Woo! How could she possibly escape from the lion's den? Thinking of her own purity being threatened in such a way, Zhang Yuping's heart felt as though it were being torn apart. She didn't take off her clothes; instead, she kept walking inward. Yet, a voice called her back: "Oh! Such a beautiful lady! The way you're shy and bashful—surely you're new here! Come, sit with me, my dear, and let's chat!" The elder sister, with thick layers of red makeup on her lips, spoke warmly. Zhang Yuping noticed that the sister had no ill intentions and was genuinely kind, so she approached. The beauty known as Feng Jie studied Zhang Yuping with a pleased gaze and admired her: "You've arrived! Our cosmetics now seem to pale in comparison! I'm certain Lord Hou will surely be delighted to honor you today! Congratulations!" "Feng Jie! Is there any way out? I was taken against my will! Feng Jie! Please help me find a way! I really need it!" Zhang Yuping was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. Feng Jia paused for a moment, then finally bit her lip and said, "I can't really help you, but I know someone. Hurry! Come with me—let's go find her!" After speaking, she immediately pulled Zhang Yuping and led her toward another area. Along the way, the guards on either side asked questions. Feng Jia produced her waist card, waved it in front of them, and the two guards then stopped questioning. The path wound through several turns and bends, and they arrived at a magnificent estate that was no less splendid than the Qin Imperial Palace—something that surprised Zhang Yuping. Where exactly was this? Feng Jia led Zhang Yuping to the main hall of the estate, where she guided her to kneel before a dignified and graceful noble lady. The lady asked, "What is it?" "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, I have selected a maid for you," Feng Jia stated clearly. This surprised Zhang Yuping greatly—what Empress Dowager? Oh! I don't recognize her at all. When did I last hear of her? Before I married my husband and traveled back to the Qin Dynasty, I had studied Qin Zhang Yuping couldn't figure it out in her heart. "Indeed! This young lady is quite lovely! Very well! The Empress Dowager truly lacks a maid—excellent! I accept her!" The Empress Dowager had a favorable impression of Zhang Yuping and immediately agreed. Yet Zhang Yuping found herself hesitating—how could she possibly serve as a maid to the Empress Dowager? The Empress Dowager's words, however, sounded just like the edicts of Qin Shi Huang—how could she possibly refuse? Well, as long as the Marquis didn't make any unwanted advances, she would just have to endure for now! Zhang Yuping settled for self-reassurance. Before leaving, Feng Jia reminded Zhang Yuping, "Remember! Serve the Empress Dowager well. Don't wander too much. Should the Marquis come into contact with you, I won't be able to help you!" Zhang Yuping nodded gratefully. Zhang Yuping served the Empress Dowager a cup of coffee—this one, however, was carefully chosen. Before her journey across time, Zhang had brought it with her, and now, to serve the Empress Dowager, she had made a deliberate choice, quite frankly, for her own safety. She presented the coffee she personally enjoyed. At first, the Empress Dowager frowned at the drink, its flavor initially bitter. But when Zhang gently suggested, "Though this beverage is initially quite bitter, if you take the time to savor it, you'll discover a lingering, smooth quality that remains deeply felt in your heart," the Empress Dowager took a more thoughtful approach. After carefully tasting it, she finally clapped her hands with approval: "Excellent! Indeed, far more satisfying than my daily tea! It's just like me—originally born into hardship, and now, thanks to perseverance, I've reached this point. The bitterness has finally given way to sweetness! Now, I ask you—what is this drink called?" "Your Majesty," Zhang smiled warmly, "it's called coffee." "Coffee?!" "The Empress Dowager found the name quite interesting and was surprised to ask, 'Our Qin Dynasty was a unified empire—what haven't I seen throughout my life? How come I've never seen coffee before?' Zhang Yuping smiled gently, yet couldn't directly reveal the truth, so she skillfully replied, 'Your Majesty, in fact, coffee has been available in the court for some time now. However, since the drink is quite bitter, no one dared to present it to you!' The Empress Dowager was delighted by Zhang Yuping's grace. Turning to her, she said, 'Pingsheng! So many people were hesitant—why did you dare to bring it before me?' Zhang Yuping then skillfully responded, 'Your Majesty, I know you are so kind and generous, so...' With this, Zhang Yuping shone in the Empress Dowager's presence, leaving her deeply pleased. She immediately clapped her hands and exclaimed, 'It seems we truly share a special bond!' 