Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 131 Marquis Chunping, Snow Maiden's Speculation

"It is I, the Marquis!!"

The bamboo curtain was lifted, revealing the true face of the person who had spoken. Upon seeing this person, the expression of the man who had just been angrily rebuking changed.

"Marquis Chunping!"

Someone recognized the man, but he immediately fell silent.

Marquis Chunping—Zhao Yi, is the younger brother of the current King of Zhao. In recent years, his influence in the court has grown significantly, and even people like Guo Kai are unwilling to offend him easily.

"What, by admiring a beautiful woman dancing, has I violated any law of this country?"

In the court of Zhao, there were two major forces: one was the lineage of Guo Kai, and the other was the lineage of Prince Jia.

Jade Flower Pavilion is Gongzi Jia's territory, and Snow Maiden is the top courtesan of Jade Flower Pavilion. Although Zhao Yi has great power, he does not dare to force his way onto Snow Maiden.

"This"

Inviting a dancer to dance at one's residence did not violate the laws of the Zhao state, and for the time being, no one present could find anything wrong with it.

"I remember you are Liu Xuan, the Left Sima. How dare you, a mere commoner, shout at me, a member of the royal family? According to the laws of Zhao, what is your punishment?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

What people feared most was Zhao Yi's royal status. In the state of Zhao, if the law was meant to serve the people, it was more accurate to say it served the royal family.

Liu Xuan's words could be a big deal or a small deal; if taken seriously, even if he doesn't die, he'll be badly injured.

"This humble general has been rude; please forgive me, Your Excellency!"

"Forgive me?"

Zhao Yi's eyes held a hint of amusement as he looked at the Left Sima. Then, his voice turned serious as he said again, "It seems that Sima Liu is aware of the laws of my Zhao state. Why don't you tell me, Left Sima, what crime should I pardon you for?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present inwardly cried out in alarm. It seemed Zhao Yi intended to make an example of someone.

"Who is this person?"

At the fence, Xiu Yuan frowned slightly; this scene seemed familiar.

Ni Chang glanced at the man, then whispered in his ear, "Lord Chunping—Zhao Yi, is a womanizer with remarkable skills. There are rumors that he had an affair with the Queen. King Zhao initially intended to execute him, but the Queen pleaded for him many times before sparing him. As for what happened later, I don't know what methods he used to win King Zhao's favor, and his influence in the court has grown rapidly. Even Guo Kai and Prince Jia dare not underestimate him."

Xiu Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"A womanizer?"

Ni Chang chuckled softly.

"Young master, even I, a young lady, am moved by such a beautiful woman, let alone a group of men. You don't think they're just here to watch this girl dance, do you?"

Xiu Yuan gently shook his head.

Ni Chang looked up again. She remembered that the law of Zhao included a provision against insulting royalty, which, if investigated thoroughly, could be punishable by death.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuan's expression changed drastically once again.

Everyone present heard what he just said. If Marquis Chunping insists on punishing him, he will be in trouble.

"Please forgive me, Your Excellency!"

Looking at Liu Xuan kneeling on the ground, Zhao Yi's lips curled into a cold smile.

"What I hate most are people like you. You have no ability but still try to show off, spoiling my enjoyment. Tell me, how should I punish you?"

The room fell silent, and Liu Xuan dared not answer.

Then Zhao Yi said again, "If you can help me invite Miss Xue Nu, I will spare you this time."

Before he could finish speaking, Chunping Hou grabbed his collar tightly with both hands and pulled it outwards with all his might, kicking his legs wildly, his face turning bluish-purple.

Upon seeing this, the expressions of his two guards changed drastically.

"My lord!!"

"Oh no, it's poisonous!!"

This sudden turn of events left everyone present stunned. How could Marquis Chunping, who was perfectly fine just moments before, suddenly be poisoned?
Below the stage, Xue Nu, who was still struggling with how to refuse Chunping Hou, was also stunned. Poisoned? Of all times?
When Ni Chang saw Chunping Hou's appearance, her eyes narrowed subconsciously. His appearance reminded her of the way those bandits died back in Feihu Village.

She looked at the boy in front of her again, but his gaze was calm and unchanged. This made her suspicious. Could it be that she was wrong?

However, there was one thing she was very clear about: if Zhao Yi died here, the entire Jade Flower Pavilion would be implicated, especially the girl below the stage.

"Young master, he cannot die here."

The young man nodded.

Seeing the boy's actions, Ni Chang couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself; it really was him who had made the move.

"Cough cough cough~~"

A series of violent coughs came from the private room on the fourth floor, as if the person was about to cough to death. This eased the tension among the people present, especially Liu Xuan, the Left Sima. He knew very well that if Zhao Yi died here, he would be buried with him.

"Uncle Wang, are you alright?"

Gongzi Jia arrived late, and upon hearing Chunniang's report, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Even after Prince Jia arrived, Zhao Yi was still in shock. The feeling of not being able to breathe made him think he was going to die.

But after he recovered, he found that nothing serious had happened, and it wasn't poisoning as the guards had said.

"I heard someone recently died at Jade Flower Pavilion. Could it be that vengeful spirit is haunting us?" "I heard the death was gruesome; there was even a huge hole blown in his chest!"

