Volume 1: Entering Great Qin for the First Time Chapter 5: Conspiracy and Scheming

  Huhai didn't show any surprise at Cuiniang's words, took the tea from her hand and smiled: "Nothing, Green Pearl Cuiniang, has I been good to you?"

  The two women were frightened by Hu Hai's solemn words and hastily kowtowed, Cui Niang said: "Your Majesty has shown us two great kindness, we are willing to die for you."

  "I entrust you with a matter that concerns my life and death." Hu Hai said seriously.

  "Ah!" Green Pearl let out a startled cry.

  Although Cui Niang was equally shocked, she raised her head and said firmly: "Your Majesty, please give orders. The two slaves are willing to die for Your Majesty at all costs." Lu Zhu also put away her smile and nodded solemnly at this time.

  Looking at the two with a tragic yet fearless expression, Hu Hai smiled and said: "It's not that serious, get up." Helping them up, he continued: "From now on, I'll leave all my food and drink in your hands. Remember, no one else can touch it. You two will be responsible for everything I eat and do."

  Hu Hai originally thought that the two would take his own draft edict to release Meng Yi and Meng Tian, then start a rebellion to rescue him. But thinking again, he didn't even know where the Meng brothers were being held, let alone how the two women could get there.

  Even if the two women knew where the Meng brothers were, since Zhao Gao had them both detained, he would definitely have trusted guards watching over them. Whether or not these two weak women could make people believe that this was an imperial edict was a problem in itself.

  If the news of capturing or sending an edict to the two women on their way is leaked to Zhao Gao, it will be a case of "startling the snake by hitting the grass". At that time, the situation would be desperate and Zhao Gao would know that if he wants to release the Meng brothers, he would definitely kill himself first without hesitation.

  So, after some thought, Hu Hai decided to prioritize preserving his own life for the time being. Although he believed Zhao Gao wouldn't take action so quickly, it's always better to be safe than sorry; if by any chance Zhao Gao were to send someone to poison him or have him killed in the middle of the night, he would be left with no recourse.

  Cui Niang heard Hu Hai's words and thought of Zhao Gao, who had just gone out with a gloomy face. She immediately thought of the reason and her small face turned pale. She nodded firmly and said: "Your Majesty can rest assured that I will not let the villain harm your precious body."

  Lu Zhu didn't have Cui Niang's quick wit, and although she was a bit puzzled by Cui Niang's words, she also knew which questions to ask and which not to ask, so she nodded firmly as well.

  ………

  Zhao Gao returned to his carriage with a gloomy face, unable to comprehend why Hu Hai, who had always been extremely respectful and submissive to him, would suddenly harbor different thoughts, even wanting to kill him.

  Thinking of this, he felt a chill run down his spine. If it wasn't for the fact that he had forced Hu Hai to reveal his murderous intentions today, perhaps even until his own death, he wouldn't have known that his usually timid and reserved student would change so greatly.

  After all, he is the son of the First Emperor, always keeping a low profile, it's really terrifying.

  "Someone, summon Zhao Cheng." Zhao Gao ordered.

  Before long, Zhao Cheng arrived. Zhao Cheng was the younger brother of Zhao Gao. At this time, Zhao Gao knew that Hu Hai was dissatisfied with his actions and had a mind to kill him, so he could only discuss countermeasures with his own brother.

  Although there were ministers or generals attached to him, Zhao Gao knew that it was for the sake of promotion and wealth. If it came to killing the emperor, that would be rebellion. Zhao Gao wasn't stupid enough to believe these people would die for him, let alone rebel on his behalf.

  When Zhao Cheng heard that Zhao Gao said that Hu Hai actually wanted to kill Zhao Gao, he looked incredulous and said: "How could the Emperor think of killing his elder brother? Didn't the Emperor always trust his elder brother the most?"

  Zhao Gao helplessly said: "I don't know either, but now Hu Hai has indeed developed a murderous intent towards me. What should we do?"

  "Your Majesty's throne was obtained by your brother's deceitful edict, if not... " Zhao Cheng made a throat-slitting gesture towards his own neck and continued, "then your brother would establish one of the First Emperor's descendants as the new emperor."

  Zhao Gao furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, saying: "It's not the right time yet. Everything we do is to restore my Zhao state and replace Qin. Now, the First Emperor has many children, and even if we were to depose him again, it's not certain that we would be in control. Moreover, the Meng brothers are still alive, and there are many loyal officials of the Qin royal family in the court. If Hu Hai were to die on this journey, we would immediately become the target of everyone's criticism, and all would come to condemn us."

