Qin's Moon: I'm really not the Holy Lord of the Demonic Sect

Chapter 67 The Peach Blossom

The strong-willed female assassin eventually left.

Yang Che went to the Qin State's Diankefu (official residence of foreign dignitaries) to hand over the documents. Then, with the documents issued by the Diankefu, he went to the Fengchangfu (official residence of imperial decrees) to hand over the documents. The former was responsible for foreign relations, and the latter was responsible for ancestral temple sacrifices. Both were government offices that Yang Che would need to deal with on this trip.

Fortunately, the efficiency of the Qin government was not too slow. At least there was no need to provide cumbersome materials or ask tricky questions, such as how the Han envoy could prove that he was the Han envoy. Or, the officials of the Fengchangfu would tell you to ask the Diankefu about this issue, and when you got to the Diankefu, the Diankefu would tell you to ask the Fengchangfu, and so on.

Therefore, Yang Che only spent one morning to complete all kinds of documents, and then went to the Zongzheng Office, which was in charge of the affairs of the Qin royal family, to hand them over.

Yang Che spent his second day in Qin like this.

That night, Jing Ni did not reappear, which kept Yang Che tossing and turning all night, so he simply started cultivating.

As his skill level increased, sleeping was no longer Yang Che's only way to rest; cultivation could also restore his energy.

Nothing happened that night. On the third day, Yang Che still had nothing to do. It wasn't until the fourth day that Yang Che received a document from the Imperial Clan Court, ordering him to go to Zhiyang Palace, where Empress Dowager Xia had lived, to pay his respects.

This is still because Korea is the mother country of Empress Dowager Xia. People like those from Wei are still waiting.

Yang Che tucked the prepared eulogy into his sleeve and followed the officials from the Imperial Clan Court to Zhiyang Palace.

The Qin state was powerful, and Guanzhong was protected by four natural barriers. Therefore, the Qin people did not like to build cities and walls like the Han and Wei states in the Central Plains. As a result, the palaces of the Qin royal palace were not all located in Xianyang, but were scattered throughout the Guanzhong Plain.

Zhiyang Palace is such a place; it is located thirty li east of Xianyang, and Yang Che is going there.

After arriving at Zhiyang Palace, Yang Che finally entered the palace after passing through numerous checkpoints.

At this moment, Zhiyang Palace had become a two-tone world of white and black, filled only with solemnity and sorrow. As Yang Che passed by the maids by the roadside, he saw that many of them had a sorrowful expression on their faces. He didn't know whether they were grieving for the passing of Empress Dowager Xia or feeling lost because they had lost their support.

Ascending step after step, Yang Che entered the main hall, flanked by shamans performing a sacrificial dance—a scene both primitive, mysterious, and solemn.

At the very center stood a massive coffin, with curtains hanging on either side. Behind these curtains, figures could be vaguely seen. Yang Che only glanced at them briefly, not daring to look any longer. In such a place, looking around, Yang Che didn't think he was invincible.

Led by the palace servants, Yang Che stepped forward and finally stopped in front of a huge altar. On the altar were three sacrificial animals, an incense burner, and beneath it was a cauldron with flames burning inside.

"The Han envoy, on behalf of the King of Han, pays homage to the Empress Dowager." As the palace attendants led the chant, Yang Che stepped forward, stood before the bronze cauldron, and solemnly took out the sacrificial text from his sleeve.

This is a necessary step.

As the eulogy was unfolded, Yang Che lowered his voice to appear more solemn, and then began to read it. His emotional voice echoed in the hall, sorrowful and poignant, as if the person lying in the coffin before him was not Qin Wang Zheng's grandmother, Empress Dowager Xia, but his own grandmother.

Behind the curtains on the left and right, there was no movement. Those who could keep vigil here were all core members of the Qin royal family, the people who truly held power in Qin. Although Yang Che's eulogy was beautifully written, the world is never short of people with beautiful faces, so it was not surprising to them.

However, as Yang Che's voice reciting the eulogy gradually spread throughout the hall, the atmosphere became even more solemn and tranquil.

Yang Che then recited: "When I left Xinzheng, I passed by the south of the city and saw a peach tree. I asked those around me and they said that the tree was planted by the Empress Dowager when she left Han and returned to Qin. Now it is tall and spreading like a canopy. When I passed under the tree, I saw a young girl who called herself Tao Yao. She said that she had been separated from her old friend for many years and missed him very much. She looked very old and was not like a young girl. I was curious and wanted to ask her age. The girl said that she did not know the year, but only that the leaves had withered and flourished. She was already fifty-seven years old."

