The Qin King’s eyes flickered slightly as he smiled faintly and slowly said: “With Zhiyan here, I am naturally at ease.”

The other brothers all loudly praised Qin Zhiyan’s superior military tactics, how he defeated the Xiongnu so thoroughly they fled north in disarray, and how he enjoyed the people’s support. Qing Xia listened as if sitting on pins and needles, though her expression remained unchanged. What emperors throughout history feared most was having someone in the realm more beloved by the people than themselves, especially this naturally suspicious Qin King who had forced his father to death and executed a group of brothers to obtain the throne. These people were ostensibly praising Qin Zhiyan, but in reality they were arousing the Qin King’s suspicions – their intentions were sinister, killing without showing blood. At this point, Qing Xia was even more certain of her initial thoughts – when Zhiyan returned to the city that day, someone had definitely manipulated the situation.

She saw Qin Zhiyan smile lightly, his expression gentle and calm as he said in a clear voice: “Your son is Father Emperor’s sharp arrow – wherever Father Emperor’s blade points, your son shoots. Since Father Emperor took the throne, all within the seas have submitted and the northern frontier has been peaceful. The soldiers’ fighting spirit is high as they defend against enemies at the front precisely because they have Father Emperor’s benevolent virtue and magnanimity as their backing. As long as Father Emperor sits in the center governing Great Qin, naturally all under heaven will be at peace with no one daring to invade even slightly.”

No one in this world dislikes being flattered – it only depends on the skill of the flatterer. Qin Zhiyan was naturally an expert in this regard, as could be seen from how the Qin King’s face lit up with joy upon hearing these words.

The Second Prince Qin Zhiyi chuckled lowly and said: “Father Emperor is indeed a model for all us sons to learn from. Now with four kingdoms standing together, our Great Qin dominates the north with strong armies and fine horses – this is the perfect opportunity to compete for the realm. We sons are still waiting to follow Father Emperor’s leadership to compete in the Central Plains, sweep across the six directions, and restore our Great Qin to its peak glory! Therefore, Father Emperor must take care of your dragon body to complete this great undertaking that will last through the ages!”

For these three hundred years, every generation of Great Qin rulers had made it their mission to restore ancestral institutions and unify the realm. Hearing Qin Zhiyi’s words, the Qin King’s smile deepened.

The Seventh Prince Qin Zhicheng continued: “Second brother speaks truly. Since Great Qin’s founding, we have competed for the realm and been invincible wherever we went. The great undertaking of pacifying worldly strife, ending warfare, and bringing all within the four seas under our territory will surely be initiated by Father Emperor’s hands.”

The Ninth Prince Qin Zhimin, his robes flowing, exchanged a glance with Qin Zhiyi before standing up and declaring loudly: “That’s natural. Among the four kingdoms today, our Great Qin leads. Eastern Qi is small with few people – its territory isn’t even as large as our northern frontier. Their armies aren’t strong, so they’re nothing to fear. Western Chuan just experienced upheaval less than two years ago and the country is weakened. Moreover, the Western Chuan Emperor has entrusted all state affairs to Yan Hui, someone who is lazy, simple-minded, and dissolute in conduct – hardly worthy of serious consideration. As for Southern Chu, the southern frontier wars haven’t ended, and now they face great drought with parched earth for thousands of li. Their domestic court is unstable, and Chu Li is just a yellow-mouthed child who recently ascended the throne – what capability could he have? If our Great Qin iron cavalry strikes with elite force, we’ll surely crush them like dry weeds, defeating them in one stroke!”

Hearing this, Crown Prince Qin Zhixian beside the Qin King smiled: “Southern Chu having no worthy people isn’t just a recent development. When Chu Li was initially sent to Eastern Qi as a hostage, he lived like a pig or dog for many years, barely surviving. Once he suddenly rose to high position, he became arrogant and domineering like a nouveau riche, even daring to rashly cross blades with our Great Qin – he’s simply gone mad. With Father Emperor’s heroic talent and grand strategy, how could you consider such a person an opponent and thereby tarnish Father Emperor’s mighty reputation?”

