Qin Dynasty: Starting with clinging to Zhao Ji's thigh

Chapter 198 Han Fei's Heart

Hanoi Palace.

Zhao Ji was dressed in a bright red dress, looking languid, as she teased the Western Region parrot in its cage with her slender white fingers.

This was something that Lord Changxin specially ordered someone to retrieve from the Western Regions in order to please the Empress Dowager.

Even while teasing the parrot, Zhao Ji's strikingly beautiful face showed no joy whatsoever, giving off an unapproachable air.

Even the most favored maidservants only dared to wait outside from a distance.

Everyone in the palace knew that since Lord Changxin left Hanoi, the Queen Mother's mood had been getting worse and worse. She ate much less each day and had lost a lot of weight.

When playing with the parrot named "Jing'er," the Empress Dowager only wanted to be alone, and anyone who disturbed her mood would be severely punished.

"Jing'er, is it because I'm old and my beauty has faded, or are all men the same, only approaching me for power?"

"Once they get what they want from me, they just throw me aside and always find an excuse to be busy with other things."

Zhao Ji held a feather that had fallen from the parrot in front of her, and occasionally poked the parrot's beak with the tip of the feather, her muttering to herself with a hint of resentment.

She didn't understand anything about world affairs, nor did she want to. All she knew was that Ying Jing had been away from Hanoi for a long time and she hadn't seen him in a long time.

Moreover, having completely handed over the Luo Wang network to Ying Jing, she now has no way of confirming when he will return.

"The Empress Dowager is more beautiful than any flower!"

"The Empress Dowager remains as beautiful as ever!"

"The Empress Dowager is the most beautiful woman in the world!"

"Jing'er, you bad man!"

The parrot sprang up from being poked, but it had nowhere to escape in its small cage and could only use the few words it had learned to beg for mercy.

"Puch!"

Zhao Ji's mood finally improved slightly, and a stunning smile bloomed on her beautiful face.

Unfortunately, only one parrot could witness this beautiful scene.

Time has not left many obvious marks on Zhao Ji, but has only added to her charm with the wisdom and grace that comes with age, and she still possesses extraordinary allure.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there is good news!"

Suddenly, the joyful voices of palace maids came from outside the palace.

Zhao Ji's expression turned cold. Although she was a bit willful, she was not actually a strict person and would not punish her servants arbitrarily.

But now this palace maid is so ignorant of the rules, ruining her mood, how can she not be punished?

"Your Majesty, it's a message from the Commandant: Lord Changxin has arrived in Xianyang!"

His face, which had just turned cold, instantly transformed into one of joy.

"Quickly, let me see!"

Excitedly accepting the letter from the palace maid, Zhao Ji's joy deepened.

However, seemingly feeling that such a change would damage his dignity, he forced himself to maintain a cold demeanor, but the upturned corners of his mouth could not suppress the deepest emotional changes in his heart.

"You have brought me good news; hereby I bestow upon you one hundred gold pieces."

"Furthermore, tell Zhao Gao that I have remembered this matter. Tell him to work for Jing'er with peace of mind. Anyone who leaves my service should not disgrace me."

In her joy, Zhao Ji seemed to briefly regain her intellectual advantage.

"Power... Ah, what a tempting thing."

Zhao Ji was well aware of Zhao Gao's purpose in sending the message to curry favor with her.

Like everyone else, for power.

However, since Ying Jing had already transferred her to another post, Zhao Ji had no intention of caring about his rewards or punishments anymore.

"When Xiao Jing comes back, tell him about this and let him worry about it himself!"

Zhao Ji casually tossed aside the parrot feather in her hand, and her voice seemed to brighten considerably: "Someone, immediately send a message to Jing'er... no, send a message to Zheng'er!"

……

Xianyang, the young master's residence.

As dusk falls, the setting sun dips below the horizon, and the moon rises above the willow branches.

In the study, an oil lamp could not fully illuminate the entire room, but the desk was brightly lit. On the desk were some bamboo slips, all works by Han Fei, namely "Five Vermin" and "The Difficulty of Persuasion".

Ying Jing sat behind the desk, half of his body hidden in the darkness, his brows furrowed.

From Yan Lingji's perspective, only half of his profile can be seen.

Ying Jing held a brush in his hand and wrote on the silk scroll. It was a letter to be sent to Lady Mingzhu.

Han Fei asked him to "borrow money to cast a new bell," and whether out of public interest or personal consideration, he had no reason to refuse.

But now that he has returned to Qin, it is impossible for Luo Wang to help Han Fei deal with the "rust on the bells," since Han Fei is still a prince of Han.

Therefore, we can only rely on the help of Madam Mingzhu and Bai Yifei.

As for Ji Wuye, he might also be part of that rust!

"Is Master troubled by Han Fei's matter?"

A soft, alluring voice reached his ears as Yan Lingji gracefully approached Ying Jing from behind. Her slender, white fingers massaged his shoulders with just the right amount of pressure, providing perfect comfort.

Ying Jing did not answer directly, but put down his pen and asked in a calm voice, "Han Fei made a deal with my brother, the king, to persuade the king of Han to surrender the kingdom so that the people would not be disturbed by war. Do you think this is possible?"

Yan Lingji is the future Queen of Baiyue in Ying Jing's plan. He sensed through her luck that she had completely entrusted her heart to him, so there was no need to hide these things from her.

"King An of Han, is he going to surrender the kingdom?"

Yan Lingji stopped what she was doing and let out a melodious laugh, her jade-like shoulders trembling slightly.

"Of course not."

Yan Lingji gave a clear negative answer.

Ying Jing grabbed one of her fair wrists, his large hand roaming over it rather restlessly: "Oh? You're so sure?"

Yan Lingji felt no shyness. She spun her waist lightly, like a fiery carp sliding into a deep pool, and in an instant, she was perched on Ying Jing's lap.

Her bare ankles, visible beneath her skirt, brushed against a bamboo scroll on the table, stopping precisely at the line "The dragon is an insect" from the "Han Feizi: Difficult to Speak" chapter. She then spilled ink, which seeped into the gaps between the characters of "Five Vermin," leaving a scorched mark on the phrase "Confucians use literature to disrupt the law."

One hand hooked around Lord Changxin's neck, her body leaning forward, her breath sweet and alluring as she whispered in Ying Jing's ear.

"Although I don't know much about the King of Qin, I have learned a bit about the King of Han during my time with my master in Han."

"Unless a large army surrounds the palace and swords are at his neck, he will definitely not be willing to bear the reputation of surrendering the country."

Ying Jing lowered his eyes and nodded: "Yes, given Han Wang An's character, how could he possibly bear the infamy that will be etched in history books..."

"Therefore, Han Fei's deal with the king was never about persuading the king, but rather... about making himself the king!"

"The last King of Han!"

"As a subject and son, even for the sake of the people, how could he allow his father and king to bear such a reputation!"

"Han Fei must bear the infamy for all time."