Li Si wanted to ask what had happened, but he felt that phrasing it that way seemed somehow off, carrying a subtle hint of ambiguity. So he forced himself to reword the question, asking in a different way.
In response to his inquiry, Li Xi chose to play dumb, blinking cutely and saying, “Actually, it’s nothing much.”
Then she added, “Even if you don’t believe me, shouldn’t you trust the wise and mighty King?”
At those words, Li Si’s eyebrows twitched twice immediately.
He thought to himself that the situation was indeed rather troubling. Seeing his younger sister describe Ying Zheng with such flattering words, her speech naturally revealed a kind of admiration, a look of a girl deeply in love.
He knew Ying Zheng too well, which made this matter all the more suspicious to him. Everything about it felt off from start to finish.
However, seeing Li Xi act this way, fearing that asking further might pull her even deeper, Li Si chose to drop the questions he had in mind. He pretended as if nothing had happened. After telling his sister that he was going to the royal court for the morning assembly, he prepared to leave, and Li Xi waved her hand at him.
Once Li Si left, the system finally spoke, asking about the same imperial decree that had left it confused.
“It doesn’t make sense, host. Didn’t the King of Qin say he doesn’t believe in ghosts or gods? Why all of a sudden…”
Hearing the system’s question, Li Xi laughed.
Her brows softened beautifully, and with a teasing tone, she said, “So naive. Which manufacturer made you, exactly?”
“Host, don’t laugh. I’m asking seriously. Why would he elevate you, give you divine status, make it public for all to see, and let some hearts turn to you? Won’t that undermine his rule?”
Li Xi didn’t answer the system immediately. She said instead, “Hearing you say that, I suddenly find myself liking you a bit.”
Though she knew the system was a bit silly, its innocence could be quite useful to her.
Naivety meant it was easy to handle, easy to manipulate. How could she not like it?
Amid the system sending a series of shy, adorable expressions, Li Xi began to explain its confusion.
“Actually,” she said, lifting her eyes to the ceiling, “whether Brother Zheng believes in ghosts or gods isn’t important. For the current state of Qin, having a goddess appear isn’t a bad thing.”
“The appearance of a goddess in Qin is meant to build momentum for the dynasty. It shows that Qin’s unification of the six states is destined by heaven. Who among the six states would dare oppose it? They won’t be able to refute it.”
If not, why would a prophet of the future appear in Qin and not in the other states? This publicity would crush the nobility of the other states, leaving them unable to counter it.
Li Xi truly possessed genuine abilities, not something Qin’s king fabricated for his own propaganda.
She continued, “As for your concern about me as a goddess winning the people’s hearts or affecting royal authority…”
“It’s true. Having a ‘divine’ in the realm could affect the ruler’s power. If I ever became rebellious, it might impact his rule. But there is one undeniable fact — I am still mortal. I will age, fall ill, and die.”
“If one day I block his path and become an obstacle to the King’s ambition, he could have me killed. Then he could claim publicly that the goddess completed her mission and returned to heaven. Problem solved, isn’t it?”
The system was dumbfounded.
After a while, it stammered, “So… if that’s the case, host, aren’t you courting danger?”
Li Xi chuckled lightly. “Courting danger? The King would only seek to eliminate me if I ever blocked his path. Since that condition doesn’t exist, why would he want to harm me? You underestimate the tolerance of the great Emperor of Qin. He’s not the type to dispose of loyal ministers like a hunter kills a rabbit.”
She lowered her voice as if afraid to disturb something, saying softly, “In my eyes, he is the best ruler in the world.”
“Is that so?”
The system, already bewildered, couldn’t quite pinpoint why something felt off, being a purely logical entity. It finally asked, “So… does the King believe you are a divine being?”
Li Xi replied, “He is half-believing, half-doubting.”
She personally leaned toward believing Ying Zheng trusted her as an extraordinary person connected to otherworldly beings. But the young king she had seen did not truly believe in the existence of immortals.
At this point, it was enough for her. Rather than being a goddess unknown to all, she preferred to be recognized by the world while only one person doubted her. Even if Ying Zheng didn’t believe she was a divine being, he still regarded her as a rare and extraordinary talent.
She also couldn’t help thinking — the skeptical young Emperor of Qin was so adorably spirited.
