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

In this day and age, the Zhou emperor is no longer respected, wars between the vassal states are frequent, and the rites and music have collapsed.

However, in some details, they strictly adhere to the Zhou rituals.

For example, at today's banquet, the dishes and utensils on the table are different depending on one's status and position, and the various rules are quite complicated.

No wonder Yan Lingji was unwilling to come; Ying Jing only hoped that this boring banquet would end soon.

However, King Han An and the civil and military officials, including Ji Wuye, were already in high spirits, exchanging toasts and drinks.

Of course, they didn't forget Ying Jing either, and would often invite him to drink together and chat about some elegant and interesting things.

However, the matter of national affairs was not discussed, let alone the cession of Nanyang.

Ying Jing understood that King An of Han seemed determined to stall for time.

However, Ying Jing was not in a hurry, and just chatted casually with Han Wang An and others.

In any case, the Qin state needed some time to prepare and did not intend to launch a war immediately.

If this drags on, it will only benefit the Qin state more.

The construction of the Zheng Guo Canal is nearing completion, and military officials in the South Korean side, such as Ji Wuye and Liu Yi, are subtly trying to establish a relationship with Ying Jing.

Even Lady Mingzhu...

People's hearts are restless... If this continues to drag on...

Perhaps one day King Han An will find that he has truly become a lonely figure.

Lost in thought, Ying Jing's gaze wandered, occasionally glancing at the beauty to relieve his boredom.

There are only two women in this palace who can be called beauties.

First and foremost, of course, is Lady Mingzhu, a bewitching woman who brought ruin to the country and its people, no less so than Yan Lingji.

There was also a girl in a pink dress standing next to Madam Mingzhu.

Seemingly noticing Ying Jing's gaze, a bewitching allure rose in Madam Mingzhu's narrow eyes.

She smiled, her pink tongue darting out and swirling around her lips before catching a crumb of pastry stuck to the corner of her mouth and putting it into her mouth.

Such a bewitching and alluring posture is truly captivating!

Ying Jing was also slightly taken aback. What did Madam Mingzhu mean by this attitude?

King Han An was slightly drunk at this point, and he noticed Ying Jing's gaze, but he was somewhat delighted.

Lady Mingzhu was with Honglian.

It seems that Changxin-jun has feelings for Honglian!

King Han An was secretly delighted.

"Lord Changxin, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Honglian."

"Honglian, come quickly and see Lord Changxin."

Han Wang'an's smile was completely genuine as he raised his hand to beckon to the girl in the pink dress.

Only then did Ying Jing truly shift his gaze from Lady Mingzhu to the young girl.

The pink palace dress, made of light gauze, was draped over the shoulders, with a brocade garment underneath that clung to the body, making it tall and imposing.

Her ears were small and delicate, adorned with jade earrings. Her smooth, jet-black hair was styled in an updo, and a silver lotus crown adorned her head, exuding an air of understated nobility.

Her face was rosy and delicate, her eyes clear and bright, filled with curiosity and innocence.

Overall, Honglian looked to be only about fifteen or sixteen years old.

She followed the summons of the King of Han and came to Ying Jing's desk, behaving very obediently.

Honglian first bowed to King Han, then gracefully bowed to Ying Jing, her fair face slightly flushed.

“Father, Lord Changxin.”

Ying Jing suddenly remembered that while he was admiring the beautiful woman, the pretty girl seemed to be stealing glances at him from time to time.

While you are admiring the scenery, someone else is standing on the bridge admiring you.

Jing Dashanren's tall and handsome figure, especially the occasional profound and noble air he exuded, was quite attractive to a naive young girl like Honglian.

Of course, there's another reason: fame.

Ying Jing's reputation had made Hong Lian aware of his name long ago, and she naturally felt some curiosity and a hidden admiration for him.

"I have heard of Princess Honglian's name even when I was far away in Qin. It is a great honor to meet her today. My trip has not been in vain."

The young girl's heart was fluttering, and Ying Jing certainly wouldn't let her be sad. He responded with a faint smile.

"really?"

Honglian forgot her shyness and suddenly looked a little nervous: "How does the Qin Kingdom send word about me, the princess?"

Ying Jing smiled faintly: "It is said that Princess Honglian has bright eyes and white teeth, and is a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Moreover, she is gentle, kind and generous."

Honglian's fair and pretty face immediately turned rosy.

That's a bit too much praise!

"Really...really...?"

But before Honglian could finish her sentence, Ying Jing spoke up again.

"Having met you today, I realize that the rumors are not credible."

Although she felt