People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

After saying that, Ya Fei realized that things were a bit ambiguous and said shyly, which was uncharacteristically rare for her, "Um, please don't misunderstand."

Cao Ze joked, "Your Highness, I didn't think much of it at first, but now you've made me misunderstand."

Consort Ya sighed and said, "Let's go, it's getting late, let's go to the Crown Prince's residence."

It's becoming increasingly difficult for her to maintain the "I am the Empress" demeanor in front of Cao Ze.

It's all Xue'er's fault; she had almost no secrets from Cao Ze.

If you lose your composure even slightly, all those embarrassing moments from before will come flooding back.

Night was falling.

Cao Ze and Consort Ya arrived at the Crown Prince's residence.

Like Zhao Jia, the Crown Prince's residence is quite reserved, low-key, and simple.

From beginning to end, Cao Ze saw nothing but some essential and valuable ceremonial items; he saw nothing else that was luxurious or useless.

Zhao Jia personally greeted them, "Mr. Cao Ze, Aunt."

Ya Fei smiled and said, "Let's go inside and talk about it."

Zhao Jia looked somewhat worried. "Okay."

Ya Fei noticed and asked, "Has something happened?"

Zhao Jia shook his head. "Let's talk about it all at once later."

Ya Fei subconsciously looked at Cao Ze.

Cao Ze shook his head slightly, somewhat puzzled.

Could it be that Guo Kai has already made his move?

After an incense stick had burned, Guo Kai and several ministers entered.

"Your Highness, what brings you to us tonight?"

Guo Kai glanced at Cao Ze discreetly, then sat down and asked Zhao Jia for his opinion.

Zhao Jia said slowly, "The Hundred Schools of Thought meeting, originally scheduled for tomorrow, will be postponed."

"I have been ordered by my father to gather the most capable scholars from all schools of thought in early October at the Hundred Schools Forum to discuss Qin's 'righteous army' and seek a way to break it or a strategy to strengthen the country."

"Regarding this matter, my father instructed me to work closely with the Prime Minister."

What does the Prime Minister think?

Guo Kai frowned slightly; he had only learned about the righteous army today.

"Your Highness, the King's health..."

Zhao Jia shook his head slightly, "My father needs to recuperate recently, which is why he asked the Prime Minister and me to handle this matter."

Guo Kai felt uneasy and prayed that Zhao Yan wouldn't die so soon, otherwise he wouldn't be able to stop Zhao Jia from becoming the King of Zhao.

He can forget about becoming a capable minister who can make the Zhao state great again.

Does this mean we should really listen to the Empress Dowager and take a risky approach?

Cao Ze felt something was amiss. He wondered if the Empress was not afraid of poisoning Zhao Yan and letting Zhao Jia take advantage of the situation.

Could it have just been an accident?

"Pray for the King's well-being."

Guo Kai stood up and said from the bottom of his heart that he really didn't want Zhao Yan to die now.

Chapter 105 was quite engaging.

The next day, Cao Ze went to Chunqing Palace to conduct the Empress's daily tutoring work.

He met Guo Kai, who had also entered the palace.

Cao Ze said, "Your Excellency, what is this...?"

Guo Kai looked worried and said, "It's not a good omen that the King is ill again."

Cao Ze understood; he was going to check on Zhao Yan's condition.

He went straight to Chunqing Palace.

Inside Chunqing Palace, the Empress, dressed in a phoenix robe, looked at Cao Ze with a smile.

"Sir, you've come a little early today. Did you miss me?"

Cao Ze said, "I heard that the King is ill."

The Empress's face darkened. "Who knew his health was so poor? He caught a cold not long after autumn arrived, and I dared not even administer any medicine, for fear that Zhao Jia would benefit from it."

Cao Ze said, "Then the Queen should be careful."

For him, as long as Zhao Yan didn't die while Zhao Qian was the crown prince, that was fine.

Whether Zhao Jia becomes the King of Zhao or not is irrelevant to him.

Unfortunately, although the Empress was not very bright, she still had some sense and wouldn't dig her own grave.

Zhao Qian walked in, glanced at Cao Ze, and snorted.

"Mother, Father is seriously ill, and I wish to stay by his side today."

After a slight pause, Chang Hou fixed her gaze on Cao Ze.

"It's good to stay by Father's side, but your studies can't be neglected. I'll give you one hour. Your teacher and I will wait for you here."

Zhao Qian opened his mouth, having finally gotten a chance, only to have it last for an hour?

After Zhao Qian left, the Empress Dowager tore off her phoenix robe and draped her jade arm over Cao Ze's shoulder.

