Shuhan

At this moment, Luoyang had not yet been disturbed by the shadow of war. Inside and outside the city, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and their lives were stable, presenting a prosperous scene.

In the city, shops are lined on both sides of the streets, with flags of various colors fluttering in the wind. The sounds of shouting and hawking can be heard one after another, making the city very lively.

There is an endless stream of pedestrians, some wearing gorgeous clothes, some carrying heavy bags, some walking in groups of three or five, some strolling alone, all enjoying the unique charm of this ancient city.

Horse-drawn carriages and ox-drawn carts shuttled through the city, with the rolling of wheels and the sound of horse hooves, adding a bit of liveliness and vitality to this ancient city.

The market is bustling with people. There are fresh fruits and vegetables, fragrant cakes, exquisite handicrafts, and everything else that is dazzling. The vendors greet customers warmly and display their products, while customers are either picky or appreciative, or bargaining or buying readily. It is very lively.

Outside the city, the fields are vast, the rice is golden, and it is a scene of a good harvest.

Farmers are busy harvesting the fruits of their hard work, their faces filled with satisfaction and joy. Children are chasing and playing in the fields, with laughter and joy everywhere.

The imperial city of Luoyang is majestic and magnificent, with red walls and golden tiles. It looks even more solemn and mysterious under the reflection of the rising sun.

The Prince's Palace is located deep in the imperial city. It was not only the residence of Cao Rui, the Crown Prince of Wei, but also the place where he governed the country.

Since Cao Pi became seriously ill, Cao Rui has been regent for more than a month. During this period of time, he has deeply experienced the feeling of holding power, which is a fascinating and intoxicating feeling.

However, the wars on all sides were not going well and the State of Wei was in danger of being destroyed, which forced him to put aside all his desire for pleasure and devote himself to state affairs.

The Prince's tutor Zheng Cheng has finally come to the end. Although he is old, he is in good spirits. At this moment, he is standing in front of Cao Rui's desk.

His eyes were very bright, as if he could see through everything.

Zheng Cheng waved his hand gently, signaling the officials of the Secretariat to deliver two baskets of memorials from various places.

Some of these memorials are heavy, some are light, but each one carries the expectations of local officials and the demands of the people.

"Deal with these memorials first, then deal with the military reports." Although Zheng Cheng's voice was a little hoarse, it revealed an unquestionable majesty.

Although Cao Rui was young, he had an extremely heavy burden on his shoulders. As the prince's tutor, he had the responsibility to guide Cao Rui on the right path.

Cao Rui smiled bitterly. Didn't he also want to enjoy the beauty of life like other princes?
But reality did not allow him to do so. Before his father, Emperor Cao Pi, died, he had to work hard and demonstrate his ability and determination to consolidate his position as the crown prince.

Every step in the field of power is like walking on thin ice. If you are not careful, you may be doomed.

He is now able to govern the country, and perhaps only he himself knows the hardships involved.

He reached out and picked up a memorial and read it carefully.

The handwriting on the memorial was clear and powerful, but the content made him frown.

This is a report on the border war, describing the Wei army's repeated defeats in the battles with Shu and Wu.

He took a deep breath and tried to keep himself calm.

I must not panic and must not let Zheng Cheng and other officials see my weakness.

He put down the memorial and picked up another one.

This memorial was about people's livelihood issues, describing the difficult life conditions of the people of Xuzhou due to natural disasters and man-made calamities.

Time passed minute by minute, and Cao Rui dealt with one memorial after another.

As night fell, the lights in the Crown Prince's Palace were bright. Cao Rui was still dealing with memorials and military reports, his face full of fatigue, but his eyes were still firm.

Zheng Cheng stood aside, watching him silently, his heart full of satisfaction and expectation.

This young prince possesses extraordinary talent and firm determination. If he could have continued to be so diligent, how could the State of Wei have been destroyed?

Finally, when the last memorial was processed, Cao Rui breathed a sigh of relief. He looked out the window and saw the stars in the night sky, as if cheering him on.

"Master, please take a rest tonight."

Zheng Cheng nodded and said, "Your Highness, you have worked hard."

After dealing with state affairs for a day, Cao Rui felt physically and mentally exhausted, and every step he took felt like he was stepping on heavy lead blocks.

The moon shines endlessly, but it seems unable to dispel the haze that shrouds my heart.

He walked with slow and heavy steps, hoping to find a bit of peace in the Prince's Palace. However, as soon as he stepped into the palace gate, a bleak and miserable sound of a piano pierced his heart like a cold wind.

