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

Chapter 498, Sincerity

After pushing open the palace door, Xu Qing walked straight out of Zhilan Palace.

When the servants outside the hall saw Xu Qing come out, they wanted to go forward and ask about Zhao Ji's condition, but when they saw Xu Qing's serious expression with a hint of anger, they immediately stopped in their tracks.

Xu Qing stopped and looked at the silent waiter with his head down, and said in a deep voice.
"The Empress Dowager is fine. I will have someone bring her the herbal medicine later and she should take it on time."

Hearing Xu Qing's somewhat cold words, the attendants and other eunuchs lowered their heads even further. Although they didn't know what had happened between Xu Qing and Zhao Ji in the hall, Xu Qing's anger was definitely not a trivial matter.

To avoid getting into trouble, it's best to keep a low profile.

"Yes, sir," the waiter said respectfully.

After explaining everything that needed to be explained, Xu Qing didn't linger at all and walked straight out of Zhilan Palace.

Zhilan Palace was a place of great trouble; Xu Qing felt awkward staying there even for a second longer. Zhao Ji's lust for him was truly beyond his expectations. Even though he had planned for everything, this was the one thing he hadn't foreseen.

What should we do next?

Xu Qing glanced back at the magnificent and luxurious Zhilan Palace, and felt a headache coming on when he recalled Zhao Ji's words.

If it was truly because Lao Ai was no longer capable that Zhao Ji set her sights on him, even if he rejected her advances this time, given Zhao Ji's restless nature, she certainly wouldn't let him off easily.

Even if we let him go, he will definitely continue to look for others, which will inevitably lead to more trouble.

"This stupid woman who can't stand being alone, should we find a way to make her die of a cold?"

The idea had barely crossed Xu Qing's mind when he dismissed it. No matter what, Zhao Ji was the universally acknowledged Empress Dowager of Qin. It would be truly unreasonable for her to die so mysteriously.

Just as Xu Qing was thinking of other solutions, an anxious voice rang in his ears.

"Sir, sir."

Xu Qing looked in the direction of the sound and saw Ying Zheng leading Gai Nie walking quickly toward him.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Xu Qing bowed to Ying Zheng as he approached.

Ying Zheng stepped forward and helped Xu Qing up, his stern face filled with anxiety. He held Xu Qing's hand and asked with concern.

"Sir, there's no need for such formalities. Are you alright?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine, and the Empress Dowager is also well; she only needs some herbal medicine," Xu Qing said, shaking his head.
"That's good. I'm glad you're alright, sir."

Ying Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. Earlier, when Xia Wuqie came to him and reported that Xu Qing had been summoned away by Zhao Ji's men, he was terrified.

Lao Ai dared to poison the Marquis of Guannei, so it's hard to guarantee that he wouldn't be foolish enough to harm Xu Qing in Zhilan Palace. Xu Qing is his mentor and friend, his right-hand man, and even if he himself were injured or in trouble, he wouldn't want anything to happen to Xu Qing.

Without thinking twice, he abandoned the ministers who were meeting at Zhangtai Palace and rushed to Zhilan Palace with Gai Nie.

After Ying Zheng felt relieved, he glanced at the Zhilan Palace in front of him, a complex look in his eyes and a somewhat gloomy expression on his face.

Zhao Ji was his mother and the only family member in his heart, while Qin Zichu, his father who abandoned his wife and children and had no sense of responsibility, was practically invisible. Therefore, Ying Zheng valued Zhao Ji very much and was extremely tolerant of her.

However, Zhao Ji repeatedly challenged his bottom line.

The Qin state could no longer find a great talent like Han Fei, and Xu Qing was the only one who could guide the Qin state forward after it unified the world.

Regardless of Zhao Ji's reasons for summoning Xu Qing, this undoubtedly crossed Ying Zheng's bottom line, which made him extremely disheartened. He couldn't understand why Zhao Ji, as the Empress Dowager, would disregard the overall situation and the Qin state.

When Zhao Ji was in Handan, she was clearly a well-educated, virtuous and kind mother. Why did she suddenly become so contemptuous of herself?
This truly baffled Ying Zheng.

Seeing that Ying Zheng was in low spirits, Xu Qing offered words of comfort.
"Your Majesty, I am fine, and the Empress Dowager is also fine. You can rest assured."

Ying Zheng withdrew his gaze, glanced at Xu Qing and Gai Nie, and then shook his head slightly.

"I am fine, sir, there is no need to worry. I am just a little confused, but I will figure these things out in the future. Let's go back."

Seeing that Ying Zheng was unwilling to say more, Xu Qing naturally wouldn't ask any further questions. After all, matters involving Zhao Ji were palace scandals, and letting outside officials know would only bring shame to the royal family. Even if he wanted to comfort Ying Zheng, he absolutely couldn't bring it up himself.

Ying Zheng glanced deeply at the gate of Zhilan Palace, then turned and led Xu Qing and Gai Nie toward Zhangtai Palace.

The three of them remained silent throughout the journey until they arrived at the gate of Zhangtai Palace, at which point Xu Qing took his leave.

"Your Majesty, I have some personal matters to attend to, so I will not return to Zhangtai Palace. After I finish these matters, I will go to the Doctor's Palace to check on the progress of Gongyang Ru's writing," Xu Qing said, bowing.

