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

Chapter 502, One-Shot Stance Turns into Two-Sided Problems

Why did Lao Ai do this? Did someone do something to him?

Upon hearing Xu Qing's question, Ying Yu glanced at Xu Qing with disdain, her face behind the mask filled with speechlessness.

For a moment, he didn't know if Xu Qing was genuinely confused or just pretending. In any case, Xu Qing's face full of doubt and curiosity seemed no different from swaggering in Ying Yu's eyes.

"You really don't know?" Ying Yu asked speechlessly.

"Should I know?"

Xu Qing looked at Ying Yu with a face full of question marks. Ying Yu had gone to Taiyi Mountain early the next morning after he angrily rebuked Lao Ai at Zhangtai Palace. How could he possibly know what had happened in Xianyang over the past month?

Seeing that Xu Qing seemed genuinely unaware, Ying Yu pondered for a moment before speaking.

"I always thought you knew about this, after all, Lao Ai's impotence is largely related to you. I even suspected that you gave him some kind of drug to make him like this."

"Wait, what does Lao Ai's impotence have to do with me? I am the deputy head of the medical family, the future leader of the Taoist Tianzong sect, a great Confucian scholar of the Gongyang School, a model of a subject, the Grand Minister of Qin, King Zhaoming, the Imperial Physician, a Gentleman Attendant, and a Palace Attendant. How could I possibly use such petty methods?" Xu Qing said righteously.

Hearing this self-introduction, which sounded like reciting a menu, Ying Yu's lips twitched involuntarily.

He really wanted to beat Xu Qing to death. How could Xu Qing, who committed such a disgraceful act of having an affair with the royal harem in Korea, be called a model of a subject and a paragon of loyalty? On the contrary, he, a hardworking member of the royal family who was eager to change his status, had now been reduced to an assassin?

This is outrageous! Does it mean that honest people should be held at swordpoint?
After mentally ranting for a moment, Ying Yu suppressed his thoughts, since he couldn't beat Xu Qing anymore, and continued to explain.
“It’s not just me. Everyone who knows about Lao Ai’s impotence thinks you’re the one who drugged him. If you didn’t drug him, then it must be because you scolded Lao Ai in Zhangtai Palace back then, leaving him with enough psychological trauma that he’s so scared that he can’t have sex when he hears your name or sees you.”

"what!?"

Xu Qing was even more puzzled. He stared at Ying Yu with wide eyes. He could understand every word Ying Yu said, so why couldn't he understand a single word?

What do you mean by "because he scared Lao Ai so much that he became impotent"? Translate for him what it means to be unable to have sex upon hearing his name or seeing him? When Zhao Ji was with Lao Ai, was Zhao Ji calling out his name?

"I only heard it from others, remember, it's just hearsay."

Ying Yu glanced at Xu Qing, her eyes full of concern, and stammered, unsure how to explain things to Xu Qing.

"I heard what?" Xu Qing asked impatiently.

"It is said that the Empress Dowager had a portrait of you painted and hung it in the bedroom of Zhilan Palace day and night for him to admire. After being frightened by you, Lao Ai was already filled with anxiety. Facing your portrait day and night, he eventually developed health problems from the fear," Ying Yu said in a deep voice.

"Forehead"

Xu Qing stared speechlessly at Ying Yu, completely at a loss for words. He never imagined that the truth behind Lao Ai's impotence was so melodramatic—it was all because of one of his paintings.

What kind of situation is this? How come he didn't know his portrait was so powerful? Maybe he should consider becoming a door god from time to time in the future?

After mentally ranting for a moment, Xu Qing's expression turned serious, and he asked...

"How many people still know that my portrait is hidden in the Empress Dowager's palace?"

"Besides me, only Lao Ai's four close retainers in the Changxin Marquis's residence knew about it. We also found out by chance after Lao Ai got drunk. No one else knew," Ying Yu said.

"Just these four people? That's good."

Xu Qing's expression softened slightly, and he nodded.

Zhao Ji admired his portrait day and night. This matter was neither a big deal nor a small one. At best, it was Zhao Ji's private affair; at worst, it was his intentional affair with the Empress Dowager, which was a grave disrespect.

If he were to be exploited by someone with ulterior motives, his carefully constructed persona and image would be completely destroyed. Even if Ying Zheng didn't say anything, with Lao Ai in the past, who could guarantee that Ying Zheng wouldn't harbor resentment?
Fortunately, not many people know about it, so the matter is still under control.

Ying Yu stared at Xu Qing, a hint of tension flashing across his face beneath the mask. He naturally understood the impact this matter would have, which was why he had hesitated earlier about whether to tell Xu Qing the truth.

He was also one of the insiders, and Xu Qing might take action against him to protect her reputation.

As a top-tier assassin, Ying Yu knew all too well the true value of the saying that only the dead can keep secrets.

Seeing that Ying Yu was a little nervous, Xu Qing shook his head and said...
“You don’t need to worry. I’m not afraid that you know about this. What I’m worried about is that people with ulterior motives will use this to their advantage.”

Xu Qing was quite generous towards his allies.

Hearing this, Ying Yu relaxed, glanced at Xu Qing with a complicated expression, and then changed the subject.
"That's how it is with Lao Ai. As for the matter of Prince Ji Dan of Yan being taken by Ling Qi to visit Lao Ai, I stumbled upon it by accident. Because it was strange, I secretly followed them and eavesdropped on their conversation."

"What did they talk about?" Xu Qing asked.

"Ji Dan sent a gift to Lao Ai, a white jade axe with gold gilding, saying it was a gift from the King of Yan to Lao Ai," Ying Yu said solemnly. Xu Qing's expression also turned somber, his eyes flashing coldly.

