Chapter 53 The Return Journey (Part 2) "As long as she's a pretty woman..."

Ji Changyue instinctively gripped the blanket tightly. After a brief moment of change in expression, she smiled with surprise, "Zheng'er?"

Ying Zheng lifted the bed curtains, his gaze discreetly sweeping across the bed. He didn't see anything strange, but instead noticed his mother's reproachful and bewildered expression.

He knelt down apologetically, "Your Majesty's request is unusual, and I was filled with doubt, which is why I came in."

“Abnormal?” Ji Changyue took in her son’s gaze as he examined the bed. A hint of panic flashed across her face, and her knuckles turned white as she gripped the blanket tightly. “What’s strange about it? Lao Ai is loyal to me and works hard for me. I have nothing to give him. He’s a eunuch; he can’t marry or have children.”

Ji Changyue paused slightly for a moment, then looked up at her son, "It's just the position of a marquis. My son will be able to rule in his own right in two years. At that time, whether a marquis or a minister, they will all have to rely on the king's rule."

"What Mother says makes sense," Ying Zheng agreed.

"Furthermore," Ji Changyue loosened her clenched fingers and tentatively inquired, "this is only to make it easier for me to know about court affairs. Are you not worried that your mother will seize your power and harm you?"

Ying Zheng sensed something was off about Ji Changyue's tone and was slightly taken aback. His voice became urgent as he said, "Mother, you're angry. I didn't mean it. I was just worried about your safety and afraid someone might kidnap you."

"How could that be?" Seeing that her son's expression did not seem to be faking it, Ji Changyue breathed a slight sigh of relief and felt comforted. She shook her head and said, "You can go out now, I'm tired."

"Mother." Ying Zheng wanted to say something more, but swallowed the words back.

His actions of checking the bed were too obvious and might cause his mother to misunderstand, but he didn't know how to explain it in detail.

A sudden silence fell between the mother and son.

They were mother and son. He knew his mother well and knew that she was determined not to speak at this moment, so he had no choice but to get up and leave the inner room.

After everyone left, Ji Changyue struggled to sit up, revealing her pregnant belly, which had been hidden by thick blankets while lying on her side.

She looked up at the bed curtains, her fist clenched in anger, ready to punch her stomach.

The elbow paused in mid-air.

She leaned listlessly against the soft pillow, a faint heartbeat emanating from her abdomen. Her fingertips, pressing against Ji Changyue's skin, seemed to be greeting her.

She had agreed with Lao Ai that after the child was born, in order to avoid confusing the bloodline of the Qin family and to ensure the stability of her son's throne, she would have to painfully execute him. No mother could be so heartless as to take the life of her own child.

You can have an abortion after one or two months, but that's after the baby is born.

Lao Ai loved her and made many concessions for her. Their relationship could not be open and aboveboard, and she even wanted to kill his child herself. She wanted to compensate him by giving him the title of a marquis.

If she had known this would happen, she should have taken the medicine to abort the fetus five months ago. Even if abortion had been life-threatening at that time, what would she have been afraid of? It was because she was afraid of dying and afraid that the good days she had just enjoyed would vanish into thin air that she dared not abort and kept the fetus until now.

Ji Changyue wiped away her tears, let out a long sigh, and looked exhausted. "Someone come here."

A palace servant pushed open the door and knelt on the ground, saying, "Empress Dowager."

"Issue my order to appoint Lao Ai as Marquis of Changxin, grant him Shanyang as his fief, and allow him to enter the court to participate in government affairs."

The palace servant acknowledged and respectfully left, instructing the scribe to draft the edict. Once the edict was written and stamped with the seal of the King of Qin held by the Empress Dowager, it would take effect.

Banban had finished her meal and was feeding the two little pandas fresh bamboo shoots when she heard footsteps. She complained, "What is it? Why are you taking so long? Aren't you hungry?"

"I'm not hungry." Ying Zheng sat down, looking at the table full of dishes, his expression gloomy.

