[Various] The Deposed Crown Prince's Survival Story

“There are lotus flowers on the mountain and lotus flowers in the marsh. Look, there are lotus flowers, aren’t they beautiful? Aren’t they as beautiful as you!” Fusu, carrying lotus flowers on his back, walked hand in hand with Gongzi Gao along the white embankment, pointing to the lotus flowers filling the lake and saying with a smile.

Dark green weeping willows hung over their heads, like umbrellas shielding them from the scorching summer afternoon sun.

A gentle breeze blows, and the lake, which was originally crystal clear and where even the sand, pebbles and fish in the water are clearly visible, ripples with countless golden shimmers, making it a place one never wants to leave.

"How beautiful!" Young Master Gao pointed to the lotus flowers swaying gently in the lake, smelling the pleasant fragrance of lotus in the air, and said with a smile.

It wasn't that Gongzi Gao, as the second young master of the Great Qin, was unsophisticated; rather... well, he really hadn't seen much of the world. For a child like him, the only places he could usually go were his mother's palace and the small garden in the inner palace, where he would take a stroll after meals.

In addition, because they were delicate and precious, and the servants were afraid that valuable items would depreciate, places like lakes and wells were absolutely forbidden.

Moreover, it was the kind of place that was forbidden to the extreme. In all his life, the place with the most water was his mother's bathtub.

Seeing so much water all of a sudden is quite exciting.

“Zhao Xiaogao, look over there…” Fusu pointed to a towering pavilion by the lake and said, “That’s Fengtai. Next time, I’ll take you to Fengtai.”

The so-called Phoenix Terrace, also known as the Phoenix Emperor, is the highest pavilion in Xianyang Palace. It is named after the story of Nongyu, the beloved daughter of Duke Mu of Qin, and her husband, the musician Xiao Shi, who played the zither and flute on the Phoenix Terrace every day during the reign of Duke Mu of Qin. In the end, they rode on a phoenix and became immortals.

Later, whenever Qin moved its capital, it would build a new platform based on the original design of the Phoenix Terrace, and it would also be named "Phoenix Terrace".

The Phoenix Terrace in Xianyang Royal City is built against the mountain and beside the water. The terrace is several tens of feet high. Climbing the Phoenix Terrace, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city of Xianyang. The Phoenix Terrace is built on a small hill in the most secluded poplar forest in the royal city. The terrace is ten feet high and towers above the palaces and buildings. Climbing to the top of the terrace, one can have a panoramic view of the entire city of Xianyang. Therefore, the Phoenix Terrace is also known as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Xianyang".

"Why do we have to go again next time?" Young Master Gao asked, looking in the direction of Fengtai, puzzled.

I finally managed to get out of the house, and someone even held a knife to my throat, risking my life to come out. How could I not go to some fun places? Next time... who knows if there will be a next time! I'll definitely get scolded when I go back this time, and I might even get beaten up, not to mention I'll definitely be grounded, and for several years.

Since we're going to die anyway, we might as well have some fun before we die.

"Because Father is here." Fusu said, turning around. A group of people appeared silently behind him, reaching out to shield Gongzi Gao behind them. They said with serious expressions, "Hide behind your brother and don't come out. Your brother will protect you."

Gongzi Gao hid behind Fusu as instructed, looking at his elder brother's slightly chubby but still very youthful shoulders, and then at Ying Zheng standing in the crowd, full of murderous intent, gritting his teeth, his emotions written all over his face, his anger level so high that it was almost tangible. Suddenly, he felt that his elder brother Fusu was not bad either, at least he was willing to stand up and protect him when he encountered the evil demon king.

However, this was completely useless.

The evil demon king slowly walked over and stood in front of the two of them, towering over them like Mount Tai, exuding a murderous aura that made the two mischievous kids feel a throbbing pain in their bottoms.

"Hmph!" The evil demon king snorted coldly, moving his left and right hands in slow motion.

"Waaah... Father, please release me! I'll never dare to do it again!"

"Father, I really, really dare not do it again!"

"Father, please don't be angry. I didn't mean it."

"Waaaaah... Father, I really, really won't do it again next time..."

The palace is deep and secluded, and the Xianyang Palace has always been solemn and dignified. Those who live there dare not even speak loudly. But today, the tranquility of the Xianyang Palace is destined to be disturbed by the noise of children.

Ignoring everyone's gaze, Ying Zheng walked at the front, grabbing Fusu's ear with his left hand and Gongzi Gao's ear with his right, his eyes fixed straight ahead, completely unmoved by the brat's sweet talk.

"Father, I really, really won't dare to do it again. Please believe me this once," Prince Gao pleaded, his little face contorted with worry.

The naughty child is sad, the naughty child is upset, the naughty child feels wronged, even though the naughty child was carried out by his older brother.

"I wouldn't dare! Humph! I see you're incredibly bold! Next time? I don't believe you! Let me tell you, when I was a child... I was the most well-behaved person ever!"

I almost begged Zhao Ji for forgiveness for my mistakes when I was a child, and every time I acted cute, I was even more adorable and well-behaved than the naughty kids. But the truth is... the naughty kids are much less capable of being naughty and mischievous than I was back then.

