"Ah! Of course, my daughter is willing! Hehe! Mother, where are we going?" Zhang Yuping asked Zhao Ji. "Once we get there, you'll find out!" Zhao Ji played coy. Zhang Yuping didn't press further, but instead noticed the clear, luminous bead hanging at Zhao Ji's neck—the kind that glimmers beautifully when worn by the mother, adding a touch of grace and elegance to Zhao Ji's demeanor. Zhang Yuping's eyes sparkled with wonder. She had once seen jewelry similar to Zhao Ji's at the U.S. National Museum, labeled at $50 million and designated as a national treasure. It seemed that a significant portion of the U.S.'s fine jewelry originated from our ancient Chinese civilization. Moreover, clearly, these treasures had been smuggled over during the specific era of the Qin Dynasty in our Chinese history. What a delight it would be if these national treasure-level artifacts could be returned safely to their homeland. Zhang Yuping was pondering deeply when a maid attending the Empress Dowager approached. Her name was Ningxiang, and she bowed respectfully and said, "The Empress Dowager has instructed you to bathe and change at Yaochi." "Yaochi?" Zhang Yuping asked herself, wondering what the Empress Dowager intended. Under Ningxiang's guidance, Zhang Yuping wound her way through the lush trees and blooming flowers, turning several times before suddenly coming upon a breathtaking view. "Wonderful! So beautiful!" Zhang Yuping exclaimed, seeing a square water pool measuring thirty meters on each side, shrouded in mist, like a fairy realm. She hurried over and immediately felt a warm, soothing flow enveloping her body. "Daughter! Come here and join me in the bath!" Zhang Yuping turned toward the voice and saw a graceful, dignified woman in the center of the pool inviting her. "Mother! Yes! I'm here!" Zhang Yuping promptly removed her outer robe and stepped into the pool. This is a hot spring, perfect for soaking and bathing. Zhang Yuping and Gao Liang have both journeyed to the Qin Dynasty, and over the past few days, they've been adjusting to their new surroundings, keeping their nerves constantly tense. Now, to simply soak in this comfortable hot spring bath—what a source of happiness! While Zhang Yuping is washing herself in the Yao Pool, she doesn't notice that as she removes her clothes, her fair, porcelain-like skin comes into view—luminous as fresh snow, with a delicate pink glow, especially alluring. Zhang Yuping's skin truly maintains its excellent condition, which is no wonder she's reluctant to serve Gao Liang as a servant carrying loads! Her graceful figure in the pool resembles a celestial maiden descending to earth, personally bathing in the Yao Pool. As she closes her eyes and enjoys the soothing, massaging sensation of the hot spring, Zhang Yuping notices that her back seems to be being gently massaged—most comfortable. She doesn't feel the need to open her eyes, simply humming softly in rhythm with the massage. "Is it comfortable?" a voice asks her. "Yes!" Zhang Yuping closed her eyes, her face glowing with happiness. "Is there anything more comfortable?" a voice asked. "Yes!" Zhang Yuping said without even thinking, but as soon as she spoke, she immediately opened her eyes—wow! It was her maternal aunt, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji. Zhang Yuping blushed deeply, her cheeks flushed, and lowered her head modestly. At that moment, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji glanced at her, chuckled lightly, and said, "As your mother, I can make you feel incredibly comfortable. Shall we try?" With that, she took a deep breath of the hot spring water and gently exhaled it onto Zhang Yuping's earlobe, neck, and the swollen, mound-like areas of her chest, which rose like small mountains. The water was gentle—no substance in the world could be more gentle, more accommodating than water. The phrase "gentle as water" used to describe a beautiful woman now fully embodied in Empress Dowager Zhao Ji, a mature middle-aged woman, who, before, had always maintained the dignity of a sovereign empress, now completely shed that regal presence to reveal her genuine self. "No! Your Majesty! Mother!" When Zhang Yупing suddenly felt, alongside the gentle touch of the water, the warm pressure of two delicate hands massaging her chest, she sensed that Zhao Ji's body was growing warm. "Kiss me! Kiss me now!" Zhao Ji's urgent voice rang out, and Zhang Yупing could hardly believe that the Empress Mother before her was behaving this way. She was, after all, a