Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 297, Section 296: Reading the Letter and Offering Kind Words
"Your Majesty, I have arrived at Su Su Village."

The Xianyang wharf was so vast, and the Qin warships were even more imposing and majestic. With their battle flags fluttering and the blue waters rippling, it was no wonder that the King was willing to undertake such a arduous inspection tour; truly, seeing this world filled him with joy and broadened his horizons.

[It's a pity the King isn't by your side; otherwise, we could have seen the bustling riverbanks and boats on the Wei River, a testament to the gradual stabilization of the people after the unification of the six states.]

[At the Xianyang docks and in Tongchuan, I observed that the people conducting business used the same methods of measurement, and merchants from all over the country...]

[Your Majesty unified the world, established your rule over the nine provinces, standardized weights and measures, and promoted the use of seal script and clerical script... This is truly an achievement that will last for generations, and is truly remarkable...]

During the Qin Dynasty, letters did not need to follow any rules or regulations; people could write whatever came to mind, as if having a casual chat.

He took the opportunity to express his feelings positively through writing, and also to appease Ji Heng, who loved to hear nice things.

It's important to know that not every dynasty's queen could participate in these matters or travel freely from Guanzhong to Tongchuan, arriving at this ordinary farm.

The extent of her power depends not only on her own abilities but also on Ji Heng's magnanimity.

In that case, praising them more won't go wrong.

Furthermore, the entire Su Su Manor is so obedient and attentive to her every command. If it weren't for Ji Heng's instructions and his prior reputation, how could she have taken over so smoothly?

She doesn't believe that just because someone is under a monarch, they will serve him with wholehearted loyalty.

The recruitment process is progressing very smoothly. The local powerful Bai family is particularly astute; they issued the recruitment notice on the first day and hurriedly arrived with millet and salt on the second day...

[Following this, they offered tens of thousands of acres of fertile land. Although I truly only intended to use it for a year as a trial, the fact that they even sent a contract shows they've gone to great lengths to demonstrate their sincerity.]

[Although I don't believe such a family has never done anything wrong, the saying goes, "If the water is too clear, there will be no fish." Since they are of use now, we'll use them.]

Therefore, they promised to send him an invitation to the Xianyang auction.

[Upon hearing of this item, the local powerful families of Tongchuan sprang into action, offering pearls, jade, and silk daily. One particularly foolish clan even presented eight young women, hoping I would take them back to the palace to curry favor with the King…]

I immediately declined.

"With a hero like Your Majesty, even a glance from other women would make me feel unbearably sad. How could I bear to bring these women back to the palace..."

She described herself as overwhelmed with love, filled with bitterness, and brimming with possessiveness, making her utterly pitiful.

Indeed, the more perfect a queen is, the more people will demand of her.

Given his abilities, Ji Heng wouldn't mind displaying a domineering personality to a certain extent.

After all, no one in the world is more domineering and tyrannical than him.

Moreover, although Qin Shi rationally understands that she cannot interfere with who is favored in the inner palace, Ji Heng still maintains the intention of respecting the Queen's exclusive favor. She is not a masochist, so why would she actively hand him over and push him away?
After all, a man's promises, besides those involving financial interests, also include those made in bed.

This may be a crude way of putting it, but it reflects human nature.

She appropriately showed her childlike thoughts, which would likely make Ji Heng feel more at ease and more tolerant.

……

as predicted.

In Zhangtai Palace, Ji Heng opened the long scroll in the box. As it slowly unfurled, he was taken aback upon seeing the densely packed characters on it.

But thinking about it carefully, it's not strange at all.

After all, the Queen always had a lot of idle talk every day, and he was initially not used to it, finding it all rather trivial. But as he spent his days chatting with her, he gained a lot of insights into politics, and his life became more interesting.

Having not heard from him for several days, I'm actually feeling a little uneasy.

Looking at this densely packed letter, with even traces of hastily drawn lines to correct mistakes, it seems the Queen was careless in her conduct and never considered that a letter should be presented in a neat and tidy manner...

However, this has always been the case for those who have been favored throughout history.

