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

Chapter 346, Lao Ai: I am the King's adopted father.
Half an hour ago, outside the gate of Marquis Changxin.

Still suffering from a hangover, Lao Ai was helped out of the Changxin Marquis's residence by several retainers.

"You deserve great credit for making this plan go so smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, the position of Commandant of the Guards will be yours."

With his hair disheveled and clothes in disarray, Lao Ai, embracing his retainer, drunkenly spoke, and then let out a burp.

Yesterday, after discussing with his retainers how to seize key positions such as the Commandant of the Guards before Ying Zheng could consolidate his power in the military, he ordered the Luo Wang (a secret police organization) to gather intelligence and frame the three men.

Then, by using Zhao Ji's name, they pressured the Court of Justice, forcing the Court of Justice to imprison the three people, thus making the case an ironclad one.

Because the plan went so smoothly, he hosted a banquet for his retainers at the Marquis of Changxin's residence to celebrate. He drank with his retainers all night long, simply because he was happy.

The retainer called Xie was a middle-aged man wearing a Qin army headdress. He was filled with excitement as he listened to Lao Ai's words, but on the surface he maintained his composure and said...
"Thank you for your appreciation, Lord Marquis. It is thanks to your appreciation that I have a place in the Qin Kingdom. From now on, I am willing to be at your service."

The other three didn't say anything when they saw this. All three of them were Lao Ai's confidants. This time, the three guards were eliminated by them, and the vacant positions naturally belonged to them.

"Rest assured, once the great undertaking is accomplished, I will..."

"My lord, you've had too much to drink. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you. Please get in the carriage quickly."

Seeing that Lao Ai was talking too much, Zhao Xie quickly interrupted him and helped him into the carriage.

Seeing this, the other three quickly helped Lao Ai onto the carriage. Their plan with Lao Ai was a treasonous act that would result in the extermination of nine generations of their family. If others overheard and reported it, they would probably be arrested on the spot, let alone committing a treason.

"I'm not drunk. It's only a little. So what if the Empress Dowager summons me? It's just a joke for me." (burp)

Lao Ai, reeking of alcohol, looked at the swaying figures in front of him and said while holding Zhao Xie.

"Quickly, get the Marquis into the carriage," said the Grand Master Ling Qi hastily.

He could tell that Lao Ai was really drunk and was starting to talk nonsense.

If anyone overheard him saying that Zhao Ji was his plaything, none of them present would escape.

They were so drunk they didn't know where their power came from. But the more arrogant Lao Ai was, the better it was for the four of them. Only a master like that could be easily fooled and controlled.

The other three hurriedly helped Lao Ai onto the carriage.

"On the way, make sure the Marquis is properly dressed and doesn't make him lose face in front of the Empress Dowager. The rest of you, protect the Marquis and make sure he gets back to the palace safely," Zhao Xie said to the retainers following the carriage.

"promise."

After one of the retainers boarded the carriage, the procession of dozens of people headed towards Xianyang Palace in a grand procession.

Lao Ai sat in the carriage, a wide smile on his face, while his retainers helped him tidy his clothes.

"The Commandant of the Guards, the Left Guard, and the Inner Historian will soon be mine. I think this will be my future."

As Lao Ai's face remained smiling, he was fantasizing about promoting his retainers to these three positions and then continuing to flaunt his power through Zhao Ji's influence when the carriage suddenly stopped.

Lao Ai, who hadn't settled properly, crawled forward and fell heavily onto the carriage floor.

"My lord, are you alright?" a retainer asked in a panic.

"It hurts so much! Who was driving this carriage? I'm going to kill him!"

Lao Ai was helped up, rubbing his swollen forehead, and angrily stepped forward to lift the carriage curtain.

The driver, seeing Lao Ai stick his head out, hurriedly bowed and said...
"My lord, spare my life! I didn't do it on purpose. Someone suddenly blocked the road ahead."

Upon hearing this, Lao Ai's anger intensified. In Xianyang City, there were actually people who wouldn't give way to his carriage. Did they not take him, the Marquis of Changxin, seriously?

"Who's blocking the way? Doesn't he recognize my carriage?" Lao Ai said angrily.

Lao Ai looked at the carriage blocking his way, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the carriage ahead belongs to Lord Weiyang. They said that Lord Weiyang has urgent business to attend to and asked us to make way."

A retainer ran over and reported in a low voice.

"Lord Weiyang? He wants me to make way? Who does he think he is? I am Marquis Changxin."

A look of disdain flashed in Lao Ai's eyes. Although Lord Weiyang was the head of the Qin royal family and the future head of the clan, he was backed by Queen Dowager Zhao Ji. So what if it was Ying Zheng, let alone Lord Weiyang?
"Tell him to make way immediately. I have important business to attend to at the palace. If he delays, I will definitely impeach him before the Empress Dowager."

After Lao Ai finished speaking, he went straight back to his carriage. Lord Weiyang had always been critical of him, and had repeatedly opposed the idea of ​​him being granted a title.

He had long wanted to teach the other party a lesson, but he had never had the chance.

