Shuhan

On that cold winter day, there was an unusual silence in the Wei Palace, as if even the air had frozen.

Cao Pi now lies quietly on the dragon couch, unable to open his eyes again that once saw through the world.

Crown Prince Cao Rui, after years of forbearance and waiting, finally saw a turning point at this moment.

After Cao Pi's death.

Cao Rui made a quick decision and banned all news about Cao Pi's death to ensure peace inside and outside the palace and prevent any disturbance from affecting the subsequent arrangements.

Queen Guo Zhao was immersed in endless grief at this moment, tears falling like pearls from a broken string, staining her cheeks red.

"Mother, His Majesty has passed away. Please accept my condolences."

Cao Rui's voice was low and gentle, and he patted the queen's shoulder gently.

When Queen Guo Zhao heard this, her body trembled slightly. She looked up at Cao Rui, her eyes full of complicated emotions.

In the end, she could only sigh and say, "Just follow the rules."

This sentence expresses both helplessness and acceptance of reality.

As the queen stood up, a series of ceremonies that had been prepared long ago began to proceed in an orderly manner.

The palace maids put on makeup for Cao Pi as a final respect for the deceased and also as a kind of comfort to the living.

What is more important is the special treatment of the remains to ensure that the emperor's body will not rot during the several months of mourning.

Cao Rui stood aside, watching all this with complicated eyes.

When the departing figure of Queen Guo Zhao came into view, her plump and slightly heavy figure inexplicably touched a string deep in his heart.

Years of repression and restraint seemed to find a vent at this moment. The corners of his lips inadvertently rose slightly, but soon, reason surged back like a tide, drowning the inappropriate impulse.

Now is not the time to indulge in personal desires.

So, Cao Rui quickly adjusted his mentality and strode towards the Taiji Hall.

Along the way, he was thinking about every next move in his mind, and every decision would have far-reaching consequences.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated the expectant or nervous faces of the ministers.

Most of them were Cao Rui’s former ministers. After years of dormancy and waiting, they finally had the chance to turn things around.

They exchanged glances, their excitement and excitement difficult to conceal.

The arrival of Cao Rui was undoubtedly a signal that the curtain of a new era was about to be raised.

"Everyone, His Majesty has passed away, but the country cannot be without a king for a day." Zheng Cheng's voice was steady and powerful. He looked around, his eyes revealing unquestionable determination.

"I hope that Prince will carry out the late emperor's will and work together for national affairs." As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of echoes rang out in the hall. They knew that their time had finally arrived.

Cao Pi looked at the ministers in front of him with a flickering look in his eyes. These were all their most trusted ministers.

Zheng Cheng, He Zeng, Guanqiu Jian, Gaotang Long, Ji Mao, Bi Gui, Li Feng.
At this moment, Cao Rui also felt that he had many talented people under his command.

If these people want to get to the top, some of them will definitely have to step down from their positions of authority.

"My father's body is still warm, we will talk about this later."

To ascend to the supreme position, one usually has to decline the position three times. This is a procedure.

The other ministers understood and stopped talking about it for a while. Instead, they started to offer their suggestions and deal with the follow-up matters.

The group discussed for a long time, and then an eunuch came to the palace gate and reported: "Your Highness, the Minister of the Chancellery and the Commander-in-Chief have requested this."

Cao Rui heard this and said with a smile: "Everyone go and do your work. I will go see the Shangshu Ling and the others."

Chen Qun and Zhu Shao were Cao Pi's four friends, who were his father's team. Although the late emperor had willed that Chen Qun and Zhu Shao would be regents, as a monarch, no one wanted to share power with others, and the same was true for Cao Rui.

He had already begun preparing to weaken these regents in order to seize power alone.

Chen Qun and Zhu Shao walked hurriedly through the depths of the palace city, with an imperceptible nervousness and eagerness in their steps.

The sunlight shone patchily on them through the sparse clouds, but it seemed unable to dispel the chill radiating from within.

The two men looked at each other, and both understood clearly in their eyes - the news of the emperor's death had quietly spread in the forbidden area like wildfire, and they came here just to confirm this shocking change in the court and the country.

As you step into the gate of the Prince's Palace, a solemn atmosphere hits you in the face, completely different from the hustle and bustle of the past.

