Chapter 60 The Secret: "To possess her soul along with it."...
After dinner, Geng'er heard that the King and Queen of Qin were planting new crops, and her curiosity was piqued, so she went over to take a look.
"It's sprouting! It's sprouting!"
A few days later, the potatoes buried in the moist and fertile soil finally sprouted tender shoots.
Banban was overjoyed and squatted in front of the porcelain chisel, holding his hands.
"Now the Queen can rest assured," Ying Zheng sighed. "Otherwise, she would have gotten up in the middle of the night, put on her clothes, and come out to check." She couldn't just come out by herself; she had to drag him along, constantly worried that the potato had died.
Banban gave him an unfriendly look, telling him to shut up.
"What is this?" Geng'er squatted down and reached out to touch it.
The next second, with a 'smack', his hand was slapped away without any politeness, and the back of his hand immediately turned red. He held his hand aggrievedly, "Brother-in-law, look!"
What are you looking at?
Seeing the King of Qin gently blowing on the Queen's hand, he complained, "Why are you in such a hurry? Does it hurt?"
"..." The hurt was frozen on his face.
Geng'er stared in disbelief, speechless.
Listen to this, listen to this, is there any justice in the world?
Who was the one who got hit?
He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Why would someone be so ruthless? What kind of treasure is it?"
Her cousin rubbed her fingers, and Banban rolled her eyes even more, saying, "It's very fragile, don't touch it, what if you touch it and it dies?"
“If you touch me to death, sentence me to be torn apart by chariots,” Geng’er retorted without hesitation.
"I—" Car Crack Your Head!
Is this something you can just casually say?
If Ying Zheng hadn't stopped her, Banban's foot would have already kicked Geng'er's butt.
Afterwards, Geng'er covered her head in apology, her head covered with bumps from being hit with a wooden stick by Banban.
Over there, the Queen diligently watered the seedlings, carefully tending to them.
Here, the King of Qin patiently adopted the demeanor of an elder, saying, "The plant in the porcelain chisel is the only one of its kind owned by the Queen. It is very precious, so it is normal for her to be careful. Don't take it to heart when she hit you; she didn't mean to be so cruel."
Geng'er: "The stick in her hand is the one you just handed to her."
She didn't do it on purpose, but you did!
What's going on?
"..." Ying Zheng's gentle smile vanished.
He sighed, patted his brother-in-law on the shoulder, and got up to walk away.
Geng'er watched his series of actions—patting her shoulder, getting up, turning around, and walking away—a look of confusion on her face. "???"
Wait, what's the deeper meaning behind this?
Kings of Qin all like to speak in riddles, right?
Banban rested her chin on her hand, gazing at her beloved potato sprouts with delight. Seeing her cousin following her example and crouching down, she nudged his arm. "I told you, Geng'er isn't someone who can be easily disciplined. He only ever submits to those who are more powerful than him."
“Preaching won’t work, beating him will.”
Ying Zheng: "Indeed."
"Thank you for your trouble, cousin. Our child will definitely be very well-behaved in the future." She patted Ying Zheng's face, trying to wipe away the slight sadness on his face.
What did you say to him?
Ying Zheng, his face cupped by his wife, slowly began to speak: "He said..."
Geng'er squatted on the ground, holding his head and counting ants. Qin Ju was explaining to him in detail what potatoes were, how the Queen obtained them, and how precious they were.
The footsteps grew closer, and he lowered his arms from his head and looked up.
The first thing I saw was my fierce-looking older sister.
He was slightly puzzled, and before he could speak, an iron hand whistled out and slammed into his head. With a 'smack,' the boy's handsome white face was shoved straight into the ground.
Qin Ju was startled and shrank his shoulders.
"You've got some nerve, daring to bully my cousin!! You don't want to live anymore, Ji Chenghong!"
"He was trying to comfort you out of kindness, but you can't tell the difference between good and bad words. Are you just pretending? Are you putting on an act?"
Geng'er: "...?"
When did he ever...? He might have thought that in his heart, but he never actually said it aloud!
The man shakily pulled his head out of the soil, only to see his brother-in-law sitting upright next to the potato seedlings behind his sister's legs, looking at him seriously and worriedly.
