Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 83, Section 82: Past and Present Lives [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

When Huangmen hurriedly sent a message from Zhangtai Palace, Qin Shi had just rinsed his mouth and was now gently wiping it with a silk cloth.

She listened quietly to Zhou Ju's question, intending to laugh and say that she was already tidying up, but the next moment she felt a chill run down her spine—

How long has it been since I last pondered Zhou Ju's words?
The other party is cautious in their words and actions, and will never overstep the bounds in matters of national importance.

If you go to the Ironworks, what you get will definitely be related to ironware.

However, the king did not summon him, but he came to ask on his own initiative...

Qin Shi stood up and slowly paced around the hall.

Ever since she discovered that Ji Heng liked it when others praised his imperial demeanor, and that he would lower his guard and be more tolerant after she praised his handsomeness and bravery, she had become accustomed to this kind of straightforward flattery.

Zhou Ju seemed pleased with this.

But if Ji Heng were so easily manipulated by his emotions, why would Zhou Ju, as his close associate, still be so cautious in everything he does?
She frowned slightly, while Chi Nu and Wu Zi waited anxiously to her side, but dared not say anything more.

This is the norm for being a slave nowadays.

They could joke and laugh with their familiar masters about food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, but when it came to serious matters, they absolutely could not get involved in anything.

But she was careless.

The rising, humid heat was slowly absorbed by the ice, transforming into a pervasive coolness. She broke out in a cold sweat in this environment and began to carefully review the experience she had gained.

It is known that: King Qin was domineering and profound, and he made absolute decisions. The country depended on him for its existence, and he was high above, holding the power of life and death over everyone.

She always remembered the magnificent army that commanded absolute discipline when they first met—a lenient ruler could not create an iron-blooded army.

Through their interactions, she discovered that what Ji Heng cared about most was his rule, and whether he could rule the empire for a long time.

All the personas he displayed were those of an innate emperor, the kind of person he wanted others to perceive.

He probably doesn't even know what his true self is like now.

Therefore, her long-standing flattery has focused on two points—

Firstly, Your Majesty's fame will last for thousands of years, and you should be the ruler of the world.

Secondly, His Majesty's kindness and benevolence are truly those of a wise and benevolent ruler. Serving His Majesty is a matter of course, and it is difficult not to feel grateful.

Then she discovered that Ji Heng had assumed power at around the age of twelve, and his subsequent battles in the court and on the battlefield had not only cultivated his highly efficient behavior, but also made those around him either tactful or upright, with no one praising his uniqueness and excellence.

Or perhaps there were such people, but because their backgrounds and identities were too complicated, he ignored them.

But she just happens to say it.

You know, no one in this world doesn't love being praised.

The king's achievements should be praised, his profound kindness and righteousness should be praised, and his appearance should also be praised.

Although we are not as advanced as the Wei and Jin dynasties, we are still in an era where people can be selected based on their appearance and demeanor!
She's even safer and more likely to receive compliments from the opposite sex!
As expected, Ji Heng was very pleased and became even more tolerant and trusting.

Her praise was actually quite low-level, but it stemmed from her inherently disadvantaged status.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every soldier, and every maid in Lanchi Palace belongs to the King.

Just like today, she can neither find out news from the outside world nor develop confidants in the palace.

When faced with trouble, they become like trapped beasts.

Just like today, right now.

She stopped in her tracks, and the woman in red immediately came forward to wipe her sweat before boldly asking:
"Does the Prefect mean that Lord Qin is not ready yet? Then please speak frankly, and His Majesty should not blame you."

Even under the scorching sun, the King of Qin would linger at the Ironworks for most of the day. Now that he has only been waiting for a day, would the King blame his Queen for this?
She said this with particular certainty.

Qin Shi recalled everyone's excitement that morning and suddenly asked, "Chi Nu, before me, who received the Chi Hu Seal?"

The woman looked up instantly, her eyes meeting hers, her expression a mixture of surprise and bewilderment.

Then she bowed again: "Reporting to King Qin, the previous holder of the Chihu Seal was the Queen of Chu, the Queen of the previous king."

