A flash of delight crossed Ying Zheng's face. But when he saw that Verdant Green Maiden wasn't wearing the robes of the Qin queen from back then, a trace of disappointment buried deep in his eyes inevitably surfaced.
He hurriedly lowered his head and cupped his hands toward Verdant Green Maiden. "Greetings, Master!"
"Master!"
Afang bowed behind Ying Zheng, paying her respects to Verdant Green Maiden.
Verdant Green Maiden flipped down from the palace wall and waved them both upright. "Up, up! Come, Zheng. This is my gift for your Capping Ceremony! You know I don't have much money. I just eat a lot, so don't mind it."
She stuffed the sacrificial meat in her hand into Ying Zheng's.
"Anything Master gives me is more precious than anything else!" Ying Zheng said earnestly, putting the meat away.
Seeing this, Afang stepped forward and raised a hand. "Your Majesty, let me take the sacrificial meat away. You haven't seen Master in years. You should have a good talk!"
Ying Zheng gave Afang an approving look. Only after she had left did Verdant Green Maiden narrow her eyes and say, "You brat, how are you bullying Afang? You grew up with her as childhood sweethearts. How can you treat her like a palace servant? You're getting bolder by the day!"
"It wasn't my intention. Afang insists on observing the rites between ruler and subject and wouldn't dare overstep."
Ying Zheng sighed.
By then, he was beginning to understand what it meant to be a ruler with no one to rely on.
"Master, would you walk with me?"
Verdant Green Maiden didn't refuse. She could tell Ying Zheng wasn't happy these days. But that was only natural. How could a good king be happy?
The two walked on in silence for quite some time before Ying Zheng finally broke it.
"My mother... has taken a male favorite. His name is Lao Ai."
At that, Verdant Green Maiden jolted and blinked. "Lao Ai? Then he..."
"He's going to rebel!"
Ying Zheng's gaze had turned completely cold as he spoke. "My mother supports him!"
"She actually supports a fake eunuch in scheming to seize my throne!"
"Master!"
Ying Zheng stopped and looked at Verdant Green Maiden, emotions surging in his eyes. "Master! Could anyone in this world really treat their own child like this? The two bastards she bore with Lao Ai are her children. What about me? Am I not her child too?"
"I've backed down again and again! I never thought they'd dare rebel! I want nothing more than to kill them!"
"But she's my mother!"
Ying Zheng was nearly two meters tall now. Standing beside him, Verdant Green Maiden had to tilt her head back to look at his face. Seeing his emotions surge, she rose onto her tiptoes and patted his head.
"Don't cry, don't cry. A king should be the one making others cry!"
Ying Zheng suddenly reached for Verdant Green Maiden's hand.
But Snake Girl was quick. She yanked her hand away from his claws and smacked him with the other, cursing, "You little brat..."
"Master, you're the only one I can rely on!"
Unable to catch her hand, Ying Zheng simply crouched down, lowering his gaze beneath Verdant Green Maiden's, just as he used to when he was little.
"You sure got down on your knees fast..."
Seeing him like that, Verdant Green Maiden's hand froze in midair. She waved it and said, "All right, all right. You're the king of Great Qin! What are you kneeling for? Get up."
Ying Zheng quickly stood. Together, they headed toward a grand hall in Yongcheng Palace. There, a woman dressed as a Palace Concubine stood with a little boy.
Afang waited quietly to one side.
"Your Majesty!"
The woman ran toward Ying Zheng in delight, leading the little boy along. But when she saw Verdant Green Maiden, she stopped short. A trace of reminiscence passed through her eyes, followed by indescribable shock, and she staggered back a step.
"Come here, Afang!" Verdant Green Maiden beckoned her over.
Afang walked over in small steps and bowed to Verdant Green Maiden. "Master, did you enjoy talking with His Majesty?"
"You silly girl, why are you being so formal?"
Verdant Green Maiden tapped Afang on the head, then glanced at Ying Zheng. "It was all right. I'm magnanimous, so I forgive you two for what you did back then!"
Only then did Afang relax. She nodded. "Thank you for forgiving us, Master!"
On the other side, the Palace Concubine stood holding the little boy's hand, staring blankly at Verdant Green Maiden. Ying Zheng introduced them. "Master, this is my consort, Mi Hua, the Chu Princess and daughter of Changping Jun. This is my child, Fusu."
"Fusu?"
Verdant Green Maiden's eyes lit up. She looked at the mother and son, crouched down, and beckoned to Little Fusu. "Fusu, come over to Master!"
Little Fusu hesitated. He looked up at Mi Hua, then at Ying Zheng.
Mi Hua pressed her lips together and let go of Fusu's hand. "Go on. That's your father's Master. You must respect her, understand?"
Little Fusu nodded innocently and walked over to Verdant Green Maiden. Though he was very young, he bowed with surprising composure. "Fusu greets Master!"
Verdant Green Maiden ruffled his hair and smiled. "What a good boy!"
"Master, why not be Fusu's Master too?"
Standing to one side and watching Verdant Green Maiden interact with Little Fusu, Ying Zheng suddenly made the suggestion.
At his words, Verdant Green Maiden blinked and turned to him. "You brat, are you making me the Qin Royal Family's hereditary Master?"
"I wouldn't dare!"
Ying Zheng immediately took a step back and cupped his hands toward Verdant Green Maiden.
Mi Hua hurriedly bowed as well. "Please don't be angry, Master. His Majesty didn't mean it that way."
"Enough, I'm only teasing you!"
Verdant Green Maiden waved a hand and pinched Little Fusu's cheek. "He's much better-looking than your father was as a child. You can tell he takes after your mother!"
"Mm..."
Little Fusu made a series of muffled sounds as his cheek was squeezed.
But Verdant Green Maiden didn't squeeze hard. He mumbled and grumbled, but didn't try to escape her grasp.
After a while, Verdant Green Maiden fell silent and let go of Little Fusu.
Little Fusu looked at her, then raised his hand and pressed it against her cheek. In a soft, childish voice, he asked, "Master, are you unhappy?"
Verdant Green Maiden looked at Little Fusu. After a long silence, she turned to Ying Zheng and asked, "Ying Zheng, did you do this on purpose?"
Why bring the whole family to the Capping Ceremony?
To guard against Lao Ai in Xianyang City?
They said Lao Ai was rebelling, but how many soldiers did he actually have? He was no match for Lu Buwei. Handing him over to Lu Buwei would have been much safer than bringing him along to Yong City! The journey had been arduous, and the little boy might not be able to endure it.
Ying Zheng had deliberately brought Fusu so she would see him!
When Verdant Green Maiden asked, Ying Zheng lowered his head and nodded. "As expected, I can't hide anything from you, Master."
"I beg you, Master: teach him to become a man, just as you taught me back then!"
As he spoke, Ying Zheng stepped back and bowed deeply to Verdant Green Maiden.
Mi Hua bowed as well.
Verdant Green Maiden's gaze fell on Little Fusu once more. Looking at the child of the boy she had once raised, she remained silent for a long time.
"If that's what you want... then so be it!"
She ruffled Little Fusu's hair. "Fusu, Fusu, grow up quickly. I'll keep you safe and sound, healthy and happy."
Before you continue