Chapter 72
Yunzhu was caught up in the lively atmosphere, entertained by Sun Guangfu, when suddenly, she felt a gaze locking onto her. She glanced across the room, her eyes meeting the group of male guests standing at the opposite end, and there he wasâCao Xun, effortlessly standing out from the crowd. The sunlight bathed everyone else, but his presence, calm yet sharp, seemed to cut through the haze. His gaze was fixed on her, those long, intense eyes zeroing in on her with unnerving precision.
Her heart skipped, tightening in an unexpected pang of awareness. She knew, in that instant, he saw it all. Her playful smile meant for another, the one sheâd been so carefully flaunting for Sun Guangfu. But it didnât go unnoticed by Cao Xun. His perceptiveness didnât miss a beat. His knowing expressionâcool, controlled, and undeniably sharpâtold her that he saw through her little act.
It was like a storm cloud creeping across an otherwise perfect sky, dousing the warmth of her mood in an instant. She quickly lowered her gaze, flashing him a polite smile before turning away. With a swift motion, she moved toward the other courtyard, where the women were dining, eager to distance herself from the tension simmering between them.
The banquet raged on, beautiful and grand, but Yunzhu barely tasted the food. Her mind was too far elsewhere, tangled up in thoughts she wasnât ready to face.
After the feast, as Yunzhu walked with the other women outside, she spotted him again. Cao Xun was standing near the Duke of Qi, chatting casually with Sun Chao, who, despite his tipsy demeanor, was full of praise. Cao Xun smiled easily, exchanging a few words with the Duke, who couldn't stop gushing about how lucky Yunzhu and her friends were, married to men of such incredible caliber. His praise for Cao Xun was endless. She caught it allâthe way they fawned over him, their admiration dripping in every word, making her stomach churn with a tinge of discomfort.
"I see youâre here, Yunzhu. Was the food to your liking?" Sun Chao slurred, his words heavy with wine. His gaze softened as he spoke. "You girls were fluttering about like butterflies yesterday, and now you're all married off. But what luck youâve had. No one in the capital compares to Duke Dingguoâhandsome, talented⦠truly unmatched."
Yunzhu forced a smile, trying to ignore the unease that bubbled up. "Letâs go, shall we? It looks like you've had quite a bit to drink. Perhaps you should take it easy in the futureâso Yurong doesn't keep worrying about you."
She knew better than anyone that excess didnât just ruin the figure; it ruined health too.
"I know, I know," Sun Chao responded with a guilty smile. "If only your father had been well. He would have enjoyed a drink with us, no doubt."
With a courteous nod and a smile, Yunzhu excused herself and made her way to the waiting carriage.
Cao Xun, ever the gentleman, opened the door for her, offering a hand to assist her into the carriage. He followed her in smoothly, his presence filling the space, leaving her no room to escape the tension hanging thick between them.
At these kinds of gatherings, the men were expected to indulge in drink. The moment Cao Xun took a seat, the heady scent of alcohol clung to him, filling the carriage like an intoxicating cloud.
Yunzhu sat quietly, her eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
Cao Xun casually pulled the young woman onto his lap and, with a teasing glint in his voice, asked, "Why the long face, little one? Something on your mind after Duke Qi mentioned my father-in-law?"
Yunzhu answered coolly, "No, I'm just tired. A morning full of socializing leaves its mark."
Cao Xunâs hands, strong and confident, massaged her shoulders with an ease that was both gentle and commanding.
She couldnât help but notice how his fingers movedâsmooth, deliberate, effortlessly applying pressure to her shoulders in a way that comforted yet sent a shiver down her spine.
Though she wasn't exactly excited by his presence, Yunzhu stayed ready to face whatever game he was playing.
This man, she knew, was always pulling subtle movesâpointing out her flaws while pretending to care about something else. He liked to make her feel caught, but this time, he wouldnât get his way so easily.
But despite the tension, Duke Dingguo didnât make his move, leaving her to wonder whether heâd even bother to address it.
Cao Xun's busy schedule had him going wherever he pleased, and Yunzhu couldn't care less whether or not he showed up for dinner at Duke Qi's mansion. She wasnât expecting anything from him anyway.
After dropping her off at home, Cao Xun slipped into his official attire and rushed off to the Governorâs Mansion, leaving her to endure the long wait.
Truthfully, it wasnât a big deal. She knew heâd probably scold her for being too flighty, but the mere thought of his reproach still made her uneasy.
