Light and Shadow

39 - Disappointment and Reassurance

Cui Yan thanked them again and quickly scurried past them, leaving the prison as fast as he could. Xun Yu could only look at the ground, disappointed and ashamed of his Lord's actions.

"Good work Man Chong. You should rest early tonight, you have earned it." Cao Cao said softly, surprising the man.

"Thank you for your generosity, my Lord." Man Chong gushed as he bowed his head toward the man.

"No need to thank me. Now, Xun Yu, let's go. I have important matters to discuss with you." Cao Cao stated as he turned and the two walked towards the entrance from whence they came.

Man Chong and the guards watched the two leave with curious expressions, but Man Chong quickly averted his attention back to the two men standing in front of him.

"Well, what are you two waiting for?! Clean this mess up!" Man Chong exclaimed, causing the guards to jump and quickly begin cleaning the area.

Cao Cao released his grip on Xun Yu and chuckled as he moved to stand farther away from him. Although it was evident that Xun Yu was displeased with him, he did not move farther than a meter apart. Cao Cao looked over and watched as the man walked with his arms crossed over his chest, shivering in the darkness of the night. Cao Cao attempted to move closer to him, but Xun Yu moved away.

"Wenruo, don't be stubborn. You are cold, at least stand closer to me." Cao Cao said.

"No, thank you. I am fine." Xun Yu replied curtly.

"I did as you requested and released Cui Yan. Are you still upset with me?" Cao Cao asked.

"My Lord, I cannot speak on the matter as it would convey my opinion and emotions." Xun Yu answered.

"I want to hear your opinion and emotions. Please tell me what is troubling you." Cao Cao replied.

I can see that he is upset, but I want to hear him say what is bothering him. Xun Yu stopped walking and Cao Cao moved closer to him. The two stood face to face and Cao Cao was reminded of the past when Xun Yu looked at him with disappointment in his hazel colored eyes, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. I have disappointed him again.

"Forgive me for speaking bluntly on the matter, but you know as well as I do that Cui Yan did not deserve to be imprisoned. There was no reason for you to doubt his loyalty, and your rash action has disappointed me greatly." Xun Yu stated. He looked at the man and patiently awaited his response.

"You are right. Cui Yan did not deserve this mistreatment. I apologize for my mistake. Sometimes I can be a little too paranoid." Cao Cao replied.

Xun Yu shook his head.

"I am not the one that you should be apologizing to, my Lord." Xun Yu said.

"You are right. I should do something to try and make it up to him. Do you know what he likes?" Cao Cao inquired.

"Master Cui Yan is interested in calligraphy and history. I'm sure that he would appreciate it if you presented him with something involving at least one of those things." Xun Yu said.

"Thank you for the advice, Xun Yu. Fortunately, I think that I have the perfect thing at home. Come on, let's get you out of the cold." Cao Cao said as he grabbed Xun Yu's hand and led the man back to his quarters.

Once they were inside the room, Xun Yu watched as Cao Cao rearranged the many scrolls and books that lined the top shelf of a large bookshelf in the back of the room. He then turned and faced Xun Yu with a thin, black rectangular box in his hands. Cao Cao walked over to the nearby table and gingerly placed the box down, pulling back the sleeves of his black hanfu as he removed the lid of the box with both hands before turning to look at Xun Yu with a satisfied grin.