Chapter 51 Lady Chu

"Everyone, please follow me!"

Having spent nearly a full month finalizing the candidates for the Qin court protectors and court swordsmen, Lord Changping, Xiong Qi, could finally meet the King of Qin to report on the completion of the task, bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion.

As for the members of the various schools of thought and factions who had previously lingered in the plaza, they had no choice but to depart in gloom, thinking to themselves that had the senior brothers of their respective sects stepped forward, there might still have been a considerable chance of success.

However, matters had already reached this point, and dwelling on it was futile. They simply had to leave the Hall of Talent Recruitment and return to their respective bases.

On the other side, Lord Changping, Xiong Qi, along with his two attendants, was leading Zhou Qing and his party toward the Xingle Palace, which was another audience chamber used by the King of Qin after he finished dealing with court affairs.

Although smaller in scale than the Zhangtai Palace, this was a place the King of Qin frequented. Spanning several miles, numerous palaces stood within its grounds, the core of which was a magnificent hall measuring over twenty zhang from front to back. In the plaza before this hall stood a towering raised platform.

According to Lord Changping's introduction, that was the Hongtai Platform, named after the King of Qin shot down a swan goose (hong) there in previous years. Along the way, palace guards patrolled ceaselessly. Although their martial prowess was negligible—some merely stronger than ordinary mortals—it was more than sufficient to guard the Qin palace.

Even if powerful martial artists were to arrive, caught within a well-trained and orderly formation of arms, their only fates would be fleeing or being suppressed. Of course, against martial artists at the realm of the Divine Transformation and Mysterious Spirit, this was still insufficient.

Presumably, this was why the King of Qin wished to recruit court protectors and court swordsmen. Treading upon hard basalt stones, surrounded by endless carved balustrades and white jade railings, every step revealed a different scenery, quite reminiscent of the palatial grandeur of the states east of the mountains.

Green willows dotted the grounds; in the height of summer, streams with small bridges flowed incessantly within, filling the air with a refreshing charm. The gray-turning-to-black tiles gleamed with a distinct radiance under the clear blue sky.

Palace eunuchs and maids walked among them. As they passed by the group, their heads hung very low, uttering words of reverence without pause. Given Lord Changping, Xiong Qi's status as Chancellor, such authority was easily understood.

"Xiong Qi pays his respects to Lady Chu!"

Before long, within the vast Xingle Palace, they encountered a sizeable procession. Six gracefully figured maidservants walked in front, dressed in red and blue embroidered skirts, holding exquisite ceremonial objects in silence as they moved.

Behind them was a canopied sedan chair jointly carried by six robust palace eunuchs. Enclosed by light red gauze curtains, a noble matron sat upright inside. Her features were obscured, yet her peerless beauty remained faintly discernible.

She was followed by another six court-attired maids holding ceremonial items and trailing slowly behind. The grand and imposing procession was making its way through the expansive Xingle Palace. Seeing this, Lord Changping involuntarily halted his steps and moved to the side.

He bowed with cupped hands, seeming somewhat familiar with this person. Zhou Qing and the others beside him made no particular movement; as court protectors invited by the King of Qin, their status was equivalent to honored guests of the State of Qin.

"Oh, so it is Lord Changping. Why do you lead such a large company toward the Xingle Palace?"

Hearing that it was Lord Changping, Xiong Qi, the noble matron within the canopied sedan immediately raised a slender hand. The eunuchs carrying the sedan halted their steps. Since it was Lord Changping, he could be considered part of the Chu faction.

Strictly speaking, she was a princess of Chu, while Lord Changping was a公子 (lord/prince) of Chu. Unfortunately, Lord Changping had grown up in Qin, and under the protection of Dowager Huayang, he had attained his current status and power, making him, to a certain extent, her maternal relative and backing.

"Some days ago, the allied states attacked Qin, pressing their forces upon Xianyang and threatening the safety of the King. Thus, acting under His Majesty's decree, I recruited court protectors and court swordsmen. With this mission successfully accomplished, I have come specifically to report back to the King."

"Since Lady Chu is coming from the Xingle Palace, I wonder if His Majesty is currently within?"

Lord Changping, Xiong Qi, offered a polite bow. He was somewhat acquainted with this Lady Chu, having met her many times at Dowager Huayang's residence, where she was greatly favored by the Dowager. Regrettably, she had never borne a son for the King; otherwise, she would have been Queen today, holding an even more revered position.

Though he thought thus inwardly, his tone shifted slightly as he looked toward the depths of the Xingle Palace. The direction from which Lady Chu emerged was precisely the core of the Xingle Palace, where the King of Qin resided.

"Naturally he is within. The morning court has already adjourned, and His Majesty is currently receiving foreign ministers in the Xingle Palace. I only wonder what has made him so furiously angry. Since Lord Changping has official business, I shall not detain you further!"

It was evident from her words that Lady Chu was somewhat displeased, presumably provoked by the King of Qin's earlier displeasure. Hearing this, Lord Changping raised an eyebrow. With the state currently at the height of its power, few major events could incur the King's wrath; there must be a matter of grave importance.

Without lingering any longer, he bowed once more to Lady Chu and then briskly led Zhou Qing and his group toward the depths of the Xingle Palace. The way was unobstructed, and though they lacked the leisure to admire the scenery, Zhou Qing and the others minded it not.

With slow and steady paces, mysterious light surging, no matter how Lord Changping accelerated his pace, the group kept stride effortlessly. The closer they drew to the Xingle Palace, the more numerous the patrolling guards became, and the greater the number of palace eunuchs and maids traveling about.

Yet judging by their words and actions, they appeared extremely cautious and wary. Catching sight of Lord Changping, Xiong Qi's arrival from afar, they immediately dropped to their knees in bows, remaining down for a long time—a clear indication of the heavy atmosphere.

"It seems the King of Qin's wrath has silenced the entire palace, inside and out. Master Ganie, do you still remember what I told you previously regarding Lord Chang'an? If my guess is correct, the only thing capable of throwing the King of Qin into such a rage is this single matter!"

Led by Qin generals Meng Ao, Meng Wu, Wang Jian, Zhang Tang, Fan Yuqi, and others, the Qin armies conquered whatever they attacked and seized whatever they fought for. In military affairs, the King of Qin had no cause for worry.

As for the current Chancellor, Lü Buwei, although his power shook the world, with King Ying Zheng's advancing age, coupled with the assistance of Lord Changping, Lord Changwen, and Lord Gangcheng, barring accidents, Lü Buwei's faction could be eradicated within a few years.

Thus, with domestic governance pacified and foreign affairs running smoothly, the King of Qin should be rejoicing rather than flying into such a rage. After brief contemplation, a faint smile played on Zhou Qing's lips—it could only be the rebellion raised by Lord Chang'an.

Without concealing his words, they echoed directly in the ears of those present. Hearing this, Lord Changping, walking at the very front, experienced a flicker of expression, as if suddenly recalling something, and his countenance shifted.

"The states of the realm are not to be feared, and court ministers cannot shake the foundation. Such fury is rarely caused by them!"

Although Ganie did not reply directly, he had already expressed his stance. Just as Zhou Qing thought, neither domestic governance nor foreign affairs provided cause for such anxiety. Thus, anything capable of provoking the King of Qin to such towering rage was exceedingly rare.

It had to be either internal domestic affairs or a sudden, catastrophic upheaval. Yet judging by Lady Chu's previous demeanor and words, the latter possibility was extremely small. Pondering all the possibilities, perhaps only domestic family troubles could bring this about.