At Least Three Growths

Years after Ying Zheng ascended the throne, Dowager Empress Huayang and Zhao Ji began considering whom to choose as Ying Zheng's queen.

How could a ruler of a state be without a queen?

Qin's envoys traveled to the Six States of Shandong bearing tallies, announcing the matter. In no time, the nobles and noble ladies of all six states poured into Qin! Carriages and horses clogged Hangu Pass until it was completely impassable. Great Qin looked every inch the master of the world.

Zhao Ji favored a woman from Zhao, while Dowager Empress Huayang, being born in Chu State, naturally hoped Ying Zheng would marry a Chu Princess as his queen.

In the Jade Maiden Shrine in Qin Palace, Ying Zheng poured out his troubles to Verdant Green Maiden.

Verdant Green Maiden swallowed the morsel of meat in her mouth and pointed at Afang beside her. "Why not marry Afang? You grew up together, childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree. She's from Zhao, so your mother would agree; and she has no maternal clan, so Dowager Empress Huayang would have nothing to object to either."

It was perfect, wasn't it?

When Verdant Green Maiden pointed at her, Afang immediately panicked. She lowered her head and murmured, "Master, you're always teasing me."

Ying Zheng glanced at Afang, sighed, and shook his head. "How could I bring Afang into Qin Palace? Wouldn't that be ruining her life?"

Verdant Green Maiden shot him a look. "Does Qin Palace eat people?"

"With Dowager Empress Huayang there and so many factions entrenched in the palace, how is that any different from being eaten alive?"

Ying Zheng shook his head and spoke slowly. "Afang is too gentle. It won't do."

"Then marry the Princesses of the Six States! Marry all six!"

Verdant Green Maiden waved her hand grandly, picked up a piece of meat from the offering table, and handed it to Ying Zheng. "The princesses all want to secure benefits for their maternal clans anyway. Let them fight among themselves."

"The king of Great Qin should never have to worry about such things!"

Ying Zheng accepted the meat from Verdant Green Maiden and fell silent for a long while. Then, from somewhere, he produced a handkerchief and offered it to her. "Master, please clean your hands."

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

"Have you forgotten? Back when we were in Handan, you ate meat every day. Whenever your hands got dirty, you wiped them on your clothes, so Afang and I always carried handkerchiefs for you to use."

Ying Zheng spoke gently.

Verdant Green Maiden suddenly remembered. It seemed something like that had happened.

She gave a dry cough and waved a hand. "You're the king now. What would it look like to carry a handkerchief around?"

"I'm happy to carry one for you, Master."

Oh, my!

As expected of a child she'd raised from the time he was little—he certainly knew how to sweet-talk her.

Verdant Green Maiden cheerfully waved Ying Zheng away. "All right, all right. A major matter like marriage and choosing a queen won't be solved by coming to me. Off you go."

Ying Zheng looked deeply at Verdant Green Maiden, then bowed and took his leave with Afang.

Back in the Grand Hall, Ying Zheng turned and fixed his gaze on Afang. "Afang, I have something I want you to do!"

Seeing his grave expression, Afang immediately lowered her head and bowed. "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 Qin Palace gained a little more liveliness.

At Dowager Empress Huayang's arrangement, Chu Princess Mi Hua often met with Ying Zheng. Zhao Ji was so annoyed that she sent Princess Zhao and Princess Qi over as well.

In the end, Ying Zheng actually fell ill!

"Master, those two empress dowagers really are something, pressuring the Great King like this... Now that he's fallen ill, who knows how long it'll take him to recover?"

In the Jade Maiden Shrine, Afang looked indignant as she gazed at Verdant Green Maiden. "Master, you're the only one who can help the Great King!"

Ill? How come she didn't remember that happening in history?

Verdant Green Maiden looked at Afang suspiciously, then poked Hong Luan, who was pecking at the rice. "Stop eating!"

Hong Luan immediately hopped up in protest. "You're the one she's asking for help! Why are you poking me?"

"I asked you to keep a good eye on him, but you've been too busy stuffing your face! You didn't even notice the child was sick!" Verdant Green Maiden grumbled as she rubbed Hong Luan's head.

Hong Luan smacked her with a wing. "You only just found out yourself! Stupid Snake!"

At that, Verdant Green Maiden gave an awkward smile. She cleared her throat and turned to Afang. "But this is his mother and grandmother stirring up trouble. What good would it do to come to me? Why not ask him to have a proper talk with the two empress dowagers?"

Afang pressed her lips together and shook her head. "Right now, the Great King only needs Master."

Why did that sound so much like a little child falling ill and insisting that only their mother would do?

Verdant Green Maiden sighed, feeling she'd spoiled the children too much when they were young.

"All right, all right. I'll go, then!"

In the bedchamber, Ying Zheng looked somewhat pale. When he saw Verdant Green Maiden enter, he called to her in a plaintive voice. "Master..."

Whatever the future held, a boy in his teens still needed someone to support him.

For the young Ying Zheng to grow into the First Emperor recorded in history, he still had to go through at least three more stages of growth.

"You've suffered such a grievance?"

Hearing the plaintive note in his voice, Verdant Green Maiden shook her head with a cluck of disapproval. She went to the bed and looked at Ying Zheng, who was lying there and gazing fixedly at her, then gently comforted him. "There, there. Don't be upset. Master's here! Tell me what's troubling you."

Verdant Green Maiden soothed him softly, just as she had when he was little.

Ying Zheng reached out and tugged at her sleeve. "Master, there's a grand banquet in Qin Palace tonight. Dowager Empress Huayang and Mother want me to choose my queen!"

"Will you come with me, Master?"

"You want me to back you up, is that it?"

Hearing this, Verdant Green Maiden nodded in understanding and patted his hand lightly. "Don't worry. Since I raised you, I'll naturally stand up for you!"

At the words "the child she raised," Ying Zheng's gaze flickered. He gave a soft chuckle. "Attendants!"

Soon, Afang entered the bedchamber with a crowd of palace maids and eunuchs.

"Attend to Master and help her change!"

Verdant Green Maiden was baffled. "Why do I need to change?"

Ying Zheng explained, "Your clothes are too plain. Those Princesses of the Six States and Dowager Empress Huayang won't be easy to deal with. You need something more imposing!"

Verdant Green Maiden didn't suspect a thing. She gave Ying Zheng a thumbs-up. "Good. You've thought of everything!"

Except...

He might have thought of a little too much.

Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, dressed in a luxurious black-and-red curved-hem robe, Verdant Green Maiden turned this way and that. "Tsk... It's certainly imposing. Hey, make sure you take good care of my dress!"

"Don't worry, Master. Leave it to Afang." Afang gave a slight nod, then left with Verdant Green Maiden's blue-green dress in her hands.

Ying Zheng had already changed into his royal robes. Though still a boy, he stood eight feet tall, only a little over ten centimeters shorter than the height recorded in history. The solemn royal robes made him look all the more majestic and dignified!

When he saw Verdant Green Maiden approach, surrounded by palace attendants, his eyes lit up.

"Master... Those clothes really suit you!"

Verdant Green Maiden muttered, "They suit me, sure, but it wouldn't do to steal the show!"

"How could you?"

Ying Zheng smiled, shaking his head slightly.

Surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, the two made their way to the banquet hall. Ying Zheng glanced at Afang, and she immediately understood. She hurried ahead.

Then he took Verdant Green Maiden by the arm and murmured, "Master, watch the steps. I'll help you."

Verdant Green Maiden gave him a strange look. "I'm not some old thing. Why would I need help walking—"

The rest of her words caught in her throat.

Afang's voice rang out: "The Great King and the Queen have arrived!"

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