Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing rolled up his sleeves and strode forward aggressively.

Yesterday I was thinking this brat has grown up, and today he pulls this stunt—if I don't teach him a lesson, he'll really think he's made of iron!

"Sir, sir, wait for me!" Li Yi jogged after him, and seeing that the gentleman was about to go the wrong way, he quickly reminded him, "Not that way, this way! The eldest son is having breakfast with the children in the side hall!"

"ha?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing staggered, his anger only intensifying.

Well, you little rascal, you know to take other kids out to eat and rest, but why don't you care about your own health at all?

In terms of age, he is even younger than many of the children who were rescued!

Zhou Wenqing pursed his lips, his face tense, and quickened his pace.

When he arrived at the side room, the door was half-open. He raised his foot to kick the door, but then he heard a soft laugh coming from inside, mixed with the light clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the chattering of children.

We must not frighten the children.

He forced himself to hold back the kick, took a deep breath, and slowly pushed open the door.

The first thing that caught his eye was a group of innocent little faces, all turning around and looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes.

Zhou Wenqing's back stiffened, and he stopped at the threshold, feeling inexplicably as if he had stumbled into a kindergarten class.

In the center of the hall, several low wooden tables were tightly pieced together. Although there were some gaps at the joints, they were arranged in a stable and orderly manner, forming a long table large enough for a group of children to sit around.

The table was filled with all kinds of food: thick millet porridge, soft steamed wheat cakes, finely chopped candied fruit... everything was available, all suitable for children who had not eaten for a long time and whose stomachs were weak.

Small wooden stools were placed around the long table, and the children sat obediently. Some held soup bowls in their two little hands and carefully blew on them to cool them down; some had candied fruit in their mouths and looked happy and satisfied; and some held wheat cakes in their hands and chewed them with their cheeks puffed out.

At this moment, they all raised their heads and looked at him with curiosity and a little timidity.

Zhou Wenqing felt his anger subside by more than half.

"Guest Yao is here too. Please sit down and have some breakfast with us," A'Ruo said with a smile as she stood up.

"No need, thank you, Miss Aruo." Zhou Wenqing declined gently, his gaze sweeping quickly across the room as he looked past the children. "Let the children continue eating, there's no need for them to be so reserved."

With so many children, it would be difficult to spot Fusu if he were thrown among them.

But adults are easy to find.

Why are Yao Jia and Han Fei here too? Don't these two need to sleep?

Never mind, it doesn't matter. Let them do what they want. It's more important to find my own child first.

Just as he was secretly searching for someone, Yao Jia noticed his furtive glances around. A calm and gentle smile played on his lips as he took the initiative to invite him:

"Why are you in such a hurry, Mr. Yao? Why not put it aside for now? Filling your stomach is the most important thing. Sit down and have breakfast before we talk about it."

He called out his own title so naturally and familiarly, without the slightest awkwardness.

Surrounded by several young children, Yao Jia appeared remarkably at ease. As soon as he finished speaking, several children nodded in agreement.

"Let's have dinner together, sir!"

"It's important to fill your stomach!"

"I have some soft wheat cakes here for my husband!"

Amidst the noisy children's voices, the youngest child was among them. Upon seeing Zhou Wenqing, she immediately jumped up from her small wooden stool, ran to his side, tilted her little face up, her eyebrows curving into a soft arc, and gently tugged at his sleeve.

"Sir, would you like something to eat? I still have a seat over there!"

The childlike voice, carrying the unique sincerity of a child, is irresistible.

Ugh!

Zhou Wenqing sighed inwardly, his gaze passing over his youngest son's head and landing on the figure he had just locked onto at the innermost part of the long table.

Fusu was slightly turned to the side, his eyes lowered, and he was gently and patiently breaking the wheat cake into small pieces for the young girl beside him. He neatly arranged the pieces on the edge of the ceramic dish and then gently pushed it in front of the girl.

Perhaps sensing the gaze, he raised his head and glanced at Zhou Wenqing, his expression unchanged, even nodding and smiling slightly, completely unaware of the anger in his master's heart.

That silly boy!

