Chapter 222

Chapter 222: The Empress Dowager’s Jealousy! Going to Han to Persuade Surrender!

Zhao Ji took a deep breath and was at a loss for words for a long time.

Finally, she said,

“You should learn less of those strange things from him in the future!”

The impression of the state preceptor seemed not so good in the mother’s eyes.

Ying Zheng wanted to say a few words for Li Mo.

But just then, a eunuch ran in from outside.

Respectfully, he said, “Empress Dowager, Emperor, Han Fei requests an audience.”

“Han Fei?”

Ying Zheng immediately furrowed his thick brows.

He was considering the reason for Han Fei’s visit.

“Perhaps he’s here to plead for Han.”

Zhao Ji said lightly.

During the morning court, it was apparent that Han Fei did not advocate attacking Han.

His visit this time is likely to persuade them.

Zhao Ji didn’t rush to have the eunuch respond.

Instead, she stood up from her seat and said to Ying Zheng, “You handle this matter.”

“Starting tomorrow, I will no longer attend court.”

“Contemplate future matters on your own.”

Ying Zheng was suddenly stunned.

Zhao Ji placing the seal with him was giving him decision-making power.

However, her not attending court held a different significance.

It truly meant handing over the country to him!

Ying Zheng never expected Zhao Ji to make such a sudden and unprompted decision.

After a pause, Zhao Ji continued, “As for your desire to take over the government earlier, let’s discuss it after the war with Zhao.”

The power had been given to him, but it was still under the Empress Dowager’s mandate.

If he took over the government earlier, it would be under the Emperor’s orders.

That way, even if she wanted to reclaim his power, she couldn’t!

After defeating Zhao, Qin’s campaign would not stop there.

On the contrary, more battles awaited them.

If Zhao is defeated and Ying Zheng takes over the government under a heightened national spirit, it would further galvanize the entire state of Qin.

Now she had not only returned the power but also agreed to his early governance.

Ying Zheng didn’t understand why Zhao Ji suddenly made such a decision.

What has stimulated his mother?

The state preceptor had previously mentioned finding ways to help him reclaim power from Zhao Ji.

But later, there was no movement.

He still didn’t know that because of this matter, Zhao Ji hadn’t met with Li Mo for more than half a month.

Zhao Ji turned around, raised her proud head, and returned to the palace surrounded by maids.

While relinquishing power, she remained the venerable Empress Dowager.

“Greetings, Empress Dowager.”

Han Fei stepped forward and respectfully bowed when he saw her coming out.

Zhao Ji stopped and cast him a glance.

She was about to leave but then seemed to think of something.

Casually, she asked, “Is your sister living with you now?”

Han Fei said truthfully, “No, ever since she arrived in Qin, she has been staying at the National Advisor’s residence. As her brother, I am not as close to her as the National Advisor is.”

He lived in the city, while Li Mo’s villa was outside the city.

If he remembered correctly,

All this time, Hongliang hadn’t come into the city to visit her brother even once.

Not once!

Nor did she ask how he was doing here, or how he was managing in court.

Too heartless!

Zhao Ji’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and she inexplicably let out a cold snort.

This left Han Fei utterly confused.

Did I say something wrong?

Probably not, right?

Even Ying Zheng couldn’t quite figure out what made Zhao Ji angry, much less him!

The intellects of him and Ying Zheng were far beyond those of ordinary people.

But even with such intelligence, understanding a woman’s mind was still elusive.

Too terrifying!

Han Fei entered the study with a head full of confusion.

Ying Zheng had already composed himself after the earlier events.

Upon seeing him come in, he remained quite calm.

“Greetings to the king.”

Ying Zheng nodded and ordered someone to offer Han Fei a seat,

before straightforwardly asking, “Are you here because of today’s argument with Li Si?”

Han Fei didn’t beat around the bush.

He looked at Ying Zheng and said bluntly, “Yes, my lord, that is correct.”

Saying this, his gaze fell on the desk in front of Ying Zheng.

This was where Ying Zheng usually worked.

On either side of the desk were two square boxes.

On the left was Ying Zheng’s king seal, which at this moment held no authority.

And on the right was a brocade box.

Beautiful and elegant in appearance.

It was used to hold the Empress Dowager’s seal.

Han Fei knew that the actual power in Qin currently resided with the Empress Dowager.

Based on the timing, Zhao Ji should have just finished her administrative tasks and left.

But strangely, her seal was left here.

Han Fei immediately fell into deep thought.

This could definitely not be an oversight by the Empress Dowager.

Even if she were to forget, the palace maids would not.

The Empress Dowager’s seal was not just a piece of stone.

This little piece of jade carried the fate of the entire Qin state.

