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

Chapter 275, Jingni flees in panic, deceiving Little Red Lotus.

“I sent you here to lure him, not to threaten him. You’re hopeless.”

Luo Jing's voice rang in Jing Ni's ears, her words filled with helplessness.

However, Jing Ni ignored Luo Jing's words and continued to look coldly at Xu Qing. She knew that her words were a threat, but she would not seduce him.

She couldn't very well ask her to take off her clothes, lie on the bed, and use her body to persuade Xu Qing to defect to the Qin state, could she? If doing so would actually work, she wouldn't mind.

"Court infighting isn't a dinner party; it's a life-or-death struggle. Didn't Confucius himself execute Shao Zhengmao back then?" Xu Qing said without a hint of guilt.

Just kidding. The Confucian ancestor held the power of the Minister of Justice for seven days and then executed Shao Zhengmao, a political enemy and academic heretic.

Do you really think that scholars don't get involved in court intrigues?

As Jingni listened to Xu Qing's rebuttal, she pursed her lips slightly. It was truly difficult for her to explain the relationship between Zhu Shaozhengmao and the power struggles in the imperial court to an assassin.

However, her purpose in coming to find Xu Qing was not to debate, but to extend an invitation to him, so she began to speak.

“I don’t mean to look down on you, but I just want to remind you that Han Yu has joined forces with Ji Wuye. The two of them have formed an alliance by exchanging Princess Honglian for her.”

“If you kill Han Yu, Ji Wuye will definitely not tolerate you. Han Fei and his two favorite concubines in the harem are simply not enough to protect you.”

"At that time, South Korea will become your burial place."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing was slightly taken aback. He was not surprised that Han Yu would seek an alliance with Ji Wuye, since if Han Yu wanted to become the Crown Prince or even the King of Han, he would definitely need the support of either Ji Wuye or Zhang Kaidi.

He was puzzled as to why Jing Ni was telling him all this. Was she no longer going to play games with him? Was she preparing to confront him directly?

"Thank you for telling me. What do you mean by telling me this, Madam? Are you perhaps concerned about me?" Xu Qing asked with a smile.

"I'm just reminding you that Korea is too small, and powerful ministers hold sway within its borders. It's simply not a place for a wise man like you to realize your ambitions. If you insist on going your own way, you'll only bring disaster upon yourself. I'm just reminding you that you should think of a way out," Jing Ni said coldly.

"It seems that Madam has already thought of a way out for me, is that right? Please speak frankly," Xu Qing said.

Seeing Xu Qing's straightforwardness, Jing Ni actually felt a little relieved, as she was not a person who was good with words.

Her mission was to monitor and win over Xu Qing, but Luo Wang never considered how an assassin could bewitch someone, nor did they think of sending Jing Ni a strategist skilled in rhetoric.

"Qin State, on behalf of Qin State, I extend an invitation to you. The reason why Ji Wuye is able to control everything in Han State is because he has the support of Luo Wang, and Luo Wang belongs to Qin State."

"As long as you choose to submit to the Qin state, you can replace Ji Wuye at any time and become the new powerful minister of the Han state if you wish."

"At that time, you won't have to worry about any enemies at all. The Luo Wang and Qin Guo will help you clear away all obstacles."

Xu Qing looked helpless. Although the other party's words were just empty flattery, they sounded more like a threat to him, given the other party's cold face and aloof voice.

“Madam, you are not really suited to come for negotiations, but I will consider your offer,” Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

Jing Ni had already prepared herself for Xu Qing's rejection, but when she heard him say he needed to consider it, she was taken aback and her eyes became wary.

Although she knew that Xu Qing was not as upright and loyal to Korea as the outside world claimed, as the deputy head of the medical family and a renowned divine physician, he would not betray his master and defect to the enemy, no matter how much he hated Korea.

Xu Qing said he needed to consider it, which meant he was somewhat interested, prompting Jing Ni to ask...

"why?"

“Madam, didn’t you come to win me over on behalf of the Qin Kingdom? I’ve already agreed, so why are you still asking why?” Xu Qing said, shrugging.

Sometimes he even doubted whether the Jing Ni in front of him was the real Jing Ni. She was completely different from the ruthless and decisive assassin in the original work.

Jingni remained silent upon hearing this, as Fusu's emotional state had recently led to increasingly unusual behavior from her.

She tried her best to avoid it, but this strangeness could not be completely concealed and would be exposed without her realizing it.

"If I said it was because of Madam, would you believe me?" Xu Qing asked Jing Ni.

"I?"

