Bai Nearly Got Renamed "Bai Jingzi" by Consort Yu / The Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai / Sigh, Consort Yu, I Love You

Lao Bai Nearly Got Renamed Bai Jingzi by Consort Yu

Fusu ran very fast, but the brick Bai Ming threw was even faster. The brick grew larger and larger as it flew, pinning Fusu directly to the ground.

You teased Fusu a few times, then forged an Iron Bamboo Scroll for him. While supervising repairs to the Mount Tai mountain road, you taught Fusu how to smash people quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly.

Fusu learned the Art of Controlling Objects.

Time passed, and the mountain road repairs were nearing completion. Meanwhile, Fusu took all the work concerning your marriage off your hands.

Although Zhao Gao intended to make things difficult for you, the matter at hand concerned the First Emperor's Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai. Not only did he refrain from doing anything improper, but he also ran around making arrangements to ensure the ceremony went smoothly.

And so, you and Consort Yu simply stared quietly at each other without saying anything.

Consort Yu carefully studied Bai Ming.

She had many questions about herself that she wanted to ask him, but Bai Ming always acted like an enigmatic riddler, making it difficult for her to speak.

As for how he treated her, Bai Ming really had been rather good to her. He simply bought her clothes and food. Such actions, devoid of ulterior motives, made Consort Yu, who had always despised humans, somewhat curious.

She was gloomy, sharp-tongued, and bad-tempered, yet this human tolerated all of it.

What exactly did this human want?

These doubts had been circling through Consort Yu's mind ever since she met Bai Ming.

At last, Consort Yu could no longer hold back. "Are we just going to keep staring at each other?"

"I don't know what I should talk to you about."

Bai Ming naturally felt that, given the current circumstances, there was nothing he could discuss with Consort Yu.

After all, Consort Yu had not previously interacted with human society, and she knew even less about earlier times.

Even if he wanted to discuss the Zhou Emperor's rumored "six foods, six drinks, six delicacies, a hundred flavors, a hundred sauces, and eight treasures," Consort Yu would only be utterly confused and understand nothing.

Bai Ming's words made Consort Yu frown. She felt a little awkward.

If she were her future self, she would definitely complain that this awkwardness was as suffocating as a blind date where neither side had broken the ice. But the current Consort Yu was simply a little fool who had spent barely over a year in human society.

Consort Yu's throat moved slightly. At last, her thin lips parted. "Anything is fine, as long as we aren't sitting here awkwardly like this."

"You've been in human society for more than a year now. How do you feel about this life?"

"How do I feel...?"

Consort Yu fell into thought. After a moment, she spoke with great seriousness. "Other than the fact that you refuse to tell me what your name really is, everything is quite good. But I still hate human civilization. If you want me to come to like human civilization, then give up on that idea."

Consort Yu's words directly killed the conversation. After saying them, she realized they were somewhat inappropriate and unconsciously began playing with her beautiful long hair.

"Then call me Xiang Yu, Xiang Ji, or Bai Ming."

"..."

Consort Yu remained silent.

Bai Ming spread his hands. "See? You're unhappy if I don't tell you, but after I tell you, you don't want to call me by it."

"They're all fake names," Consort Yu said.

"I never said the names were fake. I told you before that I was active in different eras, so my name changed."

Consort Yu still looked icy. "Then I want your very first name."

"Bai Ming."

Consort Yu fell even more silent.

The name was not as mighty and imposing as she had imagined. It was hard to imagine that such a valiant man would have a name like that.

"What is your courtesy name?"

"I don't have one. Is it not allowed to have no courtesy name?"

Consort Yu did not understand Bai Ming's hidden meaning, but she did not pay much attention to it. She merely assumed that she had not been involved with human society long enough and did not yet understand human customs.

But Consort Yu knew there were four ways to choose a courtesy name.

The first was for the courtesy name to explain the given name, meaning their meanings were the same. The second was for the courtesy name to continue from the given name, meaning their meanings followed one another. The third was for them to be related but not entirely so, meaning their meanings were similar. The fourth was for the courtesy name to be opposite to, or entirely unrelated to, the given name.

In the Qin era, Ji was pronounced like "ji," while magpie was pronounced like "que." Ji was used as a phonetic loan for magpie, which was why the courtesy name was Yu.

Thus, Consort Yu said, "You're lying. The Yu in your Xiang Yu is clearly the courtesy name of your Xiang Ji."

"I didn't lie," Bai Ming replied without reacting at all.

