It is said that Qin Shihuang was controlled by a daughter

Chapter 584 Carefree and Fearless (4000+ words)
Yuanman didn't stay for more than two days before Xu Zhi urged her to return to Xianyang.

Before she left, she handed her a token from the Meng family, instructing her: if the situation becomes critical, she can mobilize the guards of the Lishan Imperial Mausoleum to help her.

Xu Zhi was taken aback.

"Absolutely not, sister, you can't..."

Yuanman interrupted her younger sister and said with a smile, "If he weren't tied up, Meng Yi would want to come and see what you've been up to lately."

She remembered the time she went to his office to borrow clothes and mentioned the conjunction of Mars and Antares, and the way he frowned.

"What am I doing... Anyway, Meng Yi has never liked me. If he wants to go to the Emperor and complain that I'm behaving recklessly, let him go ahead and complain. Anyway, I'm at Mount Li, so the Emperor can't scold me."

Yuanman hesitated, then said, "Hehua, you..."

Before she could react, her younger sister grasped her hand and placed the talisman back in her palm. "Sister, take this back to Xianyang. Tell Meng Yi that, in my opinion, the most reassuring thing is that Xianyang is safe. Father trusts him, and he deserves that trust. As for me, having Meng Yi by Father's side is more important than anything else."

Xu Zhi didn't say anything more.

Because in that historical period, in Shaqiu, Ying Zheng was seriously ill, and if Meng Yi hadn't left to perform a sacrifice for the mountain god for the monarch, the forged edict might not have happened.

Yuanman glanced at her younger sister, little did she know that the next time they met, it would be a completely different scene.

-

Xu Zhi set off from the mountain path to the entrance to the underground palace, the place the craftsmen had mentioned.

The drizzling rain continued that day.

The sky was overcast and slightly chilly.

Xu Zhi dislikes rainy days.

Because the beautiful and the bloody things that happened on rainy days were always mixed together, she felt that rain was never a good omen.

For farmers, spring rain is as precious as oil.

The craftsmen have become accustomed to working extra hard on rainy days.

First, the quarry workers had to overcome the slippery path, climb up the large rocks, and hammer away at the gray-white cracks, one after another.

On the road transporting stone, besides people, there were also livestock. A donkey carried four baskets, a mule carried three baskets, and a person carried two loads. Stepping on the muddy road, there was really no difference between people and animals.

They all had hemp ropes tied to their backs, and their baskets were heavy. The ropes were secured to their waists as they walked down the mountain path. Rain fell on their faces, but they dared not stretch out even one hand to wipe it away, because the mountain wall beneath their feet was extremely steep.

No one dared to stop.

After all, they thought the rain wasn't too heavy; it wasn't a torrential summer downpour, nor a cold winter rain. Spring rain is supposed to be gentler.

However, in the spring, the court allowed some young and strong people to return home to sow seeds, while the rest had to work even harder.

Even if it's raining, things will continue as usual.

Xu Zhi watched as a man over forty years old fell heavily to the ground, and a guard lifted him up. Afterwards, ignoring the injury on his knee, the man continued to collect the basket of round stones in the rain.

For over a decade, or even for thirty, fifty, or even a century, no official transferred to Lishan has felt that anything was amiss with this scene.

They should even praise the laborer's diligence.

After all, most of the tomb construction projects in various dynasties were like this.

Looking at everything before her, Xu Zhi felt that the umbrella she had opened above her head was completely unnecessary.

Until this moment, she was trembling all over.

The legends of the era and the greatness of the heroes are indeed worthy of praise.

The Imperial Mausoleum at Mount Li. Xu Zhi was a participant in its excavation, and at this moment, she is also a witness to it.

However, whose greatness is it that such a massive project truly represents?

The person who fell in the mud has become the answer.

Xu Zhi summoned Chang Cong.

"You really think that if I don't come to see you, I don't need to know anything?"

“Your Highness,” Chang Cong said, bowing his head.

“In weather like this, we can stop work,” Xu Zhi said.

