Ying Zheng’s expression calmed as he mocked, “Does the Empress Dowager know who I am?”
A flicker of panic flashed in Zhao Yuanxi’s eyes. Good heavens! Asking such a dangerous question! If I answer truthfully, you’ll just get upset again.
Seeing her remain silent, Ying Zheng confirmed his suspicion and raised an eyebrow. “I am Lord Changping, Mi Qi.”
“I know, I know! How could I not know! Hahaha—” Zhao Yuanxi forced an awkward laugh, wishing she could just bang her head against a block of tofu and end it all.
Mi Qi was the son of a Qin princess and King Kaolie of Chu, making him the nephew of King Zhuangxiang of Qin and cousin to King Ying Zheng of Qin.
Zhao Yuanxi’s mouth twitched. She must have been influenced by Empress Dowager Zhao’s memories—why else would she suspect every man she saw of being Empress Dowager Zhao’s secret lover?
My dear nephew, I’m so sorry!
“Qi’er, what brings you here? Did Zheng’er send you to find me?” Zhao Yuanxi tried to steer the conversation away from the previous topic, her attitude becoming exceptionally warm.
Zhao Yuanxi inwardly wailed—her impeccable reputation was ruined!
“Just now, the Empress Dowager said—”
Zhao Yuanxi hurriedly interrupted, “Stop! My memory is poor, and sometimes I talk nonsense. Qi’er, pay no mind to it. Have you eaten? Why don’t we have a meal first?”
Ying Zheng chuckled softly.
Soon, the lunch Zhao Yuanxi had just prepared was laid out on the table.
A pot of Fresh Bamboo Shoot and Pork Rib Soup, three large bowls of Oil-splashed Noodles, and since there was an extra person, Zhao Yuanxi added a serving of Stir-fried Pork and Chive and Egg Stir-fry.
The Qin State practiced individual meal servings, so this was Ying Zheng’s first time sitting around a table with others, faced with foods he had never eaten before.
For a moment, he was at a loss about what to do.
Seeing him holding his chopsticks motionless, Zhao Yuanxi thought he didn’t like the food. “These are Oil-splashed Noodles, made from wheat flour. Give them a try. If you don’t like them, I can have someone bring you a bowl of Foxtail Millet Rice.”
“The Oil-splashed Noodles are delicious. Uncle Mi, if you’re not going to eat yours, can I have it?” Ziying slurped the noodles from his own bowl while eyeing Ying Zheng’s portion, his cheeks stuffed full.
“Most people keep an eye on the pot while eating from their bowl, but you—you eat from your own bowl while eyeing others’. Did I not let you eat your fill?” Zhao Yuanxi sighed helplessly, serving him a bowl of pork rib soup and, in passing, serving one to Ying Zheng as well.
Noticing his discomfort, Zhao Yuanxi smiled reassuringly. “No need to stand on ceremony. Just treat this as a simple family meal.”
Ying Zheng remained silent, his gaze fixed on Zhao Yuanxi’s right hand.
He remembered clearly the scar on the woman’s left index finger—it was from when he had fallen ill, and the Empress Dowager had burned her hand while preparing medicine.
Had her body not changed?
He lowered his head in thought, then imitated Ziying by mixing the noodles thoroughly before taking a bite.
The intense flavor of scallions, combined with the spiciness of mustard seeds, instantly spread through his entire body. The strong sensation made him cough uncontrollably, his face turning bright red.
The Qin State had limited seasonings, so Zhao Yuanxi had used every available flavoring. The oil was infused with Sichuan peppercorns, and the noodles were topped with chopped scallions and mustard seed powder. The taste was savory, fragrant, and spicy—a stark contrast to the boiled dishes Qin people were accustomed to, making it hard to adjust to all at once.
Ying Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly and noticed her lowering her head to suppress a laugh. Was she laughing at his expense?
Seeing his displeasure, Zhao Yuanxi quickly said, “If it’s too spicy, have a sip of soup. I didn’t add much to this soup—I promise it’s the original flavor.”
The milky-white broth exuded a subtle, fresh aroma and indeed appeared harmless.
Ying Zheng only took a small sip this time. The moment the flavor touched his tongue, a gleam flashed in his eyes.
It truly was excellent—
Though Ying Zheng usually had few demands regarding food, this didn’t mean he’d never tasted delicious dishes. He simply saw no need to waste time on such matters.
But today’s meal made him think that perhaps having the kitchen staff improve their culinary skills could genuinely bring him more joy.
After drinking the soup, he tried the bowl of noodles and found them unexpectedly acceptable—even growing more delicious with each bite.
For the first time, Ying Zheng felt slightly bloated from eating too much.
After finishing his meal, Ziying lay directly on the mat, rubbing his full stomach with satisfaction.
Zhao Yuanxi wiped the child’s face and patted his bottom. “Get up. I’ll take you for a walk later.”
“Is Uncle Mi coming too?” Ziying rolled over, landing right beside Ying Zheng.
The child’s proximity made Ying Zheng stiffen instinctively, his eyes darting toward Zhao Yuanxi.
Watching the unrelated pair who nonetheless shared a resemblance, Zhao Yuanxi chuckled and lifted Ziying by the scruff of his neck. “Do you think your uncle is like you, capable of stuffing himself until he’s overfull?”
……
In the end, Zhao Yuanxi strolled through Liyang Palace with Ziying—and an additional companion, Lord Changping.
“Did Zheng’er send you to check on me?” Zhao Yuanxi held Ziying’s hand with her right while Ying Zheng walked at her left.
Without blushing or losing composure, Ying Zheng replied smoothly, “The king said he misses the queen dowager, so he sent me to see how you fare.”
Zhao Yuanxi pursed her lips and patted Ying Zheng’s shoulder. “How dutiful of you to cover for him. I’d be lucky if he doesn’t wish me dead—how could he possibly miss me!”
Ying Zheng tilted his head slightly, observing Zhao Yuanxi’s calm expression, and retorted sarcastically, “Has the queen dowager ever missed the king either?”
The words left his mouth before he could stop them. Regardless of whether this woman was the real queen dowager, even if she were, she’d more likely try to kill him than express any concern. This face made him momentarily forget she wasn’t the actual queen dowager—and fortunately so.
Zhao Yuanxi blinked. “Are you feeling indignant on Zheng’er’s behalf? There are many conflicts between him and me, as you likely know. These matters can’t be resolved overnight.”
“But knowing someone like you is by Zheng’er’s side puts me more at ease.”
Of course Zhao Yuanxi cared about Ying Zheng—though she cared more about how much land and how many subjects her nominal son would grant her.
Having never raised a child, let alone one so grown, she didn’t intend to grow too close to Ying Zheng before she was fully prepared.
If Ying Zheng saw through her disguise and realized she wasn’t his birth mother, he might come at her with a sword—and wouldn’t that render her second chance at life pointless?
Unaware she’d already been exposed, Zhao Yuanxi believed her disguise remained intact.
“The queen dowager doesn’t hate the king?”
Zhao Yuanxi sighed softly. “Zheng’er is my child. How could a mother hate her own son?”
Hypocrite! Ying Zheng sneered. “Yet the king executed two of your children, exiled you to Yongcheng, and strictly forbade your return to Xianyang. Do you truly bear no resentment?”
Zhao Yuanxi countered, “I was at fault first. If I hadn’t been blinded by a handsome face and committed those foolish acts, Zheng’er wouldn’t have been placed in such danger back then.”
In political struggles, it’s either you die or I perish.
Had Ying Zheng not been more skilled and suppressed the rebellion instigated by Lao Ai, he would have been the one to die back then.