40 Chapter 40
◎Leave the palace.◎
Ying Zheng sat up straight, showing a surprised expression, but not only because of Fusu's answer, but also because of Fusu's decisiveness.
Fusu didn't seem to think about it, and this answer was a subconscious reaction.
And such subconsciousness can best reflect a person's true thoughts.
As a father, Ying Zheng hopes to see his children be friendly and respectful to each other.
As a king, Ying Zheng hopes to see his heir be decisive and ruthless.
Given the choice between the two, Ying Zheng chose the latter.
This time, he patted Fusu's shoulder, his face solemn, and said only one word: "Okay."
"But..." Fusu quickly added, "Father, I think we shouldn't assume the worst."
Ying Zheng had not yet withdrawn his hand. Hearing this, he pulled Fusu closer to him and let his eldest son lean on him.
"You say." Ying Zheng said gently.
Fusu said slowly, "Father, I don't agree that human nature is inherently good, but I also don't agree that human nature is inherently evil. I believe that a person's future character is determined by the teachings they receive from childhood."
Ying Zheng understood what his eldest son meant: "There is some truth in what you said, but..." He paused here.
Fusu asked, "Father, is there something wrong?"
Ying Zheng tapped his forehead and said with a smile, "You still say you're not soft-hearted. In my opinion, there's no one softer than you."
He had even planned for his brothers' future, yet he still dared to say those harsh words. In Ying Zheng's opinion, the eldest son was only good at talking.
What can I do? Ying Zheng thought, I have to worry about him more.
Fusu looked bewildered: "..."
No, Dad, I just said something harsh!
Besides, this is purely rational thinking, don’t be so emotional!
But Ying Zheng's eldest son filter obviously exceeded Fusu's imagination. He rubbed Fusu's head and said with a smile: "Don't worry, your father will teach you."
Fusu's desire to explain suddenly disappeared. He nodded obediently: "Please teach me, father."
…
Ying Zheng was a father who kept his word. He had promised Fusu that he would accompany him out of the palace to play during the New Year. During the New Year holiday, he took Fusu and got on the carriage.
"Where do you want to go for fun?" Ying Zheng asked Fusu, who was still a little confused.
The New Year celebrations nowadays are not like they were two thousand years ago, when the streets were crowded and bustling with people. On the contrary, now during the New Year celebrations, the streets are sparsely populated, and except for people visiting relatives, the atmosphere is visibly deserted.
Fusu blinked and said, "How about...Father, should we go see Mr. Han?"
Ying Zheng looked down at him.
Fusu understood his father's meaning and scratched his hair: "Then..."
"Why not go to Li Si's house?" Ying Zheng said.
Fusu: “Ah?”
Ying Zheng was already instructing the coachman to turn, and this time it was Fusu who looked speechless.
Fusu muttered, "It would be better to go find Meng Hua."
When Ying Zheng heard this, he nodded in agreement: "After going to Li Si's house, let's go to Meng Hua's house."
Fusu: “…”
It was New Year's Day and the leader came to visit. Fusu couldn't imagine anything more terrifying than this.
It’s bad enough that he harmed Li Si, but why did he also harm Meng Tian and Meng Yi!
But Ying Zheng obviously didn't think it was so frightening for him to visit his minister's home in person, but as for Li Si... he was mixed with joy and sorrow.
The good news is that it is a great honor for the king to come. Li Si can imagine how proud he will be when he returns to the court after the New Year and meets his colleagues.
My worry is that if something doesn't go to the king's liking and makes him unhappy, then the honor will turn into misfortune.
When the king arrived, Li Si led his family to welcome him. Ying Zheng got off the carriage first, then turned around and carried Fusu out of the carriage.
Fusu looked down at his short legs in annoyance, and then he had no time to think about anything else.
There was a girl in pink clothes next to Mrs. Li Si. The moment Fusu lowered his head, her black hair caught Fusu's eyes, making him stunned.
Ying Zheng excused everyone from their formalities and said, "I have nothing to do this year, so I will take the eldest son out of the palace for some fun."
Li Si, hearing the music, understood the elegant meaning and said respectfully, "I have several children in my family who have read a little. If you do not mind, they are willing to play with you."
Ying Zheng smiled and patted Fusu, saying, "You are familiar with Li You, go play with him."
Fusu turned his gaze away from the girl in pink and replied, "Yes, father."
Li Si took the opportunity to invite the most noble father and son of Qin State into the palace. Only then was Fusu put down by his father and allowed to go with Li You and others.
Li Si had four sons and three daughters. Li You's brothers and sisters had all heard about the eldest son from their brother. Now that they saw him in person for the first time, they couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
Li You was afraid Fusu would find them impolite, so he warned them, "Don't stare at the eldest young master." Turning to explain to Fusu, he said, "Please forgive me, eldest young master. My younger brothers and sisters heard that I was experimenting with artificial egg incubation with the eldest young master in the palace, so they asked mother for help. They used the method the eldest young master gave them and tried it at home. They successfully hatched eggs years ago. The king promoted this method among the people, and everyone knew that it was the eldest young master who pioneered artificial egg incubation. Everyone praised him, and naturally, my younger brothers and sisters became curious about him."
