The Crown Prince's Residence
Wang Wan, Wei Zhuang, and Chunyu Yue all looked grim.
What had seemed like a sure thing had suddenly taken an unexpected turn.
"What a pity."
"This was an excellent opportunity."
"If the Crown Prince had been the first among the princes to participate in state affairs, it would have sent a clear message to the court and the entire nation that he was the future Crown Prince."
"But that Hu Hai, along with his supporters, dared to fight back so fiercely."
"Truly infuriating!" Chunyu Yue said angrily.
"The struggle for the heir apparent is a fight to the death."
"Since the Hu family has put Hu Hai forward as a contender, they will stop at nothing to see it through."
"Zhao Gao, as Hu Hai's mentor and someone who serves on the King's side, has access to inside information on everything."
"Hu Hai's move today proves that he had prior knowledge of the King's trip to Yongcheng," Wang Wan sighed.
"During today's court session,"
"Hu Hai had no shortage of supporters among the ministers."
"The speed at which he has gained this backing is alarming," Wei Zhuang said seriously.
"Why does Hu Hai have so many supporters?"
"Do you two ministers not see the reason?"
"Ever since Zhao Feng returned to court, Hu Hai suddenly gained access to political affairs. After that, many officials inexplicably shifted their support to him."
"Is that not obvious?" Chunyu Yue said bitterly.
His tone was laced with resentment toward Zhao Feng, and everyone present could hear it.
"Zhao Feng wouldn't be so foolish as to openly support Hu Hai," Wei Zhuang said slowly.
"Minister Wei,"
"The facts are already before us."
"Rumors in the court say Zhao Feng supports Hu Hai, and many officials have started to believe it. Some have even switched their allegiance to Hu Hai because of it."
"How can you deny that?" Chunyu Yue frowned deeply.
"There are indeed signs,"
"But, Grand Tutor Chunyu, even if Zhao Feng does support Hu Hai, is that not something tied to you as well?" Wang Wan said pointedly.
Chunyu Yue's face darkened with anger.
"Back then, I was trying to secure Zhao Feng as an ally for the Crown Prince, never expecting him to rise to such prominence."
"You two ministers should have done as I did and suppressed Zhao Feng from the start."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't be where he is today." Chunyu Yue's voice was filled with frustration.
"He earned his rank through military merit, not politics. That is beyond our control," Wei Zhuang countered.
"There's no point dwelling on the past,"
"We should focus on ensuring that the Crown Prince ascends as the heir apparent," Wang Wan said.
At that moment
Fusu, looking troubled, spoke up. "Has Father never considered making me the Crown Prince?"
"Every time I think I've earned his recognition, he finds a way to strike me down."
"Though my eighteenth brother is younger than me, Father favors him far more."
His words carried a deep bitterness.
"My lord,"
"You must not let sorrow cloud your mind,"
"Perhaps the King allows Hu Hai to enter the court as a way to push you forward."
"Without competition, you would lack the necessary trials to refine you," Wang Wan said reassuringly.
Every time Fusu wavered, Wang Wan was there to steady him.
They had placed all their hopes on Fusu if he failed, their entire families would be doomed.
"What is Father truly thinking?"
Fusu sighed deeply.
He felt that his father remained distant, never truly placing great importance on him.
…
Time passed.
Great Qin, Yongcheng!
Inside the palace, in a secluded residence.
Ying Zheng and Empress Dowager Huayang sat across from each other.
"Grandmother,"
"It has been a long time since I last came to visit you," Ying Zheng said with a slight smile.
"Zheng'er, you are now the ruler of a nation things are naturally different from before,"
"I have lived here for many years and have grown used to it," Empress Dowager Huayang replied, smiling warmly.
Her elegant features still retained traces of the beauty she once possessed in her youth.
"Grandmother, how has she been lately?"
Ying Zheng asked, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.
This side of him showing sincere emotion was only revealed before those he truly trusted.
"The same as always."
"Some days she is in a frenzied rage, other days she remains silent and withdrawn."
"The damage to her heart and mind is irreversible," Empress Dowager Huayang shook her head.
"The foolish things she did back then… and yet she still hates me for it."
"Heh," Ying Zheng let out a bitter chuckle.
"A single moment of desire, a single misguided thought,"
"She brought this upon herself."
"Were she not your mother, she would have been torn to pieces years ago."
"Even after her disgrace, she still naively believed she had power because of her merit rather than because of you she thought she was powerful because she bore the King's child."
