Looking down from the sky, the capital of Qin State, Xianyang City, was like a sleeping python in the hinterland of Guanzhong. The surrounding terrain was wide, with rivers and fertile fields. With the progress of the unification of the Qin State, the palace continued to expand from both sides of the Wei River. Blood and tears recorded the glorious achievements of the Qin State in annexing the six countries.
On this day, in the blue sky above Xianyang City, a small eagle was circling around all day, as if it was determined to wake up a sleeping python underground.
Today was the day that the envoy of Yan Country was scheduled to arrive at Xianyang City. Han Shen, who had been waiting in Xianyang City for many days, finally had the chance to sneak into Xianyang Palace.
Han Shen saw Li Ji again. The Liji in front of him was even more dazzling. Time had not left a trace on her face. Instead, it had washed away a clear and thorough exquisite beauty. Although Han Shen had visited Li Ji many times over the years, he was still obsessed with her when he saw her familiar face. At this moment, Han Shen quietly stood outside the door. He could not help but look around for a long time. For a moment, he actually forgot to take a step forward.
He coughed lightly to remind Li Ji of his arrival. Li Ji looked up and recognized Han Shen, who was dressed like a guard. She couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised."Big Brother Han, why are you here?"
"Ah!" The maid beside Li Ji was shocked when she saw Han Shen. Han Shen was about to stop her. "Go out and stand guard!" Lizzie said sternly. Don't let anyone in!"
" Yes, yes..." The maid had never seen Li Ji so stern before. She was so frightened that she immediately retreated out of the room. She stood by the door, trembling, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Li Ji looked at Han Shen uneasily,"Today is the day the envoy of the Yan Country arrives in Xianyang. The security must be even tighter. Wouldn't it be even more dangerous for you to sneak into the palace at this time?”
"Li Ji, who do you think the envoy from Yan Country is?" Han Shen was suddenly very excited.”
"Who is it?" Lizzie was confused.
"He is Jing Ke!" Han Shen said word by word.”
" Ah..." Li Ji was stunned. Her eyes were filled with tears and she cried out," How could that be?" How could he represent the Yan Country to the Qin Country?!”
"Li Ji, there's no need to doubt it," Han Shen said. At that time, I will be able to save you from the Qin Palace together with him!”
" You want me to leave the Qin Palace…" Li Ji hesitated.
"Brother Han, please tell Jing Ke that he must not take the risk to enter the palace to see me. I will not leave with him.”Li Ji said calmly.
"Li Ji, have you really changed? When Tianming was just born, you said that you stayed in the palace because of Tianming. Now that Tianming has grown up and your family is about to reunite, you are telling me that you don't want to leave.”Han Shen shouted excitedly.
Li Ji was not moved by his words at all. She said calmly,""Big Brother Han, even if you blame me, even if Jing Ke blames me, even if the whole world blames me, I will not leave.”
Seeing the persistence in her eyes, Han Shen knew that he couldn't change Li Ji's mind. He sighed heavily.
"Brother Han, I want to entrust Tianming to you. Please take Tianming away from here."”
"Why is that?" Han Shen asked suspiciously.”
" Back then, Senior Brother became obsessed with swordsmanship," Li Ji said." It was for the sake of killing the King of Qin one day and avenging my grandfather." Now, he finally got the chance he had been waiting for!”Liji's heart ached. No matter which of these two men was hurt, it would bring her endless pain. However, the arrow was already on the bow and had to be fired. How could a weak woman like her save the situation? She continued,"I don't know who will survive this assassination." If Shixiong survives, the Qin Palace will be in chaos. This place will no longer be a safe place for me and Tianming.”
Han Shen remained silent, but he knew that what Li Ji said was true.
"Brother Han, please follow me."”She led Han Shen out.
After passing through the winding corridor, Li Ji stopped in front of a door. Before the door opened, Han Shen heard the sound of a child reading in the room."The people are the most important, the state is second, and the monarch is the least important…"
Li Ji pushed the door open. It was a study room. Inside, there was an old man holding a bamboo slip. His eyes were closed as he listened to Tianming's recital.
When Tianming saw his mother enter, he quickly put down the letter and came forward to welcome her. Li Ji introduced Han Shen and Mr. Fu Nian to each other and sent Tianming to the courtyard to play. Seeing Tianming run out like a caged bird, Li Ji suddenly knelt down to Han Shen and Fu Nian. Han Shen and Fu Nian quickly helped her up and said,""Furen, there is no need to perform such a grand ceremony."