He rolled his eyes, his finger pointing at him trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.
The next morning, Geng'er woke up very early.
As the queen's younger brother, he had his own residence in the palace. Since he had fainted last night, he was carried to a side hall to sleep for the night.
After getting dressed and washing up, he immediately ran to the yard to check on the potato seedlings. The tender green seedlings were growing vigorously towards the sunlight.
Looking around, he saw that the palace servants were all doing their own things, moving quietly so as not to disturb their masters' sleep.
He faced it solemnly, mustered his courage, extended his fingertip, held his breath, and gently leaned closer to touch the potato seedling.
After waiting for a while, nothing happened.
"Boring!" Geng'er chuckled, flicked a leaf lightly with her finger, and stood up comfortably to stretch.
--"What are you doing?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
"ah!"
The stretching was abruptly interrupted, and Geng'er was nearly startled. People are prone to stress when they have a guilty conscience.
The King of Qin was standing behind him.
He was tall and strong, with long, black hair that completely obscured the morning light. He stood there quietly, like a ghost.
"No, no, no, don't tell on me!" He immediately knelt down, hugged the person's leg, and cried out for his parents.
Ying Zheng's face was serious, as if the absurdity and laughter of last night had never existed. He beckoned for someone to bring hot water, "Wash it again. The Queen said that this plant contains poison except for the fruit."
The mournful look on Geng'er's face immediately stopped, and she flung her arm away in horror, leaving a blur.
Qin Ju stood under the corridor, speaking in a soft, feminine voice, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, breakfast is ready."
Geng'er rubbed her fingers vigorously and muttered a complaint, "Doesn't my sister have to get up?"
Ying Zheng gestured for him to follow, "Since the Empress Dowager is busy, the Queen naturally doesn't need to get up early to pay her respects," he said, glancing at him sideways, "Are you envious?"
Geng'er's eyes flickered slightly, and after a brief pause, she pretended to be nonchalant. "I dare not envy. Once the West Palace is occupied, it will be even more difficult for the Queen to get up early. It's not good to live such a decadent life."
Ying Zheng chuckled; how could he not understand what this kid was saying?
The Western Palace was the palace complex of the Qin King's concubines.
"No one will live in the West Palace." He didn't turn around. As soon as he left, countless guards and eunuchs followed him. "Keep your voices down, don't wake her."
Watching the King of Qin leave, Geng'er pursed her lips and breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she imperiously ordered the palace servants, "Wash it carefully for me, wash it twice more."
After a quick breakfast, his mischievous nature returned.
When Banban got up, the court discussion had already ended. Her younger brother stayed in the palace and insisted on having lunch with his sister. Coincidentally, Ying Zheng had left Changping Jun and Wang Wan to have lunch in Chengzhang Hall and did not return to Zhaoyang Palace.
Geng'er chuckled mischievously, "Sister, you don't know, this morning at court, no matter what the Prime Minister said, it was rejected by Marquis Changxin. None of the ministers dared to participate in the power struggle between the two marquises. However, my brother-in-law relies heavily on Marquis Changxin. After the morning court, he even kept Marquis Changxin to discuss political affairs. Although the Prime Minister was also there, he looked terrible when he came out."
"How do you know?" Banban asked.
"Doesn't my sister also sit in on the morning court session? Sister Yun told me, so I went too."
“Don’t do that again.” Banban frowned slightly. “He is the King of Qin, not just an ordinary brother-in-law. He won’t be happy if he finds out you were peeping at the court proceedings.”
Geng'er immediately pouted, clearly displeased. "He slandered me last night, so what if I just took a look? Besides, how do you know he didn't know? This is the Qin Palace, how could he not know something here?"
Banban: "Tsk..."
Seeing her sister raise her merciless iron hand, Geng'er quickly changed her tune, "I understand, I understand, I won't live in the palace anymore."
“Listen to me. If you want to do things for your brother-in-law, you have to listen to him and not make decisions on your own.”
"Okay, I understand."
After lunch, Geng'er left the palace. Before leaving, she nervously pulled Banban aside to whisper something. She was talking about the words she had used to test the Prince of Qin that morning. "Although that's what he said, and he seems not to be taking concubines, he can live anywhere else besides the West Palace. What man doesn't stray? Sister, you must be careful. Before the birth of the legitimate son, you must not let any other woman get close to him."
