Chapter 89
Yunzhu could already feel the cool sea breeze sweeping over her, brushing away the suffocating heat of the day. She didn't mind the sticky warmth of the night; after all, when Cao Xun returned, he was the one who commanded her attention. The day had been long, and as they neared Funing County, the city loomed ahead, and a small group emerged from the city gates.
Lian Qiao quickly drew down the bamboo curtains on both sides of the carriage, sealing off the world from their little sanctuary. Yunzhu peeked through a small gap, watching about ten people, all gathered in front of Cao Xun, bowing and showing the kind of respect she had come to expect.
At the center were two men: Mr. Song, the county magistrate, dressed in official robes, looking like he was nearing his forties, and a rugged, tan-skinned military officer-Commander Gao of Shanhaiwei. She'd been briefed about him. The man was strong, his presence commanding, his connection with Cao Xun obvious and tight.
"Has it really been a decade? Back then, you were nothing like this. Now, you're a damn steel wall!" Commander Gao slapped Cao Xun on the back like they were old comrades-a man's bond, forged through years of battle.
Cao Xun chuckled, flashing a grin, his voice deep and confident. "Brother Gao, your courage's grown, too, since then."
Mr. Song, ever the polite one, stood beside them, a grin on his face, but Yunzhu wasn't about to lean in for any gossip.
After the pleasantries, the commander offered, "Why don't you and your wife come rest at the official residence for a bit? Let us host you to a proper meal."
Cao Xun didn't hesitate. "Sounds perfect."
The residence was just across from the magistrate's office, empty, save for the preparations made for them. The best courtyard had been tidied up, awaiting their arrival.
Yunzhu slipped into a bath to soothe her travel-weary body. It had been a long, tiring journey, though the pleasures were worth the effort.
Cao Xun spoke softly from the doorway. "You don't have to join in if you don't want to. No need to put yourself through their entertainment."
Yunzhu turned, her voice cool but sharp. "The commander and you have your own bond. They're hosting us in your name. If I refuse, it'll put you in an awkward position."
Cao Xun smiled, eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and authority. "The generals from all over the north have their respect for me, though it comes in different shapes. If you're unhappy, trust me, you'll have plenty of social events to go to over the next few months."
Yunzhu's lips curled into a knowing smile, a dangerous hint in her voice. "It depends on my mood. If you upset me, don't expect me to make nice and attend."
As their eyes met in the mirror, Lian Qiao, sensing the private moment, quickly finished with Yunzhu's grooming, her departure swift and quiet.
Once she was gone, Cao Xun didn't waste a second. He pulled the young lady onto his lap and teased, "After dinner, I'll head over to Shanhaiwei for a bit, but I'll be back to take you to the beach. You're not planning on leaving early, are you? You can't stand the sun on the sand."
The sun's heat and the coolness of the seaside-what a dangerous combo. Two days out there and you'd have a perfect tan.
Yunzhu nodded, her gaze lingering on the commander's already sun-kissed skin.
Cao Xun's trip wasn't some leisurely escape with her; it was for a serious border patrol. She knew the weight of his duties and didn't expect him to delay them for her.
"Can I come to the guardhouse with you?" Yunzhu asked, her curiosity piqued.
Cao Xun knew that was coming. "It's not convenient, but there's a drill at Shanhaiguan tomorrow. You can watch with Mrs. Gao and Mrs. Song."
Yunzhu was content. Tonight, she'd get her fill of the sea, and tomorrow, she'd climb the Great Wall and watch a military drill. Not a bad deal.
By noon, Yunzhu was used to the social whirl. Once the festivities were over, Cao Xun left with the commander for the guardhouse, and she made her way back to the official residence for some rest.
After a long, peaceful nap, she woke to a much gentler sunlight than the harsh midday glare.
Lian Qiao told her that Cao Xun had just returned and was washing up in the front yard.
Excited to see him, Yunzhu hurriedly dressed and headed out to the front yard, her impatience almost tangible.
She sank into the main room, her eyes scanning the space for him. When Cao Xun finally stepped out, his skin still glistening from the bath, wearing nothing but his casual clothes, Yunzhu smirked. "It's only been half a day, and look at you. How'd you get so tan?"
He shrugged, looking a little helpless. "I can't hide from the sun the way you do when I'm at the guardhouse."
