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

Hu Meiren vaguely heard the last two words, and then Cao Ze and Li Si, who was holding an envoy's staff, entered the hall.

Today is a grand court assembly, which can be said to have been specially convened to welcome the Qin envoy.

Han Fei frowned when he saw his junior brother enter.

When he learned that Li Si had arrived, he knew something was wrong.

However, he already had a foolproof plan, enough to marry his younger sister to Cao Ze as his legal wife, and even make Cao Ze suffer in silence, unable to express his "sweetness".

"Junior brother, it's been a long time."

Han Fei rose from the throne, but instead of referring to himself as "widowed and lonely," he used a very intimate form of address.

Li Si cupped his hands and smiled, "I dare not. I am a subject, and Your Majesty is the king. There is a distinction between subject and ruler. In the court, I am absolutely unworthy of the title of fellow disciple."

Han Fei chuckled to himself as he saw Li Si blocking his way. "Junior brother, you still love to talk back to your senior brother."

"Hehe, very well. What brings you here from Qin this time?"

Li Si looked around. This time, he was not as arrogant and disdainful of everyone as before.

But the words that came out of his mouth caused an uproar among the civil and military officials.

"The King of Qin said that if the State of Han wants to send Princess Honglian to marry Imperial Censor Cao Ze, it must provide the city of Nanyang as a dowry before it will be agreed."

Zhang Kaidi, as the head of the civil officials and the prime minister of Han, couldn't help but refute, "Absurd! Princess Honglian, to avoid the bloodshed of war and to avoid the suffering of the people, sacrificed herself to marry Qin. Yet Qin has made things difficult for her in every way, showing its wolfish and insatiable greed!"

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Han Fei, turned to the civil and military officials, and glanced at Cao Ze.

"Cao Ze, the Imperial Censor, wrote in his 'On the Six States' that, 'Today, five cities are ceded, tomorrow ten, and then one can have a night's rest. But when one rises and looks around, the Qin army is already at the gates. Thus, the land of the feudal lords is limited, but the desires of the tyrannical Qin are insatiable. The more they are given, the more aggressively they are invaded.' and so on."

"I fear that if the State of Han agrees to give Nanyang to Qin as a dowry today, it may have to give Xinzheng as an apology tomorrow!"

"Brilliant!" The civil and military officials in the court cheered.

Cao Ze was a little embarrassed, not expecting Zhang Kaidi to use his words against him.

However, he was only slightly embarrassed. After all, everyone in the officialdom has a thick skin.

Anyway, he didn't really want to marry Honglian right now.

If you want to marry, you have to conquer Korea first.

Cao Ze feigned anger, "Since that's the case, then so be it!"

After saying that, he left.

Li Si cupped his hands in greeting and followed Cao Ze away.

The civil and military officials in the court all sneered, feeling very comfortable. After so many years, the State of Han could finally stand up to the State of Qin with its own strength again.

Han Fei watched Cao Ze and Li Si leave, showing neither joy nor anger.

But the slight upturn of his lips revealed that he had everything under control.

Whether Cao Ze marries his younger sister or not is not up to him, his brother-in-law!

……

Chapter 502 Farewell to the Women

As Cao Ze and Li Si left the palace, they noticed that many more people were watching them.

"Let's go, Brother Li, it's time to leave."

Li Si paused for a moment, then, somewhat surprised, asked, "Aren't we going to wait a bit longer?"

Cao Ze shook his head and said, "Today's court assembly has exposed us to the public. If we stay in Xinzheng for too long, it may cause controversy."

Li Si understood that the criticism Cao Ze was referring to was not from the state of Han, but from within the state of Qin.

When someone is in a high position, whether they like it or not, many people will approach them. Some want to curry favor, some want to replace them, and some just want to destroy them...

Cao Ze returned to Zi Lan Xuan to bid farewell to Zi Nu.

Zi Nu showed no emotional fluctuation whatsoever.

“I knew you were leaving when you said you were going to attend the morning assembly.”

Cao Ze smiled; Zi Nu clearly understood him.

Be humble in your personal life, but ambitious in your work. However, after making a big splash, you must know when to retreat gracefully, or you will suffer the consequences.

When will you come again?

Zi Nu's beautiful eyes were like the shimmering West Lake on a sunny day—tranquil, peaceful, and serene.

