Chapter 14 Arrival Outside Xianyang City: "What do I like?"
Ji Changyue talked with Guo Kai for a while and felt that he was a slippery eel. She became wary and returned to the courtyard without saying anything more.
Passing by the stable, I overheard Zheng'er and his cousin talking about the rise of the Qin state, and they were quite knowledgeable about it.
She smiled knowingly and went upstairs to rest for a while. After sitting in the carriage for so long, she was so tired that her back ached. Qin was so close, she had to take good care of her skin and face. She hadn't seen Ying Yiren, who had changed his name to Zichu, for many years. She wondered how many concubines he had taken by his side.
Sitting in the finest bedroom, the waiter brought her the rice-rinsing water she had requested.
Ji Changyue opened the package, took out the finely ground corn flour she had brought from home, stirred it into a paste, and then sprinkled some dried clove flower powder into it.
Then, she carefully applied the millet powder to her face in front of the bronze mirror, not daring to waste a single grain.
There was a gentle knock on the door. She turned around and saw that it was Banban.
"Sister-in-law".
"What's wrong?" She reached out and beckoned her over. "Come rest with me for a while."
The little girl leaned over the table, watching her apply the face mask with longing. When she finished, the little girl raised her clenched fist and said, "Auntie."
Upon seeing this, Ji Changyue spread her hands.
She opened her palm, and a pair of gold earrings lay in Ji Changyue's hand.
This design is exquisite, inlaid with a pair of rubies, and is quite valuable.
With her hands behind her back, Banban looked on longingly and said, "This was a gift from my father last New Year. I haven't gotten my ears pierced yet, so I can't wear it. I'm giving it to my aunt."
Ji Changyue was stunned for a moment, then unconsciously laughed out loud, "You...you're so thoughtful, Banban."
She had never addressed Banban so intimately before; she always called her by her full name, Chengyin.
After everyone ran out, Ji Changyue seemed to be deep in thought, recalling the jewelry she had given Guo Kai. Although she had kept a set to wear in Qin, did Banban see it at the time?
Banban ran out and gently patted his chest.
"What did you go to do?" Ying Zheng stood at the top of the stairs waiting for her.
She explained everything to him in detail.
Ying Zheng remained silent for a moment, then asked her what kind of jewelry she liked.
"My cousin doesn't even know what I like," Banban said, somewhat displeased, turning her head away and huffing.
“I didn’t notice at the time,” Ying Zheng said. “It won’t happen again.” However, he was angry at Banban’s sudden maturity and thoughtfulness, not at anyone else, but at himself. “Why did you give my mother earrings? She has others; they’re not all in her dowry.”
The mother and son understood each other quite well. When Ying Zheng had money, he gave Ji Changyue a lot of it, and he knew she wouldn't give it all to Guo Kai.
"Huh?" Banban was dumbfounded and a little regretful. "I thought my aunt was gone."
“Although you don’t have pierced ears, I remember you were clamoring to have them pierced last year, and your aunt agreed that you would get them pierced next month.” Therefore, she paid extra attention to jewelry such as earrings this year. She had treasured those ruby gold earrings for a long time and always wanted to wear them herself.
Banban thought for a moment and said frankly, "That Guo Kai is from Zhao, how could he genuinely protect us? My aunt gave him her jewelry in exchange for his protection, and I was the one being protected, so I feel guilty."
Helpless, Ying Zheng took her hand and led her into the room, lowering his voice to teach her, "Since you know he wouldn't do his best for no reason, how do you know he didn't accept any bribes from others before he left?"
Banban was taken aback, then immediately pursed her lips and sulked, "Then he—"
“I had heard of this man before. He is cunning and greedy, and a master of flattery. I heard that he was going to be Zhao Yan’s study companion. Everyone in the know knows how much Zhao Yan hates me. Zhao Yan will definitely make things difficult for him, but he is easy to bribe. My teacher has been kind to me and gave him a thousand gold pieces before we left, asking him to escort us carefully.”
Ying Zheng held her hand earnestly, "Once I've settled in Qin, I'll immediately send someone to bring your family over."