Banban noticed that his expression was off, hesitated, and waved his hand to signal the palace servants to leave.

She handed the panda to Qian Yin, telling her to get down as well. Then she walked to Ying Zheng's side and rubbed his shoulder. "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

"It's not that I'm unhappy," Ying Zheng said, though he had little appetite. However, his cousin insisted that he eat normally every meal and couldn't skip a meal. He picked up his chopsticks and said, "I've angered Mother. She probably thinks I suspect she's hiding something in her room..."

Male concubine.

He simply suspected that someone with ill intentions might have kidnapped her, but after looking around, he found no one hiding in the house. His scrutinizing gaze was tantamount to misunderstanding her, and no one would be happy to be misunderstood.

He naturally felt guilty, but Ji Changyue didn't give him a chance to explain.

Banban was puzzled, "Why didn't you tell your cousin that you've known all along?"

Ying Zheng sighed. Perhaps because of his troubled mind, he said many things he would never normally say. “My mother suffered a lot back then. What does it matter if she takes in many male lovers? Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean the royal family doesn’t care. This is an undeniable scandal in ordinary royal families. My mother knew this, which is why she kept it from me.”

"To save face for her, I can only pretend I don't know. If I expose her, how will she face herself?"

Ordinary people can remarry after their husbands die, and remarrying into a high-ranking family is also possible. But it's different for royalty. Even if the empress dowager dies, she cannot remarry, and male favorites are out of the question.

This is the honor of being an empress dowager, but also her shackles.

Ji Changyue was only in her thirties. It would be incredibly difficult for her to remain a widow for the rest of her life. Humans are inherently driven by emotions and desires, and everyone needs the companionship of various feelings. As her son, Ying Zheng understood her reluctance to remain a widow.

This was the first time Banban had heard her cousin speak so frankly and openly. After a brief moment of bewilderment, she earnestly tried to understand his perspective.

After a moment, she gently pinched her cousin's neck and tentatively said, "But cousin, perhaps your aunt was afraid that you wouldn't be able to accept it, afraid that you would side with the late king and criticize her like the other members of the royal family, and afraid that you would be put in a difficult position, so she kept it from you."

“You and your aunt have been through so much, you love each other, and you must always be thinking of each other, just like you are now. But how selfish is your aunt? Perhaps she is not so smart, and she sometimes makes mistakes, but she certainly did not do it on purpose.”

Banban walked up to her cousin, cupped his face, and gave an example: "It was like when Zhao You was still the crown prince and was sent to Qin as a hostage. I heard from my cousin that at that time, my cousin and the prime minister wanted to befriend Zhao, but my aunt held a grudge against Zhao You for bullying her son in every way. She slammed her fist on the table in court and forced Zhao You to do hard labor to vent her anger."

"My sister-in-law doesn't understand politics; she just wants to avenge her son."

Ying Zheng's cold and gloomy expression gradually dissipated. He sighed deeply and stroked his cousin's hand.

Banban continued to reassure them, "So why can't you make sense of it? Sit down and have a good talk, and even the biggest misunderstanding can be cleared up."

"My cousin and aunt depend on each other for survival. How could they hold a grudge overnight? They'll forget everything after a good night's sleep."

Ying Zheng remained silent, moved, and whispered, "Let her return to Xianyang."

As they were talking, Qin Ju entered, bowing low, and the two of them stopped talking at the same time.

Qin Ju usually guards outside the door, so it's likely that a palace servant from Yongdi has come in at this time.

Sure enough, two palace servants came in carrying new dishes. "The Empress Dowager instructed us to add two dishes, saying that they are the ones His Majesty usually likes, and she was worried that His Majesty might not enjoy them at the Xiyang Palace."

She shrugged and said, "Look."

Ying Zheng's expression softened, and he finally smiled slightly. "My cousin knows more than I do, thank you."

"My cousin and I are husband and wife, so I can't thank you," she said with a grin. "Let me see what food my sister-in-law brought."

"Didn't you already use it?"

