Shuhan

Empress Dowager Guo left the cold palace with steady and calm steps, as if the meeting with Sun Luban just now did not leave too many ripples in her heart.

However, the moment she stepped into the palace, an anxious figure came towards her. It was Emperor Cao Rui.

He was wearing a dragon robe with a golden dragon hovering above it. His majesty was mixed with a hint of anxiety. His eyes were as sharp as torches, fixed firmly on Empress Dowager Guo, as if he wanted to penetrate her exterior and spy on her inner secrets.

"Empress Dowager, is she willing to act as an assassin and kill Liu Gongsi for me?" Cao Rui's voice was low and rapid, revealing how much he valued this matter.

The reason why Empress Dowager Guo went to the cold palace was not only to visit Sun Luban, but more importantly to persuade her to become a pawn in the assassination of Liu Gongsi.

Empress Dowager Guo stopped, turned her head slightly, and looked at Cao Rui deeply. There was both scrutiny and instruction in her eyes.

"This is not the place to talk." She said softly, with unquestionable majesty in her tone. Then, she gently raised her hand, motioning Cao Rui to follow, and the two of them walked into the Queen Mother's palace together.

Inside the palace, candlelight flickered, and the golden splendor was completely different from the cold outside. Empress Dowager Guo dismissed all the palace servants, leaving only herself and Cao Rui.

She sat down slowly with an elegant posture, her voluptuous figure looking even more noble and charming under the gorgeous robe of the empress dowager.

"Da Hu is a person of temperament. If you want to show her some favor, you don't have to say anything. She will be willing to do the assassination." Empress Dowager Guo spoke in a calm and deep voice, as if every word contained endless wisdom.

"And if you tell her about this, she won't do it. Because true loyalty and gratitude come from the heart, not from orders or threats."

Cao Rui's eyes flashed with enlightenment when he heard this. He had to admire Empress Dowager Guo's wisdom. Her grasp and control of people's hearts had reached perfection.

He secretly felt fortunate that he had such a queen mother as his backer, so why would he worry about not being able to accomplish great things?
"During this period, I will cultivate my relationship with Sun Luban, and then send her out of the palace." Queen Mother Guo continued, her voice was deep and magnetic, as if every word could penetrate people's hearts. "However, I will inadvertently reveal that only by killing Liu Gongsi can the Wei Kingdom and my life as the Queen Mother be saved. At the same time, this is also her chance to take revenge. In this way, things will go smoothly, and she will naturally take the initiative to do it."

After hearing this, Cao Rui's eyes sparkled with excitement.

He clapped his hands repeatedly and exclaimed: "The Queen Mother's plan is brilliant!"

Cao Rui sighed in his heart: This is truly the 'most vicious heart of a woman'!
As he thought about it, his eyes unconsciously glanced at the plump figure of Empress Dowager Guo, and an inexplicable throbbing surged in his heart.

However, he quickly retracted his thoughts, swallowed secretly, and put this outrageous idea behind his mind.

After all, they are nominally mother and son, and this relationship cannot tolerate any taint.

Empress Dowager Guo looked at Cao Rui's reaction and was secretly satisfied.

Although this young emperor sometimes seemed impulsive and impatient, he still had a sense of propriety in major matters.

Queen Mother Guo continued, "It's good that you understand. Remember, no matter what you do, you must be patient and not rush for success. Only in this way can you remain invincible in this chaotic world."

Cao Rui nodded respectfully upon hearing this. He knew that the Queen Mother Guo's teachings were all good advice, and every word was worth his careful tasting and pondering. He secretly vowed to act according to the Queen Mother's instructions, not only to get rid of Liu Gongsi, the great threat to him, but also to consolidate his throne and ensure that the Wei Dynasty would last for thousands of years.

In the following days, Empress Dowager Guo, as she had said, frequently contacted Sun Luban.

She not only gave Sun Luban great help materially, but also gave her endless comfort and care spiritually.

She listened patiently to Sun Luban's stories and shared her joys and sorrows. Gradually, a deep relationship developed between the two.

Soon, it was time to harvest the fruits.

In the inner hall of the Empress Dowager's Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminated the faces of Empress Dowager Guo and Sun Luban, each of whom was preoccupied with their own thoughts.

The wind outside the palace seemed to carry a sense of uneasiness and turbulence. It quietly blew through the window lattices, brushing the gauze curtains and stirring the atmosphere inside.

Empress Dowager Guo was wearing a gorgeous dress embroidered with a phoenix pattern and sitting upright on a carved wooden chair. The phoenix looked lifelike, but it seemed unable to hide the sadness between her brows.

Her hair was carefully combed into an intricate bun, dotted with a few golden hairpins, gleaming with a faint light, but her usually majestic eyes were now covered with a layer of faint sadness.

"Ah~"

She sighed softly, and although the sound was light, it hit Sun Luban's heart like a heavy hammer.

Sun Luban, the former princess of Wu and now the concubine of Wei, was wearing a plain silk dress and sitting opposite Empress Dowager Guo. She had a pretty face and her eyes sparkled with wisdom.

