Chapter 135

  It's early March now, and the north has just entered spring. The days are still very short, and the sky darkens early. The horse carriage is moving slowly on the main street, with the Imperial Guard of the Flame Character Camp escorting it on both sides, riding horses to clear the way. Xianyang does not have a curfew, but at this time, the streets are bustling and noisy. However, wherever the royal carriage passes, people scramble to make way, quietly and silently.

  Qing Xia carefully lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out, only to see a sea of people on the street, with wide streets and shops lining both sides. The sound of vendors calling out their wares was incessant. Music, dance, acrobatics, and lively tunes all gathered in one place. Street performers were showing off their skills, including some classic acts that could be seen on modern TV shows, such as shooting arrows from the throat, balancing a pagoda on the chest, and smashing stones with the mouth. On the Weishui River, which ran through the city, lanterns, dragon boats, and fireworks lit up the night sky like daylight. Countless small vendors lined the riverbank, hawking their wares and soliciting business. They sold all sorts of things that brought joy to people, including cooked food, tobacco, tea, clothing, fruits and vegetables, household items, incense, fresh flowers, cosmetics, fireworks, and all kinds of trinkets and trifles.

  Qin Zhiyan leaned against the soft cushion, the corner's warm stove emitting a strong fragrance, the carriage was warm and cozy, the good Sichuan peppercorns were fragrant with the scent of fruit and grass, floating in the air. Qin Zhiyan looked at Qing Xia, his mouth slightly smiling, but suddenly furrowed his brow and coughed softly.

  Hurriedly putting down the curtain, Qing Xia turned around and quickly poured a cup of warm lung-soothing tea with her nimble hands and feet, handing it to Qin Zhiyan's lips, and hastily said: "Is it catching a cold? I'll have someone bring in another heater."

  "It's okay." Qin Zhiyan shook his head, took a sip of tea and said softly: "Don't worry, don't be nervous."

  Qing Xia pouted slightly and said seriously: "If you want me to not be nervous, you should take care of your own body. Eat more, exercise regularly, and don't think too much."

  Qin smiled warmly and said, "Eating a lot and sleeping a lot without doing any work, isn't that going to make you fat?"

  Qing Xia stretched out his hand to smooth the wrinkles on his collar, and said in a crisp voice: "If you can really become a healthy big fat man, I will thank heaven and earth."

  Qin Zhiyan shook his head and smiled, not refuting him. Qing Xia added another layer of blankets on his knees. The carriage moved slowly forward, the noisy crowd gradually left behind, and after entering the inner city, the bustling voices gradually disappeared. Towering Chinese parasol trees stood around the inner city, blocking out most of the noise, with a sentry post every three steps and a watchtower every five steps. The iron-armored Qin military guards were arrayed at each gate of the inner city, and even someone as powerful as Qin Zhiyan had to stop the carriage repeatedly for inspection.

  Fortunately, most of these soldiers were from Qin's training and did not make things difficult, only symbolically needing to check their waist cards.

  Last time I entered the palace, I was restricted everywhere, and all kinds of restrictions were simply unbearable. Qing Xia was careful and cautious, speaking and acting carefully, but also didn't see the full view of the Qin Palace. Now, coming all the way here, looking carefully, I couldn't help but secretly admire the grandeur of the Qin Palace.

  The customs of Qin and Chu were different, and the styles of palaces they built were also different.

  The Chu palace is biased towards exquisiteness, with artificial mountains and gardens, small bridges and flowing water everywhere. The construction of the towers, palaces and pavilions is extremely delicate, with scenery everywhere, like a painting. In contrast, the Qin Taihe Palace is biased towards grandeur, filled with the majestic and heroic spirit of the northern land, with thick and heavy palace walls, ancient and simple colors, and most of the palace buildings are mainly in gold and red, with a strong and bold tone, truly living up to the proverb "refined in the south and vast in the north".

  The Taihe Palace was quiet at night, the weather had been changing recently, a few days ago it was still sunny and warm, but this afternoon it snowed, the Purple Forbidden Square in front of the Taihe Palace was covered with white snow, the majestic main hall of the Taihe Palace stood like a fierce tiger at the end of the imperial road, the lights on both sides were shining brightly, and the sound of silk and bamboo music floated out faintly, those with good eyesight could even see the flying water sleeves and soft waists of the dancing girls inside.

  Qing Xia was slightly stunned, and for some reason, a thread of tension emerged from the bottom of her heart. Logically speaking, she shouldn't be afraid. In modern times, she had assassinated terrorists and protected national leaders, and even after coming to this dynasty, the people she saw were all royal relatives and dignitaries from various countries. She had long since developed a strong and fearless character. However, for some reason, as she approached the majestic palace, her palms began to sweat slightly, her fingers tightly grasping the windowsill, her eyes shining brightly as she gazed outward, wide with excitement, not blinking even once.

