Qin Dynasty: Starting with clinging to Zhao Ji's thigh

"I, the third brother, have already felt the affection my second brother has for his younger brother!"

Ying Jing's eyes were filled with emotion, and he finally took a step forward.

"Second brother, don't be anxious, let your third brother help you!"

Ying Jing simply raised his hand and pinched Cheng Jiao's thumb.

In an instant, the jade thumb ring that Cheng Jiao had been trying to break off for a long time was in Ying Jing's hands.

Cheng Jiao dropped the jade thumb ring and immediately retreated behind the officials, as if she were avoiding a plague god.

He shouldn't have spoken to this third brother in the first place!

He lost his most beloved treasure after saying just a few casual words.

Ying Jing didn't try to get any closer.

By offering the jade thumb ring bestowed by the late king as an apology, Cheng Jiao seems to have come to her senses and realized how important the bond between brothers is.

That's what a good older brother should be like!

However, Ying Jing still couldn't stay idle.

Without Cheng Jiao speaking, he looked around and realized that besides Cheng Jiao, only Lü Buwei seemed to be somewhat familiar to him.

But Lü Buwei was even more outrageous than Cheng Jiao.

He was clearly resting with his eyes closed, but as soon as Ying Jing was about to approach him, he immediately opened his eyes and stepped back.

Ying Jing did not pursue the matter further.

After all, they are elderly people who are about to retire. Getting up so early is really tiring for them. Let them get some rest.

Unfortunately, he didn't have any more time to rest.

The eunuch had already rung the bell.

The grand assembly officially began.

Guided by the master of ceremonies, civil and military officials entered the hall in order of their rank and took their seats.

The young Ying Zheng sat high on the throne, his black dragon robe making him appear radiant with energy.

His face was expressionless, yet an aura of majesty unique to a monarch emanated from him.

However, Ying Jing didn't pay much attention to Ying Zheng, but instead focused his gaze on the three women beside Ying Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zhao, Empress Dowager Xia, Empress Dowager Huayang.

All three empress dowagers arrived.

However, apart from Zhao Ji, who was still in her prime, the two empress dowagers were quite old.

Skin wrinkled, hair gray.

Empress Dowager Xia, in particular, was already somewhat hunched over.

Through the Purple Dragon of Fortune, Ying Jing could even sense a deathly aura emanating from her, indicating that she wouldn't live for many more years!

As if sensing Ying Jing's gaze, Zhao Ji winked at him, her long eyelashes fluttering as she revealed a charming smile.

You can't act recklessly in this kind of situation!

Ying Jing was a little worried that this woman was too crazy, so he didn't respond.

The grand assembly at the beginning of the year is actually more of a ritual to celebrate the start of the new year.

Of course, as it is a court assembly, there is still a discussion of political affairs, and some important edicts and decisions can be issued at this time.

Accompanied by graceful dance moves, various musical instruments played in the surrounding area.

All the officials rose and bowed to Ying Zheng and the three empress dowagers.

Next came the gift-giving ceremony.

The officials would present gifts to the king as a sign of respect and loyalty.

First, Lü Buwei presented a copy of Lüshi Chunqiu (The Spring and Autumn Annals) in his own handwriting.

Ying Zheng remained expressionless and simply nodded faintly.

This made Lü Buwei, who was slowly retreating to his position, seem to age even more, and his body became much more hunched.

Today's grand assembly is brewing with impending storm.

How could an old man like Lü Buwei, who had been navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom for many years, not know this?

But now that things have come to this, there's nothing he can do.

No matter how immense his power, he was ultimately just a subject; the black-robed youth on the throne was the supreme king.

Following Lü Buwei.

General Meng Ao, Lord Changping Xiong Qi, Lord Chang'an Cheng Jiao... each presented their carefully prepared gifts.

Nothing special, just jewelry or jade.

When it was Ying Jing's turn...

He had no idea that this step existed.

I had never attended a grand assembly before, and no one around me understood.

The only one who understood the process was Zhao Ji... This woman never did anything productive with Ying Jing; she simply didn't have the brains for it.

but it does not matter.

I just got a good deal from Cheng Jiao outside, and it'll come in handy right now.

"Lord Changxin, I present you with a jade thumb ring."

Ying Zheng, who had remained expressionless until now, was genuinely taken aback this time.

Of his two younger brothers, he was closer to Ying Jing, but he also paid no less attention to Cheng Jiao.

The jade thumb ring that the late king bestowed upon Cheng Jiao when she was made a queen was her favorite, and how could Ying Zheng not know this?

But... how did it end up in the hands of the third brother?

Ying Zheng looked at Ying Jing, his face full of smiles.

He glanced at Cheng Jiao again; her face was pale and her expression was unpleasant.

“Just now outside Xianyang Palace, Lord Chang’an, moved by our brotherly bond, presented this treasure to my younger brother.”

"This thumb ring embodies both the late king's high expectations for Lord Chang'an and the deep brotherly affection between Lord Chang'an and his younger brother. Its significance is extraordinary, and it is fitting to present it to my elder brother."

This time, Ying Zheng finally smiled.

A slight smile played on his lips as he personally put the jade thumb ring on his own thumb and played with it.

He didn't know if Cheng Jiao's brotherly affection was contained in this jade thumb ring, but Ying Jing certainly was.

What are Lüshi Chunqiu, what are jewels and gold? None of those gifts can compare to this jade thumb ring, which suits Ying Zheng's taste better.

"I greatly admire this treasure presented by Lord Changxin, and I bestow upon it the name 'Sword Tianwen'."

Ying Zheng spoke slowly, making no attempt to hide his fondness.

As he spoke, he had already unsheathed the long sword from his waist; he was the only one in the entire Xianyang Palace who was allowed to carry a weapon.

Ying Jing was genuinely pleasantly surprised at this moment.

Heavenly Questions!

In the future, the swordsman Feng Hu Zi's famous sword manual will list the Tian Wen sword as number one.

This sword was originally the personal sword of Qu Yuan, a sage of the Chu state. Later, it ended up in the Qin state and was collected into the Xianyang Palace.

Of course, for Ying Zheng, this sword was basically useless.

He had practiced some martial arts in the Zhao state to protect himself, but after returning to Qin, he had long since given them up.

There's nothing wrong with bestowing the Heavenly Question Sword as a reward.

He received the Heavenly Questions from Ying Zheng.

Ying Jing immediately sensed it... that contained an incomparably vast and profound meaning!

If one were to use the secret techniques of the Net of Heaven to imbue someone with this intent, they would surely become a top expert in a very short time.

However, how strong Tianwen was was not Ying Jing's main concern.

The key point is that this was Ying Zheng's own sword!

It has extraordinary significance!

Cheng Jiao is such a kind person. Without her jade thumb ring, how could Ying Jing have obtained such great benefits?

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your generous gift."

Ying Jing bowed, but his gaze couldn't help but drift towards Cheng Jiao.

His handsome face was completely bloodless, his brows were furrowed so deeply they were almost touching, and his body seemed to be swaying and unsteady.

"Ugh……"

Ying Jing couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

It seems that Cheng Jiao has really been hurt too badly by wine and women, and has become so weak.

Fortunately, Ying Jing has given up drinking.