The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 360: Qi Girl's Words, Chu Girl's Tears, Warring States Werewolf
As the saying goes, you can avoid the first day, but you can't avoid the fifteenth day, but Ying Chengjiao is trying to avoid it for as long as he can.

He left in such a hurry that the eyes of the palace maids who wanted to watch the fun widened.

Why did you react so violently?
In the back room where there were no palace maids, Princess Tian Yan of Qi, who had come secretly from Qi, sat upright on a wooden chair beside the table, with a hint of shyness on her face.

She and Ying Chengjiao have not yet married, and staying in Ying Chengjiao's private bedroom is impolite and too unreserved.

She sat there like a lady from a painting, if you ignored the two fingers that were always entangled on her belly.

The equally unmarried Gongzi Huang was half leaning against the head of the bed, with one leg on the edge of the bed and the other on the ground, revealing a large area of ​​snow-white skin, which combined with her graceful figure that was just beginning to emerge and a pair of big, watery eyes that were full of spring - three years of huge profits, the death penalty is worth it!

Etiquette? The etiquette in the Central Plains is bullshit!

Reserved? Her grandma didn't teach her to be reserved!

"Miss Mi." Tian Yan suddenly said, "You shouldn't have come."

The Seventh Princess of Qi had a solemn expression on her pretty face, which made Mi Huang, who was looking at her, feel like she was seeing a teacher.

"You should come?" The proud Mi Huang sneered with an arc at the corner of her mouth, and the harshness on her lips made people want to kiss her.

"I shouldn't have come, and you shouldn't have come either."

"shit."

"I violated etiquette, and you violated politics."

"shit."

"I can marry him, but you can't."

"..."

"I originally thought you had no real feelings for him, but it seems you still have some feelings for him. Miss Mi, he has already been very protective of the Chu people, so don't make it difficult for him. People should know how to behave."

"I am a barbarian, I don't know etiquette."

As the two girls were talking to this point, the door opened lightly.

After getting permission, Palace Chief Ying Ping came in and said that the young master would not return to the palace today.

"I understand." Princess Qi smiled and nodded, then slowly stood up. Her every move was beautiful, and her every word and action exuded nobility.

"Miss Mi." Tian Yan bowed slightly to the rude Mi Huang and saluted with a faint smile: "Goodbye."

Mi Huang did not respond.

She watched Tian Yan, who was destined to become Ying Chengjiao's wife, walk past Ying Ping. She watched Ying Ping's mouth unconsciously reveal nervousness, and the flame between his eyebrows seemed dim in the shadow.

"Go out." She raised her head and said to Ying Ping.

Ying Ping responded and left, closing the door behind him.

Mi Huang lowered her head, looking at a loss, with confusion on her pretty face.

She slowly lay down and buried her face in the pillow with a familiar scent. Her bun trembled, trembled, and trembled again.

late at night.

Mi Huang had been waiting for a long time, and she didn't know when she opened her eyes from a drowsy sleep. The unlit room was completely dark, and she couldn't see anything.

Her brain slowly became clear, telling her that she was being held by someone.

"Go to sleep." A familiar boy's voice came from beside me.

She twitched her nose and sniffed like a puppy, relying on the familiar smell to confirm the identity.

She squirmed into the warm embrace, clinging to it tightly and still moving in, as if she wanted to get into that not-so-broad chest and become one with the man in the dark.

"Transform into a dragon." She whispered, her voice loud and clear in the silent night.

"Yeah." The boy responded.

"Leave some fire for Chu, please."

"It's not that serious."

She felt a warm feeling on her forehead; she was kissed, and the cold fire in her heart was rekindled.

"Don't say the word 'please' in the future. I still like your rebellious look in the beginning. You have to stay proud forever." The warmth moved down with the voice, from her pretty face to her jaw.

Mi Huang's delicate body was tense and she raised her head high.

The warmth flowed down, leaving traces on her swan-like neck, and the words with a fiery breath stirred in the cold night:

"Don't be so cooperative. I can't help it."

