When Cao Qing learned the news, she was utterly stunned.
Although Lin Tian had met with her several times, she had already harbored a premonition.
But when Lin Tian truly announced this matter, Cao Qing was still at a loss.
She was completely bewildered.
Amidst her shock, there was also an undeniable joy.
She never imagined that she would have the chance to be favored by a remarkable man like Lin Tian, and even become the Crown Princess.
For her, it was akin to a dream.
From the moment Lin Tian began to make a name for himself, he had been the dream of countless maidens.
Even the extraordinary woman Cao Qing harbored feelings of admiration for Lin Tian.
But before, she had only fantasized about being with Lin Tian; she had never imagined that she would actually be with him.
After all, the difference in their status was too vast.
No one would have expected that a merchant's daughter would be chosen by Lin Tian.
Even Cao Qing herself had not foreseen this, and thus, she remained lost in thought for a long time.
If Cao Qing was so affected, it was even more so for others.
When others learned that Lin Tian had chosen Cao Qing, many of them were dumbfounded.
"This, how is this possible? How could it be that merchant's daughter, Cao Qing??"
"I admit Cao Qing has some beauty, but what about the other selected ladies during the selection? Aren't they all attractive? Why was Cao Qing chosen?"
"Something big has happened, something big is truly happening in our Great Qin. If a merchant's daughter is chosen, how can we command respect from the people!"
Choosing a merchant's daughter indeed made it difficult to command respect.
At the very least, many who had participated in the selection felt disgruntled.
In their eyes, their families and daughters were superior to Cao Qing's, and under such circumstances, they should not have lost to her.
In terms of noble status, they far surpassed Cao Qing's family.
Yet, Lin Tian had not chosen their daughters but Cao Qing, and this left them unwilling to accept it.
Consequently, many among them began to discuss the matter heatedly.
"Our daughters are the most outstanding, why were they not chosen? Did that merchant family do something wrong to deceive the Crown Prince?"
"It must be so. Have you forgotten that merchant, Lü Buwei? He almost overturned our Great Qin. Now, with another merchant, how can Great Qin withstand such a blow!"
"No, we must inform His Majesty. We cannot let the Crown Prince be deceived by merchants. We must make the Crown Prince see reason!"
They believed that Lin Tian's choice was made under an unsound mind.
Therefore, they decided to seek out Ying Zheng and have him awaken Lin Tian, to make him regain his senses.
Furthermore, this thought was not held by just one or two individuals; many shared this sentiment.
However, when they approached Ying Zheng, his face was cold and devoid of any emotional change.
After these ministers finished speaking, Ying Zheng finally spoke calmly.
"You are saying the Crown Prince has been deceived?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! The Crown Prince must have been deceived. Those merchants are the most skilled at deception!"
"Our Great Qin has had instances of merchants deceiving us before!"
Although these ministers did not explicitly state it, their meaning was very clear.
They were referring to Lü Buwei deceiving the former King of Qin, becoming the Prime Minister of Great Qin, and causing harm to Great Qin for many years.
And Lü Buwei's existence had always been a sensitive topic for Ying Zheng.
After all, Lü Buwei had suppressed Ying Zheng for too long, and Ying Zheng had a special relationship with Lü Buwei.
Under normal circumstances, no one dared to bring this matter up.
But now, in order to prevent Lin Tian from marrying Cao Qing, the merchant's daughter, they disregarded all caution.
However, this time, upon hearing their words, Ying Zheng, unlike his usual self, did not fly into a rage.
His tone remained calm.
"Then, in your opinion, how can the Crown Prince avoid being deceived?"
"Naturally, by not marrying the merchant's daughter, Cao Qing, and by prohibiting merchants from entering our Great Qin's Xianyang Palace!"
"And what about the Crown Princess?"
"A new selection should be made from the remaining ninety-nine selected ladies. Those ninety-nine ladies are all exceptionally outstanding women, and among them, there will surely be someone the Crown Prince is satisfied with!"
"It would be fine even to select all ninety-nine!"
If ninety-nine were selected, no matter what, they would be connected to Lin Tian.
At that time, they would surely soar to new heights, their status becoming even more noble.
Such a thought was indeed similar to Ying Zheng's previous intentions.
However, that was before. Previously, Ying Zheng wanted Lin Tian to select all one hundred ladies in order to have a grandson as soon as possible.
But now, things were different. Lin Tian had already made his choice.
He already had his own plans in mind.
Therefore, Ying Zheng would not interfere with Lin Tian's choice.
It was just that Ying Zheng had not expected that while he did not interfere, others would think of interfering with Lin Tian's choice.
Looking at the ministers before him, Ying Zheng showed no outward signs of anger, but his heart was filled with extreme rage.
Since when could the Great Qin Crown Prince's choices be interfered with by these ministers?
The next moment, Ying Zheng, consumed by anger, let out a laugh.
"Good, good, good! Well said! You ministers are truly thoughtful, even able to make choices for our Great Qin's Crown Prince!"
"Then tell me, when should I step down from this throne, and whom should I appoint as the Emperor of our Great Qin, and whom as our Great Qin's officials?"
At Ying Zheng's words, the officials of Great Qin trembled.
Even the most foolish among them could sense Ying Zheng's fury.
Because of this, many of them immediately knelt on the ground.
"Please forgive us, Your Majesty, we dare not!"
"However, a merchant's daughter truly cannot command respect, nor can she gain the trust of the realm! We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"
"Good, good, 'however.' You are truly a group of incorrigible old rascals!"
"Guards, take all these kneeling ministers outside and behead them!"
Upon hearing this, many ministers were terrified to the point of soiling themselves.
They never expected that Ying Zheng would order their execution so abruptly.
Thus, many fell to their knees begging for mercy, and many more wished to plead on their behalf.
But at this moment, Ying Zheng spoke again.
"Anyone who pleads for them will be considered an accomplice!"
"A bunch of audacious individuals, daring to meddle in our royal family's affairs!"
"Do you truly think I don't know your intentions? You dream of entering our Great Qin royal family, but it's a pipe dream!"
"The Crown Prince's decision is final. None of you have the right to change it!"
"Anyone who dares to say another word, I assure you, the Crown Prince will personally go and have a chat with them!"
"Hmph!"
Ying Zheng's words struck even greater dread into the hearts of the court ministers, filling them with trepidation.
...