After a moment of inner giddiness, Li Xi straightened her expression and opened the game settings panel.
A large, semi-transparent screen appeared in front of her. Without formal training, she began manipulating it, inputting the game’s background story, CG animations, and other settings as the system had been urging her to.
This setup took the better part of a midday. After a lunch that she deemed only moderately acceptable for the Warring States period, she decided not to continue game setup in the afternoon.
“Where are you going, host?” the system asked.
Li Xi replied, “Xianyang Palace.”
This time, entering the royal palace was completely unobstructed for her.
Palace attendants, respectful to the extreme, did not dare block her. After explaining the purpose of her audience, she was escorted, but not to any of the halls — instead, they went to the royal garden.
When Li Xi arrived, Ying Zheng appeared to be admiring the flowers.
He was not yet in the dark phase of the day, wearing a simple white outfit, looking down with a calm and gentle demeanor that was surprisingly captivating.
Hearing footsteps, Ying Zheng waved away the attendants. Once most had left, he turned to the approaching black-clad girl, raising an eyebrow in silent inquiry about her visit.
Feeling his gaze, Li Xi smiled lightly and said, “I did not expect, King, that you would confer upon me the title of goddess and announce it to the world.”
Before she could finish, the young king plucked a bright flower from the nearby garden and twirled it in his hand casually. “With your divine abilities, you are capable.”
Li Xi continued, “Since you’ve deemed me a goddess, King, I must demonstrate divine acts to fulfill my duty, for example…” She paused briefly, then smiled innocently, “Summoning celestial soldiers from the heavenly court to aid Qin.”
Ying Zheng asked, “What are these celestial soldiers?”
“They are immortal warriors from the heavenly court. They can die and be reborn, fearless and brave.”
Upon hearing this, the boy’s eyes narrowed.
He lowered his eyelids, hiding his expression, and said, “Your divine abilities are truly eye-opening.”
Li Xi bowed her gaze, modestly, “This is somewhat ambitious for me. I do not know how long I can maintain it, but for now, it is possible.”
She couldn’t rely entirely on the system. She had to prepare a contingency in case her plans conflicted with it, which could affect her ability to summon players, the so-called celestial soldiers.
Ying Zheng asked, “Could these fearless, death-defying warriors be integrated into my army to fight on the battlefield?”
Li Xi shook her head. “They belong to the heavenly court, a realm different from our mortal world. They could fight, but managing them in a military camp would be difficult. Beyond combat, all else is permissible.”
This answer did not surprise Ying Zheng. Such powerful beings couldn’t be completely unrestricted.
Li Xi then said, “King, I have an unusual request.”
He looked up and raised his eyelids. The black-clad girl continued, “Since you gave me the title of goddess, why not fully embrace it? I request to accompany you to Liyang to witness the ritual of summoning celestial generals.”
Ying Zheng did not answer immediately. He paused, seemingly considering, then finally said, “Very well.”
With permission granted, her audience with the King was complete.
Since the conversation was not suitable for others to overhear, all palace attendants had been dismissed. When leaving, there was no one to guide her.
Fortunately, Li Xi had a good memory and could retrace her steps herself. “No matter, I’ll leave the palace on my own,” she said to Ying Zheng.
However, a small problem arose on her way back.
As she walked along the palace corridor, a richly dressed young man suddenly appeared, looking her over and asking proudly, “You must be Li Xi?”
Li Xi replied, “I don’t know which Li Xi you mean, but yes, my name is Li Xi.”
Just one glance, and she immediately recognized him.
Ignoring his arrogance, from his attire and presence in the palace, his identity was clear — the former prince of Chang’an, Cheng Qian.
Upon hearing her answer, the young man snorted. “So sharp-tongued. You truly are the witch who bewitched our King! Today, I’ll cut you down and rid the people of your harm!”
He raised his arm to strike.
Only then did Li Xi notice the sword in his hand.
But… he was weak.
A sidestep dodged his attack. Observing him getting more frustrated, she thought: unstable stance, clumsy movements, and he dares plot rebellion? Truly bold.
She kicked his sword away, and the young boy, shorter than her, grew more agitated, yelling, “Impudent! Witch, how dare you—ah!”
In the pre-Qin era, Li Xi’s only favored person was Ying Zheng.
