The End of the Fu Empress's Family
Cao Cao stepped into the room prepared by Fu Wan's servants, shed his outer robe, and began preparing to change into fresh clothes.
It wasn't even particularly warm, yet I knew all too well that he had deliberately summoned me here under the pretense of conversation.
"It's a trick."
"!"
"Though I must admit, it's a remarkably well-crafted one."
Cao Cao had summed up Fu Wan's proposal in a single blunt phrase.
A trick.
Honestly, I could understand his position completely.
Just a few years earlier, after Cao Cao's forces had taken the Emperor under their protection and moved the capital to Xuchang, the imperial court had fallen virtually into their grasp. Yet even with Cao Song and Cao Cao present, those who had originally come from Chang'an maintained their own inner circles. Cao Cao had been forced to personally enforce discipline, crushing resistance one faction at a time.
The Hongnong Wang clan, centered around Minister of Works Yang Biao, had been the first target. Next came the family of Imperial Relative Dong Cheng. After that... it was to be Empress Fu's family. Fu Wan himself had known his turn would come.
So as a desperate measure for survival, he had offered to support Cao Cao's daughter Cao Jie as Empress instead of his own, while presenting his other daughter—the younger sister of the current Noble Consort—as a concubine to the Emperor.
"Zilie, it seems Duke Fu had his eyes on you from the very beginning."
"To be honest, I was quite taken aback myself."
"If he had offered her to Zixu, I naturally would have refused. If it had been for Zihuan, I might have felt slightly offended at giving a concubine's daughter to someone who must choose a proper principal wife. As for Zidan... I would have considered it, but I doubt Duke Fu would have been pleased."
In truth, Cao Zhen was as close to me as a blood son, but Cao Cao clearly preferred to keep his innermost circle as tight as possible.
Yes, I understood perfectly. But the situation right now...
"What do you think?"
"He says he's offering his daughter, but I've never even seen her face, so I cannot say."
"So you would consider it if you saw her face. After you returned from Hebei last time, all I heard was talk of the Zhen family of Zhongshan. I assumed they held priority in your heart."
So the rumors had spread... Well, of course they had. Zhou Ling and Zhang He were in Xuchang, and Guo Jia loved to joke about it over drinks. Naturally the story had reached Cao Cao's ears. Zhen Fu was still far too young, barely past childhood.
"Of course, our Zilie will probably claim them all anyway. As Zilian said, won't you need ten wives and concubines to fill your household?"
"Ah, that..."
"Speak honestly."
"This is my first time in such a situation, so I'm rather flustered. The marriage in Jiangdong was also political, but I had fallen for her as well... This, however, would mean entering the family of a central court elder as his son-in-law, would it not?"
"Mmm. Yes, this is truly a union between two great central clans."
I felt sorry for my father-in-law Qiao Gong back in Jiangdong, but the web of interests here was far more intricate than any marriage between a local magnate and a central power player.
"If she doesn't please you, I will overturn the entire matter. His scheming is simply too brazen."
"No, Uncle. Did Grandfather not already hint at this arrangement beforehand?"
"Hmm. Now that I think about it, Father did mention that Duke Fu had invited us. So that old fox went to the Grand Tutor first and set the entire stage?"
He must have spoken to Cao Song first and subtly informed his prospective in-law. That explained why Cao Song—who normally never discussed state affairs—had personally accepted Fu Wan's invitation.
"In any case, go see the prospective bride and make your decision. If you resolve to take her, I will handle everything else."
"Understood, Uncle."
After changing clothes and finishing our conversation, we stepped back outside.
"Duke Fu has provided quite excellent garments. They're very refreshing."
Cao Cao emerged with a hearty laugh, but a group was already waiting for us.
"Have you finished? I shall escort you back to the main hall."
"...Ah!"
A woman stood before us, accompanied by her maids.
I recognized her at once.
The woman before me was the daughter of the side consort Fu Wan had mentioned—the younger sister of Empress Fu.
Seeing her in person, I noticed she bore a subtle resemblance to her sister, yet possessed a completely different charm.
Though called the younger sister, she was taller than Noble Consort Fu Shou, with a graceful, well-proportioned figure that seemed to flow elegantly.
