Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Ying Zheng was engrossed in conversation with Zhou Wenqing and naturally had no time to notice Li Si quietly approaching.

Li Si felt helpless, but he didn't want to interrupt rashly, so he had no choice but to resort to the same old trick.

"Ahem!"

Fortunately, this time he was lucky. Before the fake cough could turn into a real coughing fit, just two coughs were enough to attract Ying Zheng's attention.

Ying Zheng turned his gaze, frowning. "What is it?"

Oh no! As expected, this rare harmonious scene between the monarch and his ministers has been disrupted, displeasing the king.

Li Si inwardly groaned, but had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, General Meng is waiting outside the courtyard. He sent word... that he doesn't know how much longer Your Majesty will need, and the young princes and princesses are waiting in the carriage, they're probably getting restless."

"what!"

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng lightly patted his forehead, realizing something, and said, "I almost forgot about them! Quick, have Meng Wu lead them over."

"Young Master...Princess?" Zhou Wenqing looked at Ying Zheng with a hint of doubt. "Why are you waiting in the carriage?"

"Ahem," Ying Zheng's face showed a faint hint of embarrassment. He glanced around for a moment before looking at Zhou Wenqing and explaining.

"I brought them with me. Just now, not far from your courtyard, I was instructing them one by one... not to be impolite or offend the teacher. Then I happened to see that Brother Zicheng seemed to be unwell and rushed over. So... I left them there for the time being."

Ying Zheng was slightly annoyed. He had just had a frank conversation with Zhou Qing, and now his little lie had been exposed to his face. It made him seem less open and honest. Li Si really came at the worst possible time.

As he thought about it, his gaze involuntarily turned slightly cold as he glanced sideways at Li Si, who was standing bowing to the side.

Li Si: "..."

He knew it! This job was bound to end badly! He kept saying he wouldn't come, but they insisted. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that he couldn't beat those two...

Hmph, this is a learned and sensible person, I won't stoop to the level of a mere brute!

Zhou Wenqing was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled knowingly, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "I see."

He actually believed the king's previous reason for not entering, and secretly thought that the king didn't understand his son at all. With his father present, Fusu would probably be even more on edge and try his best to perform.

Seeing the mischievous smile that appeared in his eyes after his sudden realization, Ying Zheng felt even more embarrassed.

Actually, his earlier hesitation outside the courtyard was partly due to the etiquette instructions, but more importantly... he hadn't yet shed his identity as "Zhao Zhong," and to prevent the oversight of not knowing his own children's names again, he was busy giving each child a suitable "pseudonym."

We don't need it now.

Just then, the faint sounds of children speaking and walking, deliberately kept low, could be heard from outside the courtyard gate, growing louder as they approached.

Zhou Wenqing's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained gentle. He then asked, "I wonder which princes and princesses Your Majesty has brought with you this time, so that I may make some preparations."

Ying Zheng's expression softened, and his tone became more deliberate as he spoke slowly:

"Among the children who accompanied me are Jiang Lü, Gao, Hu Hai, and my youngest daughter Yin Man. These children are at the age where they are beginning to understand things. Although they are inevitably mischievous, they are also studious. I brought them here today with the intention of letting them experience the scholarly atmosphere of your place, Zhou Qing. If you would be so kind as to offer some guidance, I would appreciate it."

For some reason, Zhou Wenqing felt that Ying Zheng's words sounded... vaguely lacking in strength.

It's probably just my imagination.

Ying Zheng paused slightly, then added, "Also accompanying us are Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, and Wang Jian, the Marquis of Wucheng, who will watch over and protect us from the sidelines."

Jiang Lü, Gao, Hu Hai, Yin Man... as well as Zhao Gao and Wang Jian.

Upon hearing these names, especially Hu Hai and Zhao Gao, Zhou Wenqing's eyelids suddenly twitched.

His mind raced, and with a quick glance, he had already made up his mind.

