Several years after Ying Zheng ascended the throne, Grand Dowager Queen Huayang and Zhao Ji began contemplating the selection of a queen for him.
How could the ruler of a nation be without a queen?
Emissaries from the State of Qin, bearing their staffs of office, traveled to the six states east of the mountains to announce the matter. For a time, noblewomen from the royal houses of the six states flocked to Qin! Carriages and horses congested the Hangu Pass until it was impassable; the Great Qin appeared for all the world like the master of all under heaven.
Zhao Ji favored a woman from the State of Zhao, while Grand Dowager Queen Huayang, who hailed from the State of Chu, naturally hoped Ying Zheng would take a Chu princess as his queen.
In the Jade Maiden Shrine of the Qin palace, Ying Zheng vented his frustrations to Qingnu.
Qingnu gulped down a piece of meat and pointed toward Afang, who stood to one side. "Why not just marry Afang? You're childhood sweethearts. She's a girl from Zhao, so your mother would agree; and she has no powerful maternal clan, which satisfies Grand Dowager Queen Huayang."
It was practically perfect!
At Qingnu's gesture, Afang immediately lost her composure. She lowered her head and whispered, "Master, you shouldn't tease me so."
Ying Zheng glanced at Afang, sighed, and shook his head. "How could I let Afang enter the Qin palace? Wouldn't that be her ruin?"
Qingnu glanced at him and asked, "Does the Qin palace eat people?"
"With Grand Dowager Queen Huayang present and so many factions entrenched, what difference is there from eating people?" Ying Zheng shook his head, speaking slowly. "Afang is too gentle. It wouldn't work."
"Then marry the princesses of the six states! Marry all six of them!" Qingnu waved a hand grandly, grabbed a piece of meat from the offering table, and handed it to Ying Zheng. "Since the princesses all want to benefit their home states anyway, let them fight among themselves."
"A King of Great Qin should never have to worry about such trivialities!"
Ying Zheng took the meat she offered and remained silent for a long time. Then, he produced a silk handkerchief from somewhere and handed it to her. "Master, please clean your hands."
Qingnu tilted her head, wiped her hands, and asked, "Why are you carrying a silk handkerchief?"
"Master, have you forgotten? Years ago in Handan, you had to eat meat every day. When your hands got dirty, you would wipe them on your clothes. Afang and I began carrying silk handkerchiefs at all times for you to use."
Ying Zheng spoke softly.
Qingnu had a sudden realization; it seemed there was such a thing after all. She coughed lightly and waved her hand. "You're the King now. What does it look like, carrying a silk handkerchief all the time?"
"For Master, I am willing."
Oh! Truly a child she had raised; his tongue was as sweet as ever.
Qingnu waved him off happily. "Alright, alright. A major event like marriage is something I can't help you with. Off you go."
Ying Zheng gazed deeply at Qingnu, then bowed with Afang to take his leave.
Upon returning to the main hall, Ying Zheng turned to look at Afang. He said, "Afang, Gua Ren wants you to do something!"
Seeing his solemn expression, Afang immediately bowed her head. "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Ying Zheng beckoned her closer and whispered a few words.
...
With the princesses of the six states entering Qin, the solemn and austere Qin palace gained a touch of lively energy.
Under the arrangement of Grand Dowager Queen Huayang, the Chu princess, Mi Hua, met with Ying Zheng frequently. Zhao Ji, unwilling to be outdone, shoved princesses from Zhao and Qi his way in succession.
In the midst of this back-and-forth, Ying Zheng actually fell ill!
"Master, those two Dowager Queens are truly too much, forcing the King like this... Now that the King is ill, who knows how long it will take for him to recover." In the Jade Maiden Shrine, Afang spoke with an indignant face, looking at Qingnu. "Master, only you can help the King!"
Ill? She didn't remember this happening in history.
Qingnu looked at Afang suspiciously, then poked Hongluan, who was pecking at some rice. "Stop eating!"
Hongluan hopped up in irritation. "She's the one asking for help, why are you poking me!"
"I told you to look after him, but you only cared about eating! The child is sick and you didn't even know!" Qingnu rubbed the bird's head while grumbling.
Hongluan flapped a wing at her and snapped, "Didn't you just find out too? Stupid snake!"
At these words, Qingnu gave an embarrassed smile. She coughed and turned back to Afang. "But his mother and grandmother are the ones causing trouble. What use is there in finding me? Why don't you have him talk to the two Dowagers properly?"
Afang pursed her lips and shook her head. "The King only needs Master right now!"
Why did this feel like a little toddler crying for his mother because he was sick?
Qingnu sighed, feeling she might have spoiled the boy too much when he was younger. "Fine, fine. I'll make a trip then!"
Inside the sleeping quarters, Ying Zheng's complexion appeared somewhat pale. When he saw Qingnu enter, he called out to her with a wronged tone. "Master..."
Regardless of what the future held, a teenager in his teens was still at an age where he needed support. To grow into the First Emperor of history, the young Ying Zheng still had at least three major growths to experience.
"Did you truly suffer such a grievance?"
Hearing the tone of his voice, Qingnu shook her head with a click of her tongue. She walked to the bedside, looking at Ying Zheng who was staring intently at her from the bed. She soothed him gently, "Alright, alright, don't be angry. Master is here! Tell Master about your grievances."
Qingnu comforted him softly, just as she had when he was a child.
Ying Zheng reached out to grab her sleeve. "Master, the Qin palace is holding a great banquet tonight. Grand Dowager Queen Huayang and my mother want me to decide on a candidate for Queen!"
"Will Master go with me?"
"To back you up, right?" Hearing his words, Qingnu nodded understandingly. She patted his hand gently. "Don't worry. Since I raised you, I will naturally back you up!"
Hearing the first half of the sentence—'the child she raised'—Ying Zheng's eyes flickered slightly. He gave a light shout: "Men!"
Soon, Afang entered the chamber leading several palace maids and eunuchs.
"Attend to Master while she changes her attire!"
Qingnu was confused. "Why change clothes?"
Ying Zheng explained, "Master's current outfit is too simple. Those princesses and Grand Dowager Queen Huayang are not easy to deal with. You must change into something to bolster your aura!"
Qingnu didn't suspect a thing. She gave Ying Zheng a thumbs-up. "Not bad. Very thorough!"
It was just that... it was a bit too thorough.
Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, dressed in a magnificent black and red quju robe, Qingnu turned left and right. "Tsk... the aura is good indeed. Hey, make sure to take good care of my green dress!"
"Don't worry, Master. Just leave it to Afang." Afang nodded slightly and withdrew, carrying Qingnu's green dress.
Ying Zheng had already changed into his royal robes. Though still a youth, he stood eight feet tall—only about ten centimeters short of his recorded height in history. The solemn and majestic royal robes on his frame made him appear exceptionally dignified!
His eyes lit up as he saw Qingnu approaching, surrounded by attendants.
"Master... these clothes suit you very well!"
Qingnu muttered, "They suit me, but it wouldn't be good to outshine the host!"
"How could that be?" The corners of Ying Zheng's mouth curled into a smile as he shook his head slightly.
Accompanied by palace maids and eunuchs, the two arrived at the banquet hall. Ying Zheng glanced sideways at Afang, who understood his signal and quickly stepped forward.
Then, he took Qingnu's arm and whispered, "Master, be careful of the steps. Let me support you."
Hearing this, Qingnu's expression turned strange. "I'm not some old fogey, I can walk—"
The second half of her sentence caught in her throat.
She heard Afang announce in a loud, clear voice: "The King and the Queen have arrived!"
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