Faithful Dog Training Camp (3)
Cao Yun is the real old cow (Those who mind the BG relationship, please skip!)
Cao Yun, who never had high expectations for his significant other, felt that his mischievous and complex junior sister must have had her mouth blessed.
A partner is hard to find, and he was unwilling to settle. Watching his two junior sisters, who were like family to him, successfully find partners willing to stay with them, Cao Yun felt only happiness for them, never considering his own lifelong matters.
Until one year, Zi Yan invited everyone from the teahouse to her old home in Jiangnan for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Zi Yan’s deaf mother was overjoyed to know her daughter’s friends were visiting and cooked a table full of delicious dishes.
While everyone was eating the pastries brought by Jiang Yu and admiring the moon, Cao Yun, feeling idle, started carving a moon rabbit pounding medicine (mortal and pestle) from the wood beside him and gave it to Xun’er, who was beside him, making him exclaim repeatedly.
“Brother Cao, you’re amazing! Can you teach me?” Xun’er looked at the lifelike wooden rabbit in his hand, his eyes wide. “How can you make it so well with just one hand… ah, sorry.” He stopped excitedly midway, realizing his words might be inappropriate, and cautiously observed Cao Yun’s expression.
“Sure.” The one-armed man didn’t feel offended, nodded gently with a warm expression, “As long as you stabilize it and grasp the knack, it’s not difficult.”
Thus, the two of them, one big and one small, abandoned their meal and hid in the warehouse, fiddling with tools and various shapes of wood.
Late at night, the weak Murong Yan had long been taken back to the inn by Ming Qin, and the remaining few were also preparing to leave.
“Brother Cao! Don’t go.” The young boy tugged on Cao Yun’s sleeve, pleading, “You promised to teach me to carve hairpins!”
“Xun’er, stop making trouble.” Zhao Zhao frowned at her reckless brother, helplessly ruffling his hair, “Lord Cao needs to go back to the inn to rest.”
“But…” Xun’er wanted to say more but was interrupted by his sister’s warning look.
Seeing the eager boy, Cao Yun softened and said, “If Xun’er doesn’t need to get up early tomorrow, I can stay and continue talking with him.”
Seeing the joy on her brother’s face, Zhao Zhao hesitated, “But… Lord Cao, wouldn’t that trouble you too much?”
“No trouble.” Cao Yun nodded, indicating she needn’t worry, and signaled Song Shuqing in the distance not to ready his horse, then let the delighted Xun’er pull him back to the small warehouse.
With the companions gone, under the candlelight, Cao Yun held the carving knife, demonstrating to the eager boy. Xun’er’s eyes sparkled, like a sponge thirsting for knowledge, and the man patiently answered all his questions.
After nearly a whole night, although the sky was still dark, Xun’er, not yet fifteen, couldn’t hold on anymore. He fell asleep holding half-carved redwood in one hand and a file in the other.
Cao Yun’s eyes were still clear. He bent down, single-handedly lifted the sleeping boy. Though Xun’er had grown a lot, the former shadow guard felt no difficulty.
Exiting the warehouse, the man was pondering how to carry Xun’er inside when the door suddenly opened in the dark.
“Lord Cao.” Just awakened, Zhao Zhao blinked, her voice hoarse, “Thank you for your hard work.” The woman, slightly dazed, didn’t realize she was barefoot, with loose hair, as she opened the door for the two.
“…It’s nothing.” Cao Yun turned his head, his gaze fixed on the door frame, and then waved off Zhao Zhao’s attempt to help, sidestepping into the house with the boy.
After placing Xun’er down and tucking him in, Cao Yun slightly bowed to Zhao Zhao, softly bidding farewell, “Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Cao Yun led his patiently waiting gentle horse, mounted it, and was about to whip it when he hesitated upon seeing the woman by the well.
After a moment, he dismounted.
By then, Zhao Zhao, now wearing shoes and socks, was drawing water by candlelight. Though it was Jiangnan, the autumn night wind was still cold, making her hands hurt from gripping the hemp rope.
Suddenly, she felt warmth on her shoulders. A black robe with blue cloud patterns was draped over her, and a tall figure appeared behind her. Cao Yun took over the rope, and with a few swift moves, drew up the heavy, water-filled bucket.
“Lord Cao?!” Gripping the robe tightly at the collar, Zhao Zhao was surprised, “You don’t need to trouble yourself, I can manage.”
Without replying, Cao Yun silently drew up a second bucket.
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“Lord Cao…”
Looking at the astonished woman, Cao Yun handed the second bucket to Zhao Zhao, this one only half-filled, then picked up the first bucket by his feet, asking, “Where should I put this?”
“Ah… the kitchen, the kitchen water jar.” Holding the not heavy bucket, Zhao Zhao pointed behind her. Seeing him stride without hesitation, she quickly followed.
