"Oh? I'm second only to the emperor, and I'm above everyone else. What kind of rare treasures haven't I seen? How dare a mere merchant boast so shamelessly..."
"...Then, Madam, do you want me to refuse?"
"Haha... I'm in a very good mood today, so I'll take a look. I want to see what kind of treasure it is..."
As a lazy and seductive chuckle sounded, the ambiguous red veil was lifted by a white and delicate hand, and the bright red nail polish on the fingertips added a bit of charm for no reason.
Seeing this, the palace maid beside her hurried forward to support her.
The next moment, a beautiful and charming woman came down to the bed.
She was only wearing a scarlet gauze dress, with a voluptuous figure and a graceful posture. The neckline was very low, revealing her half-exposed breasts as white as jade, and gorgeous gold and gemstones adorned her snow-white neck.
Her face is like a blooming peony, with long and slender eyebrows, a pair of affectionate peach blossom eyes that seem to be angry and smiling, surrounded by mist and charming, and her red lips that are not made up are inviting for a kiss.
No one would have thought that such a charming and alluring beauty was a middle-aged woman, let alone that she was the Queen Mother Zhao Ji of the Qin Dynasty.
"Xuan Lang, please wait here for a moment. I will be back soon."
"Yes, I will obey your majesty's order. I will not go anywhere and will only wait for your return."
"Hmph~ You're just full of glib words. Don't worry, I won't forget you."
Zhao Ji was still excited about this new male favorite who was knowledgeable, handsome and active, so she liked him very much and indulged him especially.
With the help of the palace maids, Zhao Ji casually put on an outer coat. The thin silk satin could not cover her curvy figure at all, and her mature and enchanting charm was clearly visible.
Zhao Ji walked lightly to the outer hall. At this time, a merchant in plain clothes was kneeling on the ground with a frightened look on his face.
"What is the treasure you presented to me?"
"Open it and take a look. If it doesn't live up to its name and is trying to fool me... hehe..."
"Your Majesty! What I said is true. I would never dare to deceive you!"
The seductive laughter sounded like the whisper of a ghost to the merchant. He lowered his head tightly, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, and his body trembled.
Looking at the middle-aged man with trembling fat, Zhao Ji turned her eyes away in disgust, not wanting to waste meaningless time, as her little male favorite was still alone in the empty room.
She sat at the top, raised her chin impatiently, and signaled the palace servants to present the treasures.
When she opened the exquisite wooden box, she found another wooden box inside. Zhao Ji's face darkened, but as she looked at the exquisite and unique peony relief, she suppressed the irritation in her chest and continued to open the lid.
Suddenly, a piece of object that looked like jade but was not jade appeared.
This object is carved into the shape of a peony, with bright red petals that are gorgeous and lifelike, and every line. It is surrounded by a faint and rich floral fragrance. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a treasure.
"What is this? Even I have never seen it before. Interesting, interesting..."
"My Lady, this is called soap. It is used for cleansing and bathing. It can remove dirt and stains while also nourishing and moisturizing the skin."
"It has become extremely popular in the capital lately, and is worth a fortune. I believe that this item will not be lost in the hands of someone as precious as Your Majesty, so I have come to offer it to you."
When the merchant heard the woman's happy laughter, he finally felt relieved. He looked fawning and explained the effects of the soap in detail, not forgetting to flatter her.
Zhao Ji had never thought that this thing was actually used for washing and bathing. She stretched out her slender jade fingers to hold the smooth peony soap, her charming peach blossom eyes shining with interest.
The palace maid brought warm water, rolled up the empress dowager's sleeves, revealing her two snow-white and plump arms, soaked her hands, applied soap to every part of her skin, and gently rubbed to create bubbles.
After washing off the white foam, Zhao Ji looked at her clean and translucent hands. The faint fragrance of peony wafted over her, as if it was oozing out from her fair skin and bones.
She curled her red lips and showed a look of fondness.
"I am very satisfied with this soap. Do you have any more?"
"Your Majesty, the soap market is limited, and I only managed to buy a few bars. Besides this peony soap for you, the rest are plum blossom and orchid soaps..."
"No need to say more, I only prefer peonies, the rest are nothing more."
"This... To be honest, Madam, the Peony Soap is extremely popular. I went through great pains to snatch this piece."
The middle-aged businessman's originally happy face drooped, and big beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Peony symbolizes elegance and luxury, and is naturally favored by dignitaries. He was lucky enough to buy this one by waiting in the middle of the night.
Zhao Ji's smile faded when she heard this, and her brows furrowed slightly.
She looked at the small piece of soap, then turned her gaze to the merchant who was sweating profusely. Suddenly, she opened her red lips, and her soft voice was mixed with a hint of irresistibility.
"Then you can find the soap recipe for me. I will not be stingy with my reward."
"It is an honor to serve Her Majesty, but the person who possesses the formula is not an ordinary wealthy businessman, but rather, is..."
"Why hesitate? I am the Queen Mother of the Great Qin. Apart from Your Majesty, who else is more noble than me?"
Zhao Ji was very displeased with the merchants' fearful and secretive look. In her opinion, she was the most noble and powerful woman in the Qin Empire.
If she wanted a small soap recipe, who in the world would dare not give it to her?
Seeing the empress dowager's pretty face full of anger, the merchant didn't dare to keep her in suspense any longer. He shuddered and immediately opened his mouth to answer.
"Reply, Reply Your Majesty, this person is the Queen."
"Queen? Queen..."
As these two words echoed in her ears, Zhao Ji was in a trance for a moment, but she quickly calmed down. However, a hint of coldness flashed in her charming peach blossom eyes.
Although she was trapped in Yongcheng, news was not blocked, and the queen's reputation for kindness spread throughout the world. The people spread the news by word of mouth, and all of them were grateful and worshipped her. Of course, she had heard about it.
When Zhao Ji first heard that Ying Zheng had made a merchant's daughter his queen, she was shocked, and then strongly opposed it.
But Ying Zheng was very opinionated when he was young, not to mention that he was the First Emperor who had unified the country and held all the power, so her opposition was naturally useless.
Then came sweet potatoes, cotton, papermaking, supply and marketing cooperatives...
Her great achievements, which will be remembered forever, were enough to make the people of the world and all the civil and military officials sincerely convinced of the queen, and also left Zhao Ji speechless.
However, human prejudice is like a mountain, difficult to move.
The hatred and jealousy hidden deep in Zhao Ji's heart quietly erupted. She lowered her eyes and played with her white and tender fingers, her tone lazy and seductive.
"Haha... I'd like to meet the famous Queen Chu, my daughter-in-law..."
Although both are daughters of merchants, their destinies are very different.
Zhao Ji was given to Lu Buwei by her father as a dancer. She used all means and went through untold hardships before she sat on the throne of the Queen of Qin.
But she soon became the Queen Mother after enjoying power, and now she is imprisoned in Yongcheng by her own son...
However, the Queen of Chu easily obtained what she had longed for her whole life...
Haha...it's really ridiculous and unwilling.
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