Chapter Forty-Five: Horizontal Sword Seizes Love

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  Zhao Ji, a legendary beauty of ancient times, was originally the object of Lü Buwei's affections, but ultimately married Qin Yiren.

  As for why she did not marry Lü Buwei, but married Qin Yiren instead, there are many different theories. There are mainly two versions: One version says that Lü Buwei had ulterior motives and wanted to implement a plan to change the country's ruler. He first became intimate with Zhao Ji, let her become pregnant, and then gave her to Qin Yiren as a gift. Therefore, Qin Shi Huang should have been surnamed Lü and was actually Lü Buwei's son.

  This statement was mostly adopted by later generations, especially those scholars who were resentful and hateful of the Qin state, and they wrote about it in great detail, making it known to the whole world.

  Another version is that Qin Yiren took Zhao Ji away from Lü Buwei with a horizontal sword.

  Which of these two statements is more credible, due to the loss of historical records, no one knows anymore, leaving only speculation for future generations.

  "Isn't she Zhao Ji, the mother of Qin Shi Huang? Isn't she a prostitute?" Qin Yiren was truly shocked. He never expected to run into Yue Ji here.

  Zhao Ji was first married to Qin Yi Ren, after Qin Yi Ren's death, she had a private affair with Lü Buwei. Later, Lü Buwei even recommended the eunuch Lao Ai, and the two of them indulged in pleasure within the palace, giving birth to a son, which led to a palace coup.

  After Qin Shi Huang put down the rebellion in the palace, he killed his illegitimate son and was still furious. He banished Zhao Ji to a cold palace, claiming that they would never meet again. Many officials petitioned for Qin Shi Huang to take back Zhao Ji, but Qin Shi Huang executed twenty-seven high-ranking officials one after another. It wasn't until Mao Jiao appeared and persuaded Qin Shi Huang that he finally took Zhao Ji back.

  "She had her eyebrows tightly knitted, her legs were tightly closed and strong, when she was kneeling, her legs were tightly clamped together, this is the sign of a virgin." Qin Yiren carefully examined Zhao Ji, no matter how he looked at her, she seemed to be a virgin, without any characteristics of a loose woman.

  Zhaoyi exuded a charming aura all over her body, and she could melt gold and jade with a single glance. However, there wasn't the slightest hint of promiscuity about her, which greatly astonished Qin Yiren. How could such a chaste beauty become a wanton woman?

  Her life was closely related to Lü Buwei. If Lü Buwei hadn't poisoned Qin Yiren, she wouldn't have rekindled her old flame with Lü Buwei. And if Lü Buwei hadn't introduced her to Chengjiao, there wouldn't have been the later palace coup. Qin Yiren couldn't help but recall the historical records related to Zhaoji, and came to only one conclusion: all of Zhaoji's changes were because of Lü Buwei.

  "What if she hadn't gotten in touch with Lü Buwei, what would have changed her fate?" Qin Yiren's gaze stayed on Lü Buwei, a sly smile floating at the corner of his mouth: "I'll take her away from him, and make Lü Buwei an old widower."

  "It would be best if Lü Buwei didn't rise to power!" Qin Yiren made a grand vow in his heart.

  Lü Buwei repeatedly calculated and planned to take Zhao Ji away from Qin Yiren, this is the best revenge, Qin Yiren will not miss it.

  Qin's mind was made up, and he thought it would be even better: "I am the father of Qin Shi Huang, Zhao Ji is the mother of Qin Shi Huang. When this father and mother meet, shouldn't they do something? Will I raise another son of Emperor Shi Huang?"

  "Sir, what are you thinking about?" Just as Qin Yiren was lost in thought, Zhao Ji blinked her bright eyes and looked at Qin Yiren. Seeing that he hadn't spoken for a long time, she became very curious and asked a question.

  Qin Yiren's evil smile grew more and more intense as he raised his chin to provoke Lü Buwei: "Miss, may I sit down?"

  "No way!" Qin Yiren and Zhao Ji had only met for a moment, but Zhao Ji showed great interest in Qin Yiren and even smiled at him. This made Lü Buwei guard against Qin Yiren like a thief and flatly refused.

  "Good!" Zhao Ji surprisingly agreed, which made Lü Buwei stunned.

  Lü Buwei was trying to win over Zhao Ji's favor today, he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. With the arrival of that troublemaker Qin Yiren, his plans would definitely be ruined. How could he not feel depressed?

  "I'm having a banquet today, I didn't invite you." Lü Buwei had to put on the master's airs and refuse Qin Yiren, this wicked guest.

