[Various] The Deposed Crown Prince's Survival Story

"Bang bang!"

Ying Zheng's two sentences were like two slaps to Fusu's face, stinging and making him so sensitive that he wanted to sob.

But Zhao Gao outside said that Wang Jian's family had already arrived, so Fusu could only pout in grievance and help his father get out of the carriage.

Seeing his beloved son's frustrated little face, Ying Zheng's originally anxious mood improved a lot. Before getting out of the carriage, he even had the mood to pinch Fusu's tender little face, and then looked with satisfaction at the two rosy cheeks that had appeared on Fusu's face.

"Feels good!" Ying Zheng commented, his face contorted with worry.

"Hehe... Thank you." Fusu rubbed his face and followed Ying Zheng off the carriage.

The Wang Family Manor is an extremely luxurious and grand place in Pinyang City, covering hundreds of acres. It contains countless pavilions and towers, each exquisite and beautiful, making it a feast for the eyes.

Not to mention that it was extremely luxurious in the Qin state, which valued simplicity, even among the states of Shandong, the Wang family manor was considered one of the most extravagant places.

However, Fusu knew that before last year, although the Wang family manor was large, it was very simple and crude inside, not even comparable to any other wealthy merchant's estate.

The expansion of the Wang Family Manor began after Wang Ben captured Yandu in one fell swoop, and after the Wang family father and son destroyed the Three Kingdoms in one fell swoop.

To renovate the garden, Wang Jian kept asking Ying Zheng for all sorts of things—money, land, grain, and manpower. Ying Zheng always granted his requests, which is why the Wang family manor was able to be completely transformed in such a short time.

"General Wang is really... It seems Father will have to spend a lot of money again this time," Fusu muttered to himself.

When Ying Zheng took charge, he was worth two men. Fusu watched as his father persuaded Wang Jian to return with just a few words and agreed to go to Xianyang to muster troops in three days.

On the way back, Fusu noticed that Ying Zheng was looking at him strangely, as if... he had done something wrong.

Three days later, after dealing with household matters, Wang Jian rode his horse to Xianyang and issued a summons to Qin soldiers in various regions in the name of the Supreme General. At the same time, he established the Supreme General's Office at the Ba Shang camp.

As Qin troops, under Wang Jian's command, marched into military camps across the land, Fusu noticed that Ying Zheng's gaze towards him was becoming increasingly strange.

What kind of wicked thing did the boss do? The way he looked at me was just... just like the husband Chen Ping described... cheating on his wife with someone else.

The problem is, no matter how many girls the boss's father has affairs with, it's all perfectly reasonable and legal. Most importantly, it has absolutely nothing to do with me—I don't have a wife anyway.

Why is the boss so ashamed?

Just as Fusu was filled with confusion, Ying Zheng spoke up, "I heard that the General's wife passed away a few months ago."

"Huh? Huh!" What does this have to do with me? I didn't kill Wang Jian's wife.

"General, you have fought for the country for many years. I cannot bear to see you old and helpless, without even a home."

Boss, what's wrong with you? Wang Jian's grandson is older than your son, and he has a whole bunch of servants at home. How did you come up with the idea that he's old and destitute? I think the young maids in the Wang family are quite well-mannered.

"I will definitely give the General a stable home."

Uh! Boss, I don't even know what to say to you! You don't need to talk like you're about to offer yourself up for marriage, okay? Even if it's a porn show, I won't buy into the idea of ​​a sixty-year-old man and a thirty-something uncle.

"Zhao Gao, draft the royal decree," Ying Zheng called out. "Write... 'General Wang Jian has fought for many years and rendered great service to the country. I do not wish to see the General old and without anyone to comfort him, therefore, I bestow upon him the princess...' Ying Zheng glanced at Fusu, seeing Fusu's still bewildered expression, and hardened his heart, saying, '...the princess of Huayang, Ying Hehua, will be married to him...'"

Before Ying Zheng could finish speaking, Fusu screamed, "Father! No!"

For some reason, Ying Zheng suddenly had a feeling of "finally, I've waited for this" and "I've finally waited for this", and he felt a sense of lightness throughout his body, as if he had breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tell me, why not?" Ying Zheng looked at Fusu with a cold face, his voice carrying a chilling undertone that made people feel suffocated.

Ying Zheng had never treated Fusu this way before, and looking at Ying Zheng like this, Fusu couldn't help but feel a little unfamiliar with him.

Normally, Fusu would have kept quiet or pretended to be silly and changed the subject, but thinking of his lovely sister Hehua, Fusu felt that he should give it another shot.

“Father, actually… actually…” Fusu took two deep breaths, mustered his courage, and said, “Please, Father, rescind your order.”

"Hmm!" Ying Zheng squinted at Fusu, his voice cold and calm, revealing no joy or sorrow. "Tell me, why should I retract my decree? Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. I am Hehua's father, isn't it natural for me to let her marry?"

“Because…because…” Fusu closed his eyes and uttered the biggest lie of his life in one breath, “Because I have already betrothed Hehua to someone else.”

If Ying Zheng were to say that He Hua liked someone else, he would be even angrier. If he could persuade Ying Zheng to retract the royal decree, that would be fine. But if he couldn't persuade him, He Hua might even be scolded by Ying Zheng. Therefore, Fu Su had no choice but to silently take the blame upon himself.

