Liu Ye was a wine lover, and Guanqiu Jian was also a good drinker.
The two of them talked back and forth, discussing old events in the northern border, the differences between Youzhou Governor Wang Xiong and Bingzhou Governor Liang Xi, and also talked about Qian Zhao and Tian Yu.
Gradually, both of them became a little drunk.
They were about to leave Luozhong, leave the emperor's feet, and leave the scenery of Henan. Although they had their own thoughts at the beginning of the banquet, they would work together for nearly a year after all. As they drank, some of their true feelings were revealed, and they also had some indulgence in their hearts.
In this case, people who are slightly tipsy are more likely to get drunk.
Guanqiu Jian was carried out by Liu Tao and two servants. After placing Guanqiu Jian on the carriage, Liu Tao gave a few instructions to Guanqiu Jian's servants, watched the carriage go away, and then went home.
When Liu Tao entered the hall, he was shocked to find that his father was standing with his hands behind his back. His eyes were bright and he didn't seem drunk at all!
Liu Ye said in a deep voice: "As an internal official, your father has never allowed you to interact with the children of other ministers. Guanqiu Jian is about your age. Do you see clearly his talent and temperament?"
Liu Tao cupped his hands and said, "My son sees it clearly."
Liu Ye said slowly: "The future affairs of Hebei may fall on this person!"
Liu Tao thought for a few moments and nodded heavily.
On the other side, Beigong.
Cao Rui was quite restrained in his affairs with the harem. Even though he took Sun Luban as his concubine, he only had sex with her once every three or five days.
For the rest of the time, about half of them stayed up late in the study, and the other half went to the bedroom to rest alone.
Tonight, Guo Yao was summoned into the bedroom when Cao Rui finished washing and preparing to go to bed.
The emperor's group of maids is actually like a small society. Whatever happens will be spread within half a day.
The maids all knew about Sun Luban's favor the next day. Zhao Jie even made a stern face and set rules with the maids, making it clear that Sun Luban was originally a princess and had no identity with others.
Let these maids give up their thoughts.
Guo Yao clearly remembered that she and Sun Luban were called to serve the emperor that day. When Sun Luban was sent out to change the water, the emperor picked up his chin with his finger and asked about the situation at home.
She was looking so close that she could even hear her breathing. How could Guo Yao forget that kind of hot feeling?
Since Zhao Jie followed His Majesty on his southern tour, she has become a female official among the maids. She has said so, how can I spread this matter?
Therefore, it was beyond many people's expectations that Guo Yao was summoned to the bedroom tonight.
Cao Rui sat beside the couch and waved to Guo Yao: "Guo Yao? Come to my side."
Guo Yao's face turned slightly red. She stood beside the couch with a hint of hesitation, not daring to sit down.
Cao Rui looked at Guo Yao's shy expression and couldn't help but laugh: "Come sit over here, are you afraid that I will eat you?"
Guo Yao clenched her fingers and said softly, "Who am I to sit with Your Majesty?"
Cao Rui had a playful look in his eyes and said with a smile, "Are you worried about your identity?"
"No, no." Guo Yao quickly waved her hands and explained: "I just don't dare..."
"Don't dare or don't want to?" Cao Rui raised his head and looked at Guo Yao's evasive eyes, then followed the hair hanging from her temples and looked from her earlobe to her neck.
This girl must be so nervous that even her neck is slightly red.
Guo Yao knew that the emperor was looking at her, and the heat in his eyes seemed to burn her, so she didn't dare to raise her head and look at him.
Guo Yao said softly, "I dare not."
Cao Rui patted his side again and said, "Sit down. I have already agreed. Don't refuse."
Guo Yao stole a glance at the emperor's face, and their eyes met for only a moment before Guo Yao dodged again, but she still sat down obediently.
"Closer."
Guo Yao moved a little towards the emperor on the left.
"Closer."
Guo Yao pursed her lips and moved a little further.
After three times of this, Cao Rui finally said with satisfaction: "Today I summon you to sleep with me, Guo Yao, are you willing?"
Guo Yao was so confused for a moment that he even thought of the second day when he and Sun Luban served the emperor together.
Sun Luban was favored and received many rewards. She brought a lot of snacks and cloth to the maids' residence with others, and gave a lot of rewards to the sisters Zhao Jie and Zhao Yuan who had taken care of her, as well as people she had been friends with.
Before leaving, Sun Luban walked up to Guo Yao and stared at her for a while with a meaningful look, then smiled and pinched her cheek.
How can it be a bad thing to gain the favor of His Majesty?
How could it be a bad thing!
Although the maids in the palace acted like quails in front of the emperor and the eunuchs, they often talked about matters between men and women behind their backs.
Guo Yao understands everything, but the more she understands, the more inexplicably shy she becomes when something happens to her, and her cheeks and body turn red.
It's just my physical condition, there's nothing we can do about it.
The emperor was waiting for a reply. Guo Yao stole a glance at the emperor's profile. The curves of his jaw and nose were extremely elegant. He was the most beautiful man Guo Yao had ever seen.
Cao Rui pretended not to know and paused for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Have you seen enough?"
Guo Yao knew that she couldn't hide anymore, so she could only endure the itchy feeling in her heart and said softly, "I am willing."