"She even believed those two illegitimate sons of hers could seize the throne of Qin," Empress Dowager Huayang said coldly.
Even after all these years, her disdain for Zhao Ji remained unchanged.
A woman who bore two illegitimate children with a false eunuch and then believed they could take the throne Zhao Ji had truly overestimated herself.
Without the bloodline of the Qin royal family, even if they had truly seized Xianyang, they would have ultimately been suppressed by countless elite Qin warriors.
Bloodline is of utmost importance!
"Let's not talk about her anymore."
"The Empress Dowager has been living in Yongcheng all these years. Do you have any requests?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"Grandmother is already old. What more could I ask for?"
"As long as I can spend the rest of my days in peace, that is enough."
"If I could live to see you unify the world and accomplish the great ambition that the ancestors and former kings of Qin never completed…" Empress Dowager Huayang said with a smile.
"Grandmother, rest assured."
"You will surely see it happen."
"There are only four states left in the world today."
"By midyear, I will launch a campaign against Wei."
"Destroying Wei will not be difficult." Ying Zheng smiled confidently.
Empress Dowager Huayang gazed at Ying Zheng intently, and then a smile of admiration appeared on her face. "Thinking back to the time when you were designated as the heir, Grandmother was somewhat opposed. I had hoped to establish Chengjiao instead. But now, time has proven that Chengjiao is far inferior to you."
"I said back then, if Chengjiao could be filial to Grandmother, so could I."
"It's just that I had no control over Chengjiao's death."
At the mention of Chengjiao, a trace of guilt flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes.
"His death was indeed a result of being manipulated, but ultimately, it was his lack of self-awareness that led to his demise."
"He cannot blame anyone but himself." Empress Dowager Huayang shook her head.
Ying Zheng did not continue the topic.
At the end of the day, Chengjiao thought too highly of himself and imagined things too optimistically.
That was how he fell into a well-laid trap.
At that time, many in the court wanted him dead.
"Zheng'er."
"Is Fusu not meeting your expectations?" Empress Dowager Huayang suddenly asked, shifting the topic.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng turned to look at her. "Why does Grandmother ask this?"
"Although Grandmother resides in Yongcheng and takes no part in political affairs, nor does she concern herself with matters in Xianyang…"
"Many things, even if I do not seek them out, there are still people who bring me the news." Empress Dowager Huayang sighed.
"The matter of the heir to the throne concerns the future of Qin."
"For now, I am still young, so there is no rush."
"Grandmother, there is no need to listen to or think too much about these matters in Yongcheng." Ying Zheng smiled faintly.
Empress Dowager Huayang was momentarily stunned, then smiled and nodded. "Indeed, Grandmother has spoken too much."
She had lived through four reigns. From the time of King Zhaoxiang, she had married into the Qin royal family. Then came her husband, followed by Ying Zheng's father.
She had witnessed too much.
The reason she could still live in peace today was precisely because she did not interfere in anything.
The reason she brought this up today was perhaps because of her connection to the Mi clan. Otherwise, she truly would not have tested the waters with her words.
"Zheng'er."
"Are you still unable to forget that girl from back then?"
Empress Dowager Huayang looked at Ying Zheng with a kind expression.
If her previous question had held some purpose, this time, it was purely out of concern for her grandson.
"I will find her."
"If there is anyone I owe the most in this world, without a doubt, it is her." Ying Zheng smiled bitterly.
"Sigh."
"What happened back then was also due to your mother and the royal family ministers."
"At that time, you cannot be blamed."
"You were facing internal turmoil and external threats, and you had a mother who was blinded by a eunuch." Empress Dowager Huayang let out a bitter smile.
"Yes."
"I never expected them to be so ruthless." Ying Zheng said slowly.
"For the sake of that position, how could they not be ruthless?"
"In the end…"
"That position carried too much weight. The girl was indeed a good person, but ultimately, her family background was lacking, which naturally led to strong opposition."
"Just like your mother back then. Ultimately, she only became the Empress Dowager because of you."
"If not for you, Zheng'er, at most, she would have been a consort." Empress Dowager Huayang said with emotion.
Ying Zheng smiled. "Yet it was all in vain."
"Zheng'er." Empress Dowager Huayang gazed at Ying Zheng. "Grandmother wants to ask you something."
"Grandmother, please ask." Ying Zheng smiled.
