Chapter 43 Three Kings Died in Five Years
"What is this...?"
When Qin saw the painting, his smile gradually disappeared. There was no other reason than that the painting was too abstract.
However, Meng Ao said, "Your Highness, during the attack on Wei, I and Doctor Yu happened to see the spirits of the mountains and fields, so we painted a picture to present to Your Highness."
Ying Zheng suddenly realized who the 'person' in the painting was. It must have been because the chaos of the war between the several states was too great, or for some other reason, that Meng Ao encountered 'Qin' and another state.
After analysis, Ying Zheng concluded that the person who could be held in the arms of Qin should be Wei, since Wei was the only one his mother had mentioned by name after returning, and had already been devoured.
If they had been caught in other countries, the outcome would have been different; at the very least, my mother could have written another 'post-meal report'.
****
The image showed several abstract little figures surrounding two people in the middle, very similar to those I had seen in museums before. The proportions of those little figures were so bad that they made me frown.
The figures in the painting are all slender and tall, with smooth lines that create a kind of inhuman beauty.
'Qin': Huh?
She's not saying that even if she weren't human, there's no need to depict her like that, really.
Aside from the antique pattern, there's nothing else to praise.
The most important reason that prompted her to make such a comment is, of course, that she is the person who entered the painting, and that she has two different identities at the same time.
The woman in black clothing, dressed as Qin, was holding another woman in black clothing, dressed as Wei. If one did not know the situation, they might mistake her for a woman in black clothing holding a dying relative. A group of petty people around them saw this and, out of kindness, tried to comfort her.
A few lines representing light should be added to the background; in short, this painting is very abstract.
Even without the people in the painting explaining it themselves, a single scene can be interpreted to tell countless stories.
'Qin' raised the fan to cover the lower half of her face, but her furrowed brows betrayed her feelings.
With such abstract figures and scenes, she really wanted to ask about the artist's mental state.
So, was this the image she was in the eyes of others back then?
Zhu Qing'ai mentally conjured up an emoji of a cat ascending to the cosmos.
She looked at Ying Zheng, feeling for the first time grateful that only one person present could hear her, allowing her to speak openly and honestly: "Burn this painting. I don't want to see it."
Ying Zheng paused as he took the painting, deeply understanding his mother's disdain. He looked at the painting for a long time but couldn't tell that it depicted his mother. However, he still accepted the painting, as he couldn't do such a thing in front of Meng Ao himself.
“However, I’m still very curious,” Qin changed the subject, bringing up the painting again. She wanted to know the artist’s thought process, what prompted the painter to create such a painting. “What are the people in the painting doing? I just can’t understand the story it tells…”
Ying Zheng had the same idea. He had only guessed, but when he saw the painting, he couldn't imagine the scene at that time. So he asked Meng Ao, "General Meng, is the content of this painting somewhat difficult to understand?"
Meng Ao stroked his beard and nodded: "Indeed. The first time I saw this painting, I didn't understand it at all, but each time I saw it, I was able to understand its meaning better and appreciate its subtle significance."
'Qin': ...? Really?
As Meng Ao explained the contents of the painting, 'Qin' stood even closer to Ying Zheng, leaning slightly down to look at the painting in Ying Zheng's hand.
Um……
It's still very abstract; I didn't see anything particularly ingenious about it.
"Where's the brilliance? Is he trying to fool me?"
'Qin' felt that her image in this painting could only be one of two: a lonely old woman who had lost her family in grief, or an evil villain who was discovered and had her country destroyed.
Meng Ao stepped forward a few paces and asked to point out the nearest view to Ying Zheng.
Upon hearing this, even the DNA etched deep within Zhu Qing'ai's soul stirred. Wasn't that what someone said when they pointed out the flaws on the He Shi Bi jade?
And what about those classic assassination tactics...?
If she hadn't known that Meng Ao didn't have that intention, she would have asked him if he was an assassin.
She listened to the man's explanation while inwardly complaining.
Strangely, she discovered that Meng Ao had embellished her story, describing it as witnessing the rise of a god and the fall of a god.
She never mentioned that she was the one who killed the fallen man.
That makes sense. History is written by the victors, so it's reasonable for Meng Ao to embellish her image out of goodwill.
Since that's the case, she started to find the painting more pleasing to the eye and immediately changed her tune: "This painting is not bad, it's not a bad idea to keep it, but you should still put it away and not let unrelated people see it."
Zhu Qing'ai also thought about what would happen if the painting were discovered by archaeologists in later generations. Then she remembered that this was something that her alias 'Qin' did, so what did it have to do with her, Zhu Qing'ai?
And also, these abstract lines are hilarious; they're not afraid of being recognized at all.
Zhu Qing'ai boldly declared that she would not pursue the matter of Meng Ao presenting a painting that was too abstract.
The story was so well-received by everyone present, including the entire nation. Ying Zheng put away the painting, thinking that it had escaped disaster. However, looking at the painting, he still couldn't imagine the scene from that day. He wished he could see it with his own eyes.
While thinking about this, Ying Zheng did not forget to bring Meng Ao to the palace to meet Ying Zichu.
****
As May drew ever closer, his father's illness worsened. Even before he realized the illness was progressing rapidly, Ying Zheng had inquired about his father's condition from the Qin court.
Although Qin could not diagnose illnesses, she could see the aura surrounding a person. When she saw the aura around Ying Zichu suddenly break, she sighed.
