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

Although he was overjoyed, Ying Jing's face showed a hesitant expression.

"But if the Six Sword Slaves were to stay by my side, would Your Majesty's safety be in jeopardy...?"

A stunning smile bloomed on Zhao Ji's beautiful, flawless face as she stood up straight, her bare feet touching the white jade floor.

"I am the Empress Dowager of Qin, the mother of the King of Qin. In Qin, who dares to harm me?"

Suddenly, Zhao Ji, a woman known for her beauty and love-struck nature, also revealed a touch of unspeakable domineering charisma.

Living environment influences one's temperament, and upbringing influences one's physical condition.

There is some truth to what Master Xun said.

"You need not worry about my safety. If anyone in this Ganquan Palace could harm me, then the Qin Kingdom should perish."

Zhao Ji's statement sounded domineering, which was quite in line with her usual personality—speaking without thinking.

Ying Jing kept his eyes down, offering no response.

Only Empress Dowager Zhao Ji would dare to say such a thing.

"Do you know who carried out this assassination attempt?"

Before Ying Jing could continue speaking, Zhao Ji was already showing signs of anger.

It is no exaggeration to say that Ying Jing's position in Zhao Ji's heart was even higher than that of Ying Zheng.

After all, his biological son, Ying Zheng, was a deep and meticulous man, especially after becoming the King of Qin. He would not waste time with Zhao Ji, and their feelings for each other had long since faded.

On the contrary, Ying Jing was completely different.

From the moment Zhao Ji and Ying Zheng returned to Qin, the third prince, born to a palace maid, had already set his sights on Zhao Ji's long, beautiful, and fair legs!

Not only would he visit Lanzhi Palace every day to pay his respects to Zhao Ji, but he would also occasionally act as Ying Zheng's childhood playmate.

Later, Ying Zheng ascended the throne, but because he was too young, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji had to rule. So he moved into Xianyang Palace, and Ying Jing went to Xianyang Palace every day.

Now, Ying Zheng has married a princess from the State of Chu and gained the support of the Chu faction. He has officially entered Xianyang Palace, and Zhao Ji has moved to Ganquan Palace. Ying Jing visits Ganquan Palace every day.

Ying Jing has been clinging to Zhao Ji's long, white legs for eight years without fail!

As a result, Ying Zheng's status in Zhao Ji's heart declined, while Ying Jing's status rose steadily.

Ying Jing, who was so important to Zhao Ji, was assassinated, leaving her both shocked and terrified.

"Although the embroiderer was spared, those assassins were all suicide soldiers. After their assassination attempt failed, they committed suicide by poisoning themselves, leaving no clues."

Ying Jing shook his head. Assassinating a Qin prince in Xianyang was a crime that no one could bear.

Since the other party dared to do it, they must be certain that they would not be traced back to them.

"Could it be Lü Buwei?"

The only person Zhao Ji could think of was Chancellor Lü Buwei.

Because of Ying Jing's influence, Zhao Ji did not feel empty or lonely after returning to Qin, and therefore had no further contact with Lü Buwei.

Especially recently, under Ying Jing's influence, Zhao Ji directly relinquished Xianyang Palace and moved to Ganquan Palace, which means that she has begun to relinquish power to Ying Zheng.

From a motivational standpoint, Lü Buwei certainly had reasons to act.

Ying Jing's influence on Zhao Ji was simply too great!

However, after a moment's thought, Ying Jing shook his head again.

"Although Prime Minister Lü had his reasons for taking action, he was a very shrewd businessman. He would not act unless he was swift, accurate and ruthless."

"This assassination attempt was a bit too petty."

Before becoming the Prime Minister of Qin, Lü Buwei was a renowned merchant. However, in this era, even if a merchant reached the top, he was nothing more than a piece of fat meat in the eyes of the powerful and wealthy.

Upon meeting the late King Ying Yiren in Handan, the capital of Zhao, Lü Buwei was overjoyed and exclaimed, "This is a rare find!"

