Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door slammed shut with a "bang".

"No! Absolutely not!"

It was Li Yi, his face anxious, who suddenly pushed open the door and rushed in, bringing with him a gust of wind that made the pages of the books on the desk rustle.

The two people inside the room turned their heads simultaneously, both startled.

Zhou Wenqing, in particular, felt a jolt in his heart. A sharp, stabbing pain spread from his chest, causing him to furrow his brow, bend over, support himself on the edge of the bed with one hand, and press the other hand firmly against his chest.

"teacher!"

Li Yi panicked instantly, his previous anxiety turning into regret. He rushed to the bedside, squatted down, and stared intently at Zhou Wenqing to check on his condition.

Seeing that the man was holding his breath and gritting his teeth to endure the sudden pain, Li Yi felt even more guilty. He punched his thigh hard and then got up to rush out.

"It's all my fault for being so reckless and disturbing you, sir! I'll go find Physician Lü right away!"

"stop!"

Upon hearing the words "Medical Master Lü," Zhou Wenqing reacted instinctively, grabbing Li Yi's clothes with lightning speed.

Why is everyone looking for Physician Lü today? Don't they know that Physician Lü is the least welcome person in his room?

Zhou Wenqing took a couple of breaths, his voice still slightly weak, but exceptionally resolute.

"return."

Li Yi froze, his head bowed, his gaze falling on the hand that was gripping the hem of his clothes. He was caught between a rock and a hard place, frozen in place.

"Let me catch my breath, it'll be fine in a moment, it's nothing serious," Zhou Wenqing said gently, catching his breath.

The two people inside dared not breathe and waited quietly until they saw his complexion improve and his brow relax. Only then did they feel a little relieved.

Zhou Wenqing released his grip, leaned back on the soft pillow, and turned his gaze to Li Yi.

As if to ease the tense atmosphere, he added a touch of helpless teasing in his tone.

"I'm fine now. But you, when did you start standing outside the door? Were you... eavesdropping the whole time?"

"Ah, I... I wouldn't dare!"

Li Yi looked embarrassed and quickly bowed and apologized, "I had no intention of eavesdropping. I hope you will forgive me, sir and Mr. Han."

"However... I was entrusted by the eldest son to retrieve the ruler from your room, sir. I did not expect to hear the two inside... speaking in a heated tone. I dared not approach them, and I was also worried about your health, sir, so I dared not leave rashly. That's why..."

At this point, his ears turned slightly red. He took a deep breath, turned to Han Fei, and bowed solemnly: "I have offended both of you gentlemen. I had no intention of doing so. I hope Mr. Han will forgive me."

Following his words, Zhou Wenqing's gaze fell on the heavy ruler on the table, and he understood.

Fusu left in such a hurry that he forgot to take the ruler with him. He was probably too ashamed to come back, so he asked Li Yi to fetch it. Unexpectedly, this attracted a "real eavesdropper".

Han Fei had recovered his composure by this time, and waved his hands repeatedly, his tone tinged with shame: "It's alright, it's not your fault, I was just being unreasonable."

He turned to look at Zhou Wenqing, his expression gradually softening, yet tinged with apology, and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Zicheng, today's events were all my fault. You tried so hard to persuade me, but I completely forgot that you were still unwell and my words were so extreme, every word of which was out of my true feelings. I am truly ashamed. Everything I said today is unacceptable. Please do not take my offense to heart, Zicheng."

"How can it not count?!" Zhou Wenqing's eyes widened. All his efforts just now had been wasted!

"This doesn't count!"

Before he could speak again, Li Yi interrupted him in a deep voice, his eyes stubborn and resolute. He squatted down again, his gaze fixed on Zhou Wenqing's face.

"I didn't quite catch what you two were discussing, but sir..."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "I understood the word 'fight to the death,' sir. Under no circumstances can I stand by and watch you agree."

These days, he's almost paralyzed by the word "death." What he fears most is that this word will fall on his own husband, let alone be said by his own mouth.

How could he not be alarmed? That's why he rushed in.

"You..." Zhou Wenqing was helpless and speechless for a moment.

How could someone who eavesdrops not hear everything? That's an exaggeration, a figure of speech! Even if he wanted to risk his life, would the king allow it? Of course he would!

