"Ahem..."
When Xun Yu saw Fu Wan, he deliberately coughed twice, pretending that he had yet to recover from his illness.
"To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Imperial Father-in-Law?"
"Wenruo." Looking exceptionally solemn, Fu Wan stepped forward and clasped Xun Yu's hands. "I have come tonight to plan a great undertaking with you!"
"Please look at this!"
Without beating around the bush, Fu Wan went straight to the point, taking the edict Empress Fu had written from his robes and handing it to Xun Yu.
"This is..." Puzzled, Xun Yu opened the edict and examined it carefully by candlelight. As he read, disbelief spread across his face. His hand jerked as though it had been scalded, and the edict fell to the floor.
He looked up at Fu Wan in horror and cried, "You intend to kill the Grand Minister of Works!"
This edict was none other than Empress Fu's decree!
It stated plainly that the treacherous Cao Cao had coerced the Son of Heaven and intended to rebel and usurp the throne, calling upon the Han Dynasty's loyal ministers to slay the traitor and restore the dynasty!
Fu Wan bent down to retrieve the edict and said indignantly, "Wenruo, that Cao Thief led soldiers into the imperial harem and threatened the Son of Heaven with a sword. How could such a rebellious minister exist under heaven?"
"Though you serve Cao Cao, you are also a minister of the Great Han. I came to you precisely because I valued your loyalty to the Han Dynasty!"
"Wenruo, you must help me eliminate Cao Cao and restore His Majesty to power! When that happens, you will have rendered the greatest service. Even a place among the Three Excellencies will be well within reach!"
Fu Wan began painting a grand feast