Shuhan

In late spring and early summer, Sima Yi's mansion seemed to be shrouded in a faint light of joy, and the air was filled with a festive atmosphere, which was in sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

The lanterns hanging high above the gate swayed gently in the breeze, as if welcoming every guest who stepped into this glorious place.

Today is not only the joyous day that Sima Yi returned to the court victoriously after suppressing the rebellions of Kebineng and Gongsun Yuan, but also the glorious moment when he was commended by the emperor, granted an additional 3,000 households, promoted to Sikong, and ranked among the Three Dukes.

This series of glories, like bright stars, illuminated the future of the Sima family and shocked the entire capital.

The mansion was already decorated with colorful lights and red silk hanging high, creating an atmosphere of joy.

In the central hall, a huge rosewood table was spread out, and the table was filled with various delicacies, from exquisite palace snacks to local delicacies, all of which demonstrated the host's hospitality and status.

The servants shuttled back and forth, busy and orderly, their faces filled with pride and joy, as if this honor belonged to each and every one of them.

Against this background, the figure of the eldest son Sima Shi appears particularly lonely.

He was dressed simply, and there was a hint of barely perceptible melancholy in his eyes.

The failure in defending Shouchun was like a heavy yoke that made him fall from the peak of glory. Now he could only stand aside silently as a criminal, watching his father's glory.

He had mixed feelings in his heart, including pride in his father's achievements, regret for his own failure, and confusion and anxiety about the future.

Whenever a guest came forward to greet him, he always forced a smile, but hidden behind that smile was pain that was difficult for others to detect.

In sharp contrast to Sima Shi's silence is the second son, Sima Zhao, who is still a young man, full of vigor and vitality, with a sharp look between his brows.

Today, he was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe and wearing the sword given by his father on his waist, looking particularly energetic.

Sima Zhao warmly welcomed every guest. His voice was loud and his smile was brilliant, as if he wanted to share all his joy with everyone.

During his conversations with guests, he often revealed his vision and ambition for the future. His confidence and vitality attracted people involuntarily.

The hostess Zhang Chunhua, the woman who accompanied Sima Yi through countless ups and downs, was also dressed up today.

She was wearing a fitted skirt, the hem of which swayed gently with her steps, like a blooming peony, which was both dignified and yet could not conceal her plump beauty.

Time has left traces on her face, but it has also added a touch of maturity. Her eyes show both pride in her husband's achievements and satisfaction with the harmony of her family.

In her interactions with guests, she displayed extraordinary wisdom and grace, making every guest feel at home.

However, whenever her eyes met Sima Shi, a trace of imperceptible worry would flash across her eyes. As a mother, she knew her son's inner struggle and pain, but she was powerless and could only silently give him support and encouragement.

The concubine Jingshu silently assisted Zhang Chunhua. She had a pretty face and gentle manners. Although she was not as dazzling as Zhang Chunhua, she also had her own unique charm.

In her interactions with Zhang Chunhua, she always remained humble and respectful. Although they were wife and concubine, they lived in peace and together maintained the harmony of this big family.

Jingshu is well aware of her status and never competes for favor. She just stands silently behind Sima Yi and Zhang Chunhua, protecting this family in her own way.

Outside the mansion, there was a lot of traffic and it was very lively.

All kinds of carriages and sedan chairs were parked on both sides of the street, from luxurious official sedan chairs to simple folk carriages, all of which demonstrated the breadth and diversity of today's guests.

The guests were either dressed in gorgeous clothes or in plain clothes, but their faces were filled with admiration and congratulations for Sima Yi.

Some of them gathered in groups of three or five, discussing Sima Yi's glorious military exploits; others drank wine alone, pondering the political situation behind it.

As night fell, the banquet gradually reached its climax.

As the music started, the dancers began to dance lightly. Their dancing moves were as graceful as fairies descending to earth, adding a touch of tenderness and romance to the feast.

The guests raised their glasses and drank together, laughing and talking happily, and the whole mansion was filled with joy and peace.