Consort Yu fell silent. This human's expression is so calm. He probably isn't lying to me. Then she said, "Then let it be so. Since you have no courtesy name, I'll give you one, as repayment for the name you gave me."

After saying that, Consort Yu left.

After seeing Consort Yu leave, Fusu hurried over to Bai Ming in a few quick strides. "Master, what was that about?"

Bai Ming shook his head. He truly could not claim to understand the current Consort Yu, so he had no idea what she was thinking.

The Mount Tai road repairs were completed, and Consort Yu had read many bamboo slips. Before the First Emperor was ready to take his civil and military officials to Mount Tai for the Feng and Shan sacrifices, Consort Yu ran toward you.

Consort Yu ran so urgently that she tripped over the threshold and plunged straight into Bai Ming's arms.

Yet she still wore a cold expression, though a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Consort Yu said excitedly:

"Ming means brightness. It takes moonlight from the moon, and brightness from a window. It means clarity and brilliance. The Discourses of the States, Discourses of Zhou, also says, 'Ming is pure whiteness.' How about Jing for your courtesy name? Your Daoist title—"

In Qin small-seal script, the character for Ming had a window component on the left and moon on the right. Bai Ming had listened to the first half, but before Consort Yu could say the latter half, he covered her mouth.

Bai Ming had a senior brother named Chi Jingzi, and Consort Yu had clearly intended to give Bai Ming an outrageous title: Bai Jingzi.

If that Daoist title got out, it would probably make the enemy laugh to death before it could scare them away.

"What are you doing?"

Consort Yu broke free from Bai Ming's hand and said irritably, "If you don't like it, I prepared an alternative. Your courtesy name can be Qing. How about it?"

"I have no objections."

Naturally, Bai Ming had no objections. After all, Lao Bai had a unique method for sensing Consort Yu's—Akuta Hinako's—pressure.

He did not want Consort Yu, who was already nearing the limits of her patience, to get blood all over his clean clothes.

"Then I'll just call you that."

After Consort Yu gave you a courtesy name and you received Qing as your courtesy name, you departed for Mount Tai with the First Emperor's entourage.

Of course, poor Fusu still could not go with them. He was still acting as regent.

Along the way, Consort Yu, as a female official who remained at your side instead of going out to sea with the Confucian scholars and fangshi like Xu Fu to seek traces of immortals, drew considerable attention.

Consort Yu did not care about the humans' gazes. She merely walked quietly beside you, while the civil officials, especially the Confucian court scholars led by Chunyu Yue, gnashed their teeth at you.

The Feng and Shan Sacrifices at Mount Tai / Ah, Consort Yu, I Love You

The grand procession traveled in great splendor until it reached the foot of Mount Tai.

Chunyu Yue advised, "Since ancient times, every emperor who performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai fasted, bathed, abstained from meat, ate vegetarian food, and changed clothes after bathing. Your Majesty should fast and eat vegetarian food for three days in accordance with ritual."

The First Emperor looked at the newly repaired, winding mountain road and could not help feeling pleased. But after hearing Chunyu Yue's words, his mood soured instead.

Still, considering the implications, since he had accepted the theories of the virtues of the Five Elements from the Qi-Lu region, he ought to observe some of the rules as well.

Seeing that his remonstrance had worked, Chunyu Yue was just about to press his advantage when he heard Bai Ming speak.

"This poor Daoist has a question and hopes Doctor Chunyu can enlighten me."

Chunyu Yue did not understand, but seeing someone he disliked come to ask him a question, he naturally intended to seize the chance to vent his pride.

"You've traveled across mountains and lands, yet I never expected you to be so ignorant. Ask."

Bai Ming did not care about the jab in Chunyu Yue's words. "May I ask which three animals make up the sacrificial Three Animals?"

"What is difficult about that? The greater three are ox, sheep, and pig. The lesser three are pig, fish, and chicken."

"Are they meat?"

"They are. So what?"

Chunyu Yue instinctively felt that something was wrong, yet he could not say what it was.

Bai Ming said, "Even when making sacrifices to Heaven, meat is offered. By that logic, even Heaven eats meat. So what is wrong with His Majesty the First Emperor eating meat?"

"This—"

Chunyu Yue hesitated, while Bai Ming stepped forward, his tone fierce.

