During the Qin Dynasty, he was in charge of the net.

In a side hall of Ganquan Palace, the body of the palace maid Xiao Huan was dragged away by the guards, and the blood was quickly wiped away.

Li Ji stayed in the side hall for another half an hour after Lü Buwei left.

During this half hour, Zhao Ji asked Li Ji many questions, including how he managed to remain unharmed by swords and how he saw through Xiao Huan's treacherous intentions.

Zhao Ji even asked Li Ji if he was married.

Li Ji casually made up several reasons to deal with these questions. As for the last question, a fabricated answer would be too easy to be seen through, so he could only answer no.

Zhao Ji seemed satisfied with Li Ji's answer and did not pursue the matter further.

After asking these questions, Zhao Ji stared intently at Li Ji with her narrow phoenix eyes and said:

"Prime Minister Lü held immense power in the court, and most of the officials in the court came from his tutelage. He was also surrounded by talented and extraordinary people."

While I and the King of Qin have many servants, we lack someone as capable as Mr. Li.

Now that the King of Qin has only recently ascended the throne, he needs the assistance of a capable person like Mr. Li.

"As long as Mr. Li is willing to loyally assist the King of Qin in the future, neither I nor the King of Qin will treat Mr. Li unfairly."

Upon hearing this, Li Ji lowered his head slightly and bowed respectfully. However, when he lowered his head, there was no joy on his face as he was about to take up the post of commander of the Shadow Guard; instead, there was only an unfathomable calmness.

For Luo Wang, the Shadow Guard Commander is nothing more than another piece that has been decided in the game.

For him, being the commander of the Shadow Guard was just another identity he carried out.

"With the Empress Dowager's trust, if I were to assume the position of Commander of the Shadow Guard, I would naturally prioritize the safety of Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, faithfully fulfill my duties within the department, and live up to the Empress Dowager's expectations."

Zhao Ji nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, and then dismissed Li Ji.

Because she was already impatient, she took the Chu-style silk handkerchief that Xiao Huan was wearing and put it in front of the old witch Hua Yang to see how she would react.

As for Xiao Huan's crime, she had already thought it through.

That was because Xiao Huan had an affair with a guard, and she was executed on her own.

This charge is not true. She also knows that Xiao Huan did not do anything wrong. The only mistake was that Xiao Huan was a Chu person, a person from Huayang.

She wanted to use this charge to humiliate the old hag Huayang.

Who told that old hag to be so arrogant and look down on her?

Since Zheng'er ascended the throne, everyone in the court has called her "Empress Dowager". Only Huayang has repeatedly referred to her as "Zhao" in front of the imperial family members, without using her honorific title.

Hua Yang simply looked down on her past background because she was once a princess of the Chu Kingdom and had a noble status.

And now, there is just the perfect opportunity to humiliate Huayang.

After Li Ji left, Zhao Ji immediately took the Chu-style silk handkerchief and a dozen palace maids and rushed to Chang Le Palace, where Hua Yang resided.

Unlike the decadent luxury of Ganquan Palace, Changle Palace is quiet and solemn, with Chu-style wind chimes hanging under the eaves, which ring when the wind blows.

Inside the hall, the soft sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, as court music was being performed. The dancers, dressed in simple, ancient-patterned robes, moved gracefully, their steps elegant and dignified.

When the palace maid led Zhao Ji into the hall, Empress Dowager Huayang was sitting in the main seat, listening to music with her eyes lowered. She was about fifty years old, with a dignified and calm expression, and her appearance still showed glimpses of her former glory.

When Zhao Ji entered, Empress Dowager Huayang merely raised her eyes slightly, showing no intention of rising to greet her. She simply gestured for her to sit on the side as a matter of courtesy.

Zhao Ji gracefully entered the hall, offered a slight bow, and then took her seat. Before Empress Dowager Huayang could speak, she smiled and said:

"The elegant music in the Empress Dowager's palace is delightful. As I was passing by Changyue, I heard the clear sounds of string and bamboo instruments and felt an urge to hear a piece from you."

Zhao Ji's demeanor was gentle, but a hint of smugness lurked in her eyes.

Despite holding the position of Empress Dowager and wielding the Empress Dowager's Seal, Hua Yang had always treated her coldly and oppressed her with his superior status. Today, she would use the death of Xiao Huan to thoroughly humiliate Hua Yang.

Empress Dowager Huayang raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping lightly over Zhao Ji's magnificent phoenix robe, from her pearl and jade crown to the jade seal at her waist.

With just one glance, Hua Yang instantly understood that this person was not just passing through Chang Le, but had come specifically for her.

But what are they showing off this time? Jewelry or accessories?

Ultimately, he came from humble beginnings; though he suddenly rose to prominence, he still carried an air of worldliness about him.

A hint of disdain flashed in Empress Dowager Huayang's eyes as she said in a flat tone:

"Ms. Zhao, you should listen to more classical music and learn more about the manners of royalty."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji's smile froze instantly, but she quickly regained her composure and praised the elegant music of Chu.

Hua Yang didn't even bother to lift his eyes, only occasionally agreeing once or twice.

The song ended, but its lingering melody still resonated.

Zhao Ji spoke again:

"The Empress Dowager resides in Chang Le Palace year-round, enjoying such refined and elegant music every day without having to deal with the mundane affairs of the inner palace. It is truly a blessing that others cannot obtain."

Hua Yang stroked the jade bead with his fingertips, his tone neither warm nor cold:

"Elegant music is used to cultivate one's character, and it is not a blessing."

"It seems you, Zhao, are quite free today, which is why you've had the leisure to sit here at Chang Le for so long."