Sima Yi sat in the main seat, watching all this, with complex emotions surging in his heart.

Behind all this glory are countless days and nights of hard work and sacrifice, and the silent support and dedication of family members.

He raised his glass and thanked every guest present, as well as his family.

At this moment, all the glory and all the grudges seemed to have turned into wine in the glass and blended into the joy.

As the night deepened, the guests gradually dispersed and the mansion returned to tranquility.

In a quaint and elegant quiet room, the flickering candlelight illuminates the figures of two wise men.

Sima Yi had a calm expression, his brows revealing a calmness and wisdom that came from having experienced many vicissitudes of life. However, Shangshu Ling Chen Qun's eyes could not hide his worry. The two men sat opposite each other.

Inside the room, the air seemed to become frozen due to the heavy moods of the two people. Only the occasional sound of wind outside the window broke the silence.

On the table, there were only a few plates of exquisite dishes left, and a few empty wine jugs were lying here and there, emitting a faint aroma of wine, indicating the liveliness of the banquet just now.

Sima Yi and Chen Qun both had red blushes on their faces from being drunk, but their eyes were unusually bright, as if they could penetrate the night and look directly into each other's deepest worries.

Chen Qun sighed softly, the sound was low and long, like the last fallen leaf in autumn, slowly drifting down, carrying with it endless helplessness and sorrow.

He picked up the wine glass, but did not drink it. He just gently stroked the rim of the glass and looked ahead with a dazed look, as if he had traveled through time and space and returned to the days when he and Emperor Wen conspired for great cause.

"Since your majesty ascended the throne, the government has changed with each passing day, and new people have emerged in large numbers. Old ministers like me seem to have become redundant within the palace walls. Your majesty is more cautious about us. The trust and reliance you once had has now been replaced by suspicion. What can we do?"

Chen Qun's words revealed a deep sense of powerlessness, a complex emotion of being abandoned by the times but still unwilling to accept it.

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi curled up his lips into a bitter smile, which concealed too much unspeakable pain.

He suddenly picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. The wine seemed more bitter than usual and went straight to his heart.

The glorious achievements in suppressing the rebellions of Xianbei and Gongsun Yuan were originally the most dazzling chapter in his life. He wanted to take this opportunity to drive directly to the grassland, further expand the territory of Wei State and demonstrate his military talents, but he was stopped by a sudden imperial edict.

Immediately afterwards, he wrote a letter requesting to use the surrendered soldiers from the grassland to support Qingzhou in order to consolidate the border defense, but it was also rejected.

Finally, he was summoned to the capital, and ostensibly was rewarded with constant favors, but in reality he was firmly isolated from the center of power by being given a high position without power.

"What Brother Chen said is exactly what I care about." Sima Yi's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of his heart.

"My Sima family has been loyal for generations, and has devoted all our lives to the Kingdom of Wei, but in the end, we have ended up like this. Your Majesty's heart is hard to predict!"

He stretched out his hand and gently rubbed his temple, as if trying to relieve the boredom in his heart.

Under the candlelight, his fingers appeared particularly slender, with traces of time revealed between his knuckles, evidence of countless times of holding swords and reviewing documents.

Chen Qun felt mixed emotions when he saw this.

He slowly put down the wine glass and turned his gaze to Sima Yi, with a look that contained both sympathy and a bit of helplessness.

"Brother Zhongda, you and I both know that the situation within the palace is unpredictable. Your Majesty's move may be to balance the power in the court, or perhaps it is out of fear of us old ministers. But no matter what, we can't just sit there and wait for death."

Sima Yi nodded and his eyes became firm.

"Brother Chen is right. Although we are ministers of the previous dynasty, our passion for the country has not cooled down. Our loyalty to the country has never wavered. Perhaps, we can start by training the younger generation, allowing them to gain a firm foothold in the court and gain more say for us."

The two looked at each other and smiled, and that smile showed both tacit understanding and expectations for the future.

Afterwards, they began to discuss in detail how to select talents and how to gradually increase their influence without arousing the emperor's suspicion.

