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

Yan Ri chuckled, the old fox remained silent.

"So, how does Prime Minister Lü intend to demonstrate his sincerity?"

Lü Buwei paused, "Didn't you want to control all the power of the Luo Wang?"

"I can give you a chance. If you use it well, not only will you be able to control the Net, but you can also be made a king and a marquis."

Yan Ri asked impatiently, "What opportunity?"

Lü Buwei said in a low voice, "I will send you to the Empress Dowager's side. As long as you serve the Empress Dowager well, you will have everything you need."

Yan Ri was dumbfounded. What the hell? Serve Zhao Ji? His nominal cousin's wife?

"Are you kidding me?!"

Yan Ri felt insulted. To make him a subservient wife to Ying Yiren was worse than killing him!

Lü Buwei said coldly, "I have no mood for joking with you."

"The Empress Dowager not only holds the Six Sword Slaves in her hands, but before the King took over the reins of government, she was the Empress Dowager Regent and possessed considerable power."

Yan Ri's eyes darted around, realizing that this was indeed an excellent opportunity.

"How to do it?"

Lü Buwei said slowly, "The Empress Dowager doesn't recognize you yet."

"You will first appear under the alias of Lao Ai. I will then fabricate an identity for you and send you to Ganquan Palace as a eunuch."

"The Empress Dowager is willful by nature and has been lonely in the deep palace for a long time. You know what you should do."

"When the time is right, I will lend you a hand."

After Lü Buwei finished speaking, he looked at Yan Ri, who was even more handsome than he was in his youth. He was a beauty, and with a little effort, Zhao Ji would definitely not be able to resist.

In this way, he could extricate himself, avoid the risk posed by Zhao Ji, and begin to plan what would happen next.

Secondly, it would also give them leverage over Ying Lao, ensuring he would obey Ying Lao's every word until he became the new King of Qin.

Yan Ri narrowed his eyes.

"Lao Ai...does he really need such a despicable name?"

Lü Buwei said, "It needs to fit the identity of a eunuch; it's just an alias. A small act of impatience could ruin a great plan."

"Alright, I agree. When do you make the arrangements?"

Lü Buwei pondered, "Now that it's almost May, the battle of Puyang should be coming to an end soon, and there are still two years before Your Majesty assumes full power."

"Once I promote the Lüshi Chunqiu, I will begin to arrange for you to enter the palace."

"However, before that, I request that you go to Handan to assassinate someone."

He half-closed his eyes, hiding the sun.

"Is it Cao Ze?"

"good."

Why assassinate him?

"Because he is blocking the way of the true self."

Lü Buwei said, word by word.

He felt that Cao Ze was somewhat strange and was worried that Cao Ze would preach some strange doctrines at the Handan Hundred Schools Forum, which would give Ying Zheng some enlightenment and disrupt his plans.

It's better to get rid of it sooner rather than later, lest things get complicated.

"Okay, I'll find a chance to get rid of Cao Ze!"

Yan Ri glanced at Lü Buwei, and was relieved to confirm that Lü Buwei had not killed Cao Ze because of the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations.

Even if Lü Buwei hadn't said anything, he would have assassinated Cao Ze and retrieved the "Seven Mansions" scroll.

Lü Buwei watched Yan Ri leave.

Old Master Zheng said with some worry, "Prime Minister Lü, you have the ambition of a wolf. If you really become the King of Qin, I'm afraid..."

Lü Buwei sneered, "Having the ambition of a wolf but lacking brains, he's nothing more than a wild beast."

Once he has arranged everything, the King of Qin will be nothing more than a figurehead; everything will still be decided by Lü Buwei.

……

As night fell, the Vermilion Bird Mechanism landed outside Handan City, and the group entered the city.

Cao Ze and Jing Ni took Li Ji back to Qingping Residence first.

After entering the courtyard, they called out several times, but no one answered.

Jing Ni gripped the Jing Ni Sword tightly, looking at Cao Ze with an extremely cold gaze.