She stared into Cao Ze's eyes and said in a subtle tone.

Cao Ze paused for a moment, then said, "Soon."

As for how fast, only God knows.

He left today, and if his brother-in-law agrees to give Nanyang as part of his dowry tomorrow, he'll probably have to rush back overnight.

"Get out of here, the farther the better."

Zi Nu spoke in a normal tone, as if she were dismissing a burden.

"Well then, goodbye."

Cao Ze shrugged and left Zilan Pavilion.

Xiao Hongyu and Cai Die saw this and were very anxious.

"Sister Zi Nu, why didn't you try to stop her?"

Zi Nu glanced at the two women sideways, her gaze full of charm, but her tone was anything but pleasant.

"You two brats, is there nothing else on your minds besides men?"

The most honest of them all, Xiao Hongyu, said the boldest thing.

"Isn't Sister Zi Nu the same?"

"...You're asking for it!"

Zi Nu brandished the Crimson Soft Sword, which lashed at the two women's round, upturned buttocks like a whip.

The colorful butterfly looked pitiful and aggrieved, saying, "Sister Zi Nu, I didn't say anything, why did you hit me?"

Zi Nu couldn't help but laugh, and snorted, "It was just a coincidence, serves you right for being unlucky."

Xiao Hongyu's bottom was the smallest, but the one that swelled the most. She grimaced in pain and said, "Cai Die, we are good sisters who share happiness and hardship! Even our men are the same as Sister Zi Nu's."

"Snapped!"

Little Hongyu's swollen buttocks were suddenly whipped by Zi Nu again.

"Ow~"

The air inside the Purple Orchid Pavilion was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

……

To protect her daughter from being seduced by Cao Ze, Madam Hu strictly avoided leaving the house, suppressing her desire to play with young Cao Ze, and using various excuses to keep Nongyu at home.

Today I either caught a cold in my stomach or slipped and hurt my leg.

Therefore, when Cao Ze came to the door, Madam Hu almost jumped up.

Of course, don't misunderstand, Madam Hu simply thought that Cao Ze still harbored ulterior motives towards her daughter.

A hint of doubt appeared on Nongyu's youthful, lotus-like face.

"Mother, is your leg better?"

Madam Hu's expression changed slightly; after all, she wasn't her sister, and her acting was so convincing.

"...Yes, I'm much better now, I can walk."

Cao Ze asked with some surprise, "Madam, you've injured your leg? Come, let me take a look."

He was about to reach out and pinch Madam Hu's delicate white legs, but he froze as soon as he made a move.

He forgot that Nongyu was by his side.

This damn instinct!

When Madam Hu saw Cao Ze reaching out his devilish claws towards her, her delicate body trembled slightly, and she almost lost her mind.

Normally, it wouldn't be a problem. Cao Ze wouldn't even pinch her leg, let alone make her put a chicken leg between her legs.

But now that her daughter is by her side, if her daughter notices anything, she'll cry herself to death and break down.

Nongyu didn't suspect anything, simply assuming that Cao Ze was just concerned about his mother. After all, what daughter would suspect that her mother and the boyfriend she had chosen were having an affair?

Seeing that nothing had happened, Cao Ze coughed lightly and withdrew his hand without making a sound.

"Madam Hu looks well; it seems to be just a minor issue."

Nongyu asked curiously, "How did you determine that Mother's leg was healed just by looking at her complexion? Didn't you need to pinch it with your hands?"

Madam Hu's fair and smooth face flushed slightly, as if her daughter had exposed her secret affair with Cao Ze.

Cao Ze waved his hand and shamelessly said, "That's not important."

"I came to say goodbye."

Nongyu's expression changed slightly. "Sir, are you leaving?"

Madam Hu also abandoned her shyness and looked at Cao Ze with wide eyes.

She felt conflicted and reluctant. Was the thief angry because she had protected her daughter?

While Madam Hu was lost in thought, Cao Ze said directly, "Well, it's time to go. Too many people in South Korea know I'm here; it's not safe."

"Yes, is that so..." Nongyu was both disappointed and worried.

"When will you come again, sir?"

Nongyu asked.

Madam Hu also quietly raised her slender, fair neck, her moist and gentle eyes staring straight at Cao Ze.

"Okay, go ask Zi Nu. It's getting late, I'll be going now."