Oh, wait! He won't lose.

Zhou Wenqing sighed and explained, "What I meant was, even if it means risking everything..."

"No!" Li Yi decisively cut off.

Zhou Wenqing: "..."

Han Fei, who was standing to the side, took in the whole scene. Seeing his frustrated and helpless expression, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Zhou Wenqing turned his head and looked over, his face immediately becoming even more bitter.

It's over. The person in question has recovered from his anger and regained his senses. All his hard work and elaborate performance has been for nothing.

Unexpectedly, Han Fei seemed to have seen through his thoughts and took the initiative to speak, his tone calm yet solemn:

"Zicheng, I accept the bet you mentioned earlier."

Ok? !

Zhou Wenqing looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with surprise.

"You mean, you gambled?!"

Han Fei nodded, bracing himself against Li Yi's increasingly dangerous gaze, and slowly said:

"If I win, Zicheng won't need to fight desperately. Just do your best. Even if it takes ten years, five years will be enough, or even three years... that will be enough."

His voice was slightly bitter as he continued, "I believe that with Zicheng's abilities and the King of Qin's trust, Qin will surely be able to prevent a direct attack on Han for the time being. This can be considered my final explanation to the King and my homeland... From now on, I will have a clear conscience!"

Han Fei raised his eyes and looked directly at Zhou Wenqing: "What does Zicheng think?"

"That would be perfect!"

Zhou Wenqing was overjoyed. He sat up abruptly and excitedly patted Li Yi on the shoulder, "Then it's settled! Li Yi is my witness!"

"Alright, Li Yi will be my witness. If I see anything in Qin along the way that moves me, as long as I am still willing to return to Han as a subject, then I have won. Zi Cheng must keep his promise."

Han Fei repeated the wager, but secretly modified some of the content, shifting the focus to "willing to serve Han"—otherwise, he feared he would have already wavered and lost without even having to wager.

"It's not about fulfilling a vow, it's about being able to do it again!" Zhou Wenqing emphasized solemnly.

"After returning to Qin, regardless of the outcome, I will petition the King to reward Han Zi and grant him his freedom. Only if Han Zi returns to serve as a subject will Han Zi have truly won. Wen Qing will have no objections."

"If that's not possible—" his gaze was intense, "I urge Han Zi to accept my King's sincere invitation to serve in Qin and work together for a great cause!"

"This..." Han Zi hesitated.

Willing to return and being able to return are not the same thing.

He thought Zhou Wenqing had calculated that even if he returned to Han, the king would be displeased, the court officials would condemn him, and even if he wished it, it would be difficult for the Han court to tolerate him.

But since things had come to this, Han Fei gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and nodded in agreement:

"good!"

At worst, he could just go all out and shamelessly ask for more guards to escort him; Zicheng probably wouldn't refuse.

As long as he survives, his status remains. Once he returns to Han, even if he is not given important positions, he will still be a subject of Han.

"Let's make a pact with a high five!" Zhou Wenqing immediately reached out his hand without hesitation.

"Let's make a pact with a high five." Han Fei raised his hand to clap, his eyes resolute.

Their palms touched, and the alliance was sealed.

Zhou Wenqing felt relieved and almost without hesitation, immediately turned to Li Yi and ordered, "Quickly, bring me a pen and ink!"

Han Fei was taken aback. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke softly, "Zicheng, since we've already made a pact, why is a written agreement necessary? Do you not trust my character?"

"No, no!" Zhou Wenqing quickly waved his hand, smiling to reassure them, "It's just that for such an important matter, it's best to have a written agreement, so that both of us can feel at ease."

Han Fei shook his head helplessly, watching Li Yi quickly lay out the paper and grind the ink, then lightly rolled up his sleeves: "Alright, Zicheng's hands are not in a good position, so I will write it myself. Now Zicheng can rest assured."

"Mr. Han, please!" Zhou Wenqing gestured with his hand, his smile widening.

As Han Fei bent down and picked up his brush, writing each word perfectly on the paper, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhou Wenqing's eyes.

He's definitely going to win this bet!

The reason for writing the agreement wasn't out of concern that Han Fei would go back on his word, but rather because on that day... he might start scrutinizing the wording!