夏侯玄
In 249, taking advantage of Cao Shuang's absence from the imperial capital Luoyang, Sima Yi staged a "coup d'état" against his fellow co-regent and seized power. He later had Cao Shuang arrested and executed along with his family members and supporters. After that, he recalled Xiahou Xuan to Luoyang and appointed him as the Minister Herald (). A few years later, Xiahou Xuan was reassigned to be the Minister of Ceremonies (). One day, Xiahou Ba, one of his relatives, suggested that he defect to Wei's rival state Shu Han because the Sima family was gradually usurping power from the Wei imperial clan. Xiahou Xuan refused while Xiahou Ba defected to Shu.