Chapter 289 Trouble
above the hall.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report!” Ji Wuye suddenly stood up.

The King of Han raised his eyes and looked at him: “General Ji, what do you want to report?”

Ji Wuye bowed slightly, with a hint of mystery: “Your Majesty, since returning from Qin, Master Han Fei has not participated in the morning court, and has not even fulfilled the etiquette of reporting safety to you.”

“This is somewhat unreasonable.”

When these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials in the court looked at him with awe.

King Han frowned slightly: “Han Fei is indeed a little abnormal, but he just returned from Qin State, and perhaps his body has not recovered yet, don’t worry too much.”

“Isn’t it enough that Han Fei has made such a great contribution to relieve the worries of Han State and persuaded the Qin army to retreat with his own strength?”

Ji Wuye shook his head and said, “Your Majesty, I don’t want to worry too much. Han Fei alone can persuade the Qin army to retreat? Only a ghost would believe this! There must be something fishy going on!”

“And not only did Master Han Fei not attend the morning court session, he also brought back a beautiful woman from Qin.”

“I have to doubt this matter.”

King Han’s expression changed: “What woman?”

Ji Wuye said meaningfully: “As far as I know, that woman has an extraordinary demeanor, and Han Fei hid her in his mansion, which is heavily guarded. Even my people cannot find out her origins.”

“What’s worse is that after Prince Han Fei returned from Qin, he became even more secretive.”

“Your Majesty, I cannot help but wonder if Master Han Fei has some hidden connection with the King of Qin.”

Upon hearing this, King Han’s mood suddenly became uncertain.

“General Ji, do you mean…Han Fei and the King of Qin are having an affair?”

“I dare not jump to conclusion, but this matter is indeed full of doubts.” Ji Wuye bowed.

“I am just worried that if Your Majesty does not pay attention, it may lead to disaster.”

Han Fei was sorting books in his study when a servant suddenly came to him with a message: “Sir, the king has summoned you to the palace.”

Han Fei raised his eyebrows: “Finally here.”

Zhao Ji stood aside and said, “Sir, this summons may be related to Ji Wuye, so you must be careful.”

Han Fei nodded slightly: “I know! But since they want to test me, I will give them an answer.”

Han Fei walked into the hall and saw the King of Han sitting on a high platform. The look in his eyes when he looked at him was not as dependent as before.

Ji Wuye stood aside and sneered.

“Your Majesty, Han Fei is here to pay his respects.” Han Fei bowed respectfully.

The King of Han stared at him and asked in a deep voice: “Han Fei, you have returned from Qin State, why are you still not attending the morning court?”

“Do you know that there is a lot of discussion about this in the court?”

Han Fei raised his head and said, “Your Majesty, Han Fei did not attend the morning court session after returning from Qin State. It was because I became ill from overwork during the journey and needed to rest for a few days.”

“In the past few days, Han Fei has been sorting out the information brought back from Qin State and preparing to present it to the king.”

The King of Han calmed down a little and said, “Then why did you bring back a woman but never mentioned it to me?”

Han Fei sneered in his heart, but his face was calm: “Your Majesty, that woman is a maid from the Qin State, her name is Zhao Ji.”

“She served as a servant in Zhao State, then in Qin State, and finally joined Han Fei.”

“Han Fei saw that she was very intelligent, so he took her back to Han and took her in as his adopted sister.”

Ji Wuye snorted coldly when he heard this: “Master Han Fei, I’m afraid Zhao Ji’s identity is not as simple as you said, right?”

“As far as I know, she is a famous beauty in Zhao State. How could the King of Qin let her leave so easily?”

Han Fei turned to look at Ji Wuye and said, “General Ji, I will explain Zhao Ji’s identity to the king.”

“But may I ask, General Ji, why have your spies been spying on Han Fei’s residence? What is your intention?”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

Han Fei counterattacked and pointed the finger at Ji Wuye.

King Han immediately became unhappy: “Ji Wuye, are you serious?”

Ji Wuye quickly cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, I am only concerned about the safety of Master Han Fei, I have absolutely no other intentions!”

Han Fei sneered: “General Ji’s concerns are appreciated.”

“But please remember, General Ji, although Han Fei is not talented, he does not need others to interfere in the affairs of the palace.”

Seeing the two men on the verge of a fight, the King of Han waved his hand and said, “Enough! Han Fei, I trust you for now, but I hope you can give me a clear explanation of Zhao Ji’s identity.”

Han Fei cupped his hands and said, “Han Fei understands, and I will definitely live up to your trust.”

After leaving the court, Ji Wuye returned to his mansion.

“Brother, Han Fei actually pointed his finger at us!” Ji Wushuang said angrily.

