Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 108, Section 107: Utmost Sincerity in Serving One's Ruler
Prince Qian was exceptionally persistent.

Ever since he heard those unfamiliar yet inexplicably attractive words from Qin Shi's mouth, he's practically been staying by Qin Shi's side.

He then asked, "What is a 'tycoon'? Is it better than gambling?"

Then he said, "What kind of game is Go? If you teach me, I will give you my golden treasure chest."

After going around in circles, they still come back to ask, "Why is the name of poker so strange? Is it a foreign game?"

Qin Shi, holding a simple charcoal pencil, was constantly jotting down his to-do list, buzzing around him like a bee...

She put down her pen and said helplessly, "Prince, I have many important things to do right now. I'll teach you the rules of these games another day."

"As for this gambling game..."

She glanced at the exquisite, heavy jade slab that required two servants to carry, and then offered her suggestion:

"For Lady Qin to have such an idea shows she is quite fond of gambling. Why don't you two go instead..."

"No, no, no."

Prince Qian shook his head heavily.

Although he was tall, he was only 12 years old. Nowadays, the separation between men and women is already weak, and Ji Heng is used to not caring about such things, so it can't be said that he was particularly avoiding it, otherwise the other party would not have met him on the way to the martial arts training ground.

only……

"It is said that Consort Qin once played a game with her father, the King, and after losing, she would weep with tears streaming down her face..."

He curled his lip, actually quite disdainful: "How many people in this world are as broad-minded as this prince, never getting anxious or worried about gambling? How can I possibly win against someone like her who bursts into tears the moment she loses?"

Qin Shi gave him a deep look.

Frankly speaking, given the tricks Qin Meiren has shown, it's questionable whether Prince Qian could win against her in a game.

If only he had as much brainless thinking as he does confidence.

In short, Prince Qian was now truly torn between desire and temptation, knowing full well he shouldn't, yet unable to move forward. So he gritted his teeth, enduring the servants' urging, and insisted that she first name one or two ways to play.

Frustrated by the constant pestering, Qin Shi picked up a pen and drew a grid of horizontal and vertical lines on the paper, then randomly drew a dot at the intersection of the grids:

"Come on, let me teach you the simplest game of Gomoku."

Prince Qian was overjoyed!
He cautiously planned to learn this new game, but after three or four moves, he found himself inexplicably losing, leaving him dumbfounded:

"That's it?"

"Yes."

Qin Shi put down his pen: "It's called Gomoku (Five in a Row), so of course the winner is determined once all five pieces are placed. It couldn't be simpler."

Wang Ziqian could understand gambling games, so this one was so easy for him to understand, it was unbelievably simple.

He didn't even believe the game names Qin Shi mentioned anymore. He was just trying to fob him off with something that would be over in no time.
Therefore, we still need to let her show her true abilities.

Even if he was completely lacking in manners, he was still a prince. This kind of entanglement wasn't about clinging to someone and pestering them, but rather about pacing around the palace, sighing.

At the same time, he looked over with pitiful eyes, subtle yet extremely direct.

If he really gets really stubborn, Qin Shi might just as stubbornly fight back and refuse to give in.

But look at it now...

That stubborn little mule, if it weren't for the battery not being enough and not having brought her game console, she would be playing *Honor of Kings*, Candy Crush, Zelda... right now.

Any one of them could make him completely infatuated.

Just as he was desperately pursuing her, Ji Heng of Zhangtai Palace issued a summons.

Qin Shi suddenly stood up, more enthusiastic than ever before: "I'll go right now!" Looking at Wang Ziqian, he instantly shrank obediently to the side, not daring to say another word.

……

When Qin Shi entered Zhangtai Palace, he was beaming with joy, clearly looking relieved.

Ji Heng had already heard the report from the eunuch, and at this moment he was filled with helplessness.

A few days ago, he instructed the children to come to Zhangtai Palace to discuss politics after their evening break, but he only persisted for three days before encountering a series of ominous news, such as a meteorite carving words.

Although he did not speak, the princes and princesses looked tense, as if they would be punished at any moment, so they all claimed to be sick and did not come today.

Their ideas included their own thoughts, as well as the advice from the ladies of the harem.

Thus, Ji Heng finally sighed in disappointment.

Seeing Qin Shi now brings joy, and the thought of the Qin Queen becoming like this in the future slightly dispels this melancholy.

With my great talent and ambition, and Qin Qing's extensive knowledge and abilities, if there were a prince, he would surely be able to shoulder great responsibilities.
But upon closer reflection, none of the ladies in the harem were truly fools, and so they fell silent again.

Qin Shi was unaware that his low spirits stemmed from the matter of having an heir, assuming he was burdened by state affairs. Therefore, he took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty summoned me; is there any progress on the matter of the meteorite in Dongjun?"

Ji Heng slowly shook his head: "Dongjun is far from Xianyang City. Even with the construction of the Eastern Road, it still takes three days by fast horse to get there."

And now, it is only the second day since the edict was issued.

Qin Shi was not in a hurry: "Since Your Majesty has already made a plan, the rest will simply be a matter of course. Just wait quietly, there is no need to worry about this matter."

Ji Heng slowly shook his head, and then said, "You reminded me of the matter of cinnabar and lead whitening. It just so happened that someone in the court recommended the alchemist Mao Sheng, and this practice became very popular."

As he spoke, he slowly observed Qin Shi's expression, only to see that upon hearing this, her eyes slightly opened and her brows furrowed, clearly showing great disgust and hatred.

Why is that?

Ji Heng raised an eyebrow slightly: It's true that Qin Qing is always cheerful and rarely shows such negative emotions.

Could it be... that the traditions are incompatible?

Little did he know that in later dynasties, anyone in the country who harbored no ill will towards Emperor Qin Shi Huang would want to rush forward and kill them all upon hearing the word "alchemist."

But at this moment, Ji Heng continued speaking:
"Mao Sheng is extremely loyal to his lord. I have ordered him to refine one golden elixir every seven days and consume it personally in order to achieve immortality and pray for the longevity of our Great Qin."

"Now that Mao Sheng has taken the first pill, its effects have worn off, and he is feeling exhausted—would you like to accompany me to see such a celestial master?"

What a mischievous king!

Qin Shi almost burst out laughing—what "serving one's lord with utmost sincerity"? And those so-called golden pills, why don't these alchemists eat a couple more baskets themselves?

But then she thought about it again, and realized that she was exactly in need of such talent right now!

Nowadays, alchemists are of no use in the pursuit of immortality; they only hinder progress.

However, it must be said that these days, everyone who can do this is literate and proficient in mathematics and chemistry; they are already among the best in the industry.

And among them, those with extensive experience in exploding ovens...

Qin Shi's eyes shone brightly; he was already impatient.

Upon seeing this, Ji Heng's heart pounded wildly before he felt a surge of joy.

"Why is Qin Qing so happy? Could it be... that there truly is a better way to achieve immortality?"

Qin Shi: ...

Oh, no, we don't have that.

Here I am! Goodnight!