Just as Cao Ze was pondering what had happened, a faint crying sound came from nearby.

Then came a more ethereal piano melody.

"boom!"

The ground collapsed three inches.

Jing Ni disappeared from Cao Ze and Li Ji's side.

They reappeared at the Purple Orchid Residence across the street.

The solid bluestone floor in the courtyard of Zilan Residence was crushed by Jingni.

The Jingni Sword was already drawn, pointing diagonally at the ground.

But what she saw left Jingni stunned and frozen in place.

……

Chapter 212 Sages of the past all perished, only drinking can leave a lasting legacy.

This was perhaps the peak of Xiao Yan'er's life.

Li Wu carefully fed Xiao Yan'er the rice porridge she had cooked, afraid that Xiao Yan'er would choke.

Nongyu played a soft, light tune to entertain Xiaoyan.

Hongyu and Caidie each took a small fan and fanned Xiaoyan'er from both sides. As May approached, the summer heat was already starting to set in.

Zi Nu was sitting on a stone bench, her hands supporting her head, wanting to laugh but unable to.

What brought them to Handan?

Taking care of children?

Do not!

They're looking for Cao Ze!

The loud thud as Jingni landed in the courtyard startled the women.

Xiao Yan'er was feeling quite happy, but after being startled by her mother, Jing Ni, she started crying loudly.

Li Wu looked utterly hopeless. She wasn't afraid of anything now; even if Cao Ze came, she would risk a huge hemorrhage to fight him to the death.

But I'm afraid Xiaoyan will cry. If Nongyu's zither playing is useless, then her crying will come out of nowhere, unless...

Li Wu never imagined that she could be so fast.

The moment Jingni landed, she had already placed Xiaoyan'er in her arms.

"Lady Jingni, I'm leaving her to you!"

Li Wu cheered loudly a few times, finally free!

Zi Nu blinked her captivating purple eyes a few times, then slowly rose to her feet, her steps graceful.

She realized that Cao Ze might be back.

After spending ten days with Li Wu, and with Princess Ya Fei's visit a few days ago, I basically know what Cao Ze has been doing.

Jingni threw the sword aside and hurriedly began to coax Xiaoyan'er.

At this moment, Cao Ze and Li Ji entered Zi Lan Residence.

Cao Ze glanced at it and immediately guessed what had happened.

"Miss Zi Nu," he said, bowing to her, "I am truly sorry."

Zi Nu smiled gently, "Sir, you are too kind. This young lady is just worried about Xiao Yan'er."

She secretly wondered whose child it was, but Li Wu kept dodging the question.

She felt it might be Cao Ze's, but she had no proof.

However, from a rational perspective, it is unlikely.

Princess Yafei knew about the child, and also knew that Cao Ze and Xue Nu were close.

If this child were truly Cao Ze's, then Princess Ya wouldn't be so nonchalant, and wouldn't even have the leisure to tease Xiao Yan'er.

Upon realizing this, Zi Nu shook her head slightly.

Whose child is Guan Xiaoyan? It has nothing to do with her.

Just as Cao Ze was about to say a few more polite words, he suddenly heard someone shouting loudly outside.

"Brother Cao Ze! Brother Cao Ze!"

Cao Ze was speechless. No wonder he was a drunkard; he had come looking for him after only a short separation.

"Yes, please invite Miss Zi Nu to Fei Xue Pavilion in a couple of days to express my gratitude."

Cao Ze quickly drew a picture of a pie and tossed it over.

Zi Nu caught it in her mouth and smiled, "Great, Fei Xue Pavilion is very nice."

She has changed her opinion of Feixue Pavilion quite a bit now. Apart from the exorbitantly expensive accommodations, it's not much more expensive than Zilan Pavilion.

She was considering whether to follow suit, not necessarily ten gold coins per person per night, but two or three gold coins per person per night would be fine too.

Cao Ze and Li Ji left Zilan Residence.