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

If we create a big one, that would be a real problem.

"Is the gentleman unwilling, or is he afraid...?"

The silence inside was broken.

Zhao Ji's tone was low and cryptic, leaving Cao Ze unable to figure out what this woman was thinking.

Cao Ze pondered for a moment and said, "The Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation. If she becomes pregnant, how will we explain it to the King?"

Zhao Ji also had some reservations about this, but those reservations quickly disappeared after she heard Cao Ze's heartbeat.

"Sir, you are very talented. With my help, it will not be difficult for you to be ennobled and appointed as prime minister. At that time, I believe you will become Zheng'er's right-hand man. If Zheng'er finds out about our affair, I will say that I am following the example of Empress Dowager Xuan so that you can better serve the country."

"You're such a clever little devil..." Cao Ze said to Zhao Ji, trying to find humor in the situation.

"Your Majesty, the King is wise. Such a statement is nothing but self-deception."

Zhao Ji pouted, "Back then in the State of Zhao, I raised him with great hardship. Now that I'm a widow, I can't remarry. Can't I even find someone I love to be with?"

Cao Ze thought to himself, "The atmosphere during the Warring States period was indeed open..."

That being said, if Zhao Ji really played the emotional card like that, Ying Zheng would probably turn a blind eye and pretend he didn't see it.

As long as I don't do anything as reckless as Lao Ai...

Ok?

Cao Ze suddenly remembered that Lao Ai, that scoundrel, was still alive.

hiss~

If Zhao Ji were to give birth to another child for him, wouldn't he be implicated to the point of death? Even if he didn't die, he would still be in deep trouble.

Cao Ze hesitated for a moment, then tentatively suggested, "Empress Dowager, why don't you try to subtly gauge the King's attitude first?"

"I don't care, Zheng'er, just tell me if you're going to do it or not!"

Zhao Ji said somewhat impatiently.

She has never wanted to have another child as much as she does now.

Cao Ze remained silent.

"Your Majesty, please take care of your health. If you were to be reborn..."

Zhao Ji raised her delicate eyebrows slightly: "I am in good health, what's wrong with having another one? Besides, I have only had one child, which is far fewer than other people who have had four or five."

This woman's thought process is unusually complex; in some ways, she's incredibly stupid...

Cao Ze estimated that, given thousands of years of history, there were probably few empress dowagers who didn't know what it meant to give birth to a child, especially a boy, let alone in the current situation of the Qin state.

If he were Qin Shi Huang, he would probably be tempted to kill.

and many more!

Cao Ze was suddenly stunned. What did Zhao Ji just say?

You only had one?

Was it a deliberate attempt to hide it from him and deceive him?

No, Zhao Ji wasn't that cunning; he could still tell the difference between truth and falsehood.

If what Zhao Ji said is true...

Cao Ze was immediately filled with horror.

He couldn't care less about maintaining his honest persona, and holding Zhao Ji, he said in a deep voice, "You really only had one child?"

Zhao Ji mistakenly thought that Cao Ze was worried about her health, and happily said, "Of course, I am still young, having another child will not be a problem."

Cao Ze swallowed hard, carefully choosing his words, and said, "Does the Empress Dowager only have me as her man?"

Zhao Ji chuckled, pinched Cao Ze's cheek, and squinted her phoenix eyes, saying with a smile, "Besides you, how many men in this world can catch my eye?"

"Don't worry, with me by your side, I won't have any affairs with other men, and I won't stop you from being with the women in your household. Don't you think I'm good to you, you fool?"

That's really good... but also really bad...

Cao Ze's breathing became increasingly rapid. If Zhao Ji hadn't lied to him, then...

Lao Ai has disappeared!

what happened?

He asked himself if he had any contact with Lao Ai. According to historical records, when he arrived in Xianyang, Ying Zheng would be coming of age the following year. At that time, Lao Ai should have already been with Zhao Ji and had two children.

Zhao Ji looked at Cao Ze's gloomy face and felt displeased: "Sir, I have been considerate enough to you. Is there anything else you are dissatisfied with? Please speak up and don't keep it to yourself."

Cao Ze shook his head and said, "Your Majesty misunderstands. I just suddenly remembered something else important."

Zhao Ji asked happily, "Then, sir, you've agreed?"

Cao Ze replied somewhat perfunctorily, "As long as the Empress Dowager is pleased."

Zhao Ji was in high spirits and did not notice the changes that had occurred in Cao Ze.

Cao Ze had no intention of continuing the charade with Zhao Ji. He casually coaxed her and then left the inner room and walked out of the bedchamber.

Zhao Gao had been watching the palace gate, and when he saw Cao Ze come out with a ruddy complexion, he already had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on.

