She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 602 - 601: He Was Even More Dashing Before
Between her and that old fellow, Song Huaxu, new grudges were added to old ones, hatred piling upon hatred, until she wished he were better off dead.
By now, she was also certain that Song Huaxu had recognized her.
After all, he had taught her the face-changing technique himself.
"You are too kind, Envoy, please." Qin Zhen lifted her cup, drank it all in one go, then turned the empty cup upside down in the air to show she had finished, leaving him to do as he pleased.
Song Huaxu narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with profound meaning, "Though the Prime Minister is a woman, she is refreshingly straightforward, something I admire."
As he spoke, he too finished the wine in his cup.
Qin Zhen smiled, "Envoy, you got it wrong there. What does it matter whether one is a woman or a man? Personal traits and capabilities are what matter, not gender. Isn’t our Qin State the best example? You should not let the past skew your perceptions, Envoy."
Song Huaxu did not expect his casual platitudes to be seized upon by Qin Zhen, who started targeting him directly.
The previous Yan Wanqing would not have done this.
Right now, he was uncertain whether it was Su Bai or Yan Wanqing who was lucid.
However, what he could be certain of was that she was now beyond his control.
This was somewhat troublesome.
With that thought, Song Huaxu slightly narrowed his eyes again.
It seemed he would have to stay in Qin State for a while longer.
"The Prime Minister is right; my thoughts were indeed outdated. I stand corrected by your teachings," Song Huaxu did not confront her directly.
His purpose was not to flaunt the might of Chu Kingdom, so these matters were of little significance to him.
But in the eyes of the Qin people, it appeared as though Qin Zhen had managed to secure some dignity for Qin State, causing them to hold her in higher regard.
Naturally, the discontent caused by Qin Zhen’s investigation into the official silver a few days earlier was slightly diminished in their hearts.
"In fact, my lord has sent me on a mission. With the world in turmoil and the people suffering, our ruler of Chu Kingdom genuinely wishes to foster good relations with Qin State, thus he purposely sent me at this critical time," Song Huaxu lifted his wine cup towards Qin Wu, revealing a smile that suggested he was determined to succeed.
There were indeed many ways to foster good relations.
Especially during the ongoing war between Chu Kingdom and Dawei, Chu Kingdom’s sending an envoy was particularly thought-provoking, seemingly intending to involve Qin State.
However, Qin Zhen had already laid the psychological groundwork for a tripartite balance with Qin Wu’s help, and with Yan Li’an successfully persuading the states of Zhao and Song, she was currently rushing back with the Imperial Edict.
So, right now, Qin Wu felt very secure.
She slowly set down her wine cup, "Ah, Taoist Song, today is your welcoming banquet, let’s not talk politics. Tonight, we need only be merry."
Then, with a grand gesture toward the musicians and dancers, "Continue the music, continue the dance."
She completely ignored Song Huaxu’s conversational thread.
The corners of Song Huaxu’s lips slightly stiffened.
But he was always patient.
Moreover, with Yan Wanqing sitting next to Qin Wu, being somewhat clever, Qin Wu’s reaction was also expected.
He was not in a hurry.
Though Qin State was on an upward trajectory, it still found itself in chaotic times.
Compared to Chu Kingdom, it was slightly troublesome, but it was not insurmountable for them to come and attack.
Song Huaxu suppressed the maliciousness in his heart and slightly furrowed his brow, raising his wine glass, "Drink!"
With him leading, the few accompanying ministers from Chu Kingdom finally raised their glasses and began to drink, slightly easing the atmosphere.
Today’s feast featured strong liquor, and all the dancers were Oirans selected by Qin Zhen from the Jinyang Flower House for their enchanting figures and naturally seductive qualities, who, at her instruction, were now throwing themselves at the ministers, including one sitting next to Song Huaxu.
Qin Zhen saw that some of the Chu envoys, with weaker resolve, were already beginning to show their worst.
Thus, she exchanged a glance with Qin Wu.
"Quick, help the ministers to rest, this drink, oh my..." Qin Wu pretended to be drunk as well, slowly rising with a stagger, swiftly supported by the alert Qin Zhen. She pressed her forehead and slightly furrowed her brow, "I have drunk too much as well. Prime Minister, help me retire to rest."