The servant was greatly surprised and asked her identity. The girl said that she was a tree spirit and was originally planted by Empress Dowager Xia.

Seeing that the young girl was filled with sorrow and longing, I told her the truth. Upon hearing this, the girl remained silent for a long time. After a while, her body gradually dissipated. Plants and trees are inanimate and act naturally. When I saw this, I felt it was only natural.

However, as I set off, a peach fell into my bosom. Looking back, I saw peach blossoms in full bloom, and I heard a song in my ears:

The peach tree is young and tender, its blossoms are bright and beautiful. This maiden is going to her husband's home, may she bring harmony to her family.

The peach tree is young and tender, its fruit abundant. This maiden is going to her husband's home; may she bring harmony to her family.

The peach tree is young and tender, its leaves are lush and green. This maiden is going to her husband's home; may she bring harmony to her family.

The peach blossoms have faded and fallen. I called out the name of Tao Yao, but there was no reply. Only the falling peach blossoms and the silent spirit of the tree remained.

Alas, how sorrowful! The flourishing and withering of plants have their own meaning; if Heaven had feelings, it too would grow old.

After reading the eulogy, Yang Che solemnly placed the peaches on the sacrificial altar.

At this moment, someone began to cry out from behind the curtain.

"Grandmother, can you hear me? The peach tree you planted with your own hands has gone with you. If you know this in the afterlife, you won't be lonely."

Just as Yang Che finished arranging the peaches, a figure dressed in hemp clothing darted out from beside him, knelt down with a thud, and wept bitterly while leaning on the table.

It was a heartbreaking story that brought tears to the eyes of all who heard it.

Yang Che stared intently and saw that the person was about the same age as him. Although he was crying, he could not hide his noble air. The word "grandmother" told Yang Che his identity.

In the Qin state today, there are only two people who can call Empress Dowager Xia "grandmother": King Zheng of Qin and Lord Chang'an, Cheng Jiao.

King Zheng of Qin would obviously not lose his composure in public like this, so the person in front of him could only be Lord Chang'an.

While Cheng Jiao was weeping, Yang Che had already consciously stepped aside. At this moment, Yang Che heard a soft sigh coming from behind the largest curtain; it was a woman's voice.

Is the story true? Of course it is, but it has been embellished by Yang Che. However, those present were either children who were still innocent and being held in someone's arms, such as Fusu, the eldest son of King Zheng of Qin, or women who were naturally sentimental and liked to believe what they liked, such as the Empress Dowager Zhao, the Lady of Qin, and the Lady of Chang'an, all noble ladies of the royal family.

As for Cheng Jiao, he certainly hoped that what Yang Che said was true. Empress Dowager Xia had favored him the most when she was alive, but now that she had passed away, he had lost his greatest backer. If he could add a layer of sacredness to Empress Dowager Xia, he would benefit immensely.

Of all those present, King Zheng of Qin was perhaps the only calm one. Although he was only twenty years old, he was calmer and more decisive than his father and grandfather. He was the only one who did not believe what Yang Che said. However, this King Zheng had no other faults, but his only weakness was superstition.

The young King of Qin reigned supreme over the six states. Although his power was temporarily lent to him, it would eventually be his. He had no shortage of beautiful women in Qin, and he regarded wealth and honor as mere external entertainment. There were few things in the world that could truly capture his attention, but there was one exception.

That is immortality.

When he was young, he witnessed his father's death, which brought his ambitions for kingship to an end. From then on, he knew that his enemy was never the six kingdoms, but himself, the contradiction between his finite life and his infinite ambitions for kingship.

King Zheng of Qin desperately wanted to live forever, so when Yang Che told him a story that was half true and half false, he chose to believe that heroic spirits really existed in the world. Does this mean that immortality is really something that can be achieved?

In an instant, countless gazes from everyone present focused on Yang Che.

Women see感动 (a feeling of being moved), men see 利 (benefits).

Yang Che was very satisfied with the effect he had created. It was worth all the planning he had put into this project. As for being exposed, Yang Che was not afraid. The peach tree was indeed planted outside Xinzheng City when Empress Dowager Xia got married. The peach tree was a symbol of the spirit of the princess. However, Yang Che did not admit it. Who could prove that it was fake? Moreover, there were peaches. They were genuine peaches.

There are no out-of-season fruits in this era; the appearance of peaches in early spring is already considered incredible.

As for how peaches appear, the Yin-Yang School's Wood Department's Yin-Yang Techniques can control the vitality of plants, and the life attribute of the Flower Wanderer can do the same.

In summary, Yang Che's first battle in Qin was a complete success.