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

Lord Changping remained calm and composed. “Sir, you were attacked by assassins last night. His Majesty was very worried and specially sent me to visit you.”

Cao Ze thought to himself, no wonder Ying Zheng didn't send Uncle Gai Nie to comfort him, it turns out he sent Lord Changping instead.

That being said, in terms of seniority, although Changping was almost a full cycle older than Ying Zheng, they were still considered peers.

Empress Dowager Huayang was Ying Zheng's grandmother and Changping Jun's great-aunt. They were relatives within the five degrees of kinship. Mi Lian was Ying Zheng's niece.

It's no wonder that Ying Zheng trusted the Changping brothers so much.

Compared to the powerful Lü Buwei, his own maternal relatives were natural allies. If it weren't for Changping Jun's betrayal, Li Si would have had to wait at least another twenty years to become prime minister.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. They are just a few petty thieves, nothing to worry about."

Although last night was a bit thrilling, I must not show any fear when I meet people in person.

Changping smiled and said, "Those aren't petty thieves."

He glanced around and whispered, "His Majesty also instructed me to inquire with you, sir, whether the time is right?"

Cao Ze reassessed Ying Zheng's level of trust in Lord Changping, and it was even higher than he had thought.

This is not a good sign.

"Please convey to the King that the time is right and we can give it a try."

Changping was slightly taken aback. "So fast?"

Although he didn't ask directly, the doubt in his tone was impossible to hide.

That was Lü Buwei, the Prime Minister of Qin, whom even I had to temporarily avoid.

How could Cao Ze find an opportunity so quickly?

Realizing he had lost his composure, he said, "Sir, this is a serious matter and cannot be treated lightly."

Cao Ze calmly replied, "Whether it succeeds or fails, Your Majesty can only observe quietly."

Changping fell silent.

Previously, he had a secret meeting with Tian Guang, the leader of the Farmer's Clan, who praised Cao Ze highly. At the time, he didn't think much of it, but now he realized that he had been short-sighted.

Of course, it's also possible that Cao Ze was just being deliberately mysterious.

However, the possibility of an assassination attempt last night has been largely ruled out.

“In that case, I will relay the truth to Your Majesty.”

Changping Jun stood up and said, "We won't bother you any longer, Lian'er, let's go."

Mi Lian was confused by her father and Cao Ze's words when she suddenly heard that her father was leaving, and she felt a little reluctant.

"Father, may I stay a little longer..."

This was the first time Cao Ze had heard Mi Lian speak.

Her voice was clear and melodious like a nightingale's song, with a slight tremor, making her sound delicate and pitiful.

She has more of a girlish charm than the mature older sister in the original work.

Cao Ze silently compared them in his mind.

Seeing his daughter's behavior, Changping Jun remembered that his daughter had begged to come with him before he left.

He frowned slightly, wondering if his daughter had feelings for Cao Ze.

He would eventually leave Qin and return to Chu, for that was his home.

He hesitated, unsure whether it was a good thing to let his daughter come into contact with Cao Ze.

If Qin were to use its daughter to tie Cao Ze to Chu, it would not only reduce Qin's talent pool but also increase Chu's. In the long run, Qin would inevitably be surpassed by Chu.

But he had heard that Cao Ze was a womanizer, a playboy. What if his daughter... wouldn't he be losing his daughter?

"This is unacceptable. Let's go back to the manor first and talk about it another day."

Lord Changping reprimanded Mi Lian and said to Cao Ze, "My daughter was rude. Farewell."

Cao Ze was speechless when he saw that Lord Changping had suddenly become a different person.

Is it really necessary to be so wary of him?

After Changping Jun left, Yan Ling Ji and Li Wu walked over, laughing and joking.

"It seems you have a very good reputation."

Cao Ze shrugged. It's true what they say, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast.

The key point is that he didn't do anything bad. He just had a few more women. No one criticized nobles who kept hundreds of concubines. Why is it different for him?

Just as Cao Ze was about to discipline the two women, Wushuang Gui's low roar came from outside.

Another person has arrived?

Cao Ze left amidst the light laughter of Li Wu and Yan Ling Ji.

Seeing a spirited young man with a cold face standing in front of the mansion gate, who else could it be but the dead eunuch Zhao Gao?

"Mr. Cao Ze, the Empress Dowager has asked us to invite you to the palace."

Zhao Gao had a deadpan expression, completely blank.

Upon hearing that Cao Ze had been assassinated, Zhao Ji was so enraged that she smashed a silver wine pot directly in his face.

He dared not dodge and could only let Zhao Ji smash him.

Upon closer inspection, Cao Ze discovered that Zhao Gao's eye appeared to have been injured by a blunt object, leaving him somewhat disfigured.