Pouring the water into the brown jar, Cao Yun noticed the dwindling firewood stacked against the wall. He picked up an axe and headed for the stump outside.
“Lord Cao… it’s not necessary, really.” Seeing the jar filled, Zhao Zhao hurriedly called out from the yard, “I can manage with Xun’er after class.”
Cao Yun paused, then asked the woman in the kitchen, “What does Miss Zhao Zhao have for breakfast?”
“Hmm?” Startled by the sudden question, Zhao Zhao thought for a moment, “Today… there are some eggs left, so… egg pancakes?”
“Alright. Then please prepare an extra one for me.” In the dim light, the man’s lips seemed to hint at a smile, “Would that be convenient?”
The woman nodded quickly, “Yes, yes, egg pancakes are quick and easy.”
As Zhao Zhao said, in less than the time it takes for two cups of tea, she brought breakfast to the kitchen table.
But looking at the neatly stacked firewood that suddenly appeared, Zhao Zhao felt an odd sense of extended time.
Despite splitting so much firewood, the seasoned 『former』 shadow guard didn’t break a sweat. He courteously handed the dishes to the woman at the table before starting to eat.
“Earlier…” Pouring some soy sauce, Cao Yun broke the silence, “I apologize for waking you.”
“No, not at all.” Waving her hand, Zhao Zhao explained, “I get up this early anyway. It wasn’t you who woke me. I have to go to school later, and even though I bought a little donkey, it still takes almost half an hour to get there. Getting up early ensures I’m not late.”
“I see.” With a calm tone, the man swallowed his egg pancake, his expression serious, “Such dedication to learning is truly admirable.”
“Ah… it’s nothing.” Rarely praised by outsiders, Zhao Zhao was flustered and lowered her head, “I just enjoy it… Although I’m the oldest and the only girl in the class, often ridiculed… I just like it…” Her voice trailed off to a whisper.
“Miss Zhao Zhao, don’t belittle yourself. Few have a true love for learning, and fewer still find joy in it.” Putting down his chopsticks, Cao Yun’s expression was sincere and firm, “Though the goal of learning is not to become an official, but to understand benevolence and righteousness, there were female officials in the past, and the current Emperor values talent above all.”
“Miss Zhao Zhao sets an example for other women in the academy. The future is bright.” Watching the woman lift her head, he softened his tone, “Don’t let others’ words affect your heart.”
Blinking, Zhao Zhao stared at the one-armed man beside her, her loose hair falling over her forehead.
Just as she raised her hand to tuck it behind her ear, Cao Yun reached into his pocket and pulled out a wooden hairpin, intricately carved with tiny flowers.
“While demonstrating to Xun’er earlier, I carved this osmanthus hairpin.” He handed her the smooth piece, “Osmanthus may seem plain, but its fragrance fills the world with autumn’s essence, just like you. If you don’t mind, please accept it.”
Looking at the smooth, finely carved hairpin adorned with delicate osmanthus flowers, Zhao Zhao loved it but hesitated, “This… Lord Cao… thank you.”
“Don’t thank me; I have no use for it.” While speaking, Cao Yun began to tidy up the table. “You accepting it is actually doing me a big favor.”
By the time the sky began to lighten with the dawn, Cao Yun, undaunted by the cold, washed the dishes. After scanning the kitchen to ensure everything was in order, he finally stepped out to fetch his horse.
With her hair now neatly tied up, Zhao Zhao followed behind him. As the man mounted his horse, her half-open mouth still couldn’t muster the courage to say anything to make him stay.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.” With a firm grip on the reins, Cao Yun nodded in farewell.
Just as the horse was about to move, Zhao Zhao suddenly called out, “Wait! Lord Cao…”
He slightly turned his head, looking down at the figure standing by his horse.
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Taking off the black robe draped over her shoulders, Zhao Zhao bit her lip. “This… I should return it to you… thank you.”
Cao Yun quickly turned away, looking up at the rising sun. He spoke softly, “Miss Zhao Zhao… you should keep it on.” Squinting slightly, he added, “It’s cold; don’t catch a chill.”
The somewhat scatterbrained woman looked puzzled until she saw her reflection in the saddle’s curved blade, realizing she was only wearing a white undershirt. Panicking, she hurriedly put the robe back on.
“I’m… I’m sorry…” Her face flushed, Zhao Zhao lowered her head, both embarrassed and annoyed, worried that he might think her a frivolous woman.
“Miss Zhao Zhao.”
This time, it wasn’t an illusion. Cao Yun smiled faintly, a dimple appearing on his chin. “The egg pancakes were very delicious.” Turning to look at the woman still wrapped in his robe, he added, “Next time, teach me how to make them, okay?”
