The Qin Dynasty perished after only two generations? My Great Qin also needs an Emperor Taizong!

After returning the greeting to the young man, Ying Mu looked at Bai Zhong and asked in a low voice:

"Sir, is your brother's eyes unwell?"

Bai Zhong sighed softly, leaned down to the young master's side, and lowered his voice to say, "My nephew was greedy and clung to his wet nurse when he was young. Although he didn't die, he injured his neck. Even after the injury healed, he was left with a strabismus. He looks at people as if he looks down on them. It was really unintentional."

Ying Mu's lips trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Young master, why are you laughing?"

Bai Zhong looked at Ying Mu with a puzzled expression. Behind him, Bai Shan and Bai Yu also showed anger.

The young master explained, "It is said in books that those who achieve great things throughout history all have extraordinary appearances. As the saying goes, 'Today's predicament may turn out to be tomorrow's advantage.' I actually find your sidelong glances at the masses quite ingenious."

"Please enlighten me, young master." Upon hearing the young master's explanation, Bai Shan suddenly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked for guidance.

Ying Mu didn't mince words. After returning the greeting with a cupped hand, he launched into a string of poems: "You survived a hardship in your youth, a blessing from Heaven that you were not denied a way out; though your neck was injured, your body is still eight feet tall, a gift from Heaven; with your body intact, your spirit remains undiminished, and you possess an inherent pride in your gaze, a gift from Heaven. When you stand in the court one day, brother, glancing sideways, which of the assembled officials would dare to look up at you? This is clearly the majesty bestowed upon you by Heaven, brother. What harm is there in that?"

A divinely bestowed majesty?

Something seemed to have been touched in Bai Shan's heart.

Everyone remained silent, their gazes all fixed on the young master.

Bai Zhong: Interesting. What a silver tongue! Although you're young, your ability to win people over with empty words is already quite impressive.

Bai Yu... indicated that he didn't quite understand, but it seemed to refer to "Heaven does not leave no way out" and "unyielding and dignified," which should be a compliment!

Bai Shan: Because of these eyes, I have been criticized by my clansmen for many years, but when I first met you, young master, you did not look down on me because of this... Didn't my uncle always say that the royal family is heartless? How come you seem different?

Ying Mu: It was just a show to intimidate people. If a few nice words could win over a fierce general, then it would be worth it! Let him stand there, and I can say "like a fish in water" today and "like a tiger with wings" tomorrow. I'll probably coax him into becoming an embryo!

Ying Mu bowed slightly to Bai Shan, "Mu, wait and see how your elder brother will one day look down upon the world with those slanted eyes."

Bai Shan was startled and quickly returned the greeting.

"Good, good, good! Young master is so wise. My uncle is good in every way, except that he is a bit insecure. Those clansmen said that my uncle was arrogant, but he didn't even lift a finger. It made me so angry." Bai Yu said excitedly, clenching his fist.

"Ayu, shut up!" Bai Shan shouted at Bai Yu.

"I'm so happy, young master. You truly have discerning eyes." Bai Yu muttered softly, looking at Ying Mu expectantly, "Young master, can you tell if I am also different from ordinary people?"

Ying Mu did not respond, but instead looked at Bai Zhong.

"Please speak freely, young master."

Bai Shan also wanted to hear what other empty words Ying Mu could say, while Bai Yu had already impatiently come to Ying Mu's side, half-squatting down to make it easier for Ying Mu to observe.

Ying Mu was silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on Bai Yu's expectant face for a while, then he suddenly sighed, "Stand up straight."

Bai Yu was taken aback and subconsciously straightened his back.

Ying Mu took a step back, remained silent for a moment, and said softly, "Those with light bones are restless and agile, and those with nimble feet are frivolous."

Bai Zhong understood what he meant. It was his own sharp comment on Gongzi Mu, but the kid had changed a lot since then... However, it was quite suitable for his grandson, so it wasn't just empty talk.

Bai Yu looked completely bewildered and asked Bai Shan, "What do you mean by 'light bones' and 'swift feet'?"

Just then, Bai Zhong suddenly reached out and patted his shoulder: "When my brother was young, he was also looked down upon. Your grandfather said he was 'more brave than steady.' Yet, in every battle, he was always at the forefront, charging into battle to capture flags, invincible in his path. As the saying goes: everything in the world has its use. Some people are suited to be swords in their sheaths, while others are suited to be spears on the front lines. It's okay if you don't understand now; you will understand later."

Bai Yu stood there stunned for a long time, then suddenly grabbed Ying Mu's hand, his eyes reddening.

Ying Mu was shocked. Such a strong reaction, could it be that he said something wrong?

"You're much better than those old guys in the clan! They only say I'm reckless, but you... say I'm a fierce general charging into battle! Hahaha—"

Ying Mubai Zhongbaishan:...

Ying Mu chuckled awkwardly, forcefully pulling his hand back and subtly rubbing it against the hem of Bai Zhong's robe. He then turned to Bai Zhong with a smile and said, "Teacher, why don't we eat together today? There's still a whole lot of meat and vegetable noodles that Father sent."

Bai Zhong thought for a moment, then said, "Then I will trouble you."

"Why is the teacher saying such distant things?"

Having unexpectedly gained two promising military generals, Ying Mu was in high spirits. He turned around and instructed, "Chunxue, go to the kitchen and tell Han Shan to prepare more food for dinner tonight."

The two women agreed and quickly went out.

Ying Mu helped Bai Zhong sit on the wooden couch and said with a smile, "Teacher, please rest here. I will send someone to fetch a stone table." After saying that, he ran outside.

"Hey, you little rascal! What's the rush?"

Bai Zhong called out to Ying Mu, pointing to the two people standing beside him like puppets, "Aren't there two of them who happen to be free? You can just take them with you."

Ying Mu seemed to realize something and beckoned the two of them to walk outside.

Once outside the courtyard, Ying Mu couldn't help but strike up a conversation with the two men, "How old are you two brothers?"

"I just tied my hair up," Bai Yu said in a muffled voice.

"I've already come of age and am now twenty-one," Bai Shan added softly. "Besides, as a young master in officialdom, you dare not address us brothers as such..."

Ying Mu then remembered that he still held a second-level noble title, so he gave a soft "hmm" and stopped talking.

He wasn't in a hurry.

Anyway, there will be plenty of time to get to know these two people later.

……

As the sunset was about to fall, Han Shan finally brought out the prepared dishes one by one. Several large earthenware bowls filled the stone table: a large bowl of boneless lamb leg, a large bowl of bean and green onion soup, a large bowl of okra steamed cakes, and a large bowl of millet rice balls. The bowls were piled high, making one's mouth water just looking at them.

Bai Zhong also looked at the large bowls with delight, grinning, "This home-style cooking is delicious! I don't usually get to enjoy this kind of food at home."

The two boys swallowed hard, and nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

Ying Mu was still young, and even sitting on the wooden couch, he was shorter than the stone table. Helpless, he had to sit in Xue's arms to make it easier to pick up food.

He tapped the stone table, turned and beckoned Chun to fetch some wine, then looked at the two boys whose eyes were wide open and laughed, "These are all things that the people of Qin love, so eat as much as you like."

Bai Yu thanked the young master and hurriedly started to eat.

Bai Shan stopped him, saying, "What's the rush? Young Master and Uncle haven't even moved yet." Bai Yu smiled awkwardly, put his hands in his robes, and looked apologetically at the master and disciple beside him.

Bai Zhong remained silent, and Ying Mu chuckled wryly, but the master and disciple tacitly refrained from saying anything.