Thus, Lü Buwei made the most important investment of his life, squandering his entire fortune to bet on Ying Yiren, who was then a hostage in Zhao, helping him escape back to Qin and eventually inherit the throne.

This investment brought Lü Buwei a rich reward, transforming him from a mere merchant into the Prime Minister of Qin.

This story of rare and valuable goods is not only widely circulated among the seven kingdoms today, but it is also regarded as a model by countless merchants in later generations.

Ying Jing would never underestimate such a legendary figure.

"Compared to Prime Minister Lü, I think Cheng Jiao is a more likely candidate."

Cheng Jiao, the second son of the late king, is supported by the Han faction, headed by the late king's biological mother, Empress Dowager Xia.

If Ying Zheng hadn't returned to Qin, he would be sitting on the throne now.

The three princes of Qin all theoretically had the potential to inherit the throne.

Since Cheng Jiao covets the position, it's not impossible that she would eliminate a competitor beforehand.

"However, it's more likely that... he never intended to succeed in the assassination."

Without any clues, Lü Buwei was indeed the prime suspect.

Even as the Chancellor, Lü Buwei would have to bear considerable pressure for carrying such a false accusation.

If Ying Jing were to clash with Lü Buwei because of this, and if something were to happen to Ying Zheng one day, Lü Buwei would never choose Ying Jing and would only be able to support Cheng Jiao.

However, there's no need to tell Zhao Ji these things; with her limited understanding, she simply can't comprehend anything even slightly complicated.

"Cheng Jiao, you have some nerve!"

Zhao Ji understood at least one thing: the assassination attempt was carried out by Cheng Jiao.

Instantly, Zhao Ji's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she slapped a pillar in the hall with her fair hand, but quickly pulled it behind her back, her eyes welling up with tears.

It hurt when I hit you!

"How could the Empress Dowager be so careless?"

Ying Jing stepped forward and gently grasped Zhao Ji's small hand, which was tucked behind her back. A purple aura surged from his palm, wandering over the crimson area, and instantly restored it to its original state.

Zhao Ji didn't move, letting Ying Jing do as he pleased, but her cheeks flushed as she stared at Ying Jing's still somewhat immature face.

"Does it still hurt?"

Ying Jing was completely unaware of Zhao Ji's reaction, and simply gently kneaded her fair hands, asking softly.

Zhao Ji blinked her charming and beautiful eyes, seemingly lost in thought, and shook her head blankly.

"That's good, Your Majesty..."

Before Ying Jing could finish speaking, Zhao Ji interrupted him.

"I'll send the Six Sword Slaves to kill Cheng Jiao!"

ha?

Ying Jing was completely immobilized for three seconds.

Domineering?

It was earned with my brains!

Assassination and actual killing are completely different concepts.

If Cheng Jiao were to get into trouble, Empress Dowager Xia and the entire Han faction would probably go completely mad.

However, Ying Jing had to admit that he was quite moved to see Zhao Ji so angry for him, even to the point of sending the Six Sword Slaves to kill Cheng Jiao at all costs.

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect.

Although there was a great deal of manipulation involved, the eight years of getting along with Zhao Ji had given Ying Jing many different opinions about this woman who left a bad name in history.

Even though she was the Empress Dowager, standing at the highest point of power in the Qin state, deep down Zhao Ji was still just a little woman who lacked love.

A frail woman, raising her young son Ying Zheng in the Zhao state that had just experienced the Battle of Changping, surrounded by Zhao people filled with hatred for the Qin, faced unimaginable hardships.

Having finally escaped back to Qin, and with Ying Zheng inheriting the throne, they thought they had finally made it through.

As Ying Zheng grew older, he became increasingly profound and meticulous, and increasingly busy, causing his relationship with her to gradually fade.

She wasn't a wanton woman who only cared about physical pleasure and disregarded everything else; she was simply a woman who was afraid of being alone.

Therefore, after Ying Jing came into her life, Zhao Ji's fate was completely changed.