Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

When the carriage stopped in front of the Li residence, the gatekeeper, having already noticed the Imperial Secretary's insignia on the carriage, dared not be negligent in the slightest. He respectfully led the way, welcoming Zhou Wenqing and Azhu, who was still holding his breath beside him, into the spacious and elegant main hall.

The rosewood table was spotless. Just as the hot tea was served, the servant bowed and approached, pausing briefly with a troubled expression before resuming his serious demeanor and replying:

"Zhou, my lord went to the Court of Justice early this morning to handle official business. There are many criminal cases backlogged up, so he will probably be late returning home. Please wait patiently, sir."

Indeed, today is not Li Si's day off, but...

At a time like this, how could he sit comfortably in the Court of Justice's office instead of returning to his residence to wait for me?

Zhou Wenqing was the first to disbelieve it.

"Sigh~"

He let out a long sigh.

She's pretending to be busy with official business; she's probably just angry and unwilling to see him.

He's been persuading people in the palace, then people in the household, and now he has to go out and persuade another person. He's never enough work!

Thinking this, Zhou Wenqing helplessly raised his eyes, casually scanning the main hall, finally stopping at the half-closed plain screen on one side. He raised his eyes slightly, and a knowing slyness flashed in his eyes.

He deliberately raised his voice, his tone carrying a hint of slow, weary exhaustion:

"Very well, since Lord Li is so busy with official duties, I will wait here."

After speaking, he frowned slightly, gently rubbed his temples with his fingertips, and leaned back slightly in his chair, looking tired and uncomfortable after a bumpy ride and sitting for a long time.

"I was just packing my things at the manor, and the journey was bumpy. Now I have to sit here waiting. I'm really not feeling well. I just hope your master can finish his business as soon as possible and return home quickly!"

Ah-Zhu, who had been standing beside him with his arms crossed and head sullen, expressing his dissatisfaction and protest against being "fostered," turned around in surprise upon hearing this, his brows furrowed, and he looked at his husband with a puzzled expression.

Is the gentleman tired? He shouldn't be!

Before, my husband only casually flipped through a few pieces of clothing and a few books. He ordered me to run around to get the rest, and I didn’t even bend over many times!

Later, Li, the bodyguard, took over the entire operation. The master only had to give orders and was quite relaxed. He had lunch and rested for a while before coming. The journey wasn't very long, so how could he be tired?

Ah Zhu pursed his lips, full of doubt, and hesitantly took small steps closer to Zhou Wenqing. Just as he raised his hand, he heard something behind the plain screen—

"snort!"

A suppressed, angry snort followed by the sound of clothes rubbing together.

Li Si, with a stern face, stepped out from behind the screen, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance at being exposed, yet also a touch of helplessness:

"Zhou Wenqing, stop pretending!"

"Where am I pretending? Brother Gu'an, you're finally back. You truly are a pillar of the nation, managing countless affairs every day. We really can't do without you. Look, I've come to give you some help."

"Where did I pretend?"

Zhou Wenqing immediately put on an innocent expression, selectively ignoring where Li Si came out, stood up, and warmly greeted him.

"Brother Gu'an, you're finally back! You truly are a pillar of the nation, managing countless affairs every day. We really can't do without you. Look, I've brought you some help."

As he spoke, he pushed Ah Zhu forward.

Caught off guard, Ah Zhu was pushed around in a circle. After finally regaining his balance, he looked up and met Li Si's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but weren't.

"Didn't you always adore my little disciple?" Zhou Wenqing patted Azhu's head with a smile. "Here, it's been delivered to you. Do as you please!"

Li Si glanced at A-Zhu, a smirk playing on his lips, and gave a sarcastic snort before looking at Zhou Wenqing:

"You didn't send any help; you clearly can't handle your own little tyrant, so you've dumped him on me!"

"Hehe, whatever Brother Gu'an says goes."