  "What can we do?" Zhao Cheng said helplessly.

  "Huhai's throne was obtained by my false edict, he must not want to lose the throne, so in order not to let me reveal this secret, he will definitely not take action against me in public."

  I will immediately dispatch the loyal guards from my palace to you, as long as they do not rebel, these people can still be used. You surround Hu Hai's carriage with the name of protecting Your Majesty, and cannot let him get out of the carriage or have any contact with the outside world. Once we return to Xianyang Palace, I will immediately put him under house arrest in the palace, at that time he can only listen to me.

  "Hmph, once I use his hands to eliminate the Crown Prince and the Meng brothers, as well as all the loyal kings and ministers of the Qin clan, that will be the day when Zhao returns to power." Zhao Gao thought for a long time before speaking decisively.

  …………

  Just as Hu Hai had just instructed Lü Zhu and Cui Niang on the things they needed to pay attention to, he suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes and armor clanking outside the carriage, followed by a commotion.

  Through the window, Hu Hai saw that a large team of black-clad Imperial Guards had surrounded his carriage.

  Huhai's heart sank, and he let Green Pearl go out to listen. Zhao Gao had actually sent his younger brother Zhao Cheng with a team of imperial guards to surround Huhai's carriage under the pretext of protecting him near Xianyang.

  Hu Hai's face turned iron blue, he knew Zhao Gao would definitely take action, but didn't expect him to make his move so quickly. This was a typical case of wanting to restrict himself. Especially Zhao Cheng, this was one of the culprits who had killed his predecessor.

  Cui Niang looked at Hu Hai anxiously and said, "Your Majesty, what to do?" Lü Zhu suddenly realized something was off from the conversation between Hu Hai and Cui Niang just now to Zhao Gao sending troops to protect Hu Hai. She suddenly remembered Cui Niang's words and thought with alarm: could it be that Zhao Gao is that so-called petty person?

  Looking at the two pale-faced women, Hu Hai smiled and said: "It's nothing, this is Zhao Ai Chen worrying about me, you don't need to worry." Although Hu Hai said so, both women could see the worry in his eyes.

  As the sky gradually darkened, thinking of the increasingly close Xianyang, Hu Hai knew that if he couldn't escape today, then once he arrived in Xianyang it would be a lifetime of being confined to the palace, waiting for Zhao Gao to decide when to kill him.

  All heroic ambitions have been unable to be displayed.

  Gritting his teeth, Hu Hai decided to take a risk and use the plan he had not fully prepared beforehand. If he couldn't break free from his current predicament, he would never have another chance.

  "Jade Girl, help Me change clothes." Hu Hai ordered without hesitation.

  Cui Niang looked at Hu Hai and said firmly, "I am willing to die for Your Majesty." Hu Hai comforted her by patting her delicate small hand, and Cui Niang's pale face suddenly flushed with a few strands of tender red.

  The green pearl beside them gazed at the affectionate couple with wide eyes and puffed out her cheeks, saying: "I am too."

  Looking at the lovable appearance of Green Pearl, who was furious, Hu Hai and Cui Niang couldn't help but burst out laughing. The tense atmosphere in the carriage suddenly dissipated. Outside the carriage, Zhao Cheng, who was on high alert, heard Hu Hai and Cui Niang's laughter and was completely bewildered.

  At this time, Hu Hai still had the mind to seek pleasure and entertainment, how could he be as wise and powerful as his brother said? Zhao Cheng shook his head and secretly blamed his brother for being too cautious.

  Lu Zhu looked at Hu Hai and Cui Niang who were laughing at her, she didn't dare to take action against Hu Hai, so she had no choice but to grab Cui Niang and scratch her itchy skin. Looking at the two women rolling into a ball, Hu Hai knew that if he failed today, the two women would definitely not survive either.

  Anyway, I'll take a gamble, even if I lose, with two such lovely little loli girls accompanying me, it's not in vain for me to come and play this Qin dynasty tour.

  Hu Hai adjusted his crown and dragon robe, coughed, stopped the two women from quarreling, let Green Pearl open the carriage door, handed a thing to Cui Niang and whispered a few words, then turned around, pushed open the carriage door, took a deep breath, and strode out with dignity.