Chapter 141 Steamed Buns Are Invincible (Part 1)
Upon returning to Xuchang, I made an unprecedented request to Cao Cao to take me into the palace.
Empress Fu was somewhat surprised to see me.
"It's hard to believe you would come to see me on your own initiative." After dismissing the palace servants and guards, Empress Fu smiled at me.
“Fengxiao is dead.” I said slowly, looking at her smile.
"I know." Empress Fu smiled faintly, her eyes slightly lowered. But that faint smile could not hide the tears glistening in her eyes.
"He has a message for you."
Upon hearing this, Empress Fu looked up at me and asked, "What did he say?"
In her haste, with tears welling in her eyes, she was completely oblivious to her loss of composure and even forgot to maintain her royal dignity.
"He said, 'Please don't have any more thoughts of killing Cao Cao,'" I said softly.
Upon hearing this, Empress Fu's eyes dimmed slightly.
“...Otherwise, you will be in danger,” I continued.
That hint of sadness vanished instantly, and tears welled up in Empress Fu's eyes. She grasped my hand, "He's worried about me? He cares about me? Isn't he?"
Her fingernails dug into my palm, causing a slight pain. Looking at her tear-streaked face, I nodded, "Yes."
She let go of me, slowly slid to the ground, covered her face and wept.
“I was born into an official family and raised with strict discipline. No one has ever cared for me like you have, young master…”
"He said, 'You are too kind. You are no match for Cao Cao. Those who achieve great things must have a cold and hard heart. Your heart is not ruthless enough. You told me about his serious illness, which led to the deaths of nineteen of your spies who were hiding in the army...'"
Empress Fu sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face, and looked at me. "What else did he say?"
“He was very worried about you. He said…you’re a good girl, and…” I bent down to help her up, “You cook very well.”
She stood up, wiping away her tears, and said, "Thank you for telling me."
Standing up, she was once again the woman in the deep palace, Empress Fu, who accompanied the emperor and plotted for him.
"Unfortunately, this is my destiny." She smiled faintly.
Even being sad and crying is not allowed.
When I left the palace, Cao Cao was waiting for me outside.
Under the bright sunlight, the man in the purple robe riding on horseback exuded an air of supreme authority.
"Is everything settled?" Cao Cao rode forward as I walked out of the palace gate.
I nodded and let him pull me onto the horse.
When they returned to the Prime Minister's residence, it was bustling outside, with a crowd gathered around.
Cao Cao helped me down from my horse, and I quickly peered out. Steamed buns?
I watched in surprise as Baozi sat cross-legged on the ground at the gate of the mansion, intently playing chess. Opposite him was a slightly older boy with delicate features, who was also frowning and deep in thought.
Baozi can play chess? Why didn't I know that?
This little guy is pretty amazing.
"Who do you think will win?" the onlookers whispered among themselves.
"It must be Zhou Buyi! He's been a famous child prodigy since he was a child!"
"No, do you know who that doll is?" someone asked, pointing to Baozi with feigned seriousness.
I was very surprised. Could it be that steamed buns are very famous?
"Who is he?" I leaned closer and asked curiously.
Cao Cao looked at me, both amused and exasperated, as I disappeared into the crowd.
"He is the son of the current Prime Minister, Cao Chong!" The man glanced at me, categorized me as a passerby, and dutifully answered my question.
The man looked at me expectantly, hoping that I would suddenly realize his mistake and then lament that I hadn't recognized Cao Chong.
"Cao Chong?" I was completely bewildered. Could it be that my son had really become so famous that everyone, young and old, had to know him?
"You must be from out of town," the man said, giving me a disdainful look and categorizing me as a country bumpkin. "Everyone in Xuchang knows Young Master Cao Chong. He was literate at three and skilled in martial arts at six. He could solve problems that even high-ranking officials couldn't solve with the blink of an eye. Do you know what an elephant is? It has a long trunk! It's as big as a house..." the man said mysteriously, gesturing with his hand to show a large circle. "But our Young Master Cao can measure its weight without lifting a finger!"
I blinked. Was he talking about my son?
Is my son really that amazing?
"Young Master Cao Chong is not only intelligent from a young age, but also kind-hearted. Last time, Old Man Li from East Street was wrongly accused of stealing money from Wang Dawu, who sells fried dough cakes on West Street. As a result, Young Master Cao Chong stepped in and put Old Man Li's and Wang Dawu's coins into the water respectively. Wang Dawu's coins had oil on them and floated to the surface, while Old Man Li's coins did not float to the surface. He cleared Old Man Li's name on the spot..." The man spoke with great enthusiasm, unable to stop.