Hearing the Queen Mother sigh, she couldn't help but put down the teacup in her hand and asked with concern: "Why is the Queen Mother sighing? Is there something troubling you?"

Queen Mother Guo looked up at Sun Luban, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"The current situation in the world is very unfavorable to the State of Wei." She spoke slowly, with an imperceptible tremor in her voice.

"I heard that the Han Emperor Liu Gongsi has a good wife. If the Wei Kingdom is defeated, I'm afraid..." She stopped here, her eyes slightly red, and there seemed to be tears flashing.

"I'm afraid it will be worse than death."

When Sun Luban heard this, her heart tightened. She understood that the Queen Mother's worries were not groundless.

In this troubled world, women's fate is often like duckweed, drifting with the tide.

She gently consoled him, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. It shouldn't be that time yet. Besides, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Gongsi, is a rare man. Being his woman doesn't mean we are burying ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Guo shook her head in deep sorrow.

"I made a solemn vow to the late emperor. How can I betray him and let someone else own me? If it really comes to that, I would rather die than surrender."

Her voice was firm and resolute, as if she was making a final vow to herself.

Sun Luban looked at the Queen Mother's resolute expression and couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration in her heart.

Although the Queen Mother is a woman, she possesses tenacity and integrity that is no less than that of a man.

However, facing this chaotic world, even the most resilient heart will inevitably feel powerless.

Sun Luban sighed and said, "How can we reverse the situation in the world?"

Empress Dowager Guo was silent for a moment, with a hint of determination in her eyes.

"Han was originally weak. During the time of Liu Xuande, it was far inferior to our Great Wei. It was because of Liu Gongsi that Han became strong. If we could kill the emperor of Han, perhaps our Great Wei would not have perished."

Sun Luban was shocked when she heard this. She thought about it carefully and found that the Queen Mother's words made some sense.

The Han Dynasty today is indeed powerful enough to be feared, but all this seems to be due to the young and promising emperor Liu Gongsi.

If he died suddenly, the situation in the world might really become confusing.

Queen Mother Guo continued, "The Kingdom of Wu was also destroyed by the Kingdom of Han. The wives and concubines of the King of Wu are now all taken by Liu Gongsi. Your father was also killed by the Kingdom of Han. We are both really miserable people, being bullied by the same man. It would be great if someone could kill him."

At this point, her voice was choked with sobs and her eyes became redder.

Sun Luban looked at the Queen Mother's sad face and felt an inexplicable impulse in her heart.

She wanted to do something to comfort this poor woman, but she didn't know how to start. At this moment, Queen Mother Guo suddenly cried, and although the cry was soft, it was like a knife cutting her heart, making her heart ache.

"I am the Queen Mother of Wei, and I cannot leave." Queen Mother Guo wiped away the tears from her eyes and said with all her might, "But you can be spared. I intend to send someone to escort you out of the cold palace, so that you can live a good life."

Sun Luban felt warm at heart when she heard this. She knew that the Queen Mother was doing this for her own good, hoping that she could escape from this chaotic world and live a peaceful life. However, could she really leave like this? Her heart was full of contradictions and struggles.

She looked at the Queen Mother's expectant eyes, and finally nodded, saying softly: "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your grace."

When Empress Dowager Guo looked at Sun Luban's well-behaved appearance, she couldn't help feeling a warm feeling in her heart.

This decision might separate them from each other from now on, but as long as Sun Luban is safe, she will be satisfied.

She gently patted the back of Sun Luban's hand and said softly, "Go, child. I hope you can find a peaceful place that belongs to you."

Late that night.

The night was as dark as ink, and the moonlight was thin, with only a few rays of light shining through the clouds and onto the silent palace road.

Sun Luban walked in the faint silver light, feeling mixed emotions but her steps were exceptionally firm.

She knew very well that she was about to embark on a road of no return, but in order to repay the kindness of Empress Dowager Guo and for the deep hatred buried in her heart, she was willing to give everything, even her own life.

These days, the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly tense, and the news about the beauty contestant being an assassin spread silently among the palace people like the wind in the dark night.

Sun Luban was not a dull person. She keenly perceived the deeper meaning behind the news and understood that this was a special arrangement made by the Queen Mother for her.

The kindness of Empress Dowager Guo to her was like the warm sunshine in spring, warm and heavy, making it impossible for her to refuse this seemingly crazy yet hopeful plan.

When she decided to meet Emperor Cao Rui, she felt both determined and nervous.

She knew that once she took this step, there would be no turning back.

The lights in the palace were dim, illuminating her peerless beauty. Her eyes were shining with a firm light, as if they could penetrate the darkness and look straight into the future.

When Cao Rui heard that Sun Luban wanted to see him, he couldn't help but feel secretly happy.

He had already expected that the Queen Mother's "favor plan" would work.

When he actually met Sun Luban, he was still shocked by her beauty.

She was wearing a light and elegant silk dress, with the hem of her skirt swaying gently, like a lotus in full bloom in the pond, pure and elegant. Her face was delicate, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, especially her eyes, which seemed to be able to see through people's hearts and hide endless secrets.