Zhou Wenqing wasn't guilty at all. He leaned over and patted Li Si on the shoulder in a friendly tone.

"But let me make this clear from the start: you can use the child as much as you want, but don't overuse him or mistreat him. You have to let him rest on time. Children can't endure as much as you can; he's at the age where he's growing. Oh, and don't forget his milk porridge every morning and evening, and..."

"Enough, Zhou Wenqing!"

Li Si's temples throbbed with anger, and he almost laughed in exasperation.

"Do you really think I, a dignified Minister of Justice, have no temper and need to take care of your children?!"

"Oh dear, Brother Gu'an, calm down, calm down." Zhou Wenqing said with a smile, pulling open a folding fan and fanning him in a conciliatory manner.

"Wenqing knew you were the most magnanimous. What's that saying again? 'The Minister of Justice has a belly that can hold a boat.' Please forgive me this time, Brother Gu'an. Just this once, I promise I won't do it again, okay?"

Li Si, unable to bear seeing him so humble and pleading for mercy, twitched his eyelids with restraint, and finally let out a disgruntled snort. He then sat down directly in the armchair next to Zhou Wenqing, the annoyance in his tone completely gone, leaving only an undisguised helplessness and admonition:

"His Majesty has already granted your request, so what can I do even if I'm angry? You talk a good game, but you always act unilaterally and never consult with anyone beforehand. In the end, you're just too young and too impetuous!"

"Yes, yes, Brother Gu'an is absolutely right. It was my oversight."

Zhou Wenqing quickly agreed, her fingertips gently stroking the edge of the folding fan, a hint of triumphant smile hidden in her eyes.

Li Si was always stubborn but soft-hearted; this scolding meant he had completely agreed to the entrustment.

Li Si glared at him fiercely, then sighed helplessly, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table. His tone deepened, becoming more serious:

"Let's get down to business. Besides entrusting Ah-Zhu to my care, is there anything else important you need me to entrust you with? Tell me all at once, and I... will try my best to keep you safe and prevent you from falling into ruin."

He paused, then frowned and added, "But as you know, I'm buried in the criminal affairs of the Court of Justice all day long, and I'm really not very good at those mechanical and mechanical things. I can only barely keep watch for you. For things that are too delicate, you should choose someone else carefully. I'm afraid that if I were to do it, it would be beyond my capabilities."

"Brother Gu'an, I am deeply grateful for your frankness and straightforwardness. Thank you in advance." Zhou Wenqing became slightly more serious, his tone less playful and more solemn.

"But Brother Gu'an, you can rest assured. I have already made all the arrangements. However, they cannot leave the mountain, so there are some crucial points that I will need your help to mediate. This matter is of great importance and cannot be explained in a few words. I will trouble you to come with me!"

Before he finished speaking, he got up and pulled Li Si to walk outside.

"Hey, wait a minute—" Li Si quickly reached out and grabbed his sleeve, saying urgently, "At least let me change my clothes!"

Zhou Wenqing glanced down at Li Si's worn-out casual clothes and waved his hand casually: "No need to change, this one is fine. It'll probably get dirty by the time we get there anyway."

"What do you mean?"

Zhou Wenqing kept walking: "You'll know when we get there."

Ah Zhu, with his short legs, tried to keep up: "Wait, sir! Why are you running so fast? Where are you going? Take me with you!"

Zhou Wenqing didn't turn his head, but shouted into the courtyard, "I can't wait any longer! Steward Sun, keep an eye on Azhu for me, don't let him run around!"

"Yes, sir!" Steward Sun's voice came from under the corridor, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

He strode out, smiled, bent down, and scooped Ah Zhu up with one hand. He said gently, "Young master, Minister Zhou has important business to attend to. Please wait in the mansion. The kitchen just made some milk pudding; would you like to try some?"

Ah Zhu kicked his legs twice in mid-air, both angry and anxious: "Sir, are you treating me like a child again!"