The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 142: It’s really good at pretending!

Shiqian Hall.

Shiqian Hall is located north of Taiji Hall and south of Zhaoyang Hall, sandwiched between the two large halls. It is the only way Cao Mao must pass through to get to Zhaoyang Hall every day.

Cao Mao stood inside the hall and said with emotion, "This used to be the hall for court meetings. During the reign of Emperor Ming, the court meetings were moved outside the main hall, and this became the emperor's hall. During the reign of Prince Qi, it was empty again, and has remained so until now."

Sima Yi stood aside and listened calmly to Cao Mao's introduction.

"The general really dotes on me. He sent you here before we even got married."

Cao Mao continued.

Sima Yi remained silent.

Cao Mao glanced at her and immediately frowned. Something was wrong.

When he paid his respects to the Queen Mother just now, Cao Mao had not yet realized that the impression Sima Yi gave him was just like Sima Shi, with a blank expression and fierce eyes, staring straight at the Queen Mother without even looking at him. It was obvious that she was a ruthless opponent like Sima Shi!

Cao Mao could even imagine his miserable life in the future. He not only had to guard against Sima Shi outside, but also had to guard against Sima Shi around him.

Cao Mao felt creepy when he thought about opening his eyes in the middle of the night and finding a pair of emotionless eyes staring at him.

However, when he stood beside Sima Yi and formally looked at this "Sima Shi", he felt something was wrong.

She seemed somewhat dull and numb, which was totally different from Sima Shi's cold gaze; her eyes had no focus.

She remained silent the entire time, saying nothing, and even revealed a deep sadness.

No matter how you look at it, this doesn't look like a chess piece carefully arranged by Sima Shi.

Logically speaking, shouldn't she be actively enhancing her voice in the palace, summoning many eunuchs, or trying to please the empress dowager?
Why does she look so dazed?
You know, when Cao Mao was sure that Sima Li was coming, he became extremely alert.

This is Sima Shi's daughter. Who knows what kind of ruthless person she is. She is with me all day long. You never know when she might do something cruel to me. I can't be careless!
But now Sima Yi's behavior made Cao Mao realize that something was wrong and to a certain extent lowered his guard.

He simply turned around and looked at Sima Yi, sizing up the person in front of him very frankly.

Perhaps because he had been staring at her for too long, Sima Yi also felt his gaze and turned around to look at Cao Mao.

"Your child, um, our child's name?"

Cao Mao asked.

Sima Yi trembled all over, as if she came back to life.

"flat."

"Zhen Ping ah"

Cao Mao nodded. He didn't know any capable minister with this name. In this era when a strong clan could bring prosperity to everyone, there was only one possibility for someone with such a background to fail to leave his name in history: the child died young.

This was extremely common during the Han and Wei dynasties. Even among the royal family, there were many children who died young.

No wonder he died so early in history, perhaps because he couldn't bear the blow of his child's death?
Cao Mao asked again, "How old is he this year?"

"Four and a half."

Sima Yi answered again.

Cao Mao smiled and asked tentatively, "Why wasn't he taken to the palace?"

Sima Yi pursed her lips, but this time, she did not answer.

Cao Mao narrowed his eyes. If this woman was not as scary as he thought, then he could definitely use her to his advantage.

His great-grandfather had also taken in widows with children. For example, Qin Lang and He Yan were both raised by Cao Cao after their biological mothers were taken in. It was not uncommon for empresses to "change their hearts" after marrying emperors.

For example, Empress Cao of Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty took her husband as the leader after she got married. This kind of thing was very common.

If he could get Sima Yi's help and turn Zhen Ping into Cao Ping, would he be able to split the Sima family in the future?

Just as Cao Mao was lost in thought, the maidservant beside Sima Yi spoke up first, saying, "Your Majesty is newly married, how can you bring your child here?"

This palace maid came in with Sima Yi, and it was obvious that she was not an easy person to deal with.

Compared to Sima Li, she seemed more like someone arranged by Sima Shi.

Cao Mao shook his head. "How can you say such things? Although Bi and I haven't yet had a formal wedding ceremony, we are already husband and wife. Her child is naturally mine. How can I abandon my child and enjoy my own pleasures?"

Before the maid could answer, Sima Yi said slowly, "My child is living well with the general. Your Majesty need not worry."

Cao Mao suddenly realized something, and there was some surprise in his eyes.

Isn’t it? ?

That’s my grandson, right?

Is there really someone so cold-blooded and heartless? Using their own grandson as a hostage to force their daughter?
When Cao Mao looked at the woman in front of him again, he immediately understood why Sima Yi was in such a state. The trance and despair in her eyes seemed to have the answer.

Cao Mao slowly closed his mouth.

He looked at Sima Li in front of him with complicated eyes.

Without saying anything more, he turned and left.

