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

Chapter 529, The Crowning Begins

"When the king is crowned, once the sacrificial bells ring, he will lead his men out of the Yongwang Palace. At the same time, Zhao Xie in Xianyang will lead the imperial guards to place the court officials under house arrest and take control of Xianyang. The allied forces of Han, Zhao and Wei in Shangdang will launch an attack to draw away the border troops and prevent them from returning to reinforce."

"If nothing unexpected happens, Ling Qi will also seize military power at the Lishan camp that day, while on his way back to Xianyang from Wuguan..."

Ying Yu made no attempt to conceal anything, revealing Lao Ai's entire plan in the shortest possible time, and then pulled a list from his pocket and tossed it to Xu Qing.

"This is the list of assassins from the Luo Wang organization in Qinian Palace. In addition to them, Ji Dan, the crown prince of Yan, is also cooperating with Lao Ai. Yan has been saying that it will send troops, but there has been no news so far, and it is impossible to determine whether they will actually send troops."

Xu Qing took the list, opened it, and casually answered Ying Yu's question.

"Lao Ai actually believed Ji Dan's words? How could Yan possibly send troops? Only a fool like Lao Ai would believe that a hostage in a distant country could bypass his political enemies who control the military to get Yan to send troops," Xu Qing said.

After reviewing the list, Xu Qing put it away.

“A single jade axe is enough to convince Lao Ai of such unrealistic claims, but are you really not going to kill Ji Dan? I can make the move,” Ying Yu said in a deep voice.

A slight tremor appeared in his calm eyes, a hint of determination flashing across them, as if he had made a decision.

"Ji Dan will be killed by someone, you don't need to worry. Have you found Hei Bai Xuan Jian's whereabouts?" Xu Qing shook his head and said.
He had already told Lü Buwei about Ji Dan's situation, and Lü Buwei would find a way to make Ji Dan die from a serious illness in a reasonable way. Lao Ai rebelled, and the imperial guards accidentally stormed the hostage's residence. In order to protect himself, Crown Prince Ji Dan of Yan fought against the rebel soldiers.

Although he survived, he was unfortunately injured. Three days later, the wound worsened, festered, and he died.

How pleasing to the ear, how impeccable it sounds.

“No, Lao Ai gave Hei Bai Xuan Jian a secret mission, and only Lao Ai knows his whereabouts,” Ying Yu said, shaking his head.

A secret mission? Did they go to Qinian Palace or the Eastern Palace to assassinate Queen Mi in Xianyang?

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's expression darkened. He placed his right hand on his waist and gently stroked the jade silver needle in his belt. He began to ponder the whereabouts of Hei Bai Xuan Jian. Based on the information he had, the two places that Hei Bai Xuan Jian was most likely to go were these two.

"Do you know where the East Palace of Qinian Palace is? Is there anything special about this place?" Xu Qing looked at Ying Yu and suddenly asked.

Faced with Xu Qing's inexplicable question, Ying Yu pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"The Eastern Palace is nothing special. It used to be a side hall of the Qinian Palace and the ceremonial temple in front of the Eastern Palace where the king was crowned. Inside the Eastern Palace are the ancestral tablets of the Qin state. Few people go there."

Is that so?

A glint flashed in Xu Qing's eyes, and he took his hand off his waist.

"Is something wrong with the Eastern Palace?" Ying Yu asked suspiciously.

“No, this place is very good. Let’s wait a little longer. Once everything has settled down the day after tomorrow, you can return to your status as a member of the royal family. The King will not mistreat you then,” Xu Qing said.

"Ah."

Ying Yu nodded, but a subtle, complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He tightened his grip on the hilt of the Sun-Covering Sword slightly, then released it.

Xu Qing glanced at Ying Yu, took the list in her hand, and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and said with her back to Ying Yu.
"I'm leaving now. Don't overthink it. The King is not a narrow-minded person. Live well."

Ying Yu's expression faltered for a moment, but she maintained her indifferent demeanor, her hand lightly resting on the hilt of the Hidden Sun Sword, and she spoke calmly.

"I know."

"Hey!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing opened her mouth slightly as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing. She simply sighed softly and left without looking back. After Xu Qing left, Ying Yu put her mask back on, transforming it into a sun-covering mask, and her figure once again disappeared into the darkness.

Meanwhile, in Xianyang.

Inside the Marquis Wenxin's residence, Lu Buwei looked at Mi Shu, who had secretly arrived at his residence under the protection of the Black Ice Guard, and even he, with his calm demeanor, showed a look of surprise.

“Uncle, this is the King’s secret edict.”

Supported by her maid, Mi Shu bowed slightly to Lü Buwei, while the Black Ice Guard Commander Twenty-One handed the imperial edict to Lü Buwei.

Upon hearing Mi Shu address him, Lü Buwei appeared somewhat dazed, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up within him, but he quickly suppressed it and reached out to accept the imperial edict.

Upon seeing the contents of the edict, a glint flashed in Lü Buwei's eyes. He hadn't expected that Ying Zheng and Xu Qing had sent Mi Shu to him for refuge.

"Since it is His Majesty's decision, then Queen, please rest and recuperate in the palace until things are over. I will arrange for a physician to take care of you."

Lu Buwei returned the secret edict to Mi Shu, a kind smile on his face, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Zhong. Please arrange for someone to brew some medicinal soup for me. Lord Zhaoming said that the baby in my belly is mischievous and that I need to take some medicinal soup every day to help with the pregnancy," Mi Shu said with a smile.

Upon hearing the word "mischievous," Lü Buwei's hand clenched slightly beneath his sleeve, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his eyes, but he maintained his smile as he spoke.
"Alright, Lü Yi, take the Queen to rest. Make sure she is well cared for. Also, send someone to invite Lord Zhaoming's family here."

"promise."

Mi Shu bowed slightly to Lü Buwei and then left with Lü Yi.

After everyone else in the room left, Lü Buwei's face instantly darkened, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Luan Shen, take your men into the palace and keep a close eye on everyone coming and going from the Queen's palace. If you find anyone with ill intentions, find the people behind them and take care of them as well."

"Duan Shui, make the arrangements. If Zhao Xie leads the rebel army within one mile of the Marquis of Wenxin's residence the day after tomorrow, kill him on sight!"

Lü Buwei's voice was icy cold, like ice, and his killing intent was undisguised.

In Xu Qing's plan, Zhao Xie was to be killed when the rebellion in Xianyang was beyond control, but now he couldn't wait any longer.

If Zhao Xie were to lead an attack on the Marquis of Wenxin's residence, causing Mi Shu to be frightened and potentially leading to problems with her unborn child, Lü Buwei felt that even killing Zhao Xie a hundred times would not be enough.

Mi Shu's playful remark had a profound impact on Lü Buwei.

Although Ying Zheng was not his biological son, the other child inherited his ambitions and was personally taught by him; though not his biological son, he was closer than a son to him. Mi Shu was pregnant with a boy, who was Ying Zheng's son, or rather, his grandson.

No one can harm this unborn child, no one can harm this future heir of the Qin state.

"promise."

Two cold voices rang out.

As the day of Ying Zheng's coming-of-age ceremony drew closer, various factions within Qin were already stirring with ambition. In this atmosphere of impending storm, the last day before Ying Zheng's coming-of-age ceremony quickly passed.

In the ninth year of King Zheng of Qin, on the twelfth day of the month, it was an auspicious day, favorable for sacrifices.

As a deep bell rang throughout Yongcheng, Ying Zheng's coming-of-age ceremony officially began.

(End of this chapter)