Chapter 6
It is truly a matter of shame and disgrace for a woman to undone her marriage.
How could Yunzhu not feel angry?
Pan's tactics are quite cunning. The Cao family, led by her, does not need to mention "repentance of the marriage". As long as they cease communication with her family, given Yunzhu's and her parents' pride, she will voluntarily abandon the idea of marrying into the Cao family.
Cao Shao was merely a son. He couldn't compel Pan to visit the Li family, nor could he prevent his mother from openly declaring at the banquet that he only regarded Yunzhu as a sister. He was fully aware that his mother's actions had completely alienated Yunzhu's family, and he knew that Yunzhu would never want to marry him again, so he did not attempt to seek his mother's approval but went directly to Ningguo Gong's Mansion to confess his wrongdoing.
Yunzhu did not wish to alienate Cao Shao, but she did not accept his confession, as if she would be pitied if she could not marry him, as if she could only settle for second best in her life!
When her temper worsened, Yunzhu couldn't help but antagonize Cao Shao with Pan's name.
This was not just to antagonize Cao Shao, but also to remind him that the fate between them was solely due to his mother's actions.
If Cao Shao is as miserable as he seems, then he has his good mother to blame!
For now, this was considered a small act of retaliation from Yunzhu to Pan. Why should Pan make their entire family angry, while she could just sit back and relax?
From then on, Cao Shao blamed Pan, but it was only Pan who suffered the consequences, and Yunzhu was content to watch the drama unfold.
If Cao Shao chooses to continue to be a dutiful son, then Yunzhu will be even more grateful that she did not marry such a submissive and useless husband.
Yunzhu's few words were like a knife being plunged into Cao Shao's already bleeding wound.
Are you willing to wager your own marriage?
Why gamble? Cao Shao can now tell Yunzhu that if he loses, at best it will be a draw, because he will never find a woman he likes more than Yunzhu again.
When it comes to his mother, Cao Shao truly has no shame in remaining.
He took one final look at Yunzhu, a lingering gaze that slowly traced from the tips of her hair to her shoulders and neck, as if to etch her appearance in his heart.
Yunzhu remained composed and merely glanced at the seat beside him.
Not knowing how much time had passed, she heard Cao Shao say, "I'm leaving. You are truly precious."
Just a few words, each word is like being fished out of water.
As Cao Shao turned around, Yunzhu's gaze followed him.
Among the elite young men of the capital, he possessed the most striking appearance and a perfectly proportioned figure, with broad shoulders and a slender waist like jade.
Yunzhu continued to fixate on Cao Shao's departing figure.
At that moment, the indifference on Yunzhu's face gave way to sorrow.
After so many years of childhood friendship, how could she not have developed feelings for Cao Shao?
The elders, who placed considerable importance on a woman's virtue, disapproved of her bossing Cao Shao around. Little did they know, Yunzhu was content with Cao Shao and saw him as her future husband, hence her familiarity with him. If he were someone she didn't care for, she wouldn't even acknowledge him. He didn't measure up.
If the marriage failed due to Cao Shao's untimely death, perhaps Yunzhu would shed a few tears for him.
Yet, it was Pan Shi who, resenting his father's loss of power, deliberately worked to sabotage the marriage!
Anger overtook the sadness in Yunzhu's heart. Her single-minded determination at that moment was to marry a man of higher status, better appearance, and greater talent than Cao Shao. Only then could she escape from this stifling situation!
The question remained: was she speaking out of frustration, or was there truly such a man in the capital?
*
Given Li Yong's recent defeat and loss of his official position, it will indeed be challenging for the Duke of Ningguo's mansion to host banquets for relatives and friends this year.
As New Year's Eve approaches, let the old year fade away, and welcome the new year without clinging to the past.
There are lessons to be learned, and the journey must continue moving forward.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the people celebrate the Lantern Festival, while the palace holds a banquet for the ministers.
For Emperor Yuan Qing, this is an auspicious year. The Jiuzhou that was lost by previous generations has been reclaimed in his reign!
The lively palace banquet, a sign of the emperor's happiness, saw the construction of the Aoshan Mountain outside the Meridian Gate, higher than the city wall. From a distance, it appeared as an auspicious beast descending from the sky.
Despite losing his official position, Li Yong, still a respected Duke, is entitled to bring his family to the palace to enjoy the lanterns tonight.
After a prolonged absence, Duke Ningguo adorned a crimson unicorn-embroidered official uniform and arrived at the palace gate. The dashing and elegant Duke Li Yong gracefully stepped out of the carriage, hands behind his back, walking to the station. It was as if a deity had descended from the heavens, capturing the attention of many.