Qin Zhiyi said: “I heard Chu Li obtained his throne by sleeping with women – Eastern Qi’s Dowager Empress Xiao, Southern Frontier’s Saintess Wusi Mei’er, and Madam Zhu Lan from Liyuan’s Southern Mansion were all his bedside companions, and he even married a daughter of the Lingnan Zhu clan. A realm built by relying on women’s skirts – what capability could it have? It’s nothing more than autumn ripples, mirror flowers and water moon – it would shatter at a touch.”

Seeing the Qin King was pleased, everyone chimed in even more enthusiastically, disparaging the people of the other three kingdoms until they couldn’t be disparaged further, as if the Qin King need only wave his hand and declare unification for the other three kingdoms to shamefully commit suicide and offer their territories. Then a prince seated further back suddenly spoke up: “I heard that in Southern Chu’s court now, it’s still the Lingnan Zhu daughter who listens to government from behind the curtain – Chu Li is merely a puppet. He’s been married for many years yet has no heir. Speaking of it, he must have injured his body when he served as a male favorite to Eastern Qi’s Great Emperor back then. The Chu clan of Southern Chu will likely end with him.”

As soon as these words fell, a crisp cracking sound suddenly rang out. Everyone looked up in unison to see the black-robed, snow-skinned woman with a gloomy expression and cold, sharp eyes. A white jade wine cup shattered between her two fingers, bright red blood flowing out and dripping onto the white jade table, making it even more shocking to behold.

Deathly silence filled the great hall. All eyes focused on her – the clear-featured woman in black gold-embroidered brocade robes with lotus leaf shoulders, prominent collarbones, snow-white skin and bright eyes, sitting calmly behind the long table. Her face was gloomy as a storm approaching, her eyes showed no ripples like a frozen lake, revealing not the slightest emotion.

The Second Prince Qin Zhiyi chuckled lightly and said in a clear voice: “I had forgotten that Miss Zhuang comes from Southern Chu. Her father was once Southern Chu’s Grand Tutor and also a great scholar of Eastern Qi – a minister of two courts with shocking talent that crowned the realm. Like father, like daughter – the young lady comes from a scholarly family and has resided in the rear palaces of Eastern Qi and Southern Chu, even served in Western Chuan’s army. She must understand worldly affairs well. Why not enlighten us with some explanation?”

The Crown Prince slapped his forehead: “I had forgotten too – Second brother is wise. Miss, inheriting your father’s aspirations, you must have elegance in your heart and encompass the universe in your mouth.”

The Qin King seemed to notice Qing Xia beside Qin Zhiyan only now, his eyes narrowing slightly as he said in a deep voice: “So this is Zhuang Dianru’s daughter?”

Qin Zhiyan’s expression didn’t change as he said solemnly: “Reporting to Father Emperor, she…”

“This commoner woman is indeed Zhuang Qingxia.” A voice suddenly interrupted Qin Zhiyan. Qing Xia slowly stood up and walked to the center of the great hall, kneeling and kowtowing to the Qin King: “Commoner woman Zhuang Qingxia is honored to receive Your Majesty’s inquiry. Here I kowtow in gratitude for this imperial grace, wishing Your Majesty ten thousand years of longevity and auspicious health.”

The Qin King smiled faintly: “Rise. I’ve long heard that the scholar Zhuang Dianru was learned in ancient and modern times, with wisdom spanning East and West – the world’s greatest scholar. Seeing his daughter today, she is indeed extraordinary.”

Qing Xia, dressed magnificently with bright eyes and white teeth, slowly stood and smiled at the Qin King: “When my father was alive, he often said Great Qin was the world’s greatest nation, that the Qin King’s martial skills and strategies could be called the pinnacle of the age. Twenty years ago at Yumen Pass in the northwest, you defeated superior numbers and struck the heart of the enemy, crushing eighty thousand Xiongnu allied troops in one stroke, thus stabilizing Great Qin’s northern frontier defense. Seventeen years ago at Mengliang Bay, your seventy-two naval routes battled Eastern Qi’s naval masters and achieved great victory, opening the path for Northern Qin to become a strong nation. Fifteen years ago you conquered vast northern frontier territories, with all Western Region barbarians submitting, opening up over two million li of territory – truly the glorious achievements of a prosperous age that can be called the greatest emperor of all time!”

