Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

As soon as the name was uttered, Zhou Wenqing subtly observed Ying Zheng's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

To be honest, this was the most reasonable strategy he had come up with after much deliberation, and he had put in an unprecedented amount of acting effort. Since he had been able to be frank with the king and have a harmonious relationship with him, Zhou Wenqing had rarely needed to put on such a show.

When discussing matters with the king, it was common practice to speak one's mind frankly. Even when addressing Zhao Gao, subtly mocking him as a "vicious dog," the "subtlety" was almost as clear as the obvious, bordering on direct criticism.

Brother Gu'an has been frightened by his unrestrained speech countless times. He's gotten used to it and at most gives him a resentful look. He's too lazy to even try to persuade him anymore.

However, Prince Dan's identity is extremely special, not only because he is a hostage concerning the diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also because he and the king have a complicated and subtle past—they were both hostages in the State of Zhao and had a childhood friendship.

To deal with him, Zhou Wenqing believed that it was absolutely not a simple and crude approach, but rather a more roundabout and cautious one. Even if it meant using himself as a shield to evoke the king's pity and protectiveness, he had to first lay a foundation for Crown Prince Dan that would arouse the king's vigilance and deep-seated resentment, subtly shaking any remaining old feelings.

Of course, his accusation of this "old grudge" was not entirely baseless or made up on nothing.

The original owner had studied abroad, and given her background, it is highly likely that she was slighted by others in places where powerful and wealthy people gathered. But did she have any grudge against Prince Dan?

You can say yes or no; it all depends on how you "recall" and "state" it.

Yan Dan, as the crown prince of Yan, was a hostage for a long time, first in Zhao and then in Qin. He lived in a state of great disparity, humiliation and anxiety about his future. This experience easily fostered a distorted mentality, a deformed combination of inferiority and arrogance.

He is particularly sensitive to fighting to maintain his own status, while at the same time he has a morbid contempt for others, especially those he considers to be of lower status or in similar circumstances, in order to maintain his pitiful sense of superiority.

Zhou Wenqing had just carefully searched through the fragments of the original owner's memories, trying to piece together any possible intersections with Prince Dan that could be "exploited," and now he's pinning the blame on someone else.

Surprisingly, he actually found an excellent entry point!

The original owner once went on a study tour to the State of Zhao, and at that time, Handan, the capital of Zhao, was a miniature stage for the power struggle among the seven states, and could even be called a "hostage state".

Disgraced, waiting for the best bidder, imprisoned princes and nobles, envoys and advisors, scholars, and even opportunists flocked here like carp crossing a river, holding banquets and forming a miniature and complex "international society"—on the surface, it was a scene of clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, but in reality, it was filled with endless comparisons, tests, and infighting.

At that time, before he had made a name for himself, Zhou Wenqing, in order to gain fame, expand his network, and broaden his horizons, did indeed carefully seek connections and send out invitations as an ordinary scholar, and finally managed to get a corner seat at a high-level banquet.

Crown Prince Dan was indeed present at that banquet, as one of the hostages with a relatively high status due to the strength of the Yan state.

Perhaps it was because he had drunk some wine, or perhaps it was because he needed to vent the resentment that had accumulated during his long years as a hostage, but he once openly mocked the Korean envoy, whose national strength was even weaker and whose situation was even more awkward at the time.

"South Korea is weak, and its subjects are spineless, subservient to others. How can we talk about diplomatic relations?"

These words not only blatantly insulted the Korean envoy, but also subtly offended many people present who came from small countries or were of low status.

It was an undisguised arrogance and bullying based on the strength of the nation, fully exposing his distorted mentality of seeking out weaker people to trample on in order to achieve psychological balance after long-term suppression.

It's a pity, they weren't after him after all!

At that time, the original owner of this body was huddled in a corner, completely invisible, and Prince Dan may not have even noticed that he existed.

Prince Dan's attack was clearly directed at the Korean envoy.

But... how should I put it?

Scholars traveling to study valued camaraderie and shared interests, and he happened to be Korean!

So... how can it not be considered that he was included in the discussion?

