Nangong Ling asked: "Master, who sent you this letter?"
Qin Zhao tore up the letter and said: "Qin Song."
"When do you plan to make a move against those three princes?
Seeing the dramatic changes in the political situation at court, I'm afraid the Emperor will soon appoint the Crown Prince.
At that time, it will be even more difficult for you to compete for the throne."
"Don't worry.
When the balance of power between the various factions is broken, that will be the time for us to take action."
"I hope that you, master, can explain a little more."
"As long as the Emperor is still alive, the factions at court will check each other, and the position of Crown Prince will not have much significance.
The Emperor will never allow any prince's power to exceed his own while he is still alive.
On the contrary, the one who becomes Crown Prince will have a harder time than others."
"How do you plan to arrange the follow-up actions, master?"
"I'll tell you the details when the time comes."
Qin Zhao changed the subject and asked Nangong Ling, "Have you heard back from the person I asked you to find?"
Nangong Ling said, "The Du clan that Wuqu Star belongs to is in Sangzhou in the south.
I've already sent people to Sangzhou to look for her many times, but they haven't found anyone matching Wuqu Star's description."
"I had Wei Chen calculate it yesterday. Wuqu Star is currently in the capital. Send your people to look again."
"Alright. Other than Wuqu Star, have you found the other six stars, master?"
Thinking of Huo Jun who had not yet taken his position due to insufficient conditions, Qin Zhao said, "Found them."
"I suddenly remembered a person who may be related to Wuqu Star."
Qin Zhao suspected that Yin Xuan was Wuqu Star, but Yin Xuan's surname was not Du, so she couldn't be sure and had to test the waters first.
"Do you need my help?"
Qin Zhao looked at Nangong Ling. That face capable of bewitching all beings brought back memories of how Yin Xuan looked at her.
She thought to herself: She may really be able to help!
Qin Zhao said, "Go persuade Yin Xuan for me.
If she knows you also serve me, perhaps her psychological defenses will be shaken."
Nangong Ling revealed a meaningful smile. "Is my master asking me to seduce her?"
"Well, that depends on what you think. As long as she can ultimately be of use to me, I don't care what method you use."
Nangong Ling accepted: "I'll try. I definitely didn't agree just because I think she's pretty."
Qin Zhao: "..."
After the two settled the matter, Qin Zhao took Nangong Ling to the courtyard where Yin Xuan lived.
Seeing Yin Xuan practicing her whip, they stopped to watch.
Yin Xuan was over six feet tall, with smooth, flowing muscle lines on her body.
It was truly pleasing to the eye.
Qin Zhao couldn't help exclaiming, "So handsome, I really envy her future lover."
These words were naturally meant to imply something, but unfortunately Nangong Ling didn't understand.
However, Nangong Ling's subsequent actions exceeded her expectations!
Catching sight of Nangong Ling out of the corner of her eye, Yin Xuan's footsteps became erratic, and her whip motions seemed sluggish.
She looked nervous and at a loss.
Qin Zhao thought to herself: This is how ordinary people act when facing a goddess.
When she was in first grade pursuing the prettiest girl in the class, she had acted the same way!
The more Yin Xuan practiced, the less control she had over her body. Her face grew redder and redder until she finally stopped.
She shuffled over to Nangong Ling, wiping sweat and asking as she went, "Miss Nangong, what brings you here?"
Nangong Ling said, "I came to see you."
Yin Xuan stammered, "W-What's there to see about me?"
"Every part of you is worth seeing."
Listening to their conversation, Qin Zhao felt a little speechless.
If someone else had said those words, they would be cheesy, greasy romantic talk!
But coming from Nangong Ling's mouth, they sounded unexpectedly charming.
Unable to stand Nangong Ling's gentle words, Yin Xuan's face turned so red she nearly bled!
"Miss Nangong, why are you different from usual today?"
Nangong Ling smiled slightly. "I suddenly realized you're very cute."
As she spoke, she leaned in and kissed Yin Xuan's left cheek!
Yin Xuan froze like a statue!
Perhaps what she really wanted to freeze wasn't her body but time itself.
Seeing she had no reaction, Nangong Ling kissed her right cheek as well.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
An earth-shattering scream rang out in the courtyard.
"Nangong Ling kissed me, Yin Xuan!"
Yin Xuan ran away screaming.
Qin Zhao rolled her eyes. This Yin Xuan, far from losing her senses, still didn't forget to include her name in the sentence!
