People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 559, Scarlet Smoke: I Will Never Let You Down
After the court meeting at Zhangtai Palace ended, the imperial edict appointing Xu Qing as the new prime minister was made public. Dozens of knights rode out from various city gates of Xianyang and headed to various parts of Qin. Their mission was to inform all regions of Ying Zheng's coming of age and his assumption of power, as well as Xu Qing's appointment as the new prime minister, thereby stabilizing the Qin region.

"Greetings, Prime Minister."

"Greetings, Prime Minister!"

As Xu Qing walked towards the Star-Picking Tower, the scholars along the way bowed respectfully upon seeing him, and Xu Qing responded with a slight nod.

Before long, Xu Qing arrived at the Zhaixing Tower. The two maids outside bowed to him and then opened the door to let him in.

"Did they guess I was coming?"

Xu Qing glanced at the two maids, smiled lightly, and without thinking further, stepped into the Star-Picking Tower.

During the day, the Star-Picking Tower remains as magnificent as ever, yet still warm and inviting. Bright sunlight spills onto the bluestone floor, clear water flows gently in the central waterway, and a light breeze wafts through the windows, softly stirring the rolled-up curtains.

Feiyan, dressed in a long red dress, sat at the table. Her jet-black hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin. Her pretty face was free of makeup, and her dark golden eyes were calm as she looked at the cloth in her hand.

Her graceful and slender figure was faintly visible beneath the slightly loose red dress, and the curve of her breasts was barely perceptible, swaying gently as Fei Yan closed and let down the cloth.

Feiyan remained as dignified and elegant as ever, and the warm setting added an extra touch of mature charm to her.

Feiyan turned to look at Xu Qing, a smile appearing on her cool face, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"Our Prime Minister has arrived, why didn't he send someone to inform me beforehand?"

Fei Yan placed her small hands together in front of her lower abdomen, exerted a little force with her calves, and stood up gracefully and calmly, walking towards Xu Qing as she spoke.

Her long, shapely legs were partially hidden beneath her skirt, and her bare feet gently touched the floor, her rosy toes resembling grapes, making them look incredibly tempting.

"Stop, don't move."

As Fei Yan walked barefoot toward him, Xu Qing called out to her and then quickly walked toward her.

"What's wrong?" Feiyan asked, puzzled.

"The weather hasn't warmed up yet, but I'm already walking barefoot on the floor, not afraid of getting sick."

Xu Qing walked to Fei Yan's side, looking at her with a mixture of helplessness and doting. Before she could reply, he reached out and picked her up by the waist.

Fei Yan swayed slightly, startled by the sudden embrace. She buried her head in Xu Qing's arms and grabbed his collar with her small hands.

Seeing Fei Yan's demure demeanor, Xu Qing's gaze softened slightly, and his hand holding Fei Yan's beautiful leg tightened involuntarily.

He never expected that a strong and elegant woman like Fei Yan would show such vulnerability and fright.

"What, even the mighty Lord Dongjun of the Yin-Yang School is afraid of being picked up?" Xu Qing teased.

"That depends on who's holding him."

Fei Yan looked up slightly at Xu Qing, her gaze gentle, and said softly.

She had already cultivated Yin-Yang techniques to the point where she was unaffected by heat or cold. Not to mention walking barefoot in this kind of weather, she wouldn't have any problem even taking a cold shower.

However, seeing Xu Qing's worried and doting eyes, Fei Yan felt a warmth in her heart.

Women in love are that simple; even trivial worries can make them happy for a long time.

"Then I'll have to hold him a little longer, lest our Dongjun be snatched away by someone else, hahaha."

Xu Qing carried Fei Yan to the seats and sat down. Noticing the affectionate look in Fei Yan's eyes, he still held her tightly in his arms and said with a soft laugh.

When a woman truly loves a man, her eyes will change, and you can easily sense it.

"You must have been frightened these past few days. I hope the rebellion a couple of days ago didn't affect you?" Xu Qing asked worriedly.

As she spoke, she reached out and gently stroked Fei Yan's cheek. Her face was truly flawless, especially her innate noble elegance, which was captivating.

"No, the rebels were dealt with before they even got close to the Marquis of Wenxin's residence."

Feiyan felt the warmth of Xu Qing's fingertips and shook her head slightly.

"It's good that you're not. I would have blamed myself if you had been injured in this rebellion."

“It is my duty to stand by your side and protect you. Although you are the Eastern Lord of the Yin-Yang School, in my eyes you are also a weak little girl who needs protection and needs me to shield you from the wind and rain.”

"You are my sun, moon, and stars; only when you are safe and sound can my world have light."

