Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

The room fell silent instantly, with only the occasional sound of the wind passing by outside the window, gently rustling the windowpanes.

The fragrant aroma of tea wafted through the air, but Han Fei put down his teacup, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing together, and lowered his eyes: "How did Zicheng know... I had something to say to you?"

Zhou Wenqing remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he thought: It's hard not to know!

The reason is that this scene of solitude would never have happened in the past, especially in Xianyang.

At that time, Han Fei was always cautious and discreet, deliberately avoiding suspicion, and always regarded himself as a guest, never wanting to be alone with him.

But for some reason, I was quite curious about him.

But then he saw that his words in the court were quite sharp. He wanted to find out more, but he was also afraid that his mind would wander and shake his resolve. So whenever they met, he would wait for someone else to be by his side before exchanging pleasantries, or he would simply go straight to Li Yi to talk.

It was probably because Li looked honest and straightforward, and seemed to be bad at hiding things, so he was likely to reveal some information during casual conversation.

So he would often try to subtly inquire about Li Yi's background by talking to him, but he never dared to confront him directly.

As a result, she fell into his trap, was repeatedly moved, and had no choice but to cower and even take the initiative to cooperate with him to temporarily escape.

Later, as they traveled together, he repeatedly spoke in ambiguous ways, keeping Han Fei on the edge of his seat. Although the other party grew increasingly eager, he still avoided them at every turn, trying every means to avoid situations where the two of them could be alone, refusing to give them any opportunity to face each other directly and have a heart-to-heart talk.

But ever since he woke up, Han Fei has been staying in the room whether there is anyone else around. He sits quietly by the window drinking tea and doesn't say a word.

Just now, he had a private conversation with Fusu and his disciples, discussing many intimate matters. Han Fei simply stood outside the door and waited quietly, never leaving.

Zhou Wenqing would never believe that he had nothing important to discuss.

But this tacit understanding, before anyone can break the silence, will likely remain unresolved for another day, still hesitant and uncertain, with no one knowing when it will finally be broken.

So he decided to speak first.

"If Han Zi has any advice, please feel free to speak frankly," Zhou Wenqing said bluntly.

"Okay..."

Han Fei paused on the table with his teacup, looked up at Zhou Wenqing with a solemn expression, and rose to bow respectfully.

"I did not mean to offend you. I wanted to ask Zicheng about some private matters from the past. I wonder if Zicheng has any taboos about this. I am not avoiding it, but it is already abrupt. I should not be more rude. Please forgive me."

Zhou Wenqing sighed inwardly, thinking that Han Fei was indeed a gentleman of integrity, no wonder he couldn't outmaneuver Li Si.

They're all fellow disciples, so why is there such a big difference between them?

Look at Li Si. When you first meet him, you try to trick him into revealing information. He doesn't even blush when he lies. He makes up stories so smoothly and naturally, and he even gives you a heads-up beforehand.

dream!

But in the end, he couldn't really be considered a gentleman. He had taken advantage of the situation to fool Li Si into a daze, and he felt no guilt about it.

Based on this reasoning, Han Fei would definitely be no match for him, therefore—

Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I'm about to subdue Han Feizi, whom you've been longing for. Could you please scold me less when we get back?

Bringing his thoughts back, Zhou Wenqing suppressed his joy, quickly offering Han Fei a helping hand, and adopting an expression of utmost composure:

"Han Zi, there's no need for that. Please ask directly. Wen Qing has no reservations and will certainly answer everything he knows without reservation!"

Whether it's true or not... don't worry about it!

A gentleman can be deceived by his principles.

—It's actually quite unethical, but if someone as talented as Han Fei were to stubbornly cling to that incompetent and useless King Han An, wasting his talent, that would be truly outrageous.

the last time.

When Han Fei returns to Qin, he will treat him with utmost sincerity, without any pretense or scheming. Zhou Wenqing silently made this promise to himself.

"Alright, since Zicheng has put it that way, then let's be frank."

Han Fei's gaze was deep and fixed on Zhou Wenqing's eyes. His expression was extremely solemn as he spoke clearly, word by word:

"Zicheng, who inflicted the wound on your chest?"

"It is the King of Han."

Zhou Wenqing spoke without any preamble, his tone calm to the point of indifference.

Han Fei's pupils suddenly contracted.

Although he had some suspicions in his heart, the fact that it was so blatantly revealed still shocked him, and he was speechless for a long time.

Seeing this, Zhou Wenqing lowered his voice, a hint of melancholy welling up in his eyes: "King Han was once my lord, a fact that I, Wenqing, have never denied, and I suppose King Han is aware of it as well."

"Back then, he ordered me to enter Qin to implement a plan to weaken Qin, and treated me like a discarded pawn. I can only repay the kindness he showed me in the past, without any regrets."

He lowered his eyes slightly, his long eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions within them, his voice growing increasingly low and hoarse, carrying an unconcealed sorrow:

"Unexpectedly, Zheng was exposed, and I feared that my plan would be exposed and implicate Han. I immediately decided to return to Han to discuss a better strategy with the King of Han. But I never imagined that the personal guard he assigned to me was actually a henchman he had raised!"

"When that man saw me turn back, without asking why, he immediately drew his sword and killed me!"

His voice choked, Zhou Wenqing slowly raised his hand, gently pressing his palm against the fabric of his chest. His chest trembled slightly, as if he was overwhelmed with grief and unable to control himself for a moment.

Upon seeing this, Han Fei's breath hitched, his clenched fist bulged with veins, and his knuckles turned white.

He had seen the scar with his own eyes; it pierced through the heart and was shocking to behold. It was clearly a fatal blow that left no room for mercy. Zhou Wenqing's words were not false at all.

"Zicheng..." Han Fei's throat tightened, his voice hoarse and strained. He subconsciously stood up and reached out to help Zhou Wenqing, urgently advising, "There's no need to say anything more. Don't waste your energy on this. Today's events were rude and disrespectful..."

"Mr. Han, let me finish."

Zhou Wenqing raised his hand to stop him, then his gaze fell directly on his face, his eyes filled with weariness and desolation:

"It is not that Wenqing has betrayed his Lord, but that my Lord has abandoned me first."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a tear of blood, striking the air and piercing Han Fei's heart.

My lord... has abandoned me first...

Han Fei's face had lost all color, turning deathly pale, and he was trembling all over.

"If Wenqing hadn't been lucky enough to be rescued by A-Yi along the way, he would have already become a lost soul in a foreign land, and wouldn't be where he is today."

"Wenqing, who once served King Han, is dead. I have repaid the kindness and favor I received. Wenqing has a clear conscience." He looked at Han Fei, a faint, bitter smile appearing on his lips, his tone calm to the point of resignation.

"However, the debt of saving my life must be repaid. Therefore, if Mr. Han thinks that Wenqing has betrayed his master and therefore despises him, even if I, Zhou Wenqing, look at him as a petty person, I will accept it."

After he finished speaking, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, slowly leaned back on the soft pillow, and closed his eyes.

"No!"

Han Fei suddenly stood up. His movement was so sudden that his waist bumped against the teacups on the table, making a clattering sound and splashing hot tea. He didn't care at all, but instead took a step back and bowed deeply to Zhou Wenqing.

"Brother Zicheng is a true gentleman. I, Han Fei, am ashamed. I made wild guesses without knowing the truth, harboring prejudice and judging a gentleman by my own petty standards. This was a grave mistake. I hope Brother Zicheng will forgive me!"