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

"Your Majesty, the people have arrived."

On a nine-foot-high platform.

Following Li Si's pointing finger, King Zheng and his two companions looked up and saw Queen Xiong Fengli of Chu leading a group of people, including Prince Xiong Qi, carrying a ceremonial crown and ceremonial regalia, slowly entering the camp.

Bai Qi and Lü Buwei exchanged a glance, and a sudden realization flashed through their minds.

"Perhaps those vying for the throne and to assume personal rule are far more numerous than just these few."

"This queen, who came to Qin from the State of Chu, is not content with being alone even after becoming pregnant!"

Wearing a solemn, dark black and crimson robe with golden phoenixes, Xiong Fengli slowly stepped onto the high platform.

At the behest of Prince Xiong Qi, the attendants laid out straw mats and soft cushions, and set up an incense table and incense burner...

The attendants withdrew.

Relying on her status as queen, Xiong Fengli carried the black cloth crown, leather cap, and ceremonial cap used for the crowning ceremony.

Prince Xiong Qi held aloft the robes used for the crowning ceremony.

Li Si, quick-witted, snatched the wine cup used for the ritual.

Bai Qi's gaze fell on the area below the high platform, watching carts of wine and liquor being delivered to the Lishan camp. He secretly admired the decisiveness and boldness of the Queen of Chu.

It should be noted that there are currently tens of thousands of people in the Lishan camp, and with the spread of the Qin King's coming-of-age ceremony, it is estimated that at least two hundred thousand people have gathered.

Even a single drink per person represents a huge expenditure of resources.

The Queen of Qin's precise grasp of timing, her ruthless and cunning insight, and the sheer amount of wealth she had accumulated left him in awe.

But how exactly did she die?

Perhaps it was because Bai Qi's gaze lingered on her face for too long that the woman clearly misunderstood something.

Xiong Fengli frowned slightly, pouting in dissatisfaction, and walked up to him, handing him the tray that held the coming-of-age ceremony. "Here?"

Bai Qi subconsciously reached out and took it, but then froze in his tracks.

At this moment, Xiong Fengli had already approached King Qin Zheng, untied his belt, and helped him change his clothes.

Lü Buwei loudly proclaimed his homage.

"My dog ​​was sixteen years old at the time."

"On an auspicious day, guests were invited, and the zither and sheng were played to mark the coming-of-age ceremony."

"OnePlus, the black-robed hero!"

Young Master Xiong Qi stepped forward, holding up a black robe.

Queen Xiong Fengli of Chu knelt down to help King Zheng of Qin change his clothes and tie his belt, then washed his face with water and styled his hair with her bare hands.

Bai Qi stepped forward, holding the tray in his hands.

Lü Buwei looked up at him, reached out and took the black cloth crown, and put it on King Zheng of Qin.

Xiong Fengli glanced at him, then reached out and handed him a green bamboo hairpin.

Lü Buwei loudly proclaimed his homage.

"On an auspicious day, the Canadian dollar service will begin."

"Abandon your childish ambitions, and follow your virtuous path."

May you live a long and blessed life.

The crowd dispersed.

King Zheng of Qin faced the four directions and bowed three times.

Inside the Lishan camp, the Qin soldiers and civilians shouted in unison.

"Your Majesty, once crowned, you are permitted to participate in government affairs!"

Xiong Fengli approached Qin Wangzheng, untied his belt, and helped him change his clothes and wash his face again.

Lü Buwei loudly proclaimed his homage.

"Two pluses, a leather cap!"

Young Master Xiong Qi stepped forward, holding up the white deerskin coat.

Queen Xiong Fengli of Chu then knelt down...

Bai Qi followed closely behind...

Lu Buwei reached out and took the leather cap. Bai Qi was about to make a move when Xiong Fengli slapped his hand and snatched the bone and jade hairpin, handing it to him.

Lü Buwei loudly proclaimed his homage.

"On this auspicious day and time, let us wear festive attire."

"Be dignified and respectful; practice with caution and do not read."

May you enjoy longevity, good health, and lasting happiness.

The crowd dispersed.

King Zheng of Qin faced the four directions and bowed three times.

Inside the Lishan camp, the Qin soldiers and civilians shouted in unison.

"Your Majesty, don your second crown, to protect the nation!"

The process continues.

Lü Buwei loudly proclaimed his homage.

"Three additions, a noble cap and hat!"

Young Master Xiong Qi stepped forward, holding up his red and black formal attire.

Queen Xiong Fengli of Chu knelt down...

Bai Qi felt he understood a little, but the coming-of-age ceremony was almost over.

Lü Buwei took the ceremonial cap and the white jade hairpin from Xiong Fengli's hand, and put it on King Zheng of Qin.

"According to the year's order and the month's decree."

"Hamgal suit."

"With all brothers present, they have achieved their virtue; the teachings of Huangdi and Laozi are boundless, and they receive the blessings of Heaven."

The crowd dispersed.

King Zheng of Qin faced the four directions and bowed three times.

Inside the Lishan camp, the Qin soldiers and civilians shouted in unison.

"Your Majesty, bestow the crown upon the third time, and proceed with the ancestral sacrifice!"

The Qin people shouted, "When the King came of age, a wise minister appeared; the Chu woman became Queen Phoenix; may Great Qin last ten thousand years!"

In an instant, music and rituals were performed.

Bai Qi immediately saw through this, realizing that it must be the Queen of Chu's attempt to curry favor with the Qin people.

However, this was an open and aboveboard scheme, and he had no way to stop it.

