Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.

In his memory, whenever Li Si, General Wang Jian, or especially Ying Zheng were around, Li Yi would always discreetly hide in the shadows, either silently guarding the area with his colleagues or remaining as inconspicuous as a wooden stake, so silent that he seemed to blend into the background.

This is truly the first time someone has taken the initiative to step forward and stand in the open like this.

But upon further reflection, he immediately understood.

Yes, we've arrived in Xianyang.

This means that the special journey that lasted for nearly half a year has come to an end.

Now that he was in Xianyang City, Li Yi's mission of "lurking, monitoring, and protecting" came to an end with the opening of the mansion's gate.

Like a bowstring that has been taut for a long time, it can finally be relaxed for a moment, and the shadow that has always lingered in the shadows should return to its original order, hide again by the king's side, and wait for the next time to draw the bow and shoot at the unknown distance.

Zhou Wenqing had no doubt about Li Yi's loyalty.

It was an almost instinctive, ingrained, absolute loyalty to King Ying Zheng of Qin. This understanding had been repeatedly observed and silently confirmed by him over the past six months of their interactions, as clear as the Jing and Wei rivers, leaving no room for doubt.

Therefore, even though Li Yi stood silently among the servants at this moment, Zhou Wenqing only assumed that he had come to complete the final procedure of this journey together—to say goodbye.

Nearly half a year has passed! We've been together day and night, sharing every moment.

Even though the beginning was shrouded in cold impurities and ulterior motives, those days and nights could not be faked.

The resentment born from being "monitored and betrayed" had long since dissipated through the daily care, support, and even the silent accommodation of his "affected" habits, until that night, due to a "genetic mutation," it completely transformed into understanding and relief.

After all, from being on the verge of death and unable to move, to now being able to ride a horse and even discuss the world with others... he was given a second chance at life, and in the process of being given a second chance, apart from the system that had not yet appeared at the time, there were traces of Li Yi everywhere.

Zhou Wenqing had his own scales in his heart; he accepted this affection, this heavy and unique sentiment.

He even believed that in this strange world where he had no relatives and was separated from his family by a thousand years, this silent and reliable guard had unknowingly become the first person he could rely on and entrust his vulnerabilities to... family.

Therefore, the thought of parting is not just a faint feeling of reluctance, but rather a heavy weight on the heart, like the pervasive twilight.

Unfortunately, Li Yi was the King of Qin's secret guard. He had his own land, his own battlefield, and the distant places he had to travel to to show his loyalty. His small mansion was just a brief stop on his long journey.

Zhou Wenqing could only take a deep breath, suppress his surging emotions, and try to comfort himself.

Fortunately, Li Yi, regardless of other factors, as the King of Qin's secret guard, or more accurately, as a spy, may not have the highest combat skills among his colleagues, but his keenness and adaptability are absolutely top-notch.

He asked for nothing more than a secret wish that Li Yi, in the future, would have a moment of leisure while carrying out those tasks that would surely not be easy, and that he would remember to be flexible and not just confined to the palace. He hoped that Li Yi could occasionally come to this mansion, ask for a cup of tea, and chat about some unimportant things. That would be very good.

Thinking this, when he saw Li Yi stride forward and stand steadily in front of him, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Zhou Wenqing's lips.

He cleared his throat, preparing to say a few warm farewell words in the most relaxed tone, such as "Take care in the future" and "Come visit often."

"Snapped!"

A clear and deep thud abruptly cut off the syllable that had not yet formed in his throat.

Li Yi suddenly took a half step back with his left leg, and without hesitation, his right knee fell heavily onto the blue bricks on the ground. He performed a solemn kneeling ceremony to Zhou Wenqing, a gesture of devotion that represented his willingness to die for his country!

Zhou Wenqing was startled by the sudden kneeling and sprang up from the rocking chair covered with a thick, soft blanket as if he had been electrocuted.

