Chapter 173

Chapter 173: The Empress Dowager Suffers from Insomnia and Likes the Feeling of Leg Massage

“Take it away, take it away, just looking at it makes me lose my appetite.”

“Take everything away, I’m not eating.”

In Xianyang Palace.

Zhao Ji looked at the table full of delicacies but felt no appetite.

She felt inexplicably irritable.

Throwing away the jade chopsticks in her hand, she disdainfully told the palace maids to clear the dishes.

Li Chao, who was standing nearby, threw a look at the palace maids standing at a distance.

A dozen palace maids orderly came up and took the dishes away.

“Go and pour me a cup of tea… no, a cup of water with honey.”

Zhao Ji waved her hand and changed her mind halfway through her request.

Soon, Li came in with a cup of honey water.

Zhao Ji took a small sip with her rosy lips.

She then nodded in satisfaction.

Her previously stern face softened.

It seemed that the sweet honey water had improved her mood quite a bit.

Looking at the amber-colored honey water in the cup, Zhao Ji suddenly muttered, “It tastes pretty good, but it doesn’t seem to have any other effects.”

She had been drinking this stuff lately.

It was all because Li Mo had said it was good for beauty and complexion.

She was no longer a teenage girl.

Although well-maintained and looking young now,

there would inevitably be changes in another ten or twenty years.

Li heard her muttering to herself.

Li Mo had instructed her to stay by the Empress Dowager’s side to see if anything was wrong.

But lately, she felt that everything about the Empress Dowager was off.

Sometimes she would be in a daze by herself, sometimes she would lose her temper for no reason.

And sometimes, like now, she would mumble to herself.

It was quite frightening!

Thinking about it, she responded, “The Empress Dowager has been looking much younger lately, even your complexion is rosy.”

Zhao Ji’s eyes suddenly brightened.

She tilted her head and asked, “Really?”

“How dare your servant deceive the Empress Dowager.”

There was a playful look in Li’s eyes, which Zhao Ji evidently did not notice.

She touched her fair face.

Talking to herself, she said, “So does this mean that traitor didn’t lie to me?”

After saying this, she took a deep sip of the honey water.

Drinking honey water for a long time might have some effects, but it’s not a magic elixir; how could it be effective after just a few sips?

Li wasn’t flattering her for no reason.

“So the National Advisor told the Empress Dowager this method.”

“Didn’t I say? The National Advisor is hard on the outside but soft on the inside.”

“Otherwise, how would he know such secrets that even the imperial doctors don’t?”

She was saying nice things about her master!

Zhao Ji blinked and then pinched her chin, recalling.

Thinking about what she had said, it seemed she was right.

Hard on the outside, soft on the inside, doesn’t respond to force and only to kindness.

At first sight, she thought he was impervious to both.

But after some interaction, she found it was not the case.

Last time when he made her cry, he became gentle right away.

He had seemed so tough before but softened immediately when she cried.

A flash of insight crossed Zhao Ji’s mind.

If that’s the case, doesn’t she now have a way to handle him?

Thinking this, the corners of her mouth gradually curled up.

But then her smile quickly faded, and she wore a stern face instead.

What a joke!

She was the Empress Dowager!

She couldn’t use tears to make that traitor submit!

“Hmph! Rebellion, I’ll have his head one day!”

Thinking this, Zhao Ji suddenly got angry.

Making the Empress Dowager cry and still living well, he really was the first!

Li: “??”

Is the Empress Dowager seriously ill or something?

Zhao Ji’s changing expressions nearly made Li choke on her cup.

She had originally wanted to say a few good things about Li Mo in front of Zhao Ji.

Result:

As a result, the Empress Dowager did not play by the rules.

Moody and unpredictable!

Li surreptitiously rolled her eyes.

Old hag, she’s probably going through menopause!

“How many days?”

Suddenly, Zhao Ji asked a strange question.

“Huh?”

Li was taken aback by the question.

Zhao Ji cast a dissatisfied glance at her.

She asked casually, “How many days has it been since the National Advisor last came to the palace?”

So that’s what she was asking.

Li blurted out, “Two days.”

She remembered it clearly.

Not knowing was not an option!

Once it exceeds three days, she would start to feel bitter.

So it wouldn’t exceed three days; Li Mo would definitely come to the palace.

Today was the second day since he moved to Shimen Mountain, not counting the day he left.

