Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 61 Silent Move
Inside the Taiji Hall of Luoyang Palace, all the wise men and women had gathered.

Emperor Cao Huan sat on the dragon throne, his expression serious and unsmiling, the atmosphere in the hall solemn and dignified.

"The General has rendered meritorious service to the country and is now enfeoffed as Duke of Jin, granted the Nine Bestowments, and promoted to the position of Chancellor."

He bestowed upon the Duke of Jin his robe and the seal of the Prime Minister.

The eunuch's shrill voice was shouting, and the sound echoed in the hall.

Two eunuchs carried the robe and the seal of the prime minister on a wooden tray and presented them to Sima Zhao.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

Sima Zhao took the wooden tray and carried it away from the Taiji Hall. Outside the hall, in the square, a carriage was parked, guarded by dozens of armored guards.

The Nine Bestowments include: carriages and horses, clothing, music and entertainment, vermilion doors, imperial carriages, tiger-like guards, axes and halberds, bows and arrows, and black millet wine.

Carriages and horses were before them, and fierce guards stood by their sides. Everything else that could fit in the carriages was put into the carriages. There were also things like "vermilion gates," which referred to the gates of one's own residence painted vermilion, but this was not reflected here.

Sima Zhao smiled smugly, handed the tray to his attendant, and then leisurely boarded the carriage.

Upon returning to the General's Mansion, he sent for Yang Huiyu to come to his study. As soon as they met, Sima Zhao said to Yang Huiyu, "Sister-in-law, today I have been granted the title of Duke of Jin, bestowed with the Nine Bestowments, and promoted to the position of Chancellor!"

He looked very excited, and even a little smug. However, Yang Huiyu simply said calmly, "Then congratulations, Duke Jin."

"Sister-in-law, are you unhappy?"

Sima Zhao frowned slightly and asked.

"Happy? Of course I'm happy."

Yang Huiyu forced a smile and said insincerely, showing that she didn't care at all about what Sima Zhao had said.

"Sister-in-law, I am now the Duke of Jin, and I will be the emperor in the future!"
I can bestow upon you the title of Imperial Concubine! From now on, we are family!

Sima Zhao grabbed Yang Huiyu's sleeve, but was easily shaken off, his hand grasping only empty air.

"Sister-in-law, you've really worked so hard these past years. You won't have to work so hard anymore in the future."

Sima Zhao was still not giving up. He stared intently at Yang Huiyu's face, feeling a mixture of emotion, heartache, greed, and possessiveness.

Of course, it wasn't about rushing into bed with her, but about resolving Sima You's identity issue. Once this threat was eliminated, the next generation of the Sima family, and even the generation after that, could smoothly inherit the throne!

"General, let me be frank."

A long time ago, I did think to myself that I should have married you back then, so that I wouldn't have had my youth wasted by your brother.

Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and things have turned out this way. Everything is in the past, and the thoughts of the past have become insignificant.

You understand, Wang Yuanji understands, and I understand too.

I'm speaking frankly today to express my gratitude to the General. Those delusions are now history, so let's leave them aside.

There's no need to mention it again.

Yang Weiyu showed no mercy and finally broke through the barrier, revealing the regret that Sima Zhao could not confide in anyone.

She actually knew everything, and in the past, she had been constantly exploiting Sima Zhao's ulterior motives to seek benefits for her younger brother, Yang Hu.

“Sister-in-law, you have really helped me a lot over the years. I didn’t want to kill Cao Mao either, but he still died, so I had no choice but to conquer Shu and make a name for myself.”

If I become emperor in the future, I will at least give you the title of Imperial Concubine.

Putting everything else aside, all I want is a formal title, is that not even allowed?

Sima Zhao stepped forward excitedly, but Yang Huiyu took three steps back to keep her distance from him, her attitude very firm, leaving no room for Sima Zhao to think.

"General, please take care. I don't want to be any imperial concubine."

It would be good for you to talk to Wang Yuanji about these things; she deserved to be empress.

Yang Huiyu said coldly, her mind already as still as water, and turned to walk out of the study.

She came here today to settle things with Sima Zhao and to have her mind at peace from now on.

Yang Huiyu always understood that Yang Hu's continuous promotions were not entirely due to the power of the Yang family.

It was also because Sima Zhao always had a complex feeling towards his step-sister-in-law Yang Huiyu, a mixture of affection, love, and desire, and he could not do anything against human ethics, that he made amends to Yang Huiyu in this way.

Of course, even more important than this was the problem with Sima You, which was Sima Zhao's greatest sore spot! Sima Zhao felt extremely uncomfortable with Yang Huiyu's status as his stepmother and was determined to erase it!

After everything was made clear, this abnormal relationship also came to an end today.

