Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

What chivalrous heroes, what dashing horses and romantic figures!

Fantasy is wonderful, but reality is that Zhou Wenqing's tailbone, lower back, and groin are all protesting strongly.

How wonderful it is to have a carriage! It's safe, comfortable, and you can even take a nap. As he rubbed his aching back, he cursed himself inwardly: What was wrong with me back then? Why did I have to put myself through this?

He struggled to straighten his back, which was no longer under his control, maintaining a semblance of "decency" as he slowly and heavily made his way back to his small courtyard. With each step, he could feel his muscles silently groaning.

I really shouldn't have been curious...

As Zhou Wenqing collapsed onto the familiar and comforting rocking chair in the courtyard, only this one thought kept replaying in his mind.

Not only was he feeling unwell, but he was also delaying important matters—he had originally planned to personally take Ah Zhu to Aunt Liu's house next door to properly explain the matter of becoming an apprentice and the long journey.

Before he could catch his breath, two teenagers blocked his way from both sides.

"Sir, you seem a little tired," Fusu said gently, but her movements were slightly forceful as she gently supported his arm.

"I will discuss and handle all the trivial matters related to the apprenticeship ceremony with Junior Brother Zhu. We will explain everything to Aunt Liu ourselves."

"Yes, yes!" Ah Zhu nodded vigorously on the other side, his little face full of determination. "My senior brother taught me that 'when there is trouble, the disciple should do the work'! We can handle this little thing ourselves, Master, please rest well!" As he spoke, he secretly gave Fu Su a wink.

The two children worked together seamlessly, one gently persuading him while the other actively expressed his support, managing to keep Zhou Wenqing in the yard and preventing him from moving any further.

Zhou Wenqing found it amusing; it was only a few steps from the courtyard gate to Aunt Liu's house, yet the two of them acted as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

On second thought, he felt a sense of comfort: these two disciples are so well-behaved and considerate, much less troublesome than that little devil. That kid can make such a fuss even after a beating, unlike these two, who know he's not feeling well and try to find ways to share the burden.

He simply gave up struggling, waved his hand, and slumped back into the rocking chair: "Fine... then I'll leave it to you. Be sure to explain things properly to Aunt Liu and don't let her worry."

"Don't worry, sir!" the two children replied in unison, turning and walking briskly out of the courtyard.

What Zhou Wenqing didn't know was that as soon as the two children left the hospital, Azhu couldn't wait to peek out and whisper to Fusu.

"Thank you for helping to stop the man! My parents are old, and the man's... uh, blunt way of telling them..."

He recalled his terrifying experience that morning, and patted his chest with lingering fear, "I was really afraid they wouldn't be able to handle it and might faint."

Looking at his junior brother's lingering fear, Fusu smiled and gently comforted him, "Master is a bit blunt, but he is only so open and unguarded with those he is close to and trusts. We should appreciate his intentions."

He paused, then patted A-Du on the shoulder with a sense of responsibility: "Junior brother, don't worry, I've thought of a more tactful way to explain. I will tell the two elders slowly and carefully, and I will definitely... try my best not to frighten them."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother. With you here, Father and Mother won't think I've gone mad and am talking nonsense!"

In the courtyard, Zhou Wenqing was trying to find a comfortable position in the rocking chair that wouldn't strain his aching back when Li Si, Wang Jian, and Ying Zheng walked in one after another.

Li Si carefully moved a bamboo basket containing eggs aside, then gently gathered the overflowing tender vegetables and fruits on the low table to the ground before barely making room for a chair, and sat down cautiously.

"Brother Zicheng is truly well-loved here!" He looked around at the bustling scene where there was almost no place to step and exclaimed, "Look at all this... I originally thought that General Wang's words were a bit exaggerated, but now it seems that even finding a place to stand requires careful searching."

"Hey! When have I ever exaggerated?" Wang Jian found a sturdy grain sack to use as a stool, plopped down, and casually arranged several sacks of millet next to him, his movements as practiced as if he were in his own barn.

"This is considered cleaned up! You didn't see the front hall; it was absolutely scrambled to the brim, you couldn't even fit a needle in it!"

