Resting in Qin

Original titles: She Plays Lao Ai in Qin, [Qin] A Traitor's Growth Diary.

Blurb One:

They say that Mr. Lao in Xianyang has won the Dowager Zhao's deep favor. He wields power on par with Chancellor Lu and doesn't even take King Zheng of Qin seriously. For a time, no one can match his fame.

Men across the land all dream of becoming the next Lao Yi, hoping to climb the social ladder through a powerful connection. If they can't become Marquis Changxin, being a Lord Longyang would be just as good.

But in the end, all their hopes are bound to come to nothing.

The real Lao Ai died long ago at the hands of a young assassin.

Fu Xi came from the year 2060. For ten years in Qin, she disguised herself as a man and worked diligently, all for one ultimate goal: to die by being torn apart by chariots.

Blurb Two:

Ever since he sparred with Fu Xi, Qin Zheng had never won. As competitive as he was, he simply couldn't swallow his pride.

So he pulled Wang Ben aside to discuss tactics in detail.

Wang Ben analyzed the situation. “Everyone has a weakness. Lao Yi excels at close-quarters combat, but he doesn't know swordsmanship. So you must keep your distance from him during a fight.

“If Your Majesty wants to defeat him, you'd be better off using a longsword and not letting him get close.”

“Let's do as you say.” Qin Zheng was satisfied. He then sought out the best swordsmith in Chu and commissioned a longsword for himself.

It wasn't until the day Wang Ben watched Fu Xi walk away and couldn't snap out of his daze that he realized he might have stumbled upon Mr. Lao's weakness.

King Zheng of Qin was Mr. Lao's weakness!

Blurb Three:

No one knew that Li Si, Chancellor of Qin, and the rebel Lao Ai had known each other since their humble beginnings and were close friends.

Nor did anyone know that Fu Xi's tangled and complicated love life kept Li Si on tenterhooks every day.

First, Fu Xi entered the palace as the Dowager of Qin's male favorite.

Li Si was frustrated with his friend. “Brother Lao is so proud. How can he lower himself to enter the palace and serve someone with his looks?”

Next, Fu Xi fooled around with Lady Ying in the street.

Li Si gave up trying to stop him. He helped cover for Brother Lao, while slyly driving a wedge between them.

Then Fu Xi went sightseeing hand in hand with the King of Qin.

Qin Zheng was young, handsome, noble-born, and well-mannered. There wasn't a single fault to find.

But...

Li Si, looking utterly dejected: “Is it really that easy to be a Lord Longyang? Huh?!”

A Not-So-Important OOC Interview Skit

Tangzheng TV: Mr. Lao, someone says you had an affair with Lady Wang Jian. Is it true?

Fu Xi: Although Lady Ying and I exchanged gifts, celebrated the Shangsi Festival together, and went to the hot springs together (Wang Jian grips his sword, gathering strength)... there's nothing improper between us.

Tangzheng TV: Someone claims you're very close to Chief Clerk Li. Is that true?

Fu Xi: Nonsense. That's a complete fabrication.

Li Si wept silently. Everything he'd done over the years had been for nothing.

Tangzheng TV: Someone else says Kang Kang and A Qi are the children you had with the Dowager. Is that true?

Fu Xi: Who said that? They got it exactly right.

Dowager Zhao rolled her eyes with a smile.

Tangzheng TV: Mr. Lao (whispering, worried about getting implicated), is it true you let it slip while drunk that you're the King of Qin's father...

Fu Xi (leaning forward and taking off her sunglasses): Is this live? (The reporter nods.) Ahem. (She lifts her chin and folds her arms.) Let me clear things up. It wasn't a drunken slip. I've wanted to be someone's dad for a long time.

Someone smiled. “Good. When we get back, I'll show you who the real daddy is.”

Welcome to the love story of [a competitive, lovestruck little prince and his face-blind, prickly female knight].

[A Few Reading Tips]

1. The romance begins when Zheng reaches the legal age of consent (18). There will be no inappropriate behavior before then.

[Emphasis] Zheng and Xi are devoted to each other, heart and soul, and will only ever have each other. The succession to the throne isn't the focus of this story, and will be handled in its own way. If that bothers you, please read with caution.

2. The story mainly takes place between Zheng's accession and his assumption of personal rule. Major events follow the historical course, so the early and middle parts are warm and silly, while the later part has a few angsty moments.

3. This story is very unfriendly to fans of Lu Buwei, Yan Dan, Lord Changping, and Fan Yuqi.

4. Many historical figures have been heavily reimagined.

5. This isn't a rigorously researched historical novel, nor is it about kingdom-building, running a business, farming, or leveling up. It's just an ordinary, slow-burn love story.

Theme: Oppose war; long live peace.