Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, spilling into the yard and making it feel warm and cozy.

Hu Hai squatted down to pick up chestnut shells. After picking up two, he looked up, blinked, and asked, "Mr. Zhou, where are we going to play?"

Zhou Wenqing thought for a moment, "Let's go to the East Market."

Compared to the West Market, the East Market was more prosperous. It was closer to the palace, making it convenient for nobles and officials to make purchases. It was also separated from the palace by a wall, ensuring its safety. The noise from the market would not disturb the King of Qin.

The shops under the Baiwu Department are all located in the East Market, but he hasn't been to see them yet.

"But none of you are allowed to run around. You must stay close to me, understand?" He deliberately put on a stern face and glanced at the group of little ones.

"Great! I'll take my money bag with me!" Hu Hai was the first to jump up, his short legs kicking fast as he turned to rush out, but Fu Su grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back.

"Clean the place up first."

Fusu pressed him back to the ground expressionlessly, his movements fluid and practiced, clearly indicating he was already very skilled at it.

Hu Hai pouted, obediently squatted down to continue picking up chestnut shells, muttering, "I'll pick them up, I'll pick them up, okay...?"

The little ones worked together, some sweeping, some packing, some picking up, some wiping, and the yard was quickly restored to cleanliness. Yin Man even pushed the rocking chair back to its original position, clapped her hands, and nodded in satisfaction.

Zhou Wenqing stood under the eaves, watching, and nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad. Let's go, change your clothes, and I'll take you to the East Market."

As soon as he finished speaking, the children scattered in a flash, each running to change their clothes. Hu Hai ran the fastest and disappeared in a flash. Yin Man was not slow either, and she didn't forget to pull Ji Qing along. Fu Su was afraid that they would fall again, so he quickly caught up. A Zhu and Ji Ming walked at a leisurely pace.

Zhou Wenqing watched their figures disappear at the end of the corridor and chuckled helplessly.

He works for the king during court sessions and takes care of the king's children during his days off. There's no one else like him.

After everyone left, he turned to Li Yi beside him and lowered his voice: "Even though we're not leaving the city, we still need to be careful. Bring extra men with you in secret and don't let your guard down."

Li Yi nodded in acceptance and turned to go down to prepare.

------

The East Market is a hundred times more bustling than the Prefectural City.

The cobblestone path was lined with stalls selling everything from cloth and porcelain to straw sandals and general merchandise.

As soon as Hu Hai entered the street, he smelled the fragrance. He twitched his nose, his head turned with the scent, and his feet involuntarily drifted in that direction.

Fusu reacted quickly, grabbing his shoulder and saying, "Don't wander off, stay close to the master."

"I'll just take a look!" Hu Hai said, but his eyes were already glued to a pancake stall.

Yin Man followed his gaze, pouted, and said, "Didn't you just eat? You're already craving something again. You're so pathetic!"

"Who's a loser?" Hu Hai retorted stubbornly, but his eyes were still glued to the stall, and he swallowed hard.

Zhou Wenqing also smelled it, smiled, took out a money pouch from his sleeve, and handed it to Fusu: "Go buy a few, we can share them."

Fusu took the money pouch, walked over, and soon returned with a lotus leaf package, giving each person a piece.

"Delicious!" Hu Hai mumbled, wiping the oil off his fingers onto his clothes, only to have his hand slapped away by Fu Su.

"Wipe here." Ah-Zhu also handed over a cloth with concern.

Hu Hai took it and grinned, "Thank you, Brother Langwen."

"How embarrassing! Don't tell anyone I know you."

Yin Man moved away from him with disdain, then took a bite herself. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to look at the stall: "Sir, what is he brushing? It smells so good."

"It's probably honey." Zhou Wenqing also took a bite. The crispy pastry cracked between his teeth, and a salty and sweet flavor surged up.

It's only in the East Market; I doubt anyone in the West Market could afford it.

If you walk forward, you'll reach the silk section.

Stocks of silk hung in front of the shop, ranging from pure white to jet black, from pale yellow to light blue, in every color imaginable. People gathered around, rubbing the fabric between their fingers and whispering about the fineness of the weave and the evenness of the dyeing.

Yin Man's eyes lit up. She let go of Ji Qing's hand, ran to a shop, and stood on tiptoe to look at the crimson silk hanging in the most conspicuous place.

"Sir! This is beautiful!" she called out as she turned around, her voice crisp and clear.

The shop owner, a middle-aged man, walked over with a smile: "Young lady, you have a good eye. This is newly dyed vermilion silk this year, made with the finest madder. The color is pure and won't fade. It'll make you a festive and presentable garment."

Yin Man liked it more and more as she looked at it. She touched the fabric with her little hand and turned to ask Ji Qing, "Sister Ji Qing, what color do you like? I'll give you one!"

Ji Qing paused for a moment, shook her head, and said softly, "No, no, this material is too precious, I..."

"What are you afraid of!" Yin Man waved her hand generously. "I'll have my father give me the money! Which one do you like?"

Ji Qing pursed her lips, shook her head, and said softly, "This material is too good. I can't wear it. I have to gather herbs and brew medicine with my master every day. It would be a pity to ruin such fine clothes."

Yin Man tilted her head, looking puzzled: "If it's broken, just throw it away and get a new one, right?"

Ji Qing's eyes widened as well: "How could you throw it away? You can fix it if it's broken!"

She lifted her sleeve, revealing a fine patch of stitches on the inside of the cuff, and showed it to Yinman: "This is where I accidentally tore it, and Grandma mended it for me. It's really sturdy; it hasn't come undone even after wearing it for so long. I can't sew this well myself. Grandma said I'll be able to when I grow up."

Yin Man leaned closer, touched it, and then turned it over to look at the patterns on the outside.

"Oh, I see."

She nodded thoughtfully, examining the stitches several times. "So, will I be able to do it when I grow up?"

Yin Man suddenly frowned, tilted her head and thought for a moment, then clapped her hands:

"That's not right! My eldest brother is all grown up now, I'm sure he wouldn't do it! I've never seen him sew clothes, your grandmother must be lying to you!"

"Impossible!" Ji Qing wrinkled her nose. "How could Grandma lie to me?"

"Why not? If you don't believe me, ask your elder brother and see if he can do it." Yinman pointed at Fusu.

Fusu stood to the side, wondering if he should bring some gifts for his younger brothers when he got back. He was a little confused when the topic suddenly turned to him.

He turned his head and met Yin Man's bright, sparkling eyes, which were full of "seeking confirmation." His lips twitched slightly.

"I..." He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Will he...?

He was the eldest son of the Qin Dynasty, and every day he studied reading, calligraphy, etiquette, politics, horseback riding, archery, and learned from his teacher. But when it came to needlework... no one taught him.

But if I say I don't know how, it seems a bit embarrassing.

He paused for a moment, then hesitated before saying, "I will..."

"Liar!" Yin Man and Hu Hai said in unison.

Fusu remained unfazed: "I will watch, I will watch you sew."

"That just means he doesn't know how." Yin Man muttered under her breath, her lips pursed down, and she had a "I knew it" look on her face.

"What do you know?" Hu Hai retorted, jumping out to defend his elder brother.

He stood with his hands on his hips, chin held high, and said smugly:

"These are things you girls do! That's why you learn them when you grow up. Your older brother isn't a girl, so it's normal that he doesn't know how, Mr. Zhou, am I right?"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Zhou Wenqing with sparkling eyes, as if waiting for praise.