Chapter 56 Lightness Skill "There's only one person in my heart, and my body is too."...
People came and went in Zhaoyang Palace. Qian Yinzai carefully dressed and groomed the Queen. Cong Yun ironed and hung up the Queen's court dress early in the morning. The long, flowing dress had not a single crease. It was all black, while the deep robe was bright red. The wide sleeves were trimmed with gold thread embroidery on the bottom. When the sunlight shone on it, the dress shone brightly.
"Why."
Banban sighed deeply and listlessly examined his makeup in the bronze mirror.
Qian Yin's skill was superb; she raised her eyebrows an inch, a touch of red shimmering from the corner of her eyes. Her slender, thick eyelashes drooped, further accentuating her snow-white skin and unparalleled beauty.
"Your Majesty did not rest well last night. Today you are to accompany the King to meet with the Crown Prince of Yan. We do not know how long this will last. I'm sorry to trouble you."
"It will only take an hour or two," Banban said casually.
After finishing her makeup, she stood up and gently touched her hair. "Help me change, hurry, don't be late."
Where is the king?
Cong Yun smiled gently, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Last night, the King went to Yong to visit the Empress Dowager. He will probably meet you directly at Xianyang Palace later and won't have time to come to Zhaoyang Palace to pick you up."
Banban was indeed used to it; the reason she didn't sleep well last night was because she was alone in bed.
"I wonder what important business my cousin has to visit his aunt, but it doesn't have to be so late at night." She muttered a few words of complaint, not daring to say more.
Last night, when he was having dinner, Qin Ju came in and brought him a roll of cloth. He didn't know what was written on it, but Qin Ju's expression changed drastically. He stared blankly for a moment, then got up and left.
"Let's go quickly~" After changing into her court dress and checking that her makeup and hair accessories were correct, she raised her voice.
He arrived at Xianyang Palace in a palanquin. Most of the civil and military officials had arrived. Upon seeing the Queen, they all knelt and paid their respects. Just then, the King returned. His return was indeed very timely, neither late nor early.
"Your Majesty." Banban hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. She was always obedient in important occasions, so she put on a dignified and virtuous appearance. "You're back. You must be tired from your journey."
Ying Zheng helped her down, then grasped her delicate fingertips and hid them under his wide sleeve. "Your Majesty, you are beautiful today. Your eyebrows are painted and your lips are smooth. Your eyelashes are like butterflies, and your skin is like fresh snow."
She smiled reservedly, a hint of joy welling up in her eyes.
Ying Zheng smiled unconsciously.
The king and queen ascended the throne hand in hand, and the officials entered the court to kneel and pay homage, standing on both sides, waiting for the hostages from other countries to enter the hall.
"How was your trip to Yongdi, cousin? How is your health, aunt?" To be honest, he was indeed a bit crazy. After dinner, he suddenly said he wanted to go see the Empress Dowager. He just kept thinking about things one after another, and there was no way to stop him. She said she would go with him, but he disagreed.
They said the carriage ride would be bumpy and they wouldn't be able to rest locally on the way there and back, so they suggested that she rest at home. Banban was afraid of being tired and suffering, so she agreed when she heard her cousin say that.
"That's good." Ying Zheng shifted his gaze to Lao Ai below the main hall, then looked further out, gently patting her small hand in a comforting manner.
Even sitting on the throne, her cousin still held her hand tightly. The last time he held her hand like this was when he forcibly took her away from Handan.
Banban moved closer to him and whispered, "Cousin, are you nervous? It's been many years since you last saw the Crown Prince of Yan."
"Somewhat," Ying Zheng said, "but not exactly nervous. I wonder what he looks like now?"
"Just a few days ago you said he was narrow-minded and vindictive, and that his gentle and refined manner was all an act."
"..."
Ying Zheng was speechless for a moment.
He gently squeezed her fingers, saying, "Your Majesty has misheard. These words were not spoken by me."
Oh, you were talking badly about someone back then, but now you're denying it.
The King of Qin had to save face.
Banban gave him face and muttered to himself, "Ah, did I hear wrong? I must have misheard."
During the conversation, the eunuch loudly announced that the Crown Prince of Yan was to be summoned for an audience. The surrounding officials all responded solemnly, and the couple on the throne stopped whispering and laughing.
The Xianyang Palace was spacious and towering, with a ceiling height of about fifteen or sixteen meters. It was open and faced the sun, so when officials reported important matters of the court, they had to speak loudly, and there would be a slight echo.
