The Empress Dowager bestowed a residence each upon Cao Yu and Xiahou Xian.
Since the two had traveled a long way to get here and badly needed rest, the Empress Dowager detained them no longer and let them go and rest.
Only after the two left with the imperial edicts in hand did Cao Mao say to the Empress Dowager:
"Mother... I fear these people will no longer let us meet so easily."
"I heard from Lord Wang that the ministers at court want me to move to Black Tortoise Lodge..."
At these words, the Empress Dowager's face immediately darkened.
Black Tortoise Lodge certainly held no pleasant memories for her.
The Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor, Cao Rui, had often stayed there.
This was because the ministers had refused to allow Cao Rui to renovate Taiji Hall, submitting memorial after memorial to dissuade him. Cao Rui had not dared oppose the entire court, so he had built Black Tortoise Lodge in the outskirts and kept beautiful women and handsome men there. Well, Emperor Wen had merely inherited Great Han's realm, whereas Emperor Ming had also inherited certain rather extraordinary things.
The furnishings inside Black Tortoise Lodge were even more lavish than those in Taiji Hall.
The ministers actually thought Taiji Hall was too extravagant and wanted to send him to the even more extravagant Black Tortoise Lodge?
The very notion was laughable.
Empress Dowager Guo frowned. "Do not worry, my son. Do these people really think I am so easily bullied? With me here, let us see who dares take you away!"
"If even the emperor is gone, can this place still be called the Imperial Palace?"
Cao Mao said nothing for a long time. Empress Dowager Guo clearly did not quite understand their present situation.
The ministers