Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 60, Section 59: The Prince and the Princess
Qin Shi was instantly stunned.

Wasn't it said that princes feared the king like tigers? She didn't even bow to the King of Qin, so how could she bow to a prince? And how dare Prince Qian ask such a question!

Little did people know, Prince Qian himself didn't have the guts to do so—he was quite like his mother, Lady Zheng, and actually quite simple-minded. He spoke rashly at this moment because when Qin Shi entered the palace, he saw the pearls adorning the other's shoes.

He had seen his mother that morning, and she had greatly admired the black bird and pearl hairpin he was wearing that day, gazing at it repeatedly in front of the mirror. Even though Prince Qian didn't pay much attention to such grooming matters, he still remembered that pearl.

However, now, those pearls adorn the shoes of this Lady Qin!

At this moment, he looked at Qin Shi with cold eyes, his breathing long and slow.

He had not seen his father for half a year since his father's western tour. But the other party had met with his father for two consecutive days since arriving at Xianyang Palace, and even had a meal and watched a dance together yesterday.

Prince Qian felt a pang of sorrow, which he then unleashed in a fit of rage.

Upon hearing this, Ji Heng's expression instantly turned serious.

"It is my great favor that you, Qin Qing, do not bow before the Emperor. So, when the Prime Minister is in office in the future, will you also have to bow to the Prince first?"

"Father, calm down!"

Prince Qian immediately stood up from his seat and knelt on the ground.

His face was pale, almost as pale as Cheng Hu's, who was staring blankly at the scene: "Your subject dares not! Your subject only... only..."

"Father." A clear, melodious female voice rang out from the side.

Princess Wenwen knelt steadily before the table and smiled as she spoke: "Qian'er is only feeling bitter and resentful because Father King favors Qin Jun more than us."

Her smile deepened, and her expression even became slightly playful: "Father has been on a western tour for so long, and I have missed you very much."

These words were so eloquent that even Qin Shi was almost convinced. But Ji Heng's expression grew even more furious: "As a prince and a man of high status, if you have any grievances, you may speak frankly to the emperor."

"If he truly has the courage to argue with me, I will tell our ancestors that my son's courage is commendable."

But now...

Prince Qian was narrow-minded, acted without considering the consequences, and was even somewhat lacking in common sense.

He didn't need to know why Wang Ziqian had a conflict with Qin Qing, but since the other party had the audacity to refuse to kneel before the emperor, could he possibly lack ability?
Princess Wen's words were indeed tactful, but when faced with problems, she only sought to make do. Despite her noble status as a princess, she lacked any sense of power or dominance. It was all petty tricks!

He closed his eyes briefly, then waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, Wen'er is a princess, so let it go."

Upon hearing this, the siblings' expressions became even more grim than before.

Attendants beside him helped Prince Qian up, following the King of Qin's movements. His young body seemed to bear a thousand-pound burden, and he knelt back down, his steps unsteady...

Qin Shi was speechless.

During this exchange, she did not feel overjoyed by the King of Qin's great favor; instead, she realized more deeply that:

The king is autocratic and domineering.

He was even harsh on his own children—he had a vast and beautiful world in his heart, but no children who were just as fierce and ruthless as tigers and wolves…?
No one in the palace would dare to defy him. And despite clearly having the upper hand, Gongzi Qian now appears both clueless and unhappy.

What more can this ruler who wants to maintain the status quo do?

Even if she did it, would she still be as magnanimous as Ji Heng in supporting her?
She lowered her eyes, also caught in a long-standing dilemma.

But looking at the pale-faced brother and sister opposite them, it was hard to tell who was suffering more.

Looking at Ji Heng sitting on the high platform, his expression wasn't very pleasant either—which made sense, as the powerful ruler was already thirty-six years old and still had no suitable successor.

In short, everyone is suffering right now.

However, despite the hardship, she couldn't easily back down. It was absolutely impossible for Qin Shi to take the initiative to bow. Therefore, she slowly exhaled and said, "Your Majesty's reward is generous; I have already donned it. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ji Heng lifted his eyelids to glance at her, thinking that Qin Qing was coming to praise him again, so he nodded: "Golden and jade-like, just like Qin Qing."

His voice was flat, his eyes didn't look closely, and he spoke very perfunctorily.

Despite this, the three princes and princesses opposite them still stared wide-eyed.

Qin Shi didn't mind, and laughed again: "Your Majesty is working hard and should take better care of yourself with your daily diet. Today I ordered the palace chefs to steam some new buns and try making tofu. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"

Looking at the princes and princesses opposite, it was fortunate that the palace servants always provided plenty of food, so they wouldn't go hungry and feel embarrassed.

Nowadays, people in Qin eat two meals a day, but they also take some supplements between meals, otherwise they would not be able to sustain such high-intensity work.

Therefore, Ji Heng did not resist and simply nodded, saying, "Bring it here."

The expressions on the faces of the princes and princesses opposite them grew increasingly strange.

Especially Wang Ziqian, who was clearly a vigorous young man, suddenly had tears in his eyes and quickly lowered his head so that no one could see them.

The servants brought out various dishes one by one, while Ji Heng looked at the children and said, "Eat more, and accompany me to discuss politics this afternoon."

When the topic of politics came up, even the seven-year-old Prince Chenghu immediately lowered his head, showing no desire for power whatsoever.

Upon seeing this, Qin Shi instantly thought of the tyrannical bosses he had worked with, and now he could understand them.

Princess Wen's eyes lit up. Despite having just been reprimanded, she still boldly asked, "Father, do you want me to come along?"

Ji Heng picked up a bowl of sweet honey-infused iced tofu pudding and said, "Madam Zheng said you are over fourteen this year, and has come to inquire about marriage—"

After the cool, sweet tofu pudding went down, the high sugar content soothed his spirits, and he unexpectedly showed a touch of warmth:
"Wen'er, if you were to choose a husband, what are your requirements?"

Princess Wen's eyes, which had been shining brightly, dimmed slightly for a moment.

After a moment of silence, she said, "My son is still young, and I don't want to talk about marriage now."

Ji Heng did not object, but said indifferently, "If that's the case, then so be it. If you still don't want to marry, I'll have your mother find some beautiful women for you to play with."

Judging from what he said, this play was probably no ordinary play.

The princes and princesses showed no change in expression, clearly indicating that this was not something unacceptable in modern times.

only……

Qin Shi sighed slightly:
In terms of openness, the King of Qin was indeed much more open about matters of men and women compared to monarchs of previous dynasties.

But when it comes to the importance attached to women's political rights...

Even though he had been suppressed by the late queen, he still subconsciously excludes his daughter when discussing politics.

She then asked with genuine curiosity, "Your Majesty, why is the princess not invited to participate in political discussions? Is she perhaps a little too delicate?"

It is truly audacious of her to ask such a question in court today.

But Qin Shi still wanted to understand—given the deep favors and generous rewards she had received, she knew that King Ji Heng of Qin should not be opposed to women doing things.

Consider this: even the Qin army has female soldiers now, so why is the princess excluded?
Even Princess Wen looked back in surprise.

I'm here! A little late.

You can probably tell why princess stories don't work, right?