Crown Prince Dan entered the palace with Li Xie, accompanied by two generals from the Yan Kingdom who would escort them and then leave.
Prince Dan placed his left hand over the back of Prince Dan's right hand and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subject Ji Dan greets the King of Qin. May the King of Qin live ten thousand years. I also greet the Queen. May the Queen live a thousand years."
...Why should the Queen live nine thousand years less than the King?
Banban's dignified smile froze slightly, and she glared at Prince Dan, who was paying his respects.
"Ji Dan, we haven't seen each other for many years. You only recognize faces. Can you still recognize me?"
Prince Dan raised his eyes and the first thing he saw was the King of Qin, whose physique resembled that of a tiger or wolf. He was no longer the pitiful hostage prince in Handan he once was. Beneath the veil of the King of Qin's crown, his piercing, cold eyes were revealed.
The reason why he is described as having the physique of a tiger or wolf is probably due to the climate and bloodline of the Qin region. The people of Qin are known to be tall and strong, and their faces are not quite like those of people from the Central Plains. Even the color of his eyes is not pure black. He has very high eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and thin, wide lips with a faint smile.
The dark Qin Dynasty robes were embroidered with strange patterns and symbols in gold thread, and the fiery red and blood-red colors were striking.
Compared to him, the queen beside him was petite and delicate, with a slender figure like a harmless rabbit. Her only distinguishing feature was her pair of sharp eyes, which were wide open, just like the ears of a rabbit when it is alert.
"It's a bit hard to tell," Ji Dan said with a slow, gentle laugh. "Your Majesty, it's been ten years since we last met. Ten long years, and so much has changed."
"Dan is still the same as before. This time, when he went to Qin as a hostage, Dan brought a small gift."
"Oh?" The King of Qin raised his eyebrows slightly. "Bring it here."
Qin Ju waved his hand, signaling the eunuch to present it.
"I see you haven't changed much, but have you married and had children?"
Ji Dan smiled, somewhat helplessly, "Not yet. Does Your Majesty intend to find a suitable husband for Dan?"
King of Qin: "Why not?"
The gift wrapped in vermilion cloth was not presented in the palace. Qin Ju bowed and approached, "Your Majesty, it is a finely crafted and precious long halberd."
No weapons are allowed in the Xianyang Palace; even long spears, as gifts, are not permitted.
Ji Dan must have known this all along, and didn't care.
"I wonder what Qin's plans are for when to send troops to attack Zhao?" This was Ji Dan's primary purpose in holding the hostage meeting with Qin. "It is currently the dead of winter, a good time."
“There’s no rush,” King Qin said amiably. “Ji Dan, my birthday is in a month. It’s not the right time to send troops and draw blood. You should stay in Xianyang for now. We have plenty of time in the future.”
“The King of Qin’s birthday is indeed a big event,” Ji Dan hesitated, but couldn’t say anything else. “It was Dan who didn’t think it through.”
“I heard from Your Majesty that the Crown Prince of Yan is coming. I had someone prepare a residence for him in Xianyang early this morning. The residence is located in the central area of Xianyang, making it convenient to go to various places. Its scale is based on that of Your Majesty when you were the Crown Prince. I don’t know if it will suit the Crown Prince’s taste. The Crown Prince may stay here for now and may visit the palace to speak with Your Majesty more often.”
Ji Dan was first attracted by the soft and gentle tone of the speaker's voice, and her gaze unconsciously shifted to the Queen of Qin beside her.
He was almost blinded by the light at first glance, and quickly lowered his head, cupping his hands in gratitude, saying, "I am deeply grateful for the Queen's arrangements."
The mansion was built to the same standard as when the King of Qin was the crown prince, and it was quite grand. Ji Dan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally at ease. It seemed that even after ten years apart, the King of Qin's feelings for him were still the same as before.
As for Li Xie, he didn't dare to raise his head from beginning to end. He was trembling and restless. He finally made it to the end and came out. Qin Ju, who was next to the King of Qin, strolled over with a friendly smile on his face: "Please stay for lunch today, Your Highness. My king is hosting a banquet and invites you to attend."
Ji Dan returned the greeting with a smile tinged with joy, "This humble subject will certainly attend the banquet."
"Li Xie, quickly go and fetch the gifts I want to give to the King and Queen."
"Yes, sir." Li Xie lowered his head and ran away quickly.
Upon seeing this, Qin Ju couldn't help but ask, "Didn't the Crown Prince just present the gifts to my king?"
Ji Dan shook his head and said seriously, "That was a gift from the Crown Prince of Yan just now, but this is a gift from Ji Dan."
