"That was how it happened."
Cao Mao was still seated in Taiji Hall, but the person sitting beside him had changed.
The man beside him now was Zhong Hui.
Upon hearing that the Prince of Jibei had arrived, Zhong Hui had eagerly come to pay his respects.
After all, this was King Chen Si's son! Who had not heard of King Chen Si, that celebrated scholar who could compose a poem in seven steps and embodied all the talent under heaven? His son was surely extraordinary!
Zhong Hui had come brimming with enthusiasm, but after one look at Cao Zhi, he had taken his leave and prepared to go.
Cao Mao had hurriedly stopped him.
In truth, Cao Zhi was not unattractive. With regular features and a tall, imposing build, he was quite a fine-looking man.
But perhaps because he was so frightened of Cao Mao, he looked rather timid, and the smile he forced onto his face gave him a somewhat petty appearance. Besides, Zhong Hui's expectations of him had been a little too high.
When he discovered that Cao Zhi was not as outstanding as he had expected, his disappointment was naturally considerable.
Cao Mao spoke at length with Cao Zhi, then had someone escort him to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, while keeping Zhong Hui and Guo Ze behind.
He had Guo Ze recount the matter to Zhong Hui. In fact, he also wanted to compare the accounts and see whether there had been any problems with what Cao Yan had just said.
Guo Ze's account did not differ greatly from Cao Yan's. Cao Mao trusted Guo Ze more than Cao Yan; if even he said so, there was essentially nothing wrong with it.
Cao Mao now turned to Zhong Hui and said earnestly, "That