  A pair of icy cold big hands suddenly stretched out from behind and tightly grasped her small hands in their palms.

  Qing Xia was taken aback for a moment, then turned her head to see Qin Zhiyan's warm and calm eyes. The man had a faint smile on his face, with soft eyebrows and gentle voice like the tide: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

  Knowing he had to enter the Qin Palace for a family banquet, he had said this sentence countless times. Qing Xia looked at Qin Zhiyan's calm expression and handsome face, and nodded unconsciously: "En, with you here, I'm not afraid of anyone."

  Qin Zhiyan smiled softly and affectionately brushed against her nose tip, his eyes curved like a crescent moon.

  At this time, a shrill voice outside the door shouted: "The Third Prince Xuanwang has arrived!"

  Qing Xia's heart sank, and he thought to himself that what was meant to happen would still happen. He adjusted his mindset, bent his legs to get up, and the guards outside the door lifted the curtain. Qing Xia jumped down first, then immediately turned around to support Qin Zhiyan's hand, helping him down from the carriage. He walked behind Qin Zhiyan and put a pure white sable coat on him. On the brightly lit imperial road, Qin Zhiyan wore the white coat with a hint of golden light, making his elegant and handsome appearance even more striking.

  The Great Qin has been fond of black since ancient times, with military flags, palaces, and various sacrificial utensils all mainly in black. Therefore, at various grand royal gatherings, the main color is basically black. Now that King Qin is only hosting a family banquet, he simply wore a moon-white long gown and a cyan jade hairpin inside the Qin Palace.

  However, as a secondary palace audience with the Fist King, it was quite dignified to wear Qingxia. A full-length, wide-sleeved brocade robe with black as the main color, gold thread embroidery on the edges, and white-based plum blossoms on the lotus leaf collar, the robe's opening from the left shoulder to the right waist, diagonally hanging down to the hem, forming a skirt tail, long and trailing behind. Snow-white skin, jade neck, small melon-shaped face, bright eyebrows and teeth, eyes curved like the moon, snow-white earlobes with two strands of black jade earrings produced in the northern border's Wind Cliff, hanging down on the slightly open shoulder blades, showing a unique seductive charm. A full head of raven-black hair, styled in the manner of a Qin noblewoman, high and coiled on top of the head, somewhat like the divine aura of a flying heavenly goddess, high and bundled up, with an extremely light Mochi River hollow white jade supporting it from behind, a crimson agate pendant hanging down on the forehead, especially eye-catching and elegant in black and white.

  Qing Xia had never been so dressed up, and Gang Chu, who was in the car and hadn't looked carefully, now saw Qin Zhiyan sizing up the somewhat uneasy Yun Xia from head to toe, with a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

  Qing Xia could wear black combat uniform, killing silently without any scruples. But at this moment, facing Qin Zhiyan's gaze, she blushed slightly and said uncomfortably: "What are you looking at? Don't look at me like that." As she spoke, she walked forward, tiptoed, stretched out her slender white hand, and covered Qin Zhiyan's eyes. Seven or eight delicate black jade bangles on her wrist collided with each other, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

  Qin's flames laughed loudly, pulled down Qing Xia's hand, and with a big sleeve, he hugged her in his arms. His lips touched her delicate earlobe, with a somewhat elegant demeanor, and said softly: "I never knew that my Yima was also such a stunning beauty."

  A surge of electricity ran up Qing Xia's earlobe to her brain, and her face suddenly turned crimson. She struggled uncomfortably for a moment, but only elicited a bright smile from Qin Zhiyan, which had no effect whatsoever.

  "Wake up, hold the sword to kill, drunk sleep on a beauty's lap. Third brother is elegant and unrestrained, a famous scholar with a romantic air, really making me, little brother, feel envious." A clear and melodious voice suddenly sounded from behind, Qing Xia was startled, tiptoed, and looked back over Qin Zhiyan's shoulder, only to see a man in a dark green robe with golden trim, elegant and refined, with bright eyes and a tall stature slowly walking up.

  Qin's flames faintly smiled, and quietly opened Qing Xia, turning his head to the man and said: "It turns out it's Sixth Brother, when did you come back from Tianshui? Why didn't you go to my mansion?"