"Who will cooperate with you?" Mi Huang bit her lip and panted, "I am proud."

"So proud." A chuckle floated in the darkness, and two hot breaths merged into one.

What's wrong with a proud person holding his head high? Nothing is wrong.

----

Two days later, the morning bell in the Central Palace had just rung for the third time and it was still dark, but officials waiting to attend court had already gathered in the square in front of the main gate of the Xin Palace.

The summer morning breeze is also a little chilly.

The officials gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices, and from time to time they glanced at the two empty palaces, always feeling a chill.

"Lord Wang, I heard that three more officials from the old Qin were dismissed yesterday?" A middle-aged man in dark official uniform asked in a low voice.

The man called Lord Wang is none other than Wang Kuan, a representative figure of the old aristocrats of the Qin State.

Stroking his black beard, Wang Kuan's eyes flashed with seven parts of anger and three parts of fear, and he said sternly:

"Silence."

Two days ago, he submitted a memorial against the left and right prime ministers. Yesterday, all seven old Qin nobles were destroyed. He was really unsure what the king was thinking.

Wang Kuan knew that the reason why this official who was close to the old Qin nobles and at the bottom of the court could still come and talk to him and dare to talk to him was that the news had not yet spread.

Once the news is made public, this person will immediately side with both parties.

There was a commotion in the distance.

At the end of the square, two richly decorated sedan chairs slowly approached.

Dozens of guards surrounded the sedan chair, and the grand ceremony even surpassed the ceremonial guard of the crown prince Ying Chengjiao, and was only inferior to that of King Zheng of Qin.

The sedan chair stopped and the first person to get off was a young man with a dignified face.

He was wearing a dark official robe with a golden sash, and the belt hook on his waist shone coldly in the morning light. He was none other than the Right Prime Minister Xiong Wen.

Following closely behind him was his younger brother Xiong Qi, the left prime minister. He was also dressed in luxurious clothes, but his brows were a little more sinister.

As soon as the two brothers appeared, the well-informed officials in the square immediately saluted. This scene made the official who was talking to Wang Kuan shudder, and he immediately realized that there must be something important that he was not aware of.

He hurriedly followed everyone else in paying his respects, and in order to avoid suspicion he walked more than ten steps away from Wang Kuan.

"No need to be so polite, my lords." Xiong Qi smiled, but his voice was full of pride: "Today's court meeting is of great importance. I hope you will put state affairs first."

Xiong Wen glanced around coldly, his gaze lingering on the old nobles for a moment, and a barely perceptible sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Although he is more stable than his brother, he is also a passionate young man. He has all the advantages and the support of the king. How can he not be arrogant?

Wang Kuan lowered his head to hide the anger in his eyes.

Since the Xiong brothers came to power, the lives of the old Qin nobles have become increasingly difficult. Some were demoted or transferred to remote areas, and the middle-level official positions in Qin were gradually occupied by officials from Chu.

He thought that he could kill the two prime ministers based on the indisputable facts that they abused their power, colluded with foreign forces, and bent the law for personal gain. However, he did not expect that the people killed were seven clans, one of whom even married a princess of the royal family, and the princess of the royal family also died!
This really scared Wang Kuan a little.

Before, everything was under Wang Kuan's control, but now it is no longer under his control.

Wang Kuan's eyes swept through the crowd and fixed on Mao Jiao, who had restored his real name. He now urgently needed Mr. Shan to give him an analysis.

"The King has arrived!" Following the sharp announcement from Zhao Gao, who was in charge of issuing the imperial seal, all officials immediately straightened their clothes and took their seats according to their status.

The young King Zheng of Qin walked slowly into the hall.

He was dressed in black robes, with a calm face, showing no emotion. Only his sharp eyes occasionally flashed a light that made people feel anxious.

Behind King Zheng of Qin followed a young man with a pair of phoenix eyes that looked less heroic than King Zheng of Qin and more feminine.