"If one day you truly find that girl again, will you make her your Empress?" Empress Dowager Huayang asked curiously.
"Yes." Ying Zheng answered without hesitation. "That position was always meant for her, and only for her. No one in the harem is worthy of it except for her."
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Huayang nodded, unsurprised.
"Grandmother was being too nosy."
"A bond forged through life and death…" Empress Dowager Huayang smiled gently.
…
The grandmother and grandson conversed for a long time.
By evening, after sharing a meal, they each returned to their respective palaces.
Although Ying Zheng had not spent much time in the Yongcheng Palace, he was still very familiar with it.
"Sigh."
"It seems that the position of queen will never be hers in the end."
"Fusu, the Mi clan…"
"I've helped you enough. From now on, you will have to handle things yourselves."
"I will no longer interfere."
Deep within the palace, Empress Dowager Huayang thought to herself.
At this moment
"Your Majesty, everything is ready."
"We are only waiting for your departure."
"From Yongcheng, it will take just one day and one night to reach Shachou," Dun Ruo reported respectfully as he entered the hall.
Ying Zheng had already changed out of his royal robes into a plain black robe, and the crown on his head had been replaced with an ordinary hairpin.
It had been a long time
A long time since he had worn such simple attire.
"Ren Xiao," Ying Zheng called out.
At his command, Ren Xiao swiftly entered.
"Your Majesty, please give your orders," Ren Xiao said respectfully, bowing.
"Tomorrow, you will lead a thousand imperial guards with my royal carriage to Yong Mountain. Announce to the public that I am going there for a hunting expedition," Ying Zheng instructed in a firm voice.
"I understand," Ren Xiao responded without hesitation.
"If anyone comes looking for me, turn them away. Tell them I wish to enjoy some peace at Yong Mountain for a few days," Ying Zheng continued.
"Understood," Ren Xiao immediately nodded.
As the commander of the king's guards, he understood the gravity of the situation. The fact that the king was giving such serious instructions meant that the matter was of utmost importance. If he failed in his task, it would be a great disappointment to Ying Zheng.
These precautions
This meticulous planning
At its core
It was all for Xia Dong'er.
Since things were still unclear, Ying Zheng had to be careful. He also did not want Xia Dong'er to escape again. He could not bear to lose her once more.
"Let's go."
After giving his final instructions, Ying Zheng turned to Dun Ruo and spoke.
"As you command."
Dun Ruo immediately led the way.
At the back gate of the palace, a hundred elite shadow guards were already waiting. Each was equipped with a warhorse, armed with enough crossbows and swords.
Fully prepared for battle.
These men were the most elite warriors of the Black Ice Platform just one hundred of them could take on an entire army.
In the Qin realm, no one could mobilize an army of a thousand without an official military order it was absolutely impossible.
As Ying Zheng rode forward on horseback, all the shadow guards mounted their horses in unison.
Quietly, they left Yongcheng Palace, heading toward the distant Shachou Commandery.
Yet, no one knew about any of this.
The night passed swiftly.
In Yongcheng Palace
Under the escort of thousands of imperial guards, the Qin king's royal carriage set off in a grand display toward Yong Mountain, carrying all the necessary hunting equipment.
"Empress Dowager."
"His Majesty left for a hunting expedition at Yong Mountain early this morning."
"He will not be able to join Your Highness for breakfast."
A palace maid respectfully reported to Empress Dowager Huayang.
"Mm."
"The king already informed me of this yesterday," Empress Dowager Huayang nodded, unsurprised.
Ying Zheng had always resided in Xianyang and rarely had the opportunity to relax. Now that he had come to Yongcheng, it was clear that he intended to take things a bit easier. Empress Dowager Huayang understood this well.
"Pass down my orders."
"Unless there is an urgent matter, no one is to disturb His Majesty."
"The king rarely gets a chance to relax, so no one is to interfere." Empress Dowager Huayang instructed immediately.
"Understood. I will inform the others at once," the palace maid responded before swiftly departing.
…
Shachou Commandery!
Sha Village.
Everything was as usual.
It was the farming season, and many villagers were working in the fields with their families.
Although Zhao Shi's son was now a great general and owned vast lands, she had never neglected the two acres of land that had once sustained her family of three.
Now that it was time to plant crops, Zhao Shi personally worked in the fields.
The only difference
Was that she was now surrounded by many guards and servants.
Clearly
No one could persuade her to give up her old ways.
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