  Qing Xia's dark path, it turns out that this is the only one of the six palaces in Qin Dynasty who has not been crowned king at the age of 15 after opening the court, Qin Zhiyin. Qing Xia originally thought that this must be a idle and debauched prince, but unexpectedly he was also a jade-like gentleman with a clear and outstanding appearance. It seems that the Feng Shui of the Qin family is indeed very good, and the bloodline is even more pure, all the children they have are rare and exceptional beauties.

  "I had just entered the city in the late afternoon, thinking of going straight to the banquet, so I didn't go to Third Brother's mansion to pay my respects. The other day, Third Brother launched a great slaughter at White Deer Plain, and when I heard about it, I was so delighted that I wished I could follow Third Brother on horseback, sword in hand, and charge into battle."

  Qin's flames smiled lightly and patted his shoulder, saying: "Sixth brother is in Tianfu, a generation of prosperous business, now in charge of half of our Great Qin's treasury, where can he spare himself to go to the battlefield to fight? If you, this god of wealth, have any mishaps, Father Emperor will settle accounts with me."

  Qin Zhiyin waved his hand and said, "Third brother will exaggerate, returning to the mansion in just five days, he almost forced my several shops in Xianyang to close down. Now you still want to mock me? I heard from the western weaving factory of your manor that the current operation mode of the Wangfu is already admirable, and today I finally have the opportunity to meet the master, I must ask for your advice."

  Qin Zhiyan shook his head and said: "You know I've never been fond of material wealth, if you want to ask about these things, you've found the wrong person."

  Qin Zhiyin furrowed his brow in doubt and said in a deep voice, "If it wasn't for Third Brother's clever planning, could the Wang Manor really have such capable people? In that case, I'd really like to broaden my horizons."

  Qin's eyes flashed, and he turned to face Qing Xia, who walked up to him with a masculine stride, clasped his hands together in greeting, and said: "Yesterday, the Jingyang army came to the warehouse, I don't know if they were people from the Sixth Prince's side, but we have indeed committed an offense, it is truly a sin."

  Qin Zhiyin was taken aback for a moment, and his face suddenly became awkward. He had recently heard that the Xuanwang Fu had changed its manager, and all matters, big and small, were being handled differently. The new management style was also unique, but such changes couldn't be seen in just one or two days. What he said earlier was probably just exaggeration. He sent out scouts to investigate the various business establishments of Xuanwang Fu, but unexpectedly, they were discovered yesterday. Now that this woman had spoken up, it was clear that she had already figured out the identities of those servants. The implication was obvious: since he already knew everything, why bother putting on a show here? Why not just keep quiet and let everyone be at peace? Fortunately, Qin Zhiyin was a smooth talker and didn't get angry. He mumbled something and then pulled Qin Zhiyan's hand, heading towards the grand hall of the Taihe Palace.

  Qin Zhiyan nodded slightly and Qing Xia followed him as he walked towards the main hall of Taihe Temple.

  Qing Xia followed behind Qin Zhiyan, one hand holding up her skirt and the other holding onto Qin Zhiyan's outstretched hand. Looking at Qin Zhiyan's snow-white figure, a vast and firm emotion suddenly arose in her heart. Suddenly, she was no longer afraid of anything. The majestic Taihe Hall before them seemed less imposing with his figure standing in front of it. She firmly believed that even if they were surrounded by the five sacred mountains, he could still use his arms to open up a clear sky for her, just like their tightly clasped hands, and no one could ever separate them.

  The thick fragrance of dragon's saliva wafted in, the lights were resplendent, and the silk and bamboo instruments played. As soon as Qin Zhiyan and others stepped into the grand hall, a servant loudly announced their arrival. The hall was crowded with people, and the air was filled with the scent of incense. The luxurious golden deer skin carpet was soft to the touch and shone brightly. Eight black lacquered pillars supported the dome of the hall, and at the top of each pillar was a fierce golden dragon coiled around it. Below were huge whale oil lamps that illuminated the surroundings, casting a brilliant glow. The bright yellow light was dazzling, and two rows of long tables stood on either side of the hall, laden with food and drink. Various delicacies and fine dishes were all present. Some of the princes of the Qin dynasty who had arrived early were dressed in finery, their faces radiant, walking around, chatting in groups, and having a lively time. This was completely different from what Qing Xia had imagined an imperial banquet would be like - there was no hint of restraint or solemnity.

  As soon as Qin Zhiyan and Qin Zhisheng stepped into the grand hall, everyone's gaze converged on them. However, after a brief moment of attention, these gazes all shifted to Qing Xia, who was following behind Qin Zhiyan, especially their hands clasped tightly under their large sleeves, like a burning ember, suddenly stimulating the eyes of the crowd.

