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

“Alright…” Miehun said weakly, “Actually, if we follow Jingni’s suggestion, this isn’t bad either…”

Zhuanpo analyzed, "It seems like we have a choice, but in reality, we don't have a choice at all."

"Jing Ni is forcing us to take sides, and since the master hasn't stepped in, it means there's still room for maneuver..."

The younger sister, Miehun, nodded and said, "I'll listen to my older sister."

The two sisters didn't turn on the lights, and the room was dark, so they squeezed together on one bed and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, in another room, Cao Ze was still working tirelessly, day and night.

The rooster crows, and the sun rises in the east.

A dazzling golden light poured down upon the heavens and earth.

Cao Ze skillfully shook off Li Wu and the Fire-Breaking Princess's eight claws, and leisurely walked outside, feeling refreshed.

Jingni was sunbathing with Xiaoyan in the courtyard.

Seeing Cao Ze come out of Yan Lingji's room, she gently said to Xiao Yan'er, "You can play by yourself for now."

"Eeya...good..."

Xiao Yan'er knelt on the ground, happily pushing and playing with the ball cage woven from bamboo strips.

Cao Ze came to Jing Ni's side and watched Xiao Yan'er play alone with a relaxed expression.

What did they say last night?

Jingni held Xiaoyan'er's clothes that she needed to change at any time and said, "They are somewhat interested, but they didn't express their opinion on the spot. They must be worried about something."

"normal."

Cao Ze said, "We can take our time with their affairs; I'll leave it to you to handle."

He couldn't personally handle this matter.

If Jing Ni fails, there is still room for maneuver; if he fails, it could easily lead to unforeseen consequences.

He could tell that Zhao Ji was quite disapproving of the fact that he had other women around him, and was rather jealous.

If he hadn't spoken so confidently from the beginning, acting all nonchalant and generous, I might have already asked him to remain a bachelor.

Can this really be accepted?

Jing Ni nodded slightly. "Okay."

She paused for a moment and said, "You said the Empress Dowager asked you to investigate Lü Buwei's assassination attempt on the King. What do you plan to do?"

Cao Ze chuckled and said, "What else can we do? Make him suffer."

He didn't expect to find any crucial evidence in Lü Buwei's residence.

Otherwise, Lü Buwei wouldn't have had a chance to act; he would have been killed by politicians from all sides who coveted the position of prime minister.

Cao Ze was chatting with Jing Ni when Cheng Jiao swaggered in, followed by the towering Wushuang Ghost.

"Brother Cao, I've already mustered my men and am waiting for you."

Cao Ze gently squeezed Jing Ni's small hand and said with a smile, "I'm going now."

Jingni hummed in agreement. "I'll take care of things at home, so you can go without worry."

Cao Ze felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, gesturing to Cheng Jiao, "Let's go."

When it comes to causing trouble, he's no match for the playboys of Xianyang.

This is also why he didn't ask Zhang Han to lead several squads of the royal palace guards.

Although Lü Buwei was powerful, he had no shortage of political enemies. There were many nobles and officials who ignored him.

On the main street of Xianyang.

A dozen guards on horseback led the way, followed by a dozen attendants leading black dogs, carrying sculptors on their backs, and several others with gleaming eagles perched on their arms.

Among them, seven or eight young men, with wine pouches and arrows hanging from their saddles, looked spirited and dashing.

A group of people, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, escorted Cao Ze and Cheng Jiao straight to the Prime Minister's residence.

The opportunity to freely wander around and rummage through the Prime Minister's residence is a rare one, and few people would want to miss it.

Moreover, some astute noble officials had already sensed the impending change in the political landscape and had begun to bet on the Qin King's faction.

"Prime Minister Lü, Cao Ze and Cheng Jiao have brought a group of纨绔 (sons of wealthy and powerful families) to the manor."

Old Zheng gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger, and said, "This is absolutely outrageous!"

Lü Buwei took a light breath.

Even when Ying Yiren defied public opinion and made him the Prime Minister, he didn't take the neglect of his household to heart, nor did he get angry.

This was because his opponents were Empress Dowager Huayang and powerful young masters... all of them were formidable figures.

What does it mean that Cao Ze and Cheng Jiao brought a group of spoiled brats with them?

Are they here to humiliate him?

Lu Buwei calmed himself down and asked, "Have you found any trace of Gongsun Long and the Nameless Sword Saint?"

Old Man Zheng said with a gloomy look in his eyes, "We found some clues. If there are no surprises, they are staying at the Mo family's inn."

