The atmosphere inside the room suddenly became tense.

Mr. Songshan slowly said, "Does the Marquis not want to know what happened to Sima Yi afterward?"

Gu Jinghui looked at Mr. Songshan suspiciously.

Mr. Songshan met his gaze calmly.

Gu Jinghui pondered for a moment and finally responded, "Please enlighten me, Mr. Songshan. What happened to Sima Yi afterward?"

Instead of answering, Mr. Songshan asked a question in return.

"Does the Marquis know how many times Sima Yi feigned illness in his life?"

Gu Jinghui was startled and murmured, "...How, how many times?..."

So, this Sima Yi would pretend for no reason?

Mr. Songshan shook his fan gently and said unhurriedly, "He feigned illness twice. The first time was before the famous Battle of Guan Du. Sima Yi did not think highly of Cao Cao and pretended to be ill to decline Cao Cao’s appointment. Although Cao Cao knew he was feigning, he had to endure it because the situation among the lords was unclear."

"After the Battle of Guan Du, Cao Cao severely defeated Yuan Shao and again sent someone to invite Sima Yi to take office. He secretly instructed the envoy that if Sima Yi still feigned illness, he would have him killed. But this time, Sima Yi chose to serve in the court, becoming the most reliable advisor at Cao Cao’s side after Guo Jia’s death. He fought campaigns with Cao Cao and became the second Guo Jia, deeply favored by Cao Cao."

Gu Jinghui nodded thoughtfully.

Mr. Songshan paused to clear his throat. Gu Jinghui, listening attentively, was initially startled and then quickly called out, "Serve the tea."

Once the tea was served, Mr. Songshan slowly shook his folding fan, closing his eyes slightly, seeming to be in meditation.

Gu Jinghui dared not call out to him.

After a while, Mr. Songshan resumed, "The second time Sima Yi feigned illness was in the story I mentioned before. You, Marquis, left after hearing only a small part."

Gu Jinghui hastily said, "Please do not mind my dullness, Mr. Songshan. Do finish the rest of the story."

Mr. Songshan lifted his eyelids and said blandly, "Last time, we mentioned that Sima Yi earned the trust of three generations of the Cao family. He was appointed as a Guardian Minister by Cao Cao’s grandson, Emperor Wei Ming, to assist the young emperor..."

Mr. Songshan took a sip from his tea cup and continued, "He couldn’t rival another Guardian Minister, Cao Shuang, in court. So, he pretended to have a stroke, paralyzing his opponent. When Cao Shuang and the young emperor left the capital to pay respects at Gaoping Mausoleum, Sima Yi raised troops to seize control of Luoyang, accused Cao Shuang of treason, and forced the Empress Dowager to issue an edict stripping Cao Shuang of military power. He exterminated the nine clans of Cao Shuang’s father, mother, and wife, totaling 27 clans, imprisoned the descendants of the Cao family in Ye City, seized the power of the court, and finally, the Cao dynasty was replaced by the Sima Family."

Gu Jinghui gasped.

He had heard this story from the Grand Tutor during his time as a companion, but it had never been so shocking.

It was because he was no longer the young man focused solely on martial arts and diligently studying military strategy, hoping to become the support of his good friend, the Former Crown Prince. Hearing it now, he only felt danger at every turn.

Gu Jinghui instinctively reached toward his waist, only to find nothing.

Since doffing armor, he hadn’t hung a sword at his waist for quite some time.

Men indeed grow complacent over time.

After a pause, as Gu Jinghui slowly stabilized his emotions, Mr. Songshan resumed, "May I ask if the Marquis wishes to hear this story because of your wife?"

Marquis Gu asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

Once he said that, it was akin to admitting it.

Mr. Songshan said, "I’ve read some books and traveled far and wide. While my age has increased, not my talent, knowledge has. Early this year, on a visit to Daoist Shouyi at Zhongnan Mountain, I heard of Marquis Gu’s unparalleled achievement. I descended the mountain and entered the Capital City, resolved to meet you if fate allowed. Fortune favored me, and upon entering the Marquis Mansion, I immediately knew you to be straightforward, skilled in military strategy and martial arts, but not adept in scheming."

Marquis Gu pondered these words repeatedly and asked, "What made Mr. Songshan wish to meet me?"

Mr. Songshan replied, "You alone have altered the foundation of the Da Xing Dynasty. Meeting you grants me peace of mind."

These words were indeed thought-provoking.

Marquis Gu asked, "Does Mr. Songshan believe my wife to be skilled in the art of politics?"

Mr. Songshan answered, "Indeed, madam is exceptionally wise; otherwise, I wouldn’t desire to stay in the Marquis Mansion for a while."

Unable to discern his meaning, Marquis Gu straightforwardly asked, "I would be more than delighted for Mr. Songshan to stay longer at the Marquis Mansion, but I’m unclear about your intentions. What do you seek?"

Mr. Songshan replied, "Having learned scholarly and martial arts, it is only natural to offer my skills to the imperial family. Having read and learned, I wish to accomplish something of note."

Marquis Gu felt his answer rather noncommittal.

If he wants to serve the imperial family, why not go to the Various Prince Mansions rather than the Dingbei Marquis Mansion?

Mr. Songshan gently shook his fan, slightly swaying his head, before returning to the topic.

"Marquis, using history as a mirror, have you gained any insights?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I am but a martial artist, so my perspective may be somewhat crude. Sima Yi excelled at assessing the situation, remaining patient and discreet, and his decisiveness was formidable, striking with precision. He was a remarkable man of both intelligence and courage; I am not his equal."

Mr. Songshan chuckled lightly, saying, "Who would have thought the Marquis could be so cunning. You spoke many words but left the pertinent unsaid, which isn’t a bad thing. Yet, there’s something I don’t understand: with your wife’s exceptional talent and strategic mind, how do you position yourself daily?"

This straightforward jab left Marquis Gu awkwardly trying to smile, "My father-in-law is Lord Sacrificial Officer, and naturally, my wife is knowledgeable and talented. I’ve known this all along. If my wife weren’t intelligent and capable, how could I entrust the mansion’s affairs to her care? As they say, a husband and wife are one; if she does well, I am only pleased. Surely, I, a proper man, would not compete with my wife for superiority."

Mr. Songshan pressed further, "Do you believe it’s good or bad for a man to fear his wife?"

Gu Jinghui asked woodenly, "What is meant by ’fear of one’s wife’? Are you suggesting I fear my wife?"

Mr. Songshan laughed and said, "Does the Marquis not fear his wife?"

Gu Jinghui laughed heartily, "I am a man of seven feet tall; how could I fear my wife? She listens to me, considers my perspectives at every turn, understands my difficulties, and strategizes for me..."

Mr. Songshan had to endure a long discourse from Marquis Gu on the harmonious relationship between husband and wife.

Finally, as usual, Gu Jinghui ended with various displays of his young wife’s admiration for him.

Mr. Songshan sighed, "The more I listen, the more I find you and your wife to be a match made in heaven."

"Your insights are valued, Sir."

With just that, all of Marquis Gu’s displeasure dissipated.

Casually, Mr. Songshan remarked, "When young, I traveled with my teacher and once met an official in Yunnan. His wife was beautiful and talented in her youth, so he both loved and feared her. Over time, even under her scolding, he gained literacy, rising from a minor officer by accumulating military accomplishments and eventually overseeing a province’s affairs. He boasted of his wife’s talents to everyone and took pride in fearing her. If he knew of others who did not fear their wives, he found it incomprehensible and infuriating. Others thought him ridiculous."

Marquis Gu promptly said, "His wife must be like mine. Others find it laughable only because they lack the fortune to marry such a good wife."