After a moment of surprise, Zhao Zhao nodded. “Yes, of course, I’ll teach you.”
“Then it’s a deal.” Pressing his lips together, Cao Yun turned his head, spurred his horse, and rode into the morning light.
Watching the one-armed man’s fluttering sleeve in the somewhat glaring sunrise, Zhao Zhao, always buried in books, felt her heart race for the first time.
(Well… during their time in Jiangnan, they spent a lot of time together. But since this is a yuri story, this plotline isn’t important, so we’ll skip it.)
(Let’s shift our perspective back to the teahouse in Shu.)
“So, Ah Yun, did you end up with Zhao Zhao or not?”
In the teahouse, with her legs crossed and munching on melon seeds, Song Shuqing casually asked the man opposite her who was busy with accounts.
Sighing, Cao Yun looked up. “Junior Sister Song, since we returned from Jiangnan, this is the fifth time you’ve asked me. Are you that eager to know?”
“Of course! I’m concerned about you! Colleagues who are so loving are rare in this world.” The woman exclaimed dramatically, looking up.
“Ehh? But why do I always feel that Senior Sister just wants to gossip?” Munching on a mung bean cake, Ming Qin innocently voiced her opinion.
Patting his lover’s head, Murong Yan encouraged, “Ah Qin is right, Song Shuqing just wants to gossip.”
“Hey! You wicked people!” Clutching her chest in mock agony, Song Shuqing turned to the two women with a look as if she was about to cough up blood. “How could you misunderstand my good intentions!”
Setting down his brush, Cao Yun raised an eyebrow. “Junior Sister Song, if Zhao Zhao and I were truly in love, what would you do?”
“Well… I would certainly give you my blessings!” Song Shuqing declared righteously, then her tone suddenly dropped, “Then I’d threaten to write to Zhao Zhao in Jiangnan, revealing all your embarrassing stories, earn some pocket money from you, and post a notice proclaiming 『Song Shuqing is not an old cow who eat young grass, it’s Cao Yun who is the real old cow』.”
(Hey? Senior Sister, how do you know the comments section is always saying you’re an old cow and making fun of you, so now you’re trying to drag Senior Brother down with you? (laughs))
Cao Yun, expressionless, picked up his brush again, ignoring his junior sister.
“Lord Cao.” At this moment, Zi Yan came downstairs holding a letter from Jiangnan and handed one of the letters to the man behind the counter.
Taking the letter, the usually composed Cao Yun showed rare urgency. After thanking Zi Yan, he hurriedly took the letter to his room.
“Tsk, it’s so obvious, yet he won’t admit it.” Following Zi Yan’s silent signal, Song Shuqing obediently put down her feet and even used her sleeve to wipe the table. “I knew he was up to something when he gave Zhao Zhao five trained carrier pigeons to write to Zi Yan when we left Jiangnan. Such a sly move.” Though she complained, a playful smile appeared on her lips.
“But if he likes her so much, why doesn’t Brother Ah Yun go to Jiangnan?” Tilting her head, Ming Qin looked puzzled.
“Perhaps Lord Cao plans to wait a while until Zhao Zhao finishes her studies before going over.” Understanding the situation better through her sister’s letters, Zi Yan answered.
“To like someone but be separated, Brother Ah Yun is amazing. I definitely couldn’t do it. I can’t be away from Yanyan for that long.” Holding Murong Yan’s hand, Ming Qin spoke with admiration.
“Me too.” Song Shuqing embraced the standing woman, exaggerating her frown. “I can’t bear to be away from my dear Zi Yan for even a second.”
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Calmly looking at the person hugging her, Zi Yan said, “So don’t tease Lord Cao anymore.” She gently brushed away the stray hair on Song Shuqing’s forehead.
“Got it, got it.” Smiling, her eyes no longer held the earlier teasing look, and Song Shuqing obediently responded.
But after a moment, sipping her tea, she mischievously asked again.
“Hey? What do you guys think…”
“Should Ah Yun call me sister-in-law or sister’s wife after this?”
(Faithful Dog Training Camp arc end)
The author has something to say:
Supplement: At their first meeting, Zhao Zhao was 21, and Cao Yun was 34. Senior Sister Song is very excited because she finally has someone to share the “old cow” title (laughs).
Zhao Zhao is a unique girl for her time, needing someone who understands her. Cao Yun is gentle and grew up in a mixed-gender (boys and girls can beat each other up) Shadow Guard Camp, so he can understand and respect Zhao Zhao. Plus, I didn’t want him to be lonely (it would be too sad for him to be both one-armed and lonely…), so this pairing was formed. It completes the story and sets the stage for a future dynasty with female officials (I’m thinking way ahead, right?).
Next up is Hu’er~ It will require a bit of imagination from you all (evil laugh).
LP: Re-translated on June 07, 2024