She tactfully told Ying Zheng to prepare to stabilize the domestic situation and not to be nervous, as she was there for him.
Ying Zheng had forgotten the specific feelings he had at the time, but he still remembered the vow he had made. He would not wallow in grief; he would succeed his predecessor and lead the Qin Dynasty to new heights.
****
Today, when Meng Ao was brought into the palace, he noticed that there were more and more guards patrolling the Xianyang Palace.
He also vaguely sensed that something was wrong, and as he entered the inner palace with Ying Zheng, the guards' expressions became even more solemn.
Under these circumstances, Xianyang Palace could be said to be under complete martial law.
During his few days of rest in Xianyang, he heard that the king was seriously ill and had not held court for several days. Currently, almost all matters, large and small, were being handled by the prime minister, Lü Buwei.
If he hadn't returned victorious, he probably wouldn't have even seen the king.
Meng Ao pursed his lips, straightened his back, and followed behind Ying Zheng.
When Meng Ao arrived at the Qin King's bedchamber, he was still taken aback when he saw Prince Zichu's pale face.
Prince Zichu of Qin beckoned to Meng Ao, signaling him to come forward and speak.
Meng Ao quickly stepped forward, knelt down beside Ying Zichu's bed, and said with some grief, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
Prince Zichu of Qin shook his head almost imperceptibly: "I know my own body well, and I'm afraid it's no longer feasible for me to go."
"Your Majesty! Don't say such things. You are still young and in the prime of your life. It's just a minor illness. With proper rest, you will surely recover."
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng also stole a hopeful glance at 'Qin' sitting by the bed.
Qin shook his head: "His time is up, there is no cure."
Unless he is immediately taken to a modern hospital for emergency treatment, but that is impossible.
"..." Prince Qin was stunned for a moment. He looked at the place where 'Qin' was sitting in confusion, and had to catch his breath after saying half a sentence, "I think I heard... someone say... I am beyond saving..."
Meng Ao's eyes widened as he followed Qin Wangzichu's gaze. He could only see thin air, yet he inexplicably felt that someone was watching them.
However, he could only comfort Ying Zichu, saying, "Your Majesty, you must have misheard. There's no one there."
Prince Qin took a deep breath and said, "Never mind that, has the Prime Minister arrived yet?"
"Your subject Lü Buwei greets Your Majesty." Lü Buwei performed a deep bow respectfully. His eyes were filled with concern and sorrow as he looked at Ying Zichu, perhaps the most genuine expression of emotion among everyone present, including those from 'Qin'.
Although Qin was also saddened, she had lived a long life and was used to the separation of life and death. As long as the Qin people were buried within Qin territory, they were considered to have returned to her embrace. She lamented Ying Zichu's untimely death, but she did not find it particularly unacceptable.
"……come over."
Lü Buwei immediately stepped forward and, together with Meng Ao, occupied the positions in front of Ying Zichu, one on the left and one on the right.
Ying Zichu then looked at his eldest son, who was still so young. Even if he successfully ascended the throne, Queen Dowager Zhao Ji would have to act as regent. However, he did not trust Zhao Ji. He had never seen Zhao Ji's political abilities. Before he died, he thought of finding two trustworthy ministers for his son.
He rarely removed his dignified mask and gently called Ying Zheng over: "Zheng'er, from now on, your father will no longer be able to watch over you."
"I entrust you to... you two cough cough..." Ying Zichu took another breath and looked at Lü Buwei and Meng Ao with difficulty. "Prime Minister Lü and Minister Meng are both people I trust."
Lü Buwei, an old man, was immediately moved to tears by these words, though it was hard to say how many of those tears were genuine.
The next sentence was spoken to Ying Zheng: "If there's anything you don't understand in the future... you can ask them more questions..."
Ying Zichu was panting heavily, which frightened Qin. She suggested, "Why don't you lie down and rest a little longer..."
Ying Zichu looked towards the source of the blurry sound again, and this time he could see a faint human figure.
He was stunned for a moment, but felt no fear. Had some ancestor come to take him away...?
"I will remember Father's teachings," Ying Zheng said, following Ying Zichu's wishes. Under Ying Zichu's reassuring gaze, he placed his eldest son's hand on the hands of the two ministers and then handed the tiger tally to Lü Buwei.
"The Great Qin will... hand over..."
Ying Zichu struggled for a long time, but still couldn't get the words out completely.
"Your Majesty!"
"Father!"
The panicked and sorrowful cries of the crowd could not bring Ying Zichu back. In his last moments, he looked at the place that should have been deserted, where a dignified woman with a somber expression sat.
"Qin...Qin..."
He tried to raise his hand, wanting to get closer to her, but in the end, he only moved his fingertips slightly before falling silent again.
****
Zhu Qing'ai put away the AI-simulated audio. Ying Zichu definitely didn't know her and had no way of knowing the identity of her disguise.
But since he had been so cooperative, it would be unreasonable for her not to try her best, so she imitated Ying Zichu's voice and played those two indistinct "Qin" sounds.
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Author's Note: Zhu Qing'ai: Never forgets to find someone to endorse her pseudonym, √.
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For the first few days, I was determined to earn 10,000 points a day and get full attendance bonus, but today, the 4th, reality has already crushed me. I'll just stick to getting full attendance bonus every 6 days. As long as I'm fast enough, no difficulty can defeat me!
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