Summary of the previous chapter: Huang Jingming left three notes for Ma Xiaoquan. The first is to protect Hua Yuexin, the second is not to give the solar recorder to anyone, and the third is to suggest that if you physically travel again, go
Late Ming Dynasty...
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Ma Xiaoquan showed up.
The ladies accompanied Ma Xiaoquan, their faces glowing red. Anyone with a discerning eye would know that a woman can become like this only if she is nourished by a man.
Looking at the smiling ladies around him, Ma Xiaoquan secretly complained in his heart. From the night of New Year's Eve to now, Ma Xiaoquan has been "fighting" with the ladies almost desperately. In the past, Ma Xiaoquan was envious of Wei Xiaobao in "The Deer and the Cauldron".
He has seven wives, and sleeping with his wife in his arms seven days a week is not the same thing. But after having so many wives, Ma Xiaoquan understood a truth... No matter how strong a man you are, you can't sleep at night.
Shengge is no match for a woman who is as strong as a tiger at thirty or as strong as a wolf at forty.
"Master Shangxian...hehe...Have a happy New Year." Several noble family heads came over and bowed their hands to Ma Xiaoquan to wish him a happy New Year.
Ma Xiaoquan also responded with a smile.
"Master Shangxian, why didn't I see you on the first day of the new year? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ma Xiaoquan wanted to nod, but when he glanced out of the corner of his eye, he found that the ladies were glaring at him and said insincerely: "Oh, hehe, I'm not feeling sick, but I've been refining an elixir recently, so I've been delayed for a while."
"Elixir?" The heads of the noble family were immediately interested, "Is it a medicine that prolongs life or makes you immortal?"
Ma Xiaoquan raised his eyebrows: "Of course it will prolong life, but this time I plan to improve the formula... but it is quite difficult, so after the New Year, I may have to retreat..."
"Lord Immortal..." The heads of several noble clans looked at each other, "After the refining is successful, can you..."
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled: "Oh, I can't guarantee the time, and I don't necessarily know how many pills will be released. You can discuss it yourself. It's best that as few people know about this as possible."
Several family heads nodded and gathered together to discuss.
Xiu'er came close to Ma Xiaoquan, curled her lips and whispered, "My husband knows how to lie."
Ma Xiaoquan hugged Xiu'er and said with a smile: "Each of you can take what you need. Haha, by the way, Xiu'er, I will go to Prince Wei's Mansion on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."
Xiuer's body trembled: "Are you going to see Cao Cao?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded.
Xiu'er was a little reluctant because she knew that her husband would probably leave immediately after seeing Cao Cao.
"Can't it be postponed for a few more days?"
Ma Xiaoquan sighed and shook his head gently: "It won't be postponed, Xiu'er is obedient..."
Xiu'er gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, forced out a smile, and hummed.
...
On the fifteenth day of the first month of the twenty-fifth year of Emperor Xian's reign of the Han Dynasty (AD 220), Ma Xiaoquan led six ladies to the Palace of the Prince of Wei.
At this time, Cao Cao was already terminally ill, and the imperial doctors secretly rumored that King Wei would not survive this month, and the crown prince, Cao Pi, had already made preparations to succeed to the throne. As soon as his father died, he would immediately ascend the throne.
Ma Xiaoquan's procession on his way to Prince Wei's Mansion was very busy, with gongs, drums and cannons being played along the way.
After the honor guard, there were ten boxes of New Year gifts specially prepared for Cao Cao by Ma Xiaoquan.
Arriving in front of Prince Wei's Mansion, Ma Xiaoquan and the four sons of the Ma family jumped off their mounts.
The Prince of Wei's Mansion seemed to have already received the news of Ma Xiaoquan's arrival. As soon as the five Ma family father and son got off their horses, the servants of the Prince of Wei's Mansion came forward respectfully.
"Happy New Year to Master Shangxian, happy New Year to Master Ma Xiao, happy New Year to Ma Kun, and happy New Year to Ma Zheng and Ma Qiang." The servants of Prince Wei's Palace greeted him politely.
Ma Xiaoquan nodded: "Well, it seems that Xiao Cao knows that I am coming, so please lead the way."
"yes!"
The servants of Prince Wei's Palace led the Ma family father and son to the main hall of the Palace together.
In the main hall, Mrs. Bian, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi were waiting for the Ma family and his son with smiles on their faces. Fragrant tea and snacks had already been placed on the table.
Seeing the Ma family father and son entering the main hall, Mrs. Bian led her three sons to greet them.
"Master Shangxian, how about a happy New Year?" Mrs. Bian imitated a man and cupped her hands at Ma Xiaoquan.
Ma Xiaoquan laughed and joked: "Mrs. Bian is so elegant. Happy New Year. Happy New Year."
Ma Xiaoquan asked: "Xiao Cao didn't get up, right? Let me go and see him."
Mrs. Bian nodded: "Master Shangxian, my husband only lets you go alone!"
Ma Xiaoquan said humbly: "I know, Xiao Cao and I made an agreement!"
Cao Pi interrupted: "Master Shangxian, what did you agree with my father?"
Ma Xiaoquan said nothing and turned to glare at Cao Pi. Cao Pi shrank his neck in fear and did not dare to say a word.
