At Least Three Growths Must Be Experienced

A few years after Ying Zheng ascended the throne, Dowager Empress Huayang and Zhao Ji began to consider choosing a Queen for Ying Zheng.

How could a ruler of a nation be without a Queen?

Qin envoys, holding their credentials, traveled to the Six States of Shandong to announce this matter. In an instant, nobles and daughters from the six states flocked to Qin! Carriages and horses blocked Hangu Pass so tightly that water could not flow through. Great Qin appeared as if it were the ruler of the world.

Zhao Ji favored a Zhao Woman, while Dowager Empress Huayang, being from Chu, naturally hoped Ying Zheng would marry the Chu Princess as his Queen.

In the Jade Maiden Shrine of the Qin Palace, Ying Zheng complained to Verdant Green Maiden.

Verdant Green Maiden swallowed the food in her mouth and pointed to Afang beside her, saying, "Why not marry Afang? Childhood sweethearts, innocent playmates. She's a Zhao Woman, so your mother would agree; and without a powerful maternal clan, Dowager Empress Huayang would also be appeased."

It was perfect, wasn't it!

Afang, pointed at by Verdant Green Maiden, immediately panicked and whispered, head bowed, "Master always teases me."

Ying Zheng glanced at Afang, sighed, and shook his head, saying, "How can I let Afang enter the Qin Palace? Wouldn't that be harming her?"

Verdant Green Maiden glanced over and asked, "Does the Qin Palace eat people?"

"With Dowager Empress Huayang here, and so many factions entrenched, how is it any different from eating people?"

Ying Zheng shook his head and said slowly, "Afang is too delicate, it won't do."

"Then marry the princesses of the Six States! Marry six of them!"

Verdant Green Maiden waved her hand grandly, grabbed a piece of meat from the offering table, and handed it to Ying Zheng, saying, "Anyway, the princesses are all thinking of benefiting their own maternal clans, let them fight amongst themselves."

"The King of Great Qin should never have to consider such matters!"

Ying Zheng took the meat Verdant Green Maiden handed him, was silent for a long time, and then produced a silk handkerchief from somewhere, handing it to Verdant Green Maiden, "Master, please wash your hands."

Verdant Green Maiden tilted her head, wiped her hands, and asked, "Why do you carry a silk handkerchief with you?"

"Has Master forgotten? Back when we were in Handan, Master ate meat every day, and when your hands got dirty, you'd wipe them on yourself. Afang and I always carried silk handkerchiefs for Master to wipe his hands."

Ying Zheng said slowly.

Verdant Green Maiden suddenly understood, it seemed like such a thing had happened.

She coughed lightly, waved her hand, and said, "You're the King now, what does it look like to carry a silk handkerchief around!"

"I carry it for Master, Zheng is willing."

Oh my!

As expected of a child raised from a young age, his words are so sweet.

Verdant Green Maiden grinned happily and waved at Ying Zheng, saying, "Alright, alright, this is a big matter like marriage and establishing a Queen, finding me is useless, you can go."

Ying Zheng cast a deep glance at Verdant Green Maiden, bowed with Afang, and took their leave.

Returning to the main hall, Ying Zheng turned to face Afang and said, "Afang, I need you to do something for me!"

Seeing his solemn expression, Afang immediately lowered her head and asked, "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, a bit more liveliness was added to the solemn and majestic Qin Palace.

Under Dowager Empress Huayang's arrangements, the Chu Princess Mi Hua often met with Ying Zheng. Zhao Ji, unable to stand it, pushed both the Zhao Princess and the Qi Princess on him.

Through these interactions, Ying Zheng actually fell ill!

"Master, you say these two Dowager Empresses are truly something, to pressure the Great King like this... With the Great King falling ill, who knows how long it will take for him to recover."

In the Jade Maiden Shrine, Afang said indignantly to Verdant Green Maiden, "Master, only you can help the Great King!"

He's ill?

How come she didn't remember this happening in history?