Qin Shi immediately held his breath.

She didn't ask why no one had informed her. In this palace, King Heng of Qin's orders were paramount. If even the king wouldn't speak, how could they possibly get one?
Wouldn't it be a great injustice to lose one's life over such a trivial matter?

He simply sat down again and said, "Pour me a cup of hot tea."

She needs to think about it carefully.

Do you think she could possibly refuse this king?
All those heartfelt compliments she had given him earlier were expressions of her admiration and love. In Ji Heng's heart, he must undoubtedly admire her.

If she refuses, he, and even everyone else in the world, will not understand the concept of "one husband, one wife, no concubines" in choosing a spouse. They will only think that she is full of lies and is no longer trustworthy!
Moreover, she possesses a powerful weapon, her origins are unknown, and she refuses to become the supreme queen of Qin. So what is she waiting for?
Those who faced her either imprisonment until death or permanent demotion.

In this era of harsh laws and severe punishments, power represented everything. Once demoted... forget about ice and charcoal, if she fell ill, she couldn't even find a reliable doctor.

Moreover, in this era, [women who do not marry upon reaching adulthood are taxed five times the normal rate].

Furthermore, if one does not participate in matchmaking events organized by the government every year, it is still considered a crime.

And this was even the regulation when it was lenient.

If the punishment were more severe, as King Goujian of Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period said: if a woman is not married by the age of seventeen, her parents and family members will be punished along with her…

Although she had no parents or family, she had village chiefs and neighbors in Qin! If one person committed a crime, several others would be implicated.

Rather than finding an ordinary person to get married or to fake a marriage, it's better to avoid trouble from the start.

The avenue for refusal was blocked before it could even be uttered.

So, do you agree?

Wu Zi carefully served a cup of hot tea.

The Lanchi Palace was completely silent. Although there were faint cicada sounds outside, the group dared not breathe, for fear of incurring the wrath of the Qin Emperor.

This is power.

Qin Shi sipped the tea slowly. The tea was bitter and strong, but it quickly calmed him down.

She has had boyfriends.

They were true love in college, supported each other, and stayed together even after graduation.

Even after he became an employee of a large company, she was still earning a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan. This continued for a whole year without them breaking up or arguing.

Until she succeeded.

She had been earning over a million yuan a month for more than three months, and she was already looking at cars and houses, feeling that her life was perfect, when her partner broke up with her.

He wants a virtuous girlfriend who is good at managing a household. He can save 15,000 yuan out of his monthly salary of 20,000 yuan to give to her, and then continue to work hard with a sense of honor in supporting the family, even if he has to eat coarse food himself.

He's not wrong.

He just... doesn't like strong people. Especially since this strong person is his girlfriend.

Qin Shi glanced at his watch: a custom-made TP Lunar Calendar watch with a sapphire crystal and various gemstones. The multi-layered dial could display not only the lunar calendar, but also the monthly calendar, solar terms, and the twelve zodiac animals.

The customized price is 200 million.

When she placed the order, she felt that their relationship was sincere and deep, and had withstood the test of poverty.

This 200 million yuan watch is nothing to the wealthy, but for someone like her who has worked her way up from nothing, it is truly a unique luxury.

Before the designer finalized the design, she decisively changed it into a women's wristwatch.

Unfortunately, she has a preference for the strong.

In comparison, the Qin Dynasty's punishment of not allowing women to marry at seventeen was indeed much more lenient, with a poll tax five times the normal rate (although still deadly for ordinary people).

[What King Goujian of Yue said was that if a woman was not married by the age of 17, her parents would be guilty.]

During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, family members were punished collectively.

Let me describe my personality when I was young. I was resilient and could endure loneliness. Because I came from a poor background and worked hard to get where I am today, I also cherish people from poor backgrounds.

But at the same time, she can also express her feelings openly; she loves strong people without any concealment.

(This may not meet the general public's expectations of perfection, but all the characters I create have flaws; none are perfect, and that has always been the case.)
I'm earnestly requesting some double monthly passes!