After much deliberation, I've decided to solidify Zheng Ge'er's status as the "white moonlight" (idealized love interest), regardless of whether this person actually existed in history.

"Grandson pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

When Ying Zheng arrived at Empress Dowager Huayang's palace, coincidentally, Empress Dowager Xia was also there, which saved him a lot of walking.

"No need for formalities, please rise!" Empress Dowager Huayang waved her hand with a smile, showing great satisfaction with Ying Zheng's arrival and respectful manner.

Perhaps due to her advanced age and detachment from the struggle for power, Empress Dowager Huayang never interfered in court affairs again, instead enjoying time with her descendants.

It should be noted that he had a very strained relationship with Ying Zheng's biological father, Yiren, and the two had been engaged in a long-standing power struggle.

Empress Dowager Xia was Ying Zheng's maternal grandmother. She quickly got up and helped Ying Zheng up. After looking him over for a few moments, she said with displeasure, "Zheng'er has lost some weight lately. You must take good care of your health!"

Ying Zheng cupped his hands and smiled, "I was quite busy implementing the reforms a few days ago, but fortunately, with the help of my wicked husband and others, things are now on the right track, so Grandmother need not worry!"

A hint of envy flashed in Empress Dowager Huayang's eyes. After all, they were related by blood. Ying Zheng was more affectionate towards Empress Dowager Xia, and although he was respectful and polite to her, there was always a lack of affection between them.

Unfortunately, her biggest regret in life was being childless!

"Zheng'er, I am old. Although your father and I are mother and son in name, we lack the affection between us. Back then... Alas!" A hint of melancholy flashed in Empress Dowager Huayang's eyes, and her tone was somewhat sorrowful.

Ying Zheng looked up at Empress Dowager Huayang and said in a deep voice, "Grandmother, why do you have to do this? Back then, you and Father disagreed on politics, but you still gave your grandson a lot of help."

If it weren't for his and Empress Dowager Xia's intervention, the impact of Zhao Ji's case would have been enormous. Putting things one thing at a time, he should also have shown respect to Lady Huayang.

Not to mention his younger brother, Lord Yangquan, who, upon hearing of Lao Ai's rebellion, disregarded his own safety and led a thousand soldiers to try to aid Ying Zheng.

"That's good, that's good!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Lady Huayang's eyes, and then she looked at Empress Dowager Xia and said, "Sister, about that matter... just tell Zheng'er!"

These words piqued Ying Zheng's curiosity. What was it that couldn't be said directly?

Empress Dowager Xia held Ying Zheng's hand and said earnestly, "You've grown up so much in the blink of an eye. In a few more years, you'll reach adulthood."

"According to the rules, for a grand wedding and coming-of-age ceremony, it's time to find a suitable candidate in advance."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's smile froze on his face. His gaze lingered between Empress Dowager Huayang and Empress Dowager Xia, wondering if they were planning to arrange a queen for him.

If I'd known... he shouldn't have come today!

"Well, my two grandmothers, your grandson is still young, and the court is in turmoil. How can we worry about this?" Ying Zheng shook his head like a rattle drum.

"No!"

Empress Dowager Huayang and Empress Dowager Xia shouted at the same time, their eyes becoming sharp.

"At your age, many young masters and crown princes already have children..."

The two empress dowagers spoke earnestly, and thus began a lengthy discourse.

Ying Zheng was extremely worried and wanted to find an excuse to run away, but the two of them didn't give him a chance to speak at all.

Left with no other choice, he had to nod in agreement, and only then did the two grandmothers stop their verbal assault.

"Zheng'er, don't blame us for nagging, but as the ruler of Qin, your wedding is not just a personal matter, but also a matter of great importance to the country," Empress Dowager Xia said earnestly, her eyes revealing her expectations for Ying Zheng's future.

"Yes, Zheng'er, you must understand that everything you do will affect the future of Qin." Empress Dowager Huayang echoed, although she had no children, she also placed high hopes on Ying Zheng's future.

Ying Zheng took a deep breath; he knew his two grandmothers' words were not without reason. As the crown prince of Qin, his marriage was indeed related to the stability and development of the country.

However, he had his own plans in mind, and he did not want to make a hasty decision about marriage, which was also closely related to his experience.

Leaving aside the distant past, just consider Empress Dowager Xuan, Empress Dowager Huayang, and Zhao Ji. Which of these three did not interfere in court affairs?

After Empress Dowager Xuan killed King Huiwen of Qin, King Ying Zhuang of Qin, and his brother Ying Yong, she heavily relied on her relatives to form the "Four Nobles," thus setting a precedent for empress dowager regency and the monopolization of power by maternal relatives.

Not to mention his own mother, Zhao Ji, who had an illegitimate child with her male lover, Lao Ai, and even attempted to kill him and install their son as the new emperor.

In comparison, Empress Dowager Huayang was the best. She wanted to seize power as regent, but her father dealt her a series of blows, leaving her with no one to rely on.

After considering all these factors, Ying Zheng said sincerely, "Grandmothers, I understand your good intentions, but please allow me to carefully consider the choice of person in this matter, is that alright?"

Empress Dowager Xia and Empress Dowager Huayang exchanged a glance. They knew that Ying Zheng was already a king with his own opinions, and as long as he agreed, they wouldn't push him too hard.

"Zheng'er, don't blame us for interfering in your private affairs. We have already found a few candidates for you. You can meet them in a few days," Empress Dowager Xia said gently.

Empress Dowager Huayang nodded and said excitedly, "Yes, Zheng'er, you should meet them later. These are all women carefully selected by your grandmother and me. I guarantee you will be satisfied."

"Grandson understands. Thank you for your hard work, Grandmothers," Ying Zheng replied respectfully. The two Empress Dowagers nodded in satisfaction.

As night fell, the conversation in the palace gradually came to an end.

After bidding farewell to the two empress dowagers, Ying Zheng breathed a sigh of relief upon returning to Zhangtai Palace. "Today, I felt as if I were facing a thousand troops all alone."

Zhao Gao, who was attending to the emperor, also looked terrified. The two empress dowagers' words came like waves, one after another, giving no one a chance to catch their breath. Even he, an outsider, was intimidated by the scene, let alone Ying Zheng.

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Ying Zheng said, "Zhao Gao, you should retreat outside the hall and wait there. Let me have some peace and quiet."

Zhao Gao nodded, turned around and quickly left the hall, not forgetting to close the door behind him.

"well....."

After the hall was empty, Ying Zheng suddenly sighed, his eyes became vacant, and he fell into memories.

"Zheng-ge'er, do you want to go home?"

"Zheng-ge'er, will you like to be my wife in the future?"

"Zheng-ge'er... Zheng-ge'er...."

The face kept flashing through his mind, filling his brows with tenderness.

"Afang... are you alright?"

Where are you now?

Inside the hall, Ying Zheng's murmurs, which seemed to be both reminiscing and regretting, continued to echo.

He rushed back to Qin with his mother without even having time to say goodbye.

Over the years, I wonder how my childhood sweetheart is doing and where she is now.

He had considered searching for A Fang, but due to his hatred for the Zhao state and the relationship between the two countries, he did not want to expose A Fang and thus indirectly harm her.

Therefore, I can only keep that longing in the deepest part of my heart.