It was Qin Wang Zheng's younger brother, the crown prince of Qin, and the Lord of Chang'an, Ying Chengjiao. Ying Chengjiao sat at the front row of the court.

King Zheng of Qin climbed the steps of the tower and sat on the throne.

"Go to court." Qin Wangzheng's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone: "If you have any memorials, please report them immediately."

The court meeting began, and the left prime minister Xiong Qi came out first:
"Your Majesty, the border army reported that Zhao has recently deployed troops and generals, and I am afraid that they have evil intentions. I think we should send more troops to strengthen the defense."

King Qin Zheng nodded slightly:
“What the Left Prime Minister said is absolutely true.

"I wonder how many more troops will be needed? How will the food and fodder be allocated?"

Brothers on the battlefield, Right Prime Minister Xiong Wen immediately responded:
"I have ordered people to calculate that we need to increase the number of troops by 50,000, and the food and fodder will be transferred from all over Guanzhong. However..."

He pretended to hesitate and said:
"In recent years, Guanzhong has been under flood control and has suffered from poor harvests. The burden on the people is already heavy. If we impose more taxes, it may cause public resentment."

When Ying Chengjiao heard this, he narrowed his eyes and resisted the urge to look at Xiong Wen.

The boy didn't know whether Xiong Wen had spied out something and was testing him, or if he was really just talking about the matter. The construction of the Zhengguo Canal in Guanzhong was a secret among secrets, and it was best to keep it secret for as long as possible.

When Wang Kuan's eldest son Wang Wan heard this, he couldn't help but step out. His father was worried about him, but he wasn't. Who wouldn't be the king's confidant?

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!" Wang Wan's voice was clear and loud.

Xiong Qi frowned, but because Wang Wan was now closer to the king than he was, he had to take a step back.

"Speak." King Zheng of Qin's gaze fell on Wang Wan.

"The treasury is full, so why would there be talk of raising taxes?" Wang Wan, who worked in the Grain and Internal Affairs Office, said in a resounding voice: "I suspect someone has embezzled money and withheld military pay!"

There was an uproar in the court.

Xiong Wen's expression changed slightly:

"Lord Wang, you are wrong! The distribution of military pay is recorded. How can we allow slander?"

"Records can be forged!" One-armed Meng Tian stepped forward. He was the one who personally exterminated the entire family and understood the situation best: "Your Majesty, we have jointly submitted a report to accuse the two prime ministers of forming a clique for personal gain, excluding dissidents, and embezzling military pay. The evidence is irrefutable!"

As he spoke, Meng Tian took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve and held it high above his head.

A flash of panic flashed across Xiong Qi's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure:
"Your Majesty, please understand. This is a deliberate frame-up by a villain who is jealous of the high regard you have for us!"

If the king really wanted to strike them, the Qin sword would not fall on the necks of the seven old Qin nobles, but on their necks.

In his opinion, the king's intention was obvious.

As long as their Chu faction can strike a blow against the old Qin nobles, King Zheng of Qin can turn a blind eye to these "little things".

Zhao Gao took it and presented it.

King Zheng of Qin took the bamboo slips expressionlessly and slowly unfolded them.

The court was completely silent, everyone was waiting with bated breath, except Ying Chengjiao who looked embarrassed.

Everyone else is the one being decided, while the teenager is the decision maker.

If the Chu faction really extended its tentacles to Guanzhong and intended to reveal the Zhengguo Canal, then he would have to break his promise to the little phoenix...

After a moment, Qin Wang Zheng closed the bamboo slips and said in a terrifyingly calm voice:
“This matter is of great importance and needs to be thoroughly investigated.

"Transform into a dragon."

Ying Chengjiao, who was thinking, stood up immediately:

"The minister is here."

"I leave this matter to you. Give me an explanation within three days." Qin Wangzheng's eyes were as sharp as Qin swords. "Investigate it thoroughly. The foundation of Qin must not be shaken."