Although Yang Huiyu would lose a lot, at least she would no longer be able to get things done for her through Sima Zhao as before, she felt... it was all worth it.

Yang Huiyu thought to herself: I am already in the shape of Shi Langjun. What's the use of Sima Zhao saying all this nonsense now? I don't care.

……

A few days later, Sima Zhao sent someone to deliver an invitation to Yang Huiyu, saying that a victory celebration banquet was to be held at the General's Mansion, and that she and Yang Dan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, should attend the banquet together.

However, Yang Dan arrived, but Yang Huiyu did not, which greatly disappointed Sima Zhao.

Today, he had prepared everything and invited Yang Huiyu to the General's study for a drink. He would find a way to get Yang Dan away, thinking that when she was slightly tipsy, he could hold that beautiful and young sister-in-law in his arms and cherish her.

Sima Zhao was eager to win her over; if he could, it would put an end to his worries, and he could also take the opportunity to resolve Sima You's problem. However, in the end, it wasn't Yang Huiyu who arrived, but his principal wife, Wang Yuanji.

After Yang Dan left, Sima Zhao and Wang Yuanji had a big argument. Wang Yuanji stormed off, leaving Sima Zhao extremely depressed.

After nightfall, Sima Zhao returned home in a sullen mood, only to find his wife, Wang Yuanji, pruning the flowerbeds in the courtyard.

Sima Zhao chuckled and said, "The flower garden can be taken care of by the servants. What's the point of you running around here all night?"

"Hmph, I just think these flowers are a bit of an eyesore and want to fix them up."

Wang Yuanji spoke calmly, her words laced with sarcasm. With a snip, she cut a flower off with her scissors.

Sima Zhao chuckled dryly twice, then ran back to his study, looking rather guilty.

Although nothing happened today, and Sima Zhao didn't even see Yang Huiyu's people, his little schemes were clearly seen through by his wife, Wang Yuanji.

Of course, since nothing had actually happened, Wang Yuanji wasn't so angry anymore after their argument.

……

It was late at night, but the lights were still on in Shi Shouxin's house on the outskirts of Luoyang.

The servants were preparing papermaking materials in the yard, and the housekeeper, Aunt Wu, was supervising, instructing the servants on how to classify, sort, and pack the key materials.

Tomorrow, another pool of white paper will be opened.

Their paper mill operates on a "hunger marketing" strategy, producing only a limited amount each month, taking it or leaving it. Because this paper is pure white, it has always been in short supply.

In the study, Li Wan, who had just put her child to sleep, was organizing the manuscripts, notes, and other materials left behind by her husband, Shi Shouxin.

Suddenly, Aunt Wu led a young woman in. Li Wan looked closely and realized that it was Xu Ying, Yang Huiyu's personal maid!
"Madam Xu, why did you come at this time? My husband isn't here, you've made a wasted trip," Li Wan teased, clearly in a good mood.

Xu Ying walked over with a serious expression and whispered a few words in Li Wan's ear. After listening to her, Li Wan nodded and returned to her bedroom without saying a word.

A moment later, Yang Huiyu, wearing a black cloak and a wide hat to conceal her identity, tiptoed into the bedroom. She took off the cloak and hat, letting her hair fall over her shoulders, a faint smile on her face.

She wore no makeup and dressed simply, yet she still possessed a unique charm.

"Please sit down, Madam Yu."

Li Wan invited Yang Huiyu to sit down.

"Alas, I apologize for disturbing you tonight; it was truly unavoidable."

Yang Huiyu sat down and sighed softly.

"It's alright, you can stay here tonight, no one will bother you."

Li Wan nodded, not minding at all. Although they both felt a little strange towards each other, they could also sense that there was no malice between them.

Li Wan served Yang Huiyu a bowl of her homemade sweet rice wine, which Yang Huiyu ate without hesitation, finishing it in one go and then eating another half bowl before stopping.

"Tomorrow I will go to my parents' home in Yanzhou and will no longer stay in Luoyang, this place of trouble. I will probably live in Taishan County from now on."

Yang Huiyu shook her head helplessly, her smile bitter.

"Has something happened?"

Li Wan asked in confusion.

She also knew that, given her status as the "widow of Sima Shi," there were very few people in the entire city of Luoyang who could threaten her; you could count them on one hand.

"After the General was promoted to Duke of Jin, his great cause was accomplished, and he had nothing left to worry about. He has designs on me and I'm afraid he will make his move soon. I can't escape it, so I plan to go back to my parents' home to avoid trouble."

Yang Huiyu didn't hide anything from Li Wan and directly told her the reason why she was in such a hurry to leave.

