19 INVESTIGATE SECRETS

"You returned Cao Song," Concubine Feng smiled at her husband returning to her manor. He had been gone for couple of days and she had waited patiently for him. "Yes," he said sitting down. "Bring the tea and fruits," Concubine Feng ordered the consorts. They brought the tea and fruits. Cao Song drank the tea, "I missed your tea," he said. "I heard Lady Yan send her regards," Concubine Feng said, "if I knew you were going to stay longer there, I would have packed you some tea." "Yes, Cao De was generous to stop by this morning," Cao Song said. "Cao De stopped by because he is interested in Consort Bian," Concubine Feng said. "Watch what you say," Cao Song said angrily. "I know," Concubine Feng sighs already hearing the news from her son in the afternoon, "you are too fast to wed her to General Cao Cao." "It is not fast at all," Cao Song said. "What do you mean?" Concubine Feng's sweet voice asked. "Consort Bian is already carrying a child of Cao," Cao Song said. Concubine Feng shocked about the news that her son didn't know but remained her character. "I shall not mention of this anymore," Concubine Feng said lecturing herself. "Yes, anyways Cao De already have enough concubines for the moment," Cao Song said. Concubine Feng chuckled, "like father, like son." Cao Song looked at his concubine, the only woman that can make him smile after a long day, "he may be like me inside but he looks like you on the outside," he said. "That is why, all the ladies fall for him easily," Concubine Feng said shaking her head.

"Prepare your best outfit, we will attend Meng De's wedding together," Cao Song said. "What about the other sisters?" Concubine Feng said asking about his other concubines. "It is a small wedding, I do not have to invite everyone," Cao Song said. "Yes," Concubine Feng smiled grabbing the fruit and feeding it to her husband. "I want to spend as much time I can with you in the next couple of days, I will have to return to the palace for a long time after the wedding," Cao Song said looking at his beautiful concubine. "Yes," Concubine Feng said, "we can go to flower field town, I heard the sunflowers are now blooming." Cao Song nodded in agreeing.

"Prime Minister Cao Song," a servant walked in. "Yes?" Cao Song said. "Soldier Hua is here," the servant said. "Bring him in," Cao Song said. Concubine Feng looked at her husband and waved for everyone in the room to leave, "I will be waiting for you in the bed room," she said leaving to her room. "Prime Minister Cao Song," Soldier Hua greeted him. "Sit," Cao Song said. "I came to bring you information," Soldier Hua said, "we are not only looking for the foretelling master, Yuan Shao is also looking for him." Cao Song nodded, "if he cannot be found, he must have gone hiding knowing many people are looking for him." "Yes, nothing has come up," Soldier Hua said. "Then he may be just a rumor, a figure people are making up," Cao Song guessed. "I doubt it, I heard that he had also stop by General Cao Cao's manor months ago," Soldier Hua said. Cao Song stood up in shock, "Meng De's manor?" he whispered. "Is something wrong?" Soldier Hua asked. Cao Song shook his head and sat down. He thought about what Meng De had said about the foretelling master as if Meng De haven't met him. "Is it true?" Cao Song asked. "It is true, people said that Mother Yan had sought out the foretelling master after the misfortune of Lady Ding. Some claims they witness the foretelling master entering and leaving the manor in a quick manner," Soldier Hua explains. Cao Song was confused about why everyone in Meng De's manor would hide about it. "Then," Cao Song said, "I need you to quietly investigate what happened when the foretelling master visited General Cao Cao's manor." "Yes," Soldier Hua said.

"Who's here?" General Cao De asked his mother. "It is just a soldier reporting work to your father," Concubine Feng said "A soldier reporting work?" General Cao De confused, "why would a soldier report work to father, a minister, and not to a general?" he asked. "Did I say soldier?" Concubine Feng tried to play it off in protecting her husband's private work from his sons, "I mean another minister." General Cao De nodded and excused himself to go to his manor but stopped, "but why would a minister report work this late?" he asked his mother. Concubine Feng smiled at her son, "it may be related to your work in the next couple of days." "Yes," General Cao De nodded and left not completely believing his mother.

"I will return now," Soldier Hua said. Cao Song greeted him goodbye. Soldier Hua walked across the forest court yard to avoid being seen in leaving. "You are a soldier, not a minister," General Cao De came out of the shadows. The soldier stayed quiet. "What is a soldier doing here so late reporting work to a minister?" General Cao De said walking around him. "Prime Minister Cao Song wanted to know about the progress in our army," Soldier Hua lied. "Whose army are you from? I have not seen you before," General Cao De said trying to make out of the soldier in front of him. "I am in General Cao Cao's army," Soldier Hua lied. General Cao De looked at the man in front of him. "Truthfully, I do not care whose army are you in, just tell me what you reported to father," General Cao De said. "I only reported Yuan Shao's movements," Soldier Hua lied. "Then what is it?" General Cao De asked. "Yuan Shao is constantly on the move, we do not know his exact plan with the rebels he allied with," Soldier Hua said. "Then what did father say?" General Cao De asked. "Prime Minister Cao Song had a suggestion if we sent in some spies," Soldier Hua said. General Cao De nodded his head, "that is a good idea." He looked at the soldier standing there, "I will see you again, you can leave now," General Cao De told him. Soldier Hua quickly left in case General Cao De asked for more questions. Soldier Hua had only told him part of the conversation and cannot tell the other secrets, he was afraid General Cao De may dig it out of him.