  Even if no one says it, Qing Xia can still see all sorts of things in their eyes. The bright and beautiful woman smiled slightly and raised her head, without a hint of shyness, facing the various speculative glances with ease.

  Today's Qin family banquet, all the adults who attended were the sons of the Great Qin imperial family. Except for the 17th son, Jiang Hua Wang, who was demoted to Xifeng by King Qin last year for flirting with palace maids in the harem, and the deceased 7th, 15th, and 16th princes, there were a total of 14 people. The crown prince always arrives last, so at this moment, there are 13 princes gathered together in the hall, plus their respective consorts, making it a lively scene.

  The second prince, Qin Zhiyi, emerged from the crowd of people and smiled at Qin Zhiyan: "Third brother is always late, let's make him pay a cup for this good wait."

  Qin Zhiyan smiled and said: "Second brother, you are so thick with one person and thin with another. Isn't this hurting your younger brother's heart? Sixth brother entered the palace with me, why didn't you punish him, but only punished me?"

  Qin Zhiyuan stood up, his face twisted in a scowl: "Third Brother, you clearly know that I get drunk with just one drink, and when I'm drunk, I go crazy. Every time, Father Emperor scolds me and even pushes me into the water. What's your intention?"

  As soon as the words fell, everyone burst into laughter, with harmonious and pleasant words, patting each other on the shoulder and back, showing a picture of brotherly harmony. If one didn't understand the undercurrents and hidden dangers behind the scenes, they might really be deceived by this joyful and peaceful scene.

  "Does this beautiful lady have a husband? I am Qin Zhongyi, may I ask for your name?"

  A loud voice suddenly sounded in her ear, Qing Xia was taken aback and looked over to see a man in a purple robe and jade crown bowing respectfully towards her, his slender eyes like silk, looking surprisingly similar to the seventeenth king Qin Zhiyuan.

  Qing Xia hadn't spoken yet, but Qin Zhiyin had already rushed forward, grabbing Qin Zhiyu's arm and shouting loudly: "Miss, there's no need to be alarmed. This is our Qin family's famous playboy, known as one of the two saints of Chang'an along with my 17th brother. His reputation for being a ladies' man is well-known. Now that my 17th brother has gone off into the western wind, I'm afraid my 13th brother will have to take over."

  Qin Zhiyu frowned and shouted, "Sixth brother can hit me and scold me if he wants, but how can he expose my old bottom in front of this beautiful young lady?"

  A man in a blue long gown walked forward slowly, with a handsome face like jade, and said in a low voice: "Thirteen will be noisy, didn't you see that it was brought by Third Brother? Still want to take advantage of this verbal convenience." After speaking, he clasped his fists at Flame Fist and said: "Third Brother, I went to the North Border to guard the border last time, and just returned yesterday. I haven't had a chance to visit you yet."

  Qin's eyes were warm, and for the first time since entering the Taihe Palace, he smiled from the heart: "This time I delayed in Bailu Plain, and the Northern Border affair was left to Eighth Brother."

  "What did Third Brother say? We are all descendants of the Qin family. For so many years, Third Brother has risked his life for the Xiongnu in the north, can't we younger brothers share some of his worries? I'm afraid that if I don't do well, Third Brother will have to clean up after me and worry about it."

  Qin's flame stretched out his hand and patted him on the shoulder, nodding and saying: "You've done a great job."

  The grand hall was in a state of chaos, with the crowd's voices loud and boisterous, the sound of silk and bamboo instruments wafting through the air. On a raised platform in the center, a woman with her clothes disheveled and sleeves fluttering, sang a clear song and danced elegantly, her waist as supple as a water snake, dancing lightly.

  The women brought by each king stood in the back, whispering to each other in small groups, presumably all wives and concubines of their respective households. Qing Xia, having neither a noble title nor an official position, stuck out like a sore thumb standing among the crowd. Fortunately, Qin Zhiyan kept her by his side; otherwise, those women wouldn't have recognized her, and she would have been immediately snubbed.

  Just then, the majestic bell suddenly rang out loudly, its thick and sonorous sound accompanied by a shrill cry from an old eunuch, as King Qin walked slowly up to the hall with Empress Chunyu and Crown Prince Qin Zhihuan.

  Everyone knelt down on the ground and shouted loudly at King Qin: "See Father!"

  More than a dozen handsome young men shouted in unison, their voices thunderous and slightly hoarse but with a hint of joy and lightness, slowly echoing from above. The King of Qin was clearly in high spirits, smiling as he said: "Everyone get up, today is just a family banquet, no need for too much ceremony. Musicians, play the music, everyone return to their seats."