She wore a soft white silk dress and smiled with a faint blush.
"Um..."
"I greet you. I am Fu En, daughter of the late Empress Fu's family. I shall guide you."
Her smile carried a noble grace, complemented by gently curling hair, jeweled earrings on delicate earlobes, and striking eyes.
Her well-drawn eyebrows framed crescent eyes that drooped slightly at the corners. Her double eyelids were pronounced, her lashes distinct, and her pupils seemed filled with quiet melancholy.
Merely meeting her gaze made one want to stare. When she turned her head even slightly, the way her high-quality silk dress from the finest workshops clung to her revealed an impressively full "family purse" befitting such a prestigious clan.
She reminded me strongly of someone.
She looked remarkably like a certain Madam Chu I had met while desperately running to avoid "gaining too much weight" back in Wancheng—only this was a young lady roughly twenty years her junior.
"Oh... so this is Duke Fu's daughter?"
"I greet the Chancellor as well."
"Oho..."
Even Cao Cao's reaction served as confirmation. If I hadn't been present from the start and he had simply happened to see her in passing, he might have made discreet inquiries and uttered that dangerous line: "Your daughter is truly exquisite."
As she smiled and took the lead, Cao Cao clapped me on the back.
"I take it you've made your decision."
"...I still need to ask So-hee's permission when I return home."
"Wasn't that always going to be possible anyway?"
When Fu En guided us back inside, Fu Wan's wife was already waiting.
"I greet the Chancellor and the Central General. This humble one is named Fan."
Fan Ying, Fu Wan's wife.
She was one of the rare women of this era whose name had been recorded in history. Given that Cao Cao had once said in the original timeline, "Empress Fu rose from humble origins to the most exalted position," she was likely a concubine rather than his principal wife. Yet she had come because her daughter's political marriage was at stake.
Though no longer young, one could tell she must have been as beautiful as her daughters in her prime.
As Fu Wan and his wife offered their greetings once more, Cao Cao burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha, this is truly... Hahahahaha!"
"Chancellor?"
"I have something to say to Duke Fu."
"Speak. I am prepared to hear it all."
"On the way here, I noticed that you have many sons. Your eldest, Fu De, performed a great service by helping the Emperor escape Chang'an, yet he remains merely a Secretariat Gentleman."
"That boy still lacks experience and is not yet ready for important state affairs."
"Indeed. Therefore, he should gain more experience. I hear that Zong Yuanxiang, the Inspector of Yong Province, needs capable talent. I would like to recommend him for a position there."
"!?"
Fu Wan had mentioned his eldest son out of modesty, but Cao Cao had essentially declared, "Yes, your son is inadequate, so I'll send him to the provinces to gain experience."
"To learn local administration, starting as a Commandant would be best. After Zilie here repelled thirty thousand Xiongnu troops and defeated the Left Wise King—the heir of their Chanyu—Yong Province no longer needs to worry about foreign invaders but requires internal stabilization. What do you think?"
"My unworthy son... will learn much from Inspector Zong."
"Ah, and I see your second and third sons are tall and spirited, clearly inheriting their father's vigor. Perhaps they should gain experience in their ancestral lands. I understand your original home was in Xuzhou, Duke Fu?"
"That is correct. We hail from Langya in Xuzhou."
"Then appointing your second son as County Commandant of Langya and having the third assist him would be an excellent way to properly introduce them to state service. What say you?"
A County Commandant was essentially a local security chief or military police commander serving under the County Magistrate. Moreover, that was territory Cao Cao had completely pacified after fully conquering Xuzhou.
"Your words seem entirely appropriate, Chancellor."
With this, all three of Fu Wan's sons were reassigned to provincial posts, removing them from the central court.
"Also, this person achieved a great victory at Guandu. While many contributed, the achievements of my sons—including this boy Zilie—were particularly outstanding. Zilie personally executed four of Yuan Shao's generals yet has not received proper reward."
"I shall submit a memorial to His Majesty. What position would you recommend?"
"I wish to grant both boys the rank of Marquis, but it would be inappropriate for me to submit the memorial myself."
"...I shall write the memorial personally."
