Ying Zheng asked the question first, catching Ying Xi completely off guard.
"This...I rarely go out and don't know anything about it. Has something happened?" Ying Xi asked with a puzzled look.
Ying Zheng's expression immediately changed. This old fox!
The Ying clan was in an uproar, and he actually said he didn't know?
"Uncle, do you really not know?"
Ying Zheng's voice was noticeably lower, and the powerful pressure made Ying Xi feel breathless.
"Your Majesty, I...I truly do not know!"
Seeing Ying Xi's attitude, Ying Zheng sneered inwardly.
He knew that Lü Buwei's control of the court and his suppression of the Ying clan members had made them dissatisfied.
Then Lao Ai appeared, who further suppressed the Ying clan to the point that he couldn't even raise his head. The clan leader even had to greet Lao Ai with a smile.
"Alright, since Uncle Wang doesn't know, then forget it. I just haven't seen Uncle Wang for a long time and wanted to have a chat with him."
Ying Zheng remained calm and, since the man said he didn't know, he simply stopped talking.
Seeing that Ying Zheng had changed the subject, this time it was Ying Xi's turn to be stunned.
He thought that Ying Zheng would bring up the matter first, thus giving him the upper hand.
But now Ying Zheng is not saying anything. He just said he hadn't heard any rumors, so he definitely can't go back on his word now.
After exchanging a few more indifferent words, Ying Zheng dismissed Ying Xi and sent him away.
After leaving Xianyang Palace, Ying Xi frowned deeply, wondering what Ying Zheng was really up to.
At this moment, Lu Li also received the message.
His Black Ice Guard now possesses all the intelligence on the Qin state. He will know about any slightest movement immediately, and of course, Ying Zheng will as well.
"Brother Lu, this Lao Ai has a powerful ally by his side! I wonder how the King of Qin will deal with him?" Little Deer said casually while eating fruit.
Lu Li nodded; Lao Ai's move was indeed ruthless.
Moreover, this was an open conspiracy, because King Ying Zichu of the pre-Qin period had already passed away, so who could prove Ying Zheng's true identity?
Surely they couldn't let him and Lü Buwei have a blood test to prove their kinship? As someone from later generations, Lu Li naturally knew that this method was the most unreliable; blood fusion had absolutely no relation to whether someone was father or son, or mother or son.
That's related to blood type!
"This matter will likely become a stain on Your Majesty's reputation, but it's a minor issue and doesn't matter much. The key is how to resolve it!"
Lu Li knew that this was Lao Ai's doing. It was a vicious scheme. If it were done to an ordinary person, it wouldn't cause much harm, but it would be extremely humiliating.
But when it comes to Ying Zheng, it's a different story.
Therefore, if this matter is not handled properly, it could really threaten Ying Zheng's throne.
"Brother Lu, what are you planning to do?" Little Deer asked.
Lu Li thought for a moment and said, "Now we must get the king's approval from the royal family in order to resolve this matter."
Ying Zheng's true identity could only be truly resolved with the approval of the imperial clan. After all, in this era, the legitimacy of one's bloodline was determined by the imperial clan.
"I need to go see Ying Xi!"
This contemporary patriarch of the Ying clan was also a candidate for the throne back then, but ultimately lost to Ying Zichu.
With his support, Ying Zheng's crisis could naturally be resolved.
When Lü Buwei learned of this at his residence, he did not become angry.
Having reached such a level, very few things can anger him anymore.
"Prime Minister! How should this matter be handled?" asked Lü Buwei's attendant.
Lu Buwei, however, was not in a hurry at all. He sipped his tea, read his book, and said absentmindedly, "First, arrest the rumor-mongers and force them to find out who is behind it."
"Here you go!"
Five days later, in Xianyang, Qin State.
Lao Ai's carriage encountered another carriage on the street, and both sides' servants were extremely arrogant.
"How dare you! Do you know whose carriage this is? This is the carriage of the Lady of the Ying Clan Chief! Get out of here at once!"
To everyone's surprise, Lao Ai's servant burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Who do we have here? Do you know whose carriage this is? This is the carriage of Marquis Changxin!"
Upon hearing the name Marquis Changxin, the woman in the carriage immediately changed her expression.
This man is the mistress of the Queen Dowager of Qin, and he is currently enjoying great power and influence. The fact that the Ying clan is being suppressed is nothing compared to him.
"Give Way!"
Just as the woman's carriage was about to move aside, Lao Ai stepped out of his carriage. He walked arrogantly to the woman's carriage and actually lifted the curtain.
The woman was immediately horrified; Lao Ai's actions were a grave offense of disrespect.
No matter what, she was the wife of the Ying clan patriarch. Even if Ying Zheng came, he wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous!
"Lao Ai, how dare you! How dare you do this?" the woman shouted, her face flushed with anger.
This sight immediately caught Lao Ai's eye. His lewd gaze swept over the woman's exquisite curves, especially her high breasts, which were a hundred times more alluring than those of courtesans.
"Hahaha, you are so beautiful, I would like to taste what it is like to be the wife of the Ying clan chief today?"
Lao Ai laughed arrogantly and reached out to grab the woman.
The woman was terrified and quickly dodged, knowing that if she didn't escape, she would surely fall into the clutches of wolves that night.
"Protect the lady!"
At the woman's command, the convoy's guards blocked the way in front of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the guards were no match for Lao Ai's servants, who were all sixth-level martial artists with superb martial arts skills.
"Help! Someone help!"
The woman was terrified and begged for mercy repeatedly.
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