The bitter cold had passed. Though the season of spring warmth and blooming flowers had yet to arrive, the weather was better suited to outings than before.
Inside the Imperial Palace, Cao Mao supported the Empress Dowager as the two walked along a path, chatting and laughing.
A number of eunuchs and Yellow Gate attendants followed behind them.
"Mother, you should come out for a walk more often. If you stay inside the hall all day, won't you stifle yourself sick?"
"Once all under Heaven is settled, I will build you the most luxurious palace and gather all the most beautiful and entertaining things in the world there..."
Empress Dowager Guo could not help laughing at Cao Mao's words.
"You! As a ruler, how could you do such a thing?"
"The Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor had the same idea back then. The ministers submitted memorial after memorial remonstrating with him, and he never managed to build it."
Cao Mao smiled. "That was different. The Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor was building it for himself, so the ministers dared oppose him. I would be building it for Mother. That is filial devotion-which minister would dare oppose it?"
"You certainly know what to say!"
Empress Dowager Guo spoke with a chuckle.
The armored guards and palace eunuchs they encountered along the way all bowed in greeting and withdrew to either side.
Cao Mao recounted some amusing stories from around the realm.
Mother and son chatted very harmoniously, and Empress Dowager Guo was in excellent spirits.
Cao Mao quickly said, "Mother, last year we discussed the matter of my becoming the heir of the Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor, but the cold weather and disturbances in various regions kept it from proceeding. Now the General of