Chapter 95: C95. Love Blooms: Yunzhu Breathes Life to Cao Xun.

Chapter 95

They had stayed up late on New Year’s Eve, but by New Year’s Day, they were still lounging in bed, indulging in some extra hours of blissful laziness. The crackle of firecrackers exploding in the nearby streets yanked Cao Xun and Yunzhu from their slumber. Cao Xun, composed and ever self-assured, slid out of bed with a dignified air, pushing the gauzy curtains aside and slipping on his shoes.

Yunzhu, however, feigned sleep, her lashes trembling ever so slightly as she tracked his every move. He carried on with his morning routine, blissfully unaware of her subtle curiosity.

Once he stepped out, Yunzhu's sly instincts kicked in. Reaching under her pillow, she felt something familiar—a red envelope. No surprises there; for the past two years, Cao Xun had made a habit of slipping her New Year’s money. But her brows furrowed—when had he even managed to hide it? They had been up together all night.

Leaning languidly against the bedframe, she tore it open and found the same thing as always: two thousand taels in silver notes. Tradition or not, her curiosity burned hotter now.

Cao Xun returned, catching her in the act, peering through the bed’s gauze with that telltale sparkle in her eyes.

“Looks like I’ll have to be more creative with my hiding spots next time,” he quipped, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Sliding back under the covers, he pulled Yunzhu close. She didn’t protest, though she shot him a half-playful, half-serious glare.

Yunzhu poked his chest, her tone sharp and teasing. “Last year, you said nineteen was still a child but twenty was adulthood. What was that supposed to mean? Are you dodging that conversation again, or do you just enjoy confusing me?”

Cao Xun raised a brow, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden fire. He had hoped she'd let that comment slide. At the time, Yunzhu had been preoccupied with her family’s suffering under the late emperor, too distracted to argue, but she hadn’t forgotten. Not a chance.

“Admit it,” she pressed, her eyes narrowing with a mix of challenge and amusement. “You were right, weren’t you?”

He sighed, defeated but grinning bitterly as he ruffled her hair and pulled her closer. “Do you remember last year’s palace banquet? That little chat you had with Emperor Qianxing?”

Her expression flickered. Oh, she remembered all right. That night, she had carefully chosen her words to stop the late emperor from framing Cao Xun’s brother. Her remarks had been sharp enough to make sure the emperor wouldn’t forget her anytime soon.

Cao Xun hadn’t forgotten either. “I knew he had some ulterior motive, pretending to watch the fireworks while sidling up to you. I suspected you said something about your brother, but you didn’t tell me the details.”

Yunzhu’s voice dripped with disdain. “Why would I waste pleasantries on someone who mistreated my father-in-law and the rest of the family? His fake concern and deceptions were all for his benefit.”

Cao Xun’s jaw tightened. “I get that you were angry, but I blame you for not trusting me. Do you think I don’t feel anything, just because I’ve had more experience with politics?”

Yunzhu softened, her fingers trailing gently over his chest. “I know, but you didn’t exactly rush to help my family. How was I supposed to believe in you when you acted so indifferent?”

Cao Xun gazed at her, a mixture of frustration and affection brewing in his eyes. He could see her point, but that didn’t make it sting any less. For now, he chose silence, letting their tangled emotions hang between them as the New Year’s firecrackers popped in the distance.

"Listen here," Cao Xun began, his voice sharp but simmering with a raw edge, "I know my words cut deep, and because of that, you didn’t believe me for the longest time. My plans were complicated—too complicated—and I didn’t want to say anything until I had everything in place. I wasn’t about to give you the impression I was all bark and no bite."

Yunzhu’s eyes flicked up, laced with defiance and just a touch of wounded pride. "So, are you blaming me for that?" she snapped.

Cao Xun sighed, his tone edged with frustration. "Don’t twist my words. I’m just telling you how it was. You already assumed the worst of me anyway."

Unbothered, Yunzhu pivoted. "Fine, let’s talk about the lucky money."

"Sure," Cao Xun allowed, his voice cooling but no less intense. "But you know damn well I was holding a grudge that night. On the way back, I seriously thought about giving you the cold shoulder."

He paused, a smirk playing on his lips, before continuing with a more restrained honesty. "But I couldn’t go through with it. Seeing you sit there all frozen up, I caved. Pulled you into my arms, tucked your feet in, and made sure you were warm. Guess I’m a sucker for your comfort, even when you’re driving me crazy."

Yunzhu’s cheeks flushed as the memory crept back. She’d been too wrapped up in his quiet, deliberate care to notice the resentment simmering beneath.

"I told myself you were still young," Cao Xun admitted, his voice lowering. "A kid with impulsive thoughts. It wasn’t fair to be angry with you. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have expectations. I wanted you to trust me. To give me the benefit of the doubt, instead of flying off the handle."

Yunzhu fell silent, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic mess. She’d always seen him as cold, manipulative, and hypocritical. Yet here he was, baring his grudges with unnerving sincerity.

Back then, she’d raged at him, even flirted with the idea of walking away, oblivious to the fact that he had his own struggles to contend with. And through it all, he’d adjusted to her every mood, meeting her volatility with a patience she couldn’t even imagine herself capable of.