Qin Ju covered his mouth and smiled, quite moved, "His Majesty will be pleased."
“Your Excellency is unaware of this,” Ji Dan said, unsure whether the eunuch knew or not. He simply wanted to say, “When I was in Handan with the King of Qin, it was often just the two of us playing, either competing in martial arts or discussing the situation of the various states. We promised each other that we would never attack each other’s countries. I do not know how the King of Qin is now, but in my heart, we are lifelong friends.”
"Prefectural Lord" is an honorific title for Qin Ju, and also his official title.
Qin Ju, as the personal eunuch of the King of Qin, was not just a simple eunuch. The inner palace also had a complete system of official positions, and strictly speaking, he was also one of the officials.
He was the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, in charge of the King of Qin's carriages and all related affairs. He was what outsiders called a "Central Person," a eunuch, but not everyone could be called a Central Person.
Qin Dynasty officials, whether out of respect or to curry favor, would address him as "Lord of the Prefecture," a practice that Ji Dan followed.
Qin Ju carefully examined the Crown Prince of Yan and verbally agreed with his words.
Upon arrival, Ji Dan pronounced the name of the palace: "Zhaoxin Palace."
Qin Juying smiled and said, "Zhaoxin Palace used to be the sleeping quarters of the Qin kings of all dynasties. Now it has been converted into a place to receive the king's friends."
"And now?" he asked.
“Now the King and Queen live together in Zhaoyang Palace over there,” Qin Ju pointed in the direction, “not too far from Zhaoxin Palace.”
"Together?" Ji Dan's expression hardened slightly. "This is something I have never heard of."
What if the King of Qin goes to his concubines' quarters? What will the Queen do then? Won't she find out what he's doing as soon as he leaves? Is it really appropriate for the King and Queen to be so intimate?
Qin Ju understood and softened his voice, "My royal palace has no concubines. The king and queen have a deep and abiding affection for each other."
Ji Dan was taken aback. "Not a single one?"
No way, is this real?
Even without concubines, the King of Qin did not employ any palace maids when he handled state affairs.
"No," Qin Ju said with a smile. "No woman loves the King more than the Queen."
...This is more than just unheard of.
Ji Dan was briefly dazed, but recalling the fleeting glimpse he had just caught in the Xianyang Palace, he could understand it; he had never seen such a beautiful woman before.
When the Queen of Qin was young, she was indeed charming and adorable, more delicate than ordinary people. Her beautiful face had fully blossomed into such a captivating beauty.
It is unbelievable that a king could have only one person in his heart and only one person in his body.
Upon entering Zhaoxin Palace, he was led to the main hall. Queen Qin seemed surprised by his arrival. She was leaning against a small couch, holding a small bronze mirror, raising her eyebrows and adjusting her makeup.
Upon seeing him, he quickly regained his solemn expression, glancing subtly at Qin Ju beside him, as if somewhat displeased.
Qin Ju was also quite frightened, and a layer of cold sweat instantly spread down his back. He did not expect that the Queen would be here so early and bring the Crown Prince of Yan in like this.
The Queen's figure was clearly visible to Ji Dan. The Xianyang Palace was spacious and empty, unlike now when they were close. With the help of a maid, she smiled slightly at him and said, "Your Highness, please take a seat. Make yourself at home and don't feel awkward."
Ji Dan bowed again, not daring to look at her any longer, and sat down as instructed.
The image of the Queen flashed through his mind: her skin was delicate, her figure well-proportioned, her slender body exuding charm and elegance, her brows furrowed with a hint of anger, and her smile held a touch of allure nurtured by being pampered and cherished.
The word "beauty" is insufficient to describe her.
Banban told Qianyin to go find Ying Zheng, and whispered to herself, "What's my cousin doing? Why isn't he here? He's left me here all alone." How embarrassing.
After taking a trip out, she returned and said, "Lord Wang Wan had something important to report and stayed with His Majesty at the pavilion. They were about to leave when I saw Lord Changping run over to pay his respects."
Changping Jun?
Lord Changping was the son of King Zhaoxiang's daughter who married into the state of Chu. He had noble blood from both Chu and Qin, and was not only a subject of Qin but also a prince of Chu.
He was also a member of the Chu faction, but unlike Mi Chen and Empress Dowager Huayang, he was very well-behaved and disciplined.
Why are you so talkative when you're not proactive and don't attend court?
"Can I leave?" she asked, unable to sit still any longer.
"Your Majesty," Qian Yin said, both amused and exasperated, "the Crown Prince of Yan is the one who should be restless, not you, the Queen."
