Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

"Who's being coy?! Who's being shameless?!"

Hu Hai suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide open, his little face puffed up like a bun, like an enraged little beast, glaring fiercely at Yin Man.

Why would Yin Man be afraid of him?

Instead of shrinking back, she straightened her already upright little body even more, raised her chin, and met his gaze with bright eyes that resembled her father's, clearly saying: I'm talking about you!

Zhou Wenqing witnessed this silent exchange of sharp gazes.

He glanced at Hu Hai, whose neck was stiff and cheeks were bulging, and then at Yin Man, who stood upright with a clever and cunning look in her eyes and brows. His lips curved into a silent smile.

He raised his hand and gently stroked Yin Man's hair, his voice so gentle it could melt water: "Yan Man knows her mistakes and can correct them; she is open and honest. She is the best child. Mr. Zhou is only gratified; how could he bear to punish her?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Hai almost choked on the breath he had been holding in his chest.

Zhou Wenqing, however, seemed completely oblivious. He naturally turned his head to face Ying Zheng and, in an admiring tone, said loudly:

"Brother Shengzhi, your daughter is quite intelligent and quick-witted, truly remarkable. At such a young age, she is already so reasonable, trustworthy, and acts with propriety, quite like... quite like her father."

He paused deliberately, emphasizing the words "his father's style".

Hu Hai's mind went blank, as if a swarm of bees had exploded.

Reasonable and trustworthy? Acting with propriety? Resembling his father in many ways?!

Doesn't that mean he was unreasonable, untrustworthy, acted without restraint, and was unlike his father?!

He quickly looked up at his father.

Ying Zheng's gaze briefly met Zhou Wenqing's. Recalling their conversation the previous day, he understood.

He cooperated with a look of satisfaction, beckoning to Yin Man: "She is indeed my good daughter, Man, come here."

Yin Man's eyes lit up, and she immediately flew over like a light butterfly, smiling sweetly as Ying Zheng steadily picked her up.

Her little hands immediately wrapped around her father's neck, and she tilted her head up, asking with a touch of naive pride, "Father, isn't Aman the most sensible one?"

"Of course," Ying Zheng nodded readily, his tone certain, "Aman is the most sensible."

"Ah Man knew it!" Yin Man said contentedly, nestling her little face against her father's shoulder.

However, in the next instant, those big, dark eyes passed over Ying Zheng's shoulder and accurately landed on Hu Hai, who was standing stiffly to the side with a face that was alternating between red and white. The victorious light in his eyes was undisguised, and he blinked quickly.

It's as if it's silently proclaiming: Look, my father praises me and hugs me, can you do that? Hehe~

This silent display of power is more lethal than any loud and boisterous provocation.

He picked her up! Her father picked her up! And praised her in front of everyone! Just because she apologized first?!

It's all fake, it's all an act, just to spite him and to make myself seem better than him!

"I...I!!"

Hu Hai could no longer contain himself. He took a large step forward, his voice cracking with excitement, almost shouting:

"I'm reasonable! I keep my word! I apologize... I apologize right now!"

He turned to Zhou Wenqing, bowing almost ninety degrees, performing an unprecedentedly grand salute, then quickly looked up at Ying Zheng, speaking rapidly as if pouring out beans:

"I...I'm louder than her! More sincere than her! Father, Mr. Zhou, you see, I, Hu Hai...I, Zhao Hai, keep my word. I...I'm the one who truly knows I was wrong. Her...her apology was fake, she was lying. I'm the one who's sincere!"

He shouted loudly, his chest heaving violently, trying to prove that his "true feelings" far surpassed those of his sister who always competed with him for their father.

"You're talking nonsense!" Yin Man immediately poked her head out from Ying Zheng's arms, pointing her little finger at him. "I clearly apologized first! Father, he lost but won't admit it, and he's even framing me!"

After saying that, she buried her face in Ying Zheng's neck, looking like she had suffered a great injustice and was waiting for her father to uphold justice.

"I...you!"

Hu Hai was so stunned by this counterattack that he almost couldn't catch his breath. He jumped up and down on the spot, but couldn't find any more powerful words to refute it. He could only puff out his cheeks and stare blankly.

Zhou Wenqing shook his head inwardly, a smile playing on his lips.

It seems that this kid is no match for his older sister when it comes to quick wit and improvisation; the difference in their skill levels is significant.

He then said, "What Aman said makes sense. Zhao Hai, you accused Aman of being insincere in her apology and of lying. Do you have any evidence? If you have no evidence, then you are making baseless accusations. Your father has always disliked children who speak recklessly and falsely accuse others."

He paused briefly, his gaze falling on Hu Hai's face. "Unless... you can 'personally' prove that your apology is more sincere than Aman's, such empty accusations are meaningless and only compound the error."

He deliberately emphasized the words "personally" in his tone.

Ying Zheng understood, and he picked up the conversation at just the right moment: "Brother Zicheng is right. If you accuse Aman of being false, then you should set an example and show sincerity. Otherwise, making unfounded accusations against your sister is no less wrong than before."

Upon hearing "the mistake is not light," Hu Hai subconsciously shrank his neck, as if he could already foresee a familiar, burning pain coming from a certain hidden part of his body.

But he was unwilling to be utterly defeated in front of Yinman, and he did not want to be accused by his father of making unfounded accusations.

"Then... then how can I prove that my sincerity is even more genuine?" Hu Hai was anxious and annoyed, his voice trembling with tears, feeling utterly wronged.