She smiled gently, "Sir, let's hurry up and take a shower afterwards."

Cao Ze could only pick up the empress and carry her inside.

Start your daily DPS routine.

Inside the Longtai Palace, Zhao Yan lay on a couch.

Guo Kai looked at Zhao Yan, who had a white cloth on his head, with a worried expression.

"Your Majesty, shall I go and invite a physician to come over?"

Zhao Yan raised his hand and said, "No need. Physician Li from the Imperial Physician's Clan has already prescribed medicine, and I am feeling much better."

Guo Kai felt much more at ease knowing that Physician Li was the Queen's man.

"Your Majesty, I pray for your well-being."

Zhao Yan stared blankly at Guo Kai, "Praying for blessings..."

"Guo Kai, we have been ruler and subject for many years. I ask you, how do you remain immune to all diseases and achieve immortality?"

"This..." Guo opened his mouth, which resembled a big-mouthed monkey, "Your Majesty, there are no gods in the world."

Zhao Yan seemed not to hear, muttering to himself, "Monkey, Bodhi Patriarch, the art of immortality..."

Guo Kai was slightly taken aback; wasn't this the same Journey to the West quote that Cao Ze had made?

Zhao Yan remained silent for a while before saying, "Zhuangzi once spoke of the Southern Ocean, and Cao Ze once spoke of the Northern Pole. Both are extremely remote places in the world, and perhaps immortals reside there."

"But how could the Central Plains, being the center of the world, not have opportunities for immortality?"

"Guo Kai, tell me, where is the path to immortality in the Central Plains?"

Guo Kai was speechless; he had no idea about these things.

Furthermore, he didn't want Zhao Yan to live that long, until Zhao Qian became the crown prince, so he could die.

Han Cang, who had been silent all along, said in a sinister tone, "Your Majesty, I do know of a celestial connection."

"Oh? What is it?"

Zhao Yan stared wide-eyed at Han Cang.

Han Cang said, "Your Majesty should know that I am originally from Nanyang in the state of Han. When Qin attacked Han, I fled to Handan."

"Before the Qin state attacked the Han state, when the current King An of Han had not yet become the crown prince, King An of Han allied with the Chu state to form the Han-Chu allied forces and invaded the Baiyue region."

"According to the rumors I heard back then, it seems that King Han An was not only after gaining military merit to become the crown prince, but also involved in the legendary Azure Dragon Seven Mansions."

"If we're talking about the immortal destiny in the Central Plains, then the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon must be the one."

Zhao Yan was stunned for a moment, then said, "No wonder the State of Han would travel thousands of miles to help the State of Chu attack the Baiyue."

Guo Kai said, "You mean, the legendary Azure Dragon Seven Constellations have fallen into the hands of King Han An?"

Han Cang said, "I don't know about that."

Zhao Yan shook his head and said, "It is impossible for King Han An to obtain the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon."

"However, it would be good to send someone to investigate and find out the truth about the Han-Chu allied forces' military campaign against the Baiyue back then."

As the King of Zhao, he already knew from the royal secrets that to obtain the true secret of the Azure Dragon Seven Mansions, he first needed to obtain the bronze treasure boxes possessed by various states.

He entrusted the treasure box of the Zhao Kingdom to his youngest sister, Consort Ya, who was the most powerful member of the royal family, for safekeeping.

This secret was known only to him and Ya Fei; no one else knew.

A few breaths later, Zhao Qian came in and insincerely inquired about Zhao Yan's health.

Zhao Qian intended to just give a perfunctory answer and slip away, but Zhao Yan unexpectedly spoke up: "Zhao Qian, you have been studying with Mr. Cao Ze for quite some time now. Take this opportunity to recite the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic that you have learned to your father."

Zhao Qian was stunned. He had to recite two thousand characters on the spot?

Upon seeing the change in Zhao Qian's expression, Guo Kai knew that Zhao Qian had not studied properly. He sighed inwardly, realizing that if Zhao Jia had not died or left the Zhao state, Zhao Qian would have had absolutely no chance.

"At birth, human nature is good..."

Zhao Qian thought he wouldn't be able to recite it, but to his surprise, he recited the Three Character Classic with a slight stutter.

Even Zhao Qian himself was surprised. The thought of copying and reading the Three Character Classic every day in Chunqing Palace under the noses of Cao Ze and his mother made him feel a little sad. He had really succeeded!

Guo Kai breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected Cao Ze to be so capable, managing to get Zhao Qian to recite it.

Inside Chunqing Palace, Cao Ze, who was skilled not only with Zhao Qian but also with his mother, was comfortably soaking in hot water.