Afraid others wouldn't know it was her Nangong Ling had kissed.
Yin Xuan ran off somewhere.
Qin Zhao said, "Nangong Ling, I didn't know you were so skilled at seducing others."
Nangong Ling replied calmly, "I'm just doing my master's bidding."
This girl is truly sincere!
Qin Zhao pointed at her mouth. "Who did you learn this behavior from?"
Nangong Ling looked innocent. "Storybooks."
"Uh, that's hard to judge...
But it's safe to say Nangong Ling is a natural flirt, even if she doesn't understand love.
I'll have to be careful around her in the future to avoid Qi Yan Su Luo getting cuckolded."
Nangong Ling said, "I should be going now.
I'll find another chance to persuade Yin Xuan."
After Nangong Ling took her leave and returned to the Spring Breeze Building, Qin Zhao asked 502, "What's the situation?
502 said, "Barbarian tribes have invaded the northwest border and captured three cities already.
The garrison commander of one city voluntarily surrendered and opened the gates."
"Which barbarian tribe is it?"
"The Chi Rong Country and Jihu Nation, as well as Wuji, Fuyu and others are also watching developments!
Their rationale for invading is that at the Longevity Festival, the Emperor as host failed to properly receive the foreign dignitaries.
He put them in danger and nearly cost them their lives.
They represent their own countries, so being treated that way damages national dignity.
Therefore, they want to force the Emperor to bow his head and apologize through a declaration of war!"
But Qin Zhao felt the crux of the matter was not so simple.
How could small border nations dare declare war on a great Central Plains power over such a minor incident?
The real reason was they saw signs of decline in Yue through the assassination attempt on the Emperor.
They wanted to take advantage and seize Yue's national territory to strengthen themselves.
After the urgent military report arrived in the capital, on the third day the Emperor stopped having Qin Lie act as regent!
He personally held court and asked his ministers for advice.
General Zhou Mian of Dingyuan said, "Your Majesty, I believe our successive defeats are due to lack of morale among the troops.
Yue and the small northwest border nations maintained peace for many years.
The garrison troops haven't fought in so long they are no longer used to going to battle."
Qin Zheng asked, "What does Minister Zhou think we should do about it?"
Zhou Mian said, "I earnestly beseech Your Majesty to lead the troops personally!"
As soon as he said this, the court erupted!
Qin Zheng's expression also soured.
His health declined further day by day.
Let alone fighting, just enduring the jolting of horses and carriages to reach the northwest border alive would be difficult!
But he couldn't refuse either. Rejecting the proposal in front of everyone would be showing cowardice at best.
At worst, it would be disregarding the safety of the country and people.
Any dissent could only be voiced through others.
Qin Zheng secretly hoped someone would speak up for him.
The Minister of the Right Cao Ren said, "The country cannot go a day without a ruler. If anything unexpected happens to Your Majesty, the consequences would be unimaginable..."
Qin Zheng thought Cao Ren was about to advise him to stay, but then Cao Ren continued, "Before departing, Your Majesty should appoint the Crown Prince first!"
Hearing this, Qin Zheng's head spun and throbbed!
If he hadn't been sitting on the Dragon Throne, he might have fallen down the jade steps.
Cao Ren's proposal immediately won the ministers' unanimous support!
They had long resented this Emperor obsessed with cultivating immortality who neglected state affairs!
They wished he would die immediately and certainly had no concern for his safety.
Any dissent could only come from another's lips.
It took Qin Zheng quite a while to suppress his anger. He said, "Let me consider it for a few days. Court dismissed."
Qin Zheng got up to leave, but the ministers continued stabbing him in the heart!
"Your Majesty, the border citizens still await your saving!"
"Your Majesty, the ministers and border situation cannot wait!"
"Your Majesty..."
Listening to them go on, Qin Zheng's head pounded. He just wanted to escape!
His usually unsteady legs managed an astonishing turn of speed...
Two days later at dusk, Qin Zhao received court dress sent by palace servants!
Qin Zhao asked the palace maid, "What's the court dress for? According to Yue tradition, princesses can't participate in politics, right?"
The palace maid replied, "I don't know either, but these court robes were sent by His Majesty to every prince and princess this morning."
"Thank you."
Qin Zhao slipped several taels of silver to the maid before entering the study.
Looking at the golden pattern on the robe, he murmured, "The political situation is finally about to change. If nothing changes, it will become too dull!"
