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

Chapter 375, Xiong Qi: Is there anything else I need to do?
"That's because the two of them disagreed first. Marquis Changxin was just angry and acted rudely. I will punish him properly."

Zhao Ji spoke slowly and deliberately, her hand on her lower abdomen unconsciously gripping her sleeve tightly, but her gaze toward Ying Zheng held a hint of hostility.

Ying Zheng's sudden resistance made Zhao Ji nervous. In her eyes, Ying Zheng was not only Ying Zheng, but also a shadow of Ying Yiren and Lü Buwei.

Faced with these two men, Zhao Ji felt a mixture of love and hate, as well as some fear.

When Ying Zheng faced Zhao Ji's stern and unfriendly gaze, he felt a sense of loss, but his face still showed a look of unwillingness, yet he had no choice but to bow his head.

"Well then, I hope Mother will discipline Marquis Changxin properly," Ying Zheng said in a deep voice.

The confrontation between Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji was naturally watched by the court officials. Seeing Ying Zheng back down again was within their expectations, after all, Ying Zheng had not yet assumed personal rule, and the seal of the King of Qin and the power of the Qin state were still in the hands of Zhao Ji, the Queen Dowager.

However, Ying Zheng's resistance also made the court officials aware of his attitude, and put an end to the concerns of Meng Ao and others who were originally worried about Ying Zheng.

They originally thought Ying Zheng was weak and incompetent, but after today's court meeting, they abandoned that idea and instead believed that Ying Zheng was not letting Lao Ai be arrogant and domineering, but rather that he had to indulge Lao Ai because of Empress Dowager Zhao Ji.

All these problems will be resolved after Ying Zheng assumes personal rule.

Not only did the military generals think this way, but the royal family also changed their previous opinions, feeling that Ying Zheng's release of Lao Ai was due to the coercion of Empress Dowager Zhao Ji, rather than his own volition.

"That's not right. It's true that Marquis Changxin is the Empress Dowager's eunuch, but he is also the Marquis of Changxin of Qin. He was personally appointed by the King. Can't the King punish him?"

A member of the royal family stepped forward, looked up at Zhao Ji, and spoke.

Xu Qing had just stepped forward to refute Lao Ai's recommendation, stealing his chance to perform. Now that Xu Qing's performance was over, it was his turn to go on stage.

Although Xu Qing helped the royal family vent their anger, he was still a scholar from one of the six states. He still harbored suspicions about Xu Qing. The power of Qin must be shared by the King of Qin and the royal family.

When members of the imperial clan stepped forward, the officials were not surprised at all. After all, the imperial clan and Lao Ai were already sworn enemies, so how could they not take advantage of his misfortune?

His ability to find fault is far inferior to Xu Qing's; there are several loopholes in a single sentence, which is truly disappointing.

Lao Ai also emerged from his previous shock and secretly glanced at the royal family member who had stepped forward, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

Do you really think he's made of clay? It's one thing for Xu Qing to be superior to him, after all, Xu Qing's reputation, status, and talent are all beyond reproach.

The fact that these good-for-nothing members of the royal family wanted to outdo him reignited Lao Ai's anger. However, just as his anger rose, Lao Ai sensed someone watching him, and a chill ran down his spine.

Following the gaze, Lao Ai saw Xu Qing staring coldly at him.

"No, we must get rid of Xu Qing," Lao Ai thought to himself.

If Xu Qing were allowed to remain by Ying Zheng's side to assist him, then his plan might fail before it even began.

Just thinking about Xu Qing's cold and sharp gaze earlier filled Lao Ai with lingering fear, and his legs went weak. He felt that he would be haunted by it for the rest of his life.

However, Xu Qing was completely out of his depth in Xianyang. Putting aside his own abilities and reputation, even Lü Buwei might not be able to get him to make a move.

"What? Do you see me as someone who disrespects the King? How dare you sow discord between me and the King! What is your punishment?!"

Zhao Ji's gaze turned cold as she looked at the member of the royal family and reprimanded him.

With such a serious accusation leveled against him, this member of the royal family couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. Sowing discord between the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Qin was a capital offense, and even a member of the royal family could not escape it.

“Your Majesty has misunderstood me. I felt that Your Majesty was concerned about state affairs and had to deal with palace matters, which was exhausting for both body and mind. Your Majesty is about to come of age and is growing up. We can entrust some matters to Your Majesty to handle.” The member of the royal family quickly bowed and said.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing looked at the man with a hint of sympathy.

It's understandable for young people to want to improve, but the prerequisite for improvement is that you have solid skills. If you can't even speak properly, how can you expect to imitate someone? Isn't that just asking for trouble?
It's said that the reason the Ying clan members aren't given important positions is largely because they lack talent. He didn't really believe it before, but today he's starting to believe it.