Banban felt even more guilty. "Then I won't hate Ji Hao anymore."
"Foolish." Ying Zheng choked and poked her forehead.
The "foolish" in "foolish."
"Cousin, you shouldn't talk about people like that."
Why?
"People get sillier the more they talk. From now on, you should say I'm smart, and that way I'll become smarter!"
"...That's a ridiculous argument."
She persisted, insisting that he say she was smart, but he deliberately kept her hanging, saying, "Then tell me, why were you afraid of me on the day we set off?"
His question was sudden and direct, hitting the nail on the head, as if he had wanted to ask it all along, but had been waiting for the right opportunity.
Banban was stunned by the question, and had the illusion that he was deliberately making her lower her guard so that he could suddenly attack her when she was unprepared. Like a little rabbit with a keen sense of smell, she immediately withdrew all her comfort.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
After a few seconds, Ying Zheng seemingly casually took her hand again, "If you don't want to talk about it, then so be it. It's probably just human nature to be afraid of noble families and grandsons."
"Mmm-hmm." Banban nodded repeatedly, "That's true."
After resting at the inn for one night, the group set off again at dawn the next day.
The journey from Handan to Xianyang was long and took nearly seven days. Upon seeing the city gates of Xianyang, all the gloom in Banban's eyes vanished instantly, and he jumped up and down excitedly, "Cousin, we've arrived!"
Aaaaaaah!
She was about to cry, oh my god!
Her buttocks are practically split into eight pieces!
Before she could get out of the carriage, Ying Zheng quickly grabbed her, "Don't rush." He cautiously surveyed his surroundings, then his gaze was fixed precisely on the city gate.
Guo Kai alighted from the carriage and stepped forward to greet him. "Are you Lord Yangquan? I am Guo Kai, your subject, here to escort Lady Zhao Ji and Gongsun back to Qin."
The man, sporting a short beard, surveyed the three people, including Ji Changyue, sitting in the carriage with his sharp eyes. He then smiled and said, "Lord Guo has gone to great lengths, but they cannot go in immediately."
Guo Kai glanced at the Qin army guarding the city gate, lowered his eyes, and cupped his hands in greeting. "This is a matter of your country's affairs, and I, as a foreign subject, must report back to my king."
Yangquan Jun expressed his understanding, exchanged a few pleasantries with Guo Kai, and watched him leave.
"Why did you leave so quickly?" Ji Changyue asked anxiously, sensing something was wrong. She immediately lifted her robe and got out of the carriage. "Who are you? I am Yiren's wife, and this is his son. Let us in."
Lord Yangquan sneered, remaining noncommittal, "So what if you say it's true?"
“I think you’re an imposter. This is a very serious matter, and we absolutely cannot let you in like this.”
This is clearly a deliberate attempt to obstruct, regardless of whether it's impersonation or not.
Ji Changyue was so angry her head was practically steaming. "What nonsense are you spouting! I think you've got some nerve, daring to stop me?"
Banban never imagined that returning to Qin would be so difficult, and she became angry.
Ying Zheng stepped aside to block Ji Changyue, indicating that she didn't need to be so angry.
Lord Yangquan didn't even spare the child a glance, looking down on him with disdain; he was utterly despicable.
Ying Zheng bowed with his hands clasped behind his back, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, "Lord Yangquan must be my maternal uncle. I have heard of your talent while I was far away in Zhao, but I never imagined that you would be so majestic and imposing in person."
Lord Yangquan chuckled, glanced at the child, and thought to himself, "Interesting. What talent or reputation?"
"It is naturally due to your deep sibling-like relationship with Lady Huayang, which even earned you the title of Lord Yangquan."
Lady Huayang was the wife of the King of Qin, and the two had a very close relationship. If she wanted to promote her own younger brother, the King of Qin would not object.
"--you!"
Lord Yangquan's face turned ashen. He had indeed been granted the title of Lord Yangquan by virtue of his status as a relative of the emperor, and had no military achievements or talents. But so far, no one had dared to say it out loud in front of him.
