Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Li Dian turned around upon hearing the sound and saw that it was just an eight or nine-year-old child. His brows furrowed even more, and his face was full of displeasure.

He pointed and scolded, "Which unruly child dares to disrupt official business here!"

Seeing that the child was simply dressed, he assumed he was just an ordinary village boy and his tone became even harsher: "Leave now! If you dare to delay any longer, I'll have your father and brothers come to the county temple to take you away!"

Fusu did not back down. He met Li Dian's sharp gaze and took a steady step forward, his small body standing straight.

"My surname is Li, and my given name is Qiaosong." He spoke clearly, not loudly, but loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear. "I am here with my father, Li Si, on official business."

Li Dian was taken aback, clearly not expecting the child to introduce himself so calmly.

Listen to his speech... He hesitated for a moment, it seemed he was not an ordinary farm boy.

Li Si? That name... why does it sound so familiar?

Suddenly, a thought struck him: Li Si! Could it be Li Si, the highly favored advisor to the King of Qin?!

His heart trembled violently. When he looked at Fusu again, his eyes were completely different. Although the child was dressed in coarse clothes, his face was clean, his skin was fair, and he had a calm demeanor between his brows and eyes. He was completely different from the thin and pitiful village children around him.

The initial surprise and doubt instantly transformed into seven or eight parts belief.

Little did he know that Zhou Wenqing, standing next to him, was even more surprised and completely stunned.

Li Qiaosong? Son of Li Si?

He couldn't help but glance at Li Si, who was still huddled behind the water vat, out of the corner of his eye.

Seriously, Lao Li, you're quick to tip people off! When did you call your son to come and save the day? I didn't see him.

By the way, did Li Si have a son named Qiaosong?

Hashimatsu... something seems off.

Li Si also heard this and quietly peeked out from behind the water vat. When he saw who it was, his pupils dilated instantly.

Prince Fusu! It's Prince Fusu! With just one sentence, you've put yourself under my name. Does Your Majesty know this?

My life is over again~

If I had known better than to dodge, I would have preferred to be killed by a cane.

Li Si's eyes lost their color, as if he could already see his future being "kindly greeted" by the King of Qin.

Fusu paid no attention to their reactions, focusing only on doing what his father had instructed. With his hands behind his back, he continued speaking calmly and clearly.

"My father was aware of Mr. Zhou's care for the village children beforehand, but there are other reasons behind it. Please ask the village head to release them first."

Li Dian remained silent, his eyes darting around, his ambition and vigilance tug at his heartstrings.

You must understand that "running a private school" is a blatant violation of the law. If you do it well, it's a great achievement; if you do it poorly, it's a capital offense. How could he let it go so easily?!

"You brat, words are no proof," Li Dian said in a deep voice. "Since you say your father is Li Keqing, and that you knew beforehand, do you have any evidence?"

Fusu's expression remained unchanged; he simply extended his hand, which had been behind his back.

In the palm of his hand, he held a jade pendant with a warm texture and exquisite carving. The morning light fell on the jade, giving it a restrained and gentle luster.

"This is proof." His voice was calm, without the haste of a child or the fear of facing an official. "My father is away on orders and cannot come in person, so he uses this jade pendant as proof. If the village head feels it is insufficient, he may send someone to accompany me to my residence. My father will then explain the matter to the village head."

His words were calm, yet subtly pointed. The jade pendant was a token; please examine it. If you still don't believe me, you can come with me to see "my father."

As for what will happen after you see it, I ask the village head to consider it carefully.

Li Si quickly squinted and carefully examined the object in Prince Fusu's hand. After seeing it clearly, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the jade pendant was indeed something he had always worn. Since it was inconvenient to carry it while pretending to be a poor scholar, he had temporarily left it with... the King.

It seems that what you did was on the King's orders, so there's nothing to worry about.

Wait a minute! Something seems off?

The King has checked my room?!

Li Si's gaze became unfocused again as he silently recalled any inappropriate words or actions he had recently taken, and more importantly, whether he had left anything inappropriate in the room...

Zhou Wenqing had already quietly moved a few steps closer to Li Si, carefully observing his expression. Upon seeing this, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Li Dian stared intently at the jade pendant, which was by no means an ordinary piece, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

There was no name or mark on the jade, so he couldn't just give up based on this item alone. However, the child's demeanor and the vaguely emerging name "Li Si" pierced his heart like fine needles, making him dare not act rashly.

Just as he was caught in a dilemma and his expression changed, the three elders of the village, who had been silently watching, suddenly cleared their throats and stepped forward.