He was both amused and exasperated; it seemed being a eunuch wasn't so easy after all.

"Since the Empress Dowager has invited you, Brother Zhao, you may leave now."

Zhao Gao nodded and left with Cao Ze for Ganquan Palace.

Yan Lingji parted her full, rosy lips slightly and yawned softly.

"He went to the Empress Dowager's side again. I don't believe that Cao Ze and the Empress Dowager didn't have an affair."

Li Wu's almond-shaped eyes were watery and sparkling, flashing with a hint of cunning.

"Who says otherwise... Tell me, if we drained him dry before he went to the Empress Dowager's palace, do you think the Empress Dowager would be very resentful?"

Yan Lingji rolled her eyes at Li Wu, took a few steps to the side, and as her skirt swayed slightly, her long legs shone white in the sunlight.

"I don't want to, unless..."

Yan Lingji chuckled, "You'd better bring Jing Ni along, otherwise I wouldn't dare."

As usual, the two women joked with each other about Cao Ze, telling dirty jokes to amuse themselves.

Like an old ox that has been plowing the fields for years, Cao Ze traveled all the way to Ganquan Palace.

Before he even entered the hall, he saw a beautiful woman dressed in luxurious clothes, graceful and elegant, like a willow swaying in the wind.

A fragrant breeze wafted over, and Cao Ze saw the anxiety and worry on Zhao Ji's face, which warmed his heart.

Although he was only pretending and playing along with Zhao Ji, he was quite moved to see how much she cared about him.

Unfortunately, this is Ying Zheng's mother; we can't go too far with this...

"Sir, are you alright?"

Zhao Ji looked left and right, wanting to go up and touch Cao Ze's body, but realizing that they were outside the palace gates where there were many people around, she held back.

I could only ask it with deep emotion.

Zhao Gao, standing next to Cao Ze, couldn't help but twitch his eye.

As if the area where Zhao Ji had hit him had been aggravated, Zhao Gao's dead face twisted slightly.

He's the one who got hurt, okay?

Zhao Gao once again felt the urge to leave Zhao Ji's side. In Ganquan Palace, he had reached the pinnacle of his position, with virtually no possibility of advancing further.

In the royal palace, the only person who could give me the position I wanted was undoubtedly the King of Qin.

However, if he takes the initiative to leave, Zhao Ji will probably not agree, and may even punish him.

It seems I need to think of a way to get in touch with Cao Ze and try to transfer to the King of Qin's side so that I can obtain supreme power.

Faced with Zhao Ji's concern, Cao Ze remained composed and said calmly, "I am fine, I have not worried the Empress Dowager."

Zhao Ji's tense face softened slightly. She glanced at Zhao Gao, who was standing to one side, and snorted, "All of you, leave. No one is allowed to come in unless there is a reason."

"Yes……"

Even a fool could figure out what Zhao Ji wanted to do to Cao Ze.

He skillfully used various excuses to get rid of the palace servants, and ordered the Six Sword Slaves to keep watch at the palace gate, while he himself stood guard outside the hall to prevent any fools from entering and causing him to lose his head.

Zhao Ji and Cao Ze arrived at their secret lovemaking room.

The warm, ambiguous color scheme gradually captivated Zhao Ji, and before she could do anything, she softly collapsed into Cao Ze's arms.

"My dear nemesis, you have worried me to death."

Zhao Ji acted coquettishly, her tone a mixture of reproach and resentment.

Cao Ze embraced the soft, fragrant body and sighed softly, "It is my fault for offending Lü Buwei, which is why I have suffered this calamity."

"I fear I will not have peace of mind as long as Lü Buwei is not eliminated."

Zhao Ji tensed up, gripping Cao Ze's clothes tightly, and said angrily, "Then let him die first!"

Cao Ze said, "Lü Buwei is the prime minister of a country, wielding immense power, and surrounded by numerous skilled warriors. How can we kill him?"

Zhao Ji's phoenix eyes flashed coldly. "I summon him to the palace and have Zhao Gao and the Six Sword Slaves kill him."

Is this how three hundred axemen are used...? Cao Ze said repeatedly, "Your Majesty, you mustn't."

Zhao Ji asked in confusion, "Why? If I want to see him, he won't refuse to come."

Cao Ze thought to himself, no wonder he would help Lao Ai's son rebel in history, there's no one else like him.

If this tactic were used during a chaotic period, or when the Qin state was in turmoil, then it would be acceptable.

The key is that Qin is currently stable. If Lü Buwei were to be openly killed in Ganquan Palace, it would likely trigger a series of chain reactions.

This not only chills the hearts of countless officials, but also sows the seeds of a host of hidden dangers.