Chapter 3 Changchun Renews Daily "Then you must always be by my side."...
In such freezing weather, he actually found flowers.
Even the coachman couldn't resist his curiosity and went closer to take a look.
Cong Yun flicked his sleeves, frowned, and ordered, "Quickly find something to pack it up. What are you all standing there for?"
"No need." Ying Zheng tore off his cloak, then dug up the flower by the roots with his bare hands, scooped up two handfuls of blackened soil, piled them into a small mound, and wrapped the flower inside the cloak. He looked it over from left to right and was very satisfied, so he smiled, "Very good!"
Banban met his smiling face and secretly widened her eyes.
Ying Zheng carefully placed the delicate flower, then raised an eyebrow: "How is it?"
The carriage swayed slightly. He was holding the hand warmer that had just been handed to him. The hand warmer was covered with a plush cover that felt smooth to the touch. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
She took off her cloak and handed it to him, saying, "Cousin."
"Hmm?" He shook the cloak back onto her shoulders. "I'm not cold."
Banban squeezed in next to him, peeking out and saying, "Cousin, you're so handsome, especially when you smile." She poked the corner of his mouth with her finger and pulled it open, "Smile again."
Hearing such praise for the first time, Ying Zheng leaned back slightly and reached out to grasp her mischievous fingers. "My cousin is beautiful too."
He didn't like such prolonged close contact and felt uncomfortable, which echoed this sentiment.
She dodged his grasp, asking, "What's so beautiful about it?"
Ying Zheng was speechless when asked the question: ...
I unconsciously took a closer look at her small face.
"Eyes like bright stars," sparkling, especially when asking for something; "curved crescent eyebrows," endearing and lovable. The little yellow dog named Laifu in the yard also has eyebrows like that, but its muzzle is thick and short, making it look quite clumsy.
He eats a lot, enjoys eating, loves to play, and loves to pester people to play with him.
His gaze shifted downwards, staring intently at her lips, comparing them repeatedly. He recalled how her mouth would widen when she ate delicious food, and, as if possessed, exclaimed, "She's eloquent."
Banban was skeptical. "Is 'eloquent and persuasive' a good phrase?"
"I suppose so," Ying Zheng replied hastily.
Back at the Ji family home, the two children warmed up and sat down to eat some snacks, while the craftsmen carefully placed the flowers into flowerpots.
Banban lay on the back of his hand looking at the flowers, while Ying Zheng listened intently to the whispers of the adults outside. He couldn't make out the details, but they were probably talking about Prince Dan.
The crackling of burning charcoal inside the house reflected his calm and peaceful state of mind.
Biting the prince's study companion was no small matter. He didn't regret it, but he would definitely be held accountable.
A short while later, the door was pushed open.
Ying Zheng took the opportunity to stand up and admit his mistake, but Zhu Shi waved her hand with a smile, "Why is Zheng'er standing? Sit down quickly."
Ying Zheng paused for a moment, then made no move.
Madam Zhu patted her daughter's head and smiled lovingly, "I know about what's going on outside. You are a good brother. Thank you for standing up for Banban today."
She gently stroked the hair at her temple, then changed the subject: "Even though my son is not a prince or nobleman, there is absolutely no reason for him to be a concubine, not even the crown prince." How much less the crown prince, who was suspected by the King of Yan and sent to Zhao as a hostage?
These words, though seemingly arrogant, revealed Zhu's deep love for her daughter.
Ying Zheng lived in the Ji family and considered himself one of them, so there was no reason for him not to agree. "What my aunt said is absolutely right."
Moreover, his cousin is only five years old. For Prince Dan to ask her to be his companion is tantamount to attacking his heart and is a great offense. Ying Zheng is protective of his own, which is why he suddenly became angry.
He might tolerate being called Zhao Zheng for now, but he has no reason to tolerate the humiliation of his family.
Ji Xiu smiled and patted Ying Zheng's shoulder lightly. "As for the rest, you don't need to worry. The Crown Prince of Yan is discerning. Since it was the attendant who spoke offensively first, he won't pursue the matter." The main reason is that Qin is currently at its zenith. Although Ying Zheng has been abandoned in Zhao, he is still a prince, and no one dares to provoke him. He seemed to be deep in thought. "Ji Hao is a teacher I invited for you. He is skilled in both literature and martial arts and has extensive knowledge. He will come to your door tonight. Zheng'er, you should prepare well."
Ying Zheng suddenly opened his eyes wide, his heart filled with joy that seemed to erupt like a volcano. He bowed repeatedly, saying, "I am deeply grateful for my uncle's kindness. I'm off!" With that, he ran out impatiently.
Ji Changyue had already told him all of this, but none of it made him as happy as if Ji Xiu had told him personally.
Banban peeked around, feeling as if her cousin's back was burning with fire. She couldn't help but hope that he would agree to her request, wondering how he would help her avoid dance practice.
Ji Xiu pinched his daughter's cheek. "What are you laughing at? You're so clever."
She fiddled with the droopy flowerpot, her smile fading, "I won't tell Father."
"By the way, what kind of flower is this? Neither my cousin nor I recognize it."
"You two don't recognize it?" Ji Xiu exaggeratedly drew out the last syllable, pretending to examine it carefully, and finally concluded, "A periwinkle." Not surprised at first glance, but upon seeing it, they were astonished. "Did you really dig this flower up from outside?"
"Really?" Banban said unhappily.
Zhu was rather annoyed. "Did you pick them by the river?" Seeing her daughter nod, she rolled her eyes at her husband. "These flowers bloom beautifully in spring, in patches of different colors. Your father is busy with the shop all day, so naturally he wouldn't pay attention to the flowers and plants by the roadside."
"However, with such severe cold outside, they should have frozen to death long ago." She was also puzzled.