"Ahem!" The old man tapped his cane lightly on the ground, his gaze shifting between Li Dian and Fusu. Finally, he sighed and asked, "Li Dian, may I say a word?"

The three elders were acquaintances of the village head, so they naturally gave them some face. They cupped their hands and said, "Please speak freely."

The old man took a few steps closer, stood beside Li Dian, his white eyebrows twitched, and he lowered his voice: "This jade pendant, though my eyes are failing, I can tell it's no ordinary object. This young man speaks with composure, his background is probably not simple. If you insist on taking him today, what if... you really offend some important person, and things will not end well."

Li Dian raised an eyebrow: "Does the Third Elder mean to just let things drop because Afa isn't upright?"

The old man quickly waved his hand and took several steps back: "No, no, no, that's not what I meant at all."

I didn't! Don't try to frame me, you young man!

He stroked his beard, a glint of light flashing in his eyes—a wisdom and shrewdness unique to old men from the countryside.

"I was thinking, since this child claims to be related to Minister Li and possesses a token, why don't you write a letter and send it by fast horse to the Li residence in Xianyang to inquire?"

"The village head can have people guard the village. If it's true, then everything will be fine. You've been very cautious. If it's false, since these two people live here, and they're both weak and frail, unable to even kill a chicken, they couldn't even beat my cane just now. No matter how strong the guard is, he can only protect one of them. How could he possibly take both of them away?"

"Since you can't escape, it's not too late to question you later. That way, we can uphold the law, avoid being abrupt, and perhaps... even earn Li Keqing's gratitude for your thoughtfulness. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

He was close to Fusu, so Fusu naturally heard everything. His eyes flickered, and he immediately made a decision.

He stepped forward half a step, cupped his hands in a respectful bow to the magistrate, and said with an even more obedient and humble expression, "I am young and have not thought things through. I have caused you trouble, sir."

He held out his hands and solemnly presented the jade pendant, saying, "I wish to entrust this pendant to you, sir, for safekeeping as proof. Your esteemed presence will surely be grateful for your thorough and careful examination."

Looking at the child in front of him, who was only eight or nine years old but whose actions and words were impeccable, and then at the jade pendant in his hand that was warm to the touch and obviously very valuable, Li Dian's last bit of hesitation disappeared.

"...Very well." He carefully put the jade pendant into his bosom. Although his expression was still stern, his tone had softened considerably. "Since the three elders have made their suggestions and there is a token here, I will proceed accordingly. I will make a note of today's events and write a letter to inquire further before making any further decisions."

He glanced at Zhou Wenqing and added firmly, "In the meantime, no more gatherings or disturbances are allowed, and the teaching... shall be suspended for the time being."

Zhou Wenqing readily agreed, repeatedly saying yes. After this commotion, even if he wanted to attend the class today, he probably wouldn't be able to.

After politely seeing off the village head and the two soldiers, Zhou Wenqing turned back to the courtyard. He looked up and saw the three elders standing in front of the little man who called himself "Li Qiaosong, son of Li Si," their expressions full of hesitation.

The old man instinctively reached out with one hand, as if to grab someone and ask what was going on, but suddenly froze halfway through, then abruptly turned into a solemn fist salute.

"Young master," the old man said urgently, though he tried to suppress his voice, "what you just said... is it true? Are you really the son of the guest minister Li Si? This is no small matter, and I must ask you for clarification."

"Good question, well done!" Zhou Wenqing silently gave a thumbs up in his heart. "I want to know too."

"This... please get up, old man, there's no need for that!" Fusu quickly reached out to help him up, his expression hesitant and conflicted, his little face almost scrunched up.

His father had just seen the chaos in the courtyard from afar, so he shoved the jade pendant into his hand, gave him a few hurried instructions, assigned him a new identity, and then kicked him off the carriage, telling him to figure out how to help Mr. Zhou out of the predicament himself.

Mr. Zhou's siege has been resolved, but...

What can be done about his situation?

My father clearly instructed me before that he was the son of the great merchant "Zhao Zhong". Does that statement still hold true now?

This is too difficult... much more difficult than dealing with the village head just now. Once you leave Xianyang, your identity changes like magic.

Whose child is he anyway?!

Does Father not want him anymore? Waaaaah~

The little boy felt an unprecedented weight on his shoulders. He pursed his lips and forced himself to remain calm.

Fortunately, before his grievances and panic could spread, his savior arrived.

"Haha, Brother Zicheng, it's been a few days! How have you been?"

A hearty laugh came from the courtyard gate, and then a figure dressed in ordinary clothes but with an imposing presence strode in.

Fusu immediately looked up, his eyes suddenly lighting up, his excitement almost impossible to conceal.

Father, save me!