"You scoundrel! Are you saying that I am abusing my power? Our Qin state has an ancestral rule: when the ruler is young and the state is in doubt, the mother should support him. When the late king was on his deathbed, he personally handed the seal of Qin to me. This was because the late king trusted me."

"Do you think I'm just a hen crowing at night? You dare say you're not trying to sow discord between me and the King? Guards, seize this man!"

Zhao Ji slammed her hand on the armrest, her face contorted with anger, and shouted angrily at the members of the royal family.

"This...this...this...Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. I just felt..."

The member of the royal family looked terrified and bowed, saying...

That's not what he really meant. Besides, Xu Qing and Lao Ai were at odds and nothing happened, so why was he being imprisoned by Zhao Ji just because he said a few words to him?

"act recklessly."

Lao Ai glanced at the members of the imperial clan, his eyes filled with disdain.

The courtiers stared speechlessly at the member of the imperial family. Xu Qing's confrontation with Lao Ai was limited to Lao Ai, and he had already seized the moral high ground from the very beginning, leaving everyone speechless.

But if you immediately confront Zhao Ji, implying from all sides that she is abusing her power and disregarding the King of Qin, aren't you courting death?
Moreover, you didn't even pick your timing. Xu Qing had just humiliated Lao Ai, and Zhao Ji was worried about how to save face for Lao Ai. You took the initiative to jump out, weren't you just going to be someone else's stepping stone?

The other members of the royal family were both helpless and anxious. Going against Zhao Ji was not part of their plan; it was entirely the initiative of the person who had stepped forward.

But since the other party was a member of the royal family, they couldn't just leave without helping.

Just as the member of the royal family was about to step forward to speak, the eunuch at the door whispered a few words to someone, then called out into the hall.
"Lü Yi, the eldest son of Marquis Wenxin, requests an audience with Your Majesty, saying he has important matters to report!"

The people inside the hall were taken aback and looked at the eunuch outside the door. Lü Yi's request to see the King of Qin at this time was obviously on Lü Buwei's orders.

"Could it be that Marquis Wenxin is also getting restless? Is he preparing to step in and quell the chaos of today's court meeting?" the ministers wondered to themselves.

Xu Qing stood in the line of civil officials, a smile flashing in his eyes. The person he was waiting for had arrived on time.

He had achieved his goal, so he needed a plausible reason to leave, so that Lao Ai and those with ulterior motives would lower their guard and allow him to continue his previous arrogant plan.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. The person who initiated and ended this court meeting had arrived, and this farce should come to an end.

"Let him in," Ying Zheng said in a deep voice.

"promise."

The eunuch rose and walked outside the hall, loudly addressing Lü Yi, who was waiting there.
"Lu Yi, the eldest son of Marquis Xuanwen, has come to pay his respects!" After taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Lu Yi, who had been waiting outside the hall, calmly walked into the hall and walked to the center of the hall under the watchful eyes of the assembled officials.

"Your subject Lü Yi greets Your Majesty and Empress Dowager," Lü Yi said, bowing respectfully.

"No need for formalities. What brings you here, Marquis Wenxin?"

Zhao Ji spoke before Ying Zheng, looking at Lü Yi with a puzzled expression.

Lü Buwei's recent seclusion has been making her feel uneasy. She is worried about his health, as he is the man she loves most in her life and the first man she has ever loved.

Secondly, the reason she was able to wield great power was because Lü Buwei cooperated with her in the court, thereby suppressing others.

Compared to love, power was a level lower in Zhao Ji's heart, but Zhao Ji also understood that if she lost power, not to mention love, even her freedom would probably be restricted.

Therefore, she was very worried about Lü Buwei's health and attitude. If something were to happen to him, she alone would not be able to maintain her current power.

"Your Majesty, my father sent me here to deliver a message. The Taoist sect has sent a letter inviting the Qin state to send an envoy to Mount Taiyi to witness the celestial covenant on the first day of next month."

After Lü Yi straightened up, he spoke to Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji.

"The Human Sect? The Human Sect sent the invitation to Lü Buwei?" Xu Qing wondered.

Invitations to the Covenant between Heaven and Man are always sent separately by the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect. Although both sects are Taoist and located on Mount Taiyi, their boundaries are very clear, and they do not interfere with each other.

But the Emperor should have known that he was in Qin. Even if it was to distinguish himself from the Emperor, the invitation should have been given to Ying Zheng or the Director of the Imperial Household Department. Why would it have been given to Lü Buwei?

This is very unreasonable.

"The Covenant Between Heaven and Man? It's the sword duel at the Guanmiao Terrace between the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect regarding the ownership of the Snowfall. Your Majesty, who do you think should be sent to observe the ceremony?"

When Zhao Ji realized it was a matter of Taoism, she lost interest. As a woman, she naturally had no interest in swordplay or philosophical discussions, so she handed the decision over to Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly to Zhao Ji, then looked down at the Imperial Guest Master below and asked in a deep voice.
"Now that the Taoist invitation has arrived, our Qin state should send an envoy to attend the ceremony. Director of the Imperial Household Department, who do you think should be sent to participate?"

