The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 323 Sacrifice
Luoyang, southern suburbs.

All the ministers gathered here at this moment, wearing the formal attire for the sacrifice.

There are soldiers stationed inside and outside, and the momentum is huge.

A man was holding a document and chanting something loudly.

This person was none other than Wang Su.

Wang Su had a stern face at this moment, and was loudly talking about the principles of etiquette and law. He began to talk about the achievements of the Ming Emperor, saying that even now, people all over the world could not forget it.

Then he changed the subject and started talking about the King of Qi.

Emperor Ming had no heir, so he adopted the Prince of Qi as his own son. He originally wanted him to inherit the great achievements of his ancestors and support the country. However, after he came to power, he did commit many crimes.

Wang Su began to talk about the empress dowager's edict.

The Empress Dowager believed that the son was rude and lacked moral integrity and could not inherit Emperor Ming's cause, so she deposed him.

These things that seem to be nonsense are actually very important. The ministers are listening very carefully because they involve many things, even their interests and future.

This time, after recounting the achievements of Emperor Ming, the sacrifice immediately began to criticize the King of Qi for his lack of virtue.

The subsequent reason was that the King of Qi was unfilial and rude to the Queen Mother.

Wang Su's words meant that the King of Qi was deposed by the Queen Mother, and the reason for the dethronement had nothing to do with Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng and others.

This speech did not mention Sima Shi, nor did it mention Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng and others.

However, every word expresses the emperor's attitude towards them.

In other words, from today on, Sima Shi can no longer be regarded as a powerful minister who is in charge of deposing and enthroning the emperor, because His Majesty has said that the dethronement and enthronement matters have nothing to do with him and are the actions of the Empress Dowager.

In addition, there is no need to worry about whether rehabilitating Xiahou Xuan will affect the emperor's legitimacy.

Because the emperor being deposed and Xiahou Xuan's rebellion are no longer the same thing.

Wang Su was still very capable. He completed the emperor's order with just a few words.

At the end, which was the crucial matter of the emperor's ascension to the throne, Wang Su began to talk about the brotherhood between Cao Mao's father and Cao Rui.

Wang Su said that the Ming Emperor doted on his younger brother very much and treated his younger brother's children as his own. He said to his younger brother many times, "I don't have a son. Can you adopt your son for me?"
The empress dowager knew about this matter, and also knew the emperor's great talent, strategy, benevolence and morality, so she called him to the temple and let him inherit the Ming emperor's career and become the Ming emperor's son.

This time, the issue of the emperor's ascension to the throne was resolved. The emperor's ascension to the throne was due to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Ming, and had nothing to do with Sima Shi.

Cao Mao, wearing a crown, stood at the highest point and listened to Wang Su's preaching.

Wang Su was temporarily captured by Cao Mao to serve as his Minister of Rites.

Don't think that being a ceremonial officer is easy, especially when it comes to sacrificial activities or name rectification activities that involve many issues. This is not something that an ordinary minister can do.

Cao Mao considered many people one after another, but in the end he found that these people lacked certain abilities.

So he pestered Wang Su again and asked Wang Su for help.

How could Wang Su object?
So he had no choice but to step in personally and serve as the temporary Taichang to solve this problem for the emperor.

Wang Su was also thinking at this moment: If you still have a conscience, please help me solve the problem of stealing knowledge after the ceremony!
Cao Mao then led the emperor to offer sacrifices to his father, Emperor Ming of Wei, and also to his grandfather, Emperor Wen.

The entire ceremony took a day.

When Cao Mao returned to Taiji Hall again, he was almost exhausted.

The Queen Mother was very happy. She had not been out for a long time. This was a rare opportunity for her to go out. She also played an important role in the event and accepted the worship of the ministers. She was still very happy at the moment.

In addition to this sacrifice, there is also Zheng Xiaotong's granddaughter.

She also entered the palace with full legitimacy and became a member of Cao Mao's harem.

Pei Xiu once told Cao Mao that the emperor had no private affairs.

This statement is not groundless. The emperor's family affairs must be discussed among his ministers.

To take the most extreme example, if Cao Mao only favored one wife and ignored the others, the ministers would advise the emperor to treat them equally and leave more offspring.

The ministers did not object too much to Zheng Xiaotong's granddaughter entering the palace. After all, Zheng Xiaotong's reputation was there. Only a few people such as Guo Zhang felt somewhat dissatisfied.

Taiji Hall, West Hall.

Cao Mao sat in the upper seat, looking at the new wife in front of him.

Zheng Xian was standing respectfully in front of Cao Mao at this moment, looking very honest.

In fact, meeting at this moment is not in accordance with etiquette.

However, etiquette was no longer so important in the Wei and Jin dynasties. When Cao Mao said he wanted to see his wife, his attendants directly sent her to him without any intention of persuading her.

Cao Mao pointed to the side and said seriously, "Please sit down."

Zheng Xian sat next to Cao Mao carefully.