A look of doubt flashed in Jingni's eyes as she pondered what she had done, or what she had done that would make Xu Qing risk his reputation to betray South Korea.
Xu Qing took a deep breath, walked up to Jing Ni, looked at her pretty face, and said in a deep voice.
"Do you still remember the conversation we had when you bandaged me up during the fire at the Imperial Hospital? I don't care whether you're an assassin from the Luo Net or Madam Luo from the Feng family. I only know that you're someone who understands me."

"When I was at my lowest and darkest, you were like a ray of sunshine illuminating my heart and giving me a rare warmth."

“From that time on, I have regarded you as the person I want to spend my life with. Now you want me to join the Qin state, but I cannot agree, because this is my principle of integrity and knowledge.”

"But because of you, my emotions tell me that I cannot refuse your request, so I need some time to think about it."

As he spoke, Xu Qing took Jing Ni's small hand and looked at her affectionately.

Having lived two lives, Xu Qing has been both innocent and scummy, but he has never lacked sweet words, and his sweet talk to women has never been lacking.

Jingni looked at Xu Qing in surprise, clearly caught off guard by his words. She had considered many reasons why Xu Qing was considering this matter, but she had never thought of this reason.

Love and confidant? She has absolutely no idea about that.

"Tsk~ This stinky man, he's so good at talking, it made me want to fall for him." Luo Jing said, her voice slightly trembling with tears.

If it weren't for Jing Ni controlling her body, she wouldn't care where she was.

Jingni felt a sudden flutter in her heart, her ears turned slightly red, and she looked at Xu Qing with some embarrassment.

"Ahem~ Since you're willing to consider it, I hope you'll think it over carefully. I'll be waiting for your news at the Feng residence."

Jing Ni pulled her hand away from Xu Qing's grasp, turned around and headed away into the distance, her back view somewhat disheveled, as if she were fleeing in panic.

"interesting."

Xu Qing watched Jing Ni's retreating figure with a smile in his eyes. It was a miracle that she hadn't hit him when he held her hand earlier.

"Could it be that I've already touched Jingni's cold heart during our ordinary interactions? Sigh, why didn't you just admit your identity sooner? Why make us distrust each other like this?"

Xu Qing was filled with mixed emotions.

Despite his mixed feelings, Xu Qing was still quite satisfied with the current situation. After all, without the previous contact and communication, how could he have opened the entrance to the iceberg that was Jing Ni?

After remounting, Xu Qing continued towards Xinzheng.

An hour later, Xu Qing entered the Han King's palace. After passing through layers of corridors, he arrived at Honglian's palace, where Honglian was sitting in a pavilion.

Honglian was still wearing that pink and white palace dress, her jet-black hair adorned with a silver crown decorated with rubies and silver ornaments with red lotus petals.

Her pretty, slightly naive face was adorned with just the right amount of makeup, which not only captured the youthful beauty unique to girls her age but also exuded elegance and sophistication—clearly, it had been carefully prepared.

Her amber eyes were full of laughter, her peach-pink lips were slightly pursed, and the corners of her mouth were turned up, clearly indicating that she was very happy.

The well-developed, soft ball rested slightly on the stone table, a smear of white cream peeking out from the white undergarment.

Beneath a white veil, her slender arms rested on the table, her small hands holding a brush and paper, drawing something. Her beautiful legs, encased in pink stockings, were slightly bent, and her little feet, clad in pink shoes, swung happily.

When the maid saw Xu Qing arrive, she was about to speak up to remind him, but Xu Qing stopped her.

Xu Qing waved her hand slightly, signaling the maid to leave.

The maid glanced at Honglian, then, remembering that Xu Qing was the teacher summoned by order of King Han, stepped down from the pavilion, head bowed, and remained silent.
Xu Qing walked quietly behind Hong Lian, curiously watching what she was drawing. Upon closer inspection, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

On the cloth in Honglian's hand was a portrait of him. In the painting, he was dressed in blue, with a handsome face, a cold expression, and sharp eyes. He was holding a sword hilt without a blade.

This is clearly the image of him when he rescued Honglian last night.

Looking at his own portrait on the cloth, Xu Qing couldn't help but speak up.
Am I really that cold-hearted?

"what!?"

The sudden sound startled Honglian, almost causing her to fall to the ground. She only felt relieved after turning around and seeing Xu Qing's handsome face.

"Imperial Physician, when did you arrive? Why wasn't anyone informed of your arrival?"

Honglian covered the cloth with both hands, her face flushed, and said shyly with her head down.

“I just arrived. I didn’t let the maid announce my arrival. Are you drawing a portrait of me? It’s very lifelike, but you’ve made me look too aloof. You don’t capture my easygoing nature at all.”

