"Young master doesn't want to play with you?"

Zhao Gao frowned as he listened to the reports from the two eunuchs.

Under the guise of taking care of him, he placed them around Hu Hai so that they could take care of him.

Indulging in eating, drinking, and merrymaking leads to the loss of ambition and ultimately results in becoming a puppet manipulated by others.

But things didn't seem to develop as expected.

The eunuch on the right looked distressed. "Yes, in order to make the young master eat, drink and have fun, I have found many fun things and delicious food and wine, but the young master will not touch either dice or cards."

The eunuch on the left nodded. "Yes, he only eats good food, and after he finishes eating, he makes an excuse to leave. He hasn't even tried any wine."

Zhao Gao said with a stern face, "He can make excuses, but you can't?"

The eunuch on the right looked even uglier. "This servant has also tried, but the young master is very determined. He always uses homework as an excuse to study day and night."

“His spirited and ambitious days were completely different from before. I wanted to stop him, but our statuses were too different.”

Although Hu Hai was not favored and had a very low profile in the palace, he still held the status of a prince. If he were too forceful, he would undoubtedly face certain death.

The eunuch on the left frowned. "It's strange, really. The young master was clearly showing signs of going astray before, but suddenly he's a completely different person. Not only has he distanced himself from us, but he's even studying harder than before. It's very strange..."

The eunuch was also completely baffled by this change.

Zhao Gao remained silent, his face grim.

As Xiao Huhai approached the hall, he saw the thin figure sitting there, his horse-like face appearing even more sharp in the dim light.

As he slowly approached, Hu Hai timidly spoke, "Teacher."

Zhao Gao's gaze fell on him, sharp as an eagle's. "Sit down."

Xiao Huhai sat down opposite him, and Zhao Gao poured him tea. "I heard you went to the academy again?"

Xiao Huhai nodded slightly, "Yes, I have thought about it. One must not neglect one's studies. Even if one is not well-versed in astronomy and geography, one should at least have one's own judgment."

Zhao Gao's eyes darkened slightly.

My own judgment?

He doesn't like it.

He handed the poured tea to Hu Hai, asking, "Is it alright?"

Hu Hai was taken aback. "What?"

Zhao Gao's eyes were dark and unfathomable. "Don't people in the academy always bully you?"

Little Hu Hai lowered his head and fell silent.

He was always bullied inside. The other princes or nobles all had their own backers, but he was all alone and helpless.

But things improved after he recognized Zhao Gao as his teacher.

Zhao Gao noticed his dejection and said, "Retreat, don't go."

Little Hu Hai's heart tightened, he raised his head, his small eyes filled with determination, "I will go!"

Such unwavering resolve surprised even Zhao Gao.

Hu Hai, a child of that age, should be very concerned about being bullied, so why is he so insistent?

Xiao Huhai continued, "Although life at the academy may not be so pleasant, students still need to study so that they can become capable people."

Protect those you want to protect.

Zhao Gao held his teacup and fell silent.

After a moment, he finally spoke, "If that's the case, then let's go."

Little Hu Hai's expression brightened slightly. "Really? Thank you, teacher!"

Zhao Gao looked at him meaningfully, "If you don't want to go anymore, remember to tell me."

Little Hu Hai nodded, "Understood."

A cold glint was hidden in Zhao Gao's eyes.

To become a capable person?

Children are children; how can they walk that path so easily?

······

Inside the hall, Ying Zheng frowned. "They're all dead?"

Wang Jian cupped his hands and said, "This old minister sent a trusted confidant to investigate. None of the people who chased after the young master on that mountain survived; they all died at their stronghold."

Realizing something was amiss, Ying Zheng asked again, "Has it been found out who did it?"

Wang Jian's expression was grave. "No traces were left at the scene, so we can't find anything."

"This matter is very strange. They died three days after chasing the young master. The two events were so close together, it seems like they were trying to cover something up."

Ying Zheng frowned and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he instructed, "Investigate that woman and that hilltop carefully again. If they did it, they must have left some clues!"

Wang Jian cupped his hands in greeting, "Yes, sir!"

Ying Gao entered the hall, cupped his hands, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

Ying Zheng glanced at the memorial and said, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Father!" Ying Gao stood up, and Ying Zheng added, "Those who were chasing you are all dead."

Ying Gao was quite surprised, "They're all dead?"

He frowned. "Those bandits were powerful and lawless in that area. How could they all be dead?"

Ying Zheng's gaze remained fixed on the memorial. "You were being chased and you just happened to escape with your life, and that life was then saved by that woman."

"And in the three days that followed, all the bandits were killed. Don't you think it's all quite a coincidence?"

Ying Gao pondered for a moment, then his expression turned serious. "Does Father suspect that all of this is related to Xi Xue?"

Ying Zheng put down the memorial and looked at Ying Gao. "Do you expect me to believe it's a coincidence?"

Ying Gao explained, "There might be some misunderstanding. Xi Xue is not that kind of person. Father, you have seen how pure and kind her character is."

Ying Zheng's voice deepened, "That's precisely why I find it strange. A person who doesn't seek wealth or power must have higher ambitions!"

"Think about it carefully. She just happened to get close to you, and now she just happened to be back in Xianyang, able to come into contact with the civil and military officials of Qin. What could her purpose be?"

Ying Gao was very persistent, "She almost lost her life to save me, and she refused to come back this time. If I hadn't insisted, she wouldn't have appeared in Xianyang!"

Ying Zheng sighed softly, "How do you know she hasn't figured out your personality and knows you'll insist on bringing her back?"

This son is good in every way, except that he is too straightforward and stubborn.

Seeing Ying Zheng's insistence, Ying Gao was also somewhat displeased. "Father, do you really want to think the worst of everyone? Shouldn't Father be happy that I have met such a good person? Why must you be so suspicious?"

Ying Zheng's expression was cold. "I am the emperor! Naturally, I must be suspicious of everything!"

“If you have met a truly good man, I will naturally be happy for you. But if not, you should get rid of him as soon as possible, lest he harm you!”

Ying Gao's voice also rose, "Father, you understand nothing! You've only known her for a short time, how can you make such a judgment about her?!"

"Having spent so much time with her, how could I not know what kind of person she is?"

Ying Zheng was somewhat helpless; this kid still thought things through so simply.

He looked at him and said, "Human hearts are far more complex than you imagine."

Ying Gao tried his best to suppress his anger, "Your subject does not want to argue with Father Emperor anymore. Your subject has already made up his mind about Xixue, and Father Emperor does not need to say more!"

"I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"

After saying this, he turned and left the hall.

Watching his retreating figure, Ying Zheng shook his head slightly, "This boy trusts her so much, what should we do?"