Banban followed Qianyin's gaze and, sure enough, saw Ji Dan sitting motionless, her back stiff, not looking around at all.
Strangely enough, when she saw others suffering more than her, she suddenly stopped feeling sad.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
After thinking for a while, Banban prepared to say something to break the awkwardness, "Did the Crown Prince encounter anything interesting on his way to Qin?"
Ji Dan immediately stood up and bowed. Seeing the Queen slowly walking over from the other side, she looked on with curiosity and said, "Speaking of which, there are indeed a few."
"From Yan to Qin, one has to cross Zhao. The foreign official stopped briefly in Handan to rest and noticed that several of the Ji family's shops were still open. He tasted a bowl of water chestnut and pork soup, and the taste was exactly the same as it had been many years ago, without any change, leaving him with a lingering aftertaste."
Banban's expression softened slightly. "You're right, the water chestnut and meat soup in Qin doesn't taste the same as the one in Handan." Although it tastes even better.
"Back then, my cousin would eat this as a late-night snack, along with two millet cakes."
Ji Dan flattered gently, "The Queen and the King of Qin's relationship remains as strong as ever, which is truly admirable."
Although she also felt that her cousin and Ji Dan were acting strangely, it didn't stop Banban from saying something polite. "The same goes for the Crown Prince and the King. He is currently talking with Lord Changping and has been delayed. He will be here soon. He must be tired from the journey. Is the Crown Prince hungry?"
"No, no." Ji Dan shook his head repeatedly. He was a guest, and he couldn't possibly eat first, especially since the other party was the King of Qin.
Even if we starve to death, we'll wait for him first.
Just then, a commotion came from outside; it was the King of Qin.
As soon as the King of Qin arrived, Ji Dan keenly noticed that the Queen breathed a sigh of relief and pinched his waist with a mixture of affection and reproach. This subtle action was caught by him as he stood to the side.
The King of Qin took her hand, lifted it, and kissed it.
"Ji Dan, please sit down, please sit down."
It was the voice of the King of Qin, full of vigor and laughter, showing no airs of a king.
Ji Dan quickly came to her senses, and the two sat down together.
King Qin stared at Ji Dan for a moment, his gaze seemingly admiring yet subtly scrutinizing. “You’ve lost weight compared to before; you must have suffered on the journey,” he said with a smile. “The Queen is in charge of today’s lunch banquet, and I’ve ordered a few more dishes from Handan.”
"Then I must look forward to it." Ji Dan said with great emotion after taking his seat, "You have changed so much."
The King of Qin chuckled twice and joked with him, "Power breeds people."
"But you seem to have changed no more."
Ji Dan paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "To be honest, my situation in Yan is not as good as it was in Handan."
"King Xi of Yan is getting old, and you are just coming of age." King Qin didn't say it very clearly, but the fact that he was willing to say it like this was enough to prove that he also seemed to have a tendency to get close to Ji Dan.
Since ancient times, there has been an irreconcilable conflict between the monarchy and the crown prince. The relationship between the king and the crown prince is often delicate, especially since the crown prince has the legitimate right to inherit the throne and also possesses his own political power.
How could the King of Yan not be wary? This is why he once again sent Ji Dan to Qin as a hostage.
Ji Dan thought to himself that King Ying Zheng of Qin was much luckier than him.
His grandfather and father reigned for a combined total of less than five years, and he became King of Qin at the age of thirteen. Although the powerful minister Lü Buwei held power and acted as regent, Lü Buwei had no ulterior motives towards Qin. Over the years, he implemented many wise policies and made numerous contributions to Qin.
Let's not talk about that anymore.
"I've heard that Qin has a ban on alcohol. I wonder if it's really true that one can only abstain from alcohol in Qin?" Ji Dan asked with a sigh.
“In the palace, one can drink as much as one wants.” The King of Qin immediately ordered someone to bring wine.
The two men chatted on and on about their childhood in Handan, and Banban listened with great interest. After having a couple of drinks, they sat down to eat melons, completely absorbed in the conversation.
"You don't know this, but after Zhao You returned to Zhao, he found it difficult to move an inch in the court. Guo Kai became prime minister but had no talent. He only knew how to curry favor with his superiors and take the opportunity to amass wealth. Zhao You was squeezed out and had no place to stand."
"He made a crucial mistake; otherwise, he would be sitting comfortably on the throne of Zhao now."
