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

With Lao Ai around, it wouldn't matter to him even if he thought, "I don't want to work hard anymore, Empress Dowager."

He only wants to find Lao Ai now, so as to avoid any major complications arising from him.

Zhao Gao glanced at Cao Ze with a slightly puzzled look, seemingly confused.

Judging from his keen eye for people, Cao Ze didn't seem to pay much attention to what he was saying.

"The Empress Dowager was in a very good mood after meeting you that day. She took a bath in fragrant water, burned incense, and read books. Oh, perhaps Brother Cao is unaware that the Empress Dowager has been reading your book, 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' for the past few months."

Cao Ze was not surprised that Zhao Ji would read "Dream of the Red Chamber". In this era of spiritual entertainment, "Dream of the Red Chamber" had an attraction for young women, noblewomen and young ladies that was comparable to a nuclear bomb. Once you read it, no one would say they didn't like it.

"Is the Empress Dowager reading alone?" Cao Ze asked tentatively.

"of course not."

Cao Ze's spirits lifted slightly, and he listened intently.

Zhao Gao's clean-shaven face showed a slight hint of gloom.

"Because the Empress Dowager loved Mr. [Name]'s 'Dream of the Red Chamber' so much, she made all the eunuchs and palace maids in Ganquan Palace read it and even made us act it out occasionally. Those who acted poorly would be scolded at best and punished at worst. Those who acted best would be richly rewarded."

Goodness, this Zhao Ji is quite the trendsetter... Cao Ze really wanted to ask, Old Zhao, what role are you playing?

Seeing Zhao Gao's depressed expression, they didn't press him for details.

He then changed his question: "In Ganquan Palace, who acted the most convincingly and pleased the Empress Dowager the most?"

"Of course..."

Zhao Gao suddenly shut his mouth, which surprised and puzzled Cao Ze.

Is Lao Ai some kind of taboo that Zhao Gao could keep silent about?

Zhao Gao was unaware that Cao Ze was trying to extract information from him.

"Sir, perhaps you should ask about something else."

He didn't really want to continue on this topic, after all, vividly portraying a woman wasn't exactly something to be proud of.

Cao Ze wanted to get to the bottom of things, but he didn't want to reveal his intentions, so he could only say, "Since Brother Zhao is unwilling to say..."

Suddenly, a graceful woman dressed in a crimson, curved-hemmed deep robe with wide sleeves that reached her shins approached.

"Empress Dowager."

Cao Ze and Zhao Gao bowed at the same time.

Zhao Ji had a sash tied around her waist, her waist was slender, like a willow swaying in the wind, it was easy to imagine what kind of graceful figure such a woman would be when she danced.

"Mr. Cao Ze came to Ganquan Palace without informing me. Does he not care about me?"

Cao Ze glanced at Zhao Gao subconsciously.

Damn it, so this is what you meant by Zhao Ji having feelings for me? Are you trying to set me up?

Zhao Gao remained expressionless, but inwardly he smiled bitterly.

As the saying goes, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

Empress Dowager Zhao Ji was just as powerful as a tiger to him. Those in power are always capricious, let alone a woman of high position and power. How could he know what Zhao Ji was thinking?

Cao Ze said calmly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I hit it off with Lord Zhao Gao at first sight and we chatted here, so I did not inform Your Majesty."

"Excuses, another excuse. I hate it when people make excuses. But..."

Zhao Ji gently stroked her sleeve and said with a smile, "Sir is not among them. Even if Sir made up an excuse, I am willing to listen."

Zhao Gao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to look or listen any further.

Cao Ze's eyes twitched slightly; this woman really knew how to flirt.

If he hadn't known that Lao Ai was in Ganquan Palace, he would have really thought that Zhao Ji was interested in him and that he could live off her.

Today, Zhao Ji's attire was not as extravagant as usual, but it fit her perfectly, with every detail exquisite. It accentuated her beautiful curves and highlighted her shapely figure, making her resemble a fine vase.

Seeing Cao Ze remain silent, Zhao Ji was somewhat displeased. "How can you be as boring as those ordinary mortals? I thought you, who could write 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' were some kind of romantic genius."

Cao Ze took a deep breath. Could this be the legendary "women love bad boys"?

Did Zhao Ji have any unusual hobbies?

Why does she sound like a lonely woman confined to her boudoir for a long time?

"The Empress Dowager's beauty and grace are so stunning that I have held my breath and kept quiet, daring not to speak loudly."

Cao Ze's tone was slightly flippant and frivolous; he was probing Zhao Ji's intentions.

As the saying goes, "Speak human language to humans, and ghost language to ghosts."

He would sing whatever tune Zhao Ji liked.

Zhao Ji was secretly pleased, but with a hint of anger, she said, "You, Cao Ze, how dare you speak to me like that! Tell me, how should I punish you?"

Zhao Gao lowered his head even further.

