Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

After having breakfast and calming their rumbling stomachs, Zhou Wenqing called Fusu and Azhu into his room alone.

"Ah Zhu," Zhou Wenqing said gently, gesturing for him to come closer, "As you can see from today's events, although Qiaosong came to my side a few days later than you, he is older, has a solid foundation, and acts with prudence and composure. In the future, he will be able to take better care of you in your studies and in your dealings with others."

He paused, a hint of apology in his eyes, "For the position of first disciple, you favor Qiao Song, not because you are inferior to him, but because of many considerations. This is the most appropriate arrangement. Do you... understand?"

Ah-Zhu was the first child to follow him and trust him wholeheartedly, but now he cannot become the first disciple. Although Ah-Zhu does not yet understand the profound meaning behind this title, Zhou Wenqing feels that he must explain it to him personally.

He worried that if Ah-Zhu found out about this from others in the future, he would feel awkward and inferior, which was the last thing he wanted to see, given the existing sense of difference in their backgrounds.

"Sir, I understand." The boy's voice was young but earnest, and he keenly sensed the apology in his teacher's tone.

Ah-Zhu didn't feel that his husband had wronged him in any way. He tilted his head back, appearing both innocent and stubborn.

"Not to mention that Brother Qiaosong has always taken good care of Ah Zhu, the teacher has already made it clear that when testing disciples, there is no distinction between first and last. Brother Qiaosong is more knowledgeable than me, so as the teacher's first disciple, he will certainly not tarnish the teacher's name. Ah Zhu is convinced."

He paused, then his brows relaxed, and a bright smile even appeared on his face:

"The teacher didn't mind that I came from a rural background and was still willing to teach me. Ah Zhu is only grateful. If the teacher thinks I would hold a grudge because of this—"

He blinked, his tone revealing a frankness and stubbornness unique to his age: "That's underestimating Ah Zhu!"

Zhou Wenqing chuckled and gently patted Azhu's head.

"Sir, you've misunderstood. Ah-Zhu is much more reasonable than you think. But there's something more important I called you up today."

Zhou Wenqing's expression turned serious, and he explained his intention to hold an apprenticeship ceremony for them the next day.

Although Fusu was somewhat surprised, he quickly accepted it, while Azhu seemed quite excited.

"A-Zhu," Zhou Wenqing called out to the little man whose mouth was grinning so wide it was almost impossible to close, "I think you've already realized that I'll take you with me to Xianyang, but the departure date is a bit tight, set for three days from now."

"Three days later?" Ah-Zhu was a little surprised, then nodded vigorously. "Ah-Zhu understands. I will say goodbye to Father and Mother properly."

"There's one more thing, Ah Zhu." Zhou Wenqing paused for a moment.

Ah Zhu blinked, then subconsciously glanced at Fu Su beside him, a little puzzled in his heart.

The master seemed to give him more instructions than usual today; he usually calls Qiaosong "brother".

Could it be because the end of the year is approaching and he is about to grow a year older, so his husband feels he can rely on him even more? This thought made him feel quite pleased.

"Your brother Qiaosong," Zhou Wenqing said slowly as he looked at him, "is actually named Fusu."

"Oh," Ah Zhu nodded subconsciously, thinking that so Brother Qiaosong had changed his name. No wonder the teacher didn't call him that anymore.

Wait, no, Fusu?

Ah Zhu's expression froze instantly, his eyes widening in disbelief and bewilderment.

He glanced at Fusu, then at Zhou Wenqing, and after a long while, he finally found his voice. With a hint of hesitation and caution, he swallowed hard and whispered a reminder:

"Brother Qiao, Brother Qiaosong... the name you changed to... seems... seems to be something taboo about it, do you... know that?"

Fusu looked at him, a hint of apology in his eyes, but still nodded clearly and firmly, replying gently, "I know, Azhu, but I don't need to hide it."

He paused, then said, word by word, "I haven't changed my name either."

boom!

Ah-Zhu, whose clever little brain had been praised countless times by his teacher, almost completely lost his mind.

He had suspected that "Brother Qiaosong" might be someone extraordinary; his natural air of nobility and knowledge far surpassed that of an ordinary country boy.

But... Prince Fusu?

The boy who studies with him every day, gently explains difficult questions to him, and even brushes the grass off his clothes, is that Prince Fusu?!

"Ah..." A very soft, almost dreamlike sigh escaped from Ah Zhu's lips, his face blank: "Father... Mother... Son... Son has really made something of himself..."

To be able to become Prince Fusu's junior brother...

That gentleman actually felt... indebted to him just now?

This world suddenly seems a little unreal...