An official from Lishan said, “We thought you came here just to find Prefect Li as soon as possible… You don’t need to bother with such trivial matters.”

Xu Zhi should really hate herself for being influenced by political intrigue for so many years, yet able to see through the calculations of officialdom in an instant.

Rain dripped down the umbrella.

Xu Zhi saw the official from Lishan. This man had sung in concert with Zhao Gao at the Lishan Palace, which left a deep impression on her.

Her tone was flat, but her eyes betrayed her dissatisfaction.

"When I was still in Xianyang, the documents you sent always said that the equipment was good stuff, but unfortunately there was no time to implement it. Was it because it was impossible to implement, or what? Did you think that using these things would attract more people, or something else? Mount Li is not far from Xianyang. You can't do some speculative things under the emperor's nose, can you?"

The official from Lishan felt a chill run down his spine; Zhao Gao was right.

If they keep Yong'an here, how will they explain themselves, and how will they get the secrets they want from Li Xian?

So he said in a particularly flattering tone, “Your Highness…we know that His Majesty the Emperor sent you here because of the Lishan Palace…therefore, your arrival here has little to do with the actual speed of the imperial mausoleum's construction…in any case, we believe that the princess will return to Xianyang soon.”

He looked at Yong'an and gritted his teeth, saying, "I shouldn't say more, but after all these years, apart from the former Prime Minister Lü, no one has cared about this place as much as I have... The original time for the completion of the mausoleum was set by the late king, and we dare not change it."

Xu Zhi discerned a different meaning in his words.

Many of the obstacles encountered in the implementation of Moqi came from middle-level officials who dared not take action.

She put it another way.

"Don't you know that the decree I requested from my father was to shorten the construction period?"

"...This timing and arrangement are not entirely consistent with what Prefect Li originally instructed me to do..."

She smiled and said, "What's wrong with it? Li Xian's appointment as the supervisor of the Lishan project was also ordered by the Emperor. Disagreements are inevitable. However, if we find him sooner, wouldn't many things be discussed sooner?"

“If the supervisor has a secret mission, we dare not ask any further questions,” said the official from Lishan.

Her tone suddenly turned cold, "Are you afraid to ask, or do you simply not want to say?"

The officials did not expect that Yong'an was not as arrogant and domineering as he appeared, but rather very thoughtful and meticulous.

Officials at the Lishan Palace consistently relayed orders from Xianyang, and often also received secret orders from the Yunyou Palace.

This was something that all the officials in charge of the construction of Mount Li, including Chang Cong, were well aware of.

But Li Xian saved his life, and Chang Cong saw Ying Hehua there, which gave him a lot of confidence.

He seized the opportunity and said indirectly, "...Your Highness, Lord Wang's subordinates probably don't know that the map of the inner palace was kept by Lord Xu Fu himself. That's why there was no extra copy of this map...We have been searching for it secretly for many days without success, which is precisely because of this."

As Chang Cong spoke, he wiped the rain off his face and, before the official from Lishan could speak, nodded and said, "The rain is heavy right now, and I wholeheartedly agree with what Your Highness said. I will immediately issue the order to stop the work."

The official from Lishan glared at Chang Cong, but then smiled at Xu Zhi. "...I think there will be some progress on Lord Li's matter soon. Your Highness, please don't worry too much. I've heard that Your Highness loves hot springs. There is one in Lishan that is warm and comfortable even on rainy days."

Unfortunately, he stepped right into Xu Zhi's minefield.

Once, the hot springs were a warm memory in her dreams, a past she longed to return to, and a warmth she craved.

But now, this is the last thing she wants to remember.

Xu Zhi was amazed by her own brain's extraordinary and astonishing memory!

Many things happen in April. Years ago, in April, she would go to Zhongnan Mountain to pick lots and lots of crabapple blossoms, stuff them into her purse, and make them into sachets.

Because April is a person's birthday.

Seeing her silence, the official assumed he had struck a chord with her and continued, "That year, a high-ranking official named this place 'Huaqing Pool.' Lady Huayang thought the name was good and bestowed it upon her. Your Highness has been coming here repeatedly from the government office these past few days, enduring the hardships of travel. Why not take a rest?" She hated herself for remembering that today was the tenth of the fourth month.