Zhao Ji’s eyebrows furrowed, and her expression instantly turned displeased.

“Two days? Did he forget he’s the National Advisor?”

“It’s been two days and he still hasn’t come to the palace to see… see Emperor Qin.”

“How does he intend to assist Zheng’er?”

“Neglecting his duties, not thinking about his responsibilities.”

“I’ll chop off his head sooner or later!”

Li was stunned to hear this.

Li Mo was the National Advisor, not a teacher.

Why would he come to see Ying Zheng every day?

Suddenly, Li heard a slight creaking sound.

Following the sound, she saw Zhao Ji gritting her silver teeth with a grim expression.

That expression looked like she was pissed off by someone.

Who else could it be?

Li immediately understood.

She took a deep breath.

It’s not about neglecting duties or not going to see Emperor Qin.

Zhao Ji was clearly pissed because Li Mo didn’t come to see her!

Li found it hard to believe as she observed Zhao Ji.

Does the Empress Dowager have special feelings for the master?

Otherwise, how could she get so upset after just two days?

Zhao Ji had been in the deep palace for a long time, and her status was noble.

She was used to being proud.

Ever since she became the Empress Dowager, who wasn’t respectful to her?

Now suddenly, someone came along who wasn’t afraid of her and who she couldn’t control.

Naturally, she treated him differently.

To be honest, she didn’t view Li Mo as a subject anymore.

No Empress Dowager lets a subject touch her leg!

The key was, this guy actually dared to touch!

Li pouted helplessly.

If he comes, she gets angry; if he doesn’t, she’s still angry.

The Empress Dowager seemed destined to be the master’s punching bag.

Zhao Ji sulked for a while.

Seeing that it was still early and not yet time for bed,

she stood up and said, “Prepare the carriage, let’s go to Emperor Qin.”

Ying Zheng wasn’t surprised by Zhao Ji’s arrival.

When Lu Buwei was in power, he handled state affairs.

Now that Lu Buwei was out of power, major decisions needed the Empress Dowager’s approval.

So, in the past two days, Zhao Ji spent most of her time here making decisions.

The memorials submitted by the civil and military officials needed the Empress Dowager’s seal to take effect.

“Your child greets the Empress Dowager,” Ying Zheng greeted her calmly, thinking she came for the usual reasons.

Zhao Ji, as usual, sat in the seat that originally belonged to Ying Zheng and started reviewing the memorials.

The memorials had already been approved and just needed her seal to take effect.

But as she reviewed them, Zhao Ji’s expression turned strange.

She studied the notations on the memorials carefully.

The notations were from Ying Zheng.

They weren’t poorly written.

On the contrary, they were perfectly done!

Ying Zheng stood solemnly to the side, his hands at his sides, his gaze calm as water.

Zhao Ji slowly closed the memorial.

She asked unemotionally, “Lu Buwei has been imprisoned for two days now; Zheng’er, what do you think we should do next?”

She had thought about it for the past two days and decided to leave the follow-up matters to Ying Zheng.

For no other reason than fearing if she went back on her word, that rebellious person might really rush over and hang her from the bed!

Ying Zheng gave Zhao Ji a surprised look.

This kind of matter should be her making decisive decisions.

Why was she asking for his opinion?

After pondering for a moment, he finally spoke: “It is imperative to solidify the charges as soon as possible to silence the murmurs of the officials.”

“Conduct a thorough investigation of this matter and uproot all involved personnel.”

Zhao Ji nodded in satisfaction and asked again, “What should be done after that?”

Ying Zheng did not hesitate and continued to answer, “Court officials need to be assessed. Those with talent can be considered for retention, while the incompetent should be transferred or dismissed.”

This move was naturally intended to purge the confidants promoted by Lu Buwei.

But the action needed a justified reason.

Zhao Ji raised her gaze, looking at Ying Zheng with a hint of surprise.

“Did you come up with this yourself?”

Ying Zheng seemed to have thought it through more thoroughly than she had.

Although those officials were not involved in Lu Buwei’s matters, it did not mean that they would wholeheartedly serve him in the future.

Furthermore, to remove the people promoted by Lu Buwei, there needed to be a valid reason.

Conducting assessments for officials was a good excuse.

Otherwise, transferring or dismissing them without cause would cause a lot of dissatisfaction.