Just as Ying Zheng thought he was going to respond as usual, he saw Zhou Wenqing suddenly lean forward slightly, lower his voice, and earnestly bow with his hands clasped:

"Your Majesty, Wenqing has a request, which I hope Your Majesty will grant."

"Oh?" Ying Zheng's gaze fell on his face. "Speak freely."

"Just now, His Majesty showed me great favor, granting me the right to be friends as well as my subject," Zhou Wenqing said, raising his eyes with a clear and sincere gaze.

"I, Wenqing, would like to presume to ask Your Majesty to allow me, in this courtyard, in front of all the princes and princesses and their entourage, to temporarily address you as 'Brother Shengzhi'."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng stared at him intently for a moment, a profound understanding flashing in his eyes.

"Good!" He readily agreed. "Brother Zicheng is testing the students, how can I refuse? I only hope that Brother Zicheng... will be lenient with those children if they are naughty."

Zhou Wenqing smiled but didn't say anything. Of course, he wasn't testing those children, but it was indeed difficult to explain. If that's what Your Majesty thinks... then so be it.

Before he could finish his thought, a series of deliberately soft but still lively footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, mixed with the hushed, excited chatter of children.

"Brother, is this the place?"

"Keep your voice down, don't make a fuss."

"I saw my father!"

Meng Wu's tall and imposing figure appeared first in front of the courtyard gate. He cupped his hands in greeting, then nodded and grinned at Zhou Wenqing, stepping aside to let a string of small figures appear behind him.

A slightly older boy led the way, holding his younger sister Yinman's hand. He walked steadily, dressed in a smart light-colored scholar's robe, his back straight, already trying his best to look like an older brother.

Zhou Wenqing guessed that the boy should be Jiang Lü, as he already looked somewhat heroic.

As for the girl, she must be Yinman, about four or five years old, wearing a pale yellow linen dress, her hair combed into two neat little buns, her round eyes curiously looking into the courtyard. When she caught sight of Ying Zheng, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she called out "Father" in a clear voice. Then she let go of her brother's hand, opened her arms, and pounced over like a little sparrow.

"Slow down and watch your step."

Ying Zheng smiled and bent down to scoop his youngest daughter up in his arms. Yin Man nestled in her father's embrace and giggled.

Following closely behind was a boy of similar age to the first one, around five or six years old. He bore a resemblance to Fusu in his features, with clear and honest eyes. He followed closely beside his older brother, biting his lip as if he were a little nervous, but he still tried his best to keep his steps upright.

This must be Young Master Gao, Zhou Wenqing nodded to himself. He waited patiently, his gaze drifting inadvertently towards the deeper part of the courtyard—the two "key figures"—but they were nowhere to be seen.

As the group gradually came to a stop, the light at the entrance of the courtyard dimmed slightly. An old general, dressed in casual clothes, with graying hair and beard but a straight back like a pine tree, slowly stepped in. He nodded slightly to Ying Zheng and then stood casually to the side of the door, guarding the entrance. His posture was not deliberately guarding, but it had a calm and composed air of someone who had been through many battles and was in control of the overall situation.

Entering almost parallel to him but slightly behind was a middle-aged man with a fair complexion, no beard, and an effeminate demeanor.

He was bending over, carefully carrying a boy across the threshold. The boy seemed a little sleepy, his eyes half-open and half-closed, and he was throwing a tantrum. The man lowered his voice and coaxed him gently with great patience.

The boy snorted in dissatisfaction and turned his head, which allowed Zhou Wenqing to see his face clearly.

He was born with rosy lips and white teeth, looking like he had been carefully raised. He clutched Zhao Gao's clothes with his little hands, and only when he saw Ying Zheng did he perk up. He leaned forward with his little body, looking very proud and commanding the man holding him to hurry over.

Hu Hai, Zhao Gao.

Zhou Wenqing's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, but he was taken aback.

This Hu Hai... looks only three or four years old?