Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 1212. Orchid Pool Palace
The carriage moved forward steadily all the way, but when it entered the Xianyang Palace, there were long steps and paths, so the speed slowed down.

Nearly half an hour later, the soldiers around them paused, and then the driver said in a deep voice, "Lord Qin, we have arrived at Lanchi Palace."

Wu Zi, who was finally able to speak, quickly said, "This is in the outer hall of Lanchi Palace. Would you like to step in and enjoy the view, Lord Qin?"

Late in the evening, stepping in to enjoy the view?
Qin Shi opened the car door: "Just enjoy the scenery..."

She paused and said, "Not bad."

She got out of the car, and in front of her was a vast expanse of water, reflecting the bright stars above her head, with no end in sight.

The hot wind carrying moisture blew by, making people feel dazed for a moment, wondering whether they were in the Milky Way or still in the human world.

And around the vast water, there are bright lights, reflecting the long and wide stone path under your feet, at the end of which is an equally magnificent palace.

The waist of the corridor is unobtrusive, and the eaves and teeth are high.

Behind the palace, there is a vaguely visible rock carved into the shape of a giant whale.

Qin Shi stared at him for a long time, silent.

Until Chi Nu whispered, "Mr. Qin?"

She finally came to her senses and looked towards the palace in the distance: "Is that the Lanchi Palace?"

Chi Nu lowered her head and said, "My Lord, where you stand is Lanchi Palace. Lanchi was originally a large and small water source, with lakes as dense as stars. It was the king who ordered the diversion of the Wei River to create Lanchi, and then built the palace in the center."

"This area is two hundred miles from east to west and twenty miles from north to south, all of which are orchid ponds."

"The island ahead is called Penglai Mountain, and the giant whale is two hundred feet long. The king loves to visit immortals here."

After she finished speaking, she did not forget to repeat: "The king really trusts the king of Qin!"

At this time, one li is about 415.8 meters, and one zhang is about 2.31 meters. In other words, the length of the giant whale alone is 462 meters.

Qin Shi calculated silently again: I understand, it means to transform the Poyang Lake, which covers hundreds of square kilometers during the low water period, into a royal private water palace.

This is a big king.

She finally let out a long breath, and then smiled into the night breeze: "Then... let's go shopping."

After several days of carriage riding, it was time to stretch her muscles. After tonight, she would rediscover this new yet familiar Daqin.

……

And on the other side.

When the king returned to the palace, everyone in Xianyang Palace took action.

The Fang Palace next to it was where the King of Qin lived and ate. The eunuchs and servants walked quickly, but they became silent in an instant when the King of Qin arrived.

Zhou Ju, the Imperial Chariot Officer and a trusted confidant of His Majesty, was accompanying the King and immediately ordered, "Prepare water and bathe the King."

There was a hot spring pool in the palace. Ji Heng was taken off his heavy crown and socks by the servants, and then went straight into the water.

He was a sturdy man with a stern expression and an awe-inspiring dignity. Only after he entered the water did a palace maid cautiously approach him, remove his hair crown, and quietly wash and comb his hair.

Zhou Ju also retreated quietly - the king was bathing, so he had to hurry up.

But unlike the king, he had just been hurriedly helped into the tub, and before he could relax his tense skin, he heard a eunuch outside reply: "Officer, Madam Zheng of Ganquan Palace sent someone to ask if the king, tired from all the travels, needs any assistance?"

"There is also Madam Chu from the side hall of Xianyang Palace, please enjoy her dance, Your Majesty."

Zhou Ju's brows and eyes were stern, unlike his usual submissive demeanor in front of the king. His words were even more forceful: "Send him back and give him ten strokes of the cane."

What a bunch of idiots!
Although the news of the king's serious illness had not yet been reported back to Xianyang City, he had been traveling all the way and was exhausted. Who would have the patience to watch any dance or be served?
Furthermore, the king has already issued an order that the concubines can make their own arrangements without being summoned! All entertainment and feasting are up to them, no need to ask!
State affairs are very heavy at the moment. Given the king's personality, I'm afraid he will have to work by candlelight tonight. How could he have the time to think about these trivial matters?

These two ladies relied on their sons and repeatedly broke the rules after entering the palace for many years. Aren’t they relying on the fact that if the king is not around, the princes can govern the country?
joke!

If the king were gone, people like them would surely be buried with him, so who would care about the wife and the prince? However, before the king's western tour, he ordered the nine ministers to rewrite the title of the Son of Heaven. Now...

He thought of this and even though he was tired, he didn't want to soak any longer. Instead, he asked the eunuch to scrub him quickly and asked, "Are the candles in Zhangtai Palace lit steadily?"

"Don't worry, Your Excellency. The candles in Zhangtai Palace will be kept burning all night long. I have ordered people to prepare ice cubes. The heat will dissipate immediately."

"The King and the Prime Minister are on tour together, and there is a lot of official business to do. I have ordered the clerks in the Zhangtai Palace to be on standby."

"promise."

"Tell everyone to serve the nobles of Lanchi Palace attentively. If there is anything they need, I will do it. If there is anything difficult, please come to me."

"promise."

The eunuch replied politely, and asked, "I wonder if this noble lady wants to enter the Xianyang Palace or the Ganquan Palace?"

As is His Majesty's custom, the ladies of the harem whom He did not wish to see were mostly housed in the side halls of Ganquan Palace—the Empress Dowager's residence when she was still alive. It was quite far from Zhangtai Palace, and His Majesty did not like to be delayed on the road.

The side hall of Xianyang Palace is on the same floor as Zhangtai Palace. The king would occasionally sit there when he was upset or had some free time.

However, their king's heart and eyes are full of great achievements, and he rarely lingers in the harem.

It is really rare to bring back a noble lady on the western tour. It is no wonder that everyone asked about it privately after the messenger came to the palace to give these instructions early in the morning.

If not, why are the two ladies so anxious?

This is really rare.

...

Is it Ganquan Palace or Xianyang Palace?
Zhou Ju opened his eyes and chuckled: "Shut your mouths, and be more respectful—"

Based on his understanding of Qin Qing, he was afraid she had no interest in the king's harem. Considering the fragments of information sent by Chi Nu Wu Zi in the past few days...

The eunuch quickly opened the sweat-soaked bun and poured warm water into it. Zhou Ju lay down comfortably and then laughed again:
"This Qin Qing, I'm afraid he will have to enter the Zhangtai Palace in the future."

Zhangtai Palace is where the king conducts government affairs and works.

……

And in Fang Palace.

Ji Heng soaked in the warm hot spring. The hot and humid temperature made him sweat all over, but his physical fatigue dissipated a lot.

After running around all the time and suffering from recurring fever, he had no time to rest after recovering and had to travel again in a hurry. Even though he was confident that he was in good health, he still felt tired at this moment.

But now, as he was soaking in the hot spring, with the water rippling, his mind was exceptionally clear.

Qin Shi, who had no surname or master in Lanchi Palace and was not a Qin citizen, had made such great achievements. How should he be rewarded so that he could live in peace as a Qin citizen?

He fetched a bottle of ice wine, drank it all, and then closed his eyes slightly:

The most faithful one is as timely as the time.

Good name.

My words should be taken seriously.

*** [Data on Lanchi Palace comes from "Three Qin Records" and several archaeological videos.]

The Xianyang Palace, or rather the entire palace complex including the Lanchi Palace, is very large. Do not attempt to compare it to the scale and layout of the Forbidden City. The area of ​​the two is more than ten times larger.

Here we go! Should we change the update time?

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(End of this chapter)