi Guard.
In the privacy of the womenâs quarters, her mother, Meng shi, pulled Yunzhu aside and, with calm assurance, shared her thoughts. âThe Emperorâs favor isnât guaranteed for families like ours, and your father doesnât need to gamble his safety to climb into the poisonous world of officialdom. Your brother is young, building his path with experience elsewhere, and weâre in no rush. The Li family has survived alongside the royal family all this time. Power waxes and wanes across generations, but our heritage, our traditionsâthose endure. Even if we live humbly now, opportunities for resurgence will always come. When a family has deep roots, even decades of shadows wonât keep it from growing toward the light.â
Meng shiâs voice was steady, but the message was razor-sharp: dynasties might change, emperors may falter, but the bloodlineâthat was their ace. If one generation missed its moment, the next would rise. If not them, then their children, or grandchildren. As long as the name remained unbroken, reclaiming honor was only a matter of time.
Yunzhu nodded in understanding. âI get it, Mom. Donât worry.â
Smiling, Meng shi reached out and gently tousled her daughterâs hairâa tender touch that softened the weight of their words.
But Yunzhu couldnât hide her lingering worry. âBrotherâs just arrived in Fuzhou. I hope the bandit suppression mission goes smoothly for him.â
Meng shi, ever composed, offered a sly smile. âSmooth roads donât make great men. Sometimes a little chaos teaches patience.â
Still restless, Yunzhu pressed on. âWhat about Sister-in-law? Will she manage alone while heâs gone?â
Her motherâs gaze sharpened but her voice remained cool. âSheâs not you, Yunzhu. Your sister-in-law finds peace in solitude. Besides, Iâm here to guide her.â
Yunzhu agreed; her mother knew best. With her worries put to rest, she accompanied Cao Xun to the Marquis of Huaiâanâs birthday celebration on August 13th.
A year ago, this day had been soaked in dread. Liu Jing, the Marquisâs wife, had clung to a frail hope that her husband would see another year. And though Zhang Xingjianâs face now bore the years like deep carvings in stone, today was a victoryâlife, family, and friends gathered under a glowing full moon.
This year, Emperor Qianxing had even granted Zhang Hu leave to return home for the festival. The young man, radiating with elegance and promise, tugged at Yunzhuâs heartstrings. He reminded her too much of her brother, far away in Guizhou, locked in battle with bandits.
As the moon hung heavy and bright in the night sky, Yunzhu drifted into quiet reflection. Her attention waned, and she barely registered Cao Xun, Zhang Xingjian, and Gu Qingheâs banter.
Later, as the women stepped away, Liu Jingâgraceful and discerningâleaned in close to Yunzhu. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she lowered her voice. âCao Xun was here earlier this month.â
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Liu Jing continued, tone soft but unmistakably teasing. âI donât know the whole story, but thereâs something about himâa man tangled up in matters of the heart. Our Lord Marquis has set out to seek wisdom from Buddhist scriptures. Meanwhile, Cao Xunâ¦â She trailed off with a knowing smile.
Yunzhu blinked, at a loss for words.
Liu Jing chuckled, her voice smooth and wise. âItâs natural, really. Heâs spent so long at the border, away from the world of courtship. He may be older, but emotionally? Heâs like a young boyâclumsy, naïve, prone to making a fool of himself. When men like him stumble, itâs easy to be angry. But Yunzhu, when youâre angry, remember the kindness heâs shown you. Those momentsâthe ones that seem insignificantâare proof of where his heart lies.â
Yunzhu managed a faint smile. Liu Jingâs words lingered, but understanding Cao Xun remained an enigma. For now, she kept her thoughts to herself.
As the banquet came to a close and the moon climbed higher into the heavens, Zhang Xingjian, too weary to stand, reclined on his couch. His voice was hoarse but warm. âItâs late. Go home.â
Cao Xun nodded, rising. âWeâll meet again after the festival.â
Gu Qinghe, ever the jovial one, chimed in. âNext time, Iâll bring two casks of immortal wine. Youâll drink your fill, old friend.â
Zhang Xingjianâs tired smile deepened. âIâll hold you to that.â
As the night came to its quiet close, the air was thick with unspoken promises, lingering looks, and the weight of old friendshipsâand Yunzhu couldnât shake the feeling that amidst it all, something between her and Cao Xun hung unresolved, like the moon half-hidden behind clouds.
*
That night, Cao Xun finally slipped into a dream that had been haunting him for ages. In the vivid depths of his slumber, he and Zhang Xingjian were once again at the border, another Mid-Autumn night bathed in silver moonlight. After an extravagant feast that left their bellies full and their spirits wild, they tore out of the city, the hooves of their horses pounding against the endless grasslands, their bodies alive with the rush of the ride until their steeds faltered beneath them, breathless.
Side by side, they sprawled on the vast, open earth, chests heaving, eyes locked on the moon that glowed like a silent witness.
That night, Zhang Xingjian couldnât stop talking. His voice was low, rough, full of a longing that even the wind couldnât steal. He spoke of resolve, of loyaltyâswearing that no matter what came his way, heâd never leave Liu Jing and their son behind.
Cao Xun remembered it so clearlyâZhang Xingjianâs hand reaching upward, stretching out like he might actually seize the moon itself. His words were raw, stripped of pretense: âI want to go back to Beijing. To hold Ah Jing in one hand and Ah Hu in the other. Thatâs all I want. Nothing else matters.â
At the time, Cao Xun had no family waiting for him in the capital. No wife. No son. He couldnât quite grasp the depths of his friendâs yearningâthe hunger that clawed through Zhang Xingjianâs chest.
But he still wanted it for himâwanted every damn thing his friend desired to come true.
Then, like a cruel omen, a savage wind screamed across the grasslands, whipping up the earth and swallowing the moon in a cloak of darkness.
The two of them scrambled onto their horses, fighting against the storm, reins slipping in their hands. Zhang Xingjian turned backâsmiling through the chaos, eyes glinting with challenge. âRace you back to the city! Letâs see who gets there first!â
Cao Xun spurred his horse forward, chasing that grin, the sound of his friendâs laughter carried on the wind. But when he reached the gates, he realizedâZhang Xingjian was gone. Vanished.
The dream shattered.
Cao Xun jolted awake, his chest tight, his breath shallow. The room was still, silent but for the soft rise and fall of the young womanâs breath beside him. He pushed back the gauze curtain and stepped to the bedside, his gaze drawn to the sky outside.
The moon was gone, and the first threads of dawn crept across the horizon like an unwelcome intruder.
A heavy unease coiled in his gut, a tension he couldnât shake.
When morning came, a messenger arrived from the Marquis Mansion of Huaiâan. The news hit like a blade to the ribs. Zhang XingjianâMarquis of Huaiâan, hero of the border, the man who had carved his name into history with blood, sweat, and an unyielding willâwas dead. Thirty-three years old, snuffed out far too soon.
The man who once reached for the moon would never see it again.