The maids were lively and the guards were respectful. If Qin Song hadn't just been released from his shackles, he would have thought that they were his family in Southern Chu. After bathing and grooming himself, he put on a white robe with long sleeves, a purple gold crown, a flawless jade, and a pair of soft deerskin boots. When he looked at himself again, he looked like a handsome young master who had walked out of a painting.
Qin Song finally had the chance to look at his current appearance in the mirror. He couldn't help but frown slightly. He didn't know if it was because the medicine prescribed by the so-called "divine doctor" was too miraculous or because of some other reason, but the wound on his face had already healed. Now, there was only a light pink mark the size of a fingertip left. Looking at Little Peach's amazed expression when she applied the medicine on his face every day, he was afraid that the scar was also fading and shrinking.
He couldn't use it to make an issue out of it anymore.
When he walked out of the room, Qin Song discovered that the courtyard that the King Of Qin used to imprison him was exquisitely renovated. When he was imprisoned, the willow had just sprouted tender shoots. Now, it was full of green and graceful.
"Young master," the maids saw that his footsteps were a little unsteady and said respectfully, "His Majesty asked us to prepare a palanquin for you …"
Qin Song shook his head and refused. Anyone who had been forced to lie in bed for more than ten days like him wouldn't have the intention to slack off. They would definitely move as much as they could.
Thus, the maids ordered someone to lead the way. She followed half a step behind Qin Song with her hands hanging down.
Qin Song still didn't know the name of the maids. Previously, when she was reading to him, she was unwilling to speak much and her attitude was somewhat arrogant. Qin Song thought that her arrogance was because she couldn't read. Now that he thought about it, she should be someone close to Ying Zheng.
Along the way, there were peach blossoms, Li Bai, and apricot blossoms, and endless beautiful scenery. It was a pity that Ying Zheng's banquet was too close, and before he could enjoy himself to the fullest, he arrived at his destination.
His reason was that Ying Zheng had summoned him, perhaps because he wanted to humiliate him by having him attend the banquet with Yi An and Qiu Yun. Or perhaps because he had recovered from his injury and wanted to come out to meet people to dispel the 'rumor' that 'Qin Song Gongzi was tortured by the King Of Qin'. But when he arrived at the banquet, he was stunned. The banquet was sumptuous, there were dancing and dancing, but only Ying Zheng was present at the banquet. There was a seat below him, but it was still empty — was this so-called banquet for him alone?
Just as his suspicions arose, he saw Ying Zheng beckoning with a smile and said, "Qin Song, come quickly. I've been waiting for you for a long time." Unexpectedly, he acted as if they were close friends.
Although he didn't know what Ying Zheng was planning, since he was already here, he might as well take things as they came. Qin Song stepped forward and sat down.
Ying Zheng clapped his hands, and the music of the dance started.
Ying Zheng said, "I've been busy with government affairs these past few days, so I haven't been able to visit you. I wonder if Qin Song has recovered? Have you been well these past few days? Have the servants been neglecting you? Qin Song is my honored guest. If there's any inconvenience, feel free to speak frankly. Please don't regard me as an outsider. "
Qin Song smiled and said, "Thank you very much." He didn't say much.
They hadn't seen each other for several days, but Ying Zheng's countenance was actually a lot more peaceful than before. The hostility on his body was almost completely swept away. Qin Song's heart shivered. In this world, there were many monarchs who were willing to accept remonstrances, but he had never heard of a monarch who would reflect on himself just because of a few words from a prisoner.
Ying Zheng said, "Looking at Qin Song's rosy complexion now, I presume you've been well nourished. Come, let me offer you a toast. "
Qin Song said his thanks again, raised his cup, and downed it in one gulp. However, as soon as the muddy yellow wine entered his throat, he couldn't help but cough loudly.
The youth coughed until he couldn't breathe. His cheeks were flushed red, and his eyes were faintly glistening. It really made people … Ying Zheng's breathing stopped for a moment, then he stood up and sat next to the youth. He patted his back to help him breathe and said, "It's my fault. Daqin's wine is a bit too strong for your Southern Chu … come, change …"
"No need," Qin Song finally managed to catch his breath and said, "I'll take this!"
A strong resentment rose in his heart. Damn, I've never drunk such bad wine in my life. It's as light as water, and the taste is so strange … but at least it still has a little taste of wine. If it was something even lighter, I'd rather drink water!
Ying Zheng advised, "Qin Song, there's no need to force yourself."
Qin Song finally reacted. The distance between him and Ying Zheng was really too close, especially when Ying Zheng's hand was still on his back. It looked like he was half-hugging him, which made him particularly unhappy. Thus, he moved sideways a little and waited for Ying Zheng to tactfully move back.