The operation of the country does not rely on just one or two people.

So there were many things to consider.

“Yes, mother, it is your son’s idea.”

Ying Zheng was neither arrogant nor impatient, showing no signs of his emotions at the moment.

Zhao Ji nodded slightly.

She was also quite pleased with his mindset.

“Mother is thinking of entrusting this matter to you.”

Suddenly, Zhao Ji said slowly.

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback.

A hint of surprise finally appeared in his calm eyes.

“Entrust it to me?”

This was something he did not expect.

Ying Zheng did not believe that Zhao Ji was unaware of what it meant to handle this matter.

It meant he could start cultivating his own officials!

Zhao Ji should be eager to replace those people with her own confidants, so why would she pass on such a good opportunity?

Hand it over to him instead?

“Why, are you unwilling?”

Ying Zheng shook his head and said, “Your son will certainly handle this matter well.”

No matter what reason Zhao Ji had for making this decision.

It was a good thing for him!

“You may continue with your work, I will return now.”

Having given her instructions, Zhao Ji had no intention to linger any longer.

“Farewell, mother.”

Ying Zheng raised his hand and bowed again.

Zhao Ji gently touched her sleeves with her jade hand resting on her lower abdomen, and stood up.

She suddenly stopped at the doorway.

Ying Zheng looked up at her, knowing she had more to say.

Zhao Ji pursed her red lips.

“You have found a good national advisor.”

Her remark was quite neutral.

It was difficult to tell whether she meant it as praise or criticism.

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment.

It should be praise, right?

After all, Zhao Ji had witnessed first-hand the actions taken by Li Mo after becoming the national advisor.

Not only did he solve the long-standing concerns of the mother and son, but he also expedited the production of horseshoes on Wang Jian’s side.

According to him, these horseshoes could reduce the wear on warhorses by at least fifty percent.

The money saved could then be used to form more cavalry units.

Ying Zheng nodded.

Mother probably meant it as a compliment, praising the national advisor.

Zhao Ji cast an oblique glance at Ying Zheng.

She gave a snort and left with a flick of her sleeve.

She really wanted to ask Ying Zheng, where did you find such a person to make my days so difficult?

Did it take a lot of effort?

This left Ying Zheng puzzled.

Could it be sarcasm?

“Strange, did the national advisor really irritate mother?”

Ying Zheng sat back down and pondered while rubbing his chin.

He did not think there was anything wrong with Li Mo.

Zhao Ji’s attitude earlier made him realize something.

The reason she entrusted this matter to him was probably because of Li Mo.

It seemed Zhao Ji originally disagreed, but somehow he managed to persuade her.

So just before leaving, she made that ambiguous remark.

“Thanks to the national advisor this time.”

Ying Zheng nodded to himself.

Supporting his own forces in the court was a very important start for him.

Night gradually enveloped the entire world.

Since Shang Yang’s reforms, Qin had instituted a curfew.

Except for some important days, nighttime activities are prohibited at all other times.

After the second watch at night, citizens must return home to rest, and going out is forbidden.

Only after the fifth watch the next day are they allowed to go out.

The curfew in Xianyang City is enforced particularly strictly.

After nightfall, soldiers patrol the streets.

The moonlight covers this magnificent city like a layer of hazy gauze.

Rows of soldiers march in an orderly manner through the streets.

The lantern in the leading squad leader’s hand illuminates only a few feet ahead.

…

In places they cannot see, shadows silently leap across rooftops.

Inside Xianyang Palace, Zhao Ji turns over again.

Li, who is watching over her bedside, glances up slightly.

Zhao Ji is wearing a loose, light nightgown.

The blanket on her has slid down to her chest as she tosses and turns.

The neckline of the nightgown opens into a slit, revealing a hint of alluring, pale skin.

Her elaborate hair ornaments have all been removed, and her cloud-like hair spills over the sheets behind her.

It makes her look even more seductive and charming.

The blanket around her legs rises and falls slightly.

It seems like she’s rubbing her legs.

Li’s eyes flash with a strange color.

Zhao Ji, lying on her side with her eyes closed, suddenly frowns.

“What time is it?”

She languidly asks with her eyes still closed.

Li softly replies, “It’s the third watch, Empress Dowager.”

Zhao Ji’s frown deepens, and her long eyelashes tremble.

She opens her clear phoenix eyes, showing no signs of sleepiness.