"What do you mean, 'this'? Let me ask you again. Since the Zhou Emperor was called the Son of Heaven, he was Heaven's son. Great Qin replaced Zhou, so His Majesty the First Emperor is the one favored by Heaven's mandate. Whether he eats meat or not is something for Heaven and His Majesty to discuss. Do you think you can defy the natural laws of Heaven and Earth? Defy the vast sky and fertile land? Or do you think you are the reincarnation of King Zhuangxiang of Qin?"

The First Emperor, who had been enjoying the show from the side, could not keep himself composed after hearing that. Still, he tacitly approved of Bai Ming disgustingly tormenting Chunyu Yue—mainly because Bai Ming and Consort Yu truly were immortals, and they could not possibly act recklessly in ritual matters.

Chunyu Yue's expression changed drastically. For an instant, he felt his entire clan of three generations leaving him behind. He immediately backed away several steps to prevent Bai Ming from suddenly beating him up, then shouted angrily:

"You silver-tongued thieving Daoist, stop twisting words and making trouble! This has been the ritual custom since ancient times."

"There were no emperors since ancient times. Are you asking me to condemn myself?"

The First Emperor's single sentence made Chunyu Yue kneel directly before him. Terrified, he said, "This subject would not dare."

Zhao Gao added another blow at that moment. "You do not dare, not that you do not wish to."

Chunyu Yue lay prostrate on the ground without moving.

Consort Yu followed behind Bai Ming, quietly learning his sharp tongue and his ability to twist words and argue shamelessly.

The First Emperor gave a cold snort and ignored the Confucian court scholars of Qi and Lu.

The First Emperor led his officials in burning incense and bathing for three days, while you and Consort Yu took some of the Confucian scholars and fangshi ahead to prepare the next stages of the Feng and Shan ceremony.

Surrounded by his entourage, the First Emperor began climbing the mountain.

Along the way, everyone lit torches and burned incense and candles, using firelight and smoke to convey the worshippers' reverence to Heaven.

The vast crowd ascended Mount Tai by the southern path. At the temple on Jade Emperor Peak, the First Emperor worshipped Heaven and the gods, then personally recited the first offering, second offering, and final offering to inform his ancestors.

He then built a round altar atop Mount Tai to repay Heaven's merit, erected a stone stele praising the First Emperor of Qin's great achievements and virtues, and proclaimed the legitimacy of his investiture.

Afterward, under your guidance, the First Emperor held a banquet at Mount Tai's summit, inviting the spirits of Heaven and Earth, along with the civil and military officials.

During the banquet, Consort Yu could not help muttering, "This sort of thing is simply too much trouble."

"It can't be avoided."

Bai Ming sighed. Consort Yu looked displeased. "I should have stayed in Xianyang City and worked on that artificial human of yours. The thing up there is too dangerous. It has to be dismantled. How can you ensure peace throughout the realm after making it like that?"

Bai Ming's expression turned subtle. "I have my own plan."

Consort Yu paused for a moment, then declared righteously, "I don't understand. Say something I can understand."

Bai Ming shook his head and sighed, then said out of nowhere, "Ah, Consort Yu, I love you."

Consort Yu showed no reaction upon hearing that. She merely silently used her hair to cover her ears.

Then she said, "Drink less. You're already out of your mind."

Bai Ming did not care.

He merely sighed inwardly.

What a wonderful girl she is now. Just what happened to turn her into that irritable, resentful woman who cursed at me?

What made Bai Ming feel conflicted was that Consort Yu wanted to work on Kuaiji Zero for him. Judging from how things were developing now—

The name Bai Ming had casually given before had already become an independent Xiang Yu ahead of time, rather than the Xiang Yu named by another robot-obsessed Xiang Liang.

In other words, when he had called Akuta Hinako a gloomy, shut-in old virgin for two thousand years, he had very likely thrown out a boomerang.

He could already imagine Akuta Hinako's smug mockery. At worst, when he returned, he could keep pretending not to know.

"How could you think this kind of wine could get me drunk?"

Consort Yu stared at Bai Ming for a long time. Once she confirmed that he was indeed completely sober, she never paid him any attention again.

Her heart rose and fell, restless and uncertain.

After the banquet, everyone prepared to descend by the northern slope. The Phoenix Fire you had arranged beforehand flew through the sky. Chunyu Yue, knowing he had displeased the First Emperor and that his clan of three generations—even nine generations—was in danger, immediately proclaimed that this was an auspicious omen, signifying that Great Qin harmonized water and fire, possessed great merit and virtue, and followed the natural course of Heaven.

The outsider gifted at seeking pleasure, activated.