  Qing Xia hung her head and followed Qin Zhiyan to the left seat, knelt down and sat, raised her head slightly and swept a glance, seeing the Second Prince Qin Zhixian sitting opposite them on the right seat, with a woman in bright red clothes and heavy makeup beside him. The Second Prince wore a black formal attire, looking handsome and elegant, standing out from the crowd, but instead, it made the woman look a bit vulgar.

  Qing Xia couldn't help but admit that the princes of the Qin family all had a good genetic factor. Among the dozen or so princes in front of her, not one was ugly, and they all shared some similarities in their facial features. It seemed that the King of Qin was also quite handsome. As she thought this, Qing Xia slightly raised an eyebrow and looked up, only to discover that Crown Prince Qin Zhi Xian was staring at her intently. She was startled and quickly turned away.

  "In the Taihe Hall, it's been a long time since it was so lively. Except for that seventeen-year-old rabbit, everyone is here. Very good, very good." The thick and mellow voice of King Qin slowly rose, and Qing Xia followed the crowd to look up, only to see King Qin wearing a bright yellow robe, with a dignified face, phoenix-like eyes, and a sharp gaze. He was nearly sixty years old, but looked like he was in his forties. His complexion was slightly pale, and even with light makeup and the cover of the lamp, it couldn't hide the faint aura of decline and death inside. Qing Xia had been involved in special operations for many years and had dealt with many drug lords. At a glance, she knew this was a sign of overdose, and thinking back to the large opium pipe she saw in the Shuiyao Hall, she suddenly understood and secretly remembered it in her heart."

  "Your Majesty, next October is your sixtieth birthday. Your sons will naturally return to celebrate with you." The second prince said with a gentle smile, his face calm and respectful, the very image of a filial son.

  The brown-robed man sitting under his hand said: "Yes, seeing the emperor's body healthy and strong, with a vigorous pace, the sons are at ease."

  Everyone hurriedly flattered and welcomed him, Qing Xia looked at the man, only to see that his facial features were extremely deep, his eyes had a slight blue color, plus his seating position, it was likely the fourth prince Qin Zhiye born to the Western Region dancer. This prince is also one of the people in power today, he is the deputy general of the 72nd Water Army in the south, under the Flying Swallow General Lu Huayang who is known as the Imperial Double Pillars along with Qin Zhiyan.

  His birth mother was a Hu woman from the Western Regions who was presented to the King of Qin, and after being favored by the king while he was drunk, she gave birth to him. Later, she died in the mysterious and treacherous atmosphere of the harem. Due to his mother's lowly status, combined with the fact that the King of Qin had many sons, Qin Zhiyan's childhood was extremely difficult. It is said that even the eunuchs in the palace dared to scold him at will. Before the age of five, he almost starved to death several times in the vast palace. Later, the leader of the Hu people from the Western Regions visited the King of Qin and took him to live in the Western Regions for eight years, until he returned to the Qin state at the age of thirteen.

  Qin Zhiye, who had returned, was exceptionally skilled in martial arts and very resilient. As the son of the Qin Emperor, he started from being a small soldier and rose through the ranks to become the deputy general of the Qin army's naval forces. His military achievements were so impressive that even the Qin Emperor looked at him with admiration. At this moment, it was clear that he lived up to his reputation. He spoke briefly but eloquently, yet had not come forward to pay his respects earlier, suggesting that he did not have a good relationship with the other princes. Qing Xia's mind was like a receiver, constantly scanning people's words and actions, quickly analyzing and organizing them, and remembering them in her heart.

  "Lao Liu, you've just returned. This year the north is experiencing a severe drought. How are the preparations for grain and fodder in Tianfu? I think it won't be long before we have to distribute disaster relief grain."

  Qin Zhiyin put away his previous careless appearance and said cautiously: "Your Majesty can rest assured, I have taken care of everything, and we can distribute grain to the people in the northern border at any time."

  The King of Qin smiled and said, "With you in charge, I can rest assured. If there's anything inconvenient, go find your third brother. We must ensure the stability of Beidi. The stability of Beidi means the stability of Great Qin, all of you must remember this."

  Everyone responded with cheers, and the second prince Qin Zhiyi suddenly laughed loudly: "Father Emperor doesn't need to worry, the northern border has my third brother guarding it. What Xiongnu barbarians would dare to invade? A few days ago, when my third brother returned to the capital, Father Emperor didn't see it, but the flags were raised and drums were beaten, the scene was unprecedented, and the people all felt grateful to my third brother. We have taken advantage of the timing and geography, now that the people have surrendered, my third brother's reputation is extremely high, naturally he can guard the northern border as solidly as a fortress. As long as my third brother is there, Father Emperor can rest assured and enjoy the world at ease."