Upon hearing this, the Director of the Imperial Household Department, one of the Nine Ministers, raised his official tablet and walked to the center of the hall, saying...
"Your Majesty, according to the usual arrangements of our Great Qin, the people who attend the ceremony should be two envoys, one principal and one deputy, who can represent the Qin state and go to Mount Taiyi to attend the ceremony on behalf of the Qin state."

“In the past, we always selected from the royal family, but now that Lord Weiyang is injured and Lord Jingyang has resigned and is at home, I’m afraid the others are not capable of taking on this important task. I ask Your Majesty to appoint someone.”

The members of the royal family were the best candidates to represent the Qin state, but the two qualified members of the royal family could not go, and the remaining members were not qualified enough.

Even the Imperial Envoy dared not make the decision for Ying Zheng, and could only throw the question back to him.

Upon hearing the words of the Director of the Imperial Household Department, a glint of light flashed in Lao Ai's eyes. He had just been thinking about how to transfer Xu Qing out of Xianyang, but he did not expect the opportunity to come so soon.

As long as Xu Qing leaves Xianyang, Ying Zheng will lose his voice and his hands and feet, which will be extremely advantageous to him.

"In that case, I wonder which of my ministers would be willing to go to Mount Taiyi to attend the ceremony on behalf of Qin?" Ying Zheng asked, looking at his ministers.

Lao Ai gave Ling Qi a subtle wink, and Ling Qi understood. After organizing his thoughts, he stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the covenant between Heaven and Man will be attended by representatives from all the states and kingdoms. The chosen envoy, representing our Qin state, should be exceptionally talented, insightful, and renowned."

"Only in this way can we avoid tarnishing the prestige of Qin in front of other states and schools of thought, and at the same time, we can select talents for Qin and strengthen Qin."

Ling Qi bowed to Ying Zheng and said.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes immediately turned to Xu Qing. Xu Qing was the only one in the court who met all these requirements.

In terms of reputation, Xu Qing was a renowned physician, a disciple of the Gongyang School of Confucianism, and also had close ties with the Mohists and the Agriculturalists.

His prestige will soar again after today's court session, making him a role model for his subjects.

In terms of talent, there's no need to elaborate further.

With his prestige and connections with various families, Xu Qing could definitely attract many scholars to Qin. Moreover, as the Grand Chancellor, Xu Qing was the most suitable high-ranking official to represent Qin, second only to the Lord of Weiyang and the Lord of Jingyang.

However, a question soon arose in everyone's mind: Ling Qi's sudden recommendation of Xu Qing, an enemy, must not have been for a simple purpose. But Xianyang is only about a day away from Taiyi Mountain, and including the round trip for the ceremony, it would take at most four days.

What could they possibly do in four days? As for the attack on Xu Qing on the way, they didn't think Lao Ai would be that stupid.

"So, who is the person you recommended?" Ying Zheng asked Ling Qi with a slight frown.

"I recommend the Grand Master of Ceremonies. In terms of both talent and prestige, he is the most suitable person to represent Qin in the ceremony," Ling Qi said, bowing.

As soon as Ling Qi finished speaking, Lao Ai looked at Zhao Ji with a pleading and aggrieved expression in his eyes.

Seeing Lao Ai's expression, Zhao Ji sighed inwardly, assuming that Lao Ai wanted Xu Qing to go to Mount Taiyi to attend the ceremony just to vent his anger. She then chuckled and said...

"I also think that the Grand Chancellor is the most suitable candidate. I have long heard that the Grand Chancellor has close ties with several prominent figures in the Hundred Schools of Thought. I am sure he will be able to bring back some talented and virtuous people for our Qin state."

"The Empress Dowager is wise!"

When Zhao Ji spoke, her relatives from outside the court also hurriedly joined in to support her.

Ying Zheng glanced at Lao Ai, a cold smile flashing across his face.

Lao Ai thought he could use the covenant between heaven and man to get Xu Qing away, but little did he know that it was all part of Xu Qing's plan to find a suitable reason for her departure and thus lower Lao Ai and the others' guard.

If nothing unexpected happens, after the court meeting, Lao Ai will find a way to get Zhao Ji to order Xu Qing to go to Mount Taiyi ahead of schedule.

"Since you ministers have all recommended the Grand Chancellor, let us appoint the Grand Chancellor as the chief minister and the Right Chancellor as the deputy minister, to represent the Qin state at Mount Taiyi to observe the ceremony. What do you think?"

Ying Zheng looked at Xiong Qi, who was second in rank among the civil officials, and a smile flashed in his eyes.

Xiong Qi was his brother-in-law and the leader of the Chu state's powerful relatives; he was on his side. Having Xu Qing travel with him to Mount Taiyi would allow them to bond and strengthen their relationship along the way.

(End of this chapter)