Yunzhu now understood just how intense the sun could be by the seaside. She kept her hood on tight, only taking it off once she was safely inside the carriage.
Ah Jiu drove like a maniac, and soon they were at the beach, just in time for the sunset to hit its peak beauty.
With Cao Xun's help, Yunzhu got out of the carriage, her eyes drawn to the vast, endless sea. The wind swept her white skirt around her legs, making it swirl like a wave breaking on the shore.
They had to cross a reef and a stretch of dry sand to reach the water. Cao Xun told her to take off her shoes and left her standing there, barefoot, before he picked her up and carried her the rest of the way.
Yunzhu glanced around, noting that Ah Jiu had taken Lian Qiao for a stroll down the other end of the beach. No one else in sight. Perfect.
With a sly smile, she slipped off her shoes and socks, then draped herself across Cao Xun's back, trusting him to carry her the rest of the way.
After crossing the reef, Cao Xun kicked off his shoes, his feet sinking into the sand as he carried Yunzhu in his arms, walking barefoot toward the shore.
Yunzhu couldn't help but notice the trail of footprints he left behind in the soft sand, and with a mischievous glint in her eye, she smirked, "Put me down."
Without hesitation, he complied.
The fine grains of sand caressed her delicate soles, sending a delightful shiver up her spine. At first, it felt good, but soon the endless stretch of dry beach started to wear her down. She walked back to him, hands raised, a silent request to be lifted again.
Cao Xun glanced at her expectantly, then teased, "If I were a bureaucrat, I'd probably make you walk all the way."
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow, "If you looked anything like Mr. Song, I'd never let you carry me."
He was built like a force of nature, and she was more than happy to let him be her strength.
Cao Xun scooped her up in one swift motion.
As the wind teased the hem of Yunzhu's gauze skirt, it fluttered against Cao Xun's face. He stopped, causing Yunzhu to hastily lower it, her fingers brushing against the fabric to keep it in place.
"What if my skirt gets wet?" she fretted, her voice hinting at playful concern.
Cao Xun smirked, his voice smooth and assured, "You could take it off-or I could carry it for you."
She considered rolling it up, but the thought of it making her look bloated at the waist didn't sit well with her. Instead, she opted to let him carry it.
When they reached the wet sand, Cao Xun set her down. Kneeling, he carefully rolled up her inner trousers and lifted the hem of her white skirt.
Yunzhu gave him a tentative smile before stepping into the water. The warmth of the waves from the sun lingered, and she let the soft sand swirl around her ankles before quickly stepping back.
The sensation was a refreshing relief, one she'd longed for.
Hand in hand, they wandered further down the coast, Yunzhu picking up stunning shells and placing them in his hands until they nearly spilled over. She smiled and kept collecting, ignoring the weight of her growing pile.
With the sun now dipping low, Yunzhu felt the weariness of the walk catching up with her. She longed to rest, but the sand was everywhere.
Cao Xun found a dry spot and settled in, pulling Yunzhu close, letting her relax in the comfort of his embrace.
She laid her head on his strong arm, her eyes drifting to the sky above, the same blue as the ocean. The distant clouds blazed red in the glow of the setting sun, casting their colors across the horizon.
As Yunzhu took in the view, she felt Cao Xun's gaze on her. She turned her head to meet his intense stare and quickly looked away, a bit flustered. "Look what you've done," she murmured. "I'm leaving tomorrow. You should enjoy this view while you still can."
Cao Xun's voice was steady, his gaze never leaving her, "You're more beautiful than any seascape."
Yunzhu smiled slyly, lifting one foot and wiggling her toes at him, "What about the sand?"
Cao Xun chuckled, "Don't worry, there's water in the carriage. I'll rinse it off for you before you get in."
With that, he carried her back to the shore, gently setting her on the carriage's edge before he poured water from a jug, tenderly cleaning her foot as he held it in his hand.
Yunzhu let her gaze drift from her feet up to Cao Xun, watching him closely. His head was lowered, and his presence so casual, so natural, as if he wasn't serving anyone, but instead, fully indulging in something he genuinely enjoyed. His every movement exuded comfort, making the whole atmosphere feel more intimate than anything formal.