"I can't be hungry again."

The two jokingly ate together and then planned to take a walk around Yongdi.

Just as I came out of the Xiyang Palace, I ran into Lao Ai, who was kneeling in front of the hall.

Ying Zheng frowned imperceptibly and said calmly, "You may rise. The Empress Dowager has already informed me that your actions were all at her behest. How could I blame you?"

Lao Ai prostrated himself deeply, overwhelmed with remorse. "It is all because of me that the King and the Queen Mother are unhappy. I am deeply guilty. The King is magnanimous, but I cannot take advantage of his favor. Today's events have served as a wake-up call for me. I am willing to kneel here and reflect on my actions."

Banban spoke quickly and bluntly, his dissatisfaction and contempt evident in his voice: "You dare to challenge me? How could the King and the Queen Mother have any disagreements? You should shut up now."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lao Ai slapped himself across the face. "I misspoke, Your Majesty, please forgive me."

This person is ruthless, and so is he to himself. One slap and his face immediately swelled up.

Banban was startled and took half a step back.

Lao Ai's hand went numb from the slaps, and while he remained respectful to the utmost, he couldn't help but raise his head to observe the King of Qin's expression.

The King of Qin's eyes gleamed with a strange light as he looked down at him intently. For a moment, he felt that the King of Qin understood his intention in kneeling there. He didn't care, and even felt a ripple of mockery and ridicule because of his actions.

"Marquis Changxin," the King of Qin drawled, his expression a half-smile.

This title made Lao's heart leap into his throat, "...Your Majesty"

He feigned a puzzled expression, seemingly unaware of what the King of Qin was calling or who he was calling.

"You must be very happy."

Of course I'm happy, but I can't show it.

"This humble servant does not know what Your Majesty is talking about."

Lao Ai knelt at the feet of the King of Qin. Without even looking up, he could see the King of Qin's sword. Its dragon head was half-lowered, and its scarlet eyes seemed to be staring at him menacingly.

As the joy faded, he felt a hidden fear under the dragon's gaze, followed by an intense sense of resentment and anger that overwhelmed him.

"Don't resort to such tricks, or I will look down on you."

The King of Qin spoke in a calm and unhurried tone, each word spoken in a plain manner, yet it carried an undeniable composure: "Now that you have been granted a title, you must act like an upright man."

Lao Ai was slightly taken aback, then his face suddenly turned red. He wasn't embarrassed, but angry. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to show his bloodshot eyes.

The king and queen left, and Lao Ai tightened his fingers, vaguely hearing the queen's innocent, playful words, "My cousin is wrong. Even if he is made a marquis, he is still a eunuch. He can only get the title by pleasing his sister-in-law. How can he be a real man?"

“My cousin is right,” the King of Qin sneered.

Lao Ai slowly lowered his head again, his eyes fixed on the wide square. He said to himself, "The queen who doesn't even look at me properly is arrogant and beautiful. The King of Qin is not yet an adult and cannot rule the court. What is there to fear?"

He is the Marquis of Changxin, and he will gain even more in the future. Once he seizes power from Lü Buwei, what can the King of Qin do to him?

Leaving the Xiyang Palace, the palace complex of Yongdi came into view.

Banban, who was not one to keep secrets, was now admiring the palace with great interest. "Cousin, I heard that Yongcheng was the former capital of the Qin Dynasty, and the capital was later moved to Xianyang."

Ying Zheng nodded. "This is indeed the old capital of Qin, and the coming-of-age ceremony will be held here."

"Is it in Xiyang Palace?" Banban asked curiously. "It's so small here."

"No, look over there, the Qinian Palace is there. The coming-of-age ceremony will be held at the Qinian Palace."

Following the direction my cousin pointed, sure enough, a vast palace came into view. The open space stretched as far as the eye could see, and thousands of steps had turned dark from years of footsteps. "I thought of the scene when officials used to pass through here for court meetings."

