Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Yes, for a long time, the impression of Hu Hai has always been closely tied to his tyranny and debauchery in historical records—that he was a ruler who harmed his brothers, poisoned his subjects, and ultimately dragged the glorious Qin Dynasty into the abyss.

The sins were so grave that Zhou Wenqing almost forgot that at this very moment, before everything had even begun, he was just a child who could barely walk steadily.

The deep-seated anger that Zhou Wenqing felt, fueled by his familiarity with history, suddenly felt lost when he saw that sleepy, willful yet still innocent little face. It was like a force that had been gathered but then crashed into a wad of cotton.

A three-year-old child...

Even if you resent the evil deeds he might commit in the future, what can you do in front of this innocent child?

The resentment and helplessness that transcended time and space intertwined, causing his clenched fingers to loosen and tighten again.

He took a deep breath, forcing his turbulent thoughts to settle down.

Calm down and look again at the child Zhao Gao is carefully holding in his arms—he is, after all, a descendant of the First Emperor, and his features are so similar to the First Emperor's. He does not have the blood of a naturally evil person flowing in his veins.

Especially at the beginning of Zhao Gao's attempt to bewitch him, the historical record, though sharp as a knife, also recorded that this child once looked up with an innocent face and spoke righteously: "To depose the elder brother and establish the younger brother is unjust; to disobey the imperial edict and fear becoming a subject is unfilial; to be shallow in wisdom and fond of plundering is incompetence; these three things violate the principles of Heaven, and the world will not submit, harming not only oneself but also the country and the nation."

But being young and naive, he couldn't resist the persistent and gentle persuasion of those around him, and eventually slid step by step into the abyss.

But wasn't even a great talent like Li Si bewitched?

Thinking of this, Zhou Wenqing couldn't help but secretly roll her eyes at someone standing in the corner.

Looking back, at this moment, this little child with rosy lips and white teeth, who was pouting slightly and acting coquettishly because her father was holding her older sister instead of her, had not yet been spoiled into being lawless or led astray by someone with ulterior motives. Perhaps... there might be other possibilities.

While he is still a blank sheet of paper, while he is still learning to walk and full of the most primitive curiosity about the world, we should keep him under our watchful eyes and use the most correct rules and the strictest discipline to mold and shape him. This may just be the way to straighten those still-unformed branches.

Even with careful guidance, they may still remain stubborn, spoiled, and mischievous as they grow older...

Zhou Wenqing's eyes darkened slightly, and he had already quietly established rules in his heart:

If that's the case, then don't blame him for using his authority as a teacher, whipping someone with salt... cough cough! That's a bit too much.

Then we'll dip the willow branch in cold water and teach him a lesson about right and wrong. When he deserves a beating, we'll show him no mercy as long as we can correct his behavior!

Zhou Wenqing secretly imagined the scene in his mind, and it seemed that he had already uttered... cough cough! This cannot be said to be him taking the opportunity to vent his anger.

As the saying goes, jade must be carved to become a vessel. For seedlings born with a silver spoon in their mouths, which are very easy to grow up crooked, perhaps sometimes they need clear boundaries and painful memories.

With this thought in mind, the gloom in his heart caused by history was replaced by a more practical, almost ruthless determination to "teach".

Children can be taught, and must be taught.

however……

His gaze shifted to the man who always kept his head down and his posture so humble it was almost effeminate. He felt uncomfortable the moment he saw him.

Hu Hai is a blank sheet of paper, which can be gradually manipulated, but you, Zhao Gao… A cold glint flashed in Zhou Wenqing’s eyes.

You're not an innocent child anymore...

Those thoughts and methods used to bewitch the emperor and disrupt the court have probably already taken deep root in your heart; you are truly a villain!

I'm talking to you, Zhao Gao! Put Huhai down right now!

Seeing Zhao Gao coaxing Hu Hai in a soft voice and carefully tidying the child's clothes, appearing as a devoted servant, Zhou Wenqing's mental string snapped.

Don't even think about trying to seduce my king's little dragon cubs again!

Almost instinctively, he took a step forward, his movements so fast that he didn't even have time to react, and reached out to "take" Hu Hai, who was still rubbing his eyes and confused, from Zhao Gao's arms.

The movements were so fluid, the posture so... self-assured, as if he were simply taking over his own nephew who refused to walk.

Bring it to you!

This sudden, outrageous act of plunder caused the air in the courtyard to freeze instantly.

Ying Zheng held Yin Man in his arms, the gentle smile on his face freezing at the corner of his mouth, turning into pure astonishment. He blinked hard, as if to confirm whether he was seeing things.

Meanwhile, the old general Wang Jian, who had been standing steadfastly by the door, suddenly narrowed his eyes and his right hand flashed towards the hilt of his sword at his waist.

If Meng Wu hadn't reacted faster and firmly pressed down on his forearm, the sharp sword that had accompanied him on the battlefield would probably have already been drawn half a foot from its sheath!

"Brother... Brother Zicheng?"

Although Ying Zheng reacted quickly and signaled to Wang Jian that he was alright and not to move, the surprise in his eyes was almost tangible.

He looked at the young son being held somewhat laboriously in Zhou Wenqing's arms, then at Zhao Gao, who stood frozen in place with his hands empty. Even someone as experienced as him was momentarily bewildered.

"Brother Zicheng, what... is this?"

Zhou Wenqing only realized how awkward it was after he had finished the action.