Her gaze drifted to his chest, rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. "Were you mad at me even when you were preparing to fight the Japanese?" she asked quietly.

Cao Xun locked eyes with her, his smirk back in full force. "Lucky for me, I didn’t let my anger get the better of me."

That response pulled a laugh from her lips, and she leaned in to kiss him—soft at first, then lingering. "Don’t worry," she murmured. "I won’t stay mad at you anymore."

He handed her a red envelope with deliberate grace, his voice laced with understated ferocity. "Get as mad as you want, Yunzhu. It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re here, none of it matters."

Her brows shot up, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Sympathy, huh? You, the Emperor’s great uncle, putting up with my tantrums for life? Don’t tempt me. Maybe I should test your patience and suggest a peaceful divorce in a few years."

Cao Xun’s grin widened, his eyes narrowing with amused menace. "You’re only angry because you care. No one else has that privilege. No one else gets to stir me up like you do."

His voice dipped, his words more deliberate. "Everyone else keeps up appearances. They play their games, and I play mine. But then I came back to the capital after ten years, and there you were—brutal, sharp, and so damn real."

He leaned closer, his gaze cutting through her. "I always knew you married me for show. You’re ruthless, Yunzhu. I knew that. But I’m greedy. I wanted the fire you brought, the warmth, the life. So I chased you, caught you, and I’m not letting go."

*

By mid-February, Gu Min triumphantly gave birth to a vibrant, seven-pound baby girl.

Her full moon banquet was no subdued affair—it was alive with laughter, toasts, and warm embraces. After the festivities, the Yunzhu couple and the Gu family decided to linger a little longer at the mansion, reveling in the chance to strengthen family ties after the morning's hubbub.

Gu Qinghe, Gu Min’s sharp-eyed father, seized the moment to pull Cao Xun aside. “Come,” he said, a sly grin tugging at his lips, “let’s stroll the Duke of Ningguo’s gardens. A little fresh air might do you some good.”

Cao Xun, ever the obliging gentleman, gave a cool nod and followed.

The soft spring light kissed their shoulders as they walked. Gu Qinghe broke the silence with a teasing jab. “So, now that Xingjian’s got himself a son and daughter and I’ve earned my stripes as a grandfather, tell me—are you jealous yet?”

Cao Xun smirked, his tone light but measured. “Envy? Sure. Jealousy? Not quite.”

Gu Qinghe studied him for a beat, his piercing gaze trying to dissect the honesty behind that smile.

Their friendship, once forged in the heat of youth, had grown cooler over the years. Letters from the border were no match for the unshakable camaraderie Cao Xun had built with Zhang Xingjian through bloodshed and battle. Even now, after over a year since Cao Xun’s return to Beijing, Gu Qinghe couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.

It was only last winter, when the petulant young emperor exiled his father from the capital over some flimsy excuse, that Gu Qinghe began to suspect Cao Xun’s hand in the scheme. While he was certain Cao Xun wouldn’t harm him outright, the man’s inscrutable motives kept Gu Qinghe on edge. Even his father had grown wary of him, forcing Gu Qinghe to abandon any naïve trust in Cao Xun’s unwavering loyalty.

Still, Gu Qinghe harbored a glimmer of hope that Cao Xun would find solace in a steady home life. He clapped a firm hand on the man’s shoulder and leaned in close. “Yunzhu may be a bit naive, but she’s a good woman. Don’t screw it up.”

Something flickered across Cao Xun’s face—surprise, resignation, maybe both. After a pause, he let out a low chuckle and replied, “She’s young. Gorgeous, too. How could I disappoint her? As long as she doesn’t hate me, I’ll consider myself lucky.”

Gu Qinghe’s brow furrowed, rendered speechless by the reply.

Cao Xun continued, his tone tinged with self-deprecation. “I might be a master at strategy on the battlefield, but when it comes to love, I’m hopeless. You’ve had it easier than me in that department.”

Gu Qinghe said nothing, his silence laden with doubt.

As their conversation wound down, the two began making their way back to the mansion. Gu Qinghe couldn’t resist stealing a few glances at the couple, curious about the subtle cues between Cao Xun and Yunzhu. It didn’t take long to notice how Cao Xun’s gaze rarely strayed from Yunzhu, except when the moment demanded his attention elsewhere.

Later, as Gu Qinghe and his wife, Zhao Shi, boarded their carriage, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why were you staring at Duke Dingguo so intently just now?”

Her curiosity lingered in the air, but Gu Qinghe didn’t answer. His thoughts remained tangled in the puzzle that was Cao Xun.

Gu Qinghe leaned back, his expression sharp but his tone light as he asked, "You and Yunzhu are close. So, how do you think she really feels about Fushan?"

Zhao Shi’s lips curled into a sly smile. "Darling, I’m from a different generation. Girls don’t spill their secrets to me. You’d get more from A Min."

Gu Qinghe sighed, shaking his head. "There’s no point in asking. I just hope they manage to find their rhythm together."