It's bad luck that we ran into him today. He's not going to give way to us. We have to make Lord Weiyang give way so we can properly humiliate him.

The retainer looked troubled, unsure of what to do.

On one side was the virtuous and respected member of the royal family, Lord Weiyang, and on the other side was his own lord, Marquis Changxin, Lao Ai. Neither of them was someone he could afford to offend, so he could only sigh and walk toward Lord Weiyang's carriage.

The retainer walked to the carriage of Lord Weiyang, cupped his hands in greeting, and said...
"Greetings, Lord Weiyang. My lord says he has urgent business at the palace. Please make way for me. I thank you on behalf of my lord."

Inside the carriage, the Lord of Weiyang, dressed in black and red official robes, wearing a black hair crown, with a resolute face and piercing eyes, snorted coldly.

"He was a eunuch who got the title of Marquis of Changxin by sheer luck. Back then, he was just an insignificant nobody in the Marquis of Wenxin's mansion, utterly incompetent. He gained the Empress Dowager's favor through crooked means and even asked me to make way for him. He doesn't deserve it!"

"Go tell Lao Ai to clear the way immediately and not delay my important business."

Lord Weiyang said in a deep voice that he would have given way to anyone else, but he would not give way no matter what if it was Lao Ai.

For no other reason than to curb Lao Ai's arrogant arrogance and let him know who the Qin state really is!
The retainer outside looked even more grim upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Lord Weiyang to be so adamant, and could only continue bowing and saying...

"Lord Weiyang, my lord has been summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager. Please do me a favor!"

Upon hearing Zhao Ji mentioned, Lord Weiyang felt a surge of anger, and his face darkened.

There have long been rumors that Lao Ai was not a eunuch, and that he gained Zhao Ji's favor because of their affair.

Even though Qin was not conservative in this regard, and even with the example of Empress Dowager Xuan before her, it was one thing for Zhao Ji to secretly keep a male favorite, but for Lao Ai, a petty man from the marketplace, to break Qin's military merit system and be granted a title of nobility.

Moreover, Lao Ai, relying on Zhao Ji's favor, acted recklessly and arrogantly, which he had long disliked.

"So what? I won't give way this time. Go tell Lao Ai that if he wants me to give way, he should come and say it himself," Lord Weiyang said coldly.

After saying this, Lord Weiyang immediately lowered the carriage curtain, his attitude already showing great determination.

The retainer had no choice but to bite the bullet and go back. He quickly returned to Lao Ai's carriage and recounted everything Lord Weiyang had said.

Upon hearing the insults hurled at him by Lord Weiyang, Lao Ai slammed his fist on the seat, his eyes bloodshot, as if he wanted to devour someone.

The thing he least wanted others to mention was his days as a retainer in the Marquis of Wenxin's mansion. Back then, all the retainers in the Marquis of Wenxin's mansion had a special skill. He was neither good at literature nor martial arts, but he had the unique skill of secretly turning a wheel.

This unique skill earned him the title of "Great Yin Man," which seemed like a compliment but was actually a mockery.

Later, recommended by Lü Buwei, he entered the palace to serve Zhao Ji, finally having the opportunity to display his talents. He gained Zhao Ji's favor through his exceptional abilities and gradually rose to become the Marquis of Changxin, a figure revered by all. However, Lao Ai still harbored feelings of inferiority about his past and was unwilling to let anyone mention it.

"So what if he's Lord Weiyang? How dare he humiliate me? I am the king's stepfather! How dare he insult me? Today I'll show him what I'm capable of."

After cursing angrily, Lao Ai ignored the attempts of his retainers to stop him and jumped off the carriage, storming towards Lord Weiyang's carriage.

Although the retainers behind him hesitated, they still followed Lao Ai.

In a short time, dozens of people followed Lao Ai to the outside of Lord Weiyang's carriage.

"Lord Weiyang, I heard you wanted to see me? Now that I'm here, what are you going to do?" Lao Ai said to the carriage.

Hearing Lao Ai's voice outside the carriage, Lord Weiyang opened the carriage window and said with a disdainful expression.

"Lord Marquis? You dare to call yourself a marquis? What military achievements have you made? What merits have you made? You're nothing but a eunuch, the most insignificant retainer of the Marquis of Wenxin's mansion."

"What did you say!?"

Lao Ai glared angrily at Lord Weiyang. The other man's disdainful gaze was particularly irritating to him, instantly reminding him of the days when he was looked down upon in the Marquis Wenxin's mansion.

"Do I need to say it again? If you know what's good for you, get out of the way and don't delay my business," Lord Weiyang said in a deep voice.

Seeing the other party's contemptuous attitude, Lao Ai's anger flared up, and fueled by alcohol, he angrily said...
"Men, smash this carriage for me!!"

Lao Ai's retainers were all stunned, looking at him with disbelief, as if they hadn't heard what he said.

The carriage is a symbol of honor. If we smash Lord Weiyang's carriage today, not only will Lord Weiyang lose face, but the Qin royal family will also lose all face.

So the retainers looked at each other in bewilderment, not daring to step forward.

"Lao Ai, do you know what you're doing?" Lord Weiyang said coldly to Lao Ai.