As the weather grew colder, Yunzhu spent the afternoon idling in the Dukeâs garden before returning to the main courtyard, eagerly awaiting his return.
During dinner, she stole a few glances at him, noting how composed he appeared, as always.
Later that evening, as they prepared for bed, Cao Xunâs focus shifted entirely to her.
Yunzhu, her thoughts still clouded by her brotherâs troubles, had mostly been left alone by him. But tonight, there was no mistaking his intent. Once in bed, he pulled her close, his lips landing gently but persistently on her face, planting soft kisses.
Yunzhu barely stifled a sigh, her patience running thin. She brushed his hand away, putting some distance between them as she shot him an unreadable look.
"Say what youâre thinking," she muttered. "I saw you catch Yurong leaving the boudoir. Donât act coy."
Cao Xun, his breath still unsteady from the moments before, looked at her with an almost helpless expression. "What did you say?" he asked.
Yunzhu tilted her head, offering a sly smile. "Frivolous. Thatâs your go-to, isnât it?"
Cao Xun winced. He knew exactly what she meant. Those words had taken root, and he knew that if he pushed her too far, sheâd bring it all up again.
Cao Xun stepped closer, his arms wrapping around the stiff, unyielding figure of the young woman in his arms. His gaze locked onto hers with intensity, his voice smooth and direct, "Oh, I saw it all right. It was clear as dayâyou didnât want to be there, but you went anyway. You didnât want to embarrass Miss Sun, so you let her drag you along, helping Sun heir look good while he proudly presented his sister, all without a hint of shame."
His lips curled into a sly smile. "I have to say, I find your honesty... refreshing. Not one bit trivial, though some might call it that."
Yunzhuâs eyes narrowed slightly as she absorbed his words, her expression cool. "You think so little of me, donât you, Yunzhu?"
Her response was a soft, teasing retort. "...The way you looked at me didnât exactly scream admiration."
Cao Xunâs smile deepened, an edge of amusement creeping into his voice. "Is that so? How did I look, then?"
Yunzhu didn't respond, her eyes avoiding his, unwilling to admit she hadnât studied his expression as closely as she might have.
His finger gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You know your thoughts, don't you?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
Her reply came softly, almost to herself, "You think too much."
Cao Xunâs lips brushed against her cheek as he spoke, voice thick with intent. "I know exactly what I was thinking. In that moment, I realized that, while Sun heir may lack the sharpness I have, he does have one thing I canât seem to get enough ofâyour laugh. That beautiful sound he somehow draws from you."
Yunzhu stiffened, her lips pressed tight. "It still bothers you, doesn't it?"
Cao Xun pulled her closer, lifting her face to meet his, his voice turning earnest, low, almost pleading. "It doesn't bother me... Not exactly. I just feel a tinge of regret. You see, those young menâalways running after you with their desperate, pitiful attempts to win your favorâit's because they donât have anything of real worth. Me, on the other hand? I married you. Yet every damn day, I canât seem to make you laugh the way they do."
For a moment, silence fell between them. Yunzhuâs eyes grew distant as the weight of his words settled in.
Cao Xunâhe could make her laugh whenever he wanted, because he had the power to indulge her whims, to provide the comfort she craved, and in turn, she would laugh out of sheer pride. But now, with her family struggling, and everything shifting beneath her feet, her laughter came less freely.
Her voice was quiet, bitter with unspoken frustration. "Who doesnât have their own battles? You laugh like itâs nothingâso freely, so carelessly. Itâs not your burden, so stop trying to feel sorry for me."
But Cao Xun said nothing. He simply held her tighter, unwilling to speak empty words, knowing they meant nothing unless backed by action.
Yunzhu remained firm, unwilling to be moved by his attempts. She wouldn't let him sway herâno promises, no empty gestures. Not until the world shifted in their favor again.
*
When Xu Guanâs leave for his marriage came to an end, Yunzhu decided it was time to make a visit to the Xu household, returning the gesture of courtesy.
The Xu home, though modest, had an inviting charm, a simple second-entry courtyard with a floral gate leading into the young couple's residence.
Sun Yurong felt a slight rush of discomfort. She feared Yunzhu might look down on her husbandâs humble abode.
As Yunzhu glanced around, noticing the freshly renovated courtyard, the freshly painted pillars, doors, and windows, and the array of long-flowering roses in full bloom, she couldnât help but comment with an appreciative smirk, "Clearly, Mr. Xu has an eye for detail and a great deal of sentiment for this place."
