22 Chapter 22
◎The King is so kind.◎
When Ying Zheng arrived, Fusu and his four companions were already waiting in the main hall. After raising his hand to exempt them from the formalities, Ying Zheng sat down in the upper seat.
Glancing at the four nervous people below, Ying Zheng said slowly, "If there's anything wrong in the palace, just tell the eldest son."
All four said, "Everything is fine. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng nodded and smiled, "My eldest son has told me that you are both knowledgeable and skilled in martial arts. You should be more diligent in the future so that you can serve the country well in the future."
As soon as these words were spoken, the four of them all had their eyes shining, and they all said excitedly, "Yes, we will follow your instructions!"
They came to thank Fusu again, which made Fusu a little embarrassed. He hurriedly returned the gift so that this incident would be over quickly.
After winning over his eldest son's hearts, Ying Zheng said to Fusu, "Meng Yi has finished preparing the things. I will take you to the horse farm to have a look."
Fusu replied, "Yes." He turned to look at Meng Yi and said, "Meng Yi, you have worked hard. Please take a rest today."
Meng Yi did not agree first, but looked at Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng patted Fusu's head and said to Meng Yi with a smile, "Since your student has pleaded for you, I will naturally grant your request."
Meng Yi hurriedly thanked him.
Fusu said to his father again: "Father, we haven't eaten yet. I dare to ask you to wait for a moment before Fusu leaves."
"This is an urgent matter. You go ahead." Ying Zheng said, "I will wait for you here."
The four companions apologized for their crimes before going downstairs to eat with Fusu.
This time they were not afraid anymore, and they all exclaimed that the king was so good and everything about the king was good!
Fusu finally gained the approval of the four people and said, "Of course. My father is the best man in the world, the most sage and wise monarch ever. Even the ancient sages could not compare to him!"
The four people highly agreed with Fusu's blind worship and praise of his father. They went back to the house briskly to continue eating, accompanied by flattery for the king all the way.
What the five of them didn't know was that as soon as they left, Ying Zheng suddenly had the idea of going to see the room where Fusu was experimenting with hatching eggs, so he only brought Meng Yi out and happened to overhear their conversation.
Ying Zheng asked Meng Yi, "Does Fusu usually speak like this to outsiders?"
Meng Yi hesitated for a moment and could only say, "The eldest son admires the king."
Ying Zheng held his forehead and said, "This child..." But of course his son could not be wrong. He just loved his father too much. So Ying Zheng looked at Meng Yi and said, "You are his teacher. You should teach him. If the court officials hear it, it will not be good for Yu Fusu's reputation."
His eldest son had real talent and was good at everything. When word got out, it seemed as if he had gained favor and importance by flattering the emperor and his father.
Meng Yi said, "Yes." But after he finished answering, he added, "Your Majesty, the eldest son speaks with sincerity, and Your Majesty can tell at a glance."
Whether others have misunderstood you or not, just put it aside for now. The most urgent thing is that you don’t misunderstand me, Your Majesty!
The smile between Ying Zheng's brows never faded. He smiled and said, "Fusu is a child with a pure mind and an honest character. This is his strength, but I can't help but feel a little worried."
This was something only a close confidant like Meng Yi could hear. He said respectfully, "The eldest son is young and ignorant of the ways of the world. With Your Majesty's guidance, he will naturally be able to make good mistakes in the future."
"Raising a child is such a worry." Ying Zheng sighed, then looked at Meng Yi. "Your son is still young, so you don't realize it yet. Wait a couple of years, and when he grows up, you'll realize how much more irritating it is."
At this point, Meng Yi also smiled: "I was thinking of asking my father to discipline me, but my father scolded me for being lazy, so I can only try my best."
Ying Zheng laughed and said, "You really want to be lazy, but..."
In addition to his father, Fusu was also taught by previous kings, and Ying Zheng, his father, was also lazy.
As they were talking, they reached a secluded corner of the backyard. Ying Zheng stopped talking, and Meng Yi reminded him, "Your Majesty, there's a strong smell in there."
Ying Zheng said: "No problem."
Meng Yi then stepped forward and opened the door. As expected, an unpleasant smell mixed with hot air hit his face. Ying Zheng frowned and went in to take a look around. It was very neat and tidy, and it looked like it had been carefully designed.
After coming out, Ying Zheng asked, "Does Fusu come here in person every day?"
Meng Yi replied, "Yes, except for the Mid-Autumn Festival a few days ago, the eldest son comes here every day."
Ying Zheng still frowned, but he nodded and praised: "Not bad."
Meng Yi knew that the king was both pleased and distressed about his son, so he quickly said, "Your Majesty, the eggs will hatch in five days."
Ying Zheng's frown relaxed a little, and he asked again, "Is Han Fei still coming here every day?"
Meng Yi said: "Yes."
Ever since Fusu invited Han Fei, even on the two days when Fusu was not available for the sacrifice, he would come and help Li You and the others turn the eggs.
Ying Zheng stood with his hands behind his back and looked at this ordinary-looking house for a while.
He ordered people to keep an eye on Han Fei's every move in Qin. He has not made any unusual moves recently, nor has he secretly sent anyone to contact Han.
