Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 174, Section 173: The Qin Law Through the Ages
The Grand Historian Yuan Xin stroked his beard stiffly, as if he were a robot that would never change its commands.

Ji Heng sat there, unable to recover for a long time.

It was 2,249 years after the Qin Dynasty.

Mountains and rivers change, years turn. He sought immortality in vain, while later generations have looked back and arrived in his Qin state.

At this moment, Ji Heng could not care about the shock of the astonishing gap of more than two thousand years, nor could he care about the national policies and people's livelihood of the Qin Dynasty in the future, or how foreign countries would submit.
On the night he briefly saw the photos and videos, he speculated about the origins of Qin Shi Huang, having lost before, but then rising again.

Just like the Qin state, which was once ridiculed, it eventually unified the world.

but--

Did Qin Qing really come here from the future Qin Dynasty?

No.

Ji Heng thought to himself: Not necessarily.

Because from beginning to end, Qin Qing did not react to anyone in the court.

If he is to be regarded as a great emperor throughout history, then Chancellor Wang Fu will surely be equally famous. General Yan Yun, who was buried with him at Mount Li, should not be forgotten either.

But Qin Qing didn't show any of this in her reaction.

But when she talks about Qin laws, Qin regulations, and this great unification, she is filled with pride and confidence.

At this joyous moment when he was about to be crowned empress, Ji Heng was already certain—

The laws of Qin were followed for centuries to come, but his Qin dynasty may have long been lost to time.

Or perhaps it has already declined and faded into obscurity, so much so that even a learned scholar like Qin Qing no longer needs to pay attention to the heroic figures in this period of history.

Ji Heng closed his eyes.

His mighty Qin Dynasty...

At this moment, the Grand Historian finally cried out "Ouch!" as he pulled his beard in pain.

He turned to look at Ji Heng, his eyes filled with a profound sense of bewilderment.

Looking at the Qin Dynasty again, how could the Queen of Qin, who was in the prime of her life, be someone from more than 2,000 years later?
But the king didn't show any shock. Was his surprise because he didn't seem like a strategist who was skilled in divination?

But! But...

He wanted to say something more, but Ji Heng had already calmly given the order: "Now that we have the exact year, once the birth date and time are reported, the Grand Astrologer should bathe and burn incense to perform a proper calculation."

The Grand Astrologer left Zhangtai Palace in silence, filled with shock.

As far as I know, he will probably be unable to sleep for several nights in a row.

But Qin Shi couldn't care less about his feelings.

At this moment, she was only looking at Ji Heng.

The other party was not as shocked as expected, but his expression instantly turned gloomy, as if her arrival did not excite or delight him.

Qin Shi looked at him quietly. After a moment, he stood up from the table and slowly, step by step, purposefully stepped onto the high jade steps.

The jade steps were not high, and it didn't take many steps to reach Ji Heng's side.

The other person was already used to the table and chairs, and was sitting in a rosewood chair, looking at her with a slightly puzzled expression.

At this moment, Qin Shi finally felt it for herself: she was truly going to become the Queen of Qin.

These jade steps, which were usually off-limits to anyone, could no longer refuse her approach.

Therefore, she smiled slightly, her eyes like moonlight and water, gazing at Ji Heng with extreme tenderness, and then extended a pair of jade-white, cool hands.

She gently and tentatively grasped Ji Heng's hand.

This was not the first time she had touched Ji Heng's palm.

When she instinctively reached out her hand to the King of Qin before the chariot, she already felt the heat and roughness of his palm. It carried the fiery, robust energy of a grown man, and the thick calluses honed from skilled archery and horsemanship. But at this moment, as she gently grasped that hand, the emotions she felt were quite different from before.

Ji Heng's body tensed abruptly, his forearm twitched uncontrollably, and then he grabbed her hand in the next instant:

"Qing..."

He seemed to want to say something, but Qin Shi had already asked softly:
"Your Majesty, I am very happy to be your queen."

"I feel extremely honored to be Zheng Heng's wife."

She didn't know why Ji Heng was unhappy.

She didn't dare to ask questions, because she might not be able to answer the questions the other party posed.

In that case, we might as well turn the tables and take the lead.

At this moment, she looked tenderly at the monarch before her, a figure beyond the reach of ordinary people, as if gazing upon her most cherished treasure.

Ji Heng felt this gaze—the wholehearted admiration from the woman he admired and trusted.

This subtle emotion, like a tiny bolt of lightning, traveled down the spine, causing goosebumps to rise all over the body, making one tense up suddenly, and then relax just as the heart overflowed with anticipation.

He knew that Qin Qing was overwhelmed with emotion and could not suppress her affection for him.

Women are often like this because their minds are soft and delicate, making them more prone to these romantic feelings than men.

But the queen he needs and can trust, while wielding power, also needs to possess such qualities of kindness, gentleness, and a focus on family affection.

This is a more restrictive force than family, clan, mentorship, or blood ties.

In the entire Qin Dynasty, who else could be like Qin Qing, who posed no threat to him yet relied on him wholeheartedly?
At the same time, he was full of talent, devoted to his Great Qin, and so admired and longed for him.
The Grand Astrologer's divination was correct.

This is the hexagram of Qian and Kun, representing the harmony of Yin and Yang, and the mandate of Heaven.

Qin Qing should be his queen.

Even so, he smiled, his expression revealing a unique and tolerant nature.

Then he suddenly exerted force with his palm and said in a deep voice, "I will never betray your heart."

I also hope that you can be like me, wholeheartedly devoting yourselves to building this great Qin Dynasty together!

Qin Shi assumed that the matter of inquiring about birth dates and times was over and done with. But after she left, Ji Heng slowly composed himself and then secretly ordered the Grand Astrologer:

"You must not tell anyone where Qin Qing came from. The Grand Historian must prepare another birth date and time and give it to the Minister of the Imperial Clan and the Minister of Ceremonies. We will pray at the ancestral temple tomorrow and offer sacrifices to our ancestors. I will then apologize to our ancestors."

She knew nothing of this; at that moment, she was just quietly looking at the book in her hand. When she looked up again, she found that the heavy hair crown had already been put on.

Today required extra solemnity, so her hair was simply styled into a high bun, and with the modification of the clothing, it perfectly suited her temperament, making her extremely graceful and dignified.

At the same time, the clothing no longer used the light colors that were commonly used, but instead used an extra formal dark crimson color.

That is, a black, curved-hemmed deep robe with a rich red trim dyed with vermilion.

This color was used when the king ascended the throne. Following the example set by the king, the nobles of Qin now use this color for their weddings.

Fearing that Qin Shi would feel uncomfortable wearing it, Fu Cai deliberately explained, "This inner silk garment is made of natural materials. With the silk garment separating you, the cinnabar should not be an obstacle."

Such a vibrant red, such a deep, night-like black.

Qin Shi smiled and said, "I like it very much."

　This chapter is particularly difficult to write about emotions, but it's essential to include them. Throughout the long story, each shift, progression, and layering of emotions is connected to the underlying behavioral patterns.

　　Hope you like it.

　　Our king always puts his career first!

　　(End of this chapter)