Cold rain splashed and clung to her eyelashes.

She turned to the side, and Zhang Liang was also covered in rain. She felt that time had passed and everything was so illusory.

"The spring water is warm, and it's a good place to while away the time."

"Unfortunately, I cannot sleep or eat in peace until I find Li Xian. I cannot return to Xianyang until the imperial mausoleum is completed. If I could see this every day, how could I go to Huaqing Pool with a clear conscience?"

As she said this, her gaze fell on the laborers below.

The Qin soldiers, standing on high ground, finally shouted, telling the laborers to put down what they were carrying and rush back to their thatched huts to take shelter from the rain.

Her emotions were complex, a jumble of feelings piled up together.

She spent her last hundred gold coins on medicine for wounds and ginger soup.

The person behind her paused in their tracks.

Zhang Liang then realized that he had been too used to judging her from the perspective of her status as a Qin princess.

He recalled Ying Hehua's words at the Cloud Wandering Palace—"The Immortal Master's magic is extraordinary; he possesses the art of observing bones, able to see through the skin to the ugliness of the human heart. Has the Immortal Master ever seen through the soul beneath this body? Do you know what I desire?"
It turns out that the immortal master Xu Zhi met at the Cloud Palace was actually Zhang Liang.

After learning that his nephew Zhang Er had been killed by Ying Hehua, Zhang Cang had already decided to kill her even before Zhao Gao.

Zhang Cang was calculating the most crucial hexagram that day and had no time to spare.

He asked Zhang Liang to go to the palace to see Ying Zheng in his place.

Zhang Cang gave three reasons.

“I believe Mr. Zhang Liang has three reasons for going: First, you want to see Han Fei. Second, you want to know the emperor’s next move against the nobles of the six states. Third, once the secrets of the Lishan underground palace are revealed, the world will be in turmoil. I do not believe that you would sit idly by and watch Ying Hehua jump into the fire pit.”

This time, however, it wasn't him who chose to leave without a word.

A minor official brought Zhang Liang to Huaqing Pool and soon locked him in the palace.

"Her Highness said that Mr. Song is an honored guest. Since he is an honored guest, there is no need for Your Highness to go to great lengths. Your Highness should go find him yourself."

She was ultimately too soft-hearted, to the point that she couldn't bear to let him venture into dangerous territory.

-

Mountain path
Xu Zhi's car wheels got stuck in the mud. She knew from experience that if this happened, she would never get out of the car, but it didn't take as long as she expected.

With a click, the car suddenly glided forward smoothly.

A woman caught up with the carriage, wiped the black mud off her hands, and tightened the cloth bag on her shoulder.

"Your Highness, don't leave A-Yu behind."

Xu Zhi lifted the curtain and was slightly taken aback when she saw her travel-worn appearance.

"Didn't I tell you to decide where you want to go?"

The girl started talking again.

“Ah Xing has nowhere to go.”

Xu Zhi remained silent for a moment. Now, she no longer clung to the logic of years ago, and she did not want to be bound by these historical names.

"Now that we've left Xianyang, the world is so vast, how could we not have a place to stay?"

Those were bright and sparkling eyes.

Yu Xing'er said sincerely, "In my heart, Your Highness is the person I want to follow. Wherever you go, I will go. Your Highness, although I am not as skilled in martial arts as Lady Shen, I am very efficient..."

She noticed that Ying Hehua sometimes fiddled with a whistle, and volunteered, "My father is a musician, and I also know how to play the whistle. Perhaps I can help Your Highness solve your problems."

Chang Cong asked in surprise, "This girl knows how to make whistles?"

"What do you mean?" Xu Zhi asked.

"Your Highness may not know, but the underground palace is full of traps, one of which is the sound track, which was made by a retainer of Prime Minister Lü in the past. Only a direct disciple of the Mo family can see through it."

-

Deep in the underground palace
The gentle sound of flowing water wafted along one side, and under the illumination of the mermaid pearl, the water seemed to shimmer with silver light.