Her younger brother's words were meant to be helpful, but Banban didn't feel comfortable with them. Her instinct was to retort that her cousin wouldn't do that, but she brushed it off, saying, "I know, I know. Is it your turn to lecture me?"
"Mind your own business and stop taking Liao Liao to the teahouse to listen to storytelling all the time. If you don't want to marry her, don't ruin her reputation."
Geng'er's cheeks flushed red. "I—"
He didn't say a word, and left the palace in a huff.
Banban knew that her younger brother was willing to marry Liaoliao. She always heard about his and Liaoliao's stories and loved to gossip. She knew everything if he touched her hand or sat too close to her.
I said this purely to provoke him, and sure enough, he ran away in embarrassment and anger.
However, the younger brother wouldn't say such things for no reason. Most of what he saw and heard was influenced by his father. Banban hesitated slightly, then beckoned for Qianyin to come over.
Last night, she heard him say that Lao Ai was drunk and philandering, which she found strange. If her younger brother hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have spread such rumors. But how could someone so young go to such places?
The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I felt, and I didn't take a nap this afternoon.
Zhu and Pang alighted from the carriage, and Zhaoyang Palace was just a stone's throw away.
Because of Pang's leg problems, she and her son were always served by carriages when they entered the palace.
As they walked inside, Pang kept asking Qianyin, "Is Her Majesty the Queen feeling unwell? Could it be..." She stared intently at Qianyin, hoping that the palace servant would show joy on her face.
"Mother." Madam Zhu tugged at her, looking embarrassed.
Madam Pang asked what was wrong, she was extremely worried. Her granddaughter married the King of Qin at the age of sixteen and is now nineteen. In four months, she will be twenty, but there is still no sign of pregnancy. She is also worried that the King of Qin will take a concubine under pressure from the previous dynasty, which will endanger her granddaughter's position as empress.
Qian Yin smiled and said, "It's just that Her Majesty misses you two and wants to invite you into the palace to have a chat."
"A lame ox in the village had an accident in the field and fell to its death. The kitchen staff slaughtered it, and the Queen would like to invite you to try it." What a coincidence that it fell to its death.
Zhu knew perfectly well what was going on, but didn't point it out. She immediately put on a gentle smile and said, "The Queen has been a filial daughter since she was a child."
Upon entering the palace, Madam Zhu carefully examined her daughter's complexion. Seeing that her face was rosy, she was pleased. After paying her respects according to etiquette, she slowly rose and asked, "Your Majesty, you seem to be in good spirits lately. Did you not take a midday rest today?"
It's no secret that the Queen always takes a midday break.
As the Queen's biological mother, Lady Zhu knew the reason behind this. The King of Qin was full of energy, and her poor daughter had to manage palace affairs during the day and comfort her husband at night. If she didn't get a rest, she would feel tired and listless.
No matter when or where, a mother always feels extra love for her daughter.
With a feeling of attachment rising within her, Banban took Zhu's arm and helped her sit down. She also had two extra cushions added for Pang to make her more comfortable.
"Do I miss my mother?" she said coquettishly, snuggling into her arms just like she had when she was a child.
Inside the hall, apart from Cong Yun, no one else was called to serve him. Cong Yun stood beside him and started a conversation, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
As dusk fell, Madam Zhu went to the inner room to look at her daughter's newly tailored clothes. She compared them to her daughter's measurements and noticed the waist was a bit wide. "Is this winter clothing?" she asked.
“No,” Banban said naturally. “This was made for when I was pregnant.”
"You..." Madam Zhu hesitated, "You finally have a plan?"
When Lady Zhu learned of the contraception two years prior, she genuinely believed that Lord Huayang had angered her daughter and was weeping every night, filled with intense hatred.
Banban then explained it to her clearly.
"Hmm!" Banban blushed slightly and touched her lower abdomen. "Let's wait until after my birthday. My cousin has other plans." Besides, it was a matter of state, and she couldn't tell her mother. "We should welcome our child at the best time."