Cheng Qian, notorious for the “Cheng Qian Rebellion,” naturally did not earn her sympathy. She grabbed his delicate wrist, holding firmly: “How come only you can strike me, but I cannot retaliate?”
And how dare he accuse her of bewitching the King? Ying Zheng was not someone she could casually manipulate.
Li Xi vented silently in her heart.
Cheng Qian was equally furious, glaring up at her, saying, “Take back your insolence! Don’t you know who I am? Believe me—”
His words were cut off.
Li Xi calmly said four words, “Prince Cheng Qian.”
Startled, the boy went silent, as if his throat had been constricted.
Li Xi smiled gently, “Prince, you may eat carelessly, but your words must be cautious. Accusing me of tarnishing my reputation is no small offense under Qin law.”
She released his wrist, casually pinching a piece of the railing on the corridor.
—Crack.
The stone railing broke, falling to the ground, giving Cheng Qian the impression she could have snapped his arm.
Li Xi picked up the sword she had kicked and returned it to him, smiling: “Your sword, Prince.”
Before the beautiful girl’s smile, Cheng Qian felt she was worse than any ghost from hell.
He hesitated to take it, fearing a trap.
Li Xi asked: “Not taking it, Prince?”
Cheng Qian shivered and quickly took the sword.
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out: “Cheng Qian, what are you doing?”
It was Ying Zheng.
Seeing the King, Li Xi saw the boy’s face show immediate regret.
Cheng Qian stiffly turned. The arrogance disappeared, and he obediently said, “Brother King.”
“I… I heard a goddess had come to the palace, and I wanted to greet her,” he stammered.
Ying Zheng said coldly, “If it was a greeting, why bring a sword?”
Cheng Qian gestured wildly, trying to explain, but he instinctively swallowed his words under the King’s deep gaze.
He bowed reluctantly. “I apologize to the goddess!”
Li Xi’s smile lit up. “As long as you sincerely repent, I will not hold it against you.”
Cheng Qian clenched his teeth, vowing to one day expose the fox who bewitched his King.
But no one paid attention to his thoughts. The King who had been “bewitched” and the “bewitcher” had already walked far ahead.
Ying Zheng said, “I’ll escort you out of the palace.”
Once Cheng Qian was out of sight, Li Xi glanced at the handsome young man. “By the way… why did you come here?”
Ying Zheng: “I suddenly remembered a question.”
Li Xi: “What question?”
“Li Xi,” Ying Zheng called her.
Before she could react, his clear, cold voice asked: “Does summoning celestial soldiers harm your body or lifespan?”
Li Xi, noticing the warm brown in his phoenix-like eyes, whispered, “King… did you come here just to ask this?”
She didn’t avert her gaze, asking softly: “Is this… concern for me?”
Ying Zheng looked away, embarrassed: “I only thought it would be a pity for a talent like you to suffer from it.”
Li Xi interpreted his words as she wished.
Seeing the young man’s side profile, she couldn’t help but smile, “King, your ears are red.”
Ying Zheng: “…Don’t speak.”
Because of the palace visit and its small incident, Li Xi returned home late. She saw Li Si packing and was surprised: “Brother! What are you doing?”
Was he thinking again about taking her to Han to join Han Fei?
She recalled the first time returning from the palace, when Li Si had packed early, ready to flee if Qin went badly. This time…
“Ah, this…” Li Si kept packing. “A Xi, you’re going to Liyang, right? Let me pack your things. You seem adaptable, but you’re picky… I’m worried there’ll be no one to care for you there, and I cannot go with you.”
Li Xi laughed, “Why be sad about not going? If you came with me, that’s when you’d need to worry.”
Leaving the capital wasn’t easy for officials. Being reassigned could feel like exile.
Li Si, ambitious in his career, would truly struggle if sent to Liyang.
Seeing her laugh, he touched her head.
Li Xi added, “Besides… I’m not leaving just yet. I’ll stay in Xianyang for another half month at least.”
Li Si was dumbfounded.
She still had preparations before leaving — the Liyang summoning event.
To make the summoning grand and fitting her goddess status, she needed a ceremonial altar.
She would not go until the altar was ready.
While waiting in Xianyang, she could refine her “game” system.
Once she reached Liyang, the grand operation of “Great Qin” would officially begin.