“How do you know Her Majesty’s name? There should have been no one in the world who knows who she is. Who are you?” The black-armored general rushed up to Zu An as it demanded with a fevered tone.
The other party’s powerful presence made it hard for Zu An to breathe. He gulped fearfully as his heart quivered in hesitation. Should I gamble it?
He was aware that even if the black-armored general viewed him as its friend, it was unlikely that it would let Chu Chuyan go. Since that was the case, he had no choice but to give it a try.
Go big or go home! If I’m right, it’ll be all good. If I’m wrong, well, death is the worst that can happen.
“Hahaha! You’re asking who I am?” Zu An suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
Qiao Xueying turned to stare at him with a bewildered look. Has this fellow been scared silly?
“I’m the one who has risen above the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors[2] to become the first sovereign emperor of the world! I am Qin Shihuang, Ying Zheng[3]!” Zu An put on an air of royalty as he spoke. “How could I possibly not know the name of my own empress?”
In a hidden space in the depths of the underground palace, within a big crystal coffin, lay a beautiful woman drabbed in the fineries worn only by the empress. She opened her eyes and spat, “That bastard! How dare he takes advantage of me?”
On the altar, Zhang Han was utterly shocked. He staggered a few steps backward in shock before murmuring weakly, “Y-Your Majesty?”
Qiao Xueying was baffled, unable to comprehend what they were saying at all.
What sovereign emperor and Qin Shihuang? Why haven’t I heard any of that before? It’s lucky that we’re the only ones here, or else if word were to spread that he proclaimed himself as emperor, the whole Chu clan will be executed together with him.
Only Chu Chuyan frowned upon hearing those words. She remembered hearing those names from the historical records in the academy, but there were very few details stated in there. This world was severely lacking in the research of historical text.
“Zhang Han, why are you not kneeling despite being in my presence?!” Zu An roared majestically, but his heart was beating quickly in unease. Did I go too big this time around?
“Chamberlain of Palace Revenue, Zhang Han, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!”
The black-armored general recalled how it thought the latter felt close to it earlier on. With all of this circumstantial evidence in place, it quickly kneeled onto the floor and kowtowed to Zu An.
The two women were so shocked that their eyeballs nearly popped out. It was unbelievable to them how a powerful expert like the black-armored general was actually kowtowing to Zu An. They would have never imagined this to be possible.
Chu Chuyan fell into deep thought. The black-armored general had identified himself as the Chamberlain of Palace Revenue, which was one of the Nine Ministers. He was in charge of collecting land taxes and managing the imperial family’s vault. He was also responsible for maintaining the imperial garden, imperial chambers, and all building-related matters.
That would explain why the black-armored general was so powerful. It turned out that it was a ninth rank cultivator. This would also explain why this place resembled the mausoleum of the imperial family.
But what is happening with Ah Zu? Is he really that Ying Zheng he claims himself to be?
“How long are you going to continue holding me hostage?” said Zu An coldly.
“I dare not to!” Zhang Han quickly released the bindings around Zu An as it wondered why the emperor had turned so weak.
Having guessed its thoughts, Zu An added, “I’ve only just regained my memories. I haven’t regained my strength yet. You may rise.”
Zhang Han nodded in realization, satisfied with the explanation. “Thank you, Your Majesty. It looks like Xu Fu has successfully found the art of longevity for Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!”
Zu An was dumbfounded.
Wow, this is really queer. It’s exactly as what I’ve heard about the Qin Dynasty in my previous life… but did the Qin Dynasty in my previous life have such formidable cultivators too?
Something must be wrong here!
However, since he had already begun the act, there was no choice but to see it through to the end. So, he sighed deeply and said, “What’s the point? My Great Qin Dynasty has already fallen!”
Zhang Han quickly kneeled onto the ground frightfully and cried out, “I deserve death for my incompetence!”
1. The distinction is made between the Qin Country and Qin Dynasty. Before the Qin Country united the Central Plains and formed its own empire, it had kings and queens. It’s only after the unification that emperors and empresses came to be.
2. They are mythological rulers of ancient China. Qin Shihuang believed that he’s above them, which is why he put the two words together to highlight his high standing.
3. Qin Shihuang is his title, which means Founding Emperor of Qin, whereas Ying Zheng is his birth name.