Liu Hong already knew everything about Cao Song beating his son yesterday, so when he noticed Cao Cao's unusual behavior, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

A short while later, Zhang Rang handed a soft cushion to Liu Hong.

"Mengde, come here!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Hong personally helped Cao Cao up and placed a cushion on Cao Cao's chair.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor!"

Seeing that the emperor cared so much about him, Cao Cao was overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply to Liu Hong.

"Oh, Mengde, there's no need for that. Please sit down!"

Upon seeing this, Liu Hong quickly helped Cao Cao up, as Cao Cao was one of the people he valued most.

Liu Hong's high regard and favor towards Cao Song was largely due to Cao Cao. In Liu Hong's view, if he could make Cao Cao wholeheartedly loyal to him, no amount of courtesy would be too much.

It must be said that Liu Hong's actions, whether for show or out of genuine concern, have had a very obvious effect.

The young men who sat at the same table as Liu Hong were originally loyal followers of the emperor. Seeing the emperor treat his subordinates with such respect only strengthened their resolve to follow him.

The Confucian scholars and party members around him also praised this kind and courteous emperor.

It's a pity that such an emperor was overshadowed by a ruthless empress dowager. Moreover, the emperor was benevolent and filial, and the Han Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety in mind. Before the emperor came of age, it was basically impossible to overthrow the empress dowager.

In the end, some shrewd family heads and party members sighed deeply.

At the same time, Dou Miao, along with Lady Dong, led the wives and female relatives of the court officials to take their seats in the rear hall.

Dou Miao and Dong Shi sat next to each other, while the three ladies Yuan, Cao, and Song sat to Dou Miao's right. Dong, Ma, Yin, Wang, and Song Yue were pulled by Dong Shi to sit to her left.

Looking at the several beautiful young women beside her, Madam Dong had a happy smile on her face, just like a mother-in-law looking at her daughters-in-law.

Afterwards, the ladies presented Dou Miao and Dong Shi with the gifts they had brought, which Dou Miao and Dong Shi happily accepted.

Then it was the women's turn to present their gifts. Yin Qi, a woman from the Yin family, was the first to take out a scroll of bamboo slips.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have heard that Your Majesty enjoys reading, so I have prepared an ancient book for you. It is said to be the 'Strategies for Governing the Country' written by Marquis Wen Zhong (Xiao He) himself. I believe it will be of great help to Your Majesty!"

As they spoke, Yin Qi respectfully presented the ancient book to Dou Miao and Madam Dong.

"Excellent! The Emperor will surely love this gift!"

Dou Miao nodded in satisfaction, took the ancient book, and handed it to Xiao Hong beside her.

Subsequently, the daughters from the other families also brought out gifts they had carefully prepared for the emperor, such as exquisite writing brushes, fine inkstones, and paperweights made of beautiful jade, etc.

Dou Miao and Dong Shi couldn't help but smile at each other. It seemed that these families had really put in a lot of effort to understand the emperor's preferences.

The four women, flattered by the praise, couldn't help but show their delight, and at the same time, they turned their attention to Song Yue, who was last among them.

Under everyone's gaze, Song Yue carefully took out the sachet she had sewn herself and came to Dou Miao and Madam Dong.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this is a sachet that my daughter sewed for Your Majesty. It is filled with some calming and invigorating medicinal herbs. Smelling it will clear one's mind and help Your Majesty sleep peacefully!"

"Oh? This is good stuff!!"

Dou Miao took the sachet from Song Yue's hand, held it to her nose and sniffed it lightly. She felt a sense of ease from the light and elegant fragrance. With a sigh of praise, she handed the sachet to Madam Dong beside her.

"Yes, it's really good!"

When Madam Dong saw the exquisite embroidery on the sachet, a glint of admiration flashed in her eyes as she looked at Song Yue. It seemed that this Song family girl had started preparing this gift a long time ago.

He then turned to look at Dou Miao, and the two nodded in unison.

Then Dou Miao looked at Xiao Hong beside her and said with a smile, "Xiao Hong, take these gifts and give them to the Emperor!"

"promise!"

Xiao Hong respectfully agreed and, carrying the gifts presented by the women, came to Liu Hong's side.

"Your Majesty, these are gifts from the Empress Dowager and the Holy Mother!"

As they spoke, several palace maids placed the gifts presented by the women in front of Liu Hong.

"Hmm, good, both are very good!"

Liu Hong's gaze swept over the items in front of him, and he nodded in satisfaction, because these were all things that could be used.

When Liu Hong saw the plum blossoms embroidered on Song Yue's sachet, he couldn't help but pick it up and examine it closely.

"I have no intention of vying for spring's favor, let all the flowers be jealous."

Though fallen to the ground and crushed into dust, its fragrance remains!

While watching, Liu Hong couldn't help but recite this poem praising plum blossoms.

Liu Hong, like the ancients, greatly admires the plum blossom for its ability to bloom despite the harsh winter.

"What a wonderful poem! It's truly a wonderful poem!"

Cao Cao, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but stand up when he heard the poem composed by the emperor, and looked at Liu Hong with admiration.

Seeing that Cao Cao had gotten there first, everyone present, who had intended to stand up, sat back down.

"Oh? Then tell me, Mengde, what's so good about this poem?"

Liu Hong looked at Cao Cao with amusement, ready to see how he would interpret the poem.

The people in the hall all cast meaningful glances at Cao Cao, thinking that if you wanted to flatter him, you had to have some real talent.

"Hmm... well, that's it!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!