A few days ago, the Flame Girl came to the Prince's Mansion every day to bother Cao Pi, which kept Cao Pi awake at night and made him feel very unhappy. During this period, someone gave Cao Pi a bad idea and said that he would send troops to seize the Ma family compound. Unexpectedly, the Flame Girl came to Cao Pi the next day.
Just burn the guy who came up with the bad idea to ashes.
Cao Pi knew very well that everything he could have now was more or less with the help of the Supreme Immortal. The Supreme Immortal sent a flame girl just as a warning. If he continued to be restless, he might even lose his life.
, seeing that my father is dying, if he dies at this time, his younger brother Cao Zhi will definitely become the crown prince. Wouldn't that be an injustice?
After thinking about it, Cao Pi decided to compromise with the Ma family and not continue to take advantage of the Ma family.
When Cao Zhi saw his brother deflated in front of Master Shangxian, he felt a burst of joy in his heart.
Cao Zhi said: "Master Shangxian, go quickly, my father is waiting for you."
Ma Xiaoquan didn't give Cao Zhi any good looks, and Cao Zhi was so frightened that he also shrank.
When Cao Pi saw this, he was secretly happy. From this point of view, Master Shangxian seemed to show no favoritism to anyone. Well, this is good, this is good.
...
Ma Xiaoquan gave a few instructions and followed Mrs. Bian to Cao Cao's bedroom.
The bedroom door was ajar, and Ma Xiaoquan knocked gently twice before pushing it open and entering.
Beside the bed, Cao Cao's daughter, the wife of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty and the current queen, was serving her father with all her heart. Seeing Master Shangxian coming, she quickly stood up and saluted Ma Xiaoquan.
"Your Majesty, you don't have to be polite," Ma Xiaoquan said politely, "How is Xiao Cao?"
"My father is in poor health, I'm afraid..."
Ma Xiaoquan stretched out his hand to stop him and said: "Okay, I understand, please step aside, I have something to say to Xiao Cao."
"This..." Cao Cao's daughter seemed a little reluctant.
"Ning Ning, the nickname of Cao Cao's daughter..." Cao Cao, who was lying on the bed, suddenly said, "Ning Ning... you go out..."
"father......"
"Dad, it's okay. Go out and call Bian'er, as Cao Cao calls Mrs. Bian's pet name, in."
"yes!"
...
After a while, Mrs. Bian walked into the bedroom with red eyes.
Cao Cao breathed out and asked Mrs. Bian to help him sit up.
"Lord Immortal, do you mind your wife's presence?"
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head.
"Well, thank you very much, Master Shangxian, haha..."
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled and said: "Xiao Cao, today is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is the last day of the New Year. I wish you a happy New Year. Haha, have a good New Year." Ma Xiaoquan raised his hand.
Cao Cao smiled slightly, and with the help of Mrs. Bian, returned the gift to Ma Xiaoquan.
Ma Xiaoquan brought over a small stool and sat down in front of Cao Cao.
Cao Cao glanced at Ma Xiaoquan and said, "Master Shangxian, I have always had some questions to ask you..."
Ma Xiaoquan said humbly: "I know, we have already made an agreement on this."
Cao Cao chuckled: "I still remember our agreement...I leave and you leave, right?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded.
"Ahem..." Cao Cao suddenly coughed violently.
Mrs. Bian was frightened and quickly patted her husband's back and chest gently to help him calm down.
Cao Cao raised his head, suddenly shook off Madam Bian's hand with great force, and said loudly: "Madam, I'm fine!"
Mrs. Bian was stunned for a moment, looked up at her husband's face, and couldn't help being startled.
His sickly face, which was pale just now, suddenly turned rosy after coughing a few times.
Ma Xiaoquan was also stunned and felt bad. This was a flashback to his past, and Cao Cao might really be dead soon.
Mrs. Bian also saw the clues and couldn't help it, so she started crying.
"Woman, what's there to cry about? Get out of here!"
Mrs. Bian covered her face and rushed out of the door.
Cao Cao's daughter was startled when she saw Mrs. Bian suddenly running out of the bedroom, covering her face and crying. Just as she was about to enter the bedroom, she heard Cao Cao's voice coming from the bedroom: "I'm fine, everyone, listen.
Except for Mrs. Bian, no one else is allowed to enter the room, and anyone who disobeys the order will be killed without mercy!"
Cao Cao spoke very loudly, and everyone who was close enough heard it.
"Haha..." After giving the order, Cao Cao laughed with satisfaction.
Ma Xiaoquan lamented in his heart, he understood... With Cao Cao's intelligence, he must have thought of his own return.
"Lord Shangxian..." Cao Cao asked, "Sir Shangxian, my time is running out, right?"
Ma Xiaoquan nodded, acquiescing.
Cao Cao chuckled: "Do you still remember the first time we met? Lord Shangxian?"
Ma Xiaoquan laughed, and magically took out a bottle of wine and two cups from his arms.
Ma Xiaoquan placed the wine glass on the flat wood next to the bed, filled it with water and wine, and said slowly: "Of course I remember, Xiao Cao, you didn't believe me and stabbed me with your sword, right?"