If we round it up or down, how can it not be considered an insult to him?

While Zhou Wenqing was quickly refining this "processed" version of the story in his mind, he continued to observe Ying Zheng's expression out of the corner of his eye.

He waited, prepared, and as long as Ying Zheng asked for details, he was confident that the story would be presented in a very "reasonable" way, further confirming Prince Dan's "misdeeds" and "threats".

However, Ying Zheng did not immediately ask further questions.

Upon hearing the name "Prince Dan," a hint of understanding flashed across his eyes, but that understanding was quickly replaced by a deeper gloom.

"Ji Dan?" Ying Zheng's voice lowered, carrying an almost indifferent coldness, a sense of estrangement and disdain for someone he had long seen through.

"He really is... still as ungrateful, short-sighted, and blind as ever."

Ying Zheng remained silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knees. Then, a look of decisiveness flashed across his face, and he leaned forward slightly, raising his eyes to gaze intently into Zhou Wenqing's eyes.

"My dear minister, you need not worry about such trivial matters, nor should you hold a grudge over past humiliations." His voice returned to calm, even carrying a hint of reassurance.

"Such a blind, ignorant, and narrow-minded person, even with a prestigious title and empty reputation, is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb, merely a source of disgust. He has his own 'fate,' and sooner or later he will 'get into 'trouble'..."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the darkening sky outside the window. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved his lips, and his voice lowered, carrying an almost prophetic coldness:

"Maybe...it will be tonight?"

Oh ho~ Zhou Wenqing's heart skipped a beat.

Looks like someone's going to get a dog into their house tonight... oh wait, I mean, Zhao Gao (a legendary figure known for his cunning and ruthlessness)!

Having achieved his goal, and even faster than expected, Zhou Wenqing immediately suppressed all outward emotions, obediently leaning back on the couch, adopting a docile posture of "I am weak, I am obedient, I know nothing," and silently awaiting the bitter medicine he was destined to receive.

Just kidding! It's obvious that the king isn't in a good mood right now, and I don't want to cause him any unnecessary trouble with any unnecessary words or actions.

Sure enough, after watching Zhou Wenqing, with a death-defying expression and a furrowed face, gulp down a bowl of dark medicine, Ying Zheng did not linger. He only gave Xia Wuqie a few words of advice such as "be sure to be careful" before getting up and leaving.

The figure behind him seemed somewhat anxious and impatient, as if he were dealing with something urgent.

However, Zhou Wenqing... is temporarily too busy to deal with it, and is even in a precarious situation himself.

The bitterness of the medicine was extremely overpowering, numbing from the tip of the tongue to the back, as if even the soul was being enveloped by that astringent taste.

He forced himself to finish the drench, only to feel an indescribable stench churning from his throat to his stomach. He had to gulp down several mouthfuls of warm water that Xia Wuqie promptly handed him to barely suppress the nauseating taste.

Just as he lay down and caught his breath, and was about to wave to Xia Wuqie to indicate that he needed some peace and quiet, a strong wave of dizziness and drowsiness surged over him.

Physician Lü's medicine... is as potent as ever!

The thought had barely crossed his mind when everything went black before his eyes, his head lolled to the side, and he sank into a deep, unfathomable sleep.

------

It was late at night at Zhangtai Palace.

Ying Zheng did not go to bed. He sat alone behind his desk. Only a few lamps were lit in the hall, and the dim yellow light barely outlined his solemn figure.

The official documents spread out on the imperial desk had long been pushed aside; now, beneath his fingertips lay a special record.

Ying Zheng's fingers unconsciously and rhythmically tapped lightly on the smooth table surface, producing a dull and regular "tap, tap" sound that echoed in the silent hall, as if... measuring time.

The dim, yellow light flickered, illuminating the clear and concise characters on the bamboo slips:

"Yan Zidan has recently shut himself in and refused to see any guests, only speaking privately with his tutor and charioteer. He once gazed northward in the courtyard for a long time, his teeth clenched. His attendant heard him say in a drunken state: 'Living here is like being in prison, how can I go home!'"

Ha! He stopped what he was doing, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Zhao Gao."