Cao Rui couldn't help but feel regretful. It was such a waste of talent to have such a beauty become an assassin who risked her life in vain.

"What are you doing here?" Cao Rui asked in a pretentious manner, but there was a hint of imperceptible amusement in his eyes.

Sun Luban straightened her back and looked at Cao Rui with a firm gaze.

"Aren't you going to choose a beauty as an assassin to kill Liu Gongsi? I have a blood feud with Liu Gongsi, and I am willing to be an assassin and go and kill him."

Upon hearing this, Cao Rui pretended to be angry and frowned.

"Why would I, Cao Rui, need a woman to work for me?" There was a hint of disdain in his words, trying to provoke Sun Luban to verify her determination.

Upon hearing this, Sun Luban curled up the corner of his mouth in a sneer that contained both sarcasm and disdain.

"Aren't the other beauties in the palace your women? If they can do it, why can't I?" Her words were sharp and hit the point, leaving Cao Rui speechless for a moment.

Cao Rui snorted coldly, waved his sleeves and turned around.

"Then go find the eunuch to ward off evil spirits! You will die a hundred percent if you go there, so you better think carefully."

Sun Luban snorted lightly, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

"I am from the cold palace. I am already dead. Why should I be afraid of dying again?"

After saying this, she turned and left with firm steps and without the slightest hesitation.

Her back looked particularly lonely in the dim light, yet full of power.

Looking at Sun Luban's departing back, the anger on Cao Rui's face gradually dissipated, replaced by a complicated smile.

He secretly admired in his heart that the Queen Mother's plan was indeed brilliant. Using such a beautiful woman to assassinate Liu Gongsi, this man would definitely be in great danger.

As for the possible "cuckold" that might come upon him, at this moment, Cao Rui had no time to care about it.

In his eyes, as long as he could kill Liu Gongsi and preserve the kingdom of Wei, it would not matter if he wore ten or a hundred green hats, let alone one.

After the dust settled after the Han cavalry crushed the banditry in Jizhou, Liu Chan's carriage moved slowly southward from Beixincheng like an unstoppable torrent, heading straight for Yecheng.

Yecheng has been the heart of Jizhou since ancient times, witnessing the rise and fall of countless heroes. It was once the foundation of Yuan Shao's power, and later became Cao Cao's base for competing in the Central Plains. Now, it lies quietly at the feet of Liu Chan, waiting for its new owner to write a new chapter for it.

The sun shines on the ancient city walls, and the mottled light and shadow seem to be telling the past glory and vicissitudes.

Zhen Mi is now standing at the foot of the city, looking at this city that is both familiar and unfamiliar, with complex emotions surging in her heart.

Her first two husbands, Yuan Xi, the son of Yuan Shao, and Cao Pi, the son of Cao Cao, the tyrant of the troubled times, both gave her endless grace and glory in this city, and left indelible memories. Now, she set foot on this land again, but in a new identity - the favorite concubine of Liu Shan, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, which made her feel mixed emotions.

Zhen Mi was dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, her skirt swaying gently in the wind, like a blooming peony, both elegant and gentle.

Her face was still beautiful, and time seemed to be especially kind to her, but her eyes now had a hint of depth and indifference that came from having experienced the vicissitudes of life.

She slowly raised her hand and gently stroked the bricks and stones on the city wall, as if she could touch the warmth of the past. She couldn't help but sigh, "Revisiting the old place, people and things have changed. It really makes me feel both familiar and sad."

Liu Chan, who was standing beside her, was wearing a dragon robe, with an extraordinary demeanor, and his brows revealed a domineering aura of ruling the world. He noticed the change in Zhen Mi's expression, gently held her hand, and asked gently: "Mi'er, do you remember the past?"

Zhen Mi tilted her head slightly and looked at Liu Chan, a hint of tenderness and admiration flashing in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, this place holds too many memories for me. But now that I can enjoy the scenery of Yecheng with Your Majesty, I am even more happy."

Her voice was soft but firm, and every word revealed her deep affection and trust in Liu Chan.

When Liu Chan heard this, a smile appeared on his lips. He knew Zhen Mi's past very well and understood the complex emotions in her heart.

He gently held Zhen Mi in his arms, looking into the distance, as if he could penetrate the layers of clouds and see the future.

Zhen Mi snuggled up in Liu Chan's chest, feeling the warmth and strength, and an unprecedented sense of peace surged in her heart.

This man not only possesses the great talent to conquer the world, but also has a gentle and delicate heart. With him, even the most difficult road can be walked firmly and calmly.

Following Liu Chan's order, the emperor's entourage slowly entered Yecheng.

The people in the city had already heard the news and came to welcome him, their eyes flashing with awe for the new master.

Liu Chan and Zhen Mi sat side by side in the carriage, accepting the worship of thousands of people. At that moment, Zhen Mi deeply felt that she was not only Liu Chan's woman, but also the mistress of Jizhou. Her destiny was closely linked with this country and this man.

And her heart has already completely belonged to him. (End of this chapter)