"Yongcheng is much smaller than Xianyang, so don't be so sentimental. If my cousin lived here, she would probably complain that her palace is too small." Ying Zheng put his arm around his cousin's waist and teased her gently.

“When I lived in Handan, I never complained that my house was small,” Banban said coquettishly, tugging at his clothes. “I’m not that materialistic.”

"Alright, alright, I misunderstood my cousin. She has always been kind and virtuous."

"You're just trying to fool me. That's not what you really think."

"Where are you trying to fool me?"

"That's the tone you're using."

"Then I'll be more careful from now on."

Should we try to coax her more seriously?

Banban pinched and played with his face, a little worried. "Cousin, you're getting more and more..." The words of praise stopped on his lips, and he refused to say them.

"My cousin is getting more and more beautiful..." Ying Zheng deliberately imitated her tone.

She understood perfectly and couldn't help but feel smug. Confident in her beauty, she touched her cheek and said, "I was talking about a demon."

"You fiend, are you insulting me?" Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't!" "Demon" isn't a derogatory term.

Sure enough, some people get angry as soon as they're teased.

Banban gave a long explanation, saying that "demon" was a compliment to someone's prowess.

The two strolled through Yongcheng, and then, getting down to business, "Cousin."

"Um?"

"Was Lao Ai trying to use a self-inflicted injury ruse just now?"

Ying Zheng did not speak immediately. The doubts that had been dispelled during his conversation with Ji Changyue resurfaced after seeing Lao Ai blatantly use a self-inflicted injury ruse. Servants rely on their masters, and Ji Changyue would not allow anyone to provoke her son. Therefore, there were only two possibilities.

First, Lao Ai deceived Ji Changyue without her knowledge.

Second, something was wrong with Lao Ai; there was a reason for his inflated confidence.

Speaking of which, for almost a year now, Lü Buwei's enthusiasm for finding talented "actors" for the Empress Dowager has ceased, including that of the actor he once had executed...

Ying Zheng's tightly furrowed brows relaxed as he gazed at the sunlight dancing on the horizon.

He sensed something was wrong and suddenly fell silent.

Banban seemed to be deep in thought. "When the late king was still alive, I saw Xia Bazi kneeling in front of her aunt and slapping herself. The late king happened to witness this scene. She was trying to gain the late king's pity and, at the same time, slander her aunt."

"My sister-in-law was furious and, in front of the late king, actually slapped her twice, one on the left and one on the right, perfectly symmetrical." King Zhuangxiang didn't dare utter a word and even asked Ji Changyue if her hand hurt.

“I hadn’t even thought of that before, my cousin has no concubines. No wonder he makes him a respectable man.” Banban said, giving him a kiss as if praising him.

Ying Zheng snapped out of his thoughts and joked, "How could I dare to have any concubines? What if my cousin is bullied?"

"?"

Because of this sentence, the two started fighting, and Banban went all out... but he still couldn't beat his cousin.

After walking through the city, I strolled around the streets outside the city and bought some novelties. "There's not much good food here, not as good as in the palace."

Under my cousin's rule, the people's livelihood... it can't be zero, right?

No wonder Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han are linked; these two—

They treat ordinary people like islanders and persecute them.

To be precise, the title of "tyrant" can be seen as an affirmation of his political achievements. If he had no achievements, he wouldn't be called a tyrant, but a foolish ruler.

Once on the return carriage, Banban huffed and puffed without making a sound. Ying Zheng asked her what she was doing, and she said she was thinking about important matters.

Ying Zheng had just noticed that his queen had fallen silent when she saw the people along the street. She was gentle and kind-hearted, and must be thinking about how to help them.

Halfway through the journey, a guard from the Xiyang Palace rode back to Xianyang to deliver a message. Passing by the royal carriage, he stopped to pay his respects.

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's decree, Ying Zheng actually laughed.

Banban was holding two pandas and was about to fall asleep.

He would pat the panda's head for a while, then open a book and pretend to read it carefully.