A vague irritation rises in her heart.

She is, unexpectedly, suffering from insomnia!

Every time she closes her eyes, she thinks of the scenes from a few days ago.

It feels like there are hands gently massaging her legs.

The rubbing makes her… want to rub her legs uncontrollably.

Zhao Ji knows what this reaction means.

Her heart is actually in turmoil, far from the calmness she displays.

It suggests that she didn’t entirely reject the person who was massaging her legs; she even somewhat liked it.

“Third watch.”

Zhao Ji sighed softly and tried to sit up.

Li stepped forward and helped her up by the arm.

“Would the Empress Dowager like some water?”

Zhao Ji’s face inexplicably reddened.

She glanced at Li quickly and nodded.

She did need to replenish some water.

“Go outside and instruct them to prepare hot water; I want to bathe.”

Li, who was about to fetch her water, paused.

Why are you thinking of taking a bath in the middle of the night?

When the hot water was ready, and Li saw the marks on Zhao Ji’s undergarments in the bathroom, she finally understood!

This old witch is longing for spring!

No wonder she was rubbing her legs so much under the blanket earlier.

After the bath, Zhao Ji’s face was flushed from the steam, making her look more captivating than usual.

Even Li couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times.

After a bath, Zhao Ji felt much more refreshed.

Soaking in the hot water helped, and she finally felt a bit sleepy upon returning to her chambers.

Just as she was about to drift off, a maid’s gentle voice came from outside the door.

“Empress Dowager, someone seeks an audience outside the palace.”

Zhao Ji glanced at Li with a meaningful look.

Li understood and went out.

“Why isn’t the Empress Dowager resting at this late hour?”

“Whoever it is, tell them to come back tomorrow.”

The maid looked troubled and glanced at Li cautiously.

“It’s… it’s the commander of the Imperial Guard, Lord Neishi Teng.”

Neishi Teng is responsible for the palace’s security and is loyal to the royal family.

“Him? Did he say what it’s about?”

Seeing the maid shake her head, Li strode out of the palace.

At the gate, she indeed saw a burly general.

He was pacing anxiously.

“Lord, why do you seek an audience with the Empress Dowager so late?”

Without permission, Neishi Teng doesn’t even have the right to enter the inner palace.

Seeing Li come out, he hastily said, “There’s big trouble!”

“Quickly report to the Empress Dowager; Lu Buwei has escaped from prison!”

“Say that again!”

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Ji almost jumped out of bed.

Her thin nightgown struggled to contain her majestic bosom.

Her chest heaved violently several times.

It seemed as if they might break free!

“Neishi Teng just came to report that Lu Buwei was rescued from prison.”

“Right now, he has probably already left Xianyang.”

As soon as Li heard this news, she immediately guessed it was Luo Network’s doing.

During his tenure, Lu Buwei placed many of his own people in important positions.

At this critical moment, these individuals played their roles.

With them and Luo Network, rescuing Lu Buwei from prison wasn’t difficult.

The fact that he managed to leave the city showed he had people in the city guard.

Now that both witnesses and evidence were there, Lu Buwei’s guilt was irrefutable.

The only way left for him to survive was breaking out of prison.

“Damn it!”

Zhao Ji was furious.

She hadn’t expected Lu Buwei to escape so easily.

She wanted more than just to bring Lu Buwei down.

She wanted to uproot him completely, to take his life!

Otherwise, Lu Buwei’s abilities and influence could cause a disaster for Qin.

As long as he lives, this hidden danger remains.

Now that Lu Buwei had left the city,

If he took this step, he must have made comprehensive preparations.

Even if they sent troops to chase him now, it might already be too late.

“What to do, what to do?”

“This old fox could arrange everything even while in prison; I underestimated him.”

“We mustn’t let him leave Qin.”

In her palace, Zhao Ji clutched her palm anxiously.

Lu Buwei had people in all the passes along the way, ready to assist him.

If he escaped Qin, it would be much harder to catch him again!

“Hurry, go to Emperor Qin and have him send someone to call the National Advisor!”

Zhao Ji somehow immediately thought of Li Mo.

She quickly sent someone to find him.

To catch rebels, one must rely on the most rebellious of them!

Meanwhile, Ying Zheng also received the news.

He immediately ordered Wang Jian and other generals to be summoned overnight.

