People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Before Li Ji could speak, tears streamed down her face.

The tears she had been holding back fell in a stream, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

"I just want to know if the Zhao Kingdom will send troops to support Puyang..."

"...I just wanted to get Mr. Cao Ze drunk and extract information from him..."

"I really never intended to compete with the Snow Woman..."

"...Sister Yafei, please believe in Liji..."

Ya Fei's well-developed breasts heaved, her pretty face showing a mixture of anger, frustration, and helplessness.

Who knows why this girl is like this...

She glared at Cao Ze, who was standing by the side room door.

In Cao Ze's words, this girl is incredibly intelligent, but she's intelligent at the wrong times.

"...You should get up first."

Consort Ya helped Li Ji to her feet, unsure of how to handle the situation.

If the Zhao state really sent troops to help Puyang resist the Qin army, she could still vent her anger by scolding Li Ji for three days and three nights.

But now... she felt only pity and couldn't bring herself to blame this girl who was about the same age as the Snow Woman.

Li Ji stood silently beside Ya Fei, occasionally letting out a sob.

Cao Ze noticed that Ya Fei was staring at him. Even though he knew that this matter could only be dealt with quietly, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

This woman knows how to apply pressure...

Consort Ya hesitated, pondering the future of Consort Li.

If Puyang falls and Gongsun Yu dies in battle, who knows what will happen to Li Ji? What if she does something rash...?

Considering that Cao Ze will reach the highest position after Zhao Jia takes office.

In addition, Cao Ze had a precedent to learn from, namely the killer Jing Ni who was taking care of a child.

Rather than letting Cao Ze's concubine benefit other women, it would be better to let Li Ji go and continue to be sisters with Xue Nu.

Thinking of this, Ya Fei felt a little uneasy. Could it be that her only two students...

Ya Fei coughed heavily.

Cao Ze remained standing upright, nervous, but not overly so.

"The Snow Maiden is still resting. As for what happened today... I will remember it for now and keep it a secret for you. You may leave now."

Consort Ya dismissed Cao Ze, and even though the accident made her consider making Li Ji Cao Ze's concubine, she would not say it aloud.

……

Cao Ze went straight back to Qingping Residence and took a bath.

The smell of alcohol and femininity on him was impossible to conceal, and Li Wu and Jing Ni could smell it clearly.

He didn't explain, and Li Wu, unusually, didn't take the opportunity to criticize him, which puzzled Cao Ze for quite some time.

Inside Feixue Pavilion.

Consort Ya instructed her maids to clean up the Sui Feng room and then led Li Ji to her inner chamber.

"I didn't expect you to be such a good drinker."

Li Ji kept twisting her small hands together, and stammered, "I've been practicing with my grandfather since I was little."

Ya Fei laughed and said, "So, your skill in getting drunk and turning things upside down with that guy was something you practiced since you were little?"

Li Ji's pretty face flushed red, "Um, um..."

Should we betray Yuki-onna? They're best friends...

Well, Sister Yafei isn't an outsider, so it's not exactly betrayal. We still need Sister Yafei to keep this a secret.

She whispered, "I learned it from the Snow Woman."

"what?"

Ya Fei drew out her words, somewhat incredulously, "That girl taught you? Where did she learn that?"

Although she occasionally slept with the Snow Woman and whispered to her quite a bit, it was always just a casual affair, and she never went too far.

Li Ji gripped the hem of her skirt nervously and said, "It was the Snow Maiden who consulted those noble ladies before telling me."

Ya Fei gently stroked her fair and smooth forehead, looking helpless.

That brat, she's learned to keep it from me now.

Even with her painted toenails, she knew perfectly well that this girl was definitely planning to get together with Cao Ze...

Thinking of this, Ya Fei's expression turned solemn.

"Li Ji, do you like Cao Ze?"

"Ah..." Li Ji lowered her head even further, "No, no."

Ya Fei scoffed, "With your looks, who can you fool?"

"If you didn't like him, why would you so easily give yourself to him?"

Li Ji remained silent; the facts spoke for themselves.

When Ya Fei saw Li Ji, she remained silent and sighed softly.

"You don't need to worry, and you don't need to be afraid that I will treat you badly because of this."

She paused for a moment, then said, "If I could help you marry Cao Ze, would you be willing?"

Li Ji instinctively looked up, staring blankly at Ya Fei, and said subconsciously, "That Snow Woman..."

Consort Ya said slowly, "We will marry together, with Xue Nu as my concubine."

"When the time is right, I will spread the word far and wide and recognize you and the Snow Maiden as my sisters."

For royalty like her, regardless of gender, when it comes to marriage, the priority is never feelings, but rather various forms of power.

To prevent Cao Ze from continuing his philandering after marriage, she naturally had to elevate the status of Xue Nu and Li Ji.

Li Ji snapped out of her daze and realized what Ya Fei meant.

This was to make her a dowry maiden for the Snow Woman.

"Won't this upset the Snow Woman..."

She felt somewhat embarrassed.

She had no objection to marrying the Snow Woman, but she was worried that the Snow Woman might hate her because of it, even though she thought the Snow Woman wouldn't.

Ya Fei had been observing Li Ji, and upon seeing Li Ji's reaction, she nodded slightly, confirming that she had not misjudged her.

"You don't need to worry, I'll take care of Xue'er."

She had already begun to persuade the snow woman to avoid her stubbornness and eventual tragic end.

Fortunately, the snow woman wasn't entirely resistant; she just needed time to accept it.

Li Ji was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sister Ya Fei, you are so kind."

She silently added to herself that perhaps she wouldn't need this kindness anymore.

Consort Ya smiled gently, unaware that the emotions and feelings she unintentionally revealed gave Consort Li nine-tenths certainty that Zhao would not send troops.

If she knew, she would definitely regret not taking Cao Ze's words to heart. Before things settled down, she shouldn't be too nice to Li Ji, lest Li Ji notice something was wrong.

Ya Fei went out to handle some matters, while Li Ji rested quietly in Ya Fei's inner room.

As the sky darkened and night fell, she slowly awoke.

After today's events, she has confirmed her suspicions.

Remembering that the Snow Woman had been watching her subtly, she decided to use the Snow Woman as a starting point to get a definite answer.

With this thought in mind, Li Ji dressed, got out of bed, and left.

I'm planning to find an opportunity to talk to the Snow Woman alone.

Two days have passed.

Zhangtai Palace, the Qin court assembly.

With Lü Buwei's approval, the court officials unanimously approved the policy of waging war against Wei.

The newly appointed General Meng Ao will lead an army of 50,000 to Puyang.

Ying Zheng calmly left the court and entered his study deep within the Zhangtai Palace.

Gai Nie stood outside the house holding the Lin Yuan Sword. With his keen observation skills, he could easily sense that Ying Zheng was not as calm as he appeared.

Even he could vaguely sense the turbulent undercurrents within the court, and that Lü Buwei was subtly restraining the King of Qin. How much more so Ying Zheng, who was naturally sensitive to the power of the throne?

Before Gai Nie could think further, a eunuch strode over.

“Mr. Gai Nie, the Prime Minister is outside the palace requesting an audience with the King.”

Gai Nie nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

When Ying Zheng learned that Lü Buwei wanted to see him, he frowned slightly.

"Father Zhong..."

He whispered something.

Is Zhongfu going to give him a lesson?

"Let him in."

Gai Nie cupped his hands and said, "Yes."

……

Chapter 198 Basic Operations

Cao Ze yawned and stretched in the courtyard, then slowly finished a set of Eight Pieces of Brocade.