While some were inclined to mock him, the striking appearance of the Duke dissuaded anyone from approaching to ridicule him.
Glancing around and encountering no provocation, Li Yong smiled and led his wife and children directly into the palace.
Upon entering the palace, the family split into two groups. Li Yong and his son visited Emperor Yuan Qing, while Meng Shi took her daughter to Kunning Palace.
Before the appointed time, all married women and family members gathered outside Kunning Palace. Once everyone had arrived, they proceeded inside the palace to pay homage to Empress Cao.
Duke Ningguo's mansion is a long-standing noble family that traces its lineage back to the founding of the Xia Dynasty. When attending palace banquets, the mansion's ranking surpassed even that of the Cao family in Duke Dingguo's mansion, known for having an Empress.
Meng Shi stood in front of Pan Shi, with her daughter by her side.
Pan Shi nodded to Meng Shi and greeted her, "Madam, it's good to see you. How have you been?"
Meng Shi smiled and replied, "The Imperial court has regained Jiuzhou, and the country enjoys peace. My heart is filled with joy. This year brings me greater happiness than before."
Though spoken for the occasion, nowadays, with her handsome husband by her side, Meng Shi leads a contented and blissful life, akin to honey mixed with oil.
Slightly younger than Pan Shi, Meng Shi's radiant face conveyed a stark contrast, reflecting a woman living in greater comfort.
Pan Shi smiled and looked at Yunzhu, donned in a red cloak embroidered with golden plum blossoms.
In truth, the Meng family's beauty could only be considered average. Eighty percent of Yunzhu's stunning beauty, renowned throughout the capital, was inherited from her father, Li Yong. Additionally, the wealth and influence of the Duke's family for over a decade enhanced Yunzhu's character, surpassing even the princes and princesses in the palace.
Simply put, wherever Yunzhu went, both men and women were drawn to her.
With the New Year, Yunzhu turned a year older. At eighteen, she towered over the other women and exuded an even more regal and remarkable air.
In response, she gave Pan Shi a half-smile.
Pan Shi spoke affectionately, "I haven't seen Yunzhu in a long time. You used to love visiting our home as a child. Why have you become even more spirited as you've grown older?"
Yunzhu replied, "When I was young, you always sent invitations for my mother and I to visit. But lately, we haven't received any. If you don't invite us, how can we come to bother you?"
Her voice was gentle and amiable, delivering her words as if they were ordinary observations, without any trace of complaint or resentment.
The nearby ladies exchanged glances.
Duke Ningguo's mansion has certainly lost its former glory, and Pan's dwindling power and influence are evident to all.
The Cao family, on the other hand, is currently at the peak of its prosperity, leaving no one to fault Pan Shi for attempting to rectify this imbalance.
Pan Shi refrained from speaking further, recalling Yunzhu's acerbic tongue and sharp wit.
Yunzhu gazed ahead at Kunning Palace without blinking.
In terms of status, the princesses held a higher rank than Cao Shao. Unfortunately, Emperor Yuan Qing only had three sons, two of whom were younger than her brothers. The only elder prince was crippled.
Following her homage to Empress Cao and partaking in the banquet, she could freely enjoy the lanterns. Sun Yurong sought an opportunity to approach Yunzhu.
As she halted, Yunzhu extended a hand towards her as a warning. If Sun Yurong dared to mock her tonight due to Cao Shao regretting their marriage, Yunzhu would not hesitate to strike her.
Instinctively, Sun Yurong took two steps back.
Yunzhu continued to grasp the white marble railing, gazing at the brightly lit Aoshan Mountain beyond the Meridian Gate.
Beneath the lamplight and moonlight, her complexion rivaled that of white jade, prompting Sun Yurong to steal a few more glances.
"Seeing you like this, it seems that you do not care much about the marriage," Sun Yurong remarked, reclining on the railing next to Yunzhu, tilting her head as she spoke.
She dared not instigate a reaction from Yunzhu on this matter, for fear that she might succumb to shame or anger.
Yunzhu cast a fleeting glance at her.
Sun Yurong suspected that she was still troubled. She opted to console her, though she felt awkward, particularly in addressing her former rival: "I just want to say, well... Cao Shao is excellent, but he is not the sole nobleman in the capital. If you cannot marry him, you can marry someone else. With your beauty, there are countless noblemen who would wish to marry you, not to mention those from distant lands. Even my brother, for instance, has not given up. Since learning about your discord with Cao Shao, he's been running around and sulking these past weeks. I believe he would appear better if he were to lose some weight."