Banban clapped his hands and cheered, "It was my cousin who dug it up! It was my cousin who dug it up!"
Its remarkable resilience indicates that this periwinkle is special and of great significance.
She decided to take good care of herself.
Ji Xiu and Zhu Shi exchanged a glance, feigning displeasure, "What secret do you have with Zheng'er? Was that why you were laughing just now?"
"I won't tell Father and Mother." Banban pushed past the two of them, grabbed the potted periwinkle, and ran off. "I'm going to find a craftsman to teach me how to grow flowers!"
"This child, he just does whatever comes to mind." Madam Zhu shook her head and poured herself a cup of tea.
The soup was slightly brownish, and the lingering aroma of pastries still filled the air. On the table sat a half-eaten cloud cake, with tiny, curved teeth marks.
Zhu picked it up and examined it, then paused slightly. "What is the current situation in Qin? What are your findings?"
Ji Xiu drank the tea in one gulp and sighed deeply, "Young Master Yiren has returned to Qin, recognized Lady Huayang as his mother, and changed his name to Zichu."
“This name is clever,” Zhu said, tugging at her lips. “Then isn’t Ying Yiren the legitimate son?” She pondered. “I’ve heard that Lord Anguo is in poor health and it’s uncertain whether he can outlive the King of Qin… Ying Yiren might actually be able to ascend the throne smoothly, just as Lü Buwei had planned.”
As she spoke, her tone gradually became clearer, filled with surprise and doubt: "Banban and Zheng'er have a good relationship now. If he becomes the King of Qin in the future, my son will be the Queen!"
Zhu looked down on the other states, but Qin was the most powerful of the six states. She disliked the Crown Prince of Yan, but she would be happy if her daughter could become the Queen of Qin.
Ji Xiu sighed again, "That's hard to say." Thinking of Prince Yiren, he thought, "Since he recognizes Lady Huayang as his mother, how could Lady Huayang tolerate her legitimate son having a courtesan from Zhao as his wife?"
Zhu was stunned. "You mean?"
Ji Xiu nodded, "He has already married Madam Han and has a son."
Madam Zhu's expression changed drastically, and she slammed down the pastries. "What kind of person is he! To give up the position of the first wife so easily? What will others think of Yueji and Zheng'er after this?"
"It must have been Lü Buwei who instigated this. What scheme wouldn't he come up with to please Lady Huayang? What a cunning merchant!"
Zhu cursed and insulted Lü Buwei repeatedly. Ji Xiu had a headache. "Alright, so what if he stole our business in Handan? He's gone now, don't get so angry."
"Women suffer so much in this world!" Zhu Shi brushed away her husband's hand, tears streaming down her face. "What do you know? Your sister was publicly given to Yiren by Lü Buwei that day, which was already a great humiliation! Even though he was a prince of Qin, he was not favored!"
"She gave birth to a son and then ran away! Your sister's two husbands both abandoned her. Is there anyone more pitiful than her?!"
Ji Xiu took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Didn't you dislike Yue Ji?"
Zhu turned away and glared at him fiercely. "I'm annoyed by her scheming nature, it has nothing to do with her past experiences."
Ji Xiu hugged her and coaxed her, "Alright, alright, I know that Madam is the kindest-hearted one."
Banban found a craftsman, learned diligently, and carefully tended to the periwinkle.
As night fell, Ji Changyue's maid came over and said that she would no longer be able to teach her singing and dancing. Her son had easily persuaded her by saying that he needed his mother's company because of his heavy workload. She was too busy to be in two places at once.
Banban was shocked and incredulous, "Really?"
Cong Yun covered her mouth and laughed, "Of course it's true."
Unexpectedly, Ying Zheng kept his word. Banban admired him greatly, feeling that her cousin's image had suddenly become tall and mighty. She stuffed a lot of candy into her purse and lifted her skirt to go find him.
She used to be unwilling to share this with others unless she took a bite herself.
Ying Zheng ate it all, revealing a casual and childlike side befitting his age, a smile he had never shown before. "Now you believe me? Don't forget what you promised me."
Banban thought about it seriously, then obediently knelt down beside him. "Except for my grandparents, my father and mother, I will listen to you. Is that alright?"
Ying Zheng immediately nodded, "Good."
However, he remained cautious, asking, "How can you prove you won't go back on your word?"
Banban wrinkled her nose and relaxed her brows. "I dried the petals of the periwinkle and made a sachet to give to my cousin as proof."
After saying that, she muttered, "But my cousin can't make me do bad things."
Ying Zheng laughed casually, "If I'm going to do something bad, I'll do it first. Why would I let you get scolded?"
"If I haven't seen you do anything wrong, then it doesn't count."
"Doesn't that one from today count?" He almost bit off the ear of Prince Dan's companion, the sweet and pungent taste of which seemed to linger in his heart.
Banban scoffed, hands on her hips, "He deserved it, he deserved to die." She also overheard the man say that her cousin was a bastard, and instinctively knew that this shouldn't be said. She pretended not to hear it, but felt indignant and a little sorry for him.
The cold moon outside the window was like white snow, its silver light spreading out.
Banban thought to himself, "My cousin is naturally strong and has a sharp mind. He will definitely be extraordinary when he grows up."
She stood outside the eaves and waved to him, proud of her good judgment in judging people. "Cousin will become even more powerful in the future, so powerful that no one will dare to insult you anymore. At that time, I will also benefit from your success."
For so many years in the State of Zhao, everyone told him to endure, even his own mother only cared about whether he could win, and never asked him if he was suffering.
This is the first time someone has said that others deserve it, that others deserve to die.
Ying Zheng withdrew his gaze, lingered on the bamboo slip for a few seconds, and said seemingly casually, "That Banban must always stay by my side, otherwise she won't be able to benefit from it."
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