It was always kept close to Zhao Ji and never out of her sight.

Even if it ended up with Ying Zheng, he’d have to personally return it to her upon discovering it.

This item, unless beside the Empress Dowager or touched by the Emperor of Qin, was a symbol of rebellion if handled by anyone else!

Once discovered, it would mean the extermination of their entire clan.

Yet now, such an important item was placed in Ying Zheng’s study.

Han Fei suddenly realized.

The power of Qin now resided in the hands of this young ruler!

That is to say, he could now make autonomous decisions on state matters!

Han Fei couldn’t help but be amazed.

To know that Ying Zheng had not yet formally assumed full rulership.

According to the system, he needed the Empress Dowager or a Prime Minister to assist in governance.

Until he came of age and assumed full rulership.

But now, with nearly two years left before he could formally assume power, the Empress Dowager handed over authority to him at this time.

This was a rare occurrence in the history of the Seven Empires.

As he pondered why Zhao Ji would give up her authority at this moment, Ying Zheng’s words interrupted his thoughts.

“I know that Han is your homeland, and as a Hann prince, you do not wish to see it perish.”

“But regarding state affairs, I must make such a decision.”

“You wish to be loyal to Han, but I must be loyal to the people and soldiers of Qin.”

“Do you understand my meaning?”

Ying Zheng’s message was clear.

You don’t want me to attack Han out of consideration for its people and royal family.

But my attacking Han is to ensure the safety of my Qin soldiers in future campaigns against Zhao.

“I understand,”

Han Fei raised his hand and responded sincerely.

“I am not here to dissuade you, my lord, but to request permission to return to Han and attempt to persuade the Hann king.”

“Hmm?”

Ying Zheng expressed his curiosity, carefully examining Han Fei.

“What do you mean by this?”

Han Fei, with a bitter smile, recounted the conversation he had with Li Si outside the court hall.

Currently, Han was lacking in dominance.

The national strength between Qin and Han was vastly different.

If the State of Qin wholeheartedly attacks Han, even with Hangu Pass, it won’t hold for long.

“Han Fei requests Your Majesty’s grace. If Han Fei can persuade the Emperor of Han to surrender to Qin, please do not harm the people of Han or my Emperor.”

If Han is forced to resist Qin’s overwhelming attack, disaster will surely befall the land.

Corpses will lie across the fields, and devastation will be everywhere.

People will be homeless, and the royal family of Han will be slaughtered.

What then shall become of him and Honglian?

Ying Zheng contemplated in silence.

He deeply gazed at Han Fei.

If the Empire of Han could voluntarily surrender, that would be the best possible outcome.

“Can you be certain?” he asked.

With great seriousness, Han Fei replied, “I am willing to try my utmost.”

Ying Zheng’s question implied his consent.

This was the best solution Han Fei could conceive.

“Alright, I can promise you that,” Ying Zheng nodded after a long pause.

Han Fei breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Early the next morning.

A carriage wobbled to a stop in front of a luxurious mansion.

Han Fei lifted the curtain and jumped out.

He walked briskly into the mansion.

In no time, Li Mo entered the front hall.

“Why are you here so early?”

Han Fei had discussed his departure with Li Mo before entering the palace the previous evening.

Li Mo assumed it would be a wasted effort.

But Han Fei stubbornly insisted on returning.

So, let him return. If not, he wouldn’t rest easy.

Han Fei is obstinate, that’s his only flaw.

Anyway, with Li Wu in Han, Han Fei wouldn’t be in grave danger.

Although Han Fei didn’t know Li Wu’s true identity,

Li Wu knew about him and Hongliang.

Han Fei came to bid farewell to Li Mo and take Hongliang back.

The Emperor of Han, though dissatisfied with him, cherished Hongliang dearly.

Perhaps the Emperor wouldn’t heed his words much, but he might listen to Hongliang.

Finally, after they finished their third cup of tea, Hongliang arrived pouting, clearly displeased.

She looked sleepy, evidently not having rested well.

“I told you to rest early yesterday. We have to set off early today, but you didn’t listen.”

Han Fei shook his head helplessly at her drowsy state.

Hongliang angrily glared at him, “Couldn’t you accommodate me and leave a bit later?”

Han Fei earnestly said, “You agreed you’d get up on time. You’re not a child anymore; not everything should cater to you.”

“Behaving like this, how will you ever get married?”

Regardless of the success of this trip,

Han would cease to exist.

Hongliang would no longer be a princess!

Her pampered nature worried Han Fei about her future adaptation.

Spoiled since childhood, having everything handed to her, she became willful and unreasonable.

But being a princess protected her from defiance.

Without that status, who would heed her?

Han Fei understood this far more clearly than Honglian!.m