Ji Wuye snorted coldly: “Han Fei is indeed not easy to deal with. However, the more he acts like this, the more it shows that he is guilty.”

“Brother, what should we do next?”

“Continue to investigate Zhao Ji’s identity.” Ji Wuye narrowed his eyes.

“As long as we catch her, Han Fei will have no chance to turn things around.”

At night, Zhao Ji came to Han Fei’s study.

She looked at Han Fei and said softly, “Sir, Ji Wuye has set his sights on me. I’m afraid I will become a burden to you.”

Han Fei looked up at her and said, “You are not a burden, you are a chess piece in my hand.”

Zhao Ji was slightly startled.

Han Fei raised a sneer at the corner of his mouth: “Ji Wuye wanted to use you, but it gave me an opportunity.”

“Since he wants to play this game of chess, I will play with him to the end, until it costs him his life!”

Night fell over Xinzheng, and the study in Han Fei’s mansion was brightly lit.

Han Fei sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed and his left eyelid twitching uncontrollably.

He raised his hand and rubbed his eyes, but felt uneasy in his heart.

Bai Jing stood aside, noticed Han Fei’s little action, and said softly.

“Sir, you seem a little anxious.”

Zhao Ji walked into the study with a pot of hot tea and gently placed the teapot on the table.

“Sir, are you worried?”

Han Fei looked up at Zhao Ji, then looked at Bai Jing and sighed.

“Bai Jing, Zhao Ji, I have been feeling uneasy these past few days, and my left eyelid has been twitching.”

Bai Jing pondered for a moment and whispered, “Sir, you have been cautious enough recently, but Ji Wuye will never give up.”

“His prestige in the court is growing day by day, and I’m afraid he has made some moves in secret.”

Zhao Ji also spoke up: “My lord, although I am not good at court affairs, Ji Wuye is a cunning man. If he really wants to harm you, he will definitely choose the most appropriate time to make a move.”

Han Fei sneered: “I already knew that Ji Wuye, that old fox, would not let me live in peace easily.”

“But I didn’t expect that he would resort to such despicable means.”

“If it’s really him, then I want to see what tricks he can come up with.”

Zhao Ji frowned slightly: “Sir, if there is someone trying to sow discord in the court, do you have a plan to deal with it?”

Han Fei lowered his eyes and tapped the desk gently: “If Ji Wuye dares to touch me, it means that he is no longer afraid of King Han’s attitude.”

“If the King of Han is really brainwashed by him, then we can only confront him head-on.”

Bai Jing nodded: “Sir, if Ji Wuye really takes action, I am willing to serve you at any time.”

Zhao Ji raised her eyes and looked at Han Fei: “My lord, please rest assured that Zhao Ji will do her best to assist you.”

Han Fei sneered: “Ji Wuye, King Han… Oh, if it really comes to that, I want to see how much the court of Han can tolerate me.”

The next morning, Han Fei finished washing up early, changed into a simple court dress and walked into the palace.

His left eyelid was still twitching.

This morning court session is likely to be disastrous.

Sure enough, when Han Fei stepped into the hall, all the civil and military officials in the court looked at him with hostility.

King Han sat on the high platform, frowning and looking at Han Fei.

Han Fei bowed and said, “Han Fei greets the king.”

The King of Han did not respond immediately, but remained silent for a moment: “Han Fei, I have something to ask you.”

Han Fei raised his eyebrows and said, “Excuse me, Your Majesty.”

“After you returned from Qin, you have been hiding that woman in your mansion. Why haven’t you seen her in recent days?”

“Where did she go?”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the court.

Han Fei was shocked and instantly understood the key to the matter.

He hid Zhao Ji in another place, and they actually thought she was missing.

Unexpectedly, this would become a breakthrough for Ji Wuye to attack him!

Sure enough, Ji Wuye, who was standing nearby, stepped forward at the right time and said, “Your Majesty, Master Han Fei has always been extremely smart. If there was really nothing going on, why would he hide that woman so secretly?”

“Now that the woman is missing, Han Fei has yet to report this to the king. There are too many strange things going on.”

Ji Wushuang also stood up and said, “Your Majesty, I dare to speculate that Master Han Fei may have been afraid that his conspiracy would be exposed, so he quietly sent the woman away.”

“The conspiracy is exposed?” King Han snorted coldly.

“Han Fei, give me an explanation.”

Han Fei couldn’t help but clench his fists, and his knuckles made a “cracking” sound.

“Your Majesty, Han Fei is loyal to the Kingdom of Han. He helped you eliminate internal troubles, drove back the Qin army, and stabilized the country.”

“Now you believe Ji Wuye’s one-sided words and suspect that Han Fei is colluding with the Qin State?”

Han Fei’s words were so powerful that the court fell silent for a moment.