As the sultry night crept in, the carriage carried them to the official residence. Once inside, following Cao Xun's lead, the chef had prepared a lavish spread, a feast overflowing with seafood-crimson red crabs, succulent shrimp, everything glistening fresh and inviting, just as Cao Xun had promised.
The shells were tough, whether steamed or stir-fried, but Cao Xun didn't seem to mind. With slow deliberation, he washed his hands again, taking a seat beside her with that effortless grace, as if peeling shrimp was some sort of indulgence. His hands were fluid, agile, the fingers slender and sure as he worked.
Yunzhu couldn't help but tease, "You're getting good at this, aren't you?"
With a quick, sharp glance, he shot back, "I can't let Brother Xian show me up." Then, as if to prove his point, he presented her with a perfectly peeled shrimp, fresh, tender, and undeniably delicious.
The taste hit her, surpassing anything she'd ever experienced in the capital, and without hesitation, she devoured half the plate in no time.
Cao Xun was unfazed, moving on to the crabs. His focus was unwavering. As she glanced down at the untouched crabs, Yunzhu suggested, "You should eat, too. They'll get cold."
But he just shook his head, intent on peeling them for her. The sight of him working so attentively made her restless in the best way.
Without waiting, Yunzhu took the crab leg from him, her fingers brushing against his as she fed him the meat, an unspoken connection sparking between them. The meal ended, leaving their hands coated in the lingering taste of the sea, both of them more than aware of the intimacy shared over the simple act of feeding each other.
The next day, Yunzhu joined the wives of two local officials at Shanhaiguan's gate tower. Cao Xun, in full armor, led 4,000 soldiers in a mock attack, pretending to be the enemy while the high commander and his smaller force of 1,500 defended the city. Yunzhu's eyes never left Cao Xun, her gaze intense as he rode confidently, commanding the soldiers with precision. She admired the way he led, his presence dominating the battlefield.
The drills went on through the day, and by afternoon, Cao Xun had shown his strategic brilliance. Though the defending side secured victory both times, Cao Xun's forces suffered far fewer casualties. Meanwhile, the high commander's side was decimated, leaving him embarrassed, nursing a dislocated arm that Cao Xun tended to with his usual calm demeanor.
The high commander stood before him, drenched in sweat, face flushed with humiliation, "I am inept, and I accept any reprimand you deem fit." But Cao Xun only smiled, ever unflustered, the kind of man who commanded respect without needing to demand it.
Perched atop the city wall, Cao Xun took in the expansive terrain, his voice steady yet commanding as he spoke, "You've done well. These military exercises are about finding weaknesses and fixing them. Shanhaiguan is the shield that guards the capital, and I trust Brother Gao will keep pushing for better. Setting an example for the next generation of generals is key. It's not just the law, it's what the Emperor expects from all of us at the border."
As the patrol at Shanhaiguan wrapped up, the high commander, face hardened and disciplined, took two steps back. Kneeling toward the capital, he bowed deeply, his voice firm, "I will grow stronger and serve the Emperor till my last breath."
Afterward, Cao Xun guided Yunzhu down another section of the wall.
His battle-worn armor still clung to him, his face kissed by the sun, streaked with the harsh burn of black and red. Yunzhu's eyes lingered on him, and he couldn't help but reach up to touch his face, a smirk crossing his lips as he asked, "Something bothering you?"
Yunzhu hesitated for a moment, then gave a subtle nod.
Cao Xun laughed, unable to change the stubborn weather that had made the training so grueling.
Wanting to spare the lady from the heavy scent of sweat, Cao Xun moved to the windward side, hoping to block the worst of it. But much to his surprise, Yunzhu didn't recoil. Instead, as the night lingered, she reached out, her fingers gently tracing his tanned face. Slowly, she pressed her lips to his skin, soft and warm, like the night breeze over the beach.
Amused, Cao Xun teased, "Do you really find it unattractive?"
What he didn't know was that Yunzhu wasn't repelled by the tan-it was the boldness and vigor she found irresistible. She had heard the rumors about his decade-long post at the border, but today, she saw for herself what truly lay beneath his hard exterior.
Sure, he could be cunning, even refined, but every moment on the battlefield was genuine. He was a general who would go to any length to protect his people, bending himself for no one but the country he served.
In the end, he was a man who would humble himself, not just for war, but for her.