Sun Yurong chuckled bitterly, "What kind of wealth are we talking about? After buying the house, he barely had a few dozen taels of silver left."
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow. "He gave it all to you, didn't he?"
Sun Yurong nodded, a soft blush on her cheeks.
Yunzhu leaned in a little closer, her voice dripping with a teasing, sultry edge. "That means heâs got serious affection for you. The less someone has, the more they hesitate to spend. He clearly didnât hesitate with you. Heâs left everything to his wife, hasnât he?"
"Exactly," Sun Yurong sighed. "Now, youâre managing the Dukeâs Mansion, arenât you?"
Yunzhu smirked. "Well, letâs say Iâm the housekeeper and the financial overseer. The Cao familyâs fortune is split in two. One part is under my care, and the other is with Duke Dingguo himself."
Sun Yurong smirked knowingly. "That makes sense. My father holds part of the property too, but he never gave it all to my mother."
"Thatâs not how it works in my household," Yunzhu said casually, brushing off the subject with a shrug. "I donât worry about it. Honestly, I canât even manage my own dowry properly," she added with a soft sigh.
"Donât tell me you came to visit me just to show off," Sun Yurong teased, narrowing her eyes.
The two exchanged barbed comments for a moment. Sun Yurong pressed on, eager to discuss their husbands and their differences.
Willing to listen, Yunzhu found herself intrigued. Despite the frailty of Yurongâs husband, he seemed to possess certain strengths. At least he was attentive to her, and it didnât seem like Sun Yurong minded her husbandâs unassuming nature.
Sun Yurong raised a provocative eyebrow. "So, do martial artists make better lovers in bed?"
Yunzhuâs face twitched, but she maintained her composure. "Letâs keep this conversation respectful, shall we?"
Sun Yurong pressed further, a sly grin crossing her face. "But I already told you what I think, didnât I?"
Yunzhu shook her head with a calm smile. "That doesnât mean Iâm obligated to answer you."
The conversation grew playful, with Sun Yurong trying to prod further, but Yunzhuâs stature and physical strength soon made it clear who was in control. With a laugh, Yunzhu called for a maid, brushing off the tension with light-hearted humor.
It was only with Sun Yurong that Yunzhu could let go of her usual reserve and let a little bit of herself relax, even if only for a moment.
*
In mid-November, after taking a brutal blow, Li Yao didn't back down. The first misfortune didnât hold him back; no, he chased after those damn bandits again. This time, the stakes were higher, and the fall from his horse left him injured. But did that stop him? Hell no. He pulled through and led his men straight to the banditsâ hideout. And thenâhe single-handedly took down their three fierce leaders. The minor thugs? All caught. Not a single one escaped.
By the end of the month, the capital buzzed with excitement. Word spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile, Emperor Qianxing was sulking, like he usually does. Sure, heâd been amused when Li Yao had suffered those two early humiliations, but with the recent victories? All of that was forgotten. Li Yao had turned his failures into triumphs, and now, the emperor couldn't ignore him.
He called in his uncle, Cao Xun, for advice.
"Li Yao's fearless, and he's learned from his mistakes," Cao Xun said, eyes sharp as he spoke. "It makes sense. He didn't fold under pressure, and the imperial forces struggle with the Fuzhou bandits. But now, he's proving he's more than capable."
The emperor raised an eyebrow, curious. "Where do you think he should go next, uncle?"
Cao Xun smirked, âThe Japanese pirates have been quiet for three years, but now theyâre getting bolder. Theyâre raiding the Fujian coast, and they're not pulling punches. Li Yao's familyâs been handling the borders for generations, but they donât know naval warfare. Send him thereâheâll handle it, Iâm sure.â
The emperor paused, contemplating. âIâve had a change of heart. At first, I wanted to see him stumble. But the Japanese pirates are ruthless, and if Li Yao goes, he could be in real danger. He's my auntâs brother. I wouldnât be able to bear it if something happened to him. With the New Year around the corner, maybe I should bring him back to Beijing and give him a proper position after the festivities.â
But as the emperor mulled over his decision, a thought hit himâwhat if Li Yao manages to pull off another daring victory? That idea had a certain allure to it.
And suddenly, Qianxing wasnât so quick to dismiss Li Yao as reckless. He started wondering about his uncleâs motives. Maybe Cao Xun wasn't just giving sound advice. Maybe, just maybe, he had his own reasons for wanting to help the Li family.
After all, his aunt? She wasnât just any beauty.