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

Chapter 339, Reactions from All Sides, and the Confused Luo Jing (Seeking Monthly Tickets!!)
Looking at his elder brother Xiong Qi, Chang Wenjun felt a sense of doubt. He and his brother had grown up together since childhood and knew each other very well.

He could tell at a glance whether the other person was distracted or had other thoughts on their mind.

“Brother, are you worried about the future? That Grand Chancellor is indeed exceptionally talented and deeply favored by the King. But with our aunt here, and our sister already in the palace, why should we worry?” Changwenjun said softly.

The aunt he was referring to was none other than Empress Dowager Huayang, the only one in Xianyang Palace who could rival Empress Dowager Zhao Ji.

Empress Dowager Huayang was the wife of King Xiaowen of Qin. Although King Xiaowen died only three days after ascending the throne, she was the one who facilitated the ascension of the late King Zhuangxiang of Qin. Therefore, her power not only did not diminish, but she also helped to revive the declining Chu state.

When the King of Qin was young and suppressed by Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei, it was Empress Dowager Huayang who was closest to Ying Zheng. She even helped Ying Zheng marry Xiong Qi's younger sister, a princess of the Chu state.

Regardless of what Ying Zheng does in the future, their status as relatives of the Chu state will not be shaken, and may even be further enhanced.

Xiong Qi looked at Chang Wenjun and felt a sense of helplessness.

Changwen Jun, like him, came from the royal family of Chu. However, after the other party entered Qin, he completely sided with Qin, unlike him who was in Qin but his heart was in Chu.

Therefore, he dared not voice his true thoughts, and could only sigh and say...

"However, the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies was ultimately promoted by Marquis Wenxin, and the other party is a scholar from one of the six states. His future is still unknown."

Upon hearing this, Chang Wenjun fell silent, his eyes flashing with deep thought. However, before he could think any further, he was interrupted by Xiong Qi.

"He has already won the favor of the military. For now, we should not think about these things. In the future, we should only try to be on good terms with him, not make enemies."

After Xiong Qi finished speaking, he walked out of the palace on his own, his gaze becoming even more complicated.

Regardless of anything else, Xu Qing will undoubtedly become a rising star in the Qin court in the future. The only thing to do with such a person is to befriend him rather than offend him.

The fate of the Qin state is destined to change.
Changwen Jun wasn't thinking about anything. As one of the two leaders of the Chu state's foreign relatives, he was certainly not a fool. He knew exactly how to treat Xu Qing.

The events of the court meeting at Zhangtai Palace spread rapidly after the meeting ended, and the first to learn of it was Lao Ai, who was in Xianyang Palace.

In a side hall of the Empress Dowager's palace, Lao Ai listened silently to a eunuch recounting the events of the court proceedings.

"My lord, in the end, with the congratulations of all the civil and military officials, Xu Qing became the Grand Master of Ceremonies, the Imperial Physician, and the Palace Attendant, and also gained the support of most of the military," the eunuch said in a deep voice.

"You may leave now. Go and inform Jie, Si, Xiao Jie, and Zhong Dafu Ling Qi to go to the Marquis of Changxin for a meeting," Lao Ai said with a gloomy face.

The four men Lao Ai mentioned were his most loyal retainers and cronies in the court, and he would consult with them on important matters.

"promise."

After bowing respectfully, the eunuch withdrew.

After the palace doors were closed again, a ruthless glint flashed in Lao Ai's eyes. His fists clenched tightly beneath his wide sleeves, and a faint but palpable killing intent emanated from his body.

"No, we absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom. Ying Zheng has already gained the support of the military, and the coming-of-age ceremony can probably no longer be postponed. We must seize this opportunity before Ying Zheng has completely consolidated his power over the military and take advantage of it."

A cold glint flashed in Lao Ai's eyes. After pondering the official positions in the Qin army, he finally made his decision.

"Weiwei, Neishi, and Zuoyi must be under our control," Lao Ai said in a low voice.

The Commandant of the Guards was in charge of the imperial guards of Xianyang Palace and oversaw entry and exit from Xianyang Palace and Zhangtai Palace. The Inner Historian was the official in charge of government affairs in Guanzhong, wielding immense power. The Left Attendant was of paramount importance, as he was in charge of the Qin army's armory, specifically the bow and crossbow depot.

Having made up his mind, Lao Ai quickly headed out of the palace to discuss with his confidants how to seize power.

Meanwhile, Marquis Wenxin.

In the same study, Lü Buwei, dressed in a black robe, knelt on the seat. His face was rosy and he did not look sick at all. He held a pen in his hand and was revising the bamboo slips. His eyes occasionally showed a satisfied look.

Meanwhile, Lü Yi was recounting what had happened during the court meeting.

"You mean Xu Qing publicly presented three volumes of his own medical books, which not only increase the survival rate of wounded soldiers by 30%, but also have methods to improve childbirth for pregnant women, and the Imperial Physician even said that his medical books are a masterpiece of surgery, a book that has never been written before?"

Lu Buwei's aged face gleamed with a sharp light, and he seemed to be deep in thought, as if he were plotting something.

Seeing that Xu Qing's attention was entirely focused on the medical books, rather than on securing his position as Grand Master of Ceremonies and helping the King rally the army's morale, Lü Yi couldn't help but ask...

