Chapter 81

He sensed it. That Cao Biao bastard, he knows. He must have noticed that Cao Zhi harbored feelings for his sister-in-law that he shouldn’t have.

For those who love the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, you might have heard of Cao Zhi’s forbidden love. It’s long been established in academic circles that he wrote “Luo Shen Fu” while yearning for Jian Na.

I don’t know when, how, or to what extent Cao Biao figured out Cao Zhi’s feelings. Maybe he was just probing. If so, then Cao Biao truly has a natural talent for tormenting people and tearing their hearts apart.

Cao Zhi’s face turned as pale as a corpse.

A conversation more precarious than the Seven Treasures of Death. It was like walking on a knife’s edge, a choice between two evils.

Choosing me would mean daring to say in front of everyone that I am more beautiful than Jian Na, Cao Biao’s wife, while simultaneously shaming the object of his unrequited love.

Choosing Jian Na would mean denying the words of Cao Chang, who supported him in the succession struggle, and at the same time, giving Cao Biao the certainty to doubt his feelings for Jian Na.

Whichever he chose, Cao Zhi’s dignity would be completely shattered, and his heart would be torn apart by his own cruel coercion.

Trembling under Cao Biao’s malicious coercion, Cao Zhi’s body shook, and his lips quivered.

It wasn’t just Cao Zhi who was trembling with fear and humiliation. Jian Na, the subject of comparison, was also shaking with anger at Cao Biao’s tyranny, treating her not as his wife and queen but as a mere lowly woman.

‘How long after Cao Biao became emperor did he kill her?’

Jian Na, who resented Cao Biao for favoring his concubines and neglecting her, was killed by none other than her own husband, Cao Biao.

Perhaps Cao Biao knew of Cao Zhi’s feelings for Jian Na and suspected her because of it.

Jealousy-induced tragedies are common even in modern times. But given that Cao Biao was never quite sane to begin with, it’s entirely possible he suspected Jian Na and Cao Zhi’s relationship and killed her because of it.

It feels more like an execution ground than a banquet hall.

‘What a dog-like feeling.’

It was unpleasant. Who would enjoy being used as Cao Biao’s pawn? Once was enough; there’s no reason to endure more.

It’s fine to talk about appearances, but using someone as a political tool by comparing them to others is just rude.

Besides, I’m not Cao Biao’s subordinate; I’m just a guest. He picked the wrong person to use. So what I’m about to do is a justified protest.

I stood up abruptly, glanced at Cao Zhi and Cao Biao in turn, and said, “Having heard such a beautiful poem, I must respond.”

And without giving anyone a chance to interrupt, I continued, “The queen of flowers descends upon the jade steps, all the flora bow in reverence.”

“Little birds come to see each other, and the bee ministers gather and then return.”

“Sitting in a noble position, causing no disturbance, yet criticized for achieving nothing.”

After I finished speaking, the banquet hall remained silent. The condolence delegation watched me, and the people of Wei watched Cao Biao’s reaction.

No one was so lacking in understanding as to not realize that the poem I just recited was criticizing Cao Biao.

Even after hearing such a direct poem, Cao Biao remained calm. Despite being interrupted, he didn’t seem annoyed but rather pleased, smiling amiably.

‘Stop smiling like that, it’s getting on my nerves.’

I’ve only had one bite of food so far, but I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“Is that your answer?”

“How could a mere woman compare to the queen of a nation? The queen is far more beautiful than I, yet you keep comparing us. I can’t even hold my head up in such a crowded banquet.”

I hinted that if he kept comparing, I’d leave the banquet and go home. Cao Biao, as if resigned, picked up his wine cup.

“Hmm… I was too caught up in enjoying your poem alone. This banquet is to welcome the condolence delegation, so let’s leave the poetry at that. Now, everyone, raise your cups. Let’s all enjoy together!”

Finally, the atmosphere in the banquet hall lightened. Everyone hurriedly raised their cups, and Cao Biao called out to his attendants, O Ji and Zhu Shuo.

“Ji Zhong, An Jae, what are my friends doing? Hurry up and play the music, call the dancers!”

“Yes? Ah, yes! Quickly, play the music and have the dancers come back and dance!”

While O Ji and Zhu Shuo moved swiftly, Cao Biao waved his hand at Cao Zhi, who was still frozen in the middle of the banquet hall like a stone statue.