"I already... I already apologized as loudly and sincerely as I could! Louder than her!"

In his simplistic understanding, the degree of sincerity seemed to be directly equivalent to the volume of one's voice and the degree of bending over.

Zhou Wenqing slowly shook his head, looking at the little beast in front of him who was stuck in a logical dead end and jumping up and down in frustration, and patiently coaxed him:

"You two made mistakes first, and both said 'I'll leave it to you to decide, sir.' Ah-man was the first to frankly admit her mistake, which is commendable. This shows her sincerity, so I can naturally forgive her and not punish her. But you..."

He paused briefly, looking at Hu Hai's face, which had instantly tensed, and slowly said:

"Your apology just now, though forceful, upon closer examination reveals more of a competitive spirit than genuine remorse. Moreover, you arrived a step later than Aman. Under these circumstances, if you want to prove that your sincerity truly surpasses others, simply relying on empty words, or even louder pronouncements, is probably insufficient. Such an apology... seems lacking in weight and unlikely to convince anyone. What do you think?"

Hu Hai nodded subconsciously at first, then froze, his clear yet foolish eyes blinking, clearly confused and not fully understanding.

Sincerity is something that can't be seen or touched, so how can we expect him to cut out his heart to see it?

Thinking of this, Hu Hai's eyes widened in horror. He instinctively hugged his thin chest with both hands, jumped back a small step, and looked at Zhou Wenqing with disbelief, horror, and accusation in his eyes.

This Mr. Zhou is so, so terrifying! He actually tried to rip out my heart!

Zhou Wenqing frowned in confusion as she looked at his tense expression.

This child, I don't know what he instantly filled in with his little head, he's not as quick-witted as his sister!

"Alright, alright, let me remind you one more time," Zhou Wenqing thought for a moment and then said:

"For example, if you truly realize that you are wrong, you should not only admit it verbally, but also take the initiative to express your willingness to accept the admonition you deserve, so as to prove the firmness of your repentance. Only in this way can you be truly sincere and leave no room for doubt."

However, Hu Hai was completely immersed in the terror of having his heart ripped out and didn't listen to a word.

Tsk! Looks like he hasn't been beaten up enough on a regular basis. Even after being told this much, he still hasn't gotten it.

Talking isn't enough; you need to show your determination by taking the initiative to ask for punishment!

The establishment of a teacher's authority is based on proper etiquette, which is especially applicable to such a mischievous little devil. Since he has offended me for the first time, if I don't make him offer up that "thorn cane" as a sign of repentance, and if I don't have something symbolizing "rules" to keep him in check, then in the future, I'm afraid he will just ignore me and have no deterrent effect whatsoever.

Even a stick you pick up at your feet will do; it can serve as a ruler. Your father is right here, so what are you afraid of?

This child is so slow to understand.

Zhou Wenqing sighed inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. He gently nudged Li Si, who was trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible and keeping his eyes downcast.

"Brother Gu'an, in your opinion, how can we concretize the meaning of 'sincerity' in a way that truly convinces people?"

Li Si: "..."

He knew it! He knew this spectacle wouldn't be for nothing! The fire did indeed reach him!

After yesterday's terrifying "vicious dog theory" debate, Li Si had already made up his mind that from now on, whenever Brother Zicheng seemed to be asking for advice in a gentle manner but was actually secretly plotting something and speaking with hidden meanings, he vowed to be a silent, perfect, and unmoved wooden stake!

Avoid getting involved if you can, and pretend to be clueless if you can!

But right now, Zhou Wenqing had shoved the conversation into his hands with a smile, leaving no room for refusal, all under the watchful eyes of everyone, especially the King's gaze sweeping over...

Li Si's heart was in turmoil, but he could only quickly adjust his expression, forcing out his usual gentle smile. His eyes darted around, glancing at Wang Jian, who was watching with great interest and was practically grabbing a handful of pine nuts.

"Well... sincerity is indeed a mysterious thing." Li Si carefully chose his words, trying to pass the buck.

"Sincerity is indeed a mysterious and difficult-to-quantify matter. However, there are perhaps some precedents to follow regarding how to express remorse for wrongdoing and how to convey one's determination to one's teachers and elders. Mr. Wang, you are a man of great experience and wisdom. I wonder how you have taught your children and grandchildren to remember their mistakes and express their sincerity when they have made them?"

Wang Jian was engrossed in watching the two children's magical duel when he was suddenly called upon. He raised an eyebrow and blurted out without thinking:

"Ha! How do you learn from your mistakes? How do you show sincerity?"

The old general dramatically waved his large, fan-like hand in the air, creating a small breeze.

"Then naturally we'll drag him out and give him a good spanking! Forget about sincerity, a good, solid beating will make him remember it and never dare to do it again! This method never fails!"

His voice was firm and resonant, accompanied by a heavy nod, clearly demonstrating his unwavering confidence in and considerable pride in his time-tested, concise, and effective "Wang's Education Method."

Hu Hai: "!!!"

His face turned deathly pale instantly. He turned his head sharply and looked at his father in utter horror.

A board...a board?! Is he going to get a board?! Or a really hard beating?!

Zhou Wenqing touched his chin thoughtfully, his eyes flickering subtly.

The ruler... has been upgraded to a paddle?

His gaze slowly shifted to the terrified Hu Hai, then he thought of Qin Er Shi...

Hmm, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. It sounds more intimidating...?