Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing first heard the clinking sound of the teacup, and his heart skipped a beat.

Oh no! Did I overdo it and make Han Fei faint?

He hurriedly opened his eyes, only to see Han Fei's deeply bent back, like a pine tree weighed down by snow, his proud spirit unyielding.

In an instant, Zhou Wenqing felt a sudden sting in his eyes and a surge of guilt welled up in his heart.

He felt unworthy of such a generous gift...

"Han Zi, please rise quickly!"

He hurriedly propped himself up on the couch, his gaze sweeping over the still-steaming tea spilled on the table, then noticing the damp fabric around Han Fei's waist. His tone grew even more urgent:

"Why did it come to this? Han Zi, get up quickly, are you burned?"

"How could it not be?" Han Fei stubbornly retorted, maintaining his bowed posture and refusing to straighten up, his tone both hesitant and sincere:

"It is Han Fei's fault for wrongly blaming Zicheng. Perhaps his words and actions were inappropriate and caused Zicheng distress. Now that I know of your suffering, I feel it as if it were my own. Zicheng is by no means a traitor, and I must not... speak such words that belittle myself. Otherwise, even death would not atone for my sins. I hope Zicheng..."

"Alright, alright."

Seeing that he was still struggling to speak despite his agitation, Zhou Wenqing felt even more sorry for him and quickly interrupted him.

"If Han Zi doesn't get up soon, I'll have to get out of bed and help him. With my frail health, can Han Zi bear to let me go through all that trouble?"

After saying that, he raised his hand and gently covered his chest, then coughed weakly.

This time it wasn't entirely an act; a genuine, dull, aching pain welled up in his chest.

Zhou Wenqing gave a self-deprecating bitter smile. He had planned this all along, but he hadn't expected to get himself caught up in the deception.

Han Fei treated him with utmost sincerity; how could he remain unmoved?

When Han Fei saw him coughing lightly while clutching his chest, he immediately disregarded everything else, his eyes filled with urgency, and rushed to the bedside in a few steps.

He reached out to help Zhou Wenqing catch his breath, but fearing he might aggravate the injuries on his back, his hand hovered in mid-air, and he only said hurriedly:

"Zicheng, don't get agitated. I... I'll go get Physician Lü..."

"No need, no need." Zhou Wenqing quickly tugged at his sleeve, gently waved his hand, and after catching his breath, smiled faintly, "It's just a momentary lapse in concentration, Han Zi, there's no need to be nervous, sit down and talk first."

Following his lead, Han Fei hesitated before sitting down on the edge of the bed, but his face was still full of worry. His gaze remained fixed on Zhou Wenqing's face, as if afraid that he would feel unwell again in a moment. He was prepared to get up at any time to call a doctor.

Seeing his still tense expression, Zhou Wenqing felt even warmer inside and said softly, "Han Zi, you don't need to take what happened just now to heart. It was Zicheng who misspoke. Mr. Han is a gentleman of integrity, and his words and actions have never been wrong. What crime has he committed?"

He paused, his eyes earnest, his words sincere:

"Moreover, if it weren't for Han Zi's plan and his willingness to risk his life to lead the way at Hangu Pass, I would probably have perished long ago. I haven't yet thanked him for this kindness."

Han Fei was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then shook his head.

He seemed unaccustomed to being thanked so directly to his face, and declined with a slightly uncomfortable expression:

"Zicheng, you flatter me. Since I agreed to accompany you and guide you, it was simply my duty, and there's no question of gratitude involved."

"It's my duty?"

Zhou Wenqing chuckled softly, looking at him earnestly.

"The guidance I mentioned back then was merely to the Jixia Academy. Besides, it was just a casual remark. You and I are not related, yet Han Zi was willing to risk his life for Wen Qing. If this is considered a duty, then there is no such thing as an extra duty in the world."

Ultimately, it was Han Zi's noble character and his emphasis on righteousness over personal safety that impressed Wen Qing, who felt inferior and aspired to emulate him.

Upon hearing this, Han Fei became even more flustered, lowered his head, and stammered:

"Zicheng is too kind in praising me. I dare not accept such praise. On the contrary, Zicheng is grateful and righteous, and has a sincere heart. In the future... if any villains speak falsely and slander my reputation, I will not necessarily be the first to refute them. In the end, it is Your Majesty who is unkind to Zicheng."

When he said the word "King", his tone was slightly hesitant.

Zhou Wenqing slowly shook his head, his expression solemn: "Han Zi, there's no need for further words. If I didn't deeply trust your character, and given our similar circumstances, I wouldn't have been so honest with you."

