By the time Sima Zhao left the East Hall, utterly dispirited, nearly everything Cao Mao wanted to discuss had been settled.
With the Empress Dowager issuing the edict and Sima Zhao, a party to the affair, providing testimony,
there was no longer anything to dispute.
Cao Mao walked out of the East Hall. The sky had already begun to darken.
After some thought, Cao Mao headed toward Shiqian Hall, though before leaving, he still had Guo Ze send someone ahead to inform her.
When he reached Shiqian Hall, Sima Yue was already standing at the entrance, waiting for him.
Cao Mao followed her inside.
For some reason, Cao Mao thought Sima Yue's expression looked rather strange.
An unfamiliar fragrance filled Shiqian Hall. Cao Mao noticed that incense burners seemed to have been placed in several corners.
Looking around, Cao Mao asked, "Where is Ping?"
Sima Yue replied, "I just sent him over to Mother's."
Hmm?
Have you two already become that close?
Cao Mao froze for a moment before realizing that this "Mother" must mean Sima Shi's wife.
He cleared his throat. Sima Yue took his arm and led him all the way to the bed.
Cao Mao looked around, then sat down.
He kept feeling that something was not quite right.
Sima Yue's face was rather flushed.
Just a little earlier, one of the emperor's palace officials had hurried over to Sima Yue and announced loudly that the emperor would bestow his favor on her here tonight.
Sima Yue had been stunned.
As far as she was concerned, the emperor had always seemed like a child. She had never noticed him showing any... fondness for such things.
Of course, the Empress Dowager had been urging them all along, saying she wanted to hold a grandson soon and the like.