"I remember it was called Blackstone."

Hearing the voice in his ear, Zhao Yi's forehead was already covered in cold sweat.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Nephew, go ahead and do your work. I'll be going now!"

Seeing Marquis Chunping rush out in a panic, disregarding everything, Ni Chang curled her lips into a cold smile. This Marquis's nightmare was not over yet, but had just begun.

Standing outside the private room, Gongzi Jia's face was ashen. Zhao Yi's reaction just now seemed genuine, but he didn't believe in ghosts or gods at all. He suspected that someone was secretly sabotaging the incident.

The last person to die was Heishi. If Zhao Yi also dies here this time, Yuhua Pavilion will probably become a forbidden area.

The thought that his years of hard work would be in vain filled Gongzi Jia with murderous intent.

Glancing at the chaotic crowd below, Gongzi Jia thought to himself, "It seems I need to investigate Black Stone's death thoroughly!"

He then spoke again, saying, "Everyone, now that Miss Snow Maiden's dance is over, if there's nothing else, you may all leave!"

Tonight's events certainly brought a lot of shock to everyone. Upon hearing Gongzi Jia's words, they no longer lingered and left one after another.

Ni Chang pulled the boy beside her, and when she felt him pause, she couldn't help but follow his gaze.

The Jade Flower Pavilion seems exceptionally beautiful tonight.

Recalling what she had seen and heard today, Ni Chang sighed softly.

On a full moon night, a peerless dance, a symphony of birdsong, and a farce involving the dead, many in the Jade Flower Pavilion will likely find themselves unable to sleep tonight.

"Is there anything I can help you with, young master?"

Xiu Yuan looked up at the night sky; the full moon hung high, seemingly within reach.

"The laws of Zhao are far inferior to those of Han, and Zhao Jia is far inferior to Han Fei!"

Ni Chang was taken aback. She wasn't interested in laws and such things, but she was quite interested in Gongzi Jia and Han Fei.

She had met Gongzi Jia, but she had almost never interacted with Han Fei.

"Young Master Jia?"

"Does the young master not have a good impression of him?"

Xiu Yuan turned and started walking, and Ni Chang quickly followed.

"Han Fei's legal principles were 'the law does not favor the noble, and the rope does not bend,' meaning that everyone is equal before the law, whether noble or commoner, and violators will be punished. Although it did not bypass the monarch, it was the most complete law since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. In contrast, the law of the Zhao state was merely a facade."

Upon hearing the boy's evaluation of Han Fei, a strange look flashed in Ni Chang's eyes. She seemed to have never heard him give such an evaluation of anyone before.

"Is that the Ninth Prince of Korea?"

Xiu Yuan nodded.

What I saw and heard at the Jade Flower Pavilion today is a microcosm of the most common situation in the Seven Kingdoms. Nobles and kings take and plunder at will, and the fees alone are enough to cover the food rations of an ordinary family for a year.

Furthermore, the distorted laws of the Zhao state seem to have lingered in later feudal dynasties.

"According to Luo Wang's intelligence, he seems to have established an organization called Quicksand, with the intention of revitalizing Korea."

A thoughtful look flashed across Ni Chang's eyes. It seemed that Luo Wang did not have a high opinion of this newly established power in South Korea.

The boy's gaze flickered uncertainly. Some people and some things, only after seeing enough can one make different decisions.

"He doesn't belong to this era. Faced with this chaotic world, he had no choice. But... I want to try. Perhaps there's a second way in this world."

"Young master, where are we going?"

"The Marquis of Chunping's Residence"

Inside the Jade Flower Pavilion, Snow Maiden returned to her room, Yao Yi still carrying a trace of lingering tension on her face.

She was also there when Xue Nu performed on stage. When she heard Chunping Hou speak, her heart jumped into her throat.

"Miss Xue Nu, could that Marquis Chunping possibly know anything about this?"

The Snow Maiden removed the extra hairpins and ornaments from her head, a hint of worry flashing deep in her eyes. After all, the other party was the younger brother of the King of Zhao, a man of noble status.

Just like what happened today, if something hadn't suddenly occurred, she really wouldn't have known how to answer.

Everyone present could clearly see Zhao Yi's intentions; he planned to use Liu Xuan's life as leverage. This man was ruthless and domineering, and definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"He probably won't be coming again for the time being!"

However, thinking of Zhao Yi's scrambling and stumbling departure from Yuhua Pavilion, Xue Nu couldn't help but smile a little.

Today's dance performance felt different from usual. Not to mention that the song "White Snow" attracted hundreds of birds, there was probably someone secretly helping Zhao Yi in his affairs.

The image of the boy kept flashing through her mind, and many questions arose in her heart. However, he had not left her his address when he left, otherwise she would have definitely asked someone to invite him for a chat.

"Xiao Yi, do you know where Xiu Yuan lives?"

Upon hearing Xue Nu's words, Xiao Yi frowned. After thinking for a moment, she replied with a bitter expression, "I forgot to ask. He only said that he was in Handan these past few days."

Upon hearing this, the Snow Woman sighed softly.

"Xiao Yi, I have a feeling that your benefactor is probably a very capable person!"

(End of this chapter)