"Never mind," Zhou Wenqing said, turning his gaze away and shaking his head helplessly.

It's really not appropriate to discipline a child in this situation, so let's wait until he finishes his breakfast peacefully before we start talking.

Following her youngest daughter's lead, she walked with her to the opposite side of the long table. Just as she passed Han Fei, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

"Zi, Zhongmou."

Han Fei called out softly, looked up at him, and a hint of pleading appeared in his usually cold and indifferent eyes: "Sit here, there are cakes here."

Zhou Wenqing looked at him, only to feel a question mark slowly appearing above his head.

What's wrong with Han Fei?

"And the fish congee is so delicious!"

Before he could think it through, a little boy next to Han Fei immediately chimed in, his voice crisp and clear. He even stood on tiptoe and pushed the wooden plate of candied fruit next to him in front of Han Fei.

"And this one, it tastes so sweet to me, Mr. Han, please try some!"

The boy was rescued by Han Fei himself, and his eyes were full of undisguised admiration for Han Fei, almost sparkling with stars.

No, there's no need.

Han Fei maintained his aloof expression, his face remaining impassive, but his fingers curled slightly, and his tone became slightly stiff.

"Keep it for yourself."

The boy's enthusiasm remained undiminished: "It's alright, Mr. Han, there's plenty!"

Several children around also turned around and crowded around, each wanting to hand Han Fei the treats they had.

"My sir, my biscuits are so fragrant and sweet!"

"I have some honey water here, sir, please have some!"

In an instant, seven or eight childish voices surrounded him, and small bodies crowded together, completely surrounding Han Fei. He stood there, his expression frozen, at a loss for what to do.

He had always kept company with books on law and was used to being alone. He had never dealt with such lively and straightforward kindness from children before. His brows were full of unconcealed embarrassment and confusion. He could only subconsciously look up at Zhou Wenqing beside him, his eyes filled with a clear plea for help, completely lacking his usual composure.

Ah, I see.

Zhou Wenqing instantly understood. Meeting Han Fei's somewhat flustered gaze, he first nodded seriously, and the next second, the corners of his lips curled up imperceptibly, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes.

"Enjoy your meal, Han Zi," he said lightly, then looked down at his youngest son who was tugging at his sleeve and asked gently, "Our little one has lots of delicious food over there too, doesn't he?"

The youngest child immediately looked up and nodded vigorously, replying, "Yes!"

"Alright, let's go over there quickly."

After saying that, he withdrew his hand without hesitation, took his youngest son and left, leaving Han Fei sitting there awkwardly, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

It's rare to see Han Fei looking so embarrassed. Not used to it? Then he should get used to it more. Get closer to the children, and he'll naturally feel less awkward. He's clearly trying to help, there's nothing wrong with that!

Yao Jia, who was standing to the side, took in the whole scene and couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, which was just loud enough to reach Han Fei's ears.

Han Fei immediately turned his head and glared angrily.

Yao Jia, however, ignored it, calmly stood up, and reached out to pull the bowl of warm millet porridge on the table closer to him.

With a gentle smile in his eyes, he looked at the group of children surrounding him and said in a soft voice, "Who wants some rice porridge? The temperature is just right, not too hot."

"I want!"

"Me too!"

"Sir, I'll have a bowl too!"

The children immediately responded.

"Don't rush, don't rush, everyone gets a share, everyone gets enough."

As Yao Jia slowly and methodically served the children rice porridge, he glanced at Han Fei seemingly unintentionally.

Han Fei: "!!!"

He clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with venom as he felt the blatant provocation.

Hmph! What a guy, all he does is try to win people over!

Han Fei also stood up abruptly, reached out and took a whole wheat cake from the table, broke it into small pieces, and put them into the small dishes in front of the children around him.

Meeting the boy's exceptionally bright gaze, his ears involuntarily flushed a light red. His face tense, he forced out a low, strained sentence:

"Everyone...everyone eats cakes."

Ah, how wonderful! Zhou Wenqing watched this scene, picked up the soup bowl, and took a sip with relish.

It seems that after finishing the meal, there's no need to worry about Han Fei's anger coming at him.