When the Imperial Officer Bi Jin led three people to visit the palace of the Late Empress Dowager Bian, an attendant had already run to report in advance.
The Dowager Empress Bian was more than sixty years old. While idling away in the palace, she suddenly heard from the attendant that Yongchu King, who had been away from Luoyang for years, had come to pay her a visit today. She was so excited that she rushed out of the palace hall and took small steps forward.
"Zhi'er, it truly is my Zhi'er." From a distance of thirty chi, the Dowager Empress Bian caught a glimpse of Cao Zhi's appearance and the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing for years were no longer containable. She shouted his name from afar.
"Son, pay your respects to your mother." Cao Zhi couldn't help but reveal his emotions of joy and sorrow. He immediately knelt down to pay his respects.
In the early years, the youngest son Cao Xiong died before reaching adulthood. Her eldest son Cao Wei and two other sons Cao Chang and Cao Zhi had always been at odds. First, her husband died. A few years later, her second son died of illness without explanation. Then her eldest son banished her third son to a remote fiefdom, and soon after, he died as well.
Without mentioning the royal aura, the prosperity of the imperial family also fails to conceal the melancholy beneath.
"Get up, Zhi'er." The Dowager Empress Bian took a serious look at her only son who was still alive and saw some few streaks of white hair.
Cao Zhi stood up and said, "Is my mother's health still sound? The emperor has transferred me to the capital for official duties, and since then I have been living in Luoyang."
The Dowager Empress Bian's eyes first sparkled with surprise for a moment, but then they showed a hint of confusion and suspicion: "Zhi'er, let's go inside and talk."
After saying that, she reached out to grab Cao Zhi's arm and led him towards the interior.
Liu Ye and Yang Fu exchanged a glance, Yang Fu nodded slightly without making any sound, and Liu and Yang then followed them.
As they were about to reach the palace door, the Dowager Empress Bian heard the footsteps behind them and turned around with a slightly surprised expression.
Liu Ye was an experienced minister from three dynasties, and the Dowager Empress Bian still recognized him. The person beside Liu Ye was probably also a similar rank to the Master of the Hall.
"Master of the Hall Liu." The Dowager Empress Bian, with a displeased expression, asked, "Was it the emperor who sent you two to deliver Yongchu King here? Please wait outside in the hall. My son and I have some mother-son matters to discuss."
Liu Ye was skilled in both planning and decision-making, and this was a moment when decisive action was needed.
While on the way to the Dowager Empress Bian's palace, Liu Ye kept thinking about the various ways the emperor had treated the royal family and his attitude towards them.
Although the emperor had reinstated Cao Hong and Cao Zhi, who were abandoned by the previous emperor, it seemed that the emperor's emotional attachment to these two was not greater. On the contrary, it was more like using officials and political considerations were more important.
Yongchu King... he must be being used while being watched, the emperor can't be unaware of those events during the years of Jian'an.
Otherwise, why did the emperor call us 'good and carefully' to accompany Yongchu King to visit the Dowager Empress Bian?
Liu Ye respectfully performed a bow and said, "Reporting to the Dowager Empress Bian, the emperor allowed us to accompany Yongchu King to pay respects to the Dowager Empress Bian together. However, he did not permit us to leave."
"Please allow us, Your Majesty, to enter the palace hall."
Yang Fu also spoke in a respectful tone, "Reporting to the Dowager Empress Bian, that is correct."
"Who are you?" The Dowager Empress Bian looked at Yang Fu and asked with a hint of anger.
"I am the newly appointed Minister of Ceremonial Affairs, Yang Fu, known as Yang Yi Shan."
The Dowager Empress Bian originally wanted to scold them, but when she thought about the palace eunuch who had been ordered executed by the emperor in her own palace, she felt a little uneasy in her heart. As it was the emperor's order, it must be aimed at Cao Zhi. For her own son's sake, she decided to temporarily retreat for a while.
"Come, Zhi'er." The Dowager Empress Bian turned around and grabbed Cao Zhi's arm, heading inside without paying any attention to the two people behind her.
Cao Zhi felt somewhat helpless in his heart as well, but what could he do? This was Luoyang, the emperor's palace, after all.
Liu Ye and Yang Fu used the emperor's flag as an excuse and insisted on entering. The Dowager Empress Bian could not stop them, but she could at least prevent them from sitting. While the Dowager Empress Bian and Cao Zhi were chatting, Liu Ye and Yang Fu stood at a distance of about one zhang, helpless and unable to do anything.
From a distance of one zhang, the low whispers between the Dowager Empress Bian and Cao Zhi were not easily heard, and if they got any closer, it would be too disrespectful. Liu Ye thought that such an arrangement should satisfy the emperor.
The Dowager Empress Bian furrowed her brow and asked, "Zhi'er, why did the emperor assign you to be an official in Luoyang?"
Unlike Cao Zhi's heartfelt desire to realize his life value, she was more concerned about her son's safety. When her mother asked, Cao Zhi had no choice but to tell the story he had told countless times.
However, as Cao Zhi recounted the story, the Dowager Empress Bian's expression grew increasingly worried: "Zhi'er, didn't Jue'er tell you about the incident in Luoyang at the beginning of this year?"
"What happened?" Cao Zhi asked, perplexed.
"At the beginning of the year, there were bandits inciting rumors in Luoyang, and they even claimed to proclaim you as emperor..." After recounting this major case at the beginning of the year, the Dowager Empress Bian glanced at Liu Ye and Yang Fu before continuing, "How could you have not known about this when you came to Luoyang to serve as an official?"
Cao Zhi was greatly startled: "I truly did not know about this! But the emperor and others have not mentioned it to me either!"
