Chapter 91
As they drew closer to Suzhou City, still more than twenty miles away, a sudden breeze swept through the air, sharp and teasing. It was late October, but the warmth of the breeze felt almost like a caress, carrying a gentle coolness that teased the skin. Despite the carriage being wrapped in thick, luxurious silk curtains, there was no escaping the subtle touch of the wind.
Yunzhu, ever prepared, had draped herself in a plush fox fur cloak, holding a small heater close to her chest while her feet were snug in warm pockets stuffed with soft Yu Pozi. She'd known she'd be outside for the winter, and under the careful direction of her mother and sister-in-law, along with a few unexpected touches from Cao Xun, she was ready for whatever came her way.
Lian Qiao, similarly bundled, nestled close to Yunzhu, both of them huddling together in the warmth. Though Yunzhu felt comfortably protected from the chill, the breeze outside seemed to drag the carriage forward in fits, as if it too were caught in the seductive lull of the cool air. She couldn't help but think of the men outside-Cao Xun, Xie Lang, and the others. There was no shelter for them on the open road, and she worried.
She knew it was no use slowing down now. There would be time to rest once they reached Suzhou, at the official residence. Until then, they would push forward.
Yunzhu, irritated by the stifled movement of the carriage, reached out from her cloak and pulled the curtains on the right side just slightly apart. The moment she did, the wind rushed in, catching her off guard. She squeezed her eyes shut as stray strands of hair whipped around her face, brushing her forehead and ears. Then, just as quickly, the wind stilled.
She opened her eyes and found Cao Xun leaning over her, his broad frame blocking the wind with ease. He gazed down at her with a sharp, quiet concern.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and commanding.
Yunzhu didn't need to answer, his protectiveness had become second nature. She'd grown used to it by now. On this journey, he was ever watchful-no matter how small the movement of the curtains, no matter how faint the sound of her shifting, he was there, ready to act.
Cao Xun, with his bronzed, weathered face from days spent in the sun and on the road, looked even more striking in the cool breeze. The wind ruffled his hair, giving him a rugged, untamed allure.
Yunzhu leaned in, her voice soft and commanding, "Come in."
A smile tugged at the corner of Cao Xun's lips, but he kept it restrained. "Xie Lang can handle it. It would be foolish for me to seek shelter inside. I'm still in my prime, not some old man," he teased, his voice low and playful.
Yunzhu rolled her eyes and shot him a look. "What does age have to do with it? He has no carriage to escape to. Your esteemed general is patrolling the borders while you're here. What's wrong with taking a moment of rest?"
Cao Xun's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Do you pity me?" he asked, his voice teasing, almost daring her.
Yunzhu, growing impatient, let the curtains fall back into place, shutting him out for a moment. She huffed, looking away, but the playful tension between them lingered in the air.
Lian Qiao, sensing the mood, whispered soothingly, "Madam, please, don't be upset. This just shows how admirable our lord is. He's willing to endure the same hardships as his men, sharing both their joys and struggles. It's why they respect him so much."
At sixteen, Cao Xun had already tasted the brutality of battle, and by thirty, he'd risen to command armies, thousands of men at his feet. It wasn't just brains that got him there, but the raw power to captivate the hearts of those under his command. That was his real strength.
Yunzhu had heard her grandfather boast about such things endlessly-the glory, the bloodshed, the strategy. She understood all of it, but it didn't stop the cold feeling creeping up inside her. Cao Xun had been out there, commanding soldiers, facing storms of dust and death-and he hadn't even bothered to wear a cloak. Not even a damn cloak.
Well, if he didn't care, why should she?
She tightened her own cloak, wrapping it tightly around her and sank back into the carriage seat, eyes fluttering shut, letting the wind and the sound of hooves do their work. How long had they been riding? The road stretched on, but then, like a knife slicing through the air, the sound of horses ahead caught her attention. It had to be the local commander greeting Cao Xun again.
But this time, it was different. She could hear the shift in the rhythm of hooves, hear the sudden movement forward of Cao Xun and Xie Lang's horses, and then Cao Xun's voice-sharp, commanding, yet smooth as silk: "Cao Xun pays homage to the uncle. It's windy today. Why are you still out here? You should wait. I'll come to the General Military Mansion to visit you."
A voice, old but full of the kind of heroism that doesn't fade, responded. "Why should you be so polite to me?"