Xu Qing looked intently at Fei Yan and said affectionately.

Hearing Xu Qing's sweet words, Fei Yan's eyes were slightly moved, and her cool face flushed slightly. She was too shy to look Xu Qing in the eye.

How could a novice who had never been in a relationship be a match for Xu Qing? Xu Qing's words made his heart flutter.

Despite her shyness, her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Xu Qing, her dark golden eyes filled with nothing but Xu Qing, seemingly unable to hold anything else, not even the slightest bit.

Her small, fair feet, suspended in mid-air, twitched slightly, revealing her true thoughts.

To love someone is to give your all, to remain faithful until death – this is the view of a novice in love.

"I've missed you a lot these past few days in Yongcheng. I should have spent more time with you."

Xu Qing's tone was somewhat downcast as he hugged Fei Yan tightly in his arms, the strength in his arms proving just how much he missed her.

"Deep affection is fleeting, and the strong always prevail. Helping the King ascend to the throne and assume personal rule is of utmost importance, and I miss you dearly too~"

Feiyan stirred slightly in Xu Qing's arms, her slender fingers reaching towards Xu Qing's face, then recoiling slightly upon touching it. She then cupped Xu Qing's face in her hands and spoke softly.

Despite being deeply immersed in love, Fei Yan remained rational. A man should prioritize his career and not indulge in romantic feelings.

She didn't want Xu Qing to neglect his important business because of her.

"It's good that you understand. I saw you looking at something just now. Was it a message from the Yin Yang School?" Xu Qing asked curiously.

"No, don't you know? Lü Buwei summoned his retainers, including those already serving in the court, and announced that he was disbanding his retainers and taking his family to his fiefdom in Bashu," Feiyan said.

"Huh? Is it that sudden?" Xu Qing said, somewhat surprised.

"Don't you know? I thought this was something you and Lü Buwei had agreed upon." Fei Yan looked at Xu Qing, her beautiful eyes gleaming. When Lao Ai rebelled, Xu Qing had told her to seek refuge at the Marquis of Wenxin's residence. Considering everything that had happened in the past two days, how could someone as intelligent as her not see through the hidden agenda?
Although she wasn't sure what the relationship was between Lü Buwei, Xu Qing, and Ying Zheng, she was certain that there was some shady deal between the three of them.

It is highly likely that Lü Buwei exchanged power and influence for the sake of enjoying his later years, and Xu Qing, who became the prime minister, would certainly take over the legacy left by Lü Buwei.

Xu Qing looked down at Fei Yan in his arms, and was somewhat surprised to see Fei Yan's expression of knowing everything.

However, considering Fei Yan's intelligence, the fact that she sought refuge at the Marquis of Wenxin's residence is enough to show that her relationship with Lü Buwei was not as hostile as it appeared.

"As expected of the most talented woman in the Yin-Yang School for a century, you actually saw through me. I do have an agreement with Lü Buwei, but his disbanding of his retainers now is somewhat unexpected," Xu Qing said with a light laugh.

Lü Buwei is trying to run away. His senior brother was eighty years old and could still kill enemy generals and lead troops to form alliances. How could Lü Buwei, who is over fifty, want to run away? How could he let him get away?
"The current situation is very unfavorable to him. The longer he stays in Xianyang, the less likely he is to leave. Naturally, he should leave sooner rather than later."

"But now that he's gone, you'll have a better chance to win over his retainers and the court officials."

Feiyan didn't think much of it after Xu Qing admitted it. She leaned against Xu Qing's chest and whispered something.

Regardless of the true nature of the relationship between Xu Qing and Lü Buwei, Lü Buwei's abdication will not affect the Yin-Yang School's plan to enter Qin. Moreover, the Yin-Yang School's entry into Qin through Empress Dowager Huayang provides Xu Qing with leverage.

With this leverage over her, His Majesty the Eastern Emperor will surely agree to her relationship with Xu Qing.

It was a win-win situation, and Fei Yan didn't bother to think about anything else. Feeling Xu Qing's aura and mindset, she just wanted to stay in his arms forever.

"Just thinking about this gives me a headache. I expect to be even busier after becoming the Chancellor. This mess left after the rebellion is really hard to clean up!"

Xu Qing put his arm around Fei Yan's waist and lowered his head to her earlobe as he spoke. He said that he had a headache and felt uncomfortable, but he did not slack off in doing what he was supposed to do.

Inhaling the delicate fragrance emanating from Fei Yan's hair, Xu Qing continued to nuzzle against her ear.
"Humph~"

Fei Yan trembled slightly. She was naturally uncomfortable with Xu Qing's scumbag tactics.