Li Ji told him about Tianming's background and her speculation that Jing Ke wanted to assassinate the King of Qin. She begged Han Shen and Fu Nian,""Brother Han, Mr. Fu, you are the two people I trust the most right now. Li Ji, I beg you, Tianming can only live if he leaves the Qin Palace with you!”Fu Nian was also shaken by this shocking secret and didn't know how to answer.
"Father, you're here to see Tianming!" Tianming's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Big Brother Han, Mr. Fu, quickly take Tianming away!”Li Ji said anxiously.
It was already too late. Qin Wang had already slowly entered the study and looked around at everyone in the room. His eyes were cold and his face was dark. The surroundings were instantly filled with a dark and terrifying atmosphere. Everyone present was filled with fear and unease. They held their breaths like prisoners waiting for the unknown verdict.
Qin Wang slowly walked forward, his cold face without a trace of expression. He didn't even look at Li Ji. Instead, he looked straight at Han Shen.
"Just in time! Today, I'll kill you!" Han Shen could not help but be shocked. He calmly drew his sword and was about to charge at the King of Qin.
"No, I can't! No! Don't hurt him!" Li Ji suddenly stood up in front of the king of Qin. Han Shen's sword was placed on her neck. Han Shen was stunned and quickly pulled his hand away.
The king of Qin was slightly shocked by Li Ji's sudden action, but he remained calm and said coldly,""Do you think you can kill me?”
With a casual wave of his hand, several palace guards appeared behind him. All of them were experts with unique skills.
"Brother Han, Mr. Fu, please take Tianming away!”Lizzie cried helplessly.
"You want to leave?" The King of Qin shouted loudly, and the guards surrounded the door.
"No, I can't! Your Majesty, please let them go. Brother Han, Mr. Fu, let's go! If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!" Li Ji shouted hysterically. She fell to the ground and grabbed the corner of Qin Wang's clothes.
The king of Qin looked at Han Shen coldly and was speechless for a long time, but his heart could not help but surge. The guards didn't get the order and didn't know what to do.
Li Ji stood up abruptly and snatched the sword from the guard's hand. The guard's kung fu was much higher than Li Ji's, but he was stunned by the power of the beloved concubine of the King of Qin. He was stunned on the spot and allowed her to take the sword away.
"Your Majesty, please let them go. Otherwise, Liji will die in front of you!……”Li Ji held her sword horizontally and slit her neck."Tianming, listen to Mother and quickly follow Uncle Han and Mr. Fu!”
After saying that, Li Ji looked at Tianming with reluctance.
" Don't, Mother-Father-" Tianming, who was at the side, was so frightened by this shocking scene that he cried. He kept shouting in his heart, What exactly is going on? What happened to Father? Why was Mother crying? In the end, he could only wail to vent the great confusion in his heart.
The crying shattered Liji's tears and melted the king's frozen heart.
" Li Ji…" Han Shen couldn't bear to see her.
" Let's go!" Lizzie shouted with the last of her strength.
The King of Qin looked at Tianming in a daze. Tianming thought that his father would reach out and pick him up like before. The king of Qin turned his face away as if he couldn't bear it anymore. He waved at the guard and turned around.
The guards immediately moved aside to make way. Han Shen saw the situation and immediately picked up Tianming and ran out of the door with Fu Nian. Then, the two of them jumped onto the roof and left in a hurry." Don't-Mother-Father-" Their cries lingered in the air. Tears flowed out of Qin Wang's eyes. His tears fell very quickly, and he never turned around, so no one saw it, not even himself. He could only feel his heart bleeding.
It was close to noon. Jing Ke and his group were gradually approaching Xianyang. A few miles ahead, the city gate was already in sight. Everyone's heart could not help but tense up.
Li Si went out of the city to meet him.
Jing Ke had long heard of Li Si. Before he came to Qin, he had heard Crown Prince Dan talk about the ministers of Qin and learned that Li Si was originally from Shangcai of Chu and had studied under the great scholar Xun Zi. After learning, he saw that the King of Chu was fatuous and unambitious, and the six countries were weakening day by day, unable to establish extraordinary achievements in the world. He traveled far to the State of Qin. First, he was appointed as the disciple of Lv Buwei, the prime minister of the State of Qin. Later, he was favored by Ying Zheng, the king of Qin. Therefore, he offered a plan to drive a wedge between the princes and the monarch, and was appointed as a guest minister. After Lu Buwei's death, Li Si was promoted to the position of Tingwei and was in charge of the laws of Qin.
Now that the King of Qin had sent Li Si to welcome them personally, it was obvious that he attached great importance to the Yan Country's diplomatic mission. Jing Ke was secretly delighted. Presumably, the gift in the copper box had already taken effect. He couldn't help but increase his strength and hold the copper box firmly in his hand.
