Chapter 86
On a blistering summer day, as Cao Xun trudged back home from his duties, the unrelenting sun burned above, casting a sultry, heavy heat that made stepping outside feel like an impossible task.
Inside the cool sanctuary of the room, an ice basin offered a touch of relief, and Yunzhu lounged like a queen on the couch, absorbed in her book. It had been a gift from Sun Yurong during her recent stay at the Xu residenceâan intriguing read, a bit daring, even scandalous. Yunzhu couldnât put it down. She had spent the past two days wrapped up in it, barely able to tear herself away, knowing sheâd finish it by the end of the day tomorrow.
Her mind was so consumed by the book that she didnât even notice Cao Xun enter until he was close. With a start, she quickly snapped the book shut, shoving it beneath a pillow like a guilty pleasure.
Cao Xunâs lips curled into a grin as he watched her. âLooks like youâre hiding more than just a book under there,â he teased.
Yunzhu shot back with a sultry look, âItâs a gift from a lady. Men like you arenât allowed to peek.â
Cao Xun gave in to her playful boundary, not reaching for the book. Instead, he made himself comfortable by the low table, eyes lingering over a plate of fresh peaches and melon slices that had been sitting there for a while.
âTheyâve been sitting here a while. Iâll have someone cut them fresh for you,â Yunzhu murmured.
âNo need,â he replied, picking up a bamboo stick and munching on the fruit with surprising ease, even the leftovers. The way he did it was nothing like the pompous men and women who would turn their noses up at anything that wasnât perfectly pristine.
He reached for the last diced peach, its golden color glowing in the light. âThese peaches are fantastic. Definitely better than the red ones I had in Xuanzhou,â he remarked, glancing at her with a smirk.
Curious, Yunzhu raised an eyebrow. âRed peaches? These are Qingzhou peaches, a gift from the Empress Dowager this year. What could possibly compare to them?â
Cao Xunâs eyes locked with hers, his voice lowering a touch. âSometimes, the best fruit isnât the one thatâs been chosen for the royal table.â
Yunzhu gave him a doubtful look. âThe local officials always try to please the nobles. If there were anything better, theyâd present it to the palace, wouldnât they?â
âFor it to be presented, it has to be extraordinary,â he countered smoothly. âTake the Xuanzhou red peaches, for example. Their skin is delicate, thinner than paper, and they blush a bright red thatâs as fragile as it is sweet. But pick them too early, and theyâll taste nothing like they should.â
Yunzhu couldnât help but feel skeptical. She had never tasted peaches so delicate. The idea of something that couldnât even make it to the palace seemed like a luxury beyond her reach.
âLet me put it another way,â Cao Xun continued, leaning closer. âYou love the river-fresh fish and seafood thatâs easy to find in the capital, but thereâs something special about seafood, like the Xuanzhou peaches. The local catch is hearty, but thereâs one shrimp I had in Shanhaiguanâso delicate and exquisite that it couldnât even survive the journey to Beijing. Do you think the officials would risk serving that to the palace, knowing it might spoil?â
Yunzhu paused, the weight of his words sinking in. She hadnât considered it that way, but now it made sense. Not everything labeled as "tribute" was truly the best.
In that moment, she realized that sometimes, the most exquisite things are the ones that arenât meant to be shared or showcasedâtheyâre hidden away, just waiting to be discovered.
Yunzhu had always been someone who knew what she wanted, and she always got it. From the finest silks that caressed her skin to the rarest ingredients that only the rich could dream of, she lived like a queen. But right now, as she stared at the simple meal before her, a pang of frustration hit her. It wasnât the food that she was craving, but the indulgence she was used toâthe things she couldnât have right now. Her eyes flickered toward Cao Xun with a look that bordered on challenge. "Are you deliberately messing with me?"
Cao Xunâs laugh was low and knowing, a soft, teasing sound. "Not at all," he said, the words dripping with amusement. "Iâm just sharing some thoughts with you."
Yunzhu let out a soft hum, the kind of sound that mixed hunger and curiosity, then waved a hand dismissively. "Enough talking. Bring me the food."
The air was stifling, thick with the oppressive heat. The meal was servedâfour dishes, one soup, two of them cold. A chilled salad of shredded vegetables was the most refreshing thing on the table, but Yunzhu found herself picking at the pale cucumber strips with a sulky air.
Cao Xun noticed, his voice laced with memories of better times. "You know, I once had the most amazing cold noodles in Datong. The chef stretched them so thin, almost like a single thread. They were drenched in a secret sauce, so flavorful it left a lingering taste on your lips and teeth. Even though it was just street food, the flavor was unforgettable."
Yunzhu shot him a look that could freeze a man in his tracks. "Alright, we get it, you've traveled everywhere. Can you just eat?"
The words hung in the air, taunting her, stirring that quiet hunger inside, but not for food.
After the meal, the heat still clung to the skin. Cao Xun suggested they take their usual evening walk in the garden. Yunzhu glanced outside, noticing the lingering warmth. "Letâs wait. Itâs still too hot."
Cao Xun stepped out, then came back, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Itâs brutal out there. Iâve been in border towns where the heatâs just as unbearable. Everyone wears linen clothes, especially in the morning and evening."
Yunzhuâs gaze followed the sway of the fan in his hand, her mind drifting to thoughts of the capital, its allure now fading.