"Furthermore, once the rebellion in Runan is suppressed, that Liu Bei fellow held the titles of Left General and Inspector of Yuzhou. Since he has fled, a new Inspector of Yuzhou will be needed. Does Duke Fu happen to have connections in Yingchuan or Runan in Yuzhou?"
"...Though this one is advanced in years, if His Majesty commands it, I am prepared to go anywhere."
Impressive. Cao Cao was formidable, but Fu Wan—who had accepted every condition—was equally so.
In the end, he was willing to accept all of this just to preserve his clan.
Understanding his sincerity, Cao Cao approached Fu Wan, took his hand, and spoke.
"I welcome our new familial bond. Though I may be lacking, I will at least ensure the Fu clan remains safely within my protection."
"You accept? Then we are truly grateful."
"Chancellor, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And..."
Fu Wan's wife, Fan Ying, approached me and bowed deeply.
"Please take good care of my unworthy daughter."
"Ah, please, there is no need to speak so humbly."
Thus, Cao Cao reassigned Fu Wan's sons to provincial positions, while Fu Wan himself would be transferred to the post of Inspector of Yuzhou in Yingchuan or Runan—somewhat removed from Xuchang. It was a situation in which the central faction was being scattered to the winds. Yet, just as Cao Cao had promised, no one was killed. They received relatively quiet positions, but their clan was preserved intact and recognized as in-laws.
We accept the memorial from Duke Fu and hereby bestow the title of Marquis of Pei County upon Cao Ang, Administrator of Fuyang and General of the Flying Cavalry, who rendered great service at Guandu. To Central General Cao Xiu, We grant the title of Marquis of the Inner Domain.
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude for Your Majesty's boundless grace!"
"The Administrator of Fuyang shall receive this command directly. As for the Central General present here, We shall personally conduct the investiture ceremony."
The Emperor's face looked haggard as he spoke. The memorial had been submitted not by Cao Cao but by Imperial Relative Fu Wan. With his limbs already severed and his spirit half-departed, seeing yet more titles bestowed upon the Cao clan must have been especially painful.
Thus, I now held the rank of Marquis.
Above that were only Duke and King. Those would be matters for the future.
Afterward, Fu Wan's sons were successively appointed to provincial offices. Before long, Cao Cao would personally recommend someone for the vacant Inspector of Yuzhou position.
When I returned home with my new title and we celebrated, that particular topic naturally arose.
Everyone accepted it in silence and immediately began preparing for the night.
"Wait, must we really go this far...?"
"Does my husband not understand better than anyone how important the first night with a new bride is?"
"Even so, do I really need to have powder applied to my face?"
Cai Yan had prepared new clothes for me, while Yuan Jing—after putting the babies to sleep—brought out her cosmetics and began applying them to my face.
She had mixed dried bean flour with various medicinal herbs, but why did they keep layering it on my face...
"The youngest is escaping~ The youngest is escaping~"
Xiaoqiao, who had already given birth to twins and thus found things much easier, along with Lu Ming and Daqiao—who were pregnant and therefore declared "We're already out of the running"—maintained an extremely cool attitude.
"The Fu clan is an exceptionally prestigious family. Since the time of Minister Fu Tan, they have held the title of Marquis for eight generations. They are deeply connected to the imperial family, having even married a princess who was the sister of Emperor Ling."
He had married Emperor Ling's sister and fathered several grown sons, but after her passing, only his concubine Lady Fan remained. Now one of her two daughters had gone to the Emperor, while the other was coming to me.
"In any case, my sisters and I must continue our postpartum recovery for another two months, which has left my husband quite anxious."
"Still, you must visit us again once our recovery is complete."
"Husband, I'm ready for a third child anytime~"
Cai Yan, Yuan Jing, and Xiaoqiao dressed me up beautifully and even prepared gifts to take to my new in-laws.
Though I was taking a concubine, the reality was that I would be entering the Fu household to consummate the marriage with their daughter. The gifts were therefore a matter of proper etiquette.
Thus, late that night, fully attired, I headed for Fu Wan's residence.
The servants were already waiting outside and respectfully escorted me in. Inside, the faint scent of incense filled the air as they guided me to the prepared bridal chamber.
And there she was.