When they arrived, covered in morning dew at the Qin king’s study, Ying Zheng, Zhao Ji, and Neishi Teng were already there.

Zhao Ji wore an unprecedentedly grim expression.

Her phoenix eyes were icy cold.

Ying Zheng controlled his emotions well, exuding only his authority.

Wang Jian arrived with Wang Ben, and they weren’t the only ones.

Attending with them were few civil officials like Lord Changping and Lord Changwen.

Lord Changping, originally a prince of Chu, bore the surname Mi, clan name Xiong.

During Emperor Zhuangxiang’s reign, he was already a Qin statesman.

After Lu Buwei’s fall, he was the most likely candidate for Prime Minister.

At this time, Li Si was just a minor official.

He barely qualified to attend court sessions.

In such a serious meeting, he wouldn’t be summoned.

Moreover, he rose through Lu Buwei’s favor. Whether he would be implicated was uncertain.

“Greetings to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.”

Unaware of the situation, they first assumed a border emergency.

Zhao Ji wore an exquisite red phoenix robe, sans headwear.

This showed the urgency of the matter.

Her sharp eyes scanned them.

In a cold voice, she said, “Lu Buwei has escaped from prison.”

The words shocked them.

Even Wang Jian’s face changed.

“When did it happen?”

Neishi Teng was the first to receive the news.

Hearing this, he replied, “An hour ago, patrol soldiers reported it. Upon receiving the news, I informed the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.”

Wang Jian’s gaze deepened.

This was only the reporting time.

It didn’t mean he escaped just an hour ago.

Neishi Teng’s next words confirmed this.

“I sent people to the city gates. The southern gate guards defected, opened the gate, and let Lu Buwei’s group through.”

“People in the prison cooperated as well.”

“Someone infiltrated the prison, killed the guards under their guidance, and rescued Lu Buwei.”

The more Wang Jian listened, the more alarmed he became.

From the court to the prison, to the guarding soldiers.

Even in other critical towns, Lu Buwei had trusted aides.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have escaped so easily.

Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji urgently summoned them to discuss countermeasures.

Wang Jian’s voice boomed like thunder, “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the only course now is to dispatch cavalry to intercept him before Lu Buwei leaves Qin.”

Everyone understood the consequences if he managed to flee Qin.

Lord of Changping, who appeared to be in his thirties, frowned and said, “Indeed, that should be done, but the question is, in which direction should we pursue?”

Lu Buwei exited Xianyang from the north gate.

But that doesn’t mean he would head north.

This old fox planned everything so meticulously, surely he left false trails along the way.

“Then dispatch forces, and pursue him along several routes.”

Zhao Ji snapped coldly.

She had a hard time toppling Lu Buwei, how could she let him escape so easily?

Ying Zheng stood up and said gravely, “Upon receiving the news, I already sent a thousand troops to chase.”

Zhao Ji furrowed her brows and gave him a disapproving look.

“If you’ve already sent men to pursue him, why not send more?”

“Lu Buwei must have guards with him, a thousand troops may not be enough to capture him.”

Ying Zheng was certain, not may not but even if they caught up, they couldn’t capture him.

Not to mention the people Lu Buwei took with him, he also had hidden informants.

These hidden men could block the cavalry, whether they could catch Lu Buwei was still a question.

Hearing Zhao Ji’s words, he glanced back at her indifferently.

Pursed his lips and said, “The highest number I can deploy is as many as this.”

Why?

Why do you think?

You have all the power in your hands, not giving any to me.

It took a lot of effort for my teacher to secure even this leeway for me during the day.

Zhao Ji opened her mouth, but swallowed her words.

She then said, “Neishi Teng, take my order, deploy all the cavalry remaining in Xianyang in different directions to pursue.”

“Lord of Changping, I will draft another decree for you.”

“Arrange for men to transcribe and hasten the delivery to various towns and border fortresses.”

“Have them keep their eyes peeled, and whoever lets Lu Buwei escape will be charged with treason.”

Neishi Teng and Lord of Changping raised their hands in acceptance.

“Understood!”

Zhao Ji pondered for a moment, then added, “Announce to the world, capture Lu Buwei alive and be rewarded with a million coins, kill him and be rewarded with half that amount.”

Obviously, capturing him alive was more important than killing him.

But it was also more difficult.

She was already planning for the event of Lu Buwei escaping Qin.