"Rui'er's actions, I can no longer understand them." The Dowager Empress Bian faintly shook her head. "Since Rui'er has never told you about it and has given you an official position without holding a grudge, I suppose he should not be counting it against you. But after coming to Luoyang, you still need to be careful and vigilant in all your actions, and avoid causing any trouble."
Cao Zhi replied, "Mother is right. However, the Xun Hong who I previously served under is still in custody in the imperial prison. Is there any way to rescue him?"
"Rescue?" The Dowager Empress Bian's face fell instantly: "Still thinking of saving others? Take care of yourself first. Zhi'er, do you know that about ten days ago, Rui'er executed one of my palace eunuchs on charges of communicating with the outside?"
"Communicating with the outside?" Cao Zhi was puzzled at first. But after hearing his mother's account of the previous events involving Cao Hong, he finally understood the turbulence in Luoyang City and also guessed at the emperor's style of governance.
For the royal family, it's okay to act, but crossing the line is not permissible.
Liu Ye and Yang Fu stood not far away, watching the mother and son engage in a low whisper conversation. After nearly an hour, Liu Ye bowed respectfully and said, "Reporting to the Dowager Empress Bian, the emperor is still waiting in his study for Yongchu King to return."
The Dowager Empress Bian gave Liu Ye a deep look, then reached out to stroke Cao Zhi's face before standing up and saying, "Zhi'er, follow the two ministers back. Don't make the emperor wait impatiently."
"I understand, mother." Cao Zhi looked at his mother and nodded before bidding farewell.
On the way back to the study, Cao Zhi, Liu Ye, and Yang Fu walked together, and for a moment, he was overwhelmed with emotions. His mother had just said that she had a few more streaks of gray hair, but his mother's hair wasn't all white?
Cao Zhi thought for a moment and couldn't help but ask Liu Ye about the matter mentioned by Dowager Empress Bian. He dared not inquire about the Xun family, but asking about Cao Hong should be fine.
"Liu," Cao Zhi asked, "What did the Dowager Empress Bian mention just now? The case of the General's family's forbidden worship several days ago?"
"How was the General handled? The Dowager Empress Bian only knew that he was fine, but she didn't know how it was dealt with."
The emperor did indeed reduce Cao Hong's estate by two hundred households, but the matter was not publicly announced. It had been only a few days, and even the Dowager Empress in the palace was still unaware of it.
Since the emperor was not present, Liu Ye did not object to the title of 'Liu's father' and stroked his beard speculatively, saying, "The emperor has certainly punished General Wei and reduced his estate by two hundred households."
"Just reducing two hundred households?" Cao Zhi pursued.
Liu Ye looked at Cao Zhi and smiled, saying, "Two hundred households is more than enough! General Wei only obtained three hundred households during his southern campaign, so how can one expect more punishment!"
Cao Zhi only nodded slightly, as if in thought, and did not respond.
Seeing this, Liu Ye continued, "This matter is minor or major. It's not only about the forbidden worship but also involves the laws and decrees of the Great Wei. The emperor is preparing to hold a grand council to discuss with the ministers how to revise the laws and decrees of the Great Wei."
"New law?" Cao Zhi was stunned for a few seconds before saying, "The laws are complicated. The current Great Wei still uses the Han law. In the past, I talked about this with Wei General and Handan General. Both of them were knowledgeable and believed that the laws should be changed."
Cao Zhi was referring to Wei Ji and Handan Jun, who Cao Zhi might have indeed talked about this with before, as Cao Zhi did talk about it when his father was still alive. However, Liu Ye didn't want to hear Cao Zhi talking about his past experiences.
Liu Ye interjected, "Emperor Wu valued law and techniques, and since then, the emphasis on criminal law has been prevalent in the world. On today's court, there are many ministers skilled in laws and decrees, so this matter should not be difficult to handle."
Cao Zhi nodded, thinking for a moment before asking again, "Although the laws and decrees are not a problem, the cultural education is different. I heard the emperor plans to make Gao Tanglong the dean of the prestigious Confucius Temple, but I remember that this person was in Your Majesty's palace when I was there, and I don't know what position he holds now."
"Scholarly academy." Liu Ye replied: "Gao Tanglong is currently serving as the dean of the College of Scholars, responsible for daily administrative affairs within the academy."
"Professor Gao Tanglong is open-minded and learned, and he's very easy to get along with. I'm sure that working together with Professor Gao would be without any difficulties for the prince."
"What kind of working together? I will be the subordinate of Professor Gao Tanglong." As the study was about to arrive, Cao Zhi quickly extended his right hand: "Liu Sir, Yang Sir, please."
Liu Ye was about to refuse Cao Zhi's invitation, but Yang Fu even walked in without any hesitation.
Cao Zhi could only manage a wry smile.
Cao Zhi entering the palace was no big deal for the emperor's attendants, as they had all come with the emperor from Chenlu. However, for Cao Zhi and his peers who were 'former party members of the late emperor', it was awkward and strange.
Sima Yi was just coming out of the western study room with Cao Zhen and Dong Zhao. Just then, having something to discuss with Dong Zhao, he looked up and saw the figure of Cao Zhi in the courtyard.
As intelligent and diligent as Sima Yi, he was momentarily stunned. There was nothing else to it. It was Sima Yi and his peers who helped the late emperor get rid of Cao Zhi.
Today, I finally saw him in the palace. Although I had heard that the emperor had promised Cao Zhi a literary post, the impact of hearing it and seeing it with my own eyes is still different.
Sima Yi had a very distinctive face, the sort known as "eagle eyes and wolf-like glances."
Although Cao Zhi had long stopped resenting his own elder brother, he could not forgive those who stirred up trouble around his brother. (This chapter concludes)