Cao Mao nodded. He was quite satisfied with Zheng Xian's performance.

She is dignified and elegant, quiet and kind, worthy of being the granddaughter of Duke Zheng. She is indeed a lady.

He said, "What's your name?"

"Xian."

"Hmm, Zheng Xian? There's something I want to tell you."

Cao Mao cleared his throat and said gently, "From today on, we are husband and wife. From now on, you must remember to pay your respects to the Queen Mother. She may not like you very much."

"But you can't be rude to her." "Also, there's another concubine in the palace named Sima Yi. She's very easy to get along with and has a well-behaved child. You can get closer to her."

Cao Mao just explained it like this.

Zheng Xian suddenly raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, am I ugly? Do you dislike my appearance?"

Cao Mao was stunned. He looked at the youthful beauty in front of him and shook his head, "That's not the case."

"Then why is Your Majesty so distant?"

"Ok?"

"Your Majesty didn't even exchange pleasantries with me. Instead, he started talking about important matters in the harem. Your Majesty doesn't treat me as a wife, but as a subject under his command."

"Why is this?"

Cao Mao laughed and said, "It's natural that we feel awkward when we first meet. This won't be the case in the future."

Cao Mao's attitude was very gentle and his face was always filled with smiles, but Zheng Xian could not see any sign of intimacy in his eyes.

It wasn't that Zheng Xian wanted to see love in Cao Mao's eyes.

She didn't expect the emperor to fall in love with her at first sight.

However, she could not see any emotion in the emperor's eyes, whether it was closeness, disgust, appreciation, or anything else.

When he looked at himself, his eyes were too calm, and his attitude was almost the same as when he faced his grandfather. His attitude seemed affectionate, but it was actually cold.

Zheng Xian really didn't understand why a boy two years younger than her would look like this.

Cao Mao said at this moment: "I have other things to do here. You can go find Sima Yi first and familiarize yourself with the situation in the court."

Zheng Xian didn't say anything more, just got up and left.

Zheng Xian had originally had high expectations for this first encounter, but at this moment, she felt very lost and disappointed.

She didn't like this kind of courtesy, it was too fake.

When she came to Sima Li, Sima Li welcomed her very much. Sima Li's condition had improved a lot, and she was no longer skinny.

Guo Ping looked at the sister curiously, but didn't dare to go up and say anything.

Sima Yi, however, took the initiative to stand up and salute, and even wanted her to sit in the upper seat.

Sima Yi had no jealous or envious thoughts at all, because she had never had any contact with the emperor. The emperor was very polite to her. Sima Yi would occasionally send some food to the emperor, and the emperor would occasionally come to see the children. Apart from that, there was nothing else.

Sima Yi regarded Cao Mao as her benefactor, and in her eyes, Zheng Xian was probably the right match for Cao Mao.

When Zheng Xian came to find Sima Yi, she had already made many preparations in her heart, and her mind was full of rumors about palace fighting.

But when she saw Sima Yi, who had a kind face and no hostility at all, she was a little surprised.

Sima Li asked Guo Ping to go out and play, but she began to explain the matters in the harem to Zheng Xian.

Zheng Xian listened to her story carefully.

"Is His Majesty the same with you?"

"Ok?"

"Is His Majesty also so indifferent to you?"

Hearing Zheng Xian's question, Sima Yi hesitated and said, "Your Majesty is very gentle and polite to others. How can you say he is cold?"

Zheng Xian shook her head, "He's just very cold. He's not approachable, he just smiles and talks."

Sima Yi understood something. She looked around and whispered, "Your Majesty cannot be blamed for this."

"I have heard your Majesty speak of himself to others."

"Your Majesty lost his mother when he was born, and his father when he was young. His brothers were not close to him. Later, he came to this palace and was alone. Your Majesty is very filial to the Queen Mother. But..."

Sima Yi paused for a moment before saying, "His Majesty has a lot to do, all of which are important matters. Aside from those he truly trusts, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to get close to anyone else."

Zheng Xian suddenly came to her senses.

"I see."

Sima Yi hurriedly advised: "Don't worry, His Majesty will naturally learn as we get along for a long time."

"No problem!"

Zheng Xian waved her hand, looking quite confident.

She looked at Sima Yi who was standing beside her, "Sister, do you think I'm handsome?"

Sima Yi's eyes widened and she nodded subconsciously.

"I will make His Majesty change! From now on, His Majesty will not be alone! He has me by his side, and if he feels that is not enough, I will give him seven or eight more children!"

Sima Yi was completely terrified at this moment. She looked at the girl in front of her in astonishment. Was this really the solemn-looking woman from Zheng Xiaotong's family?
Zheng Xian grabbed Sima Yi's hand and said, "Sister, do you know what kind of food His Majesty likes to eat?"

"Food??"

"I remember His Majesty often talked about the delicious food in Yuancheng, saying that he hadn't eaten it for a long time."

"Yuancheng? Okay! I'll go learn it right now!!"

(End of this chapter)