Hearing this, the Qin King was overjoyed and laughed heartily, his voice much more resonant. These were precisely the proudest achievements of his life, and being praised by the high-minded Zhuang Dianru who had once declared Eastern Qi had no future and defected – how could he not be delighted? He smiled: “Master Zhuang flatters me too much. To call me the greatest emperor of all time – I dare not accept such praise.”

“There was a time when this commoner woman deeply agreed with my father’s views. But today, having come to this Great Qin Taihe Hall and seen Your Majesty and the many princes’ true faces, this commoner woman has somewhat different thoughts!”

“Audacious!” The Crown Prince suddenly erupted in fury, shouting angrily: “A mere woman dares to speak wildly in the Taihe Hall – you’re simply seeking death!”

With a thud, Qing Xia knelt on the ground, raising her head and declaring loudly: “This commoner woman’s character is such – when I have words in my heart, I cannot rest until I speak them. Everything I say is out of reverence for His Majesty the Qin King. If Your Majesty’s ears can only hear the flattering sweet words of petty people and cannot accept harsh but loyal advice, then please have this commoner woman dragged out and executed!”

The great hall fell into deathly silence. Everyone stared at the black-robed, snow-skinned young woman kneeling in the Taihe Hall, their hearts surging with turbulent emotions as various kinds of gazes shot toward her.

The Qin King pondered slightly, finally saying expressionlessly in a deep voice: “Very well, then speak your harsh but loyal advice.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Qing Xia slowly rose, turned around and looked coldly at the Ninth Prince Qin Zhimin who had been speaking eloquently earlier, sneering: “Just now the Ninth Prince briefly analyzed the four kingdoms’ situation. This commoner woman has some shallow views in her heart – now showing off before Lu Ban’s door, please forgive my presumption, Your Highness.”

The Ninth Prince looked at her coldly and said icily: “Miss Zhuang, please speak.”

Qing Xia sneered inwardly and said solemnly: “Your Highness just said Eastern Qi has a small territory and weak people, Western Chuan has an incompetent ruler and foolish ministers, Southern Chu faces internal and external troubles – all unable to withstand our Great Qin’s iron cavalry. Is that correct?”

“That’s right. Wherever our Great Qin’s blade points, all within the four seas submit – that’s natural.”

Qing Xia snorted coldly and said mercilessly: “An ant trying to shake a great tree – laughably overestimating yourself!”

Hearing this, Qin Zhimin flew into a rage and shouted sternly: “What did you say?”

“I said you’re short-sighted, arrogant, and think too highly of yourself! If all of Great Qin’s military and civilians are as proud and conceited as you, then the magnificent thousand-year foundation of the Great Qin Empire will face its day of destruction soon!”

Qin Zhimin erupted in fury and with a whoosh drew the sword at his waist, angrily shouting: “Audacious!”

As soon as the words fell, there was a sharp whooshing sound as a bright object shot out, striking the hilt of Qin Zhimin’s not-yet-drawn sword with a clang, forcing him to sheath it again. Qin Zhiyan picked up a new cup, not even glancing at him, and said indifferently: “With Father Emperor above, Ninth Brother should be more self-aware. Drawing weapons and showing no respect for elders – do you want to rebel?”

Qin Zhimin’s face turned red as he stood there speechless.

Qing Xia sneered: “The Ninth Prince’s eyes can only see others’ shortcomings but not their strengths – if that’s not short-sightedness, what is? Eastern Qi is located by the Eastern Sea with the longest coastline among the four kingdoms. Their salt industry is developed, fishing industry prosperous, they build their nation on commerce with a rich country and strong people. Once our two nations go to war, Great Qin will surely be cut off from salt after three months, trade will be blocked, the economy will collapse after five months, and reserves will be insufficient – how can we wage war? Conversely, Eastern Qi’s military and civilians are skilled in naval warfare. Mutian Pass dominates the east – they can advance to attack or retreat to defend. If our northern frontier cavalry enters the marshlands of Jiangnan, how can they gallop on horseback, how can they maintain military supplies, how can they coordinate provisions, how can they adapt to the complex and ever-changing naval warfare? Has Your Highness considered any of these points?”