The response belonged to none other than the new commander-in-chief, Marquis Pingxi, Cen Zheng. Sent to guard Jiayuguan after the empire took back Juzhou, he was a man of stature and gravitas. In his sixties, Cen Zheng belonged to the same generation as Yunzhu's grandfather, though she had never met him in person, given his life of duty. But the stories? Yunzhu had heard enough. Cen Zheng was a legend-on the battlefield and beyond. They said he was a man of both skill and striking looks. But that was all in the past now. His three sons were lost to war, leaving behind only a grandson.
And now that grandson, Cen Hao, was making his own name. The moment his voice rang out, clear and dignified, Yunzhu recognized it for what it was.
After exchanging pleasantries, Cao Xun informed the Marquis that his wife-Yunzhu-was in the carriage and feeling the bite of the cold wind. The Marquis, with kindness and a hint of authority, suggested they move to the city before darkness swallowed them whole.
Through the vicious wind, they rode into the city. Cao Xun and his group headed to the official residence, while the Marquis and his grandson went straight to their destination. The bitter cold made the air feel like needles against skin, but they pressed on. They'd find shelter, dust themselves off, and be ready for what came next.
Yunzhu retreated to the back house to rest, but it wasn't long before Cao Xun appeared, his presence like a shadow she couldn't shake. He wanted to accompany her in presenting a gift to Marquis Pingxi, a gesture of respect. His father, who had died on the battlefield, had been close with the Marquis-like family, in a way.
With the wind still howling, Yunzhu adjusted the hood of her cloak and followed Cao Xun out, her own elegant presence an unspoken announcement of her arrival. When they reached the hall, the sound of conversation filtered through the door-Xie Lang and the Marquis, both speaking with ease, both veterans in their own right. Cao Xun paused, his gaze shifting to her. He removed her hood, his voice soft but direct.
"Are you nervous?" he asked.
Yunzhu smiled.
She wasn't the least bit fazed by the presence of three generations of emperors, or all the lords, princes, and princesses in the room. What was there to be shocked about, really?
Cao Xun, with a sly grin, pointed to his own face, reminding her of Marquis Pingxi's battle-worn scar. But Yunzhu wasn't rattled-not even a little. She simply gave him a gentle push, urging him forward.
Without hesitation, the two of them entered the room side by side, moving as one. Yunzhu's eyes lifted and locked with those of the formidable Marquis Pingxi, who sat in the most prominent seat. The seasoned general, a man who had spent decades crushing enemies on the battlefield, exuded a heavy aura of power and dominance. His scar only served to amplify the fierceness, but to Yunzhu, it wasn't a mark of ugliness-it was a testament to his bravery, his willingness to shed blood for his country. He could look like a monster, and it wouldn't matter. He was a man who commanded respect.
The old general's gaze was sharp, unyielding, but Yunzhu remained unshaken. She approached with a smooth grace, bowing deeply. "I've heard of your legendary reputation, Master Marquis. It's an honor to finally meet you in person," she said, her voice sweet yet direct, like silk dragging across skin.
The air in the hall was thick with tension, the night casting a heavy shadow over the space. While most quivered in fear at the man in the main seat, the noble lady from the Duke's palace stood unflinching, her presence unbroken, no trace of fear or fake composure in her demeanor.
A slow, calculating smile stretched across Marquis Pingxi's face as he ran his fingers through his beard, clearly impressed. "Ah, a courageous daughter of the Li family, indeed."
The mention of her late father brought a shift in the conversation, and soon, Yunzhu found herself lost in friendly banter with the marquis, the talk drifting to days gone by, to the past.
After the chat, she turned back toward Cao Xun, but her eyes caught something else. A young man stood next to Xie Lang, a striking figure-a reminder that beauty had its own power.
Cen Hao. He was probably in his early twenties, and damn, his looks were enough to stop anyone in their tracks. It had been a long time since Yunzhu had even noticed a man's appearance. Sure, her father had been the most handsome young man in the capital, and even though Cao Shao was good-looking, he didn't quite compare to her father's raw allure. But Cen Hao-there was something about him, something that caught her off guard. His presence in this rundown, poor border town seemed almost absurd.
Yet, she didn't linger on it. Just a fleeting glance, and that was all.
The men continued their drinking and eating, the night stretching on, while Yunzhu quietly slipped away to the backyard. The warmth of the water room enveloped her as she indulged in a hot bath, scrubbing herself clean and then layering on a thick coat of peach blossom cream, her skin soft and glowing.
With a heated kang burning away the chill, Yunzhu let herself relax. Time was hers to take, so she retreated to bed, the quiet of the night settling over her.
*
It had been almost a full day since Cao Xun had come back, his scent heavy with alcohol, a sharp reminder of the indulgence he'd surrendered to. Yunzhu had expected this, though. She wasn't bothered as long as he kept his lips away from hers-she could handle just about anything, as long as he didn't push his luck too far.