  The King of Qin's eyes flickered, and he said slowly: "With You Yan in charge, I can rest assured."

  The other princes, upon hearing this, all loudly praised Qin Zhiyan's military prowess, saying that he had defeated the Xiongnu and sent them fleeing in disarray, and that the people looked up to him with great admiration. Qing Xia listened to this with a sense of unease, but her expression remained calm and composed. However, she knew that what they were really trying to do was to arouse Qin Wang's suspicion, for it was well-known that emperors throughout history were most wary of anyone who might be more popular than themselves, especially someone like Qin Zhiyan who had risen to the throne by killing his father and brothers. Qing Xia thought to herself that this person's words seemed to be praising Qin Zhiyan on the surface, but in reality they were trying to manipulate him into becoming suspicious of others, with ulterior motives that could lead to deadly consequences. From this, Qing Xia became even more convinced of her initial suspicions - that something must have been done to Qin Zhiyan when he returned to the city that day.

  Only to see Qin's flames faintly smiling, his smile warm and calm, he said in a clear voice: "The son is the emperor's sharp arrow, wherever the emperor points his knife, the son will shoot. Since the emperor came to power, the country has been peaceful, the northern border has been stable, the soldiers have been fighting bravely on the front line, their morale high, thinking that they have the emperor's benevolence and tolerance as a shield behind them. As long as our great Qin has the emperor sitting in the center, the world will be at peace, and no one will dare to invade even a little."

  There is no one in the world who doesn't love to hear people flatter them, it's just a matter of how well they do it. Qin Zhiyan is naturally an expert at this sort of thing, and you can tell from the way King Qin smiles when he hears him that he's quite skilled.

  The Second Prince Qin's expression turned solemn as he smiled and said, "Indeed, Father Emperor is the model for us sons to learn from. Now that the four nations are standing together, our Great Qin dominates the north with a strong army and robust horses. It's the perfect opportunity to contend for the world. We sons are still waiting for the chance to follow in Father Emperor's footsteps, competing in the central plains, sweeping away the six harmonies, and restoring the prosperity of our Great Qin. Therefore, Father Emperor must take care of his dragon body to complete this magnificent undertaking that will last for a thousand autumns!"

  For three hundred years, the rulers of the Great Qin have all taken it upon themselves to restore the ancestral system and unify the world. Upon hearing these words from Huo Yuhao, the King of Qin's smile grew even deeper.

  The seventh prince, Qin Zhen, stepped forward and said: "Third brother is absolutely right. Since the founding of our great Qin dynasty, we have been fighting for dominance over the world, and wherever we go, we are invincible. Now that the turmoil in the world has subsided, the swords have been sheathed, and the four seas have been brought under one map, this magnificent achievement must be initiated by Father Emperor."

  The ninth prince, Qin Zhiyuan, stood up with a fluttering robe and said loudly: "That's natural. Among the four countries now, my Great Qin is the leader. The Eastern Qi country is small with few people, its territory is not as large as our northern border, and its military strength is not strong enough to be feared. Western Chu has just experienced turmoil for less than two years, the country is weak, and the great emperor of Western Chu entrusted all state affairs to Yan Hui, a person who is lazy in four bodies, simple-minded, and incompetent, making it even more difficult to enter the grand hall. As for Southern Chu, the war fire in the southern border has not subsided yet, and now there is a severe drought, with thousands of miles of barren land, domestic politics are unstable, and the newly enthroned young emperor, Chulai, can have what ability? If my Great Qin's iron cavalry comes out in full force, it will surely sweep away all obstacles and defeat them in one battle!"

  King Qin's side, Crown Prince Qin Zhi Xian heard the words and laughed: "The Southern Chu has no one, it's not just a day or two. When Chu Li was sent to Eastern Qi as a hostage, he was like a pig and dog for many years, barely clinging to life. One day, he rose to high position, and suddenly became arrogant and domineering, like a nouveau riche. He even dares to provoke our Great Qin with his sword, it's simply madness! Father Emperor is wise and capable, how can you consider such a person as an enemy, and tarnish Father Emperor's reputation?"

  Qin Yizhi said: "I heard that Chu Li's throne was obtained by sleeping with women. The Empress Dowager Xiao of Eastern Qi, the Holy Maiden Wusimier of Southern Border, and the Concubine Zhulan of the South Palace were all his bedfellows. He even married a daughter of the Zhu family from Lingnan. A kingdom built on the hem of a woman's skirt can't be strong, it will shatter like autumn waves, water ripples, or flowers reflected in a mirror."