Yet, these were just remedial measures.

Since Lu Buwei dared to run, he must have confidence in his safe escape.

The best approach was to capture him before he fled Qin.

Zhao Ji scanned the crowd.

She lifted her snow-white chin, coldly asked, “Does anyone have any means to prevent him from leaving Qin, regardless of life or death!”

Wang Jian and the others exchanged looks.

Their expressions turned troubled.

Right now, the best course was sending troops after him.

Guaranteeing his capture? They couldn’t promise that.

Seeing everyone shaking their heads, Zhao Ji’s anger flared.

“Useless bunch, what’s the point of having you!”

They knew she was fuming.

They hunched their shoulders, afraid to say a word.

The more they spoke, the harsher the scolding.

The best was to keep quiet until she finished.

Seeing no one responding enraged Zhao Ji further.

She arched her brows, widened her eyes, and snapped, “Speak, are you all mute?”

Lord of Changping glanced at Wang Jian.

That old man sat eyes closed as if he hadn’t heard.

After some thought, he gritted his teeth and said, “The best plan is the Empress Dowager’s earlier arrangements, considering all angles.”

He intended to soothe Zhao Ji with compliments.

Unexpectedly, the more he complimented, the angrier Zhao Ji became.

“What use are arrangements?”

“Right now, what I want is to make sure that Lu Buwei doesn’t leave the state of Qin, and I want to ensure that we can capture him back!”

Lord Changping shrank back after being scolded.

No wonder old Wang Jian remained silent.

This old man knows the temperament of the empress dowager.

At such times, saying anything would be wrong, and whatever you say will get you scolded.

Wang Jian raised his eyebrow and glanced at Lord Changping out of the corner of his eye.

It seemed to suggest, “Watch how this old man does it.”

He took a step forward and said loudly, “Replying to Empress Dowager, this old man thinks we should invite the National Advisor over.”

“The National Advisor is a divine being with profound wisdom; perhaps he might have a solution.”

Ying Zheng glanced meaningfully at Wang Jian, his gaze containing a hint of sympathy.

Sure enough, Zhao Ji narrowed her phoenix eyes.

With a hostile tone, she said, “Do you think this Empress Dowager’s mind is inferior to yours, that I couldn’t think of that?”

“I’ve long sent someone to invite him. By the time you suggested it, it would already be daylight!”

Wang Jian’s old face turned red from the rebuke.

This Empress Dowager is unreasonable!

If Changping couldn’t provide solutions, he’d get scolded; if I provide an idea, I’d still get scolded.

It takes about an hour to travel from Li Mo’s place to the palace.

Going back and forth would take two hours.

If we go to find him now, Lu Buwei would likely have run off by the time he arrives.

“Mother, let’s allow them to handle official matters first. We can wait here for the National Advisor to arrive,”

At this point, Ying Zheng spoke calmly.

Zhao Ji didn’t say much more and wrote two decrees.

After stamping them with the seal, she handed them to Neishi Teng and Lord Changping.

Just after the two left, Zhao Gao walked into the imperial study, trembling.

Zhao Ji’s eyes lit up, and she stood up from her seat.

“The National Advisor is here? Quickly, invite him in!”

Ying Zheng and Wang Jian both cast questioning looks at him.

Under the gaze of these dignitaries, Zhao Gao didn’t even dare to wipe the sweat off his forehead.

Swallowing his saliva, he said bitterly, “When I rushed to the National Advisor’s place, but…”

Zhao Ji’s brows furrowed, “He refused to come?”

This traitor is turning the world upside down?

This empress dowager sent someone to invite you, and you dare not come?

A sudden suspicion crossed her mind.

Could he be holding a grudge over what happened last time?

She had granted him a palace, and he still wasn’t appeased?

He needs to pick a better time to brood!

His temper is worse than this empress dowager’s!

Before Zhao Ji could finish her thoughts, Zhao Gao shook his head and said, “No, no. It’s just that when I got there, I didn’t see anyone.”

Everyone paused simultaneously.

Ying Zheng asked, “Didn’t see anyone? The National Advisor is not at his residence?”

Zhao Gao nodded quickly.

“The whole place was pitch dark.”

“I even climbed over the wall and shouted myself hoarse, but no one answered.”

“I even fell on my way out.”

As he spoke, he turned around to show Ying Zheng the dirt mark on his buttocks.