But soon, Ji Wuye sneered: “Why is Mr. Han Fei so excited?”

“If you are truly innocent, why don’t you tell the king the whereabouts of that woman? Or… do you have something to hide?”

Han Fei stared at Ji Wuye fiercely, almost spitting fire.

He took a deep breath and said in a cold voice: “Ji Wuye, you are just jealous of Han Fei’s talent, so you are trying to sow discord here.”

“I, Han Fei, know exactly what you are planning!”

Ji Wuye sneered and counterattacked: “Jealous? Master Han Fei thinks too highly of himself.”

“If you are really talented, then prove your innocence with facts instead of getting angry here!”

Han Fei’s heart was in turmoil.

If you devote yourself to South Korea, you will get absolute trust in return.

But now, the entire court has become a battlefield for accusing him.

He gritted his teeth and said, “My king, have you ever thought about why Han Fei worked so hard for the Kingdom of Han?”

“Han Fei never bowed to the King of Qin and even risked his life to win a glimmer of hope for the Kingdom of Han.”

“And now, Han Fei was accused of having secret dealings with the Qin State just because he took in a woman.”

“Your Majesty, Han Fei was loyal to the Kingdom of Han, but what he got in return was your doubts and cold eyes.”

“Is this Han Fei’s fate?”

The entire court was in complete silence.

The King of Han kept tapping his fingers on the armrests of the dragon throne.

Han Fei looked at King Han and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

The image of Ying Zheng suddenly appeared in my mind.

The King of Qin, who was called a “tyrant” by the world, opened his heart to him in Xianyang and was even willing to give Zhao Ji to him.

But now, South Korea, to which he is wholeheartedly loyal, sees him as a suspicious person.

Han Fei couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

The King of Han finally spoke: “Han Fei, I ask you again, where is that woman now?”

Han Fei’s heart sank.

Zhao Ji’s identity is special, he must not let her show up at this moment.

Otherwise, her existence will not only fail to quell everyone’s doubts, but will instead become a new fuse.

Han Fei bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty, the woman has been unwell recently, and Han Fei has placed her in the palace to rest.”

“When she recovers, Han Fei will bring her to explain to the king.”

Ji Wuye sneered, “Master Han Fei, this is too far-fetched.”

“A woman is sick, and you have kept it a secret until now? If she is really in the palace, why didn’t you report it to the king earlier?”

Han Fei raised his head and said, “Ji Wuye, are you jealous of Han Fei’s talent, so you are targeting me here and there?”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the court.

“Jealous? Master Han Fei, aren’t you too confident?”

Han Fei did not back down and sneered, “Ji Wuye, you are the general of Han State and hold the military power, but you have never won a real victory for Han State.”

“On the contrary, it was Han Fei who used his tongue as a sword to drive back the Qin army and stabilize the country of Han.”

“If you’re not jealous of me, can you still be willing to watch me take the spotlight?”

Ji Wuye’s face turned pale with anger at Han Fei’s words. He pointed at Han Fei and said angrily, “Han Fei, stop slandering me!”

“You have the status you have today only because of your mouth, but I, Ji Wuye, am the real force to defend Korea!”

Han Fei sneered: “Protect the Kingdom of Han? Ji Wuye, do you dare to say that you have never sowed discord in the court and never put your own selfish desires above the country?”

Han Fei’s counterattack left Ji Wuye speechless for a moment, but the atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense.

The King of Han did not express his opinion immediately.

Han Fei stood in the center of the court, scanning the entire court of civil and military officials.

He saw mocking looks, indifference, and even some gloating.

At this moment, he felt extremely lonely.

He gave so much to South Korea, but in return he was met with suspicion and betrayal.

He had never been so angry as he was at that moment.

Even the extremely cruel Ying Zheng could be open and frank with him, but the Han Kingdom, to which he was loyal, regarded him as an enemy.

Han Fei took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

The King of Han finally spoke: “Han Fei, I will believe your explanation for now.”

“But I hope you can give a clear explanation of the woman’s identity as soon as possible.”

Han Fei bowed and saluted: “Han Fei understands, and I will definitely live up to your trust.”

Having said that, Han Fei felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart, almost crushing him.

On the way back to the mansion, his nails dug deep into his palms, and for a moment, he actually thought about it.

If this is true, why not go to Qin?
On the second day, Han Fei was thinking about countermeasures in his study when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the mansion.

“Master, something bad has happened!” The servant ran into the study in panic.

“Miss Zhao Ji…Miss Zhao Ji broke into the palace!”

Han Fei stood up suddenly: “What is she going to do?!”

“She didn’t say anything!”

Han Fei’s heart sank. Zhao Ji’s identity was already sensitive, and breaking into the court at this time would be tantamount to walking into a trap!

(End of this chapter)