When Cao Mao left the Central Secretariat and returned to Taiji Hall, someone was already waiting outside the entrance.
The man waiting there was Pei Xiu.
This capable official, who had once so often taken powder and run about naked, had performed rather well lately and had been perfectly normal throughout.
At first, Cao Mao had forcibly drawn Pei Xiu to his side and compelled him to become a trusted aide. But when dealing with Sima Zhao, he had worked with Zhong Hui and contributed a great deal. He Zeng had been taken along by him to win over the army.
Cao Mao's attitude toward him had also undergone a subtle change.
Perhaps he had truly begun to treat him as a trusted aide.
"Your Majesty!!"
Smiling, Cao Mao helped him up and led him straight back to the Western Hall. Cao Mao sat down; the eunuchs had already prepared tea.
Holding his tea, Cao Mao looked at Pei Xiu beside him.
"Jiyan, Lord Xun specially sent these tea leaves. I hear they were grown in Ba-Shu. Have a taste."
At those words, the corner of Pei Xiu's eye twitched.
The Shu Kingdom's brocades and tea were extremely popular in Great Wei, commanding prices but seldom available to buy.
His Majesty's words seemed to carry another meaning.
Pei Xiu took a sip of tea and remarked, "Excellent tea. Lord Xun must have expended no small effort to let Your Majesty enjoy tea this fine."
Cao Mao liked this man's barbed remarks.
Pei Xiu appeared cool and aloof, with the air of a proud, solitary scholar, but his tongue never let him come off the worse, and he was exceptionally shrewd.
Guanqiu Jian had recommended him to Cao Shuang, and he had later helped Sima Yan take the throne. After becoming