As dusk fell, they strolled through the garden, the dayâs oppressive heat finally starting to ease. When they returned, Cao Xun quickly wiped off his sweat before pulling her into his lap, his hands warm against her skin.
Yunzhu froze for a moment, caught between pleasure and resistance. She lowered her face, trying to avoid his kiss. "You donât need to do this. Donât sweat over it."
Cao Xunâs lips brushed her ear, his voice a deep murmur. "Youâre right."
Yunzhu raised her eyes, meeting his gaze, confused by the softness in his words.
With a casual motion, Cao Xun pulled a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. He unscrewed the cap, revealing a pill inside, small and red-bean-sized, exuding a faint, bitter scent.
She frowned. "Whatâs this?"
His eyes locked onto hers with a steady, calm look. "Once I take this, you wonât conceive."
Yunzhuâs heart skipped. "Will it work? Will it hurt you?"
Cao Xun gave the bottle a soft shake, then explained. "Iâve heard of a potion that can make a man infertile permanently. Some women use it to make sure their husbands can't father children with others. But I consulted a top physician to balance out the effects. It'll only âpoisonâ me for about six months, then the effects will wear off."
Yunzhuâs face tightened with concern.
Cao Xun gently placed his hand on hers. "Trust me. The doctorâs a good one. If anything ever happened to me, heâs the only one Iâd go to."
She stared at him, surprised by how much faith he had in this doctor.
As he prepared to take the pill, Yunzhu hesitated. She reached out, her fingers brushing his, her voice low, hesitant. "Maybe itâs best not to take it... What if something goes wrong?"
The thought of the future, of children and the risks of their decisions, made her fear the unknown consequences. She didnât want to lose the chance to decide their future, not when everything else felt uncertain.
Cao Xun looked at her with a soft yet intense gaze, pulling her closer as if she were the only thing that mattered in that moment. "I don't want a child unless you're ready to carry it for me. If it weren't for you, this wouldn't even be a thought. No one else matters, just you."
His voice was steady, his presence overwhelming as he made a vow. "I've learned from the past, Yunzhu. I won't ever speak to you harshly again. Not in this lifetime."
With that, he effortlessly swallowed the medicine, his gaze never leaving her.
Yunzhu stood there, confusion and anxiety creeping through her, a twinge of frustration in her chest. "What if something goes wrong? What if, no matter what, we can never have a child?"
Cao Xun reached out to gently touch her face, his eyes soft, filled with warmth that contrasted with his usual coldness. "Having children isn't the only measure of a good life. When they grow up and start their own families, it'll be you and me, still by each other's side. I'd rather have a wife who chooses to stay with me than anything else."
Cao Xunâs eyes, once sharp and commanding from years spent on the frontlines, now softened, speaking volumes to the one person he truly cared about.
Yunzhu felt uneasy under the weight of his tenderness, lowering her head in response.
Without a word, Cao Xun gently lifted her chin, his intentions clear as he drew closer.
She could still taste the medicine on his lips, and an unsettling thought crept into her mind. "Even if it's neutralized, it's still poison. Letâs wait and see. If you feel anything off, weâll call a doctor right away."
Cao Xun sighed, the frustration clear in his voice. "Why are you so worried? Iâm not."
Yunzhu shot him a sharp look. "If youâre not worried now but later, when we have no children, youâll blame me. How can I not worry?"
Cao Xun paused, a brief moment of reflection passing over him. "Do you want me to write you another will?"
Yunzhu, still unsure but unwilling to back down, nodded. "Yes. But put your robe on first. Youâre going to catch a cold. No need to rush."
He chuckled, running a hand through her hair as he got out of bed, dressing slowly, the intimacy between them palpable.
As he worked on the will, Yunzhu quietly scanned its contents. Once he finished, he went to wash the taste of medicine from his mouth before offering her a playful challenge to a game of chess.
An hour passed. The medicine had shown no ill effects. Yunzhu, after all her concerns, finally let go of her protests.
Over the two long months it took for the renowned doctor to perfect his potion, Cao Xun demonstrated extraordinary patience. But tonight, something was different. Yunzhuâs heart had softened, her resistance crumbling beneath the heat of his desire. She could no longer hold back. He pulled her into his arms with a tenderness that made her knees weak, his passion pouring into her as they moved toward the window. And then, like a slow-burning dance, he carried her in his embrace, pacing around the room, savoring every stolen moment.
Time seemed to stretch and blur, until finally, they collapsed onto the bed together.
Exhausted, Yunzhu curled against his chest, her mind spinning with what had just transpired. Had it been poison heâd taken? Or perhaps something more... potent, like one of those legendary elixirs that stirs the blood and invigorates the senses?
Cao Xun stirred beside her, his hand brushing through her hair with gentle reverence. As she teetered on the edge of sleep, he lifted her in his arms again and kissed her with a hunger that reignited everything.
Unable to keep up any longer, she turned her head, her voice a lazy murmur, "Let's just rest."
He kissed her ear softly, his lips lingering as he whispered, "Would you like to indulge in fresh shrimps from Shanhaiguan? Taste the delicate red peaches from Xuanzhou? Savor the paper-thin cold noodles from Datong? Or perhaps sink your teeth into a succulent, whole roasted Tan sheep?"
Awakened by his tempting words, Yunzhu glanced up at him, a smirk tugging at her lips. "What are you plotting?"
A slow, knowing smile curved his mouth. "Iâm heading to the border for a patrol... and I want you by my side."