"A-Zhu? A-Zhu!" Zhou Wenqing waved his hand in front of his young disciple, whose eyes were glazed over and who seemed to be lost in thought. He patted the disciple's shoulder, but still couldn't bring him back to his senses.

Oh no... it seems like I poured too much water at once and confused the child.

Zhou Wenqing reluctantly withdrew his hand, glancing somewhat awkwardly at Fusu: "Ahem...did I put it too bluntly?"

Fusu's gaze flickered for a moment.

It's not just somewhat straightforward, it's downright too straightforward!

"Sir, your frankness is truly aboveboard. Junior Brother Zhu was just surprised to hear this and needs some time to process it. Later..." He paused, his tone becoming gentler, "I will explain it to him in more detail."

Zhou Wenqing left the children's affairs to them to resolve themselves, although... it couldn't really be considered entirely a matter between the children.

But an hour later, when Zhou Wenqing was about to set off back to the village to look for the two children, Azhu had returned to normal, except that there was an inconspicuous red rope around his neck, which appeared and disappeared as he lowered his head.

Although Zhou Wenqing noticed, he was too busy with preparations for the apprenticeship ceremony, explaining things to Aunt Liu, and informing the villagers to ask questions. He simply settled the two boys into the carriage and then headed towards the village with Ying Zheng, Li Si, Wang Jian, and their entourage.

It is worth mentioning that Zhou Wenqing chose to ride a horse back this time.

Even little Hu Hai had ridden a pony, so he couldn't contain his curiosity.

I might need to use my riding skills sooner or later. The return journey isn't far, so it's a rare opportunity to practice. Besides, the original owner of this body should know how to ride a horse, otherwise Li Yi wouldn't have prepared two fast horses in the courtyard.

Of course, the more important reason is that riding a horse is much more enjoyable than being cooped up in a carriage!

In those folk tales, which chivalrous heroes and legendary wandering knights didn't ride swiftly on horseback, their robes fluttering in the wind? Zhou Wenqing had long yearned for that.

"Your Majesty," he straightened his sleeves, striving for an elegant posture, "Wenqing wishes to ride back on horseback."

So although Ying Zheng frowned slightly, revealing a hint of doubt as to "Are you sure?", seeing his insistence, he finally nodded in agreement, but secretly instructed behind his back: "Choose the most docile brown horse for him."

Without a high-bridged saddle, without stirrups, and even the newly made horseshoes could not be shown to anyone for the time being, Zhou Wenqing faced the most original challenge when the servant brought over the exceptionally docile brown mare—he was practically "riding naked" except for a saddle pad.

After the horse was brought over, Zhou Wenqing calmed himself down, recalling the vague instincts deep within his body. He held the reins with his left hand, gently pressed the horse's back with his right hand, and with a powerful leap, he nimbly flipped himself onto the horse and sat firmly on it.

"Wow!" Wang Jian, who had witnessed it clearly, raised his thick eyebrows. "Mr. Zhou's mounting technique was clean and impressive!"

Zhou Wenqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the original owner's "face-saving skills" were solid enough.

But his relief didn't last long. As soon as the brown horse started to move, the sudden, unimpeded jolting through the thin saddle made him stiffen and instinctively grip the horse's belly tightly with his legs.

"Relax! Mr. Zhou, you're more tense than a bowstring, you're making the horse uncomfortable!" Wang Jian's booming voice immediately rang out from the side, carrying the straightforwardness unique to a military general. "Let your waist and hips move with it, think of yourself as water, going with its waves!"

Zhou Wenqing's lips twitched slightly as he listened, his "knight-errant dream" teetering on the brink of collapse amidst the ups and downs of reality and General Wang's roar.

He tried to relax, but it felt like struggling to stand firm on a turbulent sea. His waist, legs, and hips were all straining, and every muscle in his body was telling him how uncomfortable he felt.

This is not what I imagined!

The short journey felt incredibly long to Zhou Wenqing. When the old locust tree at the village entrance finally came into view, he was almost moved to tears.

The brown horse obediently stopped, and he tried to dismount gracefully—his legs went weak, and he almost slid off, but luckily he caught the horse's neck in time.

"How is it?" Ying Zheng had already gotten out of the carriage and walked closer, his tone indifferent.

"...Refreshing." Zhou Wenqing squeezed out the two words through gritted teeth.

Ying Zheng looked at him, gritting his teeth and forcing himself to stay upright, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Then next time..."

"Let's take a horse-drawn carriage next time!"

The world is too far, and the ride is too bumpy. Suddenly, I feel that riding skills are not so important. A carriage is better, it's safer.