Xiong Qi and Xiong Wen exchanged glances and thought this was just a showpiece project.

Wang Kuan and other old Qin nobles kept a low profile.

The king's decisiveness was beyond their expectations, but what if it was just a nice word? The seven exterminated clans could not lie.

"I obey your command." Ying Chengjiao bowed deeply.

The court meeting ended quickly and it was still early.

Ying Chengjiao's carriage was driving slowly on the streets of Xianyang.

He looked out the car window at the increasingly prosperous capital and was really tired of killing people.

But as a member of the Qin royal family and as the crown prince of the Qin Dynasty, there are some things that only he can do, and he must stand up.

"There is an assassin! Protect the prince!" The guards' shouts suddenly came from outside.

Ying Chengjiao was furious. There were assassins in the center of Xianyang? How ridiculous!

"Capture him alive!" the young man shouted.

Soon, a dead body came into Ying Chengjiao's sight. How could it be so easy to catch a living person?
The boy looked through the car window, and the anger between his brows became more and more obvious.

He first went to find Xunzi, and then stayed in the mansion in Xianyang City that King Zheng of Qin awarded him, without returning to the palace.

Anyone with a little influence knows that this mansion belongs to Ying Chengjiao, and is called Chang'an Jun Mansion. This name should have been used after he moved out of the palace.

The next morning, just after Ying Chengjiao finished his breakfast, the housekeeper of the mansion came hurriedly to report:

"Master, Lord Wang Kuan wants to see you."

"Please come in." Ying Chengjiao straightened his clothes and went to the front hall to greet him personally.

Wang Kuan looked haggard, as if he had not slept all night:
"My Lord, I have something important to tell you."

Ying Chengjiao nodded and dismissed his attendants:

"Master Wang, please speak."

"Last night, I received news that the left and right prime ministers secretly mobilized 300 assassins. I'm afraid they are going to harm you, my Lord." Wang Kuan lowered his voice, "What's more terrifying is that they have sent people to the border to contact Chu and Zhao!"

Ying Chengjiao took a breath of cold air:
"How dare they be so bold!"

"My Lord, time is running out." Wang Kuan took out a list from his arms. "This is the list of Xiong's followers, as well as copies of their embezzlement accounts. I risked my life to bring it here. Please report it to the king as soon as possible!"

Ying Chengjiao took the list and said solemnly:
"Lord Wang is loyal, but we must investigate the matter first..."

Wang Kuan nodded:

“I understand, old minister.

"Tomorrow, the envoy from Chu will come to visit secretly. If we can capture him on the spot..."

A gleam of light flashed in Ying Chengjiao's eyes:
"I understand. I will try to get into his house and find out everything."

While the two were talking in secret, the butler came again to report:

"Master, the Right Prime Minister sent an invitation to invite you to a banquet tomorrow!"

Ying Chengjiao and Wang Kuan looked at each other and saw that each other looked shocked and horrified.

"Reply to him that I will keep the appointment on time." Ying Chengjiao said in a deep voice.

"Your Excellency must be careful!" Wang Kuan said anxiously, "This banquet is definitely going to be bad for you, Your Excellency!"

"Kid knows." Ying Chengjiao nodded heavily.

The two talked for a long time. Ying Chengjiao personally sent Wang Kuan out of the mansion. He stood on the steps with a solemn face, watching Wang Kuan's carriage go away. He did not return home until he could no longer see him.

The moment he turned around, the young man was expressionless.

"Interesting." He murmured to himself.

The next day, Xiong Qi's mansion was decorated with lights and was crowded with guests.

Before the banquet began, Xiong Qi personally welcomed Ying Chengjiao:

"It is a great honor for Chang'an Jun to have come to visit us!"

Ying Chengjiao smiled and returned the greeting:
"Since both parties have invited each other, how dare Cheng Jiao not come?"

Xiong Wen laughed and said:
"Your Excellency has been busy with official duties these days and has rarely had some free time. You must have a good time today and not go home until you are drunk!"

(End of this chapter)