With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 73, Bian and her son were dumbfounded.

When Liu Xie returned, he was surprised to find Princess Qinghe still standing at the palace gate. He quickly walked over and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Chengping, you should go back now."

Yoshihira wisely left first.

"Your Majesty, you've finally returned! Do you know that my second brother, Cao Pi, knelt before our father at home today, begging to take Wang Yue away?"

Liu Xie smiled and said, "I appreciate the princess's kindness. How about this, I will go home with you."

At this moment, Cao Cao was angry, and Cao Pi knelt for half a day, showing unprecedented stubbornness, which made Cao Cao appreciate him a little.

Madam Bian also pleaded on his behalf, saying, "It seems that this time, Pi'er is determined. The child wants to improve and learn skills, and you, as his father, should be happy about that."

Just as Cao Cao was fretting over his predicament, Cao Fu ran over to report, "My lord, His Majesty has arrived, and he has returned with the princess."

A look of surprise flashed across Bian's face.

Before Cao Cao could come out to greet him, Cao Ying took Liu Xie to his home. Since he had visited so many times, Liu Xie became increasingly uninhibited.

Upon entering the front hall, they saw Cao Pi kneeling on the ground, his face flushed and his forehead covered in sweat.

It's clear that kneeling on the ground is not a pleasant experience.

"Lord Cao, how can we allow Young Master Pi, at such a young age, to kneel on the ground for so long?"

Liu Xie feigned concern and rushed over, reaching out to help Cao Pi up. "Get up quickly, the ground is cold and hard, it must be so uncomfortable."

Cao Pi, like a heavy weight, clung to Liu Xie's arm, refusing to stand still.

Liu Xie was speechless and looked at Cao Cao, "Lord Cao, you should speak first."

Cao Cao snorted coldly, "How dare you be so presumptuous in front of His Majesty? Stand obediently to the side."

Cao Cao's voice was deep and powerful, and the aura he exuded in an instant made Cao Pi's body go limp, and he quickly stood aside.

Cao Ying shook her head secretly, her expression showing some dissatisfaction.

Surprisingly, the emperor pleaded for Cao Pi, which Cao Ying felt Liu Xie shouldn't do.

Having frequented brothels and seen countless people, Lady Bian was deeply dissatisfied to see that Princess Qinghe's heart was set on the emperor.

Because Madam Ding was considered a rival by Madam Bian, Madam Bian naturally paid extra attention to Madam Ding's children.

The fact that Princess Qinghe is getting close to the Emperor is not a good sign.

Cao Ang had a close relationship with the emperor, and if Princess Qinghe were to get together with the emperor as well, even if Lady Ding remained indifferent to worldly affairs, the situation would still be unfavorable to Lady Bian.

Cao Cao sighed helplessly and said to Liu Xie, "Since Your Majesty has come, I will tell you the truth. This rebellious son insists on learning swordsmanship and has taken a fancy to Wang Yue, who is by Your Majesty's side. Alas... He has been bothering me these past few days, and today he has become even more stubborn, insisting on kneeling on the ground and refusing to get up. I hope Your Majesty will not laugh at him."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "This is nothing. It's a good thing that Young Master Pi is ambitious. What do you think we should do, Lord Cao?"

Liu Xie did not immediately agree, but passed the buck to Cao Cao.

At the same time, Liu Xie's gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally towards Lady Bian.

Cao Pi is still young, only eleven years old this year. Liu Xie doesn't believe he's already so cunning. For a child to kneel for half a day—if this really was Cao Pi's own idea, then it's rather alarming.

Cao Cao was too embarrassed to directly ask Liu Xie for people in front of him.

Cao Cao pretended to be stern and said, "Pi'er is still young, he's just a little willful. Your Majesty doesn't need to take it to heart. I'll just give him a good scolding later."

Lady Bian also laughed and said, "Yes, how can His Majesty's swordsmanship teacher be given up so easily? There is a distinction between ruler and subject. If His Majesty gives up the position, some people who do not know the truth will inevitably cause misunderstandings."

Bian's seemingly innocuous remark was actually quite telling, intentionally or unintentionally creating antagonism between Liu Xie and Cao Cao.

Liu Xie smiled, not taking it to heart, and looked at Cao Pi again, asking, "Young Master Pi, this is your own business. If you really want to learn, tell me, and I will certainly grant your wish."

Lady Bian quickly gave her son a wink, and Cao Pi hurriedly nodded, "Your Majesty, I want to learn. I want to be like my father and brothers, fighting on the battlefield, riding horses to kill enemies, and becoming a towering commander."

"Good, that's ambitious! Like father, like son. You truly deserve to be Cao Cao's son. I grant your request!"

"Huh?" Cao Ying exclaimed in surprise, cursing the emperor for being out of his mind.

Lady Bian smiled with relief, but Cao Cao felt embarrassed. "Your Majesty, a gentleman does not take what others love. I feel really bad about doing this."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Lord Cao, since Young Master Pi wants to learn, let him learn with me from now on. If Wang Yue leaves the palace, my swordsmanship will be neglected. Besides, Wang Yue is not only my swordsmanship teacher, but also my bodyguard. I hope Lord Cao will understand."

The smile on Bian's charming face froze after only a moment.

She hadn't expected the emperor to pull such a stunt. He seemed to agree, but in reality, he wanted Cao Pi to go and learn alongside him, which immediately put Cao Pi in a very precarious situation.

Even Cao Pi felt something was off, and he was somewhat bewildered.

If Wang Yue comes to the Cao family, Cao Pi will be the master, able to do whatever he wants, free and unrestrained. But once he goes to the palace, things will be different.

Cao Pi was nothing then!

Cao Cao didn't think much of it. "Alright, that's one way. Since Pi'er really wants to learn swordsmanship, let him go to the palace to learn from His Majesty."

Liu Xie nodded, "Don't worry, Lord Cao, I will keep a close eye on him!"

Although Liu Xie had a friendly smile, the mother and son both felt a pang of unease upon hearing the word "urge."

Princess Qinghe, however, turned her worry into joy, secretly clenched her fist, and silently cheered for the emperor!

Cao Cao then instructed Cao Pi, "Remember, you must study diligently and not be afraid of hardship. If His Majesty reprimands you, you must not complain, do you understand?"

Cao Pi, looking like a wilted eggplant, drooped his little head and responded weakly.

"I know, father!"

Lady Bian was filled with regret; wasn't this tantamount to pushing her son into a pit with her own hands?
Even if the emperor doesn't do anything, there's always a difference between being in the mansion and being in the palace.

After Liu Xie left, Lady Bian couldn't help but say to Cao Cao, "It's different at home and in the palace. Aren't you worried that Pi'er might be mistreated over there?"

Cao Cao said seriously, "There's no such thing as learning swordsmanship without suffering. Being strict with him is good for him. I was worried that His Majesty would spoil him. Didn't he clamor to learn swordsmanship himself? What's a little hardship?"

Once Cao Cao made a decision, he wouldn't easily change it!
Besides, Cao Cao's mind is now more focused on Cao Ang!

(End of this chapter)