When Cao Mao strode back to Taiji Hall, someone was already waiting for him.
At the sight of Cao Mao, she hurried to her feet, smiling as she picked up what she held and walked briskly over to him.
"Your Majesty."
It was Zheng Xian, and she happily held up the fabric in her hands.
"I made you a new garment, Your Majesty. Would you like to try it on?"
After spending some time in the Imperial Palace, Zheng Xian had made some progress. Though she was nowhere near as seasoned as Sima Yue, she was much more restrained than when she had first arrived.
Cao Mao put on no airs either. Taking the lower garment she offered, he nodded politely. "Thank you."
Zheng Xian followed behind him. After Cao Mao sat down, she boldly took a seat beside him, practically pressed against him.
Cao Mao examined the lower garment some more and praised it. "The workmanship is quite good."
Only then did Zheng Xian smile. "Your Majesty, didn't you mention holding a family banquet? I've made all the arrangements. All that remains is to see whom you intend to invite."
Cao Mao stroked his chin.
A family banquet naturally meant gathering the Imperial Clan. Some of the princes outside the capital could also bring their families.
Of course, he still had to choose the young and robust ones, or they might end up meeting the Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor halfway through the journey.
Cao Mao always planned ahead.
Of the Three Kingdoms, only the Wu Kingdom remained, dragging out its last breaths. Judging by the recent fighting, it could not hold out much longer either.
Such a disparity in national strength could not be erased by favorable terrain.
The greatest disparity lay in their imperial courts.