As the night deepened, the candlelight gradually dimmed, but their conversation became more and more heated, as if an eternal fire was lit in this quiet room, illuminating the way forward.

In the Luoyang Imperial Palace, deep in the inner hall, inside the warm room, the flickering candlelight reflects a charming scenery.

The huge bed was covered with a soft quilt embroidered with intricate cloud and dragon patterns, as if foreshadowing the extraordinary nature of this world.

Emperor Cao Rui of Wei, dressed in a light silk robe, half-lying in the middle of the bed, his eyes showing both the flame of desire and a hint of imperceptible fatigue. Beside him, Empress Mao and Concubine Yu, two beauties, were like twin flowers, each blooming with different graces.

Queen Mao was dignified and gentle, her brows revealing the bearing of a mother of the country. Even in this private place, her manners remained elegant.

Concubine Yu is completely different. She is charming and attractive, with her eyes always flashing with alertness and cunning, as if she can see through people's hearts, yet makes people willingly fall into her gentle trap.

"Your Majesty, you seem to be getting thinner in recent days. You must take care of your health." Queen Mao whispered softly, her fingers gently stroking Cao Rui's chest, her eyes full of concern.

Cao Rui smiled slightly, reached out and held her hand, and said with a bit of pampering: "As long as you are here, I will be happy no matter how tired I am."

Concubine Yu was standing by, with a charming smile on her face. She leaned close to Cao Rui and said in a low and seductive voice, "Your Majesty, I have just learned a set of massage techniques that may help you relieve your fatigue."

After that, she began to gently massage Cao Rui's shoulders. Wherever her fingertips passed, it seemed as if an electric current flowed, making Cao Rui close his eyes involuntarily, enjoying this rare comfort.

As the atmosphere gradually heated up, the interaction between the three became more intimate.

Cao Rui's eyes began to become hot. He pulled the two beauties tightly into his arms, and a grand drama began.

Queen Mao and Concubine Yu each used all their tricks to make Cao Rui feel as if he was in a fairyland, forgetting all his worries and pressures.

However, the good times did not last long. Cao Rui suddenly let out a deafening roar, which seemed to contain both satisfaction and a hint of pain.

It turned out that after this peak, there were aftereffects caused by the red pills presented by the eunuch to ward off evil spirits.

Although the red pill could bring temporary pleasure, it also made Cao Rui's body overwhelmed and a feeling of weakness surged over him like a tide.

At this moment, all three of them were sweating profusely, and Cao Rui looked pale and breathing rapidly.

He forced his eyes open and looked at the two beauties in front of him, whose faces were covered in sweat and whose messy hair stuck to their smooth and beautiful faces. An indescribable complex emotion surged in his heart.

He stood up slowly, his movements revealing an unquestionable majesty. Despite his weak body, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle.

When putting on his clothes, Cao Rui's fingers trembled slightly, but he suppressed the discomfort and tried his best to appear calm.

Upon seeing this, Queen Mao and Concubine Yu were both worried. They wanted to go forward to help, but they did not dare to disturb them easily.

They knew that what Cao Rui needed at this moment was not only physical care, but also spiritual understanding and respect.

After getting dressed, Cao Rui took a deep breath, as if he was adjusting his state. He turned to look at the two beauties, his eyes showing both reluctance and determination: "I still have some government affairs to deal with tonight, you should rest early."

After saying this, he walked straight out of the warm room, leaving the room in silence and the two beauties feeling lost.

Outside the warm room, it was late at night and the night breeze was cool.

Cao Rui walked alone in the empty palace corridor, feeling mixed emotions.

As the king of a country, he carries too much responsibility and pressure on his shoulders, and this pressure often forces him to show strength and decisiveness in front of others. Even in this private warm room, he finds it difficult to let go completely.

Back in the study, Cao Rui sat on the dragon chair and closed his eyes to rest.

The scene just now kept replaying in his mind, which was filled with joy, pain, and deep worry about the future.