"The Mohist School?" Lü Buwei pressed, "The Chu Mohist School or the Qin Mohist School?"

"Chu Mo, my men seem to have spotted the leader of the Mo family, but they're not sure if it's him."

Lu Buwei frowned and muttered to himself, "Could it be that Chu Mo is also going to get involved...?"

He instructed Old Man Zheng, "You should hide first. I'll stay here. Don't expose yourself."

Now, Old Man Zheng is arguably his only weakness. Once Old Man Zheng is caught and exposes him, he will be doomed.

If it were in his usual way of doing things, he would have already dealt with Old Man Zheng to prevent future troubles.

But Old Man Zheng had been by his side for decades and had risked his life to save him from danger several times. How could he possibly do such a thing?

"Hahaha……"

Cheng Jiao strode arrogantly into the Prime Minister's residence, strutting with an air of indifference.

"Prime Minister, why don't you hurry up and obediently greet me and accept my inspection!"

……

Chapter 432 A Single Strike to the Bleed

Following closely behind Cheng Jiao was a group of his cronies.

To make it clear that they were there to cause trouble, they all pretended to be spoiled brats.

Seven or eight young men, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, each with a hawk, a hunting dog, and a fierce-looking follower, arrogantly followed Cheng Jiao into the Prime Minister's residence.

The procession attracted countless passersby who came to watch the spectacle from afar outside the Prime Minister's residence.

Faced with this scene, Lü Buwei gave a cold "humph".

He immediately recognized who the people behind these young people were.

These were all noble officials who secretly opposed him in the court. This time, they openly sent their sons and grandsons to the capital, clearly betting on the King of Qin and confronting him head-on.

"This residence is the official residence of the late King, a place of great military and political importance. How can you be allowed to act so presumptuously here!"

"Guards, seize them all and throw them in jail! Send someone to collect them!"

At Lü Buwei's command, dozens of guards clad in fine armor and wielding long spears instantly surged out from all around the courtyard, surrounding the纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled young master) and his entourage who were riding hawks and leading dogs in the courtyard.

Faced with this situation, Cheng Jiao remained completely calm.

"Get out of the way!"

A sound like thunder exploded outside the courtyard as Cao Ze strode forward with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger.

Nearly a hundred armored soldiers dared not stand in their way.

Several noble young men, disguised as playboys, whistled and looked at Lü Buwei, whose face was grim and uncertain, with mocking expressions.

The reason their fathers sent them with Lord Chang'an, Chengjiao, was to embarrass Lü Buwei.

Even if they failed, at most they would be imprisoned for a while. Their fathers would not break ties with Lü Buwei and engage in factional struggles and attacks in the court.

Cao Ze stopped in front of Lü Buwei and cleared his throat.

"Your Excellency, I have come here to investigate on the orders of the King and the Queen Mother. These are my assistants."

"The investigation will take quite some time, so please arrange some guest rooms for accommodation, Your Excellency."

Several assassins dressed in black from the Luo Wang organization appeared on the rooftops and in the corners of the courtyard, turning the scene into a tense and bloody one, as if a disagreement could lead to a bloody conflict.

Lü Buwei gave Cao Ze a deep look.

“Young man, I thought you were the same kind of person as me, and that one day we could serve in the same court and become like-minded people. Why do you insist on opposing me? Is there anything you can’t let go of or talk about?”

Cao Ze slowly extended one finger.

"First, I have a name, so don't act like you're old and incompetent."

"Secondly, I am not the same kind of person as you."

"Third, I can't be your ally. I don't like to go along with others. I prefer to seek personal gain, family benefit, and national benefit. Only then do I feel that life is worthwhile."

"Finally, I urge Your Excellency not to try to get close to me during my investigation, so as not to cause any misunderstandings."

As Cao Ze finished reciting his points one by one, Cheng Jiao, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The playboy and his entourage of guards standing nearby also laughed.

The loud laughter reached outside the Prime Minister's residence, causing a stir.

When Lü Buwei was humiliated by Cao Ze on the spot, his first reaction was not anger, but astonishment, confusion, and doubt.

What is this young man thinking? Does he think that by bringing him down and killing him, he can rise rapidly in the officialdom and replace him as prime minister?

Even if he steps down, the prime minister will still be Lord Changping, not Cao Ze.

If he were Cao Ze, even if he had the ability to wipe them out, he wouldn't act rashly and let a third party benefit.

Lu Buwei suddenly remembered the news that Lord Changping had recently visited Cao Ze with his daughter Mi Lian. Could it be that the two had secretly arranged a marriage?