Xu Qing smiled as she looked at Hong Lian and reached out to take her portrait.

Honglian dodged Xu Qing's hand, clutching the portrait tightly to her chest, and said with her puffed-out cheeks.
"No, I haven't finished drawing it yet, you can't look."

“Alright, then I’ll take a look when you’ve finished drawing. His Majesty has instructed me to teach you medicine and pharmacology. I wonder where the princess would like to begin her studies?” Xu Qing took a step back and sat on the railing of the pavilion, asking.

Honglian closed the cloth in her hand, her amber eyes shifting slightly as she looked at the maid and said...

"You can go down now. With the Imperial Physician here, I'll be fine."

The maid glanced hesitantly at Honglian and Xu Qing, then nodded after a moment's hesitation.
"Yes, Your Highness, just call me if you need anything."

"Go on, go on, what could be wrong? You've been nagging all day. Tell everyone else to leave too. No one is allowed in without my permission," Honglian said, waving her hand.

The maid gave a slight bow, turned and walked outside, beckoning to the maids and eunuchs serving nearby before leading them away.

For a moment, only Xu Qing and Hong Lian remained in the courtyard.

"I don't want to learn medicine and pharmacology; I want to learn swordsmanship from you. As the Imperial Physician, you were able to defeat a vicious villain like Tianze, so your swordsmanship must be extremely superb. I would like to ask you to teach me swordsmanship," Honglian said earnestly, looking at Xu Qing with pleading eyes.

“Princess, my swordsmanship is actually quite average. Besides, as the most noble princess of Korea, learning swordsmanship is of no use to you. You would be better off reading more books.”

Xu Qing shook his head slightly and said that he didn't understand why Honglian was so obsessed with swordsmanship and the martial world.

She was already the most noble princess in Korea, with the right to enter and leave the library at any time, and was taught by a great Confucian scholar, possessing conditions that other people longed for but could not obtain.

But he showed no interest in that at all; instead, he was quite interested in swordsmanship and the dangerous world of martial arts.

What is this? Is it that the more you can't get something, the more you want it?

Hearing Xu Qing say the same thing as her father and brother, Honglian pouted slightly and whispered...

"What's the use of studying? All you do is spout classical Chinese phrases all day. You can't even beat a guard. How can you protect yourself and Korea?"

"My goal is to become a female knight-errant, punishing evil and promoting good, protecting the weak, and maintaining peace in Korea. Naturally, I need to have excellent martial arts skills and swordsmanship." Honglian told Xu Qing about her life goal, her eyes full of longing.

Looking at the innocent and naive girl, Xu Qing sighed inwardly. Honglian's idea was ultimately just wishful thinking.

Han Wang An could allow Honglian to learn martial arts and find her good teachers, but the purpose was to improve her health, not to let her roam the martial arts world.

Otherwise, if this gets out, not to mention how other countries will ridicule South Korea, even Honglian's value as a princess will be greatly diminished. After all, in the eyes of the imperial court, the martial arts world is nothing but low-class stuff.

However, Xu Qing did not intend to destroy Honglian's dream, as that would be too cruel. The innocent princess should remain innocent, since Honglian would face a harsh reality for the rest of her life after the fall of Han.

“But Princess, all my strength comes from studying,” Xu Qing said softly.

"Huh? You got that from studying? Are you kidding me? Why can't my old teacher even beat the guards around me?"

Honglian looked at Xu Qing in disbelief, her eyes filled with doubt.

This is because we learned different things and read different books.

Xu Qing immediately began to explain to Honglian. After all, Honglian was an innocent young girl who was easy to fool. Under Xu Qing's persuasion, she quickly began to waver.

"Can studying really turn you into a female knight-errant? Can it cultivate you to have superb strength and swordsmanship?" Honglian asked hesitantly.

"Of course! Who says you can't reach the Celestial Realm through studying? My strength comes from studying!" Xu Qing patted his chest and assured him.

"I would never lie to a princess, no matter who I lie to. Don't you believe me?"

Looking at Xu Qing's sincere face, Honglian believed him and nodded slightly.
"Then what books should I read?"

“Alright, I’ll teach you the Taoist classics first. We’ll start with the Liezi Huangdi chapter,” Xu Qing said.

"it is good."

As he spoke, Xu Qing began to teach Honglian Liezi, and Honglian listened attentively.

Just as the two were preaching and teaching, Tianze, far outside Xinzheng City, was also surrounded by Bai Yifei and Han Fei.

(End of this chapter)