He pulled her close, his voice low, like he was trying to warm her with more than just words. "It was snowing earlier. Tomorrow's likely going to be even colder."
Yunzhu, not missing a beat, raised an eyebrow, her voice cool yet firm, "If it snows, do we still have to go to Jiayuguan?"
Cao Xun shrugged, a bit too casual for her liking, and said, "The old Marquis said we'll head out once it stops snowing, and if it rains, we'll just reschedule."
She wasn't having any of it. "I'm coming too," she declared, her tone hardening with resolve.
He ran a finger over her nose, teasing, but still trying to dismiss her with logic. "It's freezing out. What's there to see? You're asking for trouble if you go. Be careful, you'll catch a cold."
Yunzhu snorted, her voice sharp, "If it weren't for Jiayuguan, I'd have stayed in Ganzhou waiting for you. Why the hell would I freeze with you just for the fun of it?"
She wasn't just another woman; Jiayuguan had been her grandfather's post for years. It meant something to her, something deeply personal. Her determination to follow in his footsteps was clear as ice. She wasn't backing down.
Sighing with some half-hearted defeat, Cao Xun finally relented, turning his head away, resigned to her will. "Alright, I'll go wherever you want."
Yunzhu's hand found its way to his forehead, checking for fever. "You haven't caught a cold, have you? You're burning up."
He smirked, leaning in to whisper against her ear, his voice thick with something else entirely. "It's hard not to feel hot when you're this close."
Their journey was long, and some nights, they couldn't even share the same bed without the chill taking the romance out of things. But that didn't stop them from coming together in whatever way they could. They'd be fine, or at least that's what they told themselves.
Cao Xun was strong, unshaken, his resilience a mirror of his personality. He wasn't sick. Not yet, anyway. But his touch, the way he held her, always left her dizzy, and before she knew it, Yunzhu had slipped into sleep in his arms.
The next morning, she awoke, thirst gnawing at her. The heat in the room was stifling-too much for the cold outside, but just what the officials thought would protect them from the chill. She wriggled under the covers, pulling the cooler quilt tighter around herself, and called for Lian Qiao.
Lian Qiao came in with a puff of white breath, eyes twinkling with the excitement of the morning. "Madam, you're up. It's been snowing all night-over a foot of snow outside."
Yunzhu gulped down some water, her mind still foggy from sleep. "Is it still raining?"
"No, it stopped. I heard Master Duke tell A Jiu to get the carriage ready. Are you planning to go to the Great Wall with him again?" Lian Qiao asked, her voice laced with concern.
Yunzhu nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of history and memories tied to that wall, her grandfather's legacy. This would be the first time she saw it under a blanket of snow.
Lian Qiao helped her get dressed, but her gaze lingered on the door, a worried frown crossing her face. "I heard Master Duke cough a few times this morning. His voice... it's hoarser than usual."
Yunzhu gave it some thought but didn't say anything. She could handle Cao Xun-he wasn't the one she was worried about.
A moment later, Cao Xun walked in. His eyes met hers, and she wasn't about to let him off easy. She studied him closely, as if looking for any crack in his armor.
Cao Xun's gaze dropped for a second, only to snap back up with a lazy flick, a smirk curling on his lips as he drawled, "Breakfast is served."
Yunzhu raised an eyebrow, her voice sharp, "What's up with your voice?"
Cao Xun shot a quick look at the sweltering kang in the north corner. "The damn thing's burning up. My throat's dry as hell."
Yunzhu motioned for Lian Qiao to step aside and then moved closer, her steps smooth and confident. Without a word, she reached up and commanded, "Bow your head."
With no choice but to comply, Cao Xun did as told.
Her fingers brushed his forehead, pressing firmly against his skin, comparing the heat. His was a furnace in comparison to hers.
Yunzhu didn't waste time discussing it with him. She turned sharply to Lian Qiao, standing at attention outside, and ordered, "Go fetch the best damn doctor in the city."
Cao Xun's expression shifted, annoyance flickering for a moment before he stepped in, his voice lowering with an edge. "It's not that bad. I'll drink some water and be fine..."
He didn't get to finish. His throat tightened, that relentless itch clawing at him. He fought it, but in the end, he couldn't stop the cough that broke through.
Yunzhu wasn't fazed. Her tone didn't waver as she coolly replied, "If you don't want to see a doctor, I'll turn around and head back to the Capital. Right now."
Cao Xun fell silent, the words hanging in the air, thick with tension.