Ying Zheng beckoned to Ying Ye, "Come and have your meal, Ye'er, no need to stand on ceremony."
Ying Ye nodded, then stepped forward and sat down next to Ying Zheng.
He glanced at Ying Ziyu, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, as he had no memory of Ying Ziyu.
Seeing Ying Ye's confusion, Ying Zheng introduced, "This is your nineteenth brother, named Ying Ziyu."
Upon hearing this, Ying Ye nodded slightly to Ying Ziyu, "Nineteenth Brother."
Ying Ziyu gave a soft "hmm," then grabbed a chicken leg and started gnawing on it.
Seeing this, Ying Zheng didn't stop him. He simply put him down and let him eat whatever he liked.
Then Ying Zheng looked at Ying Ye and said, "Eat, Ye'er."
Ying Ye nodded slightly, and then without further hesitation, picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.
After taking only two bites, Ying Zheng suddenly looked at him and asked, "You've been away for so long, are you still able to eat well? After all, the food outside must taste quite different from what you get in the palace, right?"
While eating, Ying Ye replied, "I'm quite used to the food. These are all dishes I used to eat often. Besides, the food in the palace is always excellent."
Ying Zheng nodded slightly, "If you're used to the food, that's good. If you're not, just tell your father, and I'll find you a chef you like."
Ying Ye nodded, "Thank you, Father!"
Ying Zheng chuckled twice, then said, "It's not just about the chef; you can talk to your father about other things as well."
Upon hearing this, Ying Ye looked at Ying Zheng with a puzzled expression, "Something else?"
He had followed Ying Zheng for many years and knew him very well, but Ying Zheng's tone now was clearly different from usual.
It sounds like it's implying something.
Ying Zheng's expression remained calm. "For example, some special things that happened to you while you were traveling."
Upon hearing this, Ying Ye frowned slightly. "What does Father mean?"
Ying Ye didn't know exactly how much intelligence Ying Zheng, this emperor with all his power and influence, knew, so he carefully considered every word Ying Zheng said.
It was precisely because of this that he was praised for his intelligence from a young age, and was considered by Ying Zheng to be a child who understood him better.
Ying Zheng looked at him and said, "For example, the friends you make, the interesting things you encounter, or the people you meet."
Upon hearing this, Ying Ye's eyes darkened slightly, and he appeared to be deep in thought.
After a moment, he frowned. “What I encountered on my trip was mostly tedious study. I’m afraid Father will fall asleep listening to it and won’t have the energy for the morning court.”
Ying Zheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he said calmly, "I see."
He continued eating with his chopsticks, showing no intention of pressing further.
Seeing this, Ying Ye continued eating, but took the initiative to change the subject, "Father, you don't cough at night anymore, do you?"
That was before he left the capital. Ying Zheng would often cough inexplicably and have trouble sleeping at night.
Ying Zheng replied, "Thanks to you for finding that medicine and curing me, I can now sleep peacefully."
Hearing this, Ying Ye looked relieved. "That's good."
The little guy was gnawing on a chicken leg, but his gaze unconsciously fell on Ying Zheng, and his brows furrowed slightly.
[Father loves this adopted son so much, I wonder if he would be sad if he knew about his rebellious thoughts?]
He was somewhat worried about Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng's expression remained unchanged as he quietly ate his food.
Soon, Ying Ye put down his chopsticks and stood up respectfully. "Father, I've finished eating and will go about my business now."
Ying Zheng nodded slightly. "Alright."
Only after receiving Ying Zheng's consent did Ying Ye respectfully bow before turning and leaving.
He hadn't taken two steps when Ying Zheng suddenly called out to him, "Ye'er."
Ying Ye stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Ying Zheng. "Father, do you have any further instructions?"
Ying Zheng stared at him. "You really have nothing to say to your father?"
Ying Ye frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, but still couldn't think of anything to say to Ying Zheng.
After a moment, he said, "Father, do you want to know about my relationship with Lu Ming?"
Ying Zheng replied, "You've already said that. What I wanted to ask is if there's anything else. After all, you've been gone for so long, there might be other things worth mentioning."
"It has a significant impact on you," he added.
Seeing this, Ying Ye's expression also became quite strange, as if he was pondering something.
After a long pause, he replied, "If I remember anything, I will tell Father."
He was now feeling uneasy, wondering if there was something strange about Ying Zheng's appearance.
They even unconsciously thought that Ying Zheng knew something, but upon closer examination, they realized it was impossible.
After all, the secrecy surrounding this matter was very well maintained; apart from a few key individuals involved, no one else could possibly know anything about it.
Not to mention that the news of his involvement was also revealed.
Ying Zheng's eyes dimmed slightly. "I see. Go then."
Ying Ye cupped his hands in greeting to Ying Zheng before retreating.
Seeing the rather sorrowful look in Ying Zheng's eyes, the little boy's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked, "Father, what's wrong?"
Ying Zheng always hid his emotions very well, never revealing whether he was happy or sad, making it impossible for anyone to guess what he was thinking.
But the way he looked at Ying Ye was so obvious that even the little guy felt a little confused.
Ying Zheng looked at the little guy and said, "It's nothing. I just haven't seen that kid like this in a long time, and I feel a bit sentimental."
The little guy looked at Ying Zheng, feeling a bit emotional.
[After all, he was raised by his father, so no matter how things change, his father will always remember him.]
But can Dad accept it? He did such a thing?
After thinking for a moment, the little guy spoke up: "Dad, you like Brother Ye very much, don't you?"
Ying Zheng did not hesitate on this question and smiled. "Of course. He is just like you, Yu'er, and Fusu. He is a child who has been recognized by me. I am happy from the bottom of my heart to have such a child."
The little guy continued, "What if we make a mistake? Will you still like us the same way, Dad?"
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng was taken aback. "Make a mistake?"
Seeing the little guy's serious expression, Ying Zheng did not answer easily, but began to think carefully.
After a long pause, he looked at the little guy and said, “Mistakes are divided into minor ones and consequences. If it is a simple mistake, then I will naturally not care, but I will not forgive a mistake that is too serious.”
The little one blinked his big eyes, "Don't you know?"
Ying Zheng's expression turned serious. He said, "I am your father, but I am also the emperor of Qin. I am responsible for you, but even more so for the people of the world."
"If any mistake is made that affects the people of the land, then I, as the emperor, will absolutely not tolerate it!"
The little guy nodded as if he understood, "Oh, I see."
Does Brother Ye's action this time affect the common people?
He pondered, but found no answer.
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