Ying Zheng seemed to not understand his meaning at all. He sat up straight and occupied the space that Qin Song had vacated. He sighed and said, "Qin Song can even choke when drinking wine. I can only be more at ease if I sit with you … it's also more convenient to talk this way."
Qin Song said, "Your Majesty, please do as you wish."
They were just sitting at the same table. Arguing with him would be disadvantageous.
He no longer paid attention to Ying Zheng. With one hand holding the pot and the other holding the cup, he began to drink by himself. His gaze fell on the young girl dancing in front of the courtyard. His fingers gently tapped on the cup, silently beating along with the music. He seemed to really regard himself as an honored guest of the Qin Palace. What a leisurely and contented appearance.
Ying Zheng was surprised for a moment and then recovered. He began to chat occasionally. Then, the casual expression on his face was gradually replaced by seriousness.
This young man was no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, and was famous for his zither songs and sword dances. Therefore, although Ying Zheng was attracted by his temperament and knew that he was quite intelligent, he did not think that this young man was very knowledgeable and talented. But after this small talk, he was surprised and indescribably surprised, and at the same time, disdain for Southern Chu rose in his heart. He thought, 'Someone with such outstanding knowledge and vision, but in the eyes of the people of Southern Chu, they only saw his zither songs and sword dances, and even sent him to Great Qin with such an inferior status.
He poured another cup for the young man and said with a smile, "Did you enjoy Qin Song to your heart's content today?"
Qin Song was a good wine. He did not refuse anyone. He drank it all in one gulp and sighed, "The tea is muddy and the wine is light. The song is mediocre and the dance is clumsy … It's just passable!"
Ying Zheng choked. He originally wanted to use this as an excuse to recruit the young man. He did not expect to receive such an evaluation. He could not help but feel annoyed. He had forgotten that in terms of drinking and pleasure, Daqin could not compare to Southern Chu. Moreover, this young man was one of the best among them. Just look at his title of Qin Song Gongzi.
Qin Song sighed and said, "The tea and wine are easy to talk about. If Your Majesty lets me go, I can let Your Majesty taste good wine and fragrant tea in less than three days. But the song and dance …"
He was slightly drunk at the moment. He stood up unsteadily and said, "The dancers I saw floated and turned back to the light snow, sweetly sending off the roaming dragon. The willow behind Xiao Chuang's hand is powerless. The clouds want to be born when the train is slanted. "
Ying Zheng did not take it seriously. Just as he was about to praise Qin Song for his excellent poem, he saw a sudden change in Qin Song's aura. It was as if his entire body had become light and ethereal, and every movement he made was accompanied by a wonderful rhythm. He casually raised his right arm, flicked his long sleeve lightly, and casually spun, brushed, twisted... Ying Zheng finally understood why this young man was famous for his dancing skills.
"Floated and turned back to the light snow, sweetly sending off the roaming dragon. The willow behind Xiao Chuang's hand is powerless. The clouds want to be born when the train is slanted … "He originally thought that the poem was too exaggerated, but now he felt that there was no other way to describe its beauty.
Before Ying Zheng could come back to his senses, Qin Song had already sat down. He sighed and said, "The singers I saw relied on their beauty to calm their spirit. They were able to blend their emotions. When resting, their emotions will not stop. Don't think too much … "
After shaking his head and sighing, he raised his cup and drank again.
Ying Zheng's heart itched unbearably. He said, "Since the song and dance are not pleasing to the eyes, I wonder if I would have the honor …"
Qin Song said indifferently, "I remember that Your Majesty invited me to attend the banquet, not to attend the banquet!"
Ying Zheng choked. He was used to being rebuffed in front of Qin Song. He had also been reminded several times, so he did not feel offended. He regretfully shook his head and let it go. Just as he was about to invite him out for a walk, he heard someone report that the Prime Minister had arrived.
Ying Zheng frowned slightly, but he still ordered someone to invite him in. Qin Song stood up. "Your Majesty has government affairs to attend to. I will take my leave now."
Ying Zheng grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back to sit down. He said, "There's no harm in listening."
Qin Song did not say anything else.
As Ying Zheng expected, the Prime Minister, Taishu Zhi, had come over for the matter of Lu Zijin.
The Daqin advocated military force, and its methods had always been simple and forceful. Previously, when its territory was small and the political situation was stable, it was not a big problem to act this way. But now that its territory had expanded by more than three times, there were frequent disturbances and endless troubles. When these Daqin officials dealt with it, it was difficult to make ends meet.
