Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

The next day, as dawn broke, Ying Zheng quietly got up.

He knew that Zhou Wenqing was physically weak and usually got up a little later than others. Yesterday, he had been emotionally unstable and exhausted. He must be very tired now and needed to rest well.

Therefore, after he quietly finished washing up, he did not knock on the door to disturb him, but went to find General Wang Jian. Sure enough, he saw that the old general was dressed and carefully stretching his muscles in the room.

The two exchanged a knowing smile and returned together to Li Si's room, which was a bit further away and easier to move around in.

Sitting opposite each other, Ying Zheng took out the set of plain-colored pottery pots and cups, and with the hot water warming on the small stove, his movements, though not as fluid as Zhou Wenqing's, were still steady and orderly.

He steadily pushed the first brewed, clear, pale yellow tea onto the table in front of Wang Jian.

"General, please have a taste." Ying Zheng's expression was natural, and his tone was casual, but seeing the admiration and surprise in General Wang Jian's eyes, his eyebrows lifted slightly with a hint of spirit.

"Zhou Aiqing's way of drinking tea is different from that of the world. He neither boils nor makes soup, but drinks it plain. He also finds and processes the tea leaves himself, and the taste is exceptionally fresh and elegant, with a unique flavor."

"The tea was brewed by His Majesty himself, and it is a wonderful thing for a refined gentleman like Mr. Zhou."

Wang Jian laughed heartily, lowering his voice unconsciously, "I'm in for a treat today! I must savor this unique flavor!"

After saying that, he took a sip, smacked his lips, and seemed to feel that this was not enough, so he simply tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, his tiger eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a satisfied expression.

He reached directly and picked up the small porcelain jar of tea on the table, opened it, looked inside, and shook it. The few remaining tea leaves at the bottom of the jar made a rustling sound.

"Hmm, it's good stuff! Refreshing and invigorating, quite to my liking!"

The old general stroked his beard with a hint of regret, put the jar back, and said, "It's a pity there's not enough left. When Mr. Zhou wakes up, I'll have to ask him for some. This is much more refreshing than that mushy tea soup!"

"Hahahaha!" Ying Zheng laughed, pointing at him. "The old general always takes things from Minister Zhou. Be careful, or he'll close the gates and won't let you, this ruthless bandit, in!"

"No, no, that child looks like a very generous person. At worst, when he comes to my house in the future, he can choose whatever he wants from my belongings!"

As Wang Jian spoke, he picked up the pottery pot again and poured himself a full cup. Just as he was about to drink, his gaze inadvertently drifted to the window.

In the courtyard, as the morning light gradually brightened, a slender figure appeared under the tree.

"Oh, Mr. Zhou is already awake?" Wang Jian paused, blinked, and looked closely.

Zhou Wenqing was dressed in a plain robe and was not lying comfortably in the rocking chair as usual. Instead, he was slowly making some rather strange movements.

Wang Jian, holding his teacup, glanced at it a few times before finally unable to resist turning his head. His voice brimming with utter bewilderment, he asked Ying Zheng, who sat opposite him:

"Your Majesty, is Mr. Zhou...dancing?"

He spoke the word "dance" with great hesitation and difficulty, even with a deep doubt about his own judgment.

It's rare for Minister Zhou to get up so early...to dance? No way!

Ying Zheng also turned to look out the window. After a long while, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, but he couldn't say anything to refute it.

"Let's go." He decided to stop guessing and patted the old general on the shoulder: "Since Minister Zhou is already up, let's go take a look."

The two left the side room and came to the courtyard. They did not approach or disturb the room rashly, but only stood and watched from a distance.

Zhou Wenqing was frowning slightly, seemingly concentrating on struggling with his uncoordinated limbs.

Although I had planned to get up early to exercise and get rid of my overly weak body, even with the system providing guidance, error reminders, and breathing techniques in my mind, I couldn't master the Eight Pieces of Brocade immediately.

My brain can do it, but my body can't!

Zhou Wenqing himself felt awkward and was trying to adjust his breathing and feel the exertion again when he looked up and met two pairs of eyes not far away, filled with inquiry and confusion.