The little guy in his arms seemed to be fully awake. He twisted uncomfortably in his arms. Perhaps because Ying Zheng had given him instructions beforehand, he didn't struggle much. He just raised his chubby little face and stared at the unfamiliar man with his big, clear eyes that were still a little watery and innocent.

She didn't cry or make a fuss; she was just curious.

Zhou Wenqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, if this little rascal had started wailing on the spot, the situation would have been even more difficult to manage.

More importantly—if this little chubby one really starts to struggle, he might not be able to hold him securely.

That would be incredibly embarrassing!

He composed himself, met Ying Zheng's surprised gaze, and tried to make his smile appear natural, even adding a touch of just the right amount of embarrassment:

"Brother Shengzhi, please don't be offended, please don't be offended! It's really..."

He looked down at Hu Hai, who was unusually well-behaved in his arms, and his tone was full of heartfelt praise.

"This child is exquisitely beautiful and radiates intelligence. Wenqing was overjoyed upon seeing him and couldn't contain his delight. That's why he momentarily forgot himself and acted rudely. Please forgive him, please forgive him!"

Really? Ying Zheng's expression was suspicious, but this suspicion only lasted for a moment, and then—

As expected of my son, Ying Zheng!

Ying Zheng was overjoyed and almost clapped his hands in praise!

He was initially quite guilty, after all, he had brought too many children with him, especially Yin Man and Hu Hai, who were not yet of proper age for formal education.

He clearly couldn't even hold a pen properly; it was just something he forced into the classroom!

Zhou Wenqing knew the rules for accepting village children. There were no other requirements except that they had to be able to sit still. Those who were too young or whose temperaments were not yet settled were never included.

Coincidentally, Hu Hai was definitely not one to sit idly by!

Therefore, he had already quickly devised countless excuses in his mind along the way, thinking about how to naturally put these children, especially the youngest and most troublesome little devil, in front of Zhou Wenqing and properly influence them.

It is known that the village children who play in Zhou Wenqing's yard are always more disciplined and clever than children in other rural areas, and they are also more worry-free.

Based on this alone, Ying Zheng was determined to send his own child over.

He never expected this! He didn't even need to say a word; his little devil had already overcome the most difficult hurdle with just his face!

"Hahahaha!" Ying Zheng laughed loudly, a hearty and unrestrained laugh that revealed undisguised joy and pride.

"To receive such favor from Brother Zicheng is a great blessing for my youngest son. I am overjoyed, so how could I possibly blame him?"

Ying Zheng's gaze swept over the unusually well-behaved youngest son in Zhou Wenqing's arms, then over Jiang Lü, Gao, and Yin Man who were standing properly to the side and nestled beside him. The unease he felt about forcibly stuffing the child into his heart had long since vanished, leaving only a heart full of comfort and self-satisfaction.

It seems that today's move was absolutely brilliant!

only……

His gaze fell back on Zhou Wenqing, and he saw that although the other man was holding Hu Hai steadily, there was a hint of strain in his eyes.

Hu Hai eats well on a regular basis, and his portions are quite substantial.

"Brother Zicheng, you should put him down first," Ying Zheng said at the right moment, his tone concerned. "This boy may look young, but he's actually quite heavy. You've just recovered from your illness and your strength hasn't returned yet, so don't tire yourself out because of this."

Before he finished speaking, he had already given Zhao Gao, who was standing to the side, a wink.

Zhao Gao understood and immediately stepped forward, his face plastered with his usual submissive smile. He stretched out his arm to take Hu Hai from Zhou Wenqing's arms.

However, Zhou Wenqing seemed completely oblivious to Zhao Gao's outstretched hand and to Ying Zheng's suggestive glance.

He turned slightly to the side with remarkable ease, keeping Zhao Gao a step away. Then, with a swift movement, he handed the little bundle of flesh in his arms to Li Yi, who was standing silently as a background figure.

Li Yi was caught off guard and suddenly found himself shoved into Hu Hai's arms. He instinctively looked down and met Hu Hai's big, bewildered eyes, which were also filled with a hint of dissatisfaction: "...?!!"

"Brother Shengzhi is right." Zhou Wenqing pretended not to see Li Yi's momentary stiffness, took the opportunity to release his grip, and even moved his wrists in a serious manner, smiling at Ying Zheng with a frank tone.

"Wenqing is indeed a little tired from carrying him for a while, but with A-Yi here, he's always reliable and careful, so Brother Shengzhi can rest assured, he definitely won't drop your precious son!"

As for handing it over to Zhao Gao? Don't even think about it!

Hearing his young master's words, Li Yi was still somewhat bewildered, but he reacted quickly and immediately adjusted his posture, firmly holding Hu Hai, who was twisting and seemed to want to turn back to find Zhao Gao. He looked extremely secure.

Zhao Gao's outstretched arm remained frozen in mid-air. His smile froze for a moment, and a hint of surprise and gloom flashed across his eyes. But he immediately bent down, reverting to his submissive demeanor, and silently took half a step back.

Ying Zheng took in the whole scene, and his gaze toward Zhou Wenqing deepened.

He seemed lost in thought, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Gao, who stood respectfully to the side with his head bowed, in an extremely subtle and imperceptible manner, before quickly withdrawing it as if it were merely an illusion.

Following Zhou Wenqing's words, he looked at Li Yi with approval, smiled and nodded, "Yes, Guard Li is indeed a reliable person. With him watching over things, I can rest assured."