He looked up at Han Fei, his gaze clear and earnest, and slowly said:

"My old wounds are believed by Ah Yi and the King to be from a bandit attack. Please keep what I said to Han Zi today a secret and do not let it be revealed."

"Why is this?" Han Fei was surprised and even more puzzled. Wouldn't such concealment allow the world to misunderstand and ruin his reputation?

Zhou Wenqing's eyes dimmed slightly, and he said softly, "Wenqing is unwilling to criticize the mistakes of his former master any further. Let us bury the past and let it be the end of our former relationship as ruler and subject. I hope Han Zi will grant my request."

After speaking, he bowed slightly and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Han Fei, his posture both humble and solemn.

Han Fei quickly and firmly supported his arm, his expression growing increasingly solemn, and the respect in his eyes deepening. He said in a deep voice, "Zicheng's righteousness is truly admirable. I will keep my mouth shut and not say another word, but..."

Han Fei gazed at Zhou Wenqing, whose face was calm on the couch, his eyes filled with regret and reluctance, and sighed deeply:

"Zicheng's forbearance is truly unfair, and it may invite criticism from the world!"

"Justice resides in the hearts of the people; why bother with the petty gossip of a few people?"

Zhou Wenqing raised his eyebrows slightly, his gaze open and clear, exuding a carefree and indifferent air.

"As long as Han Zi believes in me, that will be enough for me."

He leaned forward slightly, as if letting out a sigh of relief, and said, half-seriously and half-jokingly:

"I have long admired Han Zi, and what I have said today comes from the bottom of my heart. Although I may seem carefree, I am actually very anxious, fearing that Han Zi might mislead me!"

Having spent so much time with Zicheng, how could I not trust him?

Han Fei was deeply moved and sighed, "I only regret that we met so late. Only today do I realize that we are truly kindred spirits!"

"What a kindred spirit!" Zhou Wenqing exclaimed with delight. "I am deeply honored that Han Zi has chosen me, and I shamelessly accept this offer. Hahahaha!"

"To have a confidant like Zicheng is the greatest fortune of my life!" Han Fei laughed heartily, and the long-standing melancholy and hesitation between his brows dissipated.

After a long while, Zhou Wenqing's smile faded slightly, and his expression turned serious as he looked at Han Fei: "Now that we are confidants, there are some things I will no longer refrain from saying. Even if they are unpleasant to hear, I will speak frankly and offer my advice."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Han Fei, each word carrying immense weight: "My former lord not only abandoned me, but also treated Han Fei like trash. Is such a ruler truly worthy of following?"

Han Fei's smile slowly faded, his fingers, which were hanging on his knees, curled slightly, and he closed his eyes tightly.

"No, I am not a fool. I know that the King of Han abandoned me, but I am different from Zicheng."

"What's the difference?" Zhou Wenqing pressed, his gaze fixed on his face.

Han Fei was silent for a moment, then spoke with difficulty: "I am a prince of the State of Han. I have been supported by my homeland since childhood. I may not trust the ruler, but I cannot distrust the country."

He raised his head and looked directly at Zhou Wenqing: "Han Fei's concept of 'preserving Han' refers to the Han of the State of Han, not the Han of the King of Han. I hope Zicheng... understands."

As Han Fei finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment, with only a few wisps of breeze bringing a lingering chill.

Looking into his eyes, at the unwavering determination and sorrow etched into his very bones, Zhou Wenqing sighed softly.

That's right, this is the Han Feizi in his mind who, knowing the hope was slim, still insisted on preserving Han until death!

If it were for the sake of King An of Han alone, with Han Fei's intelligence and character, he should have given up on this idea and turned to find another wise ruler the day he was suspected and betrayed by the king and asked to go to Qin as a hostage. Why did he have to trap himself in these layers of shackles?

"Han Yu's righteousness is truly admirable!"

This time, it was genuine respect and admiration, without any ulterior motives or selfishness.

But...should we stop here?

It's impossible!

It is precisely because Han Fei possessed such unparalleled talent and such unwavering integrity that he was all the more worthy of serving a wise ruler and realizing his ambitions, rather than being wasted in the hands of a foolish one.

He must keep this man for the sake of the King of Qin!

Zhou Wenqing raised his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Han Fei. The gentleness between his brows faded, replaced by a sharper edge, and his tone became more impetuous:

"In that case, Wenqing has one more thing to ask Hanzi."

"Zicheng, please speak frankly." Han Fei nodded.

"Very well, then may I ask you, Han Zi—what is a state?"