Haha! Speaking of his childhood, I'm not bragging... wait, what's so great about that? Now is the time to discipline unruly kids, not to reminisce about the old days.

Ying Zheng looked at Fusu on his left with sharp eyes. Compared to Gongzi Gao, who was begging for mercy all the way, Fusu, although he was also being led by the ear by Ying Zheng, remained silent and looked quite composed.

"Fusu, why aren't you saying anything?" Ying Zheng asked in a deep voice.

"What did Father ask Su'er to say?" Fusu frowned and asked with a puzzled look.

Ying Zheng snorted coldly and said, "Tell the truth!"

"Uh..." The strength of my father's grip is so weak, it's like a mosquito's. It makes me wonder if he ate anything yesterday. It's not even enough to massage my ear. Should I go back and drink milk for two years before I start abusing him?

Fusu was naive, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that if he said such things, he would surely infuriate Ying Zheng.

“Su’er just feels that Father, the King of Qin, who has always stood tall, is now willing to bend down for the sake of us two unfilial sons. Su’er… is ashamed and dares not speak.” Fu Su looked at Ying Zheng, who was bending down, and said.

Why did Ying Zheng bend down? The reason is simple: Ying Zheng is 1.98 meters tall. Although Fusu is tall, Gongzi Gao is a complete dwarf who can't even reach his father's leg.

Qin Shi Huang was not some gibbon emperor in later times with arms that were "longer than his knees" to pull a naughty child's ears.

Left with no other choice, Ying Zheng had to bend his waist slightly to make it easier for him to pull the child's ear.

Therefore, upon hearing Fusu's words, Ying Zheng had only one thought in his mind—what he said makes so much sense, I have no words to say in response.

Ying Zheng glanced at Fusu, snorted coldly, and said, "You little devil." He then released his grip on the boy's ear, and without even looking at Prince Gao, who was sobbing while covering his ear, he stared at Fusu and said directly, "Zhao Gao, send someone to take Gao'er back to his mother."

"Yes, sir." Zhao Gao responded, and at the same time ordered his men to pick up Prince Gao.

Watching Prince Gao being put into the carriage, Fusu mustered his courage and took two steps forward, grabbed Ying Zheng's sleeve, and said coquettishly, "Hehua has been sent back, and my second brother has been sent back too. Can you have someone send me back as well?"

"Send you back too?" Ying Zheng bent down and looked at Fusu with a smile.

Fusu nodded repeatedly, his round, chubby little face looking exceptionally cute and innocent. "Yes, yes, let's send Su'er back too?"

"Heh! You wish!" Ying Zheng sneered and casually picked up Fusu.

"Father, what are you doing... Ah!" Fusu, who was in Ying Zheng's arms, suddenly heard a "smack" on his tender little bottom.

Although this blow was less effective than a mosquito bite for the thick-skinned Fusu, why did he feel so aggrieved?

Just a moment ago, I was beating up Zhao Xiaogao. How did things turn out so quickly?

Ying Zheng was still not satisfied after slapping him twice. He carried Fusu with him and rushed into his palace. He sat on his usual cushion, turned Fusu around and pressed him onto his knees, and slapped him several more times.

Open-crotch pants are great! Not only is it convenient for the emperor to have sex with palace maids, but it's also very convenient for him to have sex with his son.

He slapped Ying Zheng's hands hard, making them turn red.

"Do you know you were wrong?" Ying Zheng said angrily.

You little brat, playing with a knife at such a young age? And holding it to your neck? What if you cut yourself? And going to play by the water? Don't underestimate the power of water, what if you fall in? Rather than letting you court death, I'd rather your father beat you to death, save myself the trouble.

"Understood." Fusu's deep voice came from Ying Zheng's knees.

"Would you dare to do it again next time?" Ying Zheng slapped Fusu again and said angrily.

Ying Zheng's original plan was that if Fusu was serious and had a good attitude, he would just scold him a few more times and then let him go back to eat.

And then... he heard something.

"Next time, I'll teach my second brother how to climb walls first..."

"That way, the guards at the gate won't notice, and I can sneak out..."

"As long as I run back before the adults find out, I can do it without anyone noticing..."

"A mistake is something that is discovered; if it is not discovered, it is not a mistake..."

"In the end, it's because my second brother is too weak. If he could climb walls like me, he wouldn't have been discovered..."

"Hmm, let's start teaching him how to climb walls tomorrow."

Aaaaah! You brat! Are you kidding me? No! Are you trying to drive me to my death and seize the throne ahead of time? I'll beat you to a pulp!

"Father, rest assured, Su'er will definitely teach my second brother well and live up to your expectations, and raise him to be a true good man of Qin."

You brat! You'd better not disappoint me! A true man of the Qin Dynasty doesn't need to learn how to climb walls.

Ying Zheng was both angry and furious, and was about to teach the brat a lesson when he saw the brat, who had been lying on his lap, wriggle around, wrap his arms around his waist, rest his chin on his chest, lift his little face, and say in a soft voice, "Father, Su'er is hungry. If you still want to hit me, can you wait until Su'er is full?"

Hungry? How about we feed the brat first and let him eat his fill?

"Or you can do your thing and Su'er can eat Su'er's food, so that neither of you has to interfere with the other, which would be great."