I started on a deserted island and encountered Ying Zheng, who insisted I was an immortal.

Nanyang Commandery, the prefectural governor's office.

Li Si kicked over the bronze charcoal brazier in front of him.

"waste!"

"They're all useless!"

He pointed at the trembling officials below the hall, his voice hoarse and strained.

"His Majesty has been missing for nearly a month. What else can you do besides sit here doing nothing?"

No one dared to answer.

It's been almost a month.

His Majesty the Emperor, Minister Meng Yi, and Marquis Wang Ben, three pillars of the Great Qin Dynasty, vanished into thin air on the vast East China Sea.

Li Si personally led the fleet and searched the seas for twenty-five days.

During this time, they braved towering waves and searched more than ten deserted islands, but they couldn't even find a fragment of the dragon robe.

Several of Xuanwu Guard's ships capsized.

Many boatmen died from overwork.

Even more bizarrely, many soldiers contracted a strange disease, suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, body aches, and even tooth loss.

Rumors spread throughout the army that they had angered the sea god and brought about a curse.

Li Si didn't understand any curses; he only knew that if they continued to drag this out, the entire fleet would perish at sea.

Left with no other option, he had to order a return to base.

"Pass down the order!"

Li Si's voice was hoarse, with a hint of madness.

"Mobilize all ships within the Qin territory and gather them in Nanyang!"

"Conscript all boatmen and convicts, and send them all to sea!"

"I want to see him alive or dead!"

"Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

Just then, a soft, feminine voice came from outside the door.

"Why must Prime Minister Li get so angry?"

Zhao Gao, dressed in a brand-new court robe, slowly walked in.

His face was somewhat pale, clearly indicating that the more than twenty days he had spent adrift at sea had taken a heavy toll on him, nearly costing him his life.

Although Li Si was the prime minister, holding a high position and wielding great power, he dared not show the slightest disrespect to the emperor's favorite.

Zhao Gao was not only the Chief Physician, but also the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, in charge of the palace seals and was a close minister who could meet with the emperor at any time.

"Prefect Zhao."

Li Siqiang suppressed his anger and took the initiative to meet him.

"Is there any progress on His Majesty's side?" Zhao Gao asked softly.

Li Si shook his head, his expression grave.

He waved.

"All of you, step back."

The servants and officials in the hall felt as if they had been granted a pardon and bowed as they withdrew.

In the empty hall, only Li Si and Zhao Gao remained.

"I have already ordered the mobilization of ships from across the country, and we must find His Majesty at all costs," Li Si said in a deep voice.

He knew this was like finding a needle in a haystack.

But what could he do?

Zhao Gao's triangular eyes twitched slightly. He took a step closer and lowered his voice.

"Prime Minister Li, what if... we still can't find it?"

Li Si's expression changed.

"Even if we can't find it, we have to look!"

"Prefect Zhao, be careful what you say!"

Zhao Gao gave a sinister laugh.

"Prime Minister Li, we are both intelligent people, why deceive ourselves?"

"This vast ocean has countless islands; how can we find them?"

"We should both start planning for the future."

Li Si fell silent.

Seeing this, Zhao Gao moved closer and spoke in a voice as low as a mosquito's buzz.

"The Great Qin is now beset by internal remnants of the six former states, ready to make trouble, and external threats from the Xiongnu and Baiyue tribes."

"A country cannot be without a ruler for even a day."

"If... I mean if, Your Majesty truly encounters misfortune, a new emperor should be established as soon as possible to bring peace to the realm."

"Prime Minister Li, what do you think?"

Li Si remained silent, but his breathing became heavier.

Zhao Gao continued, "The eldest son, Fusu, is benevolent and loves Confucianism, and is especially close to the Meng clan."

"Meng Tian now commands an army of 300,000 men, guarding the northern frontier."

"If Prince Fusu ascends the throne, will Prime Minister Li still be able to hold onto his position as the head of all officials?"

Every word was like a needle, piercing Li Si's heart.

He knew better than anyone that he and Fusu disagreed on political views.

Fusu was close to Confucianism, while he was the great synthesizer of Legalism.

Once Fusu ascends the throne, the Meng clan will inevitably be given important positions.

By then, his position as prime minister will likely be effectively usurped.

Seeing Li Si's reaction, Zhao Gao's smile deepened.

"You and I are truly on the same path."

"The news of His Majesty's disappearance is currently known only to you, me, and the Xuanwu Guards."

"Those Xuanwu Guards are all suicide soldiers. If His Majesty truly passes away, they will surely die for him. There is nothing to worry about."

"If we join forces, we can establish a new emperor in His Majesty's name..."

"Prince Hu Hai is intelligent and quick-witted, and he listens to both of us without question."

"At that time, the world of Qin will belong to you and me!"

"shut up!"

Li Si suddenly took a step back and shouted sternly to stop him.

"Zhao Gao! How dare you!"

"Your Majesty is the cornerstone of the Great Qin Dynasty, divinely appointed and blessed with boundless fortune; you will surely turn danger into safety!"

"Such treasonous words must never be uttered again!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!"

Zhao Gao looked at his blustering but cowardly appearance, but he wasn't angry. He just gave a cold smile.

He straightened his robes, then turned and left.

"Prime Minister Li, don't worry. Zhao Gao is just taking precautions."

That's all I have to say. Take care of yourself.

Watching Zhao Gao's departing figure, Li Si felt as if all his strength had been drained away.

He slumped into the chair, panting heavily.

On the table was a search map he had drawn himself.

That area, which represented the endless ocean, was now filled with violence and despair in his eyes.

"Bang!"

He slammed his palm heavily on the nautical chart.

Just then, a subordinate strode in, looking rather strange.

"Your Excellency, a woman is requesting an audience outside the residence."

"I won't see him!" Li Si was furious.

The subordinate hesitated for a moment, but still forced himself to say, "She said... her name is Wang Ruoshu, and she is the daughter of General Wang Ben."

Li Si froze.

Wang Ben's daughter?

Third Sister?

His face was filled with disbelief.

Why would this girl come to Nanyang at this time?

Outside the Nanyang Prefectural Governor's Office.

A tall, slender girl stood quietly.

At about 1.7 meters tall, she was quite tall for a woman of that era.

She wore a green robe, had long hair that reached her waist, and a simple, ancient-looking longsword hung at her waist.

Beside him followed a pretty little maid.

She was Wang Ruoshu, the third daughter of Wang Ben, the Marquis of Tongwu of the current dynasty.

His elder brother was none other than Wang Li, who would later become one of the pillars of the Qin Dynasty.

Speaking of the Wang family, their position in the Qin Dynasty was deeply rooted and intricately intertwined.

Wang Ben's wife was Princess Liyang, the daughter of the First Emperor.

The wife of Fusu, the eldest son of the current emperor, was Wang Ben's sister.

These layers of kinship meant that the blood of the Ying family also flowed in Wang Ruoshu's veins.

Although she has no title of princess, she has the essence of one.

Not to mention, her family had two marquises.

My grandfather, Wang Jian, was the Marquis of Wucheng.

His father, Wang Ben, was the Marquis of Tongwu.

In the entire Qin Dynasty, apart from the supreme First Emperor, who would dare to easily provoke the royal family?