"It sounds like birds building a nest," Zhu teased her. "Making maternity clothes so early, does that mean you're looking forward to it?"
Although Banban was shy, she had no reason to deny it. She tugged at her mother and said coquettishly, "I love my cousin, and of course I want to have a child with him. Mother, you feel the same way. Why are you making fun of me?"
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore." Her daughter's cheeks flushed red, and she was afraid that if she said anything more, she would get angry. Zhu Shi stroked her soft hair. "Unknowingly, my darling has grown up so much. When you get pregnant, your mother will enter the palace to serve you."
"I don't want my mother to work so hard. The palace servants are fine. My cousin will take care of everything. You are the Queen's mother. You can only enjoy life in comfort for the rest of your days."
Then, Banban changed the subject, speaking naturally, "How have things been between Mother and Father lately?"
"It's fine." Zhu's face was full of smiles. "What's wrong?"
Banban had some doubts, but seeing that her mother's expression didn't seem fake, she asked hesitantly, "Is my father treating you well?"
Zhu's smile faded slightly. "I know what you want to ask me: has someone been gossiping about you?"
"No."
Madam Zhu sighed slightly, “My son, your father is always out doing business and has to put on an act. Not to mention that he is now the father-in-law of the King of Qin, and his status has risen accordingly. Although he doesn’t have a proper title, no one dares to look down on him.”
“Countless people have sent gifts and money, trying to find connections to get your father to put in a good word for you and get you an official position,” she comforted her anxious daughter. “Don’t worry, your father is sensible. He hasn’t agreed to anything. He loves you and won’t do anything to hold you back.”
“It’s just that when a business grows bigger, it’s inevitable that some Tom, Dick, or Harry will try to get close to you,” Madam Zhu said with a slight smile. “Your father’s promises have always been kept. He promised me that he would never take a concubine, and that’s enough. As for what he does outside, I won’t ask or care.”
Banban loosened her grip on her mother's hand, her expression slightly dazed. "...What?"
Perhaps because Banban's expression was too shocked, Madam Zhu found it amusing. "What's wrong? Why the expression?"
“How could Father treat you like this?” Banban immediately stood up. She couldn’t describe her feelings at that moment, as if something she had always believed in had collapsed.
Zhu's expression told her that Ji Xiu had always been this kind of person, that all men in the world were like this, and that Ji Xiu was already the best man.
Ji Xiu's love for his mother didn't seem fake; he genuinely loved Zhu Shi. Yet, when he was outside, he could naturally "play along," as if no one thought there was anything wrong with it.
"You're so easily startled." Madam Zhu rubbed her daughter's hand and said earnestly, "My daughter, this is what marriage is all about. He can love you and cherish you, give you all the power to manage the household, stand by your side when you have conflicts with your mother-in-law, not let you suffer, provide for all your needs in life, and not take concubines to cause you any trouble. That's enough."
“Back then, I couldn’t conceive for a long time,” Zhu said, her voice unusually low. She glanced outside to make sure Pang hadn’t returned, and continued, “Your stepmother tried to take concubines for your father time and time again, and even picked out two. Your father refused them both. This caused a huge rift between them. Your father never did anything to wrong me. I have the key to the storeroom. Your father did not take any concubines. The shops in the house are all in my name.”
"I am very satisfied and I love him very much."
Banban hesitated, unable to say anything. In Zhu's eyes, Ji Xiu was an excellent man, and his occasional "playing around" outside was not considered a betrayal of her.
Perhaps in the minds of women in this era, marriage is just like this, it's the norm, and it's only when it's a lifelong commitment to one person that it's considered extraordinary.
So Geng'er must have seen something about Ji Xiu to distrust her cousin.
I was in a daze for two days.
Banban suddenly became alert and on high alert.
They started a frantic 'check-up' routine.
Thus, the ministers discovered that when the King of Qin discussed state affairs with them, the Queen would suddenly come in to bring him melons, fruits, soup, and tea, and then unexpectedly look under the King's desk or behind the window, as if to see if anyone was hiding there.
It took the King of Qin seven or eight days to go from being initially frightened to later becoming speechless with his lips twitching.
He still thought his wife was somewhere investigating spies and killers.
The result was that he went to find a woman.