"Yes, yes, Young Master Cao Chong is amazing!" someone chimed in, agreeing. "I think Young Master Cao Chong will definitely win this game!"
I instinctively turned to look at Cao Cao, who was smiling and making steamed buns with admiration in his eyes. Suddenly, I remembered Cao Pi's cold and piercing gaze and couldn't help but shiver.
"I really don't know what kind of person Cao Chong's mother was..."
"Yes, to give birth to such a smart and handsome child, one must be both talented and beautiful, and virtuous..."
I feel a little ashamed.
"I won! I won! I won!" Baozi suddenly jumped in, cheering excitedly.
The boy opposite him also stood up, shook his head and sighed softly, "Alright, I lost, even though I was only one step away."
“That’s wrong. A small difference can lead to a huge error,” Baozi said, shaking his head.
“A bet is a bet. From now on, I will be your strategist.” The young man straightened his clothes, displaying a rather refined demeanor.
A strategist? My lips twitched slightly. That little brat actually had a strategist?
"I don't need strategists, I only need friends." Baozi stood next to the boy, smiling like an angel.
The boy was slightly taken aback.
"Hello, my name is Cao Chong, courtesy name Cangshu," Baozi said, clasping his hands in a proper manner.
"I am Zhou Buyi from Jingzhou, courtesy name Yuanzhi." The young man named Zhou Buyi nodded and clasped his hands in greeting. "I have lost to you today, young master. I am willing to become your disciple and serve you for life," Zhou Buyi said loudly.
“Yuanzhi, you can just call me Cangshu,” Baozi said with a smile, taking his hand. “Let’s be friends.”
My lips twitched as I watched him try to act cute.
“Steamed buns…” I gritted my teeth and spoke.
Baozi turned around and saw me, then darted behind Zhou Buyi.
I strode forward, hands on my hips, and shouted, "Baozi, you come out here!"
“This lady…” Zhou Buyi, protecting Baozi, tried to stop her.
I was both amused and exasperated.
"Baozi, if you don't come out soon, I'm going to feed your squeaky to the cat! And I'll send your long nose to the Chunfeng Deyilou restaurant for a big meal while I'm at it!"
Baozi timidly peeked out with half her face, then hesitantly emerged from behind Zhou Buyi, "Mother..."
That one word, "Mother," filled me with a secret sense of satisfaction.
Zhou Buyi was stunned.
Everyone around was dumbfounded.
They finally met the mother of Cao Chong, the young master they had always admired... but their expressions were truly heartbreaking...
"Let's go back." I reached out and pulled him along, then turned and went back to the mansion without looking back.
A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind; a mound that rises above the bank will be eroded by the current; a person who excels above others will be criticized by the masses. Xi Jinping is so flamboyant in his dealings with the outside world, and enjoys widespread popular support; if he were to incur the envy of others, wouldn't he find himself in a dangerous situation?
Thinking of Cao Zhi's famous "Seven Steps Poem" from history, how could I not be on guard?
He dragged the steamed buns all the way back to his residence, only to find upon entering that Zhou Buyi had been following him the whole time.
“My son is still young and doesn’t understand. You can think of the chess game just now as a game.” I stopped, looked at Zhou Buyi, and smiled kindly.
“I’m willing to accept defeat. I, Zhou Buyi, am not a cheat.” Zhou Buyi shook his head resolutely.
This child...
“Mother…” Baozi tugged at my sleeve, “Let Yuanzhi stay…”
I glanced at him sideways.
Baozi pulled me down, stood on tiptoe, and hooked his arm around my neck. "Mom, let Yuanzhi stay, and I won't tell Dad you secretly hid the jewelry under the bed..." He whispered in my ear.
I gritted my teeth, raised my hand, and slapped his obnoxious butt.
Baozi giggled, turned around, grabbed Zhou Buyi, and ran off, saying, "My mom agreed to let you stay!"
I was so angry that I stood there, puffing out my beard and glaring at everyone.
"I'm not afraid of Cao Mengde at all! So what if he hid jewels under the bed? Who have I ever been afraid of!" I shouted angrily.
"Why would you rather hide your jewels under your bed than wear them on your person, Madam?" A voice suddenly rang in my ears.
In broad daylight, under the bright sun, I shivered and froze...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