Seeing the emperor turn around and leave, the maid looked a little anxious. She looked at Sima Yi helplessly and said, "Oh, what are you doing? His Majesty asked kindly, why did you anger him and leave?"

"You will have to rely on him from now on. Even Prince Ping will have to rely on him for care. How can you treat Your Majesty like this?" Sima Yi said nothing and just answered with silence.

The palace maid kept talking about how to get along with the emperor, regardless of whether Sima Yi could listen or not.

In the west hall.

Cao Maoji sat on the ground with his back against the wall.

There is also a wine jug on the side.

His behavior was dissolute and he had no usual manners at all.

If there were any scholars standing here, they would certainly start to scold, but the ones standing next to Cao Mao were only the eunuchs.

They didn't care whether the emperor's behavior was in accordance with etiquette. Not to mention sitting cross-legged, they wouldn't care even if the emperor played naked with the palace maids. As long as the emperor was happy, it was fine.

This is the eunuchs' only goal, which is to think about how to make the emperor happier.

Cao Mao drank some wine, but he was not drunk and his eyes were bright.

"Your Majesty, is there anything on your mind?"

Mr. Xu asked cautiously.

"Worries? That's too many worries."

Cao Mao's face suddenly turned serious as he answered. He asked, "Mr. Xu, do you think Sima Shi can also feel pain and despair?"

Mr. Xu's eyes widened. He didn't know why the emperor asked this. He pondered for a moment, then replied, "Since he is a human, he will definitely do it."

"What a formidable opponent."

Cao Mao took another sip of his wine and sighed.

"I thought I had already taken him seriously, but I didn't expect that I still underestimated him. I can't do this again."

Mr. Xu couldn't understand what the emperor was saying, but looking at the emperor's profile, his expression became more and more resolute, as if he had made up his mind.

Cao Mao stood up suddenly and said, "Mr. Xu! Tell Sima to go back and find Anshi and have him come to the East Hall. I want to hold a banquet tonight and gather all the wise men in Luoyang."

"Also, send Sima Che to find Zhong Hui, the princes, the Minister of Works, the Grand Marshal, the Minister of Rites, the General, the General of the Western Expedition, the Minister of the Secretariat, the many Vice Ministers, the Minister of the Court, the Minister of the Imperial Household, and others, and invite them to the temple. Regardless of whether they come or not, invite them all!"

"Just say I'm going to hold a banquet for all the wise men and invite all the famous men in the world to be my guests. There are no officials or generals here, only famous men and women!!!"

Mr. Xu's eyes were filled with astonishment. He quickly said, "Your Majesty! Don't be impulsive!"

Mr. Xu didn't know what Cao Mao wanted to do, but the emperor's current behavior gave him a very dangerous feeling.

He returned to the West Hall with a gloomy face, drank a few gulps of wine, asked a few questions about Sima Shi's situation, and then stood up to summon all the officials in the court. It seemed that he wanted to break off relations with Sima Shi and have a fight to the death!
Could it be that the Queen provoked His Majesty?
What did she do? Humiliate His Majesty?

Mr. Xu was terrified.

Now they are tied to the emperor, and if the emperor dies, they will all be buried with him.

Moreover, this emperor was a rare nobleman who treated them as human beings.

At least, he can remember the names of these villains, but in the eyes of other nobles, they are just pigs and dogs. Everyone remembers the names of their own kind, so who cares what the pigs and dogs are called?

Seeing the frightened Mr. Xu, Cao Mao couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, I'm not going to break up with Sima Shi. This is just an ordinary banquet. Since Jia Chong's death, the general has had a lot of free time. I will definitely not act impulsively. Just do as you are told!"

"Oh, bring me some ink and brush. I want to practice calligraphy!"

Mr. Xu nodded and hurried away.

Following Cao Mao's order, the officials in the palace began to rush around.

Although the emperor had no real power, he was the emperor after all. When he issued an edict, these people had to carry it out as long as it was not too excessive.

Of course, this matter soon reached Sima Zhao.

Sima Zhao was now busy dealing with Guanqiu Jian and didn't care about such a small matter at all. He handed the matter over to Zhong Hui and ignored it.

Sima Shi also received the letter, but he also had no time to deal with Cao Mao.

The first person to respond to Cao Mao was Sima Yan.

Sima Yan limped into the East Hall, looking extremely painful.

Seeing An Shi coming, Cao Mao was very happy. He hurried forward and looked at Sima Yan in front of him with admiration in his eyes.

"Not bad! You really have mastered the art of feigning illness. I was almost fooled by you. How did you become so skilled after not seeing you for a few days?"

"Looking at your expression, you don't even look like you're pretending to be in pain. Wow, that's amazing!"

Cao Mao couldn't help but praise him.

Sima Yan's face turned dark and he just shook his head, his face full of grief.

"Don't say anything more, just give me a hand."

"There's no outsider here, why are you pretending in front of me?"

"I'm not pretending. This is a gift from my father!!"

(End of this chapter)