lesbian! Wasn't it? Historically, Zhao Ji had been a courtesan in Zhao, rescued by Lord Lu Buwei, who was pursuing a grand political strategy—supporting Prince Zi Chu, the Qin prince serving as a hostage in Zhao, and safely transporting him to Qin, while also marrying the woman he had purchased, Zhao Ji, to Prince Zi Chu. It's said that she went with her already pregnant. Thus, the claim that the true father of the First Emperor was Lord Lu Buwei holds considerable merit. Prince Chu, who became King Zhuangxiang of Qin, though his reign was brief and ended due to illness, achieved a renowned military victory—the Battle of Changping—during his rule. This decisive campaign effectively shattered Zhao's core military strength, after which Zhao was no longer able to challenge the powerful Qin forces. Upon the death of King Zhuangxiang, his son, Ying Zheng, ascended the throne and launched sweeping reforms. He appointed Li Si as the Chancellor of the Qin state and, following a well-conceived national strategy, successfully unified the six states. Due to his growing prominence and a large network of loyal followers, Lord Lu Nuo often found himself the subject of murmurs and criticisms reaching the ears of Ying Zheng. Gradually, the young king distanced himself from his relationship with Lu Nuo, eventually exiling him to a distant region. Two men—Prince Chu and Lord Lu Nuo—had both left Zhao Ji; yet the passionate longing that Zhao Ji had nurtured remained unfulfilled. Having stayed in the palace for a long time, she felt increasingly lonely and yearned for companionship. Lao Ai, a mere mosquito, had risen steadily through the ranks thanks to Qiu Buwei's promotion and his skill in pleasing the Empress Dowager. As a result, he had become a marquis. Zhao Ji, though a noble Empress Dowager, was a regular woman—after all, even empresses are human. She needed a man by her side, someone to share her life. Yet, at night when the hours grew deep and quiet, she longed for a man she truly loved, someone who would tend to her. Though now in her forties, she remained graceful and vibrant, thanks to the nourishing foods and potions consumed in the palace, making her appear as if she were still in her thirties—radiant and charming. Li Ai dared to come over at night by climbing through the window, knowing that Zhao Ji, the Empress Mother, felt lonely and yearning. Although, in Zhao Ji's eyes, he was not as esteemed as Zi Chu or Lü Buwei, he had once rendered valuable service by escorting her from Zhao to Qin, and thus, Zhao Ji still cherished that past favor and would not treat him harshly. Fortunately, his daughter-in-law Zhang Yuping had stepped in to save him. As a token of gratitude, Zhao Ji naturally cherished and protected him deeply. His son, Qin Shi Huang, had now become a dominant ruler, his wings fully grown and strong, able to soar freely. Yet, he himself remained without any familial affection to support and care for him. The scene returned to reality. Zhang Yuping heard Zhao Ji say, "Kiss me! Kiss me quickly!" At that moment, she was quite surprised—could it be that this dignified Empress, so grand in stature, was actually a lesbian? Zhang Yuping hesitated, while Zhao Ji didn’t press her at all. Instead, Zhao Ji gently massaged her own body, not exactly—she held a banana and used it to gently stroke her most sensitive areas, humming softly, “Ah! Hm!” enjoying the moment. Listening to this, Zhang Yuping suddenly thought of someone—her husband, Gao Liang. When Gao Liang had passionately kissed her, she too had emitted the same deeply sensual sounds as Zhao Ji. Zhang Yuping began to imagine vividly the moment of intense passion she had shared with her husband. As Zhang Yuping’s own desire stirred, Zhao Ji suddenly began to glide the large banana back and forth across Zhang Yuping’s breast creases. Zhang Yuping, now unable to resist, felt a sense of panic unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Zhang Yuping is a simple, pure-hearted girl. Naturally, she feels both shy and ashamed about such intimate matters, yet somehow, she finds herself utterly unable to resist Zhao Ji's large banana. This large banana reminds her of her husband's own beloved—majestic and full of vigor, both admired and a little afraid of. No, she can't go on like this. After her heart races like a deer's, Zhang Yuping uses her reason to firmly suppress that alluring sensation. It's hardest of all to overcome oneself, and only now does she truly grasp this. "No! Your Majesty! Please uphold your dignity!"