Upon hearing this, Li Wan was shocked. How could a mere woman like her possibly know such a secret?

Li Wan looked Yang Huiyu up and down and thought that this widow of the Sima family was really stunningly beautiful!

Indeed, her charm remains undiminished; no wonder even that old scoundrel Sima Zhao had wicked ideas.

Li Wan muttered to herself.

"Sima Zhao used to be somewhat concerned about his reputation, but after I broke off relations with him a while ago, he became somewhat angry and embarrassed."

If the campaign against Shu had failed, that would have been fine, but now the news of the victory against Shu has reached Luoyang. Sima Zhao has been enfeoffed as the Duke of Jin, and with his great cause accomplished, he no longer intends to pretend.

They're all destined to become emperors, so naturally they don't care about anything. Throughout history, there's always been a lot of trouble in grand mansions.

Xu Ying's matter is but a drop in the ocean.

Yang Huiyu said in a heavy tone.

Li Wan did not deny this statement.

For those powerful and wealthy individuals, nothing matters; they only care about whether they can achieve something, not whether they want to.

Just like the incident that happened when Shi Shouxin went to the Lü family on official business, his newlywed sister-in-law Xu Ying was almost raped by her brother right under her husband's nose.

Such dilapidated things are commonplace in wealthy households.

“What Lady Yu says is absolutely right. As long as we go back to our parents’ home to avoid trouble, Sima Zhao has so many things to do. If he is too busy, he will probably lose interest.”

Li Wan agreed with Yang Huiyu's opinion.

The younger brother coveted his sister-in-law because she was "the possession of his domineering older brother."

Moreover, Yang Huiyu was a close friend and distant cousin of Wang Yuanji, Sima Zhao's wife, and also Sima You's stepmother.

For Sima Zhao, Yang Huiyu was covered in ambiguous labels related to romantic relationships. Just one of these labels could be the subject of a family drama; the sheer absurdity of the whole series of labels is almost unthinkable.

Sima Zhao was not young anymore, and often he would just play around when he felt like it, or satisfy some of his own delusions.

If Yang Huiyu lived in Luoyang, taking advantage of the great victory in the conquest of Shu, Sima Zhao sent someone to invite this beautiful sister-in-law to his study for a drink. Then, under the influence of alcohol, he took the opportunity to undress her and carry her to bed.

The possibility is very high.

However, it was absolutely impossible for him to actually send someone all the way to Taishan County in Yanzhou to bring Yang Huiyu to the General's Mansion for sexual abuse in front of the Yang clan.

To be honest, it's not worth it.

Of course, once Sima Zhao officially becomes emperor, he can do whatever he wants, and it's even possible that he will formally bring Yang Huiyu into the harem, but that's another story.

"I have something I want to tell you."

Yang Huiyu suddenly looked at Li Wan and said seriously.

“Your husband, Shi Shouxin, is an upright, public-spirited, and highly capable man. I admire him very much.”

Yang Huiyu's words nearly scared Li Wan half to death.

Looking at the honest and kind Li Wan in front of her, Yang Huiyu sighed inwardly: "Young Master Shi has really found a good wife. No wonder Sima Yan can't forget this woman."

Seemingly worried about being misunderstood, Yang Huiyu continued, "As a woman and the widow of Sima Shi, my situation is extremely difficult, both in my own family and in my husband's. Your husband is my right-hand man, or rather, someone I trust. You come from an official family; do you understand what I'm saying?"

I feel like I understand, but I also feel like I don't.

Li Wan nodded noncommittally.

"For example, if the Sima family wants me to remarry, how should I conduct myself? If the Yang family forces me to remarry, how should I deal with it? As a woman, it's inconvenient for me to show my face in public; I need someone useful by my side. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Yang Huiyu went on to explain.

Now Li Wan understood!
Just like when Yang Hu got Shi Shouxin out of prison, he was entrusted by Li Wan's father, Li Yin.

In other words, there are some things that Li Yin is not suited to do himself; he can ask someone else to do them.

If we ignore Yang Huiyu's feminine attributes and consider her as a political figure subordinate to the Sima family, then her previous remarks become much easier to understand.

"So that's why you recommended my husband to participate in the conquest of Shu to gain military merit, right?"

Li Wan finally came to her senses.

"exactly."

Yang Huiyu nodded and said that she didn't like talking to stupid people, but luckily the wife of Shi Shouxin opposite her was not an idiot.

"After your husband returns to Luoyang, I will arrange for him to be transferred to Yanzhou to avoid trouble. Of course, you will also go to Yanzhou with him, so that you and your husband will not be separated."

Yang Huiyu then revealed her ultimate plan. If it weren't for this matter, she wouldn't have needed to stay here tonight.

(End of this chapter)