Even worse, this kind of Warring States period etiquette was beyond his comprehension.

Uh, he really doesn't understand!

But looking at King Zheng of Qin, who stood on the nine-foot-high platform, enjoying the congratulations of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, with a smug smile, he couldn't help but show a pleased expression.

Although he wasn't in charge of this matter, it can be considered a way of making up for Zheng Ge's regret.

In my memory, the coming-of-age ceremony of King Zheng of Qin in the tenth year turned into a bloody feast, the Qinian Palace Incident.

Lao Ai's rebellion failed, and he was executed by dismemberment and extermination of his entire clan. King Zheng of Qin threw his two sons to the ground and imprisoned the Empress Dowager.

The following year, Lü Buwei was expelled and given poisoned wine.

If we also add the death of Queen Dowager Xia Ji in the eighth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, and the rebellion and escape to the State of Zhao by Lord Chang'an Cheng Jiao in the ninth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign...

It can be said that he gradually transformed into the autocratic Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng!

Perhaps it is just as the old saying goes: "When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their will, strains their muscles and bones, starves their body, and empties their resources."

For some reason, just as Bai Qi was staring blankly at King Zheng of Qin, Queen Xiong Fengli of Chu suddenly leaned close to him, her eyes filled with pity, and whispered softly.

"If Bai Qizi has the time, I, the Queen, may also choose a suitable man to be his coming-of-age ceremony."

"Are we that close?" Bai Qi glared at her and turned away haughtily.

"I don't want to!"

Xiong Fengli giggled, not annoyed at all, and simply reached out and poked him in the back.

"The King is going to Yongcheng to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple later. If Bai Qizi has something to do, you'd better hurry."

Bai Qi said irritably, "If it weren't for the Queen's interference, the matter of Shanglin Garden would have been settled long ago."

Xiong Fengli did not deny her connection with Li Si and others, but simply shrugged and pouted slightly.

"Perhaps it was all preordained?"

"Hmph! You're not even mentioned in history books."

Bai Qi rolled his eyes. He could see that this Queen Qin was a natural political opportunist who was gentle on the outside but tough on the inside, with an insatiable lust for power.

If she hadn't run into King Zheng of Qin, she would probably have ended up like Empress Lü or Empress Wu Zetian.

As for how she died?

Bai Qi suspected that it wasn't that his desire for power was too strong, leading him to meddle in things he shouldn't have.

King Zheng of Qin discovered his ambition to overstep his authority and, fearing a repeat of the Ganquan Palace incident, directly sent the mother away to keep the son.

This also confirms another event in history.

During the Lao Ai Rebellion, the Qin-Chu faction, including Lord Changping Xiong Qi, was still the biggest supporter of King Zheng of Qin.

Why did they suddenly rebel when Qin attacked Chu and the overall situation of the world was settled?

For the motherland?

No, it should be that this woman is dead.

Xiong Fengli blushed under his gaze, covered her face with her hands, and whispered.

"Does Bai Qizi like women from Chu with slender waists?"

"Hmm?" Bai Qi frowned slightly. 'This woman is incredibly narcissistic!'

"I fell in love with you at first sight. Even a celestial being wouldn't be this outrageous!"

"The Third Empress Dowager has left the palace, and the palace is empty. The King wants Pineapple to move to Ganquan Palace."

Xiong Fengli glanced at him with amusement. "Bai Qizi, do you think I should go?"

"If we go, and Empress Dowager Zhao Ji returns to Xianyang, or perhaps discovers some secret chamber of her mother-in-law... what should we do then?!"

What exactly does this woman mean? Is she trying to win me over? Test me? Seduc me?

Bai Qi shook his head. He couldn't understand it, so he ignored the sidelong glance and probing look from Queen Qin, Xiong Fengli, and turned to leave.

He couldn't outmaneuver these naturally gifted geniuses who had been trained in court intrigue since childhood.

"Let's get down to business!"

Bai Qi walked toward King Zheng of Qin and happened to hear Lü Buwei's earnest teachings to him.

"...As the saying goes, a new beginning brings a fresh start! Zheng'er, you were born in the first month of the lunar calendar, so how about using 'Shi' (始, meaning 'beginning') as your courtesy name?"

"Coincidentally, Bai Qizi has a myriad of thoughts in his heart, which perfectly matches the word 'new'."

"Ying Shi, Bai Xin, what kind of rubbish are these characters?"

Bai Qi bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty!"

King Zheng of Qin raised his hand and looked at Lü Buwei.

"Rest assured, Father. One must see things through to the end. I understand your teachings."

"Tsk, is there that hidden meaning? Why are you being so subtle, old Deng?"

King Zheng of Qin looked at him and asked, "Has Bai Qizi come about the Shanglin Garden?"

Bai Qi nodded.

King Zheng of Qin directly pulled out a gold token from his sleeve, which was engraved with the four characters "Shanglin School Affairs".

"The Prime Minister has already given his approval. There will be eight chiefs and two deputys, totaling a thousand men, with Bai Qizi in charge and the Prime Minister's office assisting."

Lü Buwei stroked his beard and smiled, "The needs of the thousand people in the Shanglin Garden can be met by the Prime Minister's residence."

King Zheng of Qin blinked, and Bai Qi understood immediately, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble the Prime Minister for help later."

With his worries resolved, Lü Buwei readily agreed, saying, "No problem, no problem, everything is negotiable."

Queen Xiong Fengli stepped forward and reminded him, "Your Majesty, it's time to depart for Yongcheng."

……