Rumors began to circulate that the Queen was pregnant. Fearing that a maid might take advantage of the Queen's pregnancy to climb into the King's bed, the people were also terrified, fearing that the Queen's pregnancy was not stable.
That was the Queen of Qin, a queen who brought blessings to the people; she was no ordinary person.
This situation continued for about half a month, and the King of Qin did not react at all. The ministers admired him, and sometimes they could even see a playful look on the king's face, as if he was pleased with it. They all felt that they should not be there.
That day, Banban went to Chengzhang Hall again.
He bumped into Marquis Changxin, Lao Ai. He had heard the recent rumors, but this was the first time he had ever seen the Queen. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at the Queen's beautiful face.
Banban felt unlucky and glared at him with a frown.
She could still hear what her cousin hadn't finished saying: that he should let Lao Ai make all the decisions himself.
Lao Ai bowed his head and respectfully withdrew. Hearing the commotion inside, he acted as if the queen had inspected the area, then fawned over the King of Qin, "Cousin, are you thirsty? I brewed this tea myself; would you like to try some?"
The Queen's voice was naturally clear and melodious, like biting into a crisp mountain on a summer day—so tender and sweet that it was impossible not to squeeze out its juice, leaving one with an unforgettable aftertaste.
She struck the perfect balance between being a woman and a young girl.
Recalling the rumors, Lao Ai recalled the queen's waistline he had just seen. It was flat and slender, perfectly proportioned like a fairy. In short, it did not look like she was pregnant.
He forcefully pulled his heart back into his stomach.
Ying Zheng put down his brush, gently rested his chin on his hand, and calmly looked at his wife. "Did you find it?"
"What?" The man feigned ignorance, blinked, poured him tea, and gave him a look that said, "I didn't look for anything. You should try it."
She pushed the tea over.
Ying Zheng took a sip and savored it. "If it were a few years ago, when few people appreciated tea, the Queen's tea-brewing skills could be considered masterful."
"Oh dear, is there?" Banban asked shyly, touching her face.
"..." Wait a minute.
This doesn't seem like a compliment to her.
She lowered her arm. "Hehe, I know my cousin doesn't welcome me. How could I come to Chengzhang Hall? This is where the Prince of Qin handles state affairs. I'll leave now."
Before she could finish speaking, her arm was pulled, and she immediately fell into his arms. In a panic, she tried to prop herself up and run away, but her waist was held captive again. His voice slowly descended from above her, "Where are you going?"
"You mustn't be lewd in broad daylight, no, no, no!" She shoved the man's face and chest, scaring him so much he dared not open his eyes.
"What's going on in your head?" Ying Zheng cupped the person's head, approached and examined her carefully, prying open her eyes with two fingers, trying to see her brain through her eyes.
Forced to see her cousin clearly, including the disdain and amusement in his eyes, she covered his face with her hands, as if preventing him from seeing would lessen her embarrassment and anger.
"Then let me go," she muttered softly.
"What did Geng'er say to you that made you act like this?" Ying Zheng was not surprised at all. He knew that the boy was full of nonsense. Although he had to use some of it, his personality was too unpredictable.
"No." Banban pouted, looking extremely aggrieved, though she didn't know why she felt aggrieved.
"I won't let you get up until you tell me, otherwise someone will come in soon."
"!!!"
Wasn't he the one who used to be afraid of being criticized by his ministers? How did he change so quickly? Could it be that he's really about to assume personal rule, so he doesn't care what his ministers say anymore?
"I won't tell, it's my secret," she stubbornly refused to say, turning her head away.
The next moment, his chin was grabbed and twisted, "A secret?"
They were joking just moments before, but the moment the word "secret" was uttered, the atmosphere suddenly froze.
He leaned closer, wanting to take in every subtle expression on her face.
"There can be no secrets between us." His voice turned noticeably colder.
Banban's shoulders stiffened slightly as she directly sensed her cousin's undisguised possessiveness. In the depths of his eyes, a wild beast lurked, ready to pounce and devour her if she didn't speak up, taking her soul with it.
He got angry. He hadn't gotten angry during the two weeks of probing, but he suddenly lost control after hearing her say the word "secret."
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