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

Cao Ze made a low-key trip to Ganquan Palace.

Before they even entered the palace, they encountered Zhao Gao, who had just left the palace.

"Mr. Cao Ze, please do not enter the palace yet."

Cao Ze was secretly puzzled. "Brother Zhao, why is that?"

He wondered to himself, "Could it be Zhao Ji's eldest son who has come?"

A smile appeared on Zhao Gao's effeminate face. He lowered his voice and said, "The Empress Dowager knows that you have returned to Xianyang, and she specifically ordered me to find you and bring you to your residence."

Cao Ze gave Zhao Gao a meaningful look. He didn't believe that Zhao Ji knew he was back so quickly and that it had nothing to do with that damned eunuch Zhao Gao.

However, he was somewhat puzzled.

When did Zhao Ji become so timid?

Should we move to another location?

He guessed that if Zhao Ji hadn't been mindful of Ying Zheng, her eldest son, she probably would have dared to have him party in the palace every day and indulge in debauchery in broad daylight.

It's worth noting that when Empress Dowager Xuan (Mi Ba Zi) dominated the harem, she was far more ruthless than Zhao Ji is now.

As for Zhao Ji, who took Empress Dowager Xuan as her role model and idol, how could she easily move away?

"Brother Zhao, has something happened?"

Cao Ze asked tentatively.

"Sir, please don't ask any more questions. The Empress Dowager has probably already arrived at the residence. Please come with us, sir, so as not to keep her waiting."

After Zhao Gao finished speaking, he led the way.

The moment he learned that Cao Ze had returned, he slipped away and informed the Empress Dowager.

As expected, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed and praised him highly, making his chances of becoming the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office even greater.

Cao Ze, filled with doubt, followed Zhao Gao, turning left and right eight times, until they arrived at a mansion outside Ganquan Palace without a plaque.

"Brother Zhao, is the Empress Dowager here?"

Upon entering the mansion, Cao Ze looked around. The mansion was ornately decorated and magnificent, undoubtedly a grand and imposing place.

Of course, compared to Zhao Ji's Ganquan Palace, there's nothing to say.

However, the two pavilions inside the mansion connected by flying staircases and corridors are quite interesting, seemingly very convenient for moving and escaping...

Zhao Gao stopped in front of a pavilion. There were not many people inside and outside the pavilion, only seven or eight palace maids serving people.

"The Empress Dowager is inside. It's not convenient for us to go in. Please, sir."

Zhao Gao said in a serious and methodical manner.

He knew perfectly well why Zhao Ji had sought out Cao Ze, and he certainly wouldn't spoil the Empress Dowager's mood.

Cao Ze straightened his clothes, not afraid of anything, and went straight in.

The pavilion wasn't large, but it was rather deserted, clearly having been uninhabited for a long time and had just been given a quick cleaning.

Cao Ze continued walking inside and came to a room where palace maids were waiting.

The palace maid bowed slightly and said respectfully, "The Empress Dowager is inside."

Cao Ze nodded, opened the wooden lattice door, and stepped into the rather large room.

Compared to Zhao Ji's luxurious, warm, and intimate bedroom in Ganquan Palace, the layout of this bedroom appears much more elegant.

Log beams and pillars, whitewashed walls and bamboo blinds, wooden lattice windows and doors... paired with the ethereal cranes on the wall, it appears serene and distant, with a vastness of heaven and earth.

Cao Ze glanced at the incense burner shaped like a fairy deer, which was covered in the corner of the room and was emitting wisps of smoke. He took a light sniff of the incense in the room, which was refreshing and comfortable, making him feel particularly relaxed.

The overall style of the house is moderate and peaceful, which is suitable for health preservation.

Huh? Has the Empress Dowager changed her personality?

Cao Ze muttered to himself, "Could it be that Zhao Ji wants to try something different?"

"But the master has arrived? Please come in quickly."

A seductive, alluring laugh rang out, sounding rather urgent.

Cao Ze then noticed that there was another room behind the main room, and there seemed to be a figure inside.

He responded and strolled to the door of the next room. He gently opened the door, and a wave of heat carrying warm, humid air rushed towards him.

As white mist billowed up, Cao Ze couldn't help but squint.

There were only three people inside the room, two of whom were palace maids who wore bound chests and trousers and were draped in thin veils.

Although she couldn't compare to Zhao Ji's stunning beauty, the delicate figure revealed by the thin veil clinging to her body was still a rare sight of beauty in later generations.