Even the lowest-ranking slaves knew perfectly well what the axe and halberd represented; Ji Dan was secretly supporting Lao Ai's rebellion. As for Ji Dan's claim that King Xi of Yan had ordered him to deliver the axe and halberd to Lao Ai, Xu Qing didn't believe it. Even if King Xi of Yan was confused, he wouldn't do something so foolish.

"What are Ji Dan's conditions? Does he want Lao Ai to help him return to Yan?" Xu Qing asked in a deep voice.

"That's right, but this is only Ji Dan's first condition. Ji Dan said he hopes that after Lao Ai successfully usurps the throne, he can help him get rid of Yan Chun Jun. As for the exchange, Ji Dan will unite with his subordinates in Yan to persuade the King of Yan, and after Lao Ai stirs up a rebellion in Qin, they will work together to break through Hangu Pass in one fell swoop."

"Of course, Yan is not the only one involved in this matter. Lao Ai is currently actively contacting Han, Zhao, and Wei. As far as I know, Zhao has already agreed, but there is still no result for Han and Wei."

Ying Yu slowly recounted all the information he knew.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing fell into deep thought. What Ying Yu said was pretty much what he had guessed. Ji Dan had indeed chosen to cooperate with Lao Ai in order to leave Qin.

As for Lao Ai's secret contacts with the states of Han, Zhao, and Wei, Xu Qing and Lü Buwei had known about it for a long time and had already taken precautions, so they hadn't paid much attention to it. Xu Qing also didn't care much about Yan's military intervention.

The military power of Yan was in the hands of Lord Yanchun. Lord Yanchun was a smart man and would not be foolish enough to actually send troops to attack Qin. Sending him some benefits would be enough to suppress the matter.

Xu Qing's real concern was for Xiong Qi and the State of Chu.

Ji Dan will inevitably meet with Xiong Qi when he arrives in Xianyang. Since Ji Dan was able to support Lao Ai's rebellion, did Xiong Qi know about it or participate in it?

If Xiong Qi was unaware of the situation and did not participate, everything would be fine. However, if he did participate, and Chu also got involved, then with Han, Zhao, Wei, and Chu all sending troops together, no matter how much they sent to Lord Yanchun, Yan would probably still have to get involved.

The five states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, and Yan have launched a new coalition against Qin, and the pressure they face is far greater than that caused by Lao Ai's rebellion.

"No, we must thwart their plan. Should we kill Lao Ai first?" Xu Qing thought to himself.

After a moment's thought, Xu Qing abandoned his plan to kill Lao Ai first. This might have been possible before Ying Zheng turned twenty. But now, with less than three months until his coming-of-age ceremony, killing Lao Ai now would not only waste their previous plans, but also tarnish Ying Zheng's own reputation.

After smoothly assuming power and taking over the reins of government, eliminating Lao Ai would be a legitimate way to remove a treacherous minister. If Lao Ai were eliminated first, and Zhao Ji's power abolished, at the very least, Ying Zheng would be branded as unfilial and accused of being power-hungry, which would be detrimental to improving Qin's reputation among the various schools of thought.

How did "being single-minded" become "blocked at both ends"?

Xu Qing frowned, pondering a way to break the deadlock.

Seeing Xu Qing's worry, Ying Yu remained silent for a moment, then a resolute glint flashed in her eyes before she spoke.

"If you are worried about the involvement of the Yan state, I can find an opportunity to get rid of Ji Dan."

Xu Qing looked up at Ying Yu, shook his head slightly, and said in a deep voice.
“This matter is not as simple as you think. Ji Dan alone is not enough to make me so worried. What I am worried about is the chain reaction this matter will bring. I am worried that the six states of Shandong will form another alliance to attack Qin.”

"A coalition to attack Qin?! Ji Dan and Lao Ai shouldn't have that kind of prestige, right?" Ying Yu asked incredulously.

Since Shang Yang's reforms strengthened the Qin state, it was not worried about fighting one or two states alone; its only concern was a coalition against Qin.

To take a recent example, the five-nation coalition led by General Pang Nuan of Zhao attacked Qin. They bypassed Hangu Pass by passing through Puban and marched all the way to Zuicheng, which was only a few dozen miles from Xianyang.

Fortunately, the allied forces were not united, which gave Qin an opportunity to defeat the Chu army and cause the five-nation coalition to collapse, thus resolving this huge crisis.

"Man proposes, God disposes, but the right timing can also lead to great things. Ji Dan and Lao Ai are not available, but Zhao's General Li Mu is," Xu Qing said.

Although the six states were corrupt to the core, they were not without wise ministers and famous generals. Zhao had Li Mu and King Yan of Zhao who was determined to defeat Qin. Han had Han Fei and Chu had Xiang Yan. Wei could be considered the backbone of the campaign against Qin and was indispensable in that alliance. Yan was a fence-sitter.

"So what do you want to do?" Ying Yu asked.

"After you go back, continue to keep an eye on Lao Ai. Remember the ministers who have been in contact with him recently, as well as the people sent by Han, Zhao, and Wei. Don't worry about anything else; I'll handle it," Xu Qing said.

"it is good."

Ying Yu nodded, then turned and headed away into the distance.

Xu Qing watched Ying Yu's departing figure, his brows still furrowed, pondering how to resolve the matter.

"Let Zhen Gang investigate first, to see what Chu and Xiong Qi are up to. If Xiong Qi isn't involved, this matter will be much simpler."

Having made up his mind, Xu Qing stopped thinking about it and used his true energy to ride the wind towards his residence.

(End of this chapter)