The sound of the piano is low and lingering, like the last fallen leaf in autumn, struggling on the branch, and finally falling helplessly, with endless sorrow and reluctance. Every note seems to be telling a story of the past, with both memories of the past prosperity and helpless lamentations about the reality. The sound of the piano is also mixed with the faint singing of Wuqu. Although the sound is as thin as a gossamer, it clearly conveys the deep homesickness, which makes people feel desolate.

Cao Rui suddenly felt an inexplicable displeasure in his heart. He quickened his pace, walked through the winding palace corridors, and headed straight for the pavilion in the palace.

The pavilion is located in a well-tended garden, surrounded by flowers of various colors, but at this moment, those brilliant colors seem to have lost their luster, leaving only dim shadows, which complement the desolate piano sound.

Inside the pavilion, the stone table and stone benches were covered with a thin layer of dew, making it seem particularly cool, as if even the air had frozen.

As he entered the pavilion, Cao Rui immediately saw Sun Luban sitting on a stone bench. Her face was as cold as an ice sculpture, and her eyes were flashing with complex light.

Around her were several maids who had come with her from the State of Wu. When they saw Cao Rui, they hurriedly saluted in panic, with fear and anxiety written all over their faces.

"Why are you playing such lascivious music?" Cao Rui snorted coldly, his tone carrying unquestionable majesty. His eyes were fixed on Sun Luban, trying to detect a trace of fluctuation under her calm appearance.

Sun Luban raised her head slowly, her face as cold as ice. Although her voice was soft, every word was clear: "I just miss my homeland."

There was no fear in her eyes, only an indescribable determination and stubbornness.

Cao Rui showed a trace of sarcasm on his face. He took a few steps closer to Sun Luban, and his tone was full of irresistible threats: "The motherland has been destroyed. If you know what's good for you, kneel before me tonight and serve me well. Then I will let you continue to be the crown princess. Otherwise, humph!"

There was an unquestionable light in his eyes, as if everything was under his control.

The daughter of a fallen country, why are you so proud?
You are so arrogant now, but I want to see how you will look and please me when the time comes!
However, Sun Luban remained indifferent. She sneered and said with a hint of sarcasm: "The Wu Kingdom has been destroyed. Who will be the next one?"

These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing Cao Rui's heart and making his expression suddenly become gloomy.

The atmosphere in the pavilion froze instantly, and even the air seemed to have stopped flowing.

Cao Rui's eyes became deep and complex. This seemingly weak woman actually had such an indomitable will and hidden edge.

An inexplicable anger surged in his heart, but it was also mixed with a bit of admiration and helplessness.

"You..." Cao Rui hesitated as he was about to speak. He suddenly realized that the woman in front of him was not someone he could easily control. There were too many secrets and emotions hidden in her heart, an abyss that he could never reach.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, and the branches of flowers outside the pavilion swayed gently, as if telling a silent sorrow.

Cao Rui took a deep breath and tried to calm his heart. Whether it was his anger towards Sun Luban or his admiration for her tenacity, they were just a glimmer of light in the power struggle and could not change the overall situation.

If it weren't for the Queen's efforts to protect you, I would have deposed you long ago. I'll just let you be arrogant for a little while longer.

"Hmph, take care of yourself."

In the end, Cao Rui left with only these words, and turned away, leaving Sun Luban and her maids in the pavilion to continue the unfinished piano music and singing.

What's good about women?
Is there any man who understands the lonely heart better?
Late at night, deep in the palace, there was total silence, with only the occasional cry of night birds breaking the dull tranquility.

Inside the emperor's bedroom, candlelight flickered, and the dim light cast mottled shadows on the walls, adding a bit of mystery and uneasiness to this solemn palace.

Queen Guo Zhao was dressed in luxurious robes. The gold and silver threads on the robes sparkled seductively under the dim light, outlining her plump figure even more charmingly, like a moving painting.

However, at this moment, her face was full of anxiety, and her eyes, which were usually gentle as water, were now full of worry and uneasiness.

She paced back and forth in the bedroom, her steps hurried, and every step seemed to tell of her inner panic.

From time to time, she would stop and look towards the inner room, her eyes full of expectation and pleading.

Tonight, Emperor Cao Pi suddenly fell into a coma. An hour has passed since then. Although the imperial doctors have entered the room one after another, they have not been able to wake His Majesty up immediately.

This filled Guo Zhao's heart with fear and anxiety. Could it be that His Majesty was going to die today?
Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and every second seemed so long.

