Shiqian Hall.
Shiqian Hall stood north of Taiji Hall and south of Zhaoyang Hall, sandwiched between the two great halls. Cao Mao had to pass it every day on his way to Zhaoyang Hall.
Standing inside, Cao Mao said with feeling, "Court deliberations used to be held here. Under Emperor Ming, they were moved outside the main hall's gates, and this became the emperor's hall. Under the King of Qi, it fell vacant again, and has remained so ever since."
Sima Yue stood beside him, quietly listening to his introduction.
"The Grand General truly does dote on me. He sent you here before we have even held our wedding."
Cao Mao continued speaking.
Sima Yue still said nothing.
Cao Mao glanced at her and immediately frowned. Something was not quite right.
He had not noticed when they were paying their respects to the Empress Dowager. His impression of Sima Yue then had been that she was just like Sima Shi: expressionless, with a fierce gaze fixed squarely on the Empress Dowager, never so much as looking at him. At a glance, she seemed an opponent every bit as ruthless as Sima Shi!
Cao Mao could already imagine his miserable life ahead. Not only would he have to guard against the Sima Shi outside, but also the Sima Shi beside him.
The thought of opening his eyes in the middle of the night to find a pair of utterly emotionless eyes staring straight at him made his hair stand on end.
But now that he stood beside Sima Yue and properly examined this "Sima Shi," he felt something was wrong.
She seemed dazed and numb, nothing like Sima Shi with his cold stare. Her eyes had no focus at all.
She remained silent, saying nothing, and even seemed to exude a