He must find a balance so that he can enjoy the pleasures of the world while maintaining the dignity and wisdom of an emperor in order to cope with the upcoming challenges.

The Grand Eunuch, dressed in dark purple eunuch attire, with an exquisite jade pendant hanging around his waist, walked lightly and steadily into the study, holding a cup of steaming ginseng tea.

The ginseng tea was golden in color and had a fragrant aroma. It was specially prepared for Cao Rui to ward off evil spirits and help him restore his physical strength and spirit.

Bixie gently placed the teacup on the table in front of Cao Rui with a respectful and skillful movement, his eyes revealing awe and loyalty to the young emperor.

Cao Rui picked up the teacup and took a sip. The warm tea slid down his throat like a warm current flowing into his heart, instantly dispelling the paleness on his face, and his eyes also regained some spirit.

He put down the teacup and turned his gaze to Pixie. His voice was soft but carried unquestionable authority: "Does Sun have any grievances in the cold palace?"

Upon hearing this, Pixie bowed slightly and replied, "Concubine Sun has no complaints. She plays the zither and dances with the sword every day, and she is quite happy. The Empress Dowager visits her occasionally and seems to take good care of her."

After hearing this, Cao Rui sneered and his eyes flashed with complicated emotions. Sun Luban, the former crown princess, has now become a thorn in his heart.

Back then, he had not yet ascended the throne and was controlled by the then Queen Guo Zhao. Although he was dissatisfied with Sun Luban, he could do nothing about it.

Now, he is the emperor with the power of life and death in his hands, so naturally he will no longer have any scruples about Sun Luban.

He banished Sun Luban to the cold palace on the grounds that she was infertile and unchaste, but he actually had other plans in mind.

Cao Rui's thoughts drifted back to the past, and the proud figure of Sun Luban appeared in his mind.

She was once a landscape in his heart, beautiful but unattainable.

However, as time went on, that admiration gradually turned into dissatisfaction and disgust.

Especially when she became the Crown Princess, he felt jealous and resentful.

Now, although she was banished to the cold palace, Cao Rui did not feel satisfied in his heart. Instead, he felt an indescribable emptiness and regret.

When Bixie saw this, he secretly guessed what Cao Rui was thinking.

The emperor's mind is complex, changeable and difficult to understand.

He asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, do you need me to visit the cold palace again to learn about Concubine Sun's current situation?"

Cao Rui shook his head and replied coldly, "No need. Since she has been sent to the cold palace, she has nothing to do with me. You just need to do your duty and take care of my daily life."

When Bixie heard this, he was startled and quickly retreated.

Although His Majesty is young, his methods are extremely cruel. If you anger him, the consequences will be disastrous.

Cao Rui sat alone in the study, staring at the memorials on the desk, but his heart was unsettled.

He thought of Sun Luban and the Queen Mother, and an indescribable irritation welled up in his heart.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart.

However, the figure of the Queen Mother kept appearing in his mind. Her gentle smile and loving eyes made him feel warm in his heart.

But then, he thought of her restraint and suppression of him, and anger surged in his heart again.

He suddenly opened his eyes and clenched his hands into fists, as if he wanted to vent all the anger in his heart.

But he quickly shook his head and drove these beautiful thoughts out of his mind.

He cannot indulge in these emotional entanglements now. He has not yet completely taken control of the court and is not yet at the point where he can become a tyrant.

So he suppressed his irritability and anger, picked up the memorial on the desk again, and began to review it carefully.

His eyes became firm and cold, as if he wanted to turn all his dissatisfaction and resentment into motivation to conquer the world.

Except for the war in Qingzhou, the rest of the wars were minor.

The Han State was accumulating strength and preparing for a new war.

And his Great Wei also needed to recuperate and prepare for a new round of attacks from the Han Dynasty.

The next war may be in a year, this year, or even later.

But no matter what.
As long as his Wei State can hold on, he will have a chance to turn defeat into victory!
In this world, whether the surname is Cao or Liu is still unknown! (End of this chapter)