  This reason is quite justifiable, and Zhao Ji hesitated for a moment before giving Qin Yi Ren an apologetic smile.

  "Lü Buwei, you merchant, all you have in your eyes is money, right? A whole body of copper stench!" Qin Yiren loudly scolded Lü Buwei, his tone very high, as if afraid others wouldn't hear.

  What connection is there between a suit of bronze armor and matters before one's eyes?

  Lü Buwei was very dissatisfied and wanted to refute, but Qin Yi didn't give him the chance. Instead, he continued: "There's a saying that it's better to meet by chance than to be invited. I didn't know you were hosting a banquet today, and you didn't know I would come today either. This is an accidental encounter, so even though I'm not a guest, I am a guest after all, and as such, I am a noble guest."

  Qin Yiren's face is really thick-skinned, his words are loud and clear, as if he were the honored guest.

  This remark also makes sense. When encountering such a situation, even if there is no invitation, it should be considered as a guest, Zhao Ji slightly nodded her head, obviously acknowledging it.

  "Look, Miss is more sensible than you." Qin Yiren patted Zhao Ji a flattering remark and said to Meng Zhao: "Set up the table and prepare for the feast."

  "Yes!" Meng Zhao responded loudly, and Ma Gai and Fan Tong busied themselves, summoning the maid.

  "Absolutely not!" Lü Buwei was resolute, refusing to let the Qin stranger stay, and ordered the maid to pour a drink.

  "The royal son is coming, no one can stop him! Come, put it here!" Qin Yiren swung his hand and pointed to Zhao Ji's side.

  Zhao Lie's eyebrows twitched, and he was about to speak up for Lü Buwei. In his eyes, a fallen prince like him couldn't be compared to Lü Buwei, one of the top merchants in the world.

  "Can't be helped." Zhao Xiong pulled his sleeve and whispered in his ear.

  Although Qin Yi Ren has fallen, after all, he is a prince, and his status is still there. Moreover, at this time when the State of Qin is about to destroy Zhao, if one were to offend Qin Yi Ren, it would be even more terrifying than offending Lü Buwei, which would lead to the downfall of their family, so Zhao Xiong naturally wouldn't dare to take the risk.

  Meng Zhao snatched the low table from the maid who was having trouble and placed it beside Zhao Ji, then turned to Qin Yiren with a respectful bow: "Young master, please!"

  "Hmm!" Qin Yiren plopped down on his butt, and with a pleased raise of his chin, he glared at Lü Buwei.

  "You... your face is really thick!" Lü Buwei's anger surged up, almost bursting out, and he shouted at Qin Yiren.

  "You're far from being comparable to me." Qin Yiren retorted, "This young master is a legitimate and upright person, unlike you who are impersonating someone."

  This is ridiculing Lü Buwei's visit to Qin Yiren at the small courtyard, where he came uninvited and told a series of lies.

  "Then just sit there." Lü Buwei said coldly to Qin Yiren. He had made up his mind not to offer Qin Yiren wine or dishes, letting him sit there in vain, thus humiliating him.

  So many people have wine and meat, but Qin's guest has no wine or meat, this is very humiliating.

  "Come on, let's go to the Xiangze marshes and drink a hundred-year-old fine wine!" However, Lü Buwei's thoughts had just risen when he heard Qin Yiren loudly shouting.

  Gongzhe millet deer is a specialty of Gongzhe Lake near the capital of Wei State, and was one of the most famous delicacies in the world at that time. It's not something that can be enjoyed by ordinary people, only royalty and nobles can have it. Qin Yiren asking for such a delicacy as soon as he arrived is really having a big appetite.

  "You pay for it yourself." Lü Buwei made up his mind to oppose Qin people to the end.

  "Lu Buwei, it's not that I'm saying you're cheap, but even if I didn't say anything, you'd still be too stingy." Qin Yiren shook his head fiercely and said: "You're one of the top merchants in the world, yet when hosting a fairy-like girl like her, you're so miserly that you don't even serve the best dishes. You call this treating guests with good intentions? Don't you lose face?"

  Zhao Ji blinked her bright eyes and stared at Lü Buwei, waiting for his reaction.

  "Give the young lady a pair of deer hooves." Lü Buwei understood that Qin Yiren's words had already won Zhao Ji's approval, and if he didn't seize the opportunity to show his wit, he wouldn't be able to win Zhao Ji's favor.

  "Pfft." Zhao Ji rushed towards Qin Yiren with a bright smile, like a hundred flowers blooming, breathtakingly beautiful.