"How dare you!" Ying Zheng slammed his hand on the long table, pointing at Fusu and saying, "What right do you have to betroth Hehua to someone else? I am her father!"

Ying Zheng was almost amused by Fusu's words. Although having a son who was close to his brother and loved his sister was better than having a timid son who dared not stand up for himself, what kind of talk was this? Could he even speak like a human being?

"Based on what Father said, 'The eldest brother is like a father!' Of course, I am qualified to betroth Hehua to someone else." Having already said it, the rest wasn't so difficult to say. "Moreover, I believe that the one I have my eye on... is no less capable than the Supreme General?"

"Huh? There are people like that?" If he weren't outmatched, Ying Zheng would have loved to slap the brat across the face and show him just how powerful his father was.

Okay, this brat's bottom has already experienced that many times.

"Of course, this person is not a military general; he is merely a scholar. However... I believe that he is resourceful and has a broad vision. He is not only a good candidate for brother-in-law but also a prime minister. I think his future achievements will be no less than those of Li Si."

Who is Li Si? He was Ying Zheng's most trusted minister. Not only was he a minister, but Ying Zheng and Li Si were also close family friends. Ying Zheng's sister married Li Si's son, and all of Li Si's daughters married members of the Ying clan.

It's fair to say that if his sons and daughters weren't so young, Ying Zheng would have loved to send all his daughters to Li Si's family and then have his son marry all of Li Si's daughters.

Ying Zheng valued Li Si so much precisely because Li Si was talented, capable, and extremely loyal.

Now that his son has said that someone can compare to Li Si, Ying Zheng feels increasingly eager to measure Fusu's face with his own hands to see just how big it really is.

Ying Zheng let out a long breath, waved his sleeve, and said, "Alright, I understand this matter. You may leave now."

Fusu raised his head, still unwilling to give up, and asked, "Then, Father, what about Hehua..."

"Get down!" Ying Zheng said impatiently.

Fusu lowered his head, faced Ying Zheng, and left the study.

For the rest of the day, Fusu was filled with unease, unsure of what to do.

He certainly wouldn't want Hehua to marry Wang Jian; but if he couldn't persuade Ying Zheng not to marry Hehua, what good ideas could he come up with?

After much thought, it seemed that the only way out was for Hehua to elope out of the palace. But... Hehua and Chen Ping weren't really in love. They had only met briefly. What a ridiculous idea to elope!

Seemingly aware of Fusu's feelings, Zhao Gao did not keep him waiting long before sending a royal decree: "Your eldest son Fusu is appointed as the military supervisor, and your second son Gao is appointed as the envoy to escort the princess Langgan to Wang Jian's camp immediately. On the day you receive this decree, Wang Jian shall hold a wedding ceremony with the princess at the place where you meet."

For a moment, Fusu didn't know how to react to the royal letter.

Fusu was naturally overjoyed that Hehua wouldn't have to marry a decrepit old man in his sixties; but Langgan was also his younger sister, and a few months younger than Hehua, only thirteen years old this year, the perfect age for a blossoming flower, yet she was to…

Fusu felt quite sad, although he knew that his sadness was fake and insincere. Even if time could be turned back ten thousand times, even if he knew from the beginning that Ying Zheng would definitely marry off one of his sisters, Fusu would still hope that sister would not be Hehua.

Ying Zheng's royal decree was also sent to Lady Zhao.

Upon learning that her daughter was to marry a white-haired old man, Madam Zhao screamed and fainted on the spot. Prince Gao made a fuss about going to his father to rescind the order, but Lang Gan, the protagonist of the incident, held the royal edict, looking calm and composed, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

“Sister, don’t worry, you don’t need to be afraid. I won’t let you marry him.” Gongzi Gao’s eyes were bloodshot, and he was breathing heavily through his nose. He said angrily, “Why should you marry him? There is an order of seniority. How can the younger sister be allowed to marry before the elder sister is married? If anyone should marry, it should be Hehua.”

After saying that, Gongzi Gao suddenly turned around and walked out.

"Come back!" Lang Gan called out, his tone icy.

It was cold, but there wasn't much despair or sadness.

Gongzi Gao stopped in his tracks without turning around, and said in a low voice, "Sister, you don't need to say anything. I will definitely persuade Father to stop you from jumping into the fire pit."

"Who said I'm jumping into a fire pit?" Lang Gan took a step forward, his face calm and composed, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, as if containing boundless wisdom.

Compared to the adorable Hehua, Langgan was not only tall, but also had a personality and appearance quite similar to Ying Zheng. She was intelligent, magnanimous, and ambitious, which made Ying Zheng very fond of her. Ying Zheng loved Langgan far more than Hehua.

Therefore, if there had been no other princesses of suitable age, Ying Zheng would not have allowed Langgan to marry.

"What? You have a way to avoid marrying her?" Young Master Gao turned around abruptly, looking at Lang Gan with a surprised expression.

"Who says I won't marry him?" Langgan turned to look at Gongzi Gao, a confident smile on her delicate face, and uttered two words with her red lips, "I will marry him!"