Zhao Shi raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don’t stress about that. I might not know Yunzhu’s heart entirely, but Fushan? His feelings are crystal clear."

Gu Qinghe narrowed his eyes, intrigued. "Are you telling me Fushan’s madly in love with her?"

"Madly? Darling, that’s putting it mildly. You never looked at me the way he looks at her when you were young."

Gu Qinghe’s pride flared. "What nonsense! He’s a master at putting on a show. I, on the other hand, wear my heart on my sleeve."

Zhao Shi’s laugh was like a dagger wrapped in silk. "And that’s exactly why your sincerity is… let’s say, ordinary. Fushan, though? He doesn’t waste his affection. When he looks at Yunzhu, it’s rare, raw, and unmistakable. That kind of tenderness? It’s like finding gold in a sea of gravel."

Gu Qinghe paused, her words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. Had he missed something in Cao Xun’s gaze all this time?

Seven days later, just as dusk settled over the city, Gu Qinghe emerged from the official office. To his surprise, Cao Xun was leaning casually against his horse, waiting for him.

Cao Xun had never bothered to show up at the office since returning to Beijing, so Gu Qinghe smirked, masking his curiosity. "Well, well, what brings the royal uncle out here tonight?"

Cao Xun’s smile was smooth, his tone teasing. "If I want good company and a strong drink, I know exactly where to find it."

Gu Qinghe, always half-convinced Cao Xun didn’t see him as an equal anymore, couldn’t help but feel his walls crumble just a bit.

Together, they headed to Zuixianju, the city’s finest drinking spot.

Gu Qinghe, whose tolerance for alcohol was laughably weak, refused to admit defeat. Yet by the time Cao Xun had barely finished half a bottle, Gu Qinghe was tipsy, pouring out every frustration, every resentment he’d harbored.

Cao Xun, ever the enigma, didn’t offer explanations or apologies. He didn’t need to.

And still, Gu Qinghe forgave him.

Later, as they left, Cao Xun insisted on seeing him home. He rode alongside the carriage, finally dismounting to help Gu Qinghe down. His touch was steady, firm, and far too considerate.

Even through his drunken haze, Gu Qinghe felt something wasn’t quite right. He blinked up at Cao Xun, suspicion in his voice. "Why are you being so damn thoughtful tonight?"

Cao Xun’s smile deepened, and then, without warning, he wrapped Gu Qinghe in a firm embrace. His voice dropped, carrying a warmth that was almost unbearable. "Yunzhu is expecting. I’m over the moon."

Gu Qinghe froze, stunned into silence. "…"

Cao Xun finally seized the perfect moment to drop the good news with nonchalant ease. Without lingering, he let go of his friend, turned sharply, and mounted his horse with a fluid, practiced grace. He didn’t bother looking back. The fiery sunset bathed him in its golden embrace as his steed sped around the corner, leaving no room for second thoughts.

Back at Dingguo Mansion, Yunzhu, knowing full well that Cao Xun intended to throw a lavish banquet for Gu Qinghe, decided to dine alone. But unexpectedly, the man showed up shortly after freshening up.

“You’re back so soon?” Yunzhu asked, her tone light but curious.

Cao Xun smirked, his gaze steady. “Qinghe doesn’t hold his liquor well.”

The mention of Gu Qinghe stirred memories of her brother in Yunzhu’s mind. If it had been him, the drinks would have flowed well into the night.

Cao Xun didn’t waste a second. He slid onto the seat beside her, reached for her hand with a deliberate tenderness, and let his eyes wander down to her stomach. “How’s your appetite today?” he asked, his voice low but tinged with genuine concern.

Yunzhu shot him a look, her patience wearing thin. “Can’t you come up with something less predictable?” she snapped, exasperation clear in her tone. Just because Sun Yurong had suffered severe morning sickness didn’t mean she would be doomed to the same fate.

Cao Xun fell quiet, the silence heavy yet telling.

Lian Qiao and Shiliu, catching the awkwardness, exchanged knowing smiles before discreetly excusing themselves.

Left alone, Cao Xun wasted no time reclaiming the moment. He pulled Yunzhu onto his lap with an air of possession, his breath hot against her ear as he leaned in close. “Did you miss me?” he murmured, his voice sultry and teasing.

Yunzhu’s response was as sharp as her wit. “If you’re looking for reassurance, we’re practically an old couple.”

But Cao Xun wasn’t one to back down. “Perhaps,” he replied, his tone a mix of hunger and sincerity. “But I’ll never stop craving you.”

Every thought of her consumed him. He’d wonder what she was doing while he was away, whether she was comfortable, whether she needed him. And every time, the answer was the same—he couldn’t wait to get back to her.

In Yunzhu’s presence, Cao Xun felt alive, his passion reignited every single time.

———Author’s Note:

Cao Xun might not be a man of eloquence, but his actions speak volumes. His care for Yunzhu is quiet but steadfast, expressed through the small, tender moments of everyday life. Though he avoids dramatic declarations, his devotion runs deep. But convincing Yunzhu of that will take more than a year or two—it’ll take time, patience, and a love that grows stronger with every passing day. Stay tuned for more leaps through time!