Even if there is a mistake, there is no mistake; it will only increase affection.

Once one falls out of favor, even if one is without fault, one is still considered to have made a mistake.

Qin Shi didn't bother with such meticulous and cautious movements, and Ji Heng, as expected, didn't care about such details either. At this moment, he simply read through the text line by line, offering his casual comments:
"It's kind of Your Majesty to find time to write letters to various parts of Xianyang Palace even amidst your busy schedule." Zhou Ju, understanding the implied meaning, quickly smiled and said:
"It seems that the Queen has been missing the King for many days. Otherwise, how could she have dismissed Lady Chu and Physician Ming at Ganquan Palace with just half a page or a page?"

"As for Your Majesty, this long scroll must have made the Queen's hand ache from writing, and she still hasn't finished it."

Upon hearing this, Ji Heng indeed saw another mistake that had been hastily crossed out, with some not-so-beautiful clerical script characters written below.

His brow furrowed slightly at that moment, but quickly relaxed.

The Queen's perseverance is astonishing. Despite not knowing how to write the local characters, she has managed to practice seal script and clerical script to a neat and orderly degree during her time in the palace and despite her busy schedule.

Of course, it's only barely neat.

As for aesthetic appeal, it's not apparent at the moment.

Hearing Zhou Ju's flattery, his brows relaxed, but he still said calmly:

"A woman of the Queen's status wouldn't normally have much to do with Lady Chu and Yiming. If there were important matters, she could simply give an order. But she insisted on writing a reply... She has always been a person of great respect."

As for the one he has in his hand...

Just then, his gaze fell upon the matter of a powerful family offering a young woman as a tribute. Ji Heng raised an eyebrow, a rare hint of smugness appearing on his face.

As expected, the Queen's affections are now so strong that they can no longer be concealed.

Zhou Ju watched quietly from the side, inwardly astonished:
As expected of the Queen!

Look! Even before the person arrived, just a few words in the letter, and the king's mood was already quite different.

Looking further down, Ji Heng frowned, then let out a cold snort:
"Scholars...don't know what they're talking about."

……

Compared to the replies received by the King and the physician, Lady Chu's reply was much simpler.

[This mere elder of the Zhao clan, I've heard, never did anything of kindness while he was alive; now that he's dead, there's no need to say more.]

[Human life is of paramount importance, especially since it concerns your father. Lady Fangxi is so intelligent and kind-hearted; she must have benefited greatly from your parents' upbringing. It would be a great pity if such a talented person were to die from illness. I have already mentioned this to the King. Upon receiving this letter, go find Yiming and have her take Yiling and the other physician with her to Shu. They will meet your father on the way.]

And at the end of this brief letter, the young queen offered another gentle word of comfort:
I have been away from the palace for a few days. Ganquan Palace must be bustling with affairs. Lady Fangxi, please take care of yourself and do not overexert yourself. There will be plenty of time in the future.

Madam Chu held the thin piece of parchment paper in her hands, gently pressing it to her chest. Her heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions, which she found difficult to express for a long time.

The maidservant stood by nervously: "Madam? Could it be that the Queen has rejected your request?"

She bit her lip and then said, "My lord's illness is too serious to delay. I dare to ask the Prefect of Zhangtai Palace for help..."

She pleaded and begged, offered hefty bribes, and had served Madam Chu for many years; naturally, there was some affection between them.

However, Madam Chu shook her head blankly, and after a moment she read the letter carefully again before shaking her head again:
"The Queen agreed."

Not only did she agree, she also called herself "Lady Fangxi".

She was not a lady from the State of Chu, nor was she from the Zhao family, but rather [Fangxi].

So that's why her name sounds so beautiful.

How strange! Lady Chu thought to herself: The Queen looks so much younger than her, yet she replies with such composure that it gives one a great sense of security.

She took a deep breath, all her previous anxiety vanishing, and immediately gave the order:

"Bring out paper and pen, I want to write a letter to my father."

"Go and fetch the doctor again..."

　As for the rest of the letter... I'll write about it from a different angle next, don't rush.

　　(End of this chapter)