When Ying Zheng saw this situation, he boldly used the Liang person, Lu Zijin, and began to use him more and more. However, this caused the local powers to be dissatisfied. No matter what, they would nitpick and impeach him. The Prime Minister, Taishu Zhi, was one of the most forceful.
Taishu Zhi had come because of the recruitment hall that Lu Zijin had been ordered to build in the capital. He said that not only did it cost a lot of money and food, but the people who were recruited were either people who stole chickens and dogs or people who were useless and mediocre people who came to cheat food and drink. In the past few months, not a single serious talent had been found. Instead, the entire capital was in a foul atmosphere.
He gave many examples in a row to explain the harm of this group of people.
Ying Zheng was also somewhat hesitant. He subconsciously felt that building a recruitment hall to recruit people from all over the world was a good thing. But what Taishu Zhi said was also true. The recruitment hall had been built for a few months, but there were no results. Instead, it was harmful. If this continued …
Just as he was about to speak, he saw the young man beside him drinking wine with his head tilted back. He was moved and asked, "Qin Song, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Qin Song shook his head. "I don't know."
Taishu Zhi frowned. "Your Majesty, the important matters of the imperial court are not to be joked around with …"
Ying Zheng waved his hand to interrupt him. He said to Qin Song, "I know what you hate the most. If you give me a satisfactory answer today, I will promise you that I will not force you on this matter. How about it?"
Although Ying Zheng was lustful, he did not think that he would lose his mind because of this. He had always been very clear when it came to pleasure and business, but he was faintly losing control when it came to Qin Song. On one hand, he appreciated and even cherished the young man in front of him, but on the other hand, he was increasingly unable to control his desire for him.
He would give the young man a chance. If he was worthy, he would no longer regard him as a plaything on the couch. He would be willing to restrain himself a little. Although the young man moved his heart, he, Ying Zheng, had no lack of beauties.
Qin Song was silent for a moment. Suddenly, Human recited, "In the ancient times, there was a person who used a thousand gold to seek a thousand miles horse …"
Taishu Zhi impatiently interrupted, "What nonsense is this!"
Qin Song acted as if he did not hear and continued to recite. He was famous for his Qin Song. His voice was naturally very pleasant to listen to. It was clear, clean, and intoxicating. Even if he was just reciting, there seemed to be a lingering sound that lingered in the air.
"… 'Buying a dead horse for five hundred gold, what about a living horse? The world must have a king as the best horse, and the horse has arrived today! 'Thus, it cannot be expected that a thousand miles horse will arrive in three. "
After Qin Song finished speaking, Ying Zheng and Taishu Zhi were silent for a long time. After looking at each other, Taishu Zhi said, "But all of the people who came today are mediocre. We can't really put them to good use, right?"
Qin Song smiled faintly and said, "You have to ask me about this. Are you the Prime Minister or am I the Prime Minister? Do you want me to help you send them to Southern Chu to participate in the imperial examinations? "
Taishu Zhi was so angry that his beard was sticking up. "You! Bastard! "
"Qin Song's temper is like this. Prime Minister, don't take it to heart." Ying Zheng advised, then said, "Qin Song, it's time for you to apply medicine. I will send someone to send you back."
Relief time ended … Qin Song took a pear from the table and left leisurely while chewing on it.
Since then, Ying Zheng personally came over every few days to play chess and chat with him, or drink wine and have fun, or sail the boat on the lake … It was at this time that Qin Song had a moment of freedom. When he was bored, he faintly hoped that Ying Zheng would remember him. Although he knew that it was wrong to think this way, some instincts were hard to control.
Qin Song sighed. He really thought highly of him.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. The wound on his face was almost invisible, but Ying Zheng had no intention of letting him go. He reminded Ying Zheng once, but Ying Zheng didn't let him go for five days in a row. This made him very anxious, but he also knew that Ying Zheng was waiting for him to be anxious, to break down, and to give in.
At night, Qin Song was suddenly awakened by a noise. Recently, his five senses had become extremely sharp. There was no movement outside, but he heard shouting and barking in the distance.
Was this … an assassin?
Just as this thought arose, a black figure silently flipped in. As soon as he turned around, their eyes met.
The assassin obviously didn't expect the person inside to be awake, but his reaction was very fast. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately rushed over. He pinched Qin Song's chin and made him swallow a pill. He lowered his voice and said, "Don't shout. The maid outside has been knocked out by me. It's useless even if you shout! You ate my poison pill. If you don't have the antidote, the poison will take effect in less than half a month … Quickly find a way to hide me. When I am out of danger, I will send you the antidote. Otherwise … "
Qin Song sighed and interrupted his incessant rambling, "Don't you ever observe the situation before you act?"
The man in black was stunned, "What?"
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