The news of Prince Gao's return to Xianyang spread, causing quite a stir in the entire capital.
As the second son of Ying Zheng, he showed exceptional talent from birth, excelling in both literary and martial arts.
As a result, he received a lot of attention from Ying Zheng from a young age, and the best teachers were hired for him, so that he did not slack off in either literature or martial arts.
He was not only extremely talented, but also exceptionally courageous. He took the initiative to request to go out and study, travel the world, and broaden his horizons.
This move was highly praised, and the world called him the only prince who could be compared to Fusu.
Three years had passed since then, and now that he had finally returned to the palace, the entire imperial city was filled with joy.
Upon his return, even Ying Zheng personally welcomed him.
A chilling wind swept through the surroundings, causing the blue-green robe with its black bird motif to flutter in the wind. Ying Zheng's gaze fell into the distance, revealing a rare anticipation.
"Young Master!"
As Li Si's voice rang out, everyone looked up.
It was a man dressed in a white cloud robe, with long black hair flowing down his back, tied only with a rope. His eyes were bright, and he was striding towards us.
Despite being dressed as a Confucian scholar, the man exuded a resolute air.
The man was accompanied by a slender woman whose face was covered by a black veil, making it impossible to see her.
Prince Gao approached, bowed, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng rarely smiled, "Get up, get up quickly."
Prince Gao stood up, and Ying Zheng looked at him with a slight softening in his eyes: "Come closer and let me take a closer look."
Prince Gao stepped forward, and Ying Zheng examined him carefully again.
"I heard you encountered bandits from six kingdoms on your trip. Are you alright?"
Gongzi Gao cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for your concern, Father. Although the process was dangerous, we have now turned the tide and you are unharmed!"
"To be precise, it was this young lady who saved my life!"
As he spoke, he turned to look at the girl beside him.
The young woman curtsied and said, "This humble girl, Bai Xixue, greets Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng was somewhat surprised, "She saved you?"
Gongzi Gao nodded, "Yes, that day I fell off the cliff. If it weren't for Miss Bai's rescue, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it back."
"So when I came back this time, I was determined to bring her with me no matter what."
Ying Zheng nodded, "I have no way to repay the life-saving grace, so I should keep it in my heart."
He then looked at Bai Xixue and asked, "Do you want money or power?"
Bai Xixue lowered her head and said, "This humble woman saved you without asking for anything in return. I only hope that such a good person as you will be safe and sound."
Ying Zheng's eyes flickered slightly.
Without desires or wants?
He didn't quite believe such claims.
Ying Zheng continued, "You should think this through. Whether it's ten thousand taels of gold or the highest title, it's all within your grasp with just a word."
Bai Xixue pondered for a moment, "Since Your Majesty is so kind, then this humble woman may ask for one thing."
Ying Zheng's expression was cold and stern. "What is it?"
Bai Xixue answered decisively, "Dragon's Roar Ointment."
"Dragon's Roar Ointment?"
Ying Zheng was somewhat surprised.
What this woman wanted was neither money nor power.
Or is it a medicinal herb?
Bai Xixue explained, "Although your old injury has healed, you still have a lingering ailment that often causes you to wake up in the middle of the night. Dragon's Roar Ointment can cure it completely."
Ying Gao frowned upon hearing this. "I know how to handle these things myself. Why don't you ask for something for yourself?"
Bai Xixue pursed her lips, her eyes clear as cold water, "I don't need anything else besides this."
Ying Zheng stared at the two people in the awkward atmosphere. "How did you know that Gao'er would wake up in the middle of the night?"
Under Ying Zheng's gaze, Bai Xixue blushed and lowered her head.
Ying Gao was also a little flustered and quickly explained, "Father, please don't misunderstand. It was because I was injured earlier that Xixue had to take care of me at night..."
Ying Zheng nodded slightly, "I see. I understand."
As he spoke, he gave Ying Gao a look that said, "I understand."
Ying Gao's lips twitched.
That's clearly not a knowing look on your face!
...
Inside the palace, Consort Shu poured tea for Ying Zheng. "I heard the Second Prince has returned?"
Ying Zheng was reviewing the memorials when he said, "They've returned, and they brought a woman with them."
Consort Shu was somewhat surprised, "A woman?"
In my memory, Ying Gao was the typical "other people's child," focused solely on his studies and never distracted by matters of love or relationships.
To put it bluntly, he's a straight man.
The God of Marriage needs to pull a steel bar to determine the degree of a marriage.
Ying Zheng's eyes were indifferent. "Yes, that woman saved his life, and he wants to repay her."
Consort Shu understood, "This is the proper way to repay a life-saving favor. Your Majesty should reward us with more gifts."
Ying Zheng replied, "She only wanted the Dragon's Roar Ointment."
Consort Shu was quite surprised, "Dragon's Roar Ointment?"
Even a fool knows that the emperor's rewards are either endless wealth or supreme power.
Any normal person would make the same choice, so it was quite surprising that the woman only wanted one ingredient.
"That medicine can cure Gao'er's hidden illness, which is why he asked for it."
Consort Shu was taken aback. "It seems he is a person of good character. Otherwise, he wouldn't have thought of only needing one ingredient when he had such a golden opportunity."
Ying Zheng suddenly looked at Consort Shu, "It seems that's indeed the case, and the atmosphere between Gao'er and her is delicate."
Consort Shu smiled knowingly, "Serious? Something's fishy going on! Right?"
"I knew it! When the Second Young Master was a child, he would throw girls who liked him over his shoulder into the snow. How could he suddenly bring a girl back?"
As if he had found a kindred spirit, Ying Zheng became excited, "So you think so too, don't you? Such a perfect match, it must be a rare marriage for Gao'er."
[This is indeed rare, after all, it's a marriage that can kill.]
A sudden voice rang out, and the two men's expressions changed slightly.
The little darling has woken up.
Ying Zheng appeared here because he wanted to hear the little guy's thoughts.
After all, the last time this kid said that disaster was imminent, it made him very concerned.
Unfortunately, the little rascal fell asleep right after finishing his milk.
Now that he's awake, he's saying this marriage will kill people?
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu changed her tune, saying, "While that may be true, Your Majesty should still investigate carefully, as it is a matter of great importance to the Second Prince's life."
Ying Zheng wholeheartedly agreed, "We definitely need to investigate carefully, after all, it's the first time we've met that woman."
[Yes, yes, that's more like it. How can you be sure someone is a good person after only meeting them once?]
[I wonder if Father Emperor will be able to find out. That woman is a Miao witch, a master of poison and witchcraft.]
Ying Zheng was startled.
She looks so innocent, yet she's a Miao witch?
She's staying by her second brother's side only to extract his yang energy to refine poisons; eventually, he'll be drained of his life force and turned into a dried-up corpse.
[They even used the poison they concocted to kill their father; if successful, the Qin Dynasty would be thrown into chaos!]
Then I'll become a child without a father.
Ying Zheng's expression shifted slightly.
They squeezed Gao'er's body dry to make poison?
Are you still going to use that poison to harm me?
That's really ruthless!
If successful, the Qin Dynasty will be transformed.
No wonder Yu'er said that the Qin Dynasty was facing a great calamity.
However, I am not afraid!
Do you really think my son, Zitanxing, is a vegetarian?
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