Two pairs of eyes, four gazes, all focused on him, as if studying some rare and unprecedented object.

Zhou Wenqing: "..."

All movements froze in mid-air, as if they had been frozen in place.

This is so embarrassing!!!

A rush of heat to his face made him quickly retract his stance, cough lightly, and try to save face: "Your Majesty, General Wang, good morning, I... just stretch my muscles."

"Ah!" General Wang Jian clapped his hands, a look of sudden realization on his face. "So it wasn't dancing! I knew it! It looked somewhat like dancing, but there was no rhythmic music, it was all so slow..."

"Cough cough cough!" Zhou Wenqing coughed repeatedly from the words, and the forced composure on his face completely collapsed, and a blush spread from the base of his neck to the tips of his ears.

He couldn't help but raise his voice slightly: "General, don't underestimate my movement technique! It's just... just something I've only just begun to learn and am still not proficient in. This is a secret art of guiding and nourishing life passed down by my master. If you practice it consistently, it will have the effect of prolonging life!"

"Really?" Wang Jian stroked his beard, looking Zhou Wenqing up and down with suspicion, his eyes clearly filled with doubt.

"Of course it's true!" Zhou Wenqing said anxiously, feeling even more ashamed. "If Your Majesty and General don't believe me... wait until I've practiced it thoroughly in private, and I'll definitely teach you. I guarantee that after you practice, you'll be light and healthy, live long lives... and be even more prosperous!"

Ying Zheng watched quietly from the sidelines, observing Zhou Wenqing's awkwardness when he froze, his blushing and eager explanation, and now this promise tinged with youthful spirit. The smile in his eyes deepened.

Alright, alright, I can't tease her anymore, he thought to himself. If I keep teasing her, Zhou Aiqing is thin-skinned and might really get annoyed!

Ying Zheng coughed lightly at the right moment, suppressing the overly obvious smile on his face, and gently smoothed things over: "Minister Zhou, your lineage is exceptional, and your learning must be extraordinary. I naturally trust you. Then General Wang and I will await the day you achieve great success."

Your Majesty! You are truly my good king! So understanding!

Zhou Wenqing immediately looked up at him with bright eyes and nodded vigorously.

Your Majesty, rest assured, once I have mastered the skill, I will definitely teach you first!

Just then, the faint sound of cartwheels approached from outside the courtyard wall.

Ying Zheng listened intently, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and laughed, "What a coincidence, it seems the carts and horses transporting the plows have arrived."

Great! We can finally end this awkward conversation!

Zhou Wenqing was overjoyed and quickly said, "There's no time to lose. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty and General. I'll have Li Yi prepare a simple breakfast. We'll set off after we've eaten. Ah Zhu is familiar with the fields and paths, so he can lead the way."

Everyone was eagerly anticipating the new plow, and their movements quickened. Just as they put down their bowls and chopsticks, Ah Zhu's excited shouts rang out from outside the courtyard: "Sir! I'm here! Are we going to the fields today?"

Before he finished speaking, the little guy rushed in like a gust of wind, bowed respectfully to Ying Zheng and Wang Jian, and then looked expectantly at Zhou Wenqing.

"That's right." Zhou Wenqing stood up with a smile. "Azhu, you've come at the perfect time. Lead the way."

"Alright!" Ah-Zhu responded loudly, grabbing Fu-Su's hand. "Brother Qiao-Song, let's go!"

Ah Zhu had already informed his father and brothers that Brother Qiaosong wanted to learn farming. The farmers, being simple and kind, were grateful for Fusu's usual care for Ah Zhu, so they readily agreed. At this moment, Ah Zhu's father and the others were already waiting at the edge of the field.

It is around the time of Frost's Descent in late autumn, when the ground is not yet frozen, making it a good time to prepare for autumn plowing.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the field ridges were slippery. A group of people arrived through the dew. Uncle Liu, Azhu's father, was already rubbing his hands to greet them, with an awkward smile on his face. The boy beside him was Azhu's second brother, Ajiang, who was about the same age as Fusu, but was darker and stronger. He looked at the newcomers with curiosity.