"That's okay." Fusu said he didn't care, then smiled at them, "You're really amazing. Your eldest brother, I, and three other people did it twice before we were considered successful. In fact, I only did it once. The second time was done by the four of them. I didn't participate much. The credit goes entirely to your eldest brother and the other three."
During the second artificial incubation of eggs a few years ago, Fusu was absent for a few days due to illness and was not fully involved.
Li You smiled and said, "Without the guidance of the eldest son, we can't accomplish anything. The eldest son should take the first credit. Moreover, the king issued an edict saying so. The eldest son must not be modest."
Years ago, when the war was raging, the optimal temperature and humidity for artificial incubation of eggs were tested. Even in his busy life, Ying Zheng did not forget to have Meng Yi print a booklet with the corrections, which was then distributed to all counties.
Afterwards, Ying Zheng issued an edict to commend Fusu and his four study companions, and sent the rewards back to their homes. These four boys who had not yet entered the court brought honor to the family and made their fathers and grandfathers' colleagues envious.
Fusu laughed and said, "If I continue to be modest, I will appear proud. It seems that I must take credit for this achievement."
Everyone couldn't help but laugh when they heard this, and the atmosphere became lively. Li You took the opportunity to introduce his younger brothers and sisters to Fusu.
The most promising of Li Si's children was Li You. Fusu had a deep memory of him, but he had no impression of some of the others. But when it came to the girl in pink clothes, Fusu had already silently recited her name in his heart without Li You saying anything.
Shi Lan.
In her previous life, she was Fusu's wife.
In the feudal dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, the term "love" did not exist. As a thoroughly feudal man, Fusu also found it difficult to tell what his feelings for his wife were.
But even without love, they were still a young couple. They had shared joys and sorrows with each other, and they had two adorable children.
But in the end, Fusu caused her to be killed by Hu Hai.
Fusu felt deeply guilty towards her.
He once tried to find out where she had gone. It was not until more than a hundred years later in the underworld that Fusu learned that not long after her death, she had taken the opportunity to reincarnate. She did not want to stay, perhaps because she did not want to face her husband, or perhaps because she did not want to see her father. Fusu had no way of knowing.
Even though he was distracted, Fusu managed to walk the distance from the Li family's gate to the main hall. He didn't want people to think that he had any special attention to Shi Lan.
Ying Zheng sat in the main seat. Fusu wanted to sit at the bottom, but his father waved him to sit next to him.
Even Li Si and Li You, who had known that the king favored the eldest son, would still be surprised to see such obvious favoritism, let alone other members of the Li family.
——Maybe you’re still a little uncomfortable with the idea that the King of Qin is such a kind father?
Ying Zheng was not a king who would often chat about family matters with his courtiers. When he sat down and subconsciously wanted to talk about government affairs with Li Si, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.
Today, Ying Zheng did not come here to discuss state affairs with his ministers, he came here to play with his son.
Ying Zheng: “…”
It has to be said that this problem stumped His Majesty the King of Qin.
How to chat about everyday things?
Fortunately, Ying Zheng had an understanding eldest son. Fusu noticed his father's embarrassment in time and was the first to speak: "Li Tingwei, I have never seen this dessert before. Is it made by your chef?"
Li Si took a look and replied, "It was done by my wife."
Fusu took a bite of the snack and praised it with a smile: "It's delicious. Madam Li is really skillful."
Madam Li smiled and said, "You are so kind, Young Master. This dessert is not difficult to make. I will write it down and give it to you later."
Fusu smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Madam." He picked up another piece of dessert and handed it to his father, "Father, have some too. It's delicious."
Ying Zheng had no interest in these greasy sweet snacks, but since his eldest son handed them to him, he had no choice but to try them reluctantly. He took a small bite and felt the sweetness on the tip of his tongue before he swallowed it. Fortunately, it was not greasy, so Ying Zheng did not show a look of disgust.
Thanks to the king's delicious recipes, the chefs in Xianyang City have been under a lot of pressure recently. In order not to be disliked by their masters, they have all improved their cooking skills.
Facts have proved that the wisdom of the working people is endless. As long as there are ingredients, the chefs can quickly cook countless delicacies and successfully capture the stomachs of their masters.
The noble ladies disliked the strong smoke in the kitchen and should have avoided it as much as possible, but as the various exquisite snacks in the palace came out, they became very interested and started to cook them themselves. In a short time, each family came up with many new products and competed with each other at various banquets.
However, during this New Year period, no one’s dim sum can compare to Li Si’s, because both the dim sum king and the eldest son of their family love to eat it!
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