At this moment, Ying Zheng finally saw Zhao Gao's face.
For a long time, Zhao Gao had been subservient, always bowing his head and looking at people from the corner of his eye.
Over time, he realized it had been a long while since he had truly looked at the face of the person who had always been by his side, attending to his daily needs.
Those eyes were long, narrow, and cold, like a venomous snake.
Seeing Zhao Gao's expression, Ying Zheng's heart sank.
Then, Ying Zheng continued to walk upwards.
Lord Meng, who was beside him, also watched this scene in surprise.
He hadn't expected Ying Zheng to suddenly do something like this.
And seeing Zhao Gao's shocked appearance, Lord Meng's heart also skipped a beat.
Could it be that the man was truly right?
It wasn't until Ying Zheng and Lord Meng had walked quite a distance that Zhao Gao regained his senses, his heart almost leaping out of his throat.
He quickly went to chase after the two, but his legs were weak, and he stumbled several times before he could barely steady himself and catch up to them.
They entered Zhangtai Palace.
Ying Zheng sat down, his gaze sharp, like an eagle watching its prey, and a wolf looking back.
Lord Meng lowered his eyes, not daring to look.
His heart was also filled with unease; the events that had transpired today, the words he had heard, were simply too shocking.
If not for his somewhat closer relationship with Ying Zheng compared to ordinary subjects, he even felt that he would have been silenced long ago.
Zhao Gao also stood to Ying Zheng's left, his heart pounding.
Even the courage he had cultivated over many years of serving Ying Zheng personally was now difficult to bear.
He didn't understand why Ying Zheng would suddenly say those words.
Those were exactly his innermost thoughts.
The vow he had made the moment he became a eunuch.
He had endured endless humiliation, suffered insults from others, living like a dog.
He swore that one day, he would step by step, step by step, step by step, reach the highest position! He would be Zhao Gao!
He had never mentioned these words to anyone.
Because he had no family, no one he cared about.
Nor did he have anyone to confide in.
These words had only been shouted repeatedly in his heart.
But why did Ying Zheng know now?
And why did he say these words in front of him?
He didn't understand!
Even after serving Ying Zheng personally for so many years, he couldn't deduce what Ying Zheng's purpose was in saying those words.
"Are those Confucian scholars still protesting?" Ying Zheng asked slowly.
Zhao Gao bowed, "Replying to His Majesty, people have been sent to suppress them, but there are still some who are not afraid of death, protesting His Majesty's burning of books and burying of scholars."
Ying Zheng sneered, "It's not that I truly don't know what they're thinking! Anyone who dares to hide books shall be killed!"
Zhao Gao's waist bent even lower.
In all of Great Qin, Ying Zheng was heaven, holding the power of life and death.
If he wanted someone to die, they had to die.
No one could resist.
"You may withdraw first!" Ying Zheng said in a deep voice.
Zhao Gao hesitated for a moment, "Your Majesty, it's time for you to take your elixir!"
Upon hearing the words 'elixir', Ying Zheng's anger flared up.
His mind was filled with what Zhao Jinghong had said: the elixir contained potent poison, and the symptoms of long-term consumption were exactly the same as his current symptoms.
This Zhao Gao wanted to kill him!
Immediately, Ying Zheng wanted to draw his sword and cut down Zhao Gao.
Bang!
Ying Zheng slammed the table.
Zhao Gao was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud.
Even Lord Meng shivered in fear.
"I told you to withdraw! Did you not hear me?" Ying Zheng roared.
He still suppressed the urge to kill Zhao Gao.
Because everything Zhao Jinghong had said still needed to be verified.
"This servant will withdraw immediately! Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Zhao Gao prostrated himself on the ground, moving backward on his knees, retreating several steps, like a dog in a long robe crawling on the ground, before slowly standing up after a few meters, preparing to exit the palace.
"Wait!" Ying Zheng called out to Zhao Gao.
Zhao Gao stopped, cold sweat immediately breaking out on his forehead.
"Bring me the immortal elixir before you leave!"
Zhao Gao's eyes lit up with joy, and he quickly stepped forward, took out the refined immortal elixir from the bottle, placed it on a tray, and, holding it with both hands, presented it to Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng glanced at it but did not take it, "You may withdraw!"
Zhao Gao's heart grew even more puzzled.
In the past, whenever he asked Ying Zheng to take the immortal elixir, Ying Zheng would consume it without hesitation.
Why was he so abnormal today?
But Zhao Gao dared not speak, nor did he dare to show any reaction, carefully placing the jade plate on the table, bowing his head and waist as he slowly retreated, and after a few meters, he turned and quickly left with small, hurried steps.
After Zhao Gao left, Ying Zheng's cold gaze swept over the immortal elixir on the jade plate that he consumed daily, and he said to Lord Meng, "You take this immortal elixir and, according to what that person said, test whether it is poisonous."
"Yes!" Lord Meng stepped forward, picked up the immortal elixir, and put it away.
Silence returned to Zhangtai Palace.
The flames in the palace lanterns and fire basins were burning, and as the flames flickered, Zhangtai Palace was intermittently lit and dark.
The flickering light and shadow made Ying Zheng's profile appear even more somber.
The atmosphere was exceptionally oppressive.
Lord Meng could even hear his own breathing and heartbeat, as well as the faint crackling sound of pine oil burning.
A faint scent of pine permeated the entire palace.
After a long while, Ying Zheng's heavy voice slowly sounded, "Did you see Zhao Gao's behavior just now?"
"This subject… saw it." Lord Meng replied.
"Hmph!" Ying Zheng snorted coldly, "I didn't expect that the person who has always been by my side would actually try to harm me! Not only to harm me, but also to usurp the throne! Simply despicable!"
Lord Meng quickly said, "Your Majesty! We cannot fully believe that person's words based on his statement alone! And Director of the Imperial Chariot Garage's behavior does not necessarily mean what that person said; he was merely surprised by Your Majesty's actions. Everything still needs to be thoroughly investigated!"
Ying Zheng waved his hand, "Go and do your work! Remember what I said: investigate that person's background thoroughly and ensure his safety! If anything happens to him, I will hold you accountable!"
"This subject obeys the decree!" Lord Meng immediately withdrew.
As he walked out of Zhangtai Palace, Zhao Gao immediately approached him.
"Lord Meng!" Zhao Gao came up with a smile, "What did His Majesty tell you? I've noticed His Majesty seems to be in a bad mood these past few days. Is it because Fusu said something to His Majesty?"
Lord Meng looked at Zhao Gao's smooth skin tightly stretched over his face, and his gloomy, narrow eyes, and a feeling of disgust rose in his heart.
However, Lord Meng did not show it, but instead shook his head and sighed, "As for Fusu! Alas!"
With that, Lord Meng shook his head and left.
Watching Lord Meng's retreating figure, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhao Gao's face.
It was indeed as he had guessed; it must have been that Fusu and His Majesty the First Emperor had argued again in the imperial prison, making His Majesty the First Emperor unhappy.
He actually hoped Fusu would be even more unyielding.
That way, if he completely displeased His Majesty, the most favorable contender for the crown prince's position would be Hu Hai!
Thinking of this, a flash of joy crossed Zhao Gao's eyes, "I must go and call Prince Hu Hai to come and show concern for His Majesty, to make His Majesty happy. His Majesty will then have his own comparison."