The struggle between Lü Buwei and Lao Ai had reached a fever pitch. Due to Zhao Ji, Lü Buwei was temporarily unable to deal with Lao Ai.
This led to Lao Ai's power growing to over a thousand followers in just a few years, all of whom were fiercely loyal.
Furthermore, after he was granted the title of Marquis, he became even more arrogant and began to target members of the Ying clan.
However, given Lao Ai's current prominence, the Ying clan had to avoid his advances, and so the three sides remained in a stalemate for four years!
Ying Zheng also kept backing down and watching from the sidelines.
Finally, one day, he discovered Zhao Ji's child with Lao Ai, which drove Ying Zheng mad.
Yunmeng Mountain, inner courtyard.
Ying Zheng arrived at Lu Li's residence in a panic, looking terrified. Without saying a word, he immediately drank three cups of tea.
"Your Majesty, what has caused such a panic?" Lu Li asked hurriedly.
Ying Zheng's eyes were glazed over, and he was breathing heavily. After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly, "Sir... my mother... my mother has a child with Lao Ai!"
Lu Li's pupils immediately contracted. Ying Zheng had actually told him such a top-secret matter?
As the saying goes, serving a king is like serving a tiger; such royal secrets are not easily known.
If they want to cause you trouble in the future, they can kill you for any reason.
"Your Majesty...this!"
Before Lu Li could finish speaking, Ying Zheng grabbed his hand.
"Sir, what should I do now? You are the only one I can trust now."
Lu Li could tell that Ying Zheng was indeed panicked; the fact that Zhao Ji had given birth to two children was a huge blow to him.
He could have turned a blind eye to Lao Ai accompanying Zhao Ji.
But now that the two even have a child, Ying Zheng can no longer pretend to be stupid, as it would threaten his rule.
The fact that the Queen Dowager of Qin had a child with a male favorite would surely cast doubt on Ying Zheng's lineage if word got out.
"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?" Lu Li asked in return.
At this time, Ying Zheng was already twenty-two years old, and his imperial aura was becoming increasingly strong.
"I...I don't know either. What about my mother? I can't possibly kill her, can I?"
Lu Li gave a wry smile, then let out a long sigh.
"Your Majesty, it is time for you to make a decision."
"Even if the Empress Dowager is not harmed, those two children must not be allowed to live!"
"A rift is bound to form between you and the Empress Dowager. Whether you choose the world or your mother, the choice is yours alone!"
Lu Li's words struck Ying Zheng like a hammer blow. He knew in his heart what was going to happen, but he just couldn't make up his mind.
But Lu Li isn't stupid. How could he possibly make such a decision for Ying Zheng?
"I...I understand."
Ying Zheng received no answers from Lu Li and left Yunmeng Mountain dejectedly.
After he left, Little Deer came out from behind the screen.
"Brother Lu, why did you want him to know this secret?" Little Deer asked, somewhat puzzled.
Lu Li's eyes were somewhat complicated. It seemed that Ying Zheng had just happened to know about this, but it was all arranged by Lu Li in secret.
"The truth will out eventually; these two children cannot be kept alive!"
Little Deer's heart skipped a beat, for he felt Lu Li's icy chill.
"But...but the child is innocent!"
At this moment, Xiao Lu'er was overwhelmed with maternal love. She had seen Zhao Ji's two children, and they were indeed very cute.
Lu Li sighed and said helplessly, "Of course I know the children are innocent, but if these two children live, it will be a huge stain on His Majesty's reputation!"
"His Majesty is determined to unify the world. What he is about to do is unprecedented in history and cannot be allowed to be tainted in the slightest!"
Little Deer still didn't understand, but she didn't say anything more, because she wouldn't object to anything Lu Li said.
"I'm going on a long trip. Call Cangwu here. After I leave, let Weizhuang manage Yunmeng Mountain for me," Lu Li instructed.
"Where are you going?" Little Deer asked curiously.
Lu Li glanced at the sky and slowly said, "If His Majesty cannot make a decision, then I will make it for him!"
"I'm going to see someone."
"Who?" Little Deer asked again.
"Wang Jian!"
......
Yongcheng.
Lao Ai's face turned deathly pale, and he trembled all over, muttering to himself, "He knows...he knows!"
Although Lao Ai has been extremely arrogant over the years, that was only towards Lü Buwei and the Ying clan.
But Ying Zheng was, after all, the king of Qin. Now that Ying Zheng knew about his secret with Zhao Ji, he was completely panicked.
"My lord, let's just go all the way and see it through!!!"
"It is Lao Ai's retainer who said with a sinister look in his eyes."
Had he not thought of that? But how could he possibly contend with the entire Qin state?
"My lord, we can unite with Chengjiao!"
Cheng Jiao! Ying Zheng's younger brother. If Ying Zheng had not returned to Qin, Cheng Jiao would surely have become the king of Qin.
Empress Dowager Huayang also supported Chengjiao, but later Ying Zichu passed the throne to Ying Zheng.
A rebellion needs a reason; otherwise, it is without legitimacy. If someone launches a rebellion, it won't work if they don't have someone to support them.
"But what reason do we need?" Lao Ai asked, frowning.
"My lord, I have a plan. You can have your retainers spread rumors that Ying Zheng is the son of Chancellor Lü Buwei!"
"Chengjiao is the rightful heir to the throne. We must overthrow Ying Zheng and let Chengjiao inherit the throne!"
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