He stepped forward and flattered, "With the Empress Dowager and the King, you will surely rise to great heights in the future."

Cao Ze remained noncommittal, looking at Zhao Gao, and asked, "Did the Empress Dowager ever reside in the Yong Palace for an extended period?"

Zhao Gao immediately understood: she wanted to go to Yong Palace with the Empress Dowager.

He felt a slight contempt for Cao Zesheng.

A true man should know what is important. If one only knows how to enjoy himself after currying favor with the Empress Dowager, he will never accomplish anything significant.

But he dared not say it to her face. At least for now, Cao Ze was a favorite of the Empress Dowager. A few words from him could get him kicked out of Ganquan Palace and away from the power center of the palace.

And since he was born a eunuch, he was destined to be unable to live like a normal person.

Only by staying in the palace can one have the opportunity to grasp power.

“Yongcheng is more than 300 li away from Xianyang and is not as suitable for living as Ganquan Palace. Therefore, the Empress Dowager only stayed there temporarily when she was worshipping Heaven and ancestors with the King, and never stayed there for a long time.”

Cao Ze shook his head helplessly; it seemed that what Zhao Ji said was true.

In other words, Lao Ai really just vanished into thin air.

Zhao Gao found it strange. Did Cao Ze not want to encourage the Empress Dowager to live in Yong Palace for an extended period?

Cao Ze ignored Zhao Gao's strange look and walked straight out of Ganquan Palace.

He felt he had suffered a huge loss.

If he had known that Lao Ai had disappeared into thin air, he would never have wanted to have any dealings with Zhao Ji.

No matter what, she's Ying Zheng's mother; she could cause serious trouble if you're not careful.

But it's too late to regret it now; we can only leave it at that for now.

However, Zhao Ji was quite kind; she didn't mind at all that there were women in her household.

Cao Ze walked along the streets of Xianyang, lost in thought.

He's a bit confused right now.

With Lao Ai gone, the biggest obstacle to getting rid of Lü Buwei is also gone.

He can't possibly get involved himself, get Zhao Ji pregnant and give birth to two children, then lead a bunch of people in rebellion, and finally drag Lü Buwei down with him, repeating the path of Lao Ai, can he?

Sorrowful~

After walking for a long time, Cao Ze still couldn't come up with a good idea.

Lü Buwei had deep roots in the Qin state, with a multitude of experts under his command. Even grandmasters could not sneak into his mansion, and he even had dealings with grandmasters like Donghuang Taiyi.

In addition, he enjoys a high reputation among the people and has an excellent reputation.

In his view, as long as Lü Buwei didn't do anything reckless, even if he held power but didn't give it to Ying Zheng, Ying Zheng could only watch helplessly.

Cao Ze thought about it for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out.

On second thought, getting rid of Lü Buwei wasn't just his business; what was the point of him only thinking about it?

Thinking of this, Cao Ze paused, preparing to go to Zhangtai Palace to have a chat with Ying Zheng.

Fortunately, he didn't have the habit of boasting. If he had bragged to Ying Zheng and Cheng Jiao that he would take down Lü Buwei within a year, he would be in a difficult position now.

Just as Cao Ze was about to turn and leave, a familiar fragrance wafted over.

Cao Ze couldn't help but look up and saw a woman wearing a white veil that concealed her face walking gracefully towards him.

He could vaguely see a pair of purple eyes through the gap in the veil, and those purple eyes were looking at him.

She is……

Cao Ze was stunned. As he watched the woman pass by him, he couldn't help but ask, "Miss Zi Nu?"

The woman in purple stood gracefully, a faint smile appearing behind her veil.

With the help of Gongsun Longzi, Ya Fei, and Longyang Jun, she had already determined Cao Ze's location in Xianyang.

Although she didn't know why Cao Ze was walking alone on the streets of Xianyang, it didn't stop her from creating a chance encounter.

Cao Ze stepped forward and stood in front of Zi Nu.

The familiar fragrance of orchids is even stronger now.

He said with certainty, "Zi Nu, it's you."

Zi Nu did not remove her veil, but chuckled softly, "Mr. Cao Ze, how are you doing in Xianyang?"

Cao Ze said with a wry smile, "It was alright before, but it's not so good now."

If Lao Ai hadn't vanished into thin air, he could have used this opportunity to deal with Lü Buwei.

But now that Lao Ai has disappeared, he's at a loss.

Good heavens, such a crucial historical juncture could actually change, really...

Cao Ze had no choice but to curse Lao Ai, wishing him to be struck by lightning and die.

Zi Nu was slightly surprised. "Why do you say that?"