Cao Rui laughed out loud: "Since you are willing, you are no longer a slave from today on."
After saying that, Cao Rui lay on his back on the couch and tapped Guo Yao's waist with his toes: "Come here and massage my legs. They're a little sore from practicing martial arts this afternoon." Although Guo Yao was shy, she did not forget to kneel beside Cao Rui, and leaned over to massage gently according to the method taught by Zhao Jie.
Cao Rui looked at Guo Yao's little daughter's attitude and said with a smile: "I had someone investigate your family's affairs after the last time."
"Do you know what your father Guo Man did?"
Guo Yao's shy and nervous mind became confused again when she heard the emperor mention the old things. Her movements even slowed down a bit: "Your servant..."
Cao Rui interrupted Guo Yao and said, "Don't call yourself that. What should you call yourself in front of me in the future?"
In the future?
Guo Yao bit her lip and said, "You should call me your concubine."
Cao Rui said: "Go on."
Guo Yao continued, "I only know that I was implicated in the rebellion, and my father also died in the chaos."
Cao Rui asked: "Who told you?"
Guo Yao thought for a moment and said, "It was the eunuch who brought me into the palace who said that. I have never known anything about my family. When I was in Xiping County, I only knew that my father had passed away. It was only after I was taken to Luoyang that I heard this."
Cao Rui looked up at Guo Yao's face, then looked down for a few moments: "Your father was not implicated, but helped the thieves to cause chaos and died in the chaos."
"The eunuch refused to tell you because he didn't want you to think too much about it in the palace, and he just wanted to make you feel at ease."
Guo Yao pointed at herself with trembling lips: "Then I... am the daughter of a traitor?"
Cao Rui looked at Guo Yao for a few times before shaking his head: "It could be, or it could not be."
"do not stop."
Guo Yao pursed her lips to suppress her emotions, but her hands remained gentle.
Cao Rui said: "If I want to be serious, when your father followed Qu Yan's party in the rebellion, it was still the first year of Yankang, not the first year of Huangchu."
"If we talk about rebellion, we can say it is rebellion against the Han Dynasty, not rebellion against the Wei Dynasty. The events during the Jian'an and Yankang years, which happened during the Han Dynasty, naturally have nothing to do with me. Do you know that?"
It was the first time that Guo Yao heard this.
Although she knew that these were all things of the past, and the emperor had asked her to sleep with him, so she would probably not be implicated again, Guo Yao was of course happy to be able to clear the charges against her late father.
Cao Rui smiled and said, "I have pardoned your Xiping Guo family. Are you satisfied?"
Guo Yao nodded gently. The heroic spirit mixed with the shyness between her eyebrows made her look even more gentle.
Cao Rui clapped his hands, and Zhao Yuan, who was waiting outside, came in and bowed, then extinguished the oil lamps in the room one by one. The light was getting dimmer and dimmer, and it seemed that Guo Yao's heartbeat could be heard.
When there were two lamps left, Cao Rui said, "Okay, let's go out now."
Zhao Yuan slowly retreated.
Cao Rui patted his side, and Guo Yao leaned over. So close, Cao Rui could see clearly that Guo Yao's earlobes were already red.
……
The next day, in the evening, at Xinpi's mansion.
As usual, Simpi had dinner with his family at home.
In addition to his son Xin Chang, Xin Pi also had dinner with his daughter Xin Xianying and son-in-law Yang Tan.
Xin Pi usually discussed state affairs with his children. Today, when he had some free time, Xin Pi told his son, daughter and son-in-law about several matters.
As soon as Xin Pi finished speaking, Xin Chang smiled and said, "Last year, my son and father talked about your majesty's marriage. Who would have thought that your majesty would now ask your father to deliver the betrothal gifts?"
"Humph." Xin Pi glared at his son and said, "You are right. The woman your majesty married this time was the one who was taken into the palace during the rebellion in Xiping in the first year of Huangchu."
Xin Chang asked, "Since they didn't enter the palace after the rebellion, aren't you afraid that they will cause chaos again?"
Xin Xianying interrupted and said, "Creating chaos? What for? They are just women. How could they do such a thing?"
"Do you think there is no trick in the palace?"
Xin Pi always treated his children equally in their education. Xin Xianying read a lot of books, and Xin Chang was actually a little afraid of this sister.
Xin Chang smiled awkwardly and said, "I just said it casually!"
Seeing his son and daughter quarreling again, Xin Pi continued, "But speaking of which, there is one more thing. If there is a suitable woman among the nobles you are close to, you can recommend her. The court is ready to select a concubine for your majesty."
After saying that, Xin Pi subconsciously glared at Xin Chang and covered his mouth.
The only person from another family in the hall was his son-in-law Yang Tan. Seeing this, Yang Tan said, "If that's the case, I will go to ask the clan members and the families I'm close to tomorrow."
Xin Pi nodded, then looked at Xin Chang: "Tayong! Your father is going to Gong County tomorrow, you come with me!"
Xin Chang hesitated and said, "Father, I still have to go to the Shangshutai to ask for leave."
Xin Pi said, "Just send someone to tell him! I rarely convey orders to His Majesty, but now that I have the chance, you should come and listen and see for yourself."
Xin Chang bowed and said, "My son obeys your command." (End of this chapter)