The next day, Ying Zheng and his wife spent most of the day wandering around his private treasury, packing up a large number of things he considered valuable and sending them all to Yong.

He even wrote letters every day asking: "Please forgive my foolishness, dear mother. I know I was wrong. Do you still remember me, mother?"

I kept asking, "Mom, please forgive me. I know I was wrong. Mom, do you miss me?"

This was the first time Banban had ever seen her cousin be so mushy; it was like he was acting, and it felt quite incongruous.

She got goosebumps all over.

Unexpectedly, this trick really worked. Two days later, Ji Changyue sent a lot of chestnut-filled wine cakes from Yongdi, along with a newly tailored garment. The servants said that the cakes were made by the Empress Dowager herself early in the morning, and the garment had been sewn for several days.

Banban ate a chestnut cake, resting her chin on her hand and sighing, "My cousin's eyes are like a ruler. We only met for a short while, but she remembered my cousin's figure so clearly. It's such a perfect fit."

Ying Zheng was wearing the clothes his mother had made for him. He liked black, and Ji Changyue hoped that her son would be more lively and cheerful, so she had made bright colors for his clothes since he was a child.

This robe is dark blue, a deep blue with a reddish tinge. In ancient times, dark blue was considered a color of etiquette, and only the emperor could wear it, hence the name "the emperor's dark blue robe." Therefore, it is a very solemn color.

No wonder Ying Zheng liked it; it also shows Ji Changyue's feelings.

People seem to express their feelings in a very subtle way, regardless of gender.

However, Banban and Ying Zheng have the same personality. They say what they mean, and even though Ying Zheng is sometimes tactful, he is usually very direct in expressing his thoughts.

"When will the Queen make me a new dress?"

"..."

"Does the Queen still owe me a tiger-shaped purse?"

"..." Okay, okay, let's not give it to him directly!

I can't cut clothes, but I can barely manage to embroider a purse.

That day, the purse was half-embroidered when Yun brought in two slave farmers, saying that the millstone had been made, with a more delicate pattern, and could grind beans into juice and millet into powder.

Banban was overjoyed and handed them the farm tool he had drawn. "This thing, the king and I have named it the Iron Plow. It is forged from iron and is more durable than stone and wood. The forged iron plow is also sharper, making plowing twice as efficient. Can you try to make it?"

The serf took the blueprints and, after a cursory glance, immediately noticed their ingenuity. He exclaimed with delight, "The plow drawn by the Queen reduces the space needed for turning and adds a plowshare, making it indeed more flexible and less strenuous!"

Banban breathed a sigh of relief and put on a gentle and soft tone, "It's a good thing if it can reduce the burden on farmers. Go and study the feasibility. After you've tested it and found it feasible, come and report back."

"At that time, I will take money from my private treasury to forge such pear-shaped artifacts. Qin people whose identities have been verified can exchange ten shi of grain for iron plows."

The serfs were stunned, utterly incredulous, "Ten bushels of grain..."

Only ten bushels?

The queen neither sold it nor made the blueprints public. Did she know that the iron plow would not fall into the hands of commoners?

Their eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and they knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

After the serfs left, Congyun wiped the corner of her eye and said, "The Queen cares for the people; they will love and respect you."

"I'm not doing this because I want their adoration." Banban waved his hand. "Alright, I have other ideas. Go see if the King is free. I'll go to Chengzhang Palace to find him."

Banban loves money, but over the years it has been discovered that she rarely needs money. As a queen, what can't she have? Whatever she wants to eat or use, a single glance is enough to have countless people fawning over her. No matter how much gold is piled up in the treasury, it becomes lifeless.

Not long after, Cong Yun returned. "His Majesty is alone in Chengzhang Hall and has not received any court officials. Qin Ju said that the Queen is no ordinary person and that Qin Palace is the Queen's home, so she can go wherever she wants."

“Of course I know,” Banban muttered. “I’m just worried that he’ll be too busy and I’ll have to wait for him. I don’t want to wait.”