Zhao Gao smiled, finally satisfied to see Li Xian's expression tighten due to the pain.

"Isn't Lord Li supposed to be immune to pain? How come he can feel pain? That really surprises me."

On the altar, he was bound by iron chains, kneeling there with his wrists hanging up, his body covered in bloodstains, especially the whip marks along his waist that were unusually obvious.

At this moment, Li Xian finally understood that what he was fighting against was not the trajectory at all.

Rather, it is the pair of eyes above all else, which is called 'imperial power'.

No one can resist the allure of those two words.

"Zhao Gao, you colluded with Xu Fu...you want the Qin dynasty?"

"Want it? Hahaha," Zhao Gao laughed. "Have I, Zhao Gao, never had it before?"

Li Xian, with his last ounce of strength, raised his head and stared at him menacingly.

“Don’t look at me like that, Lord Li,” Zhao Gao smiled. “Look at this. Li Si suffered the five tortures and died, but I’ve been much more merciful to Lord Li than to your father.”

"When... exactly did you remember this?"

Zhao Gao finally heard him say those words. Li Xian must know something!

He knows his dream!
But he said: Remember?
In his dream, Zhao Gao was killed by a brat named Ziying, and he never found the elixir of immortality that Ying Zheng had sent Xu Fu to find.

Xu Fu said that if he helped him, he could return to Xianyang Palace.

If that's all he wanted, then he wouldn't be Zhao Gao!
Zhao Gao smiled eerily at Li Xian and said, "I think you want to be mute, Lord Li. Why don't I give you a hand and cut out your tongue? That way, you won't have to explain anything to the emperor."

Li Xian knew he was extremely anxious, so he deliberately spoke in an ambiguous manner.

Some people are much harsher on themselves than on others when they speak, especially someone like Li Xian.

If he is prepared to die, then he will ignore all suffering.

Whether it's the mind or the body.

Having gained nothing, one is not afraid of losing anything.

For him, this was what atonement meant.

"...I feel that's not enough. You should cut off my hands and feet, gouge out my eyes, so that I can neither die nor live. Only in this state of being neither alive nor dead can I be prevented from confessing anything to the Emperor..."

Li Xian had a smile on his lips, completely oblivious to how terrifying his words were.

Zhao Gao thought this was an extreme madman.

Li Xian easily provoked Zhao Gao, who then plunged a sharp knife heavily into Li Xian's shoulder.

"Is the place that can open the Hetu Luoshu the underground palace of Mount Li? Is the elixir of immortality concocted by Xu Fu real or fake?!"

Then the bloodstained knife was pressed against Li Xian's throat. "Lord Li, you've had a hard time putting up with me in Shu, haven't you? Li Xian, don't you want to get out of here alive?"

Li Xian chuckled in a deep voice, "Heh heh, Zhao Gao, I've never held my life in my own hands, so why should I care about it?"

Zhao Gao's veins throbbed, and he said viciously, "Since that's the case, then I can consider doing as Lord Li said and throwing you in front of Ying Hehua like this."

Mount Li boasts beautiful scenery and its hot springs are said to dispel evil and cure diseases. Legend has it that as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, three thousand years ago, it had already become a place of leisure for the Zhou emperors. At that time, the hot spring was called "Xingchen Tang" (Starry Sky Hot Spring). The "Sanqin Ji" (Records of the Three Qin) states: "At the beginning of the reign of Emperor Qin Shihuang, a stone building was constructed, named Lishan Tang (Mount Li Hot Spring), and Emperor Wu of Han further embellished it." In the fourth year of the Tianhe era of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou (569), he ordered Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu to build the Imperial Hot Spring Stone Well. In the third year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui (583), a thousand pine and cypress trees were planted, and houses and buildings were constructed. By the Tang Dynasty, it had gradually taken shape. In the eighteenth year of the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang (644), he ordered General Jiang Xingben of the Left Guard and Grand Craftsman Yan Lide to build palaces and pavilions, which were named "Tangquan Palace" (Hot Spring Palace).