Chapter 158: Scrubbing the Back with a Lighter, How Can an Old Witch Compare to a Little Seductress!
The sound of splashing water came from the bathtub.
Li Mo rested his arms on the edge of the tub, his chin on his hands.
A look of complete satisfaction on his face.
Yan Lingji, dawdling behind him, shot him a glance.
“You’re really enjoying yourself.”
Li Mo smiled and said, “I’ve just finished my work, can’t I be the boss for a while?”
Then he shrugged: “A little higher, and rub my shoulders too.”
Yan Lingji obediently raised the water a bit higher.
“You are so unreasonable. I haven’t even complained about you disturbing my sleep.”
How can you be like this?
Sneaky and lurking, you’ll get beaten to death sooner or later!
Li Mo said smugly, “But your body is quite honest, isn’t it?”
Yan Lingji was stunned for a moment before she reacted.
She poked him speechlessly on the back of his head.
Scooping up a handful of water with her hands, she brought it to his mouth: “Rinse your mouth too.”
Li Mo slurped the water from her palm into his mouth.
After gargling a few times, he spat out the water and asked, “Was it Wang Ben who sent people to handle the bodies in the yard?”
“He came personally and said he’ll report to the emperor of Qin and the Empress Dowager tomorrow.”
Yan Lingji stopped moving and rested her chin on his shoulder, speaking slowly.
Her weak appearance made it seem like the short pause had exhausted her.
She was indeed just being lazy.
Mingzhu and Zinu never complained about being tired, did she really get exhausted this quickly?
“Reporting is futile; it’s just a waste of manpower.”
If someone came to the National Advisor’s residence to commit murder, a thorough investigation was necessary.
But there wouldn’t be any significant findings from the investigation.
Li Mo didn’t expect this to bring down Lu Buwei.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to smash Lu Buwei’s door tonight.
Yan Lingji understood this too. Languidly lying on his back, she said, “What is the Empress Dowager of Qin’s attitude towards you? You encountered such a thing, she should say something, right?”
Li Mo suddenly swallowed.
Hearing this sound, Yan Lingji caused a splash as she straightened up.
With her little feet underwater, she angrily kicked him.
“Why did you kick me?”
Li Mo was bewildered by her kick.
Yan Lingji glared: “Why do you think?”
“Just mentioning the Empress Dowager makes you swallow. Is she that beautiful?”
Li Mo was at a loss for words.
Her jealousy was really from a peculiar angle!
Clearly, it was because of her pressure that his mouth was dry, yet she was jealous of someone else.
“Why aren’t you speaking? Who’s more beautiful, her or me?”
Yan Lingji sidled up to him again, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Her little hands were ready to move, with a hint of threat.
Li Mo didn’t hesitate, “Of course, you are more beautiful.”
“Really?”
Li Mo laughed lightly, turning his head to kiss her lips hovering by his ear.
“Of course it’s true. How could that old witch compare to you, my little enchantress.”
Yan Lingji’s eyes narrowed with satisfaction, her seductive lips curling slightly up.
A little enchantress indeed, capable of stealing your soul.
“Now that’s more like it. It makes me very happy when you say that.”
“Want a reward?”
With that bewitching voice, who would care what the reward was?
Of course, I want it!
“Yes!”
Yan Lingji stepped back, “Then turn around.”
Li Mo flipped over like a rolling salted fish.
Leaning his head back against the edge of the tub, he grunted: “Any other instructions, honey?”
Yan Lingji loosened her somewhat tousled hair, tied it up again, and glanced at him.
Her gaze was deeply seductive.
“Let me show you the soft and tender love of a Bayue woman~”
With that, she took a deep breath and submerged herself.
“Hmm? Hmm~”
Li Mo’s hands gripped the edge of the tub tightly, nearly breaking the wooden block!
Drowning in both water and passion, it was too much to bear!
The National Advisor’s benefit was that he didn’t need to attend court.
While others were queuing outside Xianyang Palace in the cold, Li Mo was still sleeping soundly, clutching Yan Lingji’s soft and fiery body.
Today’s court session had an odd atmosphere.
The news of the assassination attempt on the National Advisor was widely known.
It was also common knowledge that the National Advisor had declined the Prime Minister’s invitation last night, causing the latter to throw a fit at the banquet.
Such coincidences were hardly believable.
The National Advisor embarrassed the Prime Minister in front, and assassins came to him shortly after.
They chose to attack precisely when the Prime Minister was enraged?
Anyone with half a brain could detect something unusual.
The strangeness wasn’t limited to just these two events.
Last night, several residences of important ministers in the court inexplicably caught fire.
Although there were no casualties, several houses were burned down.
If it were just one or two, it would be excusable, but five or six officials’ homes catching fire—couldn’t that be too much of a coincidence?
“Dear ministers, you all heard what General Wang said just now.”
“The National Advisor was just appointed and is already targeted by assassins.”
“What do you make of this?”