Qin Zhen supported Qin Wu as they moved behind the screen. As they were leaving, she glanced sideways at Song Huaxu, noticing his cheeks slightly flushed, his forehead resting on the table surface. Even with the face of an older man, he still managed to make the oiran’s heart race.
Indeed, no matter the age, men with charisma can still attract women.
"How is it?" Qin Wu straightened up as soon as they were out of sight.
She had been drinking water that Qin Zhen had switched out early in the morning; she was not the least bit drunk.
Qin Zhen shook his head, "They have not left their seats yet, but everything has been arranged thoroughly and should proceed without hindrance."
"Hmph, that dog Chu Qi, with Dawei already overwhelmed, he still dares to covet Qin State. This time, let him be utterly humiliated!" she said fiercely, gritting her teeth.
But soon she realized another problem, "That long-nosed Taoist mentioned during the banquet that he wanted to be on good terms with Qin State. I fear he might propose a marriage alliance."
"Since ancient times, marriage alliances have been the quickest and best solution to political problems. If Chu Kingdom harbors this intention, it’s not surprising," Qin Zhen nodded and said, "However, unless absolutely necessary, Song Huaxu would probably not propose it. At most, he would want us to sign some friendly agreement to prevent us from allying with Dawei too soon."
"I’m worried he recognized you. If he targets you continuously afterward, what should we do?" This was the real reason Qin Wu had been restraining herself at today’s banquet.
She did not want Yan Wanqing to be recognized.
"He has recognized me." And it was from the first glance.
"What?!" Qin Wu was dumbfounded, "How did he recognize you? You played Qin Zhen so perfectly. Sometimes even I find it hard to tell the real from the fake."
Qin Zhen sighed, "He has been my master for many years, my face-changing technique was taught by him. Moreover, the moment I appeared in Qin State, he followed. Perhaps there’s still something he placed in my body. Fortunately, Song Huaxu always prides himself on being aloof. He disdains to expose others’ identities."
Qin Wu had heard about the issues between Song Huaxu and the national guardian.
Still, the fact that things had deteriorated to such a life-and-death struggle between former master and apprentice was something to sigh over.
"He definitely came for you this time. The angel envoy is just a front," Qin Wu couldn’t help saying. "But why? Why is he so obsessed with you?"
"I don’t know either," Qin Zhen pursed her lips; her lips turned slightly pale, her eyes filled with towering hatred, not just from her ancestors, but also from what she endured in Chu Kingdom for these three years. All because of Song Huaxu.
"No matter what role I played in it, Song Huaxu’s purpose to end the world will not change," Qin Zhen stared at Qin Wu and said word by word, "So the tripartite balance must succeed, not fail!"
No matter what, they could not let Song Huaxu’s plot succeed.
Not just for Qin State, but for all the people in the world.
Qin Wu was startled, "That long-nosed Taoist actually harbors such grand ambitions? I really did not see it coming. With such a benevolent face, how can his thoughts be so vile? He could choose anything to do, yet he wants to end the world."
How audacious of him!
"Before, he was even more prominent," Qin Zhen jokingly said, "He was admired as a celestial figure."
"Really? You should paint him for me to see," Qin Wu pulled Qin Zhen towards the sleeping palace; "We can’t sleep tonight anyway, I’ll find something for you to do."
Meanwhile, the ministers assisted by the singers had returned to their rooms; soon, the soft, seductive moans filled the air, causing the palace attendants to avert their eyes in disgust, wishing they could block their ears.
"Call out." A dark voice came from the front of the table.
The oiran, her face pale, collapsed onto the couch, somewhat in disbelief.
"Otherwise, kill." The words of killing slipped from his lips as casually as discussing daily meals.
The oiran, not wanting to delay, quickly whimpered.
She had thought she was lucky not to serve a fat old minister, but she had never imagined that this Taoist would be even more terrifying, icy through and through, always ready to kill.
Song Huaxu sat in the chair, his back ramrod straight.
He poured a cup of aromatic tea from the teapot.
He smelled it close to his nose.
His disciple was becoming less and less competent, daring to use such low-grade narcotic.
What a pity for the tea.
He lifted the tea cup to his lips and began to sip the tea.