As for the last beautiful woman sitting in the bathtub with her back to him, her fragrant shoulders and jade-like back exposed, and her long black hair floating on the water, who else could it be but Zhao Ji?

Cao Ze's doubts resurfaced.

Why not soak in the hot springs at Ganquan Palace instead of coming here to take a bath?

Want to try something different?

"Your Majesty, I have arrived."

Cao Ze stood six feet away, talking as he looked around to see if there was anything special about the place.

Apart from the grayish-white stones that were steaming and hissing after being splashed with water by the palace maids, there seemed to be nothing else.

"Isn't this just a mini sauna?" Cao Ze thought to himself.

The ancients knew how to have fun too...

"Please wait a moment, sir. I will make love to you after I have taken a bath."

Zhao Ji did not turn around, but continued to smile and speak in a charming voice.

Cao Ze looked at Zhao Ji, who was somewhat obscured by the white mist, and thought to himself, "Zhao Ji is really something..."

Before Cao Ze could respond, Zhao Ji added, "If you cannot wait, you may bathe with me."

After she finished speaking, she raised her hand and said, "You two can go out first."

The two palace maids kept their heads down, their faces flushed. It was unclear whether it was because the sauna was too hot, because Cao Ze had seen their bodies, or because Empress Dowager Zhao Ji wanted to take a bath with Cao Ze.

After the palace maid left, Cao Ze quickly stripped naked and went straight into Zhao Ji's bathtub.

The bathtub wasn't big, but there was still some space for two people.

Zhao Ji stretched out her slender finger and pressed it hard against Cao Ze's brow.

"You damn fool, you're finally back..."

Cao Ze chuckled and went straight to embrace the fragrant, soft, and warm Zhao Ji.

"Your Majesty is truly sincere. The dead man is back. Aren't you happy, Your Majesty?"

Zhao Ji spat and scolded, "You're so glib!"

"The palace maid is gone, so hurry up and help me wash myself."

Cao Ze was naturally happy to serve, and Zhao Ji sent the palace maids out, clearly intending for him to serve her.

He secretly admired Zhao Ji as he helped her wash.

Zhao Ji's skin was still as white as snow, like the finest white jade porcelain, and it seemed even more plump and lustrous than before, perhaps because of her bath.

When Cao Ze's hand brushed against Zhao Ji's waist, he noticed that Zhao Ji's lower abdomen seemed to be a little bigger than before.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "Zhao Ji has gotten a little fat."

It seems that Zhao Ji ate quite a lot of good food while he was away.

She has become much fuller, but her curves are still as graceful as ever.

Zhao Ji squinted her phoenix eyes contentedly, a comfortable expression on her beautiful face.

Suddenly, she raised her slender, arched eyebrows, slightly parted her soft lips, and whispered, "Does the master still remember what I said?"

As Cao Ze helped Zhao Ji wash herself, he casually asked, "What did you say?"

Zhao Ji stroked her fair face, feeling the power of time.

Although she was no longer as youthful and delicate as a girl, and had not applied makeup because she had taken a bath, her stunning beauty remained undiminished.

"I wish to have a child for you, sir."

Cao Ze paused for a moment, just in time to catch a glimpse of the red nail polish on Zhao Ji's slender fingertips.

He said, "If the Empress Dowager wants a child, I will cooperate."

In his mind, however, he kept his vigilance at its highest.

It seems that Zhao Ji, this beautiful lady, came prepared today. I'd better be careful; if Zhao Ji really wins, I'll be in for a headache.

Zhao Ji unconsciously clenched her jade-like fingers underwater. She calmed herself and asked, "If I were pregnant, would you say I should give birth or not?"

Cao Ze had become accustomed to all sorts of women's inexplicable questions.

He casually replied, "Then just have the baby. Abortion is too harmful to your body."

He didn't think much of it, because Zhao Ji would say similar things from time to time.

If he thought about every single problem, he'd be exhausted.

Zhao Ji simply said "Oh," and then remained silent.

This made Cao Ze vaguely realize that something was wrong. In the past, Zhao Ji should not have seduced him and then playfully teased him.

But he also sensed that something was amiss.

Because Zhao Ji attacked him in the water.

Does this mean anything?

However, whenever Cao Ze was about to increase the strength, Zhao Ji, who had always felt that the strength was not enough, suddenly became timid for some reason.

He hesitated and stammered, clearly unwilling.

Cao Ze was a little disappointed, but he didn't think much of it.

Who knows what Zhao Ji was thinking?