"What did I say?! I'll let you know."

As soon as Lao Ai finished speaking, he drew his sword and slashed at the carriage.

Lord Weiyang was taken aback that Lao Ai would dare to draw his sword and attack his carriage. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Using iron is dangerous! Seize Lao Ai for me!"

Lord Weiyang's followers were not like Lao Ai's retainers who gathered for fame and fortune; they were all his confidants. Upon hearing their lord's words, they did not hesitate at all to take down Lao Ai.

Lao Ai had at least spent some time in the Luo Wang organization, and although his martial arts skills had deteriorated, he still possessed a foundation. After evading the retinue of Lord Weiyang, he addressed his retainers.
"What are you all standing there for! Beat him!"

Seeing this, the retainers had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward to protect Lao Ai. They dared not smash the carriage, but they would dare to beat up the followers of Lord Weiyang. In the end, it would just be a brawl, but with Lao Ai there, nothing would happen.

Lord Weiyang was originally going to the Court of Justice, but his nephew, Lord Pingyang, who was serving as the Prefect of the Interior, was suddenly arrested and imprisoned. Upon hearing the news, he hurriedly left without taking many attendants with him.

The dozen or so attendants were quickly overwhelmed by Lao Ai's dozens of retainers and could only passively take the beating.

"Hold on, kill them all! I'll take full responsibility for anything that happens!" Lao Ai shouted loudly from the crowd.

"Lao Ai, do you know what crime it is to engage in gang fighting?" Lord Weiyang said angrily to Lao Ai, looking at his attendants who were at a disadvantage.

"What crime could I possibly be charged with? I am the king's adoptive father, so what can Qin law do to me?!"

Lao Ai looked at Lord Weiyang with an arrogant expression and his eyes were full of disdain.

"What did you say?! You dare to insult the King!"

Lord Weiyang roared and rushed out of the carriage, kicking one of his retainers to the ground before heading towards Lao Ai.

"How brave!"

Seeing that Lord Weiyang dared to get out of the carriage, Lao Ai did not back down at all, and led his retainers toward Lord Weiyang.

Seeing their lord take to the field, Lord Weiyang's followers were greatly encouraged and began to fight back. Lao Ai's retainers, who were known for their fierce and ruthless nature, were already on the verge of a fight.

Moreover, Lao Ai had said he would take responsibility if anything happened, so they disregarded Weiyang Jun's status and attacked Weiyang Jun and his men.

In an instant, the two sides clashed, with shouts and sounds of beatings rising and falling.

"Stop hitting him! Stop hitting him! Lord Weiyang has fainted!"

Someone shouted first, and the chaotic crowd stopped and all looked at Lord Weiyang lying on the ground.

At this moment, Lord Weiyang fell to the ground, and blood was flowing continuously from the wound on his forehead.

Everyone looked at Lao Ai in bewilderment. At this moment, Lao Ai was holding his sword, the scabbard stained with blood, clearly indicating that Lord Weiyang was the one who had injured him.

Seeing Lord Weiyang's face covered in blood, Lao Ai was sobered up by the shock. He stared blankly at Lord Weiyang and the sword in his hand, and in a panic, he dropped the sword on the ground.

The bruised and battered followers, seeing their lord unconscious, disregarded their own pain and pushed through the crowd to Weiyang Jun's side.

"Quickly, heal the emperor!"

"Quickly, quickly, take the emperor back to the manor!"

One of the attendants carried Lord Weiyang on his back and hurried toward Lord Weiyang's residence, while the other attendants followed in panic.

Terrified, Lao Ai could only stare blankly as Lord Weiyang was taken away, his eyes glazed over and his hands trembling slightly.

"My lord, what should we do next?" a retainer asked cautiously.

"what!?"

Lao Ai snapped out of his daze, his face showing panic. He grabbed one of his retainers and said in a flustered voice...

"Was Lord Weiyang injured by me? He's not dead, is he? He should be alright, right?"

He had just attacked Lord Weiyang without thinking because of the alcohol, but now that he's sober, he's lost all his previous arrogance and is filled with lingering fear.

The captured retainers dared not utter a word.

Lao Ai turned to look at the others, and dozens of his retainers lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze, for fear that they would become the murderers who injured Lord Weiyang.

"No, go to the palace immediately, go see the Empress Dowager right now!"

In a panic, Lao Ai pushed aside the retainers and hurried toward the carriage. In his haste, he slipped and fell to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

But Lao Ai didn't care about his soiled clothes at all. He got up and headed towards the carriage, knowing he had gotten himself into big trouble.

Lord Weiyang is a respected elder of the royal family and the face of the Qin royal family. Now he has injured the other party, whose life or death is unknown. Furthermore, engaging in gang fighting is a serious offense under Qin law, and he even drew his sword.

He had offended countless people in the court due to his arrogance, and Ying Zheng was no longer the puppet king he once was. He might take the opportunity to deal with him in order to win over the people.

Now, the only one who can save him is Zhao Ji. He must get Zhao Ji to find a way to save him before the others find out.

(End of this chapter)