Chapter 568 Accompanying Reading

When Han Fei followed the enthusiastic Li Si to the government office, he learned that the strategy targeting the six states needed to be completed before the submission deadline, and he took a deep breath.

Shouldn't he have been in a better position to enter Qin? Wasn't the timing a little too precise?

Can we really trust him like this? He's not new here, isn't it a bit much for him to be doing this kind of work?

So, Li Si wasn't magnanimous after all; he wanted him dead, wasn't he? Was dying from exhaustion at his desk his latest plan to torment him?

Han Fei's mind raced with a jumble of thoughts. But when he met Li Si's face, which radiated exhaustion and made no attempt to hide his intention to drag him down with him, he didn't say much and silently accepted the responsibility.

Not only because he was now a court official in Qin, but also because Li Si seemed likely to die from exhaustion at his desk first. Out of that meager brotherly bond, Han Fei figured he might as well accept being tricked once more.

Everyone has their struggles.

"Officer Han, the Court of Justice requests your presence."

A messenger arrived with a message, and Han Fei nodded, then skillfully walked forward to meet Li Si.

Yes, Li Si has been promoted.

Perhaps it was a change of heart on Ying Zheng's part, but he suddenly realized that Li Si had a lot on his plate, and Li Si, being meticulous, had handled everything quite well. Therefore, Ying Zheng promoted him beyond his usual rank, making him one of the Nine Ministers, specifically the Minister of Justice, responsible for managing the judiciary.

As Li Si's junior brother and his best "ox and horse," Han Fei had long been accustomed to Li Si "kindly" taking on heavy responsibilities, under the guise of helping him earn merit as soon as possible and get promoted before Qin unified the country.

Although this good intention led Han Fei to practically take root in the government office after entering Qin, spending almost ten out of the twelve hours a day with Li Si, and occasionally even "sleeping side by side," Han Fei had long since grown accustomed to the inner complaints.

And so, without any warning or preparation, they found themselves facing the scrutinizing gazes of a group of Legalist scholars.

"..." Han Fei glanced around and, not seeing Li Si, understood immediately. This kid was deliberately tricking him into hosting the Legalist people!

Okay, okay, you've gotten addicted to tricking him, haven't you?

Han Fei took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure and demeanor, and dealt with the Legalist scholars' scrutiny and probing, which ranged from mild to severe. He had to arrange accommodations for them, select suitable talents, and occasionally take time to respond to their invitations to debate.

Exhausted and spinning like a top, Han Fei held a grudge against Li Si in his heart. All the brotherhood between them was gone, completely gone!

On the other hand, Zhang Liang, who followed his teacher to Qin, suddenly became a left-behind child.

But shortly after meeting his senior fellow apprentice Li Si, he transformed himself into the eldest son's study companion.

"May I?"

The usually composed young man now appeared more nervous and uncertain.

Seeing this, Han Fei patted him on the shoulder and reassured him, "Although Li Si is petty and cunning, he still knows his limits when it comes to the eldest son."

"..." Zhang Liang's expression went blank for a moment. Huh? He wasn't asking about his senior apprentice... Also, he remembered his teacher as having a very noble air about him, so why was he speaking like this now...?

Zhang Liang looked up and noticed Han Fei's dark circles under his eyes, his slightly unshaven stubble, and his clothes that looked like they hadn't been changed in two days...

Well, sir, you've suffered, so it's understandable that you'd be a bit blunt.

At this moment, Zhang Liang's expression was a little too easy to understand. Han Fei closed his eyes, feeling that he had been too busy these past two days, and tried to make amends: "What I mean is, the fact that he brought it up means that the King and the eldest son must have agreed to it, so you don't need to worry."

"OK."

Zhang Liang nodded understandingly and didn't ask any more questions.

Han Fei felt a little guilty but also touched. Thinking of the eldest son, he added, "The eldest son... is quite different from those in the Heavenly Curtain. Be prepared."

"I understand. I will fulfill my duty as your study companion and assist the young master well."

Zhang Liang nodded. After all, the figure in the sky was the grown-up Prince Fusu. At this stage, the prince was still young, and he would take it seriously!

Han Fei opened his mouth, but hesitated. He felt that Zhang Liang didn't really understand... But, things should be better once they met, right?

He believed in the young strategist's abilities, and Han Fei, having come to terms with it, didn't say anything more.

So much so that Zhang Liang, upon actually meeting Prince Fusu, was stunned for a long time.

Wow, handsome young man!

Who is speaking?

After paying his respects to the King of Qin, Zhang Liang, who was waiting alone in a side hall, heard the child's voice and opened his eyes wide in surprise. He looked around cautiously and then saw a little dumpling with chubby cheeks walking in.

"Are you Zhang Liang?"

The little dumpling tilted its head and looked at him, its delicate features making it incredibly cute.

But that's not the point! The point is that the voice was the same as the one he had just heard! The point is that even though his mouth was closed, Zhang Liang still heard the voice!

[That's right, all my study companions have to meet this standard; I won't hire anyone who isn't handsome!]

Zhang Liang's pupils contracted sharply, and he stammered hesitantly, "Young...Young Master?"

"It's me."

[That expression... are you captivated by me? I'm a little troubled, though. Lately, I feel my charm has skyrocketed, and everyone's staring at me is way too intense! I'm not going back with you all! Of course, if you, handsome young man, wish to stay in the palace, I wouldn't mind.]

"..." Zhang Liang was momentarily at a loss for words. He suddenly remembered his master's earlier warning. Was this quite different? Were they completely different people?

The sky had already appeared, and the world was about to be destroyed, so Zhang Liang was surprised for a moment at being able to hear the eldest son's thoughts, but quickly accepted it.

But... thinking of the gentle, reserved, and extraordinary eldest son in the sky, who was devoted to the country and carried the hopes of the entire world, and then looking at the cunning little dumpling in front of him, whose thoughts were... lively.

Is this the difference between adults and minors? These are clearly two different people!

"How old are you?"

"8 years old."

"You became Han Fei's disciple?"

"Yes."

"Let's sit down and talk."

"good."

Zhang Liang, somewhat doubting his existence, was like a puppet, echoing Fusu's words. He did whatever Fusu said in a very rigid manner, which, combined with his exceptionally delicate and beautiful face, made him extremely amusing.

At least, in Fusu's heart, he liked it very much.

[Ahhh, what a huge figurine! It's so cute and obedient, I want to keep it in the palace forever!]

Zhang Liang finally came to his senses, and then his face turned bright red without him realizing it. The eldest son was really... really too lively.

But then he thought about it again, and realized that the once innocent and lively eldest son had ended up like that, so perfect it seemed unreal. This made Zhang Liang feel a pang of sadness and sorrow.

Looking into the bright, sparkling eyes of the eldest son, Zhang Liang, having adjusted his mindset, made up his mind: he would protect the eldest son's innocence! He was willing to serve the eldest son; the eldest son didn't have to be perfect, he could always be lively. He had already done enough for this world; let them handle the rest.

Thus, Zhang Liang, blushing deeply at Fu Su's sweet words, thought shyly, "If the eldest son wishes, staying in the palace to keep him company isn't out of the question; after all, my teacher doesn't have time to go home."

Following Li Si's example, Han Fei recommended the Legalist school, whose members were his rivals but undeniably talented, to higher positions. Finally, someone was sharing the burden of government affairs, allowing Han Fei to rest, and he was overjoyed. But upon returning home, he discovered he had become an empty-nest old man?!