However, she did not resist and let Xu Qing bully her, biting her lip to endure it.

"You smell so good, I want to smell you for the rest of my life..." Xu Qing said softly.

What an obedient girlfriend! She's so easy to bully. Luckily, Xu Qing is a gentleman and a high-ranking disciple of the Taoist Tianzong sect, so naturally he wouldn't bully Fei Yan.

"Hmm~ If you're tired, rest here a little longer."

Fei Yan leaned against Xu Qing's chest, her eyes slightly narrowed, and said softly.

"Sigh~ Let me hold him a little longer. I need to meet with Gongyang Ru and the other scholars later. I need to select a group of people from them to fill positions in the court," Xu Qing said with a sigh.

He really wanted to lie down on Fei Yan's bed and take a nap, but what could he do when he was the Prime Minister of Qin?

A whole host of things awaited him. He needed to select a group of capable people from the Imperial Academy to form his core team, sending them to various departments or regions for training. He also needed to see what Lü Buwei was really thinking after Lü Buwei dismissed his retainers.

He also needs to check on the royal family.
In short, there are many things waiting for him now.

"If the Yin-Yang School has a suitable person, please keep an eye out for them for me," Xu Qing said again.

Although he was somewhat wary of the Yin-Yang School, there were indeed many talented people within it, and he couldn't let a minor setback deter him. Besides, he also had to give his girlfriend, Fei Yan, some face.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Fei Yan's eyes, and she felt a surge of warmth in her heart. Her phoenix eyes rippled with deep affection, as if surrounded by starlight.

While the Yin-Yang School cannot be said to have betrayed Xu Qing, others have indeed wronged him. Now that Xu Qing has become the Prime Minister, he could easily have targeted the Yin-Yang School, but instead, he has given them a chance.

Fei Yan wasn't narcissistic, but she understood that Xu Qing was doing this to give her face.

With a man like Xu Qing who is strong, considerate, and thoughtful, possessing countless virtues, what more could she possibly say?
"Actually, I still feel like I'm dreaming. I actually managed to win you over. The feud between us isn't just between the Yin-Yang School and the Heavenly Sect; besides, I'm not exactly a good person myself. I had a lot of romantic affairs in Korea, and I've been involved with many women, so my reputation is mixed."

Xu Qing looked at Fei Yan and said with a sense of loss.

Fei Yan sought refuge at the Marquis of Wenxin's residence, so naturally she met with Jing Ni, Tian Mi, and Yan Ling Ji. He didn't know what Fei Yan would think of him, but he felt it necessary to explain things to her.

Proactively explaining and being questioned are two different things. By speaking up, you at least keep the initiative in your own hands.

Before Xu Qing could finish speaking, Fei Yan pressed her finger against his lips.

“I don’t mind. Since I’ve chosen you, I won’t regret it. Even if the future is full of dangers, I will go with you. Even if we die, we will die together.”

Feiyan's eyes were full of affection as she spoke firmly.

She was a woman who dared to love and hate.

Since she already liked him and had developed feelings for Xu Qing, she wouldn't think about anything else.

Once she liked and decided on him, she needed no reason. From that moment on, her eyes could no longer see anyone else.

But I

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, but still thought it would be better to say it in advance, after all, he was truly devoted but not faithful when it came to relationships.

A wife is a wife, a spouse is a wife, a baby is a baby, a girlfriend is a girlfriend, and a sister is a sister.
In short, he will fall in love with someone, but he won't only love one person.

If you're going to be a jerk, be a jerk clearly and openly, so as not to waste other people's time or your own.

"To spend my life with you, never to be separated from you, I have no regrets in this life, and no resentment in this world."

Feiyan shook her head, stopping Xu Qing from explaining, seemingly unwilling to hear those things. She gently leaned against Xu Qing's chest and said softly.

"This... what I want to explain is that you won't listen!"

Xu Qing held Fei Yan in his arms, muttering to himself, but still continued speaking along with Fei Yan's words.

"If you don't abandon me, I will never leave you and will stay with you for life," Xu Qing said.

If anything else happens in the future, then it's really not entirely his fault; it's Feiyan who won't let him explain.

"Xu Lang~"

Feiyan, of course, had no idea what Xu Qing was thinking. She narrowed her eyes slightly, listened to the beating of Xu Qing's heart, and called out emotionally.

I don't qualify~
Fei Yan's simple two words almost made Xu Qing'an lose his temper, but thinking about what he had to do today, he had to hold back and not let romantic feelings interfere with important matters.

(End of this chapter)