In the great hall, Ying Zheng’s imposing voice resounded clearly in everyone’s ears.
It was evident that he was truly angered by this matter.
He knew very well who was behind it.
Was this an intimidation tactic or an attempt to undermine the National Advisor?
Before, he had praised the National Advisor’s capabilities in front of so many people.
If he were to be assassinated right after, wouldn’t that indicate he was utterly incapable?
Was it that Ying Zheng was naive and easily deceived?
In making future decisions, these people would use this to argue against him!
Lu Buwei, seated at a position of honor below, remained as steady as a mountain, without any intention of speaking.
He usually gave opinions or acted as a final arbiter when there were divergent views below.
Such minor matters of proposing advice didn’t require him to speak up.
“Your Majesty, I believe the National Advisor should be punished for this incident,”
Suddenly, an official raised his jade tablet and said loudly.
Ying Zheng’s eyes narrowed as he said grimly, “Punish the National Advisor? Minister Zhang, have you lost your senses?”
The National Advisor was the victim. Not comforting him was one thing, but punishing him?
The official argued reasonably, “Your Majesty, prior to the National Advisor’s arrival, Xianyang always enjoyed fair weather and no disasters.”
“But just last night, six ministers’ homes caught fire suddenly.”
“This is the disaster brought by the National Advisor!”
“It’s true he encountered an assassination attempt, but perhaps he provoked someone outside.”
“Now, he has drawn these audacious people into Xianyang, causing trouble here.”
“Your Majesty, this National Advisor is an inauspicious person!”
As his words fell, a string of supportive voices arose immediately.
Among them, the officials whose homes had caught fire were the loudest.
“We request Your Majesty to punish the National Advisor, to appease the heavens!”
“We request Your Majesty to remove the National Advisor to prevent implicating the people of Xianyang.”
“We second this motion!”
“So do I!”
Listening to the series of voices, Ying Zheng’s face immediately darkened.
He snorted coldly, “Hmph, an inauspicious person?”
“The National Advisor’s prophecies foretell great prosperity for our Qin Empire. If he is inauspicious, are those prophecies also false?”
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.
If the person is deemed inauspicious, then whatever he says or does would naturally be considered inauspicious as well.
Seeing no one speak further, Ying Zheng continued, “The National Advisor’s status has already been announced to the world.”
“Anyone who disrespects him disrespects the Qin Empire and is challenging us!”
“Instead of figuring out how to uphold Qin’s dignity, you ask me to punish the National Advisor.”
“Do you want me to make Qin Empire submissive to those scoundrels, to ingratiate myself to them?”
His gaze swept coldly over Lu Buwei.
Both his eyes and words were full of unyielding attitude.
Hearing the stern warning, the officials who had spoken earlier were instantly terrified.
“We dare not!”
“That was not our intention, absolutely not!”
Calming down, Ying Zheng ordered, “Search the entire city for the accomplices of those criminals. Once captured, execute them publicly to serve as a warning.”
“I want everyone to know that the dignity of the Qin Empire is inviolable!”
“Furthermore, grant each of the officials whose homes caught fire two hundred gold coins to console them.”
Upon hearing this, their eyes lit up immediately.
Two hundred gold coins were enough to buy a mansion in Xianyang.
They had only lost a few houses—this was beyond worth it!
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!”
Ying Zheng glanced at them and said lightly, “From now on, make sure to be more cautious about fire in your homes.”
Lu Buwei and Zhao Ji behind the curtain did not object.
It was clear they approved of his decision.
“Your Majesty, have you forgotten about someone?”
Suddenly, Zhao Ji’s soft voice came from behind the curtain.
The line of sight fell through the gauze curtains and landed on Lu Buwei, who did not move like a mountain.
“Your Majesty, I’ve heard that someone chopped down the gate of Prime Minister Lu’s residence last night. Shouldn’t the emperor allocate some money to show consolation?”
Lu Buwei instantly opened his eyes, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
Whispers rose within the hall.
Everyone looked at him in astonishment, whispering among themselves.
Lu Buwei intended to keep this matter under wraps.
The gate being chopped down was a blow to his dignity as Prime Minister!
Zhao Ji deliberately brought it up in front of so many people.
What was the meaning of this?
Wasn’t it to humiliate him in front of everyone?
The gate was chopped by the national advisor.
But the National Advisor ended up leaving in the carriage arranged by Lu Buwei.
Didn’t this imply that Lu Buwei feared the National Advisor?
Not only did he refrain from holding a grudge, but he also praised the National Advisor for his actions!
He even arranged a carriage to escort him out, worried he might be tired!
Lu Buwei’s old face burned with embarrassment.
“Oh?”
Ying Zheng exclaimed in surprise.
He looked at Lu Buwei in disbelief: “Is this true? Did someone really chop down your gate?”
Lu Buwei took a deep breath to calm his anger.
He replied solemnly: “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The National Advisor was chasing an assassin last night and accidentally chopped down the gate in the process.”
