"You are mad!"
Cao Rui was shocked and angry, stepping forward to cover Yu's mouth and pushing her to the ground.
Cao Rui shouted out, "Bring someone here!"
Two guards ran in, their eyes widened in shock at the sight of the emperor holding Yu Fei down on the ground.
Just as Cao Rui was about to order the guards to drag Yu Fei away, he saw his great grandmother Ping's hand over her heart, and she leaned backward in anger.
Cao Rui hurriedly released Yu Fei and went over to examine the elderly woman, Lady Ban.
Taking the opportunity, Yu's words became even more outlandish: "You Cao family eunuch descendants are only fit to marry concubines as queens. I haven't said anything wrong!"
Although the Cao family is indeed descended from eunuchs, since Cao Cao rose in rebellion at Chenliu, no one had dared to say such a thing in the presence of the Cao family members until Yu Fei was the first.
Cao Rui held up the body of Lady Ban and looked coldly at Yu Fei. Although Cao Rui was extremely angry at this moment, he knew that the more angry one is, the more one needs to be calm.
Because anger reduces one's wisdom.
Cao Rui's gaze shifted from Yu Fei to the two guards.
"Imprison Yu Fei in the cold palace, and never shall I see her again!"
After speaking, Cao Rui hurriedly attended to the elderly Lady Ban. Two guards, one on each side, dragged Yu Fei out of the hall. As they passed through the doorway, Yu Fei lost one of her shoes.
Lady Ban was only temporarily agitated and her blood rushed to her head. After resting for a while, she was fine. As this elderly woman took off the glory of the Empress Dowager, she was just an old woman who had lost her husband, son, and was disobedient to her daughter-in-law.
Cao Rui left the palace of the Empress Dowager, and his mood was also somewhat sad.
Yu Fei, a woman of noble birth from Hebei, at just twenty years old, had dared to speak ill of the Cao family after thirty years of their rule and six years as an emperor, solely because she had not been crowned as empress.
How many people in the world were still dissatisfied with the Cao family? Cao Rui didn't even need to think about it. It was definitely a huge number. Thinking about it any further would only add to his frustration.
Cao Rui did not want to think about these things. In the original timeline, during the thirteen years of Cao Rui's rule, the state of Wei had always maintained its power over the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han.
Able to withstand two attacks at once, with support from both sides, the pressure was not too great.
The failure of the state of Cao Wei was clearly more accidental. The original Cao Rui's transfer of power had failed, and he chose the visionary but inept Cao Shuang and the old and cunning Sima Yi. This gave the Sima family a chance to take over the state of Wei.
Now, Cao Rui has made up his mind not to give Sima Yi any opportunity. Regardless, in today's Wei, Sima Yi is considered a top talent for governing the state.
Let Sima Yi die a tired death on the Shangshu Taibai.
Cao Rui understood that as long as the key personnel were in place, the state of Cao Wei could survive indefinitely, even if he himself did nothing.
It wouldn't affect Cao Rui's enjoyment. If he worked even harder, the pace of unification would be faster.
Thinking about it, Cao Rui felt a bit over-worried. The cool summer night breeze blew, and Cao Rui stood in the courtyard, looking up at the starry sky and lost in thought.
Bi Jin walked up to Cao Rui's side: "Your Majesty, you once told the old servant that when you are with Maopin, your mood is the most relaxed."
"Maopin?" Cao Rui thought for a moment and realized it was true.
Before ascending to the throne, Cao Rui had one concubine and one pined in his palace. Yu Fei was already imprisoned in the cold palace, and at this moment, Cao Rui's harem was left with only Maopin.
"Lead the way, let's go to Maopin's palace."
"Your servant will follow your command."
...
"Why do you have time to look for me, Your Majesty?" asked Maopin playfully.
Unlike Yu Fei, Cao Rui's first impression of Maopin was pure, without any trace of selfishness or interest.
There was also a timid shyness, whether it was her nature or because she saw her imperial husband.
Maopin's real name was Mao Yan, and she entered Cao Rui's household at the same time as Yu Fei.
Unlike Yu Fei, Maopin never fought or competed, and was innocent and carefree.
Cao Rui looked at Maopin, and his gloomy mood became somewhat clear.
Cao Rui laughed and said, "What, can't I come to see you when there's nothing wrong?"
Maopin smiled and said, "Your Majesty has become the emperor, but he is very busy, how can he find time to look for me?"
The two walked in the courtyard of Maopin. Cao Rui suddenly saw a swing in the corner of the courtyard.
"Is this swing something that was already in the palace?"
Maopin replied, "No, it's not. I had the palace people build it here a few days ago. You remember, Your Majesty, that you used to like to sit on the swing with me."
"Of course, I remember." Cao Rui recalled his memory and said.
Cao Rui and Maopin sat on either side of the swing, one on each side.
Maopin blinked her eyes and said, "Your Majesty has become the emperor, does he still have time to learn articles?"
Cao Rui laughed and answered, "This naturally exists. These days, I have been sorting out the articles of Emperor Wu and Emperor Taiping. I plan to organize them into a book using Zuo Bo paper and then select some to carve on stones."
Maopin chimed in, "Before, Your Majesty always told me you liked the articles of Emperor Taiping more than Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu's articles are grand and majestic, but Emperor Taiping's articles are more detailed and nuanced."
Cao Rui was interested and said, "Yes, that's true. What are some of the articles of Emperor Taiping that you can recall?"
Maopin raised her pretty face slightly and looked at Cao Rui softly reciting, "The door is decorated with gold, and the room is paved with jade. The wind does not stir, and the weather is cool."
Cao Rui continued, "Playing the Huang zither, dancing to the music of Zhao, the long song of Nu'e resonates with the palace melodies, touching the heart and ears, stirring the soul."
Cao Rui said, "I remember, this Luyu seems to be something I taught you alone."
Maopin said, "Yes, I remember it was at this time of the year in the Plain Prince's mansion."
"At that time, General Cao Zhen had just pacified the Liangzhou region, and the late Emperor sent you several strings of grapes from Liangzhou."
"Your Majesty was very happy at that time. We two were on the swing, and you recited this 'Rhyme of Song in the Mountains' on the big wall."
A sense of reality struck Cao Rui's heart. He had been in this era for nearly ten days, and this was the first time he had encountered such a feeling.
Cao Rui was also very familiar with this Luyu, so familiar that he could recite it from memory. He didn't reply to Maopin's words but continued to recite.
"Pour the osmanthus wine, cut the carp and minnows, and make plans to be happy with my dear. I have previously presented a jade goblet."
Cao Rui read aloud while staring into Maopin's eyes.
Maopin no longer appeared timid at this moment. They looked at each other, and the light of the courtyard lanterns and the stars in the night sky seemed to converge in their eyes.
Cao Rui slowly read out the next line: "Today's music cannot be forgotten."
Maopin whispered softly, "The music never stops."
Swinging on the swing, Cao Rui no longer wanted to leave. Looking at the person next to him, he teasingly asked, "Am I a good man or a bad man?"
Maopin curved her eyebrows and smiled, saying, "If Your Majesty stays with me tonight, then he will be a good man."
Cao Rui nodded: "In that case, Your Majesty will not leave tonight."
Cao Rui stood up, lifted Maopin in his arms, and walked step by step into the bedroom, with their laughter gradually fading as they moved.
Actually, the last line of the Luyu they just recited, the two of them both knew but didn't say:
"Always delaying joy. The years pass, as if they are flying away. Why suffer for oneself, causing my heart to sorrow."