Inside the hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated Cao Rui's lonely and tall figure. He was standing in front of a huge map, staring at the intricate lines, seemingly thinking about something.

Hearing the footsteps, Cao Rui slowly turned around, his eyes deep, as if he could see into people's hearts.

"Your Highness, your subordinate greets you." Chen Qun and Zhu Suo saluted in unison, with a barely perceptible tremor in their voices.

Cao Rui waved his hand gently, signaling them to stand up. His movements were full of unquestionable majesty, but also implied a bit of fatigue.

Chen Qun took a step forward and said in a low and urgent voice: "I heard that something happened in the palace. Your Highness, I wonder..."

He hadn't finished speaking, but his meaning was clear.

Cao Rui's eyes suddenly turned red, as if he was shrouded in a sudden sadness. Tears silently slid down his cheeks, and his voice choked with sobs: "Father, Father has passed away."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall seemed to freeze and even the air became heavy.

Chen Qun's face turned pale instantly, and Zhu Ruo also looked incredulous. An ominous premonition surged in their hearts.

They understood that the situation in Wei was really about to change.

Cao Rui's acting skills are superb. Every subtle expression of his reveals a deep sorrow that can't help but infect people.

"Your Majesty has already issued a will," Cao Rui's voice carried a barely perceptible firmness.

"You two are both regents, and I will still rely on you in the future."

This sentence was like a heavy hammer hitting Chen Qun and Zhu Shuo's hearts. They were stunned at first, and then a complex emotion surged in their hearts - the joy of being trusted, but also the uneasiness about the uncertainty of the future.

A new emperor appoints new ministers, but if you can become the new emperor's right-hand man, it may be an opportunity.

So, they said in unison: "We are willing to die for your Highness!"

Cao Rui stepped forward and personally helped Chen Qun and Zhu Suo up, his eyes full of sincerity: "I know that both of you are loyal and good people. The future of Wei still requires our joint efforts."

After pacifying Chen Qun and Zhu Shao, Cao Rui did not relax at all. The current calm was only temporary. The Wei State was in a turbulent time and every step needed to be taken with caution.

He immediately ordered Guanqiu Jian and Li Feng to be summoned to the Taiji Hall.

The flickering candlelight in the hall illuminated Cao Rui's resolute face.

"Things have changed in Wei State now. I want you to take my imperial edict and go to Qingzhou and Shouchun respectively." Cao Rui's voice was steady and powerful, and every word seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight.

He first looked at Guanqiu Jian, his eyes full of trust and expectation. "General Zhengdong is the regent. I will summon him back to Luoyang. Shouchun will be in charge of you. Cui Lin will be the military commander, and Sima Shi will be the deputy commander. Do you have the confidence to defend Shouchun?"

When Guanqiu Jian heard this, he felt an indescribable excitement in his heart.

This was not only Cao Rui's trust in him, but also a stage for him to display his talents.

He straightened his back, looked at Cao Rui firmly, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "I am knowledgeable about military affairs and will not let Your Highness down." Cao Rui nodded with satisfaction, and then turned his gaze to Li Feng.

Qingzhou, that land is home to the elite Han army, and Zhao Zilong is a formidable enemy that cannot be underestimated.

He needed someone who could shoulder the responsibility and go to Qingzhou to convey his will.

"There are elite Han troops in Qingzhou. Zhao Zilong is a formidable enemy. I want you to go to Qingzhou and tell the general that no matter what, we must win the battle."

There was unquestionable determination in Cao Rui's words, and his eyes seemed to be able to penetrate all obstacles and look directly at the distant battlefield.

When Li Feng heard this, although a thousand thoughts were in his mind, his face did not waver at all.

He was fully aware of the importance of this trip and the responsibility he shouldered. He accepted the order without hesitation, his voice firm and powerful: "I will obey your order and will not let you down."

At this moment, military affairs are no longer simply fighting and contesting on the battlefield, but also the continuation and embodiment of politics.

As the new emperor, Cao Rui needed victory to consolidate his power and prove his ability and wisdom to the world.

He looked at Guanqiu Jian and Li Feng in front of him, his heart full of expectation and trust.

He said earnestly: "I will entrust you with a great responsibility. You must work hard. The future of Wei is in your hands."

Upon hearing this, Guanqiu Jian and Li Feng were filled with indescribable excitement. They immediately stated: "As long as we are still alive, we will not let His Highness down!"