Jing Ke looked at Li Si carefully. He looked calm and had an extraordinary bearing. He was not angry and had an imposing aura. His sharp eyes seemed to be able to read people's hearts. Jing Ke understood that this person was not easy to deal with, but if he wanted to meet the King of Qin, he had to go through him first. He bowed deeply and said,""As an envoy of a small country, how dare you welcome me?”
Li Si said calmly," The King of Yan has entrusted you to come to court. From now on, the Qin and Yan countries will form an alliance. How big is that?" The king attached great importance to this matter, and Li Si ought to do so.”
Jing Ke smiled and said," It's my honor to be valued by your king. I don't know when Your Majesty will summon me. I look forward to personally presenting my country's court gifts.”
Li Si smiled and said mysteriously,""His Majesty hasn't issued a decree yet. The Yan Country's arrival was a top priority. The etiquette could not be neglected. The matter of receiving the envoy still needed to be fully prepared.”
Jing Ke's heart sank slightly. He knew that the King of Qin was still on guard against him. He could only remain calm and wait for the summons.
Li Si arranged for Jing Ke and the others to stay in the Qin Garden, which was about five miles away from the palace where the King of Qin lived. There was no movement for three consecutive days.
After Fu Nian and Tianming escaped from the Qin Palace, Han Shen had been hiding near Xianyang Palace, observing the movements in the palace while waiting for an opportunity to meet Jing Ke. After three days of waiting, he finally heard that Jing Ke and his group had arrived at the Qin Garden.
Han Shen had no idea what had happened after he left the Qin Palace that day. He didn't understand why Li Ji would stand up for the King of Qin in such a critical moment.
He didn't know what had happened to Li Ji. Could it be that she was like him and cared more about a person? The person she cared about was not Jing Ke, and of course, it was not herself, even if he had such extravagant hopes. But why was it the King of Qin? He was supposed to be Li Ji's biggest enemy, wasn't he?
How is Lizzie now? That tyrannical king should be extremely furious, right? Han Shen knew that he had to meet Jing Ke before he entered Xianyang Palace. Perhaps there was still a chance to save all the misfortunes.
The day before the assassination, in the Qin Garden.
While Jing Ke was deep in thought, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.
"Big brother!" Jing Ke said in surprise.
"Brother, I've finally met you!”Han Shen held Jing Ke's hand and said excitedly.
"Big brother, why are you here?”Jing Ke looked around vigilantly and suppressed his excitement." It's not convenient to talk here. Let's go inside first."”
"Have you always been in Xianyang?" Jing Ke asked after entering the room.
"Yes, I have always been in Xianyang. Because…" Han Shen hesitated for a while and then said," Li Ji, she's in Xianyang. Do you know?"”
"Ah! Lizzie! Big brother, how did you know?" Jing Ke felt a sharp pain in his chest when he heard the word "Li Ji".
" Ten years ago, I happened to meet Li Ji at the border of Qi State and was sent to Xianyang by a group of Qi soldiers. I had already saved her, but unfortunately…" Han Shen could not help but feel disappointed."Brother, in the past ten years, I would occasionally sneak into the Qin Palace to see Li Ji.”
"Really? She really is in Xianyang Palace!" Jing Ke said excitedly.
Han Shen looked at Jing Ke silently and said slowly,""I told her that you came to the State of Qin. He also told her that we would try to save her together.”
"Big Brother is willing to rescue Li Ji with me?”Jing Ke said happily.
" Of course, but..." Han Shen didn't know how to tell Jing Keli what she wanted him to convey."Right, brother, Li Ji gave birth to a son for you. I've already taken him away from the Qin Palace.”
"Child! My child! How could this be? Where is he now?" Jing Ke's heart felt like it had been struck by someone. A child? He and Li Ji had a child!
"Don't worry, the child is safe and sound," Han Shen said calmly. Because he was in an extremely dangerous situation, it was not convenient to bring him along. He was now with the Confucian master, Mr. Fu. What is more important now is that you must try to see Lizzie in the palace. I am worried that she will be in danger. When Mr. Fu and I took the child away, the King of Qin was also present…Li Ji, how is she now?”In the end, Han Shen could not suppress his worry.
"Heavens! Li Ji…she must be in a very dangerous situation!”Jing Ke also understood the situation.
"Brother, big brother has let you down. It was Big Brother who was incompetent and couldn't save her for you.”Han Shen said guiltily.
"Big brother, don't say that. Our child was saved by big brother. Jing Ke is too grateful, how could he blame big brother?”Jing Ke hurriedly said.