"Ah Yi!" He rushed forward, his voice full of surprise and confusion, reaching out to take the other's arm. "What are you doing? Get up! Why are you doing such a big bow?"

This is the first time anyone has knelt before him, apart from Fusu and Azhu! Although... but... it feels like his lifespan has been shortened considerably.

He pulled hard on Li Yi's arm, but Li Yi didn't budge. Instead, he lowered his head slightly, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, and said in a deep voice:

"Your subordinate, Li Yi, greets your master!"

Owner?!

Zhou Wenqing felt a buzzing in his mind, and his mind went completely blank for a moment, almost losing the ability to think.

"No, you... wait a minute..."

He paused for a moment, then, bewildered and subconsciously, took a half-step to the side, trying to avoid this obvious and inappropriate greeting.

However, Li Yi remained kneeling, only slightly adjusting the direction of her knees, still facing him steadily and respectfully.

Zhou Wenqing was completely dumbfounded. He stiffly turned his head to look at Ying Zheng, who was sitting leisurely in the rocking chair, and then at Li Yi, who was always facing him with a humble posture. His eyes lingered between the two of them, and he felt like his brain was not working properly.

"Hahahaha!" Ying Zheng sneered as he stepped forward with his hands behind his back. "Minister Zhou, don't you understand yet?"

He pointed to Li Yi, who was kneeling on the ground, and said casually, "I am assigning this Li Yi to you. From now on, you are his only master."

"Your Majesty... what do you mean?" Zhou Wenqing felt his tongue was tied in knots. He pointed at Li Yi, then at Ying Zheng, "Isn't he... isn't he your bodyguard?"

"Indeed, he was once my personal guard." Ying Zheng nodded, his gaze falling on Li Yi with scrutiny and assessment.

"But in the past six months or so, he has taken very good care of Minister Zhou. Judging from his actions, he is calm and quick-witted. You are already used to him and find him easy to use. Since that's the case—"

He drew out his words, his smile deepening: "Wouldn't it be perfect to let him continue to follow you, take care of the guards? I think it's excellent."

After saying this, Ying Zheng, without waiting for Zhou Wenqing to react again, calmly pulled a wooden tablet from his sleeve.

"I have ordered him to leave the secret guard system and be placed under your command, Zhou Wenqing." His voice was calm and even. "He will obey your orders, protect you, and be handed over to you. From this day forward, he is your man. His fate, rewards and punishments, life and death are all determined by your will. He will have no direct connection with me anymore. You can use him with confidence and have no worries."

Don't worry? There's no need to have any concerns?

Zhou Wenqing understood that the king meant to reassure him that Li Yi was no longer a lurking secret guard of the Prince of Qin, nor a spy planted by the monarch, but a complete friend to him, and that he no longer needed to have any concerns.

But what Zhou Wenqing cared about was not just whether or not there was eyeliner.

He had never realized so clearly and so painfully that he was standing on a feudal dynasty, not his homeland.

And Li Yi, whom he had long regarded as family and a partner, someone who would share his joys and sorrows...

Ultimately, in the laws of this world, its essence is nothing more than something that can be given or transferred at will, according to need...

assets.

Or, to put it another way, a higher-ranking slave attached to a master.

Zhou Wenqing stood there, stunned.

Even if one already has some understanding in one's heart, or has even stepped into the slave market, and has seen with one's own eyes those men and women in wooden cages with clearly marked prices, their eyes either numb or terrified, and heard the cold sound of iron chains dragging through the dust.

But at that time, it was a detached, observational understanding, carrying with it a sense of pity and unease from the perspective of later generations.

Far less than now—

When this family member you spend every day with is so casually "transferred" to your name, it's enough to send chills down your spine.

Li Yi...

Zhou Wenqing remained silent, took a deep breath, and suddenly turned around to face Ying Zheng. He bowed deeply and solemnly, performing a standard and respectful bow. His sleeves fell down with the movement, covering his slightly trembling fingertips.

"Your Majesty, Wenqing... has a request that you would be grateful for."