. . .

After the death of the previous emperor, the entire Wei state was plunged into bustle and chaos.

As the new emperor, Cao Rui had a heavy burden on his shoulders. He had to work hard in the Taiji Hall for three days and three nights, dealing with the mountains of state affairs.

Only when it was late at night and everyone was asleep did he find time to return to the Prince's Palace, hoping to get a moment of respite in this moment of tranquility.

However, as soon as he stepped into the gate of the Prince's Palace, Cao Rui's brows couldn't help but frown.

There was a Wu sound floating in the air, which he was extremely annoyed about. It was the music played by Crown Princess Sun Luban and the female attendants around her.

Cao Rui walked through the corridor with heavy steps.

In the courtyard of the Prince's Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated Sun Luban's gentle yet slightly melancholy face.

She was dressed in a gorgeous Wu costume, with her hair tied up high and pearls sparkling. She was sitting in front of the zither, plucking the strings lightly with her fingers, and a melodious Wu music came out, full of sorrow and longing.

Beside her, several female attendants were holding musical instruments and playing along with her music.

There was a hint of sadness on their faces, as if they were also infected by the music and immersed in the nostalgia for their homeland.

Cao Rui stood outside the door, watching the scene quietly, his annoyance and dissatisfaction growing stronger.

Although Sun Luban was the Crown Princess, her heart had never truly belonged to the Wei Kingdom or to him.

This dissatisfaction had been accumulating in his heart for a long time. Now that he was in control of the power, he naturally wanted to vent this dissatisfaction.

However, just as he was about to depose Sun Luban from her position as Crown Princess, he suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and he forcibly concealed the thought.

Let’s wait!
Although he now holds power, his position is still unstable, and many forces at home and abroad are eyeing it covetously.

Deposing the Crown Princess at this time would undoubtedly trigger a series of turmoil and unrest, which he could not allow.

Thinking of this, a complicated look flashed in Cao Rui's eyes.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm his emotions.

Then, he slowly walked into the hall, trying to make his voice sound peaceful and calm: "It's so late, are you still playing music?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Luban's fingers paused slightly, and the sound of the piano also stopped.

She raised her head and looked at Cao Rui, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

However, she quickly calmed down and replied with a smile: "I just miss my homeland, so I played a piece of Wu music to express my sorrow."

Cao Rui looked at her cold face, snorted softly, and said nothing more.

He turned and left, leaving behind only a cold back and a few words: "Be careful next time, don't let this music reach my ears again."

Sun Luban heard this but pretended not to hear it.

Now he is living like a walking corpse, it would be better for him to be dead.

Cao Rui hurriedly walked through the quiet courtyard and headed straight for the bedroom of the Prince's Palace.

It was late at night, but the candles in the bedroom were still brightly lit, reflecting the unspeakable restlessness and desire in his heart.

He was about to do something extremely inappropriate during a period of national mourning, but now that he was in power, it was like a flood that broke through a dam and could no longer be contained.

Once you enter the bedroom,
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

Cao Rui immediately said: "Change your clothes!"

"promise!"

It was like a powerful catalyst that instantly ignited the long-suppressed fire in Cao Rui's heart.

She walked into the bedroom with a light figure, and her steps revealed a unique charm.

Her face is delicate, with a hint of charm between her eyebrows and eyes, and her skin is white and rosy, like solidified fat.

She bowed slightly and saluted Cao Rui. Her voice was soft and delicate, as if it could arouse the deepest desires in people's hearts.

Cao Rui looked at the person in front of him and felt an indescribable impulse in his heart.

He walked quickly forward and pulled her into his arms, his hands seemed to be filled with endless desire and strength.

Then he understood Cao Rui's intention.

A complex emotion surged in my heart, including fear, shyness, and an indescribable excitement and thrill.

He closed his eyes and let Cao Rui do whatever he wanted, as if at this moment he had found what he really wanted.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Finally, when everything calmed down, Cao Rui released his hands.

He panted, his eyes flashing with satisfaction and exhaustion.

Although he had done something extremely inappropriate, at this moment, he felt unprecedented ease and relief.

"Hahaha~"

Cao Rui laughed loudly towards the sky.

Now, he can finally do whatever he wants!

No one can control him.

No one dares to control him! (End of this chapter)