socalfunplaces Chapter 190 Stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside
Chapter 190 Stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside
Ying Zheng suddenly looked directly at Lin Tian, his gaze intense, his voice low but clear: "Why don't you kill Lü Buwei with a single sword strike, sir?" Before he finished speaking, a glint of eager anticipation appeared in his eyes.
Lin Tian remained silent for a moment, then gave Ying Zheng a deep look—the young emperor, his brilliance undiminished, his foundation still shallow.
"Killing one person is as easy as turning my hand. Even a king surrounded by thousands of troops is just a matter of raising a hand." He paused, his tone turning serious. "But even if you kill Lü Buwei, his long-established cronies, former subordinates, disciples, and relatives by marriage will still hold sway in the court, control Guanzhong, and manage the grain supply—you still won't be able to sit securely on this throne. Ying Zheng, do you think that eliminating one name will remove all the thorns from the court?"
Ying Zheng was struck dumb, stunned for a moment, then suddenly bowed deeply: "Thank you for enlightening me, sir!"
"It's time for the private banquet. Let's go, Ying Zheng." Lin Tian turned and left.
"Yes, sir, please." Ying Zheng responded solemnly.
The private banquets in the palace were held at the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM) and the beginning of You Shi (5-7 PM), and the location was chosen to be the rear garden of the Xianyang Palace.
Han Fei and his companions were placed in an idle mansion in the inner city—originally the residence of a wealthy merchant, but later, due to violating Qin law, the entire family was confiscated, and the house had been vacant for many years.
The thousand Han soldiers were transferred to a dense forest outside the city and encamped there, where they were guarded day and night by elite imperial guards who never left their side.
When Lin Tian and Ying Zheng stepped into the banquet hall, Han Fei and the others had been waiting for quite some time. Several women who had accompanied them were also already seated—they had been led into the hall by palace servants after Han Fei had settled them in.
Li Wu was among them, dressed in black armor, with her hair tied up and a sword at her side, looking every bit the dashing and awe-inspiring bodyguard.
Palace maids filed in, candles were lit one after another, wine vessels were filled, and delicacies were laid out, and the banquet quickly became lively.
Ying Zheng specially summoned several dancers from Yan to perform. Their skirts fluttered like clouds, and their waists swayed lightly like willows. Lin Tian watched intently, his heart suddenly trembling as a figure appeared in his mind—the Snow Maiden.
At this moment in the Yan Kingdom's palace, is she standing in the center of the red carpet, dancing gracefully? Is Gao Jianli still sitting under the eaves, his fingertips plucking the strings of his zither, softly singing for her?
After all, in this land, no one can surpass the Snow Maiden in terms of exquisite dance and refined character.
The land of Yan and Zhao has been known for its beautiful women since ancient times, and even more so for its breathtaking dances.
During the banquet, Ying Zheng raised his cup in greeting, solemnly welcoming everyone to Qin. He then publicly appointed Han Fei and Zhang Liang as guest ministers. The two men bowed in acceptance and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
Only Honglian sat quietly with her eyes lowered, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the corner of her sleeve, a layer of unyielding melancholy shrouding her brows.
Lin Tian watched silently, and made up his mind: after the banquet, he would definitely find her and ask her in detail.
Ultimately, this girl was the most innocent one—her country had collapsed, and overnight, even finding a place to go became a luxury.
As the atmosphere grew more lively, Lin Tian smiled and asked Nongyu to play the zither to add to the merriment. She nodded slightly, her delicate hands lightly plucking the strings, and a piece called "Orchid in the Valley" flowed out like a stream, clear and melodious, captivating the entire audience, who then erupted in cheers.
Nongyu's musical skills were already unparalleled in the world. Lin Tian looked at the person he cherished most, whose skillful finger movements captivated the audience, and a warm feeling quietly spread through his heart.
At this moment, Han Fei, sitting beside him, suddenly smiled and whispered, "Brother Lin, when do you plan to marry Miss Nongyu?"
"Exactly!" Zhang Liang clapped his hands in agreement.
Ying Zheng was even more excited than the couple themselves, proclaiming loudly, "I, the King, wish to personally officiate the wedding! The ceremony will be held in Xianyang Palace, with all officials in attendance and congratulations from all directions!"