“Jian, you may leave now.”

“Yes… King Wei.”

As the situation settled, the sounds of conversation and laughter returned from all corners.

Now the banquet hall truly felt like a banquet hall. Now a full-fledged adult, I lightly sipped the wine cup in front of me.

As I was sipping my wine, Zhao Yun approached me.

“That was reckless.”

“Isn’t that my specialty?”

I chuckled and replied, recalling the time I rescued Ma Chao’s family in Hanzhong.

The rest of the banquet proceeded without any major issues. Cao Biao wasn’t openly hostile, and no one would dare cause a scene in front of the condolence delegation that would damage the nation’s prestige.

The bravado displayed by Pang De, Zhao Yun, and me was something the civil officials couldn’t handle. Cao Biao had to be cautious with us, especially with He Zhe standing by his side.

Ha An, Cao Zhi, Jian Na. Having stopped tormenting those who displeased him, Cao Biao turned his attention to me.

He asked if we really used so much malt and honey in Yi Province, and when I said yes, he asked me to make Tanghulu for him.

He pestered me with questions about whether I enjoyed hunting or if I had any particular hobbies.

As I half-heartedly brushed off Cao Biao’s barrage of questions, he suddenly asked something I couldn’t ignore.

“How do you find our land?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. It’s all common knowledge. Didn’t you spy?”

“…Yes, I saw it. It’s worthy of being called a great nation.”

He deliberately showed me. Well, even if he’s obsessed with women, he wouldn’t give me a chance to spy on his territory without some ulterior motive. I thought there must be some scheme.

And Cao Biao’s intention was to show off.

The grandeur of Chang’an and Luoyang, the endless plains of the Central Plains, the wealth pouring in, and the overwhelming population that creates a military advantage.

Indeed, Wei seemed to have recovered from the losses of Hanzhong and Xiang Province in no time. The inside might be different, but at least on the surface, it seemed so.

“That is the strength of our nation. No matter how much you struggle, how can a river swallow the sea? Knowing your place and bowing your head is never a shameful act. So, submit now. You are of the Xiahou bloodline, so I will make you a marquis, and your father Zhang Fei will be granted the title of King of Shu.”

Quite the offer. Cao Biao was even more generous than Cao Cao.

Perhaps because I had just reminisced with Zhao Yun about the past, I laughed, remembering a similar offer and response from before.

“You’re finally smiling. Did the offer please you?”

“No. I suddenly remembered a similar incident from the past. My apologies.”

“Hmm, I’ll allow you to make amends by telling that old story.”

It’s a story from the distant past. Over ten years ago.

What I recalled was none other than the conversation I had with Zhou Yu. I wonder what I was thinking when I refused Zhou Yu’s offer to become his son-in-law.

‘My lord, Sun Quan, said he didn’t like it.’

At the time, I thought there couldn’t be a worse lord than Sun Quan, but looking back now, there was one more.

‘I don’t like Sun Quan, but I dislike Cao Biao even more.’

But I couldn’t just blurt out such thoughts, so I repeated the same answer I gave Zhou Yu.

Cao Biao didn’t seem as convinced and ready to give up as Zhou Yu, but he didn’t repeat the offer. I’ll probably receive similar offers a few more times in the future. But my answer will never change.

A while later, Cao Biao seemed to change his approach. Instead of asking directly, he subtly inquired about me.

“By the way, you also followed your father into the army at a young age, right? Were you nine?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Weren’t you afraid? I also followed my father into the army at ten. Coincidentally, it was also in Xiang Province.”

A campaign against a general. In the battle where Cao Ang, Cao Cao’s eldest son and Cao Biao’s older brother, died, Cao Biao stubbornly survived. Who knows, maybe this experience affected Cao Biao’s psyche.

I had my past life’s experience, and my father protected me, so I safely completed my first battle, but Cao Biao faced death at such a young age.

But that doesn’t mean I sympathize or pity him. Cao Biao’s actions have crossed the line too many times to be considered pitiful.

‘And then you tell me to submit?’

Not a chance.

A general under Cao Biao named Zhang Lan? No such thing, Cao Biao. No matter what happens, never!

So stop telling me to submit.

After a battle of patience where I wanted to slap Cao Biao’s mouth, the banquet finally ended.

But the mission was just beginning.