Now, Han was left with only a small piece of territory, but it was barely surviving and posed no threat to Ying Zheng. As for Han Fei himself, although Ying Zheng wanted to use him, expending so much energy on him was beyond his expectations when he agreed to let Han Fei be Fusu's teacher.
Maybe I shouldn't let Fusu spend more time and effort on Han Fei... Ying Zheng was thinking about it when Fusu came jogging over.
"Father!" Fusu's breath was quickened by the sudden movement. "The smell is strong here, Father, let's go to the front."
Fusu had just finished his meal and went to look for his father when he heard the eunuch report that the king had gone to see the hatching room. He was afraid that the smell inside would disturb his father, so he ran over in a hurry.
Ying Zheng bent down and supported his eldest son's thin shoulders, saying softly, "Why are you running? If you go every day, your father won't be able to leave."
"That's different..." Fusu shook his head, his breathing still a little rapid.
Ying Zheng frowned: "Come back to your breathing first."
Fusu stroked his chest and slowly evened out his breathing, then placed his hand on his lower right ribs and rubbed them, saying, "I'm a little short of breath."
Ying Zheng also reached out and rubbed him, whispering, "But after running a few steps, how can you be a man of Qin? Tomorrow, let Meng Tian teach you. The eldest son of Qin cannot be a weakling, or people will look down on you."
Fusu nodded repeatedly and said, "Father, today is a good opportunity. Can you teach me how to ride a horse?"
Ying Zheng still had a stern face and said, "You can't forget about pushing your luck."
Fusu winked playfully, acknowledging his father's agreement. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Father."
Li You and his three companions, who had followed behind, waited until the father and son finished their whispered conversation before Meng Yi gave them a wink and they stepped forward to pay their respects.
Ying Zheng excused their greetings, leaned over, picked up Fusu, and said, "Go and do your work."
Li You and others were about to raise their hands to salute when they were stunned. Even if the king is good in every way, isn't this too good?
Even the young Meng Hua didn't remember his father hugging him. In their impression, their father was always the strict one and their mother was the gentle one.
The king... is worthy of being the king. The eldest son is right. The king is a loving father, hard to find in the world.
Fusu did not expect that his father would pick him up in front of everyone. He subconsciously hugged his father's neck, then he reacted and his face immediately turned red.
"Father..." Fusu whispered, "I can walk by myself."
Ying Zheng chuckled softly, "Oh? Whose ribs hurt after running a few steps? If you cry in pain in public, I will be embarrassed too."
Fusu whispered in defense: "I won't cry..."
However, Ying Zheng had decided to ignore his words. Whether it was the reaction of his eldest son or the reactions of everyone present, Ying Zheng noticed the fun, and he didn't mind maintaining it for a while longer.
Fusu realized his father's evil intentions. He sighed silently, gave up struggling, and whispered to his father, "Father, why don't we let Li You and the others come with us to see the new saddles? They are all rising stars of our Qin State. They should see how powerful our Qin State is."
Ying Zheng looked at the four people who had come to their senses but still couldn't hide their shock, and nodded, "Let them go too."
Then Ying Zheng ordered Meng Yi to take these four people with him. When Li You and the other three heard that it was a favor that Fusu had asked the king for, they were immediately grateful.
Soon, the king's procession set off again, this time heading towards the horse farm.
Fusu was carried by his father from the backyard all the way to the carriage, but when he got off the carriage, he refused to let his father hold him anymore.
After Ying Zheng estimated the height of the car, he nodded calmly: "Okay, you get off by yourself."
When the princes and nobles got off the carriages, there were riding slaves kneeling underneath for people to step on. Fusu looked down and then turned to look at his father pitifully.
Ying Zheng said leisurely, "Why? Aren't you supposed to play it yourself?"
People with short legs were not qualified to get off the car by themselves. Fusu immediately admitted his mistake and pulled his father's sleeve and begged, "Father, I was wrong. Please carry Fusu down."
Ying Zheng laughed: "You rude little brat!"
Fusu shook his head and defended himself, "Father, I admit my mistakes and can correct them. There is no greater virtue than this. Please forgive me this time!"
There were more pressing matters to attend to, so Ying Zheng didn't bother wasting time with him. He simply hugged the man in his arms, carried him out of the car, and said, "We'll talk about it when we get back."
Fusu wailed in his heart, why would he settle the score after the event?
While the father and son were hesitating, Meng Yi had already brought over Ying Zheng's beloved horse, which had been shod and equipped with a high-bridge saddle and stirrups.
Fusu couldn't help but sigh. No wonder his father valued and trusted Meng Yi for decades. Not only was his loyalty unmatched, but his thoughtfulness and speed in doing things were also unmatched.
Ying Zheng came over and asked Gaoqiao how to wear the saddle and stirrups. After looking at the horse's hooves with horseshoes, he wanted to mount the horse and try it himself.
Meng Yi hurriedly dissuaded him, saying, "Your Majesty, please let me try first."
Based on the king's unfamiliarity with these things, Meng Yi guaranteed that he was not sure whether they were good or bad. Although the benefits were visible to the naked eye, he still did not dare to let the king try them easily.
Fusu also advised: "Father, a son of a wealthy family should not sit idle in the hall. You are the king of a country, so you should not take risks lightly!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