Nongyu paused, and the music stopped abruptly. She was about to get up and return to her seat, but froze on the spot. Her ears burned bright red, her eyelashes trembled, and she only dared to lower her head and stare at the folds of her clothes on her knees. She couldn't utter a single word, so ashamed that she almost melted into the candlelight.
But upon closer inspection, one can see that the corners of her lips are slightly upturned, her smile as gentle as spring water, and her eyes, as they move, reveal an undisguised tenderness and affection.
Zi Nu silently finished her cup of wine, her expression calm. Yan Ling Ji glanced at Nong Yu, then smiled and turned to Zi Nu, saying softly, "Sister Nong Yu, you're about to marry into the master's household, Sister Zi Nu."
"Good things come in pairs, I'm happy for her." Zi Nu's gentle gaze fell on Nong Yu, her tone calm as usual, "Her life has been full of hardships, but to meet Lin Tian... well, I'm happy for her, that's good."
Before she finished speaking, her eyes glanced at Lin Tian out of the corner of her eye. The fleeting sadness that crossed her eyes was so quick it was like an illusion, but it was easily concealed by the gesture of her raising her hand to hold the cup.
Yan Lingji stared at her for a moment, then sighed softly, "Stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside, who isn't?"
"Eat your flesh, drink your wine—why do you always talk faster than your chopsticks?" Zi Nu glared at her, her eyes seemingly angry but not angry.
Just then, Lin Tian, surrounded by everyone's attention, simply said, "We'll discuss this matter later. Right now, I'm too busy with other things to deal with it."
Before he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
Nongyu swayed slightly, her fingers gripping the edge of the zither case tightly, her head bowed even lower, her expression completely gone. Han Fei's smile froze on his face, Zhang Liang's brows furrowed slightly, and Ying Zheng's hand, holding the goblet, hovered in mid-air, his smile frozen.
No one expected him to refuse so decisively, and so abruptly—such a logical matter was abruptly cut off by his words, "We'll discuss it later."
Zi Nu abruptly stood up, her steps swift as the wind, and went straight to Nong Yu's side. Staring at her younger sister's reddened eyes, she turned to Lin Tian and demanded sharply, "The first time she shed tears for you, you forced her! Lin Tian, do you really want to betray her for the rest of your life?"
"Sister, don't worry... Young Master... has other reasons..." Nongyu hurriedly grabbed Zi Nu's sleeve, her voice tight, her eyes already brimming with tears, which trembled on her eyelashes, about to fall.
"Since you have pledged your hearts to each other and have already consummated your marriage—why not marry?" Ying Zheng frowned, his tone revealing a hint of annoyance and confusion.
Lin Tian raised his eyes, his gaze as calm as a deep pool: "I will not marry Nongyu within the next ten years."
He will not marry Nongyu within ten years.
The words, once spoken, were like iron nails driven into wood, each syllable piercing the air. The candlelight in the hall seemed to pause for a moment. Even Gai Nie, who stood beside Ying Zheng and was always as immovable as a mountain, slightly raised his eyes.
"Lin Tian! Do you really think everyone in this world should fawn over you and give way to you?"
Zi Nu was taken aback at first, then her brows furrowed sharply. She abruptly stood up, her skirts billowing as she strode quickly to Lin Tian's desk. Looking down at him kneeling on the mat, her voice was like an icy spike: "Nongyu doesn't even meet your standards? Ha—you already have a wife, don't you! I asked my younger sister, and she hesitated and fumbled, how could I not guess?"
Lin Tian slowly stood up, his gaze open and honest as he met Zi Nu's eyes. His voice was steady and clear: "Nong Yu knows very well—I originally had two wives, who are waiting for me to return home. She has known about this matter from beginning to end."
In this day and age, taking concubines and taking mistresses is not unusual, but in Zi Nu's eyes, it was like a dull knife carving out the four bloody words "heartless and ungrateful".
From the moment Lin Tian rejected the marriage proposal, upon hearing about the "ten-year agreement," a fire inexplicably ignited in Zi Nu's heart, growing stronger and more intense with each passing moment. Until she caught a glimpse of the tear about to fall in Nong Yu's eyes—the flame exploded, spreading like wildfire.
She was determined to get an explanation from Lin Tian! For Nongyu's sake, and also for the sake of her own inability to swallow her anger.
"Brother Lin Tian... already has two wives?" Honglian blurted out, her small mouth slightly open.
"Master... is indeed no ordinary person." Yan Lingji chuckled, her fingertips slowly twirling a strand of long crimson hair.