After getting ready, we arrived at Chengzhang Hall.

"Cousin."

Before even entering the door, Banban was already shouting for people at the top of her lungs.

The maids lifted the beaded curtain, and she immediately saw Chancellor Lü Buwei and the newly appointed Marquis of Changxin, Lao Ai. She frowned slightly, her face showing displeasure.

The two rose and bowed. Lü Buwei smiled and said, "I'm afraid I've disturbed the Queen."

"Rise. There's no question of disturbing you. Your Excellency is devoted to the Qin Dynasty." Banban said slowly, glancing at the items on Ying Zheng's desk. She gently placed her slender hand on Ying Zheng's shoulder and smiled at Lü Buwei, "I wonder what important matter is at hand?"

At that time, there was no explicit rule prohibiting the empress from interfering in politics. Moreover, this was not a concubine but the queen, so the question was asked in a very natural way, and neither of the ministers felt that anything was wrong.

Ying Zheng sighed and shook his head, as if he were helpless.

Lü Buwei said, "It is because Prince Chengjiao wants to send troops to attack Zhao. The king is worried and wants General Wang Jian to accompany him. Prince Chengjiao objected and only wants to lead the troops himself. Lady Han also came to complain about this."

Upon hearing this, Banban's mind flashed back to Meng Ao's dying words to Cheng Jiao, saying that he was weak-willed and would either die or betray Qin after his defeat.

She subtly turned to meet Ying Zheng's gaze, then immediately understood and looked at Lü Buwei, "Lady Han is the mother of the King's brother, of course she doesn't want her child to go to the battlefield. I don't know what the Prime Minister and Marquis Changxin think?"

Lü Buwei chuckled and said with a forced smile, "Yes, yes, most mothers are like this. My son is brave and valiant. I was thinking, why not send him to accompany and protect the young master? Li Si's son, Li You, is eighteen now, and it's time for him to gain experience. He can go along as well."

Lao Ai then stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, do you mean that the young master should go? Your humble servant may accompany him."

"Does Mother also support this?" Banban asked doubtfully. "On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. My brother is eager to gain experience, but the late king only had two children. Besides the eldest prince, there is Chengjiao. If something happens to him, how will the eldest prince explain it to the late king?"

The debate between the king and his ministers over whether Cheng Jiao should go to the battlefield had dragged on for at least half a year. Seeing that the King of Qin's attitude had not softened, Lü Buwei wrote a letter to Ji Changyue. Ji Changyue, of course, also supported Cheng Jiao's decision. She was thinking of her son and hoped that Cheng Jiao would die on the battlefield, so that the Chu faction would lose its leverage.

This is also why Lao Ai appeared in Chengzhang Hall.

The King of Qin, who always listened to the Queen Dowager, indeed hesitated. "I will think about it some more. The Prime Minister and Marquis Changxin may leave now."

Banban knew perfectly well that his cousin knew they all wanted Chengjiao dead, and even he himself went along with it. However, Lü Buwei's side would only think that the King of Qin did not want Chengjiao to die, because if Chengjiao died, only the Empress Dowager Xia would be left as the maternal relative, and it would be bad for one family to become too powerful.

But he didn't know that Empress Dowager Xia was dying; she was just clinging to life.

As for the Zhao faction, the Queen does not form cliques, and the Empress Dowager only has Lao Ai, so they are not to be feared.

What he wanted was to eliminate all his relatives within two years, before taking power.

Why did Lü Buwei want Cheng Jiao to lead the troops? Banban didn't understand.

“He recently sent people to contact the Chu royal family and persuade the King of Chu to marry his princess to Qin. Empress Dowager Huayang doesn’t think much of him, and he wants to support a new Chu faction.”

"The princess of Chu?" Banban's mind went blank for a moment, then she immediately thought of Fusu. "I won't allow it."

"?" Ying Zheng asked in surprise, "I won't allow it either. Do you think I run a brothel? That I'll accept any pretty woman who comes my way?"

What kind of metaphor is this!