The palace maids behind Zhao Ji also dared not raise their heads.

In Ganquan Palace, Zhao Ji was the queen dowager; even the king had to listen to her.

Even if Zhao Ji was merely undignified, they could only pretend they didn't see or hear anything even if she were to have an affair with Cao Zehuan right there and then.

Cao Ze was also stunned. What did this mean? Was this a case of adding fuel to the fire?

"Whatever the Empress Dowager says goes, and I am willing to accept it."

With the guidance of Wang Po, a character from "Water Margin" who was well-versed in human nature, Cao Ze easily chose "Xiao Zi Mi" from among Pan, Lu, Deng, Xiao, and Xian.

Zhao Ji pretended to ponder, but she already had a plan in mind.

She deliberately remained silent, intending to let Cao Ze's emotions change along with her own.

"Considering this is your first offense, I will not make things difficult for you. Instead, I will punish you by having you finish writing the remaining chapters of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' in my Ganquan Palace. What do you think?"

Cao Ze's eyes lit up; he had been worrying about not having a reason to visit Ganquan Palace.

He also realized why Zhao Ji treated him this way; she was looking for a reason to get him to update "Dream of the Red Chamber".

You should have said so earlier; you wasted so much of his breath.

Seeing that Cao Ze did not agree on the spot, Zhao Ji's pretty face darkened slightly: "Sir, you are unwilling?"

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Cao Ze showed no sign of tension. Instead, he even had the leisure to glance at Zhao Ji's fair and beautiful face.

To be honest, this woman is indeed beautiful and alluring.

Her eyes and brows exuded charm, and every move and word she made revealed a thousand kinds of allure.

The skin beneath her clothing shone even more brightly in the sunlight, making one want to touch it.

"Your Majesty, I dare not say that. I was just wondering where the Dream of the Red Chamber has come to."

Zhao Ji couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Do you still need to think about where you're going to stop writing your book?"

Because I copied it... well, I don't even know which family Cao Xueqin came from, maybe he was from the Cao family too, so in that sense, he didn't really copy it.

Cao Ze said helplessly, "Since I left Xinzheng, I have been working day and night, fearing that Your Majesty might encounter some misfortune. So I have put the matter of the novel out of my mind."

Zhao Ji nodded slightly, "I have misunderstood you, sir."

Cao Ze's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "How dare I? It would be better if I went to the palace now and wrote the remaining chapters of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' for the Empress Dowager."

“Alright.” Zhao Ji said to Zhao Gao, “You take Mr. Cao Ze to the palace first, I will go and change my clothes.”

Zhao Gao replied, "It is the Empress Dowager. Sir, this way please."

After Zhao Ji left, Zhao Gao wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Sir, you are truly an extraordinary person. You remain calm in the face of adversity and unperturbed even when encountering strange occurrences," Zhao Gao said admiringly.

That's because you're not a normal man, you don't understand women... Cao Ze felt a little relieved and mentally complained.

No matter how high a woman's status or how well she dresses, once you peel back the layers, you'll find there's nothing special about her.

Most of them are very superficial, only knowing how to be loyal to their own genes. Their actions and words are nothing more than means to embellish themselves and gain advantages.

Of course, these words could not be said to Zhao Gao.

Cao Ze said half-jokingly, "Brother Zhao, have you ever heard a saying?"

Zhao Gao asked in surprise, "What did you say?"

"A man who has thunder in his heart but a calm face is worthy of being a general."

Cao Ze made a joke, but unfortunately Zhao Gao didn't grasp its true meaning.

"Zhao Gao has learned his lesson."

Zhao Gao's expression turned solemn. He knew this was a famous saying that served as a warning to the world, and he admired Cao Ze's profound knowledge.

Seeing the serious look on the spirited young man Zhao Gao's face, Cao Ze shook his head and chuckled inwardly.

The two entered the hall.

Zhao Gao quickly arranged a desk, writing brushes, ink, blank books, and other writing materials.

Cao Ze washed his hands in the clear water in the copper basin brought by the palace maid, and wiped them with a fine gold silk handkerchief before picking up his pen.

In Zhao Gao's words, this was the rule, a sign of respect for the Empress Dowager, much like the sense of ritual in later generations.

While Cao Ze was engrossed in writing, Zhao Ji, having changed her clothes, came out from behind the palace.

Compared to the more solemn crimson curved-hem robe she wore before, this time Zhao Ji simply draped herself in a snow-white silk robe.

Her alluring face, as captivating as white jade, was still mesmerizing; her bright, watery eyes exuded charm with every glance, and her figure was graceful and alluring.

Zhao Ji waved her hand.

Zhao Gao wisely led the palace maids out of the hall.

He wouldn't be foolish enough to disturb Zhao Ji's good time.

Whatever Zhao Ji wanted to do with Cao Ze, he had to agree, keep an eye on things, and keep it a secret.

……

Chapter 375 Fighting for a Man with Mother