32 Usurping the Han (4)

The couple had been married for half a year, living in perfect harmony, yet Xun Yu’s favorability remained stuck at 70, impossible to push any further.

Yun Yao was not surprised.

For a true steed of a thousand miles, mere affection was not enough to conquer him. His ambitions lay in the vast wilderness; only a true monarch could master him. There was no way to change that for now; she would have to wait until she held an official post. At the mere thought of the future, she could hardly contain her excitement. He would be the first magnificent steed she would conquer.

Autumn arrived, and the couple went to the mountains for an excursion. In the midst of their enjoyment, a tiger’s roar echoed from afar, startling countless birds into flight. Immediately after, a young man galloped out of the woods on horseback, pursued by a majestic, striped predator.

Seeing the tiger about to overtake him, Yun Yao swiftly drew her bow and notched an arrow. With a sharp whistle, the arrow struck the tiger in the eye. The beast let out a pained roar that seemed to shake the entire forest. Enraged by the injury and bent on vengeance, the tiger turned and charged toward Yun Yao. She fired another arrow, blinding the beast’s other eye. Deprived of its target, the tiger tumbled on the ground in agony. Yun Yao drew her bow once more, this time aiming for the vitals. The tiger struggled for a moment longer before collapsing.

Only then did Yun Yao lower her bow. The young man watched in awe. To kill a tiger with three arrows—it was truly extraordinary! He dismounted and stepped forward, saying, "I am Cao Cao. Many thanks for your assistance, my lady."

Yun Yao’s gaze flickered. She lightly brushed her fingers over her bow before introducing herself. Cao Cao turned his gaze to Xun Yu, his eyes lighting up. This man was not only strikingly handsome but remained composed from start to finish—he was a person of substance as well! He asked for Xun Yu’s name, which he provided.

Thus, the three became acquainted. Cao Cao invited the couple to his home, treating them with great hospitality as a gesture of gratitude. The banquet was a joyous affair, and the couple returned home together. When it was time to retire for the night and no servants remained nearby, Xun Yu asked, "Did you intend to kill him at that moment, my wife?"

Yun Yao was surprised by his keen perception; she had not expected him to notice her momentary thought. Such a man—it was fortunate he was her spouse; otherwise, he would have been a formidable adversary. She knew she could never deceive him; not only would it fail, but it would also lower his favorability. She had to win him over with sincerity and magnanimity.

"I did indeed think of killing him for a split second," Yun Yao admitted. "I dreamt that this man would be my lifelong rival." After all, he was the future Emperor Wu of Wei, the cunning hero of a chaotic age. To nip him in the bud while he was still unformed would have been the best strategy.

"Then why did you abandon the idea?" Xun Yu asked.

Yun Yao smiled. "If he is qualified to be my rival, he must be no ordinary person. If I could master him, would he not be a great asset?" Her eyes glinted with a desire to conquer. What would be the point of simply killing him? Her greatest joy was catching dragons and subduing tigers. Seeing the confidence and heroic spirit in her eyes, Xun Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

Cao Cao was the descendant of a eunuch. Although he had many friends, many others looked down upon him due to his lineage. Yun Yao felt this deeply as well. While one could attract many through personal charisma, the prejudice of social status was difficult to erase. In a sense, they were the most suitable people to be friends. The son of a eunuch and the daughter of a eunuch—they were a perfect match!

Cao Cao became a student of Cai Yong, the father of Cai Wenji, and Yun Yao frequently brought Xun Yu along to gather with them. The four would either study together or share meals. Cai Wenji was quick-witted, possessed a photographic memory, and possessed keen judgment. Xun Yu was a brilliant strategist, concerned for the world, and upright in all his thoughts and deeds. Yun Yao, though not as skilled in letters, was exceptionally bold and broad-minded. Many of her ideas coincided with Cao Cao’s, and he soon regarded her as a confidante.

A year passed, and all four eventually obtained official posts in Luoyang, though none were of significant rank. After working for a while, Yun Yao felt it was meaningless; to accomplish real work, one had to go to the grassroots.

Late at night, the couple whispered to each other. Yun Yao asked, "Can you guess what I am thinking?"

"You wish to be transferred to a local post," Xun Yu replied.

Yun Yao smiled. "Those who know me, know it is you, Wenruo." She added, "And what about you? What are your thoughts?"

"I shall follow you," Xun Yu said.

Yun Yao hugged him happily. Xun Yu embraced her in return, looking down at her with a gentle smile. The greatest blessing in the world was to have a loving spouse who was also a like-minded comrade-in-arms.

The next day, Yun Yao informed her father of her plan. Tang Heng said, "Luoyang is the capital. Staying here will lead to faster promotions."

"No, Father," Yun Yao replied. "I want to go out and see what this world is truly like."

Tang Heng could not sway her. "You have always been headstrong since you were a child. Go, then."

"Thank you, Father!"

Once permission was granted, the couple submitted their application and received approval shortly thereafter. On the day of their departure, Cao Cao and Cai Wenji came to see them off. In an age when transportation was underdeveloped, this departure might well be a final farewell. Cai Wenji wept as she held her. Cao Cao was also deeply saddened and presented them with a farewell poem.

Yun Yao, however, appeared much more carefree. "Do not be sad! We shall surely meet again!" With that, she raised her hand in a salute. As the sun set, the carriage gradually moved away, leaving only a long trail of wheel ruts behind.

After leaving Luoyang, the scenes outside grew increasingly chaotic. Bandits and outlaws appeared from time to time. Refugees were everywhere, and in this vast world, there was no place for them to settle. Upon arriving at their assigned post, they found vast stretches of farmland lying fallow, with no one to till the soil.

The two stepped out of the carriage and walked along the field paths, finding the surroundings deathly silent. Although it was nearly noon, only a few houses showed smoke from their chimneys; the rest were empty shells. In the distance, a sorrowful song drifted like mist across the barren fields, as if it would vanish at the slightest breeze. It was just like the millions of commoners in this chaotic age, their passing as traceless as smoke.

Yun Yao could not help but stop to listen to the song. Xun Yu stood by her side, accompanying her in silence. Finally, the singing ceased, and the surroundings became utterly still, with only the wind wailing in their ears like a mournful cry. Yun Yao stood there for a long time, overcome with sorrow. Without a word, she finally said, "Let us go."

Xun Yu followed her, and together they boarded the carriage.