This was to prove that he wasn’t shirking his duties and that the National Advisor truly wasn’t home.

Taking a deep breath in anger, Zhao Ji said, “This traitor… this National Advisor, of all times, chose now to disappear! Is my palace uncomfortable for him?”

Zhao Ji had been counting on him to come up with a plan.

Now, she couldn’t even see his shadow.

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, then said to Zhao Gao, “Go wait at the National Advisor’s door until he returns.”

At this point, waiting was the only solution.

Zhao Gao didn’t even have time to change his clothes before he ran out again.

Zhao Ji let out a long breath and leaned back in her seat.

Rubbing her temples, clearly distressed.

It seemed that without Li Mo, she had suddenly lost all confidence.

Ying Zheng studied her for a moment, then said with concern, “Mother, you should go rest. If there is any news, I’ll send someone to inform you immediately.”

Zhao Ji gently shook her head.

“I wouldn’t be able to sleep even if I went back. Let’s just wait.”

She had already been losing sleep over matters before.

Soaking in a bath had finally put her at ease, only for this issue to rob her of all drowsiness.

Hearing this, Ying Zheng didn’t insist further.

He asked someone to bring a blanket.

His imperial study wasn’t as warm as Zhao Ji’s palace.

Feeling the change on her shoulder, Zhao Ji looked up at Ying Zheng, who was covering her with the blanket, and finally smiled.

“Well, Zheng’er is thoughtful,” she said with relief.

Ying Zheng pursed his lips: “Mother, you don’t need to worry. Even if Lu Buwei flees to the ends of the earth, I will bring him back.”

If the cavalry does not catch up by dawn, it will be even harder to capture him later.

So, the time before dawn can be considered the golden time to capture Lu Buwei.

Zhao Ji gently rubbed her forehead without speaking.

Actually, she wasn’t thinking about Lu Buwei.

She was thinking.

Where did Li Mo, the traitor, go to enjoy himself, leaving such a fine estate unoccupied?

Shadows of trees rapidly swept past the carriage.

Four strong steeds pulled a carriage.

The horse hooves, pounding the ground, made deep bowl-sized pits.

Some scattered pebbles on the road cracked sharply under the hooves.

Crushed into a pile of powder.

The driver was a masked man/or woman?

Dressed in tight black clothes, almost blending into the darkness.

Only her cold, gleaming eyes could be seen in the blackness, sending chills down one’s spine.

A shadowy group of guards followed the carriage.

The carriage was moving at great speed.

The curtain kept flapping in the cold wind.

A streak of cold moonlight passed through the gap, illuminating the inside.

There was only one person inside the carriage.

An elder over sixty years old, with disheveled hair and a fierce face.

His recently changed luxurious clothes showed his extraordinary demeanor.

The long beard on his chin fluttered in the cold wind blowing into the carriage.

He sat steadily in the center of the carriage.

Eyes tightly closed.

As if sleeping, or resting with his eyes closed.

Suddenly!

He opened his eyes without warning.

His chapped lips moved slightly.

“Humph, National Advisor, aren’t you shooting yourself in the foot?”

The carriage’s speed was extraordinary, even surpassing that of ordinary cavalry.

At this speed, even if Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji sent out pursuers, they couldn’t catch up.

They would only be left further and further behind.

“National Advisor? Humph, I will show you the terror of my Luo Network!”

This feud couldn’t just be let go like this.

This time, he was caught off guard.

Lu Buwei was confident that if they confronted directly, even Li Mo along with Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji would not be his match.

Even without the position of Prime Minister, he still had immense wealth.

And Luo Network!

But the priority now was to leave the Qin State.

Then, consider revenge later.

“Whoa—”

Suddenly, the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

“Master, there’s a fire ahead.”

A blazing fire blocked the path.

Yan Ri’s sharp eyes scanned the surroundings warily, then she reported to the carriage behind her.

Lu Buwei lifted the curtain, frowning at the strange fire.

Several large trees lay across the road, burning fiercely.

“Why is there a fire here?”

Lu Buwei muttered and then said, “Never mind, the journey is urgent, take another route.”

He gave an order, dropped the curtain, and sat back inside.

Before he could sit steadily, his face suddenly changed color as if he thought of something!

He remembered someone!

A Baiyue woman beside that National Advisor who could control fire!