“I believe National Advisor did not do it intentionally, so I did not pursue the matter.”
Listen, how gracefully he put it.
Immediately, it transformed him from a coward into a magnanimous figure.
Ying Zheng nodded: “Should I allocate some funds for the repair?”
Lu Buwei bit his tongue: “No need, Your Majesty. I still have some savings; I wouldn’t dare use the state treasury funds.”
Lu Buwei made his fortune through business, so he wouldn’t be short of funds.
He thought the matter would be settled.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji’s questioning voice came from behind the curtain.
“I don’t understand. If the assassin was fleeing, why did he go to your residence?”
“Shouldn’t the National Advisor explain this?”
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng also cast a questioning look at Lu Buwei.
Lu Buwei clenched his fists inside his sleeves and replied casually: “He fled in panic, that’s all.”
There wasn’t any assassin who fled to his place!
It was all an excuse made by Li Mo!
Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji used this to question him.
Do you pity your little lover so much that you want to defend him? (Lu Buwei)
Lu Buwei was still fuming by the time the court session ended.
How long had it been, and Zhao Ji and Ying Zheng dared to confront him in court?
Could a mere National Advisor give them such confidence?
Lu Buwei returned to his residence around noon.
Dozens of craftsmen were busy at the gate.
It was more of a reconstruction than a repair.
The gate was split in two, with the upper part crumbled into a pile of wood while the lower part remained intact.
Repairing was impossible; Lu Buwei wasn’t short of money.
It would be quicker to rebuild it entirely.
Judging by the progress, it would be completed in two or three days.
Seeing the damaged gate only fueled his anger.
After a heavy sigh, he returned to his study with large strides.
“Did you find the person?”
He asked the air after closing the door.
Immediately, Yan Ri appeared in the room like a ghost.
“Reporting to Master, yes.”
Lu Buwei’s sinister gaze flickered.
“Good, bring him to me.”
Zhao Ji’s attitude today made him sense something was amiss.
For years, she never dared openly defy him.
But she became arrogant as soon as the National Advisor arrived.
Was this her decision, or was she tricked by Li Mo’s sweet words?
Lu Buwei thought the latter was more likely.
Otherwise, if she were truly against him, she wouldn’t have waited until now.
If that’s the case, it’s easier to handle.
The National Advisor can’t always stay in the palace with her, right?
Once her favor fades and without the Empress Dowager’s support, let’s see what tricks you can still play!
The next day.
Today was Li Mo’s third day as a national advisor.
In the afternoon, he left home.
He chatted briefly with emperor Qin, then rose and went to Zhao Ji.
On one hand, there was something he needed to do.
On the other hand, he wanted to speak to the Empress Dowager.
Three days, it has already been three days!
It’s been three days, and my residence has not been allocated yet. Do you know how I have lived these three days?
Is this the efficiency of handling affairs in Qin?
Ying Zheng cannot make this decision, so I must find the Empress Dowager.
Zhao Ji seemed to have just woken up from an afternoon nap.
She was lying lazily on the phoenix bed, under a sheer curtain that did not block Li Mo’s perception.
She wore a red silk nightdress that clung snugly to her voluptuous body.
Lazily reclining on the phoenix bed.
The palace was very warm, so she was only covered by a thin blanket.
Her graceful curves rose and fell.
Her slender waist looked as if she had never borne a child.
But beyond the waist, her plump and rounded buttocks were exceptionally full, like a luscious, juicy peach.
A fullness that is characteristic of a woman of her age.
Lady Hu was about the same age as her, and their figures were surprisingly similar.
But unlike the gentle and kind Lady Hu, who always evoked sympathy, this old witch always exuded an air of haughtiness.
With such a woman, you have to tame her.
Tame her hard, tame her well.
Once subdued, she would lose all her arrogance in front of you.
Even becoming an obedient weapon for you.
“The national advisor is quite skilled, even breaking down the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence,” Zhao Ji’s languid voice came from behind the curtain.
It seemed she had just awakened, her voice still soft and slightly confused.
Gone was her usual lofty arrogance.
It now had a much more feminine charm.
“He sent people to trouble me. I had to respond,” Li Mo replied.
As he sat down, a maid brought him tea on Zhao Ji’s orders.
Li Mo was slightly surprised.
Oh, how has this old witch become so courteous?
Is it because I made her so furious last time?
“Indeed, this is the first time I’ve seen Lu Buwei suffer such a loss,” Zhao Ji said, sounding slightly satisfied.
After the maids left, only Li Mo and Zhao Ji remained in the bedchamber.
“But it means little to him. It won’t have any substantial effect.”
“Since you want me to listen to you on this matter, what strategy do you have?” Zhao Ji’s gaze penetrated the curtain, focusing on Li Mo’s silhouette.
Li Mo took a deep sip of tea, savoring its sweetness before replying.
“Originally, we needed to spend some time dealing with him, but now, he has given us an opportunity.”
You may also like Childhood Friend of the Zenith