Han Shen made a timely suggestion." Let Eldest Brother accompany you to the palace. After the matter is settled, we will leave the State of Qin together with the child."”
Jing Ke felt his heart beating wildly in his chest. After a moment of silence, he said in a low voice,""Big brother, I…I can't leave the State of Qin…"
"Do you still want to assassinate the King of Qin?" Han Shen asked.”
"How did you know my purpose?" Jing Ke asked in surprise.”
"Liji's guess is right. You still haven't given up on your goal of assassinating Qin after so many years," Han Shen said with a smile.”
"Since big brother already knows, then you should understand. This time, I am unable to leave the State of Qin. Regardless of whether I succeed or not, I hope big brother can forgive me.”
" Brother…" Han Shen was about to speak.
"Regarding the rescue of Li Ji, Jing Ke will definitely find a way to resolve it. Now, he had another important matter to ask Big Brother to fulfill. Jing Ke bent his knees and suddenly knelt in front of Han Shen.
"Brother, don't be like this. If there's anything, Big Brother should help. "Han Shen quickly helped Jing Ke up.
Jing Ke said gratefully," Since you've said so, I won't say anything more. I only ask that you take the child and leave Xianyang tomorrow morning for the Yan Country."”
"Brother, don't you want to see the child?”Han Shen said in shock.
"Tomorrow is the day the King of Qin summons us, and it is also the time when Jing Ke must carry out his mission. At this time, we really can't worry too much. Therefore, I will have to trouble you to take care of that child.”Jing Ke suppressed the pain in his heart and continued to speak calmly,""If Jing Ke really meets with misfortune, please help me bring the child to the Yan Country and entrust him to the sword master Ge Nie.”As he spoke, he suddenly unsheathed his sword and cut his finger. He tore off a piece of his sleeve and used his finger as a pen and blood as ink to write a few words on the sleeve. Then, he handed it to Han Shen and said,"Seeing this blood letter, Mister Gai will definitely understand what Jing Ke is asking for.”
Jing Ke took out a piece of silk from his chest and said,""This is the sword manual of my grandmaster, Mister Gongsun. Mister Lu has also written notes on it. Please take good care of it for me. When the child grows up, I will personally hand it over to him.”
Han Shen took the blood letter and sword manual with both hands and held them close to his chest. He nodded solemnly and promised.
How could Jing Ke not want to see this child he had never met before? He wanted to hear this long-lost child call him father. However, Jing Ke knew that he no longer had this blessing. Understanding was the day the King of Qin summoned him, and it was also the time to complete the important task entrusted to him by Crown Prince Dan. How could he let an innocent child suffer at this moment of life and death? More importantly, he could not bear to let his child experience the pain of losing a loved one again.
"If everything goes well, I will try to rescue Li Ji before tomorrow and let her meet up with big brother outside the city. I hope big brother can take good care of her on behalf of Jing Ke. "As he spoke, Jing Ke's eyes were already wet with tears.
"Brother, are you really not going to let me rescue Liji? Han Shen still held onto a glimmer of hope.
" No, big brother, Jing Ke can't let big brother take any more risks. If both of us are killed at the same time, then the child…"
"I understand now. You must be afraid that the child will lose his last support.”Han Shen waved his hand and stopped Jing Ke.
"Since the assassination of Qin is inevitable, then…let big brother carry it out on behalf of my younger brother!”Han Shen's sudden words were shocking, and even he himself felt an inexplicable shock. This sentence was said for his brother, but it was also said for the unknown stubbornness in his heart. He had always been looking forward to the day when Li Ji and Jing Ke would reunite. Now that it was so close, as his elder brother, he had to fulfill his wish.
"Big brother!" Jing Ke widened his eyes and said excitedly," Big Brother, why must you do this? If Jing Ke agreed to such a ridiculous thing, he would be blamed even if he died ten thousand times! Assassinating Qin was Jing Ke's destined mission! Please grant Jing Ke's last hope!”At this point, he almost lost his mind.
"Brother, you have entrusted me with a great deal of responsibility. But you must remember that big brother is looking forward to meeting you again.”How could the mission of assassinating Qin be easily replaced? Han Shen immediately understood how ridiculous his words were. He couldn't bear to say anything more. Helping him was the only meaningful thing he could do now.
"I'll leave everything to Big Brother!" Jing Ke instructed again.
"Big brother, what is the name of that child?”Just as Han Shen was about to leave, Jing Ke asked the last question.
"Tianming, Jing Tianming." Han Shen said firmly.
Looking at Jing Ke's stubborn expression, Han Shen suddenly felt a little afraid. He wasn't sure what kind of blow he would suffer if Jing Ke stepped into the Qin Palace.