Yunzhu: "..."
Sun Yurong observed Yunzhu's sudden expression of sadness and quickly spoke, "I am not suggesting that you can only marry my brother. What I mean is that, as long as you are willing, there are plenty of noble sons for you to choose from. There is no need to vie for Cao Shao!"
Yunzhu responded, "Which of your eyes witnessed me being upset?"
Sun Yurong scrutinized her and remarked, "You are adept at pretending. Who knows if you retreated to your chambers and wept when you were at home."
Yunzhu countered, "You are overthinking."
Sun Yurong snorted and muttered under her breath, "Well-intentioned advice is taken as rubbish."
As she began to depart, Yunzhu called out, "Wait."
A glimmer of hope ignited in Sun Yurong's heart and she turned back.
Yunzhu furrowed her brow and said, "Tell your brother to cease his efforts. There is no way I can get along with him."
Sun Yurong replied with silence.
*
After the Lantern Festival, Yunzhu and her mother gradually started to take part in various social activities. The capital city was filled with numerous prestigious families, both old and new, some of which were as esteemed as the Duke of Ningguo’s residence.
Despite how others might be aware, Yunzhu still managed to hear some news about Cao Shao. It was rumored that he rarely ventured outside after the New Year, immersing himself in his studies to prepare for the Spring Examination.
Aware of Cao Shao's prowess in martial arts, Yunzhu understood that Pan Shi, having only one son, feared for his life on the battlefield, as she had with her late husband. She hoped for Cao Shao to take the imperial examination, recognizing the elevated status of civil servants in the dynasty. Proficient civil servants with military expertise had the future prospect of leading troops as commanders, and Cao Shao, being adept in both realms, could adapt to the court's needs at any time.
Driven by their past connection, Yunzhu yearned to see Cao Shao’s name on the coveted gold list. Meanwhile, Cao Shao, resenting his mother's wishes, even pondered the reckless thought of deliberately failing the exam. However, he knew that Yunzhu would learn the outcome of his spring examination.
He couldn't marry Yunzhu, yet he longed not to be looked down upon by her. He hoped she would wed a better suitor, but he also wished she wouldn’t truly forget him.
Though Cao Shao couldn't be with Yunzhu, he still aspired to be her cherished man, as she was to him. So, that spring, Cao Shao exerted himself fully.
When the examination results were announced, Cao Shao secured the eighth rank, and in the palace examination in early March, he was handpicked by Emperor Yuan Qing as the top candidate.
The youthful Imperial Uncle with a striking countenance became increasingly admired by the ladies of the capital. Pan Shi, taking this as a sign that her son was not unhealthily fixated on Yunzhu, felt relief.
One morning, Pan Shi tentatively broached the topic to her son, "Now that you've triumphed in the examination, numerous renowned families are showing interest in betrothing their daughters to us. What are your thoughts?"
She enumerated a few families that appealed to her.
Cao Shao responded coldly, "My eldest brother is returning to Beijing soon, and given his seniority, once he weds, my mother needn't rush to make arrangements for me. Besides, if I marry ahead of my elder brother at a young age, what will people say about my mother?"
Pan Shi was taken aback, understanding that her son was still mourning Yunzhu. However, his excuse for resisting marriage left her speechless.
Cao Xun, already in his thirties, had postponed marriage until he fulfilled his promise to reclaim Jiuzhou. With his impending return to Beijing, Pan Shi didn't want to be perceived as a callous stepmother, thus she prioritized Cao Xun’s marriage over her own son’s.
*
When the victorious army returned, Emperor Yuan Qing made the decision to personally greet them at the city gate along with hundreds of civil and military officials as a reward.
The main road in the capital was cleared by the Imperial Guards early in the morning. Spectators had to either occupy seats in the shops lining the road or squeeze in behind the Imperial Guards to watch.
Yunzhu, too, wanted to witness the grand occasion.
Zuixianju, a popular restaurant in the capital, is owned by Lin but the land belongs to the Li family. Business is thriving, with thousands of taels in rent paid to the Li family annually.
As the army's return date was announced, the female relatives of prominent families began booking private rooms with views of famous buildings on the street. The Lin Dong family, owners of Zuixianju, wisely came to Ningguo Duke's Mansion for instructions, which they followed.
Meng shi wanted to join in the festivities, so the best private room was left for Duke Ningguo's mansion.