Ji Dan was perhaps a little drunk, and spoke without restraint, "I heard that at the time, King Zhao actually intended to send Prince Zhao Yan as a hostage to Qin, but for some reason he changed his mind and sent Crown Prince Zhao You to Qin instead."
The King of Qin looked at him with a smile and said, "I have also heard that the King of Zhao was bedridden at the time and asked his ministers to bring back Zhao You, who was on the road. He regretted it, but unfortunately he never got to see his crown prince and died in bed."
Banban knew exactly what was going on. She secretly glanced at her cousin and thought to herself, "How innocent he's pretending!"
It wasn't because he sent someone to slander Zhao You that King Zhao changed his mind and sent Zhao You to Qin.
Ji Dan felt pity for Zhao You, or rather, for all those in the same predicament as him, sighing repeatedly, "It's all fate."
"How can King Yan of Zhao be a ruler when he is so incompetent?" These words were spoken with great anger, "It has brought suffering to the people of Zhao."
Ji Dan was the one who advocated attacking, which contradicted the conservative approach of King Xi of Yan. He was determined to attack the State of Zhao.
A meal here, all about listening to Ji Dan's helplessness after getting drunk.
After the luncheon, someone was sent to escort Ji Dan back to her residence in Xianyang.
Banban removed her makeup and washed up, then sat down by the bed.
Ying Zheng lay inside with his knees bent, engrossed in reading a book.
She snatched the book away, asking, "What exactly are your cousin's thoughts about Ji Dan?"
"how?"
"I have a feeling you're just trying to fool him."
With no books left to read, Ying Zheng simply rested his head on his arm and said casually, "He wants me to help him attack Zhao, but he won't pay me any benefits. Can relations between countries be so simple? Or is he so confident that I'm still the same pathetic wretch who follows him around without caring about anything?"
"When did I say I would send troops?" He revealed a hint of disdainful mockery. "The King of Yan sent him here in such a hurry, not simply because he wanted to attack the State of Zhao."
"What do you mean?" Banban lay on his chest, poking him with her fingers.
"There were also factions among the royal family and ministers of Yan. Some people kept telling the King of Yan that Crown Prince Dan coveted the throne and even wanted to kill his younger brother to protect his sole right to succession."
"Moreover, he is a proponent of war. Don't be fooled by his gentle appearance; when faced with intractable problems, he'll resort to force. This was quite evident in Handan, which contradicts the political views of the King of Yan, who originally intended to establish friendly relations with the State of Zhao."
"It's just that many members of the imperial family and officials in the court are supporters of Crown Prince Ji Dan, and those who advocate attacking Zhao are too loud."
"That's fine, but the key issue is that Ji Dan is clueless and has too close ties with martial arts forces, even taking in a lot of assassins."
"Do you think the Prince of Yan can sleep at night?"
Isn't he afraid that Prince Dan will send someone to assassinate him?
Upon hearing this, Banban sighed softly, "For a father and son to go this far, their bond has been fulfilled."
However, the power of the martial arts world...
It couldn't be someone like Jing Ke, Qin Wuyang, or Gao Jianli, could it?
His thoughts raced through his mind, and he tentatively inquired, "What are all these martial arts factions? Are all their assassins incredibly powerful? Why don't you train some, cousin?"
Ying Zheng glanced at her, "How do you know I didn't?"
"?!" Banban immediately stood up, her little face filled with excitement. "Really? Who is it?!"
"Different from your understanding, that refers to some kind of underworld intelligence network that gathers different news and intelligence from various places, verifies their authenticity, and then compiles and reports them to me. What is your understanding of the underworld?"
What does she understand?
Of course, it's "Swordsmen! They roam the world with swords, robbing the rich to help the poor and upholding justice! Heroines! They travel the world with swords, or witches, or saintesses, and there are many sects! They practice different schools of martial arts and even know light-body skills."
"?"
Ying Zheng's native language is speechless. What is all this nonsense?
"What exactly is this 'lightness skill' you speak of?"
"They can move between the eaves, leaping incredibly high with a light jump, their movements swift and deadly, their toes lightly touching the bamboo as they leap across the bamboo forest."
Ying Zheng: "I can do that too." Is this what lightness skill is? Is martial arts that make one very light a skill?
Isn't that amazing leg strength and jumping ability?
Who named these?
Banban asked suspiciously, "Huh? When did you start practicing?"
"Want to go out and give it a try?" He gently rested his head on his hand and raised his eyebrows.
Seeing his expression... Banban felt that what her cousin said was not quite the same as what she had said, and she couldn't help but be wary, "You're not teasing me again, are you?"
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