I am not a seventh-generation descendant of Lord Wu'an from the Qin Dynasty.

"Young Master, Empress Dowager Huayang requests your presence!"

"Young Master, Empress Dowager Xia Ji requests your presence!"

"My lord, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji requests your presence!"

As soon as Bai Qi opened his eyes, Yue'er, who was dressed neatly beside him, knelt down and handed him three invitations.

Bai Qi straightened his relaxed back, stretched, and casually asked, "Where's the cook?"

"She said she was going to prepare breakfast." Yue'er's pretty face flushed slightly, "to reward you for your hard work last night."

"And what about you?" Bai Qi casually brushed aside the three invitations, flicked her jade-like chin with his index finger, and teased, "How do you plan to reward the young master?"

Yue'er blushed and bit her red lips, whispering, "Yue'er is weak and unable to fight. Could we use someone else temporarily? The old nanny in the palace has taught me some."

Bai Qi hadn't originally intended this, but since it was a benefit enjoyed by King Zheng of Qin, and since he had come to this feudal Qin state, there was no reason not to explore it further.

Soon, Bai Qi's breathing became slightly heavy.

He gently stroked Yue'er's silky hair with one hand, while casually asking a question.

"Has news spread that Bai Qizi's behavior is absurd, but he intends to use this situation against him?"

Yue'er's delicate body stiffened for a moment, but she quickly recovered, continuing her movements with a soft hum, "Mmm!"

She might not have said it last night, but things will be different after today.

Which companies are included?

"I am a concubine under Empress Dowager Zhao Ji, the cook is under Empress Dowager Hua Yang, and the bedchamber maid is under Empress Dowager Xia Ji."

"Tsk, I've only just arrived in Xianyang, and I'm already being threatened by the three empresses just like Brother Zheng?"

Bai Qi pondered for a moment, then continued to inquire further, "Yue'er, how much gold do you think I should ask each of the three empress dowagers for?"

The moon paused for a moment, catching its breath, and its eyes began to shine slightly.

"The three empress dowagers and the king each gave the young master one hundred gold pieces. If the young master needs anything, he may wish to acquire more commercial properties in Xianyang."

"What a greedy housekeeper!"

Just then, a charming cook with a mature and alluring demeanor stepped into the inner room, and was not surprised to see this.

With a slender hand raised, she instantly ordered the blushing maid to set up a table on the couch, and then, rubbing her slender waist and hips, she climbed up.

One to the left, one to the right, until the sun was high in the sky.

[Farming +2]

The three of them, having eaten and drunk their fill, then got up.

Bai Qi enjoyed the feudal lifestyle of being waited on hand and foot, and immediately set off on horseback towards the inner garden of Xianyang Palace.

Noon.

Huayang Palace.

"Your Majesty, that person has arrived."

"Tsk, they really did come by smell."

Empress Dowager Huayang looked at the dazzling array of palace delicacies on the table, put down her chopsticks and bowl, and smiled.

"Announce it! Also prepare a copy for him, lest outsiders say that I am not considerate of my juniors."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The palace servants withdrew and turned to lead Bai Qi into the hall.

He wore a fitted black robe, stood eight feet tall, had a cold and stern face, and moved with the speed of the wind, exuding youthful vigor.

"Bai Qi greets the Empress Dowager!"

Empress Dowager Huayang looked at the young man who walked in with the light, her gaze falling on the Wu'an Jun sword at his waist.

"Pull it out!"

"Um?"

Bai Qi frowned slightly, looking at the beautiful empress dowager who was nearly fifty years old but still had black hair and was once the only favorite in the harem of the Anguo Emperor, and did not dare to refuse her.

Empress Dowager Huayang was the most dangerous of the three empress dowagers in the Qin palace, and also the one with the most sophisticated political skills.

Bai Qi gripped the scabbard, and with a resounding thud, the blood-red, jade-like longsword was drawn. Bathed in sunlight, the fine blood-red veins seemed to surge as if breathing.

The breathing inside the hall suddenly stopped, and the palace servants felt a cold wind blowing through them, chilling them to the bone.

"The sword spirit has recognized me as its master! Now, I do have some of that person's aura!"

"Your Majesty flatters me!"

Bai Qi neither explained nor refused, since everyone in the Qin court now believed that he was the descendant of Lord Wu'an.

The people of Qin needed him as a figurehead to enter officialdom, the military needed him to contend with Lü Buwei's policy of stable development, and King Zheng of Qin needed him to seize power and assume personal rule...

Whether he wanted to or not, the outcome had already pushed him to this point, and empty words were useless.

"Please take a seat! Serve wine and meat!"

Bai Qi didn't hold back either.

Sheathed his sword, sat down at the table, ate meat and drank wine as he pleased, embracing a carefree attitude.

As expected, Empress Dowager Huayang asked a few routine questions about daily life and casually brought up the topic of military life.

"Bai Qizi believes that at this age, where should the Qin army's sword be aimed?"