“Since it is a private matter, you can handle it yourself, sir. If anything happens, I will send someone to find you,” Ying Zheng nodded and said.

"My minister retire."

After bowing to Ying Zheng and taking his leave, Xu Qing turned and headed towards Wanfu Restaurant, where he had arranged to meet Fei Yan. Ying Zheng, meanwhile, took Gai Nie back to Zhangtai Palace to deal with unfinished business. After crossing several streets, Xu Qing arrived at Wanfu Restaurant.

When the restaurant owner saw Xu Qing arrive in his luxurious clothes, he put on a smile and came to greet him personally, afraid of neglecting this distinguished guest.

"Honorable guest, are you looking for someone or for a meal?" the shopkeeper said with a smile.

"Looking for someone. Did a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in gorgeous clothes come by today? I'm her friend, my surname is Xu," Xu Qing said calmly.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's description, the image of Fei Yan immediately came to mind. As the manager of a large restaurant, he had seen many people come and go, including many young and beautiful women, but Fei Yan was different.

He had never seen a woman with such outstanding looks and extraordinary temperament, so the impression was exceptionally deep.

"Of course, that young lady is in private room B on the second floor. Please follow me."

As the innkeeper spoke, he led Xu Qing upstairs and soon arrived at the private room where Fei Yan was.

"Bang bang~"

The innkeeper knocked on the door and spoke into it.
"Young lady, your friend has arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tightly closed door opened from the inside. The shopkeeper stepped aside, and Xu Qing thanked him before entering the room.

After closing the door behind him, Xu Qing looked around the room and finally fixed his gaze on Fei Yan, who was standing by the window.

Feiyan was still wearing a dark blue long dress, her shoulders exposed, her delicate collarbones flawless, and in the sunlight they resembled mutton fat jade, smooth and warm. Her hands were gently folded over her abdomen.

Her beautiful face showed no emotion whatsoever, and her bright eyes looked calmly at Xu Qing.

"You're late," Fei Yan said calmly.

"I'm sorry, I originally wanted to come earlier, but the Empress Dowager called me away to have a medical consultation, which delayed me a bit."

Xu Qing smiled and said apologetically.

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Fei Yan's calm eyes, and her composed expression softened slightly. She pursed her lips and asked...

"Empress Dowager? Empress Dowager Zhao? You left Zhilan Palace so easily?"

This is what reputation is all about. When Zhao Ji summoned him, everyone who heard it thought that Lao Ai and Zhao Ji were trying to harm them.

Xu Qing mentally scoffed, then shook his head and said...

"It was Empress Dowager Zhao, but it was just a simple medical consultation, nothing else. Even if Lao Ai wanted to frame me, he wouldn't use the Empress Dowager as an excuse."

"These are all trivial matters. Let's sit down and talk about them. After the morning court session, I went to teach the selected military doctors. I haven't had a break yet."

Seeing that Xu Qing was unwilling to say more, Fei Yan did not ask any further questions and sat down at the table.

The table was set with food and wine that had been prepared in advance. It was a little cold because Xu Qing had arrived late, but this did not matter to Xu Qing and Fei Yan, who were both martial artists.

Xu Qing sat down opposite Fei Yan, poured himself a cup of wine from the wine pot, and then looked at Fei Yan and asked...
"Miss Feiyan, would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you," Fei Yan said, placing her wine glass aside.

The Yin-Yang School has many rules, but it does not prohibit its disciples from drinking alcohol. However, Fei Yan is either practicing Yin-Yang techniques or on her way to practice them. It would be fair to say that she is a person who is ascetic and has little desire for anything. She hardly touches any alcohol.

Moreover, she and Xu Qing were going to discuss cooperation today, and if she drank too much, she might fall into Xu Qing's trap.

Seeing this, Xu Qing didn't insist. He picked up his wine glass, drank the wine, and then sighed.
"That's a real pity. The Fulu wine on Wanfu Road is quite good, although it can't compare to the Osmanthus wine from Zilanxuan."

"If you like it, that's fine. You asked me to discuss the details of the collaboration with you yesterday. What are your thoughts on this?"

Feiyan placed her hands together in front of her lower abdomen, her posture dignified and elegant, and asked calmly.

“Before revealing my thoughts, Miss Feiyan, shouldn’t you tell me about the Yin Yang Clan’s arrangements? After all, this cooperation was initiated by you, not by me needing you,” Xu Qing said with a light laugh.

Fei Yan's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, her thick eyelashes long and curled, her beautiful eyes looking at Xu Qing, her rosy lips pursed without saying a word.

The person discussing the cooperation with Xu Qing was the Moon Goddess, so how would she know the specific details? But that didn't stump her. If she didn't know, she could just say some nonsense to stall for time. Anyway, no matter what she said, Xu Qing would never agree in the end.

"His Excellency Donghuang only arranged for my junior sister and me to come to Xianyang to discuss with you how to deal with Lü Buwei and assist the King of Qin in coming of age and assuming personal rule. As for the specific arrangements, His Excellency Donghuang has not yet explained them."

"However, to demonstrate the sincerity of the Yin-Yang School, I can arrange for disciples of the Yin-Yang School to enter Qin in my capacity as Dongjun."

Feiyan looked at Xu Qing and said slowly.

"Disciples of the Yin-Yang School entering Qin? The Yin-Yang School has quite a plan. They want to gain benefits before they've even put in any effort."

(End of this chapter)