Other than that, Jing Ke and Han Shen each had the same concern in their hearts. Neither of them said it out loud, as neither of them was willing to let the other discover it. One was a person who was about to die, so he could not allow himself to have the right to care about her. One was a loyal man, so he could not admit that he had a lingering desire.
At noon, Wei Zhuang came back from outside and saw Jing Ke standing alone in the courtyard. His expression was gloomy and his thick eyebrows were tightly knitted. He seemed to be troubled.
Wei Zhuang pondered for a moment and went forward to probe,"Brother Jing, are you still troubled by the matter of the King of Qin summoning you?”Jing Ke frowned." Sir Li Si came just now and said that the King of Qin has decided to hold a grand celebration tomorrow to accept the promotion."”
Wei Zhuang's mind raced,"Since that's the case, why is Brother Jing still frowning?"”
Jing Ke looked at Wei Zhuang thoughtfully. On the way from Yan Country to Qin Country, he had already noticed Wei Zhuang's abnormal behavior. Due to the lack of time, he had not had the opportunity to think about it and pay attention to it carefully. Now, seeing Wei Zhuang take the initiative to care about him, he had some concerns and was unwilling to reveal the secret in his heart. However, when he remembered that he would be spilling blood in the Qin Palace tomorrow, he had nothing to hide. He sighed and said,"Jing Ke thought of an old friend. He knew that she was now in Xianyang Palace, but he did not know if he would be able to see her again in this life, so he was filled with sorrow.”
"What kind of old friend is it that Brother Jing can't forget?" Wei Zhuang asked curiously.”
Jing Ke sighed," Her name is Li Ji. She is the granddaughter of my master, Gongsun Yu. After we were separated in the Yan Country, there was no news of her." Many years ago, it was said that she had been taken in as a concubine by the King of Qin and lived in the palace.”
Wei Zhuang nodded." I see. The palace is strictly guarded. It's extremely difficult to see an old friend again!"”Pausing for a moment, he continued," However, perhaps this one can lend Brother Jing a hand and try to let Brother Jing see this Lady Li Ji.”
"Brother Wei, do you have any good ideas?" Jing Ke asked.”
Wei Zhuang smiled." These days, I was strolling in the streets of Xianyang. I actually met a childhood friend. This person is now a eunuch in the Qin palace and the head of the harem." I think that with his help, brother Jing will definitely be able to get what he wants.”
Jing Ke felt even more puzzled and could not help but ask,""How did Brother Wei get to know this eunuch?”
Wei Zhuang knew that Jing Ke was a cautious person, so he explained in detail,""This person's name is Zhao Gao. His father was originally a driver, and he specialized in driving for the influential people of the Zhao Kingdom. Back then, when I was wandering from Wei to Zhao, I had no food or clothing. I could only rely on my mother to do needlework for the powerful families. By chance, I grew up playing with Zhao Gao. Later, I left Zhao State to study swordsmanship, while Zhao Gao entered the palace with nothing and became a eunuch. He was assigned to serve the son of Qin State, Zichu, who was still a hostage at that time. Later on, when he heard that Zichu had returned to the country with Lu Buwei's help and became king, Zhao Gao came to the Qin Palace to serve Ying Zheng. Now that Ying Zheng had ascended the throne, he had also become the chief steward of the inner palace.”
Jing Ke nodded,"I see." He was afraid that things would change and the old feelings would be easily forgotten. Was he still willing to help?”Wei Zhuang smiled." I'm not very sure about this. However, Zhao Gao is a greedy person. As long as you use some money, it should be easy to bribe him."”
Jing Ke steeled his heart and said firmly,"Alright, then I'll ask Brother Wei to introduce me!"”
The day before the assassination of Qin, in Xianyang Palace.
"Your Majesty, everything has been done according to your instructions.”Li Si bowed.
The king of Qin lowered his head in deep thought and was speechless for a moment. "King?" Li Si called out softly when he did not see the King of Qin respond. Qin Wang slowly raised his head and glanced at Li Si. He said coldly,""Got it. You may leave!"
Li Si still had something to report, but for some reason, looking at the King of Qin's cold and solemn face, Li Si seemed to sense a hint of loneliness in the King of Qin's expression. There was also a sense of powerlessness in his commanding voice. Li Si wondered if he was worrying too much. The person in front of him was the king of the world! He quietly retreated.
The King of Qin was the king of the world. The king of the world couldn't be lonely and helpless. This was the image of a king that the people of the world had forcefully given him.
What a king could have was definitely countless. The joys, sorrows, and joys of ordinary people were his lifelong dreams.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。