Verdant Green Maiden glanced suspiciously at Afang, poked Hong Luan, who was pecking at rice, and said, "Stop eating!"

Hong Luan immediately jumped up, "You're looking for my help, why are you poking me!"

"I told you to watch properly, but you're just eating! You don't even know the child is sick!" Verdant Green Maiden grumbled, rubbing Hong Luan's bird head.

Hong Luan flapped a wing, cursing, "Didn't you just find out too? Stupid Snake!"

Hearing this, Verdant Green Maiden chuckled sheepishly. She coughed lightly, looked at Afang, and asked again, "But this is his mother and grandmother causing trouble, what use is it to find me? Why don't you have him talk to those two Dowager Empresses properly?"

Afang pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "The Great King needs only Master now!"

Why did this feel like a small child throwing a tantrum and only wanting their mother?

Verdant Green Maiden sighed, feeling she had spoiled the child too much when he was younger.

"Alright, alright, I'll go then!"

In the sleeping chambers, Ying Zheng's complexion appeared somewhat pale. Seeing Verdant Green Maiden enter, he called out to her with a hint of grievance, "Master..."

No matter what the future held, a ten-something-year-old boy still needed support.

To grow into the First Emperor of history, the young Ying Zheng at this moment still had to undergo at least three stages of growth.

"You've suffered such grievances?"

Hearing the tone of her voice, Verdant Green Maiden clicked her tongue and shook her head. She walked to the bedside, looked at Ying Zheng, who was lying on the bed staring intently at her, and gently comforted him, "There, there, don't be upset, Master is here! Tell Master about your grievances."

Verdant Green Maiden softly comforted (him), just like when (he) was a child.

Ying Zheng raised (his) hand and grabbed Verdant Green Maiden's sleeve, saying, "Master, tonight the Qin Palace is holding a grand banquet. Dowager Empress Huayang and Mother want me to decide on the Queen candidate!"

"Master, will you accompany me?"

"To back you up, right?"

Hearing Ying Zheng's words, Verdant Green Maiden understood and nodded, gently patting his hand, saying, "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, and he let out a soft snort, "Someone!"

Soon, Afang, along with many palace maids and eunuchs, entered the sleeping quarters.

"Serve Master and help (him) change clothes!"

Verdant Green Maiden was confused and asked, "Why change clothes?"

Ying Zheng explained, "Master's attire is too plain. Those princesses of the Six States and Dowager Empress Huayang are not easy to deal with. You need to change into something to boost your presence!"

Verdant Green Maiden didn't suspect anything and gave Ying Zheng a thumbs-up, saying, "Not bad, very thorough!"

It's just...

A bit too thorough.

Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, dressed in a black and red luxurious quju robe, Verdant Green Maiden turned left and right, saying, "Tsk... the presence is good. Hey, hey, take good care of my original dress!"

"Master, don't worry. Leave it to Afang." Afang nodded slightly, holding Verdant Green Maiden's green dress and retreating.

Ying Zheng had already changed into his royal robes. Although still a youth, he was eight feet tall, only about ten centimeters shorter than his historical height. The solemn and majestic royal robes made him appear even more dignified and extraordinary!

He saw Verdant Green Maiden approaching, surrounded by palace attendants, and his eyes lit up.

"Master... this outfit suits you very well!"

Verdant Green Maiden muttered, "It suits me, but it's not good if it overshadows the host!"

"How could that be?"

Ying Zheng smiled, shaking his head.

The two, surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, arrived at the palace room for the grand banquet. Ying Zheng glanced at Afang, and Afang, understanding his intent, quickly walked ahead.

Then, he helped Verdant Green Maiden's arm and whispered, "Master, be careful of the steps. I'll support you."

Verdant Green Maiden heard this and her expression turned strange, saying, "I'm not an old geezer, walking a..."

Her unfinished sentence got stuck in her throat.

Only then did Afang loudly announce, "Great King, the Queen has arrived!"

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