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

"One hundred gold coins are mine."

Bai Qi was speechless. Using his sinus pants as a wager, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji's absurdity was truly unparalleled.

But he was now barely clothed, and if he didn't want to steal the skirts from those dozen or so young girls, he had no choice but to accept his fate.

Having figured it out, Bai Qi straightened his chest and said calmly, "Now, may I go take a bath?"

"Well?"

A dozen or so palace maids blushed, their eyes darting around, and the bolder ones kept stealing glances.

There's a saying that goes, "If you're not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed."

The young palace maid, who had been the most excited just moments before, gasped, her mouth slightly agape, "Wow, it's huge!"

Suddenly realizing what was happening, he cried out, his cheeks flushed red, and in an instant, he bowed his head and hunched over like a little quail.

The palace maid in pink was older, perhaps because she had seen more of the world.

Upon hearing this, he pretended to lead Bai Qi, who then took the lead in the way.

"Young master, please follow me!"

Bai Qi wasn't shy at all; he strode forward, shaking his head as he followed her.

Now that things have come to this, he can only continue to pretend to be calm and hold on.

Fortunately, it was still a short time, and Empress Dowager Zhao Ji probably didn't intend to torment him too much.

A palace maid in pink led him into a fragrant bathhouse sprinkled with flower petals, then stood sideways, rolled up her sleeves, and dipped her delicate hands in the water…

After a series of sensual washings in the water.

Bai Qi changed into a white robe, which added a touch of youthful handsomeness, elegance, and naivety...

Then, he was led into the inner chamber of Ganquan Palace by a pink-clad palace maid with sparkling eyes.

Bai Qi looked at the empty reception room with surprise. "Where is the Empress Dowager?"

The palace maid in pink looked apologetic. "The Empress Dowager is still bathing; it will probably take another hour."

She pointed to the fine wine and delicacies on the table and said, "If you are in a hurry, young master, you may have dinner first."

"It's alright, it's better than standing under the scorching sun."

Bai Qi keenly perceived Empress Dowager Zhao Ji's meaning: You waited for an hour at Empress Dowager Xia Ji's place, so you should also wait for an hour at Empress Dowager Zhao Ji's place.

However, given his previous example of walking away in a huff, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji acted more tactfully, but the meaning was still the same.

When the three Qin empress dowagers clashed again, he became the fish trapped in the fishing net.

Three women make a drama, and three Qin empress dowagers together... tsk tsk, Emperor Zheng is in for a tough time!

Bai Qi sat down and immediately began eating and drinking.

The commotion made him genuinely hungry.

Even after she had eaten and drunk her fill, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji still showed no sign of coming.

Ignoring the surprised looks from the palace maids in red, he found a bed nearby, wrapped himself in a quilt, and fell fast asleep.

He hadn't had a moment's rest last night and this morning in order to keep the household in order, and he was exhausted.

I drifted off to sleep after a wonderfully relaxing afternoon.

In his hazy state, Bai Qi only felt someone gently touching the side of his face, the fingertips warm and silky smooth.

"Wait, where am I?"

"Hehe, she's prettier than Zheng'er!"

Her voice was soft, yet carried an innate, alluring fragrance. Grass, she possessed an inner charm!

"Called Zheng'er? That's Ying Zheng's mother, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji. Oh no, should I wake up now without making a sound? Won't it be too late?!"

Bai Qi's mind was filled with a jumble of thoughts, constantly waking up memories from his slumber. Just as he was about to pretend he had just woken up, he heard a soft murmur in his ear.

"Really? It's that big?!"

"How could that be? You're just a country bumpkin who's never seen anything like this before; you must be seeing things."

Zhao Ji laughed and said, "A person is a person, and a mule is a mule. What you're talking about isn't even human."

"It's true, Your Majesty, I did it myself..."

"Oh no, it's that palace maid in pink. I should have known better than to let her do the hand washing."

"Your Majesty, Marquis Wenxin requests an audience outside the palace!"

Just then, a cold voice from outside interrupted the merriment inside.