“That’s right, but Father, from today onwards the military will certainly fully support His Majesty, and the matter of the capping ceremony will not be changed. What do you think?”

"The Rites of Zhou state that men are capped at twenty. Your Majesty has delayed it for two years. How could there be a man who is not capped at twenty-three?"

Before Lü Yi could finish speaking, Lü Buwei waved his hand to interrupt him. At this moment, his mind was completely focused on Xu Qing's medical book, "The Great Compendium of Surgery." His book compiled the essence of various schools of thought, but while it contained various analyses of medicinal herbs and prescriptions for internal medicine, it only touched on surgery in a few words.

He originally wanted Xu Qing, a great physician, to help him refine the medical knowledge, but unexpectedly, Xu Qing ended up filling in some more content for him.

As a polymath, Lü Buwei felt that his book must include Xu Qing's comprehensive work on surgery; otherwise, the book would never be considered complete.

"What about the Grand Chancellor? Many people are uneasy about his appointment as a Palace Attendant, and His Majesty's attitude has become increasingly tough these past few days, making many people uneasy. They came to me to inquire about your condition, but I told them to go back."

After Lü Yi finished speaking, he looked at Lü Buwei with some nervousness. The principle of "one emperor, one court" couldn't be clearer.

Now that the king is not only getting older, but also becoming more powerful, Lü Buwei's position as regent is becoming increasingly awkward.

Whether Lü Buwei should relinquish power or continue to hold it is a complex issue, and one that many are watching closely.

"Are you waiting to see my attitude? Lizard, enter the palace in my name and ask the King to say that I have been ill for a long time and the physicians in the mansion are helpless. Please ask the Imperial Physician to come and diagnose me tomorrow."

Lu Buwei spoke calmly and in a flat tone.

Lu Yi was taken aback. The current Imperial Physician was no longer the old Imperial Physician Xia, but Xu Qing, the Grand Master of Ceremonies. Was he so eager to get the medical book from Xu Qing?
Or do you have other plans?
"promise."

Although Lü Yi was filled with doubt and did not understand why Lü Buwei wanted to see Xu Qing at this time, he still respectfully bowed and left the study.

"Power? Attitude? Ha~"

Lü Buwei sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. His wrinkled hands lovingly stroked the bamboo slips in his hands, as if he were playing with a rare gemstone.

Power is a poison; once you drink it, you can't stop. The young Lü Buwei was indeed obsessed with power.

But for Lü Buwei, who had held power for half his life and was now at this age, power was long gone; he had something more important in his heart.

After leaving the palace, Xu Qing returned to his own residence.

At this moment, in the small courtyard, Yan Lingji and Jing Ni were fighting, while Wushuang Gui sat silently to the side, eating a roast chicken.

Upon seeing Xu Qing return, Yan Lingji and Jing Ni stopped fighting.

Wushuang Gui put down the roast chicken in his hand and whispered a few words to Xu Qing.

Yan Lingji reinserted the fiery red hairpin into her hair, reached out to smooth the sweat-dampened hair on her forehead, her pretty face flushed from exhaustion, her small mouth slightly open as she breathed.

Sweat dripped down his chin, landing on his smooth, white breasts, and then trickled down his fair skin into the abyss.

The flesh-colored stockings covering her long, shapely legs were soaked with sweat.

Yan Lingji, drenched in fragrant sweat, exuded a mature charm, like a rose in early summer. She was beautiful and alluring, yet also had a touch of decadence. The faint fragrance in the air constantly stimulated Xu Qing's senses.

In contrast, Jing Ni appeared completely unfazed, her small face still displaying a cold and aloof expression. Her black skirt fell down, concealing her beautiful legs encased in metallic fishnet stockings, and the Jing Ni sword in her hand was sheathed.

"You're back~ Judging from your appearance, the outcome of this court assembly must have been quite good~" Yan Lingji said with a light laugh as she looked at Xu Qing, who had a relaxed expression on his face.

"Not bad. We've established a foothold in Qin for the time being. But why are you two fighting?"

Xu Qing's gaze swept back and forth between Jing Ni and Yan Ling Ji. Judging from Yan Ling Ji's condition, the two were probably just sparring.

Otherwise, with Yan Lingji's limited skills, even with Wushuang Gui, she wouldn't be a match for Jing Ni. The Heavenly-level assassins of the Luo Wang are no joke.

"It's nothing. This lady looks pretty good, so I just wanted to spar with her. Are you worried I'll hurt her?"

Yan Lingji walked briskly to Xu Qing's side, leaned slightly on his shoulder, her icy blue eyes full of smiles, and teased him softly.

Xu Qing glanced at Yan Lingji speechlessly, then reached out and poked her forehead, saying in an annoyed tone.
"I'm afraid she'll hurt you; even ten of you wouldn't be a match for her."

Watching Xu Qing and Yan Lingji flirting, Jing Ni pursed her lips slightly, a strange sense of envy and unease rising in her heart, an emotion she didn't quite understand.

"Luo Jing, don't bother me," Jing Ni thought to herself.

Luo Jing, who had just woken up from her deep sleep, opened her eyes in a daze, her little face full of confusion, not quite understanding what Jing Ni was talking about.

What happened to her? Where is she? What did she do?

(End of this chapter)