"It definitely can't be the State of Chu."

Bai Qi saw through Empress Dowager Huayang's thoughts at a glance, and readily bowed with his hands clasped.

"South Korea!"

"Attack Han?" Empress Dowager Huayang pondered for a moment. "You are still young and this is your first time leading troops. Attacking Han is indeed a good choice."

"You mean to say it's safe, right?" Bai Qi's lips curled up, but he didn't explain.

"Have you spoken to the King?"

"Bai Qi has just arrived in Xianyang and has not yet had any free time."

Empress Dowager Huayang rolled her eyes inwardly. Now, who in the court and the countryside of Xianyang didn't know that King Zheng of Qin and Bai Qi had jointly paid homage at the tomb of Lord Wu'an outside Xianyang City?

"And then, what happens after the conquest of Korea?"

"The State of Wei!"

"And then what happened to the State of Wei?"

"The State of Zhao!"

Empress Dowager Huayang smiled and did not ask any further questions.

Because it's no longer necessary.

She was nearly fifty years old; if the Qin Dynasty had continued its conquest of the Three Jin states in this order, she would have been buried up to her neck by now.

Whether as a woman from Chu or the Empress Dowager of Qin, she believed she had done enough.

Anything beyond that is for later generations to figure out.

After some questioning, Bai Qi clearly felt that Empress Dowager Huayang's words had become much gentler.

After hearing his tearful complaints about how difficult it was to live in Xianyang, the authorities generously granted him a street-front shop with a workshop attached.

Before leaving, they held hands and watched him leave Huayang Palace, treating him as a junior member of the family.

"Hong Gu, what do you think?"

A middle-aged palace maid stepped out from among the attendants behind Empress Dowager Huayang. She was of average appearance and had an ordinary demeanor.

"His breathing is gentle and should come from the heart."

"Spider Girl, are we there yet?"

"Judging by the time, it should be shortly after we entered Tian County."

"Send a few more scrolls of erotic illustrations to the Queen. It's been over half a year, why is there still no word?"

"Perhaps it's because His Majesty hasn't been visiting enough."

"Ha, she can't even seduce a hot-blooded young man, what excuse do you have for her..."

Lady Huayang's gaze was distant and unfocused as she said, "Go tell her. The next King of Qin must have blood of the Chu royal family!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

……

In the afternoon, the sun was blazing.

Bai Qi looked up at the double-image sun, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and stood quietly in front of Empress Dowager Xia Ji's palace gate, speechless.

He guessed that there might be some discord among the three empress dowagers of the Qin palace, but he did not expect them to be so sworn enemies.

Because he went to see Empress Dowager Huayang first, Empress Dowager Xia Ji left him hanging for an hour.

He was turned away.

Bai Qi licked his dry lips, his gaze falling on the palace maids standing guard in the shadows outside the hall, and asked again.

"Empress Dowager Xia Ji, are you still asleep after your afternoon nap?"

"The Empress Dowager will call you in when she wakes up."

"Damn, you're really going to be tough now."

Bai Qi was angry and retorted directly, "In that case, please summon me again next time, Your Majesty. I have other matters to attend to and will be leaving now."

"Hey, you..."

Bai Qi ignored him and turned to leave.

The palace maids caught up and tried to stop him, but he simply flicked her sleeve and shook her off.

The palace maid had no choice but to go inside and report back.

Empress Dowager Xia Ji, her face cold, gave a soft snort, "How ungrateful!"

Then he continued to assist his young master Chengjiao in studying the Book of Lord Shang.

Bai Qi went straight into Ganquan Palace, having made up his mind that if Empress Dowager Zhao Ji tried to intimidate him in the same way, he would simply turn around and leave.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Bai Qi stepped into Ganquan Palace, a dozen or so beautiful young women, laughing and joking, surrounded him and rushed towards him.

"Ladies, my name is Bai Qi. I have been summoned by Empress Dowager Meng. Please inform her of my presence."

"You're the one I'm after!" A shy-looking palace maid ripped off his belt.

"The Empress Dowager said that any man who has been tainted by the filth and greed of money outside the palace must bathe in fragrant water before entering Ganquan Palace. Otherwise, he will not be allowed to see her!"

Bai Qi's hands, which were trying to stop him, froze.

This was because they knew he had gone to Huayang Palace first and then left Empress Dowager Xia Ji's place, and they were angry that he only went to Ganquan Palace last.

But fearing he would leave in anger, and also considering his son's future plans for him, he came up with this method of punishment.

After all, as the mother of King Zheng of Qin, the Empress Dowager still had to consider the face of her subjects.

As it turned out, he was completely overthinking it.

Bai Qi heard a "snap" behind him, felt a chill on his buttocks, and suddenly loosened his grip on the last piece of underwear covering his shame.

While he was stunned, a petite, red-faced palace maid snatched the scissors from his hand.

"Haha, I got it!"