Zhao Ji muttered resentfully, "Didn't he say he didn't want to come? Humph, let him wait!"

Even so, Bai Qi only heard a light footstep moving to the dressing mirror, turning around twice, and then going directly to the outer room.

The pounding of Bai Qi's heart finally subsided, but then froze again in an instant.

"What's going on now? He's currently lying on his bed in Ganquan Palace, while outside, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji of Qin and Marquis Wenxin, Lü Buwei, are having a secret rendezvous."

"Is it too late for him to get up now and pretend he knows nothing?"

"Smack!"

An angry sound rang out as a ceramic cup was smashed heavily on the ground.

"Lu Buwei, what do you take me for? A cheap slut who can't live without men? Or a toy that any man can give you?!"

"Get out! Take your damned killer and get the hell out of here!"

"Men, throw them out of here!"

Bai Qi froze, thinking, "Has this...their old flames broken up?"

A heavy footstep entered the inner room, pacing back and forth twice, clearly still seething with anger.

Suddenly, a cold gaze swept over.

Bai Qi's muscles suddenly tensed, his breathing stopped, and even the hairs on his bare skin began to stand on end.

"No, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything to you."

Bai Qi felt Zhao Ji's complex gaze linger on his face for a very long time.

until……

He originally thought that lying down and pretending to be dead would fool him.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji was a stubborn person who would not give up until she achieved her goal.

Bai Qi silently opened his eyes.

"Empress Dowager, what kind of behavior is this?!"

Zhao Ji sat on him, looking down at him teasingly, "What, not pretending to be asleep anymore?"

"Why did you choose me?" Bai Qi's voice was dry, filled with an indescribable sorrow.

Zhao Ji remained silent for a while, exhausted, a sad smile on her face. "Alas~, men die young. My own mother-in-law doesn't like her grandson, and my godmother-in-law doesn't approve of him either."

"I am merely a dancer in the State of Zhao, and I know nothing of matters concerning state and country."

"Since he entrusted his wife and children to his good brother, we might as well follow him for now."

"Now he's scared and wants to find some other man to get rid of me."

Zhao Ji's lips curled into a disdainful smirk as she looked down at him, saying, "Since I have a choice, why don't I find a good one myself?!"

"Alright, stop with the sour face. I heard Zheng'er wants to use you to test his strength against Lü Buwei?"

Bai Qi stretched out his body and let out a soft, comfortable "Mmm~" sound through his nose.

"Hong'er!"

A palace maid in a pink gauze dress quietly appeared, startling Bai Qi.

But after glancing at the two people who seemed used to it, he lay back down as if nothing had happened.

That's life. Since you can't fight it, you might as well just lie back and enjoy it.

"Bring me that black ice token."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A moment later, Hong'er returned, presenting a black token that looked as if it had been cut, sawed, and polished, with the character "Ice" on it appearing blood-red.

Here, it's yours.

Zhao Ji casually took it and tossed it onto his sweat-soaked chest; it felt slightly cool to the touch.

"What is this?"

Bai Qi reached out and picked it up, rubbing the bronze rust, weathered by time, with a puzzled expression.

"How should I put this?"

Zhao Ji beckoned to Hong'er, whose pretty face flushed red. She stepped forward and put her hands on the Empress Dowager's shoulders to help her ride her horse with a little force.

All I can say is that the empress dowagers of the pre-Qin period really knew how to have fun!

"That short-lived man died young, and Zheng'er ascended the throne at the age of thirteen. In order to ensure the stability of the royal power, he deliberately divided the royal family's secret organization into four before his death."

"The most powerful assassins were given to the Empress Dowager, and the intelligence organization was given to Lü Buwei."

"The Ice Token can mobilize the Six Sword Slaves. The Black Token was originally with Empress Dowager Huayang, but after Zheng'er's wedding, she nominally gave it to Queen Chu."

"Ice? Six Sword Slaves? The Net!" Bai Qi excitedly stood up and exclaimed, "This is the Black Ice Platform!"