  Seeing the King of Qin in high spirits, everyone else chimed in, belittling people from other three kingdoms to the point where it seemed that as long as the King of Qin waved his hand and said "unify", the other three kingdoms would immediately be so ashamed that they would surrender. Just then, a prince who was ranked lower spoke up, saying: "I heard that in the court of Southern Chu, it's actually the daughter of the Zhu family from Lingnan who is listening to politics behind the curtain, while Chu Li is just a puppet. He has been married for many years but has no children, and it's said that he was injured when he was kept as a male concubine by the Crown Prince of Eastern Qi back then. It seems that the royal family of Southern Chu will become extinct."

  As soon as the words fell, a crisp and sharp sound suddenly rang out. Everyone looked up at the same time, only to see that the woman in black with a pale complexion had a gloomy face, her eyes were cold and stern, a white jade wine cup was shattered between her two fingers, bright red blood gushed out, dripping onto the white jade long table, making it even more shocking.

  A deathly silence filled the grand hall, with everyone's gaze fixed on her. A woman of elegant features sat calmly behind a long table, wearing a black brocade robe with golden trim, her shoulders bare and collarbone exposed, her skin as white as snow and her eyes bright and clear. Her face was somber, like a stormy sky before the rain, her eyes expressionless, like a frozen lake, without a ripple to be seen.

  The second prince, Qin Zhiyi, smiled faintly and said in a clear voice: "I had forgotten that Miss Zhuang comes from South Chu. Her father was once the Grand Tutor of South Chu and also a great scholar of East Qi, serving two dynasties with remarkable talent. As the daughter of a tiger, she must be extraordinary. Coming from a family of scholars, having lived in the palaces of East Qi and South Chu, and having served in the army in West Chuan, Miss Zhuang must have some understanding of great affairs. Please, enlighten us."

  The crown prince suddenly patted his forehead and said, "I forgot, it's still my second brother who is wise. The young lady has inherited her father's ambition and must have a brilliant mind and a vast vision."

  The King of Qin seemed to have only noticed Qing Xia beside Qin Zhiyan at this time, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he said in a low voice: "Is this the daughter of Zhuang Dianru?"

  Qin's face remained unchanged, and he said in a deep voice: "Report back to His Majesty, she..."

  "The people's daughter is indeed Zhuang Qing Xia." Suddenly interrupting Qin Zhiyan's voice, Qing Xia slowly stood up and walked to the front of the hall, kneeling down and knocking her head on the ground: "I, Zhuang Qing Xia, am honored to have Your Majesty's inquiry. I come here to thank Heaven's blessing and wish Your Majesty a long life of thousands of autumns and ten thousand years, peace and prosperity!"

  The King of Qin smiled faintly and said, "Get up. I've often heard that the Zhuang family is well-versed in classical learning, knowledgeable about ancient and modern times, and wise beyond compare between China and the West. Today, seeing his daughter, she indeed lives up to her reputation."

  Qing Xia's clothes were majestic, her teeth white and bright. She slowly stood up and smiled at the King of Qin: "My father used to say that Great Qin is a great nation in this world. The King of Qin has excellent martial arts skills and strategic thinking, and can be called the best in the world. Twenty years ago, at the Xiyuanyan Pass in the northwest, with fewer troops, he defeated the more numerous enemy, directly attacking the Yellow Dragon, and defeated the 800,000-strong coalition forces of the Xiongnu, thus stabilizing the northern border of Great Qin. Seventeen years ago, at the Mengliang Bay, the 72 naval routes welcomed the Eastern Qi naval forces and won a great victory, opening up the road to a strong Northern Qin. Fifteen years ago, he conquered a large area of land in the north, all the western barbarians surrendered, and the territory was expanded by more than two million miles, which can be called a magnificent achievement that will last for thousands of years!

  The King of Qin heard this and his heart burst with joy, laughing loudly, his voice also became much more resonant. These things were among the most proud events in his life, and they were being praised by Zhuang Dianru, who had once said that the Eastern Qi had no future and had defected, so how could he not be delighted? Laughing, he said: "Mr. Zhuang has overpraised me, saying I am a sage emperor for all eternity, I dare not accept such an honor."

  "When did I ever deeply agree with my father's words? Only today, coming to the great Qin Taihe Temple, seeing Your Majesty and many princes' true faces, I have a different opinion!"

  "How dare you!" Prince Qin suddenly burst out in anger, shouting: "A mere woman, daring to speak nonsense in the Taihe Grand Hall, simply seeking death!"

  With a loud noise, Qing Xia suddenly knelt on the ground and raised her head to say loudly: "As a woman of the people, I have something in my heart that I must express. Everything I said is because I respect Your Majesty, King Qin. If Your Majesty's ears can only hear the flattery of sycophants and cannot accept blunt but loyal words, then please have me dragged out and beheaded!"

