Although Lao Ai was panicking inside, he still stubbornly said, "He slept with my woman, and I slept with his woman, so we're even!"
"Who knew that woman would be so fierce, actually committing suicide!"
No sooner had Lao Ai finished speaking than Zhao Ji slapped him across the face, glaring at him angrily.
"I'm sorry, I misspoke..."
Zhao Ji did have feelings for Lao Ai, but she was, after all, the Queen Dowager of Qin.
At first, she only treated Lao Ai as a male concubine, but after giving birth to Lao Ai's child, she truly regarded Lao Ai as her husband.
During her years as a hostage in Zhao, she lived in constant fear. Her husband abandoned them and returned to Qin, ignoring them completely. Ying Zheng was her only hope.
She eventually returned to Qin, but Ying Zichu already had another woman, and she had to compete with her for his favor.
She had never experienced love until she became Empress Dowager and met Lao Ai.
Although this man was glib and smooth-talking, he kept coaxing Zhao Ji, making her feel a kind of love she had never experienced before.
If this were in later generations, this would be considered pure romantic delusions.
"Now that things have already happened, if Ying Xi comes looking for revenge, how can I protect you?"
Zhao Ji's face turned red with anger. She never imagined that Lao Ai would be so foolish as to provoke Ying Xi of all people.
His status in the clan was even higher than that of Ying Zheng.
"If Zheng'er comes to question you, I can still protect you. But if Ying Xi comes directly with his men, what am I supposed to do?"
Lao Ai, however, said with a vicious expression, "It doesn't matter. If Ying Xi dares to bring troops here, I will execute him on the spot on charges of treason!"
"I have three thousand retainers, all of whom are loyal to the death! They are highly skilled in martial arts, and Ying Xi and his small force are no match for me."
Even Zhao Ji was surprised this time. She had no idea that Lao Ai had done so many things behind her back.
"Why...why do you keep so many retainers? Three thousand! This is your private army!"
Although Zhao Ji loved Lao Ai, she was also aware of his current status.
Everything Lao Ai has is thanks to her, but now it seems she can no longer control him.
"Your Majesty, I'm doing this for the sake of our children!"
"Why is it that Ying Zichu's son can become the King of Qin, but my son can't?"
Upon hearing Lao Ai's words, Zhao Ji was so shocked that she retreated repeatedly.
She never imagined that Lao Ai would have such ambitions.
"You...you want to rebel? You're insane! I think you really are insane!"
Zhao Ji clutched her chest, terrified. The male favorite she had chosen was plotting to usurp the throne?
"I'm insane! I've endured this for so many years!"
"For the past ten years or so, I've lived a life of misery, enduring countless cold stares. And you? Haven't you suffered the same? What kind of life did you lead in the palace? Now that you're with me, aren't you happy?"
Zhao Ji stopped speaking abruptly, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I...I...."
"I'm happy too, but Zheng'er is also my son!"
Zhao Ji wiped away her tears and said in a deep voice, "I will not allow you to harm Zheng'er!!!"
Zhao Ji's decision was expected; after all, she was Ying Zheng's mother, and both sons were equally dear to her.
Lao Ai quickly replied, "I didn't say I wanted to harm Zheng'er! After our son succeeds as King of Qin, wouldn't it be better to choose an auspicious place for Zheng'er and let him live a quiet life as a marquis?"
Our children are your children too! Why can Ying Zheng be the King of Qin, but our sons can't?
Lao Ai's words plunged Zhao Ji into a painful dilemma.
Her mother-son relationship with Ying Zheng gradually faded after she returned to Qin and after Ying Zheng became King of Qin.
Now, she spends all her time with Lao Ai's child, which allows her to experience motherhood again. Moreover, she has a "husband" by her side, and this kind of family bliss is what Zhao Ji has always longed for.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will never harm Zheng'er. I only wish for our son to become the King of Qin!"
Lao Ai seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, pulling Zhao Ji into his arms. His maids, being very sensible, immediately left the room.
After their lovemaking, Zhao Ji lay in Lao Ai's arms and whispered, "I want you to swear that you will never harm Zheng'er's life!"
Lao Ai was overjoyed and immediately sat up and swore an oath to heaven.
"If I, Lao Ai, were to harm Zheng'er, may I be torn apart by five horses and die without a burial place!"
Is this enough?
Zhao Ji raised her head and looked at him, her eyes showing doubt and wariness: "You wouldn't be lying to me, would you?"
"Of course not. Besides, if I had any disloyal intentions, may I die a horrible death and never be reincarnated!"
"That's a good boy!"
Zhao Ji chuckled, then reached out her fair, delicate finger and hooked the tip of his nose: "Remember what you said? When I'm tired, you'll help me take a bath!"
Zhao Ji entered the bathroom wearing a thin veil, leaving only a beautiful silhouette. When Zhao Ji finished bathing and came out of the bathroom with her long hair loose and wrapped in a silk nightgown, she found that the bed was empty.
Footsteps sounded outside, and Zhao Ji frowned slightly.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Changxin has left on business," a maidservant explained cautiously from the doorway, her head bowed.
Zhao Ji ignored her, went straight back to her bed, lay down and closed her eyes to rest.
Lao Ai left because he received news from his subordinates that Ying Xi had arrived!
"Ying Xi really came? How many troops did he bring?" Lao Ai asked anxiously.
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