Then his earlier mention of "talent and reputation" was a blatant sarcasm.
"How dare you! Guards!"
Behind him, countless Qin soldiers immediately raised their long spears.
"I think it's my uncle who has a lot of guts!" Ying Zheng suddenly raised his voice, rebuking the Qin soldiers and catching Lord Yangquan off guard.
His high, prominent eyebrows gave him an imposing presence even without anger. "I am the son of Prince Zichu. I was held hostage in Zhao for seven years in place of my father. My great-grandfather has passed away, and I have returned to Qin specifically to attend his funeral. How dare Lord Yangquan obstruct me? Are you trying to put Your Majesty in a position of filial impiety?!"
Upon hearing this, Lord Yangquan's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively retorted, "How could I have meant such a thing?"
Ying Zheng chuckled, slowly straightened up, and stared intently at him. "Then please, Uncle, clear the way for me."
Lord Yangquan's expression changed several times. Now he saw clearly that this kid had set a trap for him. He glared at him fiercely, then reluctantly turned to the side and waved his hand, signaling for the city gate to be opened.
The long spears were withdrawn, and the gates of Xianyang slowly opened.
Ji Changyue led the two back onto the carriage, giving Yangquan Jun a resentful glare as they passed each other.
At this moment, in the main hall of Xianyang Palace.
Lady Huayang threatened Prince Zichu to make Lady Han his wife, otherwise she would never welcome Zhao Ji and Ying Zheng into the city. King Qin sighed repeatedly, not wanting to offend his wife.
Zichu firmly disagreed and was kneeling below the main hall, his head touching the ground.
Lady Huayang's face turned ashen with anger and resentment.
Suddenly, a servant entered and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Zhao Ji and Gongsun have returned and are waiting outside the palace."
Zichu was overjoyed and immediately raised his head, full of hope, "Father."
The King of Qin touched his nose and glanced at Lady Huayang.
Lady Huayang looked surprised, then her face darkened. She swayed her long sleeves, plopped down, and sat down without saying a word.
"Announce."
Through the towering doors and windows, Zichu finally saw Ji Changyue, whom he had been longing for day and night, and couldn't help but lean forward to look.
Panpan was very nervous and dared not look around. She followed her cousin into the main hall.
Her cousin knelt, and she knelt as well. He had taught her how to bow on the way there, so she didn't make any mistakes.
After bowing, the King of Qin said, "Raise your head, let me see you."
Ying Zheng said "yes" and raised his head.
The King of Qin was momentarily dazed, filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Zichu hurriedly asked, "Father, is there something wrong with this child?"
The King of Qin waved his hand and then asked the little girl beside Ying Zheng, "Who is this little girl?"
Ying Zheng hurriedly replied, "She is the granddaughter of my maternal great-grandmother's family, and my cousin."
Banban awkwardly bowed his head again, his palms sweating, "This humble woman, Chengyin, greets Your Majesty."
The King of Qin examined her closely and then smiled, "She's clever and bright, not bad."
Taking advantage of the moment when she looked up, Banban stole a glance at the king at the head of the table and noticed that his face was pale, as if he had been ill for a long time.
After leaving the main hall, two maids led Banban to a palace room, where they helped her wash and dress, and brought her food. She saw Qin Kingdom delicacies, including roujiamo (meat sandwich), which she had seen before her transmigration.
She wolfed down her food, let out a satisfied burp, and wandered around the entire palace. Not daring to go out, she sat inside waiting for her cousin to return.
As night fell, she slept soundly for two days before Ying Zheng returned.
"Banban, wake up."
When Banban woke up, she rubbed her eyes and saw her cousin bending down to call her name. She hurriedly hugged his neck and snuggled up to him, "Cousin, why did you take so long to come back?"
"Are you bored?" Ying Zheng coaxed her. "There's a banquet tonight. After these two days, your cousin will take you for a walk around Xianyang Palace."
"Okay," she agreed softly, then asked curiously, "Am I also attending the banquet?"
"Hmm." Ying Zheng nodded and ordered someone to bring in clothes. "These are newly made. Do you like them?"
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