'How about this—let me adopt you as my daughter!' she proposed." The Empress’s words left Zhang Yuping quite surprised, yet with the Empress present, she expressed her delight and said, "Thank you, Empress! I’ve truly elevated myself!" Immediately after, she bowed deeply in gratitude. When Zhang Yuping had been in Zhao’s Handan, she had studied the Qin court etiquette under the old Master Zhao, and upon seeing the Empress, she had said, "Mother, here is your daughter, offering her respects!" "Daughter! Please rise!" The Empress quickly helped her up. With just a cup of coffee and a few words, Zhang Yuping had managed to secure the once-unreachable Empress—something she had never imagined possible. Now, the relationship between Zhang Yuping and the Empress had instantly risen to that of mother and daughter. As evening fell and the Empress prepared to retire for the night, someone stealthily made their way toward her sleeping pavilion, glancing here and there with a nervous air. "Zhao Ji! Zhao Ji! It’s me! It’s me!" Zhang Yuping, who was sleeping in a small chamber adjacent to the Empress’s, clearly heard the courtly, admiring voice of the "Go! It's so late! You've just come through the window!" It was Zhao Ji's voice. Zhang Yeping, having studied Qin history, instantly understood. The imperial consort who had sworn mother-daughter bonds with her was none other than Zhao Ji, the biological mother of Qin Shi Huang. And the so-called stout, noble lord—was none other than the historical figure Lao Ai, the true commoner of the court. "No! Please leave! I am the Empress Dowager! You can't!" Zhang Yeping heard her maternal figure urging Lao Ai to depart, yet Lao Ai, like a toad, stared at the graceful, mature Empress Dowager, his mouth already flowing with saliva. What was Qin Shi Huang to him? Could he even dare to sleep with the Empress's beautiful wife? Lao Ai was truly bold—instead of listening to a single word from Zhao Ji, he stubbornly pouted, smiling lasciviously. "Zhao Ji! I know you feel lonely and yearning in the quiet, splendid Yung Palace. Recently, I've taken a tonic that enables me to sustain a long-term engagement. I intend to use my body to comfort your lonely soul!" "Enough!" Get out! Get out! Otherwise, I—” Zhao Ji didn't finish her sentence. Lao Ai had already pressed his plump, salty pork hand firmly against her mouth, saying, “Shut up! Tonight, we’ll share a delightful evening together—enjoy the pleasures of life!” Zhao Ji was powerless to resist. As Lao Ai eagerly removed her garments, a voice suddenly broke in: “Don’t move the Empress! Otherwise, I’ll personally report to the Emperor!” Lao Ai was startled. He turned around—there she was, the beautiful woman he had just brought in. He was now furious, glaring fiercely at Zhang Yu Ping and saying, “Dare you? Here, I’m the one in charge. Even the Empress will have to give me some ground!” Zhang Yu Ping remained calm. She pulled the curtain open all at once and pointed at Lao Ai, saying, “If you don’t leave, I can shout out loud from here. Even if I don’t personally inform the Emperor, someone will surely go and report on my own. Then, when the Emperor finds out, he’ll be furious!” I didn't expect you to be...” Lao Ai was genuinely surprised that this seemingly delicate and gentle young woman had proven so formidable at this crucial moment. Setting down Zhao Ji, she turned to Zhang Yuping and said, “This time, you win. But it’s not over—next time, I’ll make sure you’ll see it coming!” After Lao Ai left, Zhao Ji and Zhang Yuping embraced and wept together. “Mother!” “Daughter!” “If my daughter hadn’t come to save Mother, I fear Mother would have lost her virtue!” Zhang Yuping was deeply moved, realizing that although she had read countless historical records about the Qin Dynasty, those accounts consistently portrayed Zhao Ji as a promiscuous empress—yet today’s display of dignity and strength completely contradicted that image. “Mother! Lao Ai has been so overbearing. From now on, we must remain vigilant!” Zhang Yuping spoke both to herself and to her mother. “Indeed. I wouldn’t have asked the Emperor to grant him the title of Marquis if it weren’t for the fact that he carried me from Zhao to Qin!” Zhao Ji said. “Little man! Little man!” Pah! Having become the Marquis, he's even eyeing the Empress now! I think such a person won't have a good outcome!" Zhang Yuping said to Zhao Ji. Zhao Ji nodded, yet her face remained full of helplessness. She sighed and said, "Daughter, I've been so restless these days! I long to go out and take a walk. Would you be able to accompany me?"