Finally, the imperial physician walked out of the inner room quickly. He was sweating and his face was pale. It was obvious that he was frightened by this sudden situation.

At such a moment, he was fully aware of the weight of his responsibility and was afraid that his life would be in danger.

When the emperor is about to pass away, being a royal physician is a high-risk job.

Seeing this, Guo Zhao immediately stepped forward and stared at the imperial physician, his voice trembling with anxiety: "How is your majesty?"

She clenched her hands together, as if she wanted to get an answer from the imperial physician that would reassure her.

The doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath, and tried to make his voice sound calmer: "Please rest assured, Queen, your Majesty is not in danger of death, he just needs some warming up."

This sentence was like a shot of adrenaline, and Guo Zhao's heart finally settled down.

Call ~
She breathed a sigh of relief, a tired but relieved smile on her face.

This moment of peace of mind is so hard-earned.

She looked at the imperial physician gratefully, her voice soft and grateful: "The imperial physician has worked hard, Dong'er, go and give him some rewards."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the inner room, wanting to see Cao Pi's condition in person.

When she walked into the inner room, she saw Cao Pi lying quietly on the dragon bed. Although his face was a little pale, his breathing had become much steadier.

She walked to the bedside and gently held Cao Pi's hand. Although his hands were cold, she could feel the life force in them.

She lowered her head and whispered in Cao Pi's ear: "Your Majesty, you must get better. I and the country of Wei need you."

Seeing that Cao Pi had not yet woken up, the Queen questioned the eunuch, "Didn't your Majesty seem to be getting better a few days ago? Why is he suddenly unconscious now?"

Faced with the Queen's questioning, the eunuch could only slowly and tremblingly tell her the whole story.

It turned out that Cao Pi's health had improved slightly in the past few days, and he couldn't help but become greedy for the beauties in the palace.

Today, he secretly ordered someone to fetch several bowls of precious deer blood. The deer blood in the bowls glowed with an alluring red light, as if it contained endless vitality.

Cao Pi drank several bowls in one breath, and felt a warm current flowing through his body. His eyes became hot and greedy.

Afterwards, he summoned a beauty from the palace. The beauty had a graceful figure and a pretty face, like a blooming flower.

In the palace, Cao Pi and the beauty were passionate and made love to their heart's content.

However, his body was already weak, how could he withstand such torture?
Soon, he felt dizzy, his vision went dark, and he passed out.

When Guo Zhao learned about this, he felt both anxious and angry.

A strong desire to protect and a sense of responsibility surged in her heart, and she would never allow such a thing to happen again.

She turned and walked towards the imperial physician, her voice filled with urgency and determination: "Imperial physician, you must cure His Majesty. Also, never allow His Majesty to touch women again!"

There was an unquestionable light in her eyes, as if it was an imperial decree that could not be disobeyed.

The imperial physician was startled when he heard this, and quickly nodded in agreement. He knew that the queen's methods were not easy to deal with, and if he angered her, his life would be in danger.

The eunuch even knelt on the ground, trembling.

"Don't blame them. It is I who want to visit the beauty."

At this moment, after emergency treatment by the imperial physician, Cao Pi finally woke up.

After he drank a bowl of medicine, his face finally regained some color and he opened his eyes.

Upon seeing this, Queen Guo Zhao hurried forward to support him.

Her eyes were misty, and her beautiful face looked even more charming under the light.

"Your Majesty, if you don't take care of your body, I will not live."

There was a hint of sob and determination in Guo Zhao's voice, and an unquestionable light flashed in her eyes, as if she was telling Cao Pi about her inner determination and worry.

Cao Pi knew he was in the wrong. He looked at Guo Zhao's worried eyes and beautiful face, and felt a deep sense of guilt and self-blame in his heart.

He quickly said: "There won't be a next time. I will definitely take good care of my body."

There was a firmness and sincerity in his voice, as if he was promising something to Guo Zhao.

Hearing this, Guo Zhao felt a warm feeling in his heart.

After regaining some energy, Cao Pi's thoughts began to drift away. He wondered if the news of his coma had spread, and how the crown prince would react.

So, he said to Guo Zhao: "Don't tell the prince about my coma. I want to see his reaction!"

There was a gleam of wisdom and depth in his eyes, as if he was thinking about some important decision.

"You don't need to tell the prince the inside story. Seeing what kind of person he is will be beneficial to you in the future."

Guo Zhao bit his lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded. (End of this chapter)