Ying Zheng settled comfortably in another rocking chair, casually picked up a bright yellow apricot from the basket beside him and played with it, saying slowly, "It is almost winter now, yet the villagers are still willing to bring such fresh grain. It is evident that even before you have entered the court, you, Minister Zhou, have already surpassed those who hold positions without doing any work in the court, even just in this rural area."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I am unworthy of such praise." Zhou Wenqing was still holding a large radish in his hand—it was too big to fit out, so he had temporarily placed it on the armrest of the rocking chair. As the group chatted, they even had to make room to put a teacup down.

"The people of the world are the simplest of all. If you do them a little kindness, they will repay you tenfold. In particular, the people here are honest and kind, which is why Wenqing... cannot bear to part with them."

Can't bear to part with it? That won't do!

Ying Zheng paused slightly as he twirled the apricot in his hand, then flicked his wrist, sending the apricot arcing into Li Si's arms.

"Since you value this friendship so much, I will take my leave properly. They have treated you well, and I will remember this kindness and repay you in return after you leave with me."

Don't be sad, I will take good care of them for you, so just come with me in peace!

Zhou Wenqing understood the implied meaning, straightened up, and jokingly cupped his hands, saying, "Not only the villagers, but I, Wenqing, will also need Your Majesty's care from now on!"

"Of course." Ying Zheng's smile deepened. He leaned forward and gently pressed Zhou Wenqing's slightly strained bowing posture back down with just one hand, patting his arm as he did so. "I'll be considerate of you now. Look at your awkwardness. No need for formalities."

"Hahahaha!" Li Si, who had seen it clearly from the side, immediately replied with a smile, his tone full of teasing, "Your Majesty is truly perceptive. Judging from Zicheng's appearance, it's obvious that he's gripping the reins too tightly, and his arm is not obeying his commands. He should sit properly."

"Brother Gu'an!"

Zhou Wenqing was both annoyed and amused by the two of them exposing his shortcomings. He ground his back teeth, rolled his eyes, and pretended to sigh.

"Alas, it's all Wenqing's fault for being weak and unable to withstand this turbulent journey. He'll probably need to rest for a few days before he can set off. Perhaps... Your Majesty and Brother Gu'an should return to the capital first? Wenqing will follow later and will not delay you."

"Oh—that won't do!" Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng immediately smiled and pointed at Li Si, decisively drawing a line between them.

"It was your brother Gu'an who offended you. If you want revenge, get up and beat him up. Why involve me?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "get up," and his eyes revealed a more mischievous glint, clearly mocking Zhou Wenqing's current predicament of "slumped" in the chair.

"Your Majesty!" Zhou Wenqing nearly choked. What did he mean by "get up"?!

"Hahaha, Mr. Zhou, don't be angry!" General Wang Jian, who had been watching the show with great interest, laughed loudly and rolled up his sleeves in a very generous manner. He deliberately glared at Li Si with his tiger-like eyes, as if he was about to get up.

"It's okay if he can't get up! I'll teach this bastard a lesson for you! You brat, take this punch!"

Li Si immediately cried out "Ouch!" feigning panic and waving his hands repeatedly, but without even lifting his buttocks, he said, "General Wang, please calm down! It was just a joke. Brother Zicheng won't hold it against me, right?"

As he spoke, he gave Zhou Wenqing a pleading look.

"General Wang! How could you..." Zhou Wenqing pointed at General Wang, unsure whether to be angry or amused.

"Hahahaha!"

Perhaps because this rural area is far from the imperial court and less bound by rules, the emperor and his ministers, who were crammed into the farmyard piled with gifts from the countryside, surprisingly abandoned their usual dignity and restraint, laughing and joking around without any regard for seniority. Even the "victim," Zhou Wenqing, eventually couldn't hold back and joined in the laughter.

Such a relaxed, carefree, and unburdened scene is truly a rare sight.

With the two children's careful instructions and Ying Zheng's secret orders, Zhou Wenqing hardly needed to worry about any of the preparations for the apprenticeship ceremony.

Although Ying Zheng occasionally joked about his "elegant" horseback riding, he was ultimately considerate of his current state of being outwardly strong but inwardly weak, and did not trouble him with his worries.

The next day, Zhou Wenqing changed into a slightly more formal dark robe, sat in the main seat, and looked at Fusu and Azhu kneeling properly below, feeling somewhat dazed.