Duke Ningguo's carriage stopped in the back street of Zuixianju early in the morning, avoiding the crowds and allowing him to walk through the courtyard to the private room.
Amidst the bustling crowd outside the window, Yunzhu calmly enjoyed tea with her mother.
There were murmurs in the corridor, and the maid Lian Qiao stood at the door seeking instructions: "Madam, Miss Sun from the Duke of Qi's Mansion is downstairs. She wishes to come up and say hello."
Meng shi looked at her daughter with a smile.
Yunzhu knew that Sun Yurong's greetings were insincere and that she was merely waiting in her private room to admire the hero's meritorious demeanor.
"Tell her to come up."
Today, the second floor of Zuixianju was filled with esteemed guests, and no one on the first floor could enter without the approval of these guests.
Meng shi asked curiously, "When did your relationship with Yu Rong improve?"
Yunzhu responded, "It hasn't improved, but I am not so petty."
Shortly after, Sun Yurong entered happily, first greeting Meng shi sweetly and then sitting next to Yunzhu familiarly.
Yunzhu playfully teased her, "None of your good sisters managed to book a private room?"
The Sun family's Duke of Qi's Mansion had fallen on hard times, and their financial resources were limited, unable to secure private rooms booked by powerful officials. The ladies who sought to please Sun Yurong came from lesser family backgrounds than the Duke of Qi.
Sun Yurong glared, "I have already humbled myself, don't push it too far!"
Yunzhu smiled but didn't further tease her.
Meng shi cheerfully said, "You've known each other since childhood, you should be good friends. No more quarreling in the future."
Yunzhu replied, "Okay, I don't have the same experience as her."
Sun Yurong fell silent.
The two continued to chat and banter, time seeming to fly by.
The street fell silent as Emperor Yuan Qing received the victorious army and made his way back to the palace.
Windows of restaurants and shops were opened, revealing faces peeking out beside each one. Some leaned half of their bodies excitedly out of the window while others reservedly covered half of their faces with a round fan.
The gentle spring breeze carried fine dust and little catkins resembling flying snow.
Yunzhu also brought a round fan, but after observing the postures of the ladies in the opposite private room, she suddenly lost the desire to use it.
She motioned for Lian Qiao to move away.
Sun Yurong remarked, "Aren't you usually quite particular? You always ride at the front of the horse-drawn carriage to avoid others' dust."
Yunzhu replied, "I want you to take care of it."
Sun Yurong fell silent.
She wondered how Cao Shao could endure Yunzhu's temperament.
The Emperor's ceremonial guard led the way, and the royal chariot was surrounded by gauze curtains, offering glimpses of the Emperor within the palace.
Yunzhu had been embraced by Emperor Yuan Qing in her childhood. Aside from the two years of mourning, she had seen him almost every year, so she naturally didn't fixate on him.
Soon after the royal chariot passed, the generals who had distinguished themselves on the border followed.
Front and center were the two who had made the greatest contributions.
One riding a black horse and the other a large bay horse.
The first person Yunzhu noticed was a forty-year-old general riding the bay horse. He was Xie Zhen, the Marquis of Changxing, a disciple of her grandfather. When her grandfather fell ill and passed away, Xie Zhen had returned to Beijing to pay his respects.
A familiar face, there was no need to look further. Yunzhu quickly redirected her attention to the general on the black horse.
Witnessing this, Yunzhu was momentarily startled.
The general was half a head taller than Xie Zhen, riding the black horse. However, he did not emanate the imposing presence of a general like her grandfather, capable of silencing a crying child. He wore armor and a helmet reflecting the warm spring light, with an attractive and elegant face beneath.
If she had to make a comparison, his demeanor was akin to that of her father, Li Yong — both were Confucian generals.
However, Li Yong was the Duke of the capital and had only experienced a few brief defeats in battle, much like a beautiful jade displayed on brocade.
This man was a shining and gentle sword.
He appeared to be smiling and approachable, yet exuded the gravity of someone who had held a high position for a considerable time, causing people to hesitate in his presence.
Based on his facial features, he seemed quite young, yet projected a mature and sophisticated aura borne from rich experience.
"Ah, this is Cao Shao's brother, the Great Imperial Uncle, Cao Xun, isn't it?" Upon hearing Sun Yurong's voice, Yunzhu looked at Cao Xun carefully and noticed a resemblance to Cao Shao.
Suddenly, the man on horseback turned his head in the direction of Zuixianju.
His gaze shifted quickly, but Yunzhu had a feeling that he had spotted her.
After all, among the lineup of ladies, she was the only one not holding a round fan.