  The grand hall was silent, everyone's eyes were fixed on the black-robed girl kneeling in the Taihe Grand Hall, their hearts surging with emotions, various gazes filled with different meanings all focused on her.

  The King of Qin slightly hesitated, then expressionlessly said in a low voice: "Very well, now you can speak your unpleasant but loyal words."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Qing Xia slowly stood up and turned around to gaze coldly at the Ninth Prince Qin Zhiyuan, who had just been speaking eloquently. With a cold smile, she said: "Just now, the Ninth Prince made some remarks about the situation in the four countries. I, a humble woman, have a slight opinion. Now, with an axe in hand, I beg Your Highness to pardon me."

  Qing Xia sneered coldly and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness just said that the common people of Dong Qi are weak, the officials of Xi Chuan are mediocre and confused, and Nan Chu is plagued by internal and external troubles, all of which cannot withstand the iron cavalry of our great Qin. Is that correct?"

  "That's right, the Great Qin army is invincible, and all four seas will submit, that's only natural."

  Qing Xia snorted coldly and said ruthlessly: "Ants shaking a big tree, how ridiculous to overestimate one's own strength!"

  Qin Zhiwen was furious upon hearing this and said in a stern voice: "What did you just say?"

  "I say you are short-sighted and arrogant, with a high opinion of yourself! If all the people of Qin were as proud and self-important as you, the great Qin Empire, which has stood for thousands of years, would not be far from collapse!"

  Qin Zhiyuan was furious, and with a swish of his sword, he drew it out from his waist and shouted angrily: "How dare you!"

  As soon as the words fell, a sharp sound was heard, and a shiny object shot out, hitting Qin Zhiyuan's sword hilt that had not been pulled out yet, forcing him to put his sword back into its scabbard. Qin Zhiyan picked up a new cup, without even looking at him, and said calmly: "Father is above, Ninth Brother should be more self-aware, wielding knives and guns, disrespecting one's elders, thinking of rebelling?"

  Qin Zhiyun's face turned bright red, and he was stunned, unable to utter a word.

  Qing Xia sneered and said: "Your Highness, with a pair of eyes that only see other people's shortcomings but not their strengths, isn't that being short-sighted? Dong Qi is located by the East Sea, with the longest coastline among the four countries, a well-developed salt industry, thriving fisheries, commerce-based economy, and strong national power. Once war breaks out between our two countries, after three months, Qin will definitely cut off the salt supply, commerce will be disrupted, and the economy will collapse in five months. How can we go to war with insufficient supplies? On the other hand, Dong Qi's military and civilians are skilled in naval warfare, Mu Xuan Pass is strategically located in the east, and we can attack or defend as needed. My cavalry will definitely enter the Jiangnan swampy terrain, how can they gallop freely, how can they sustain their military needs, how can they transport grain and supplies, and how can they adapt to the complex changes of naval warfare? Has Your Highness thought this through?"

  The woman in black robes sneered at the corner of her mouth, her eyes flowing with a hint of mockery. Her clothes were resplendent and colorful as she spoke clearly: "Your Highness says that Xichuan has just gone through great chaos, but I don't know what Your Highness means by 'just'. Ten years have passed, and Xichuan is no longer the same. The stars have shifted, and the people are different. Now, within Xichuan's borders, the army is strong and powerful, the livestock industry has flourished, and Xichuan's warhorses are renowned throughout the land. They can gallop day and night for eight hundred miles without rest. In just one day and night, their cavalry can cross over the Western Wind City and charge directly into Chang'an, the capital city. Is such an army, in Your Highness' eyes, also a mediocre and incompetent force that cannot withstand even one blow?"

  She snorted, suddenly raised her head, and coldly scanned the Second Prince, Ninth Prince, Crown Prince, and those proud sons of Qin who were mocking Nan Chu. She sneered: "The most ridiculous thing is that you are laughing at Nan Chu's great emperor from a narrow perspective, using romantic affairs to evaluate major events in the world, which is extremely foolish. The Emperor of Chu was held hostage in Dong Qi for ten years, enduring humiliation and then rising up to save his country, that's determination. Rising to power overnight and leading the country, that's ability. Winning over powerful women from various countries and using them, that's charm. Eliminating the rebels in Nanjiang with lightning force, that's prestige. A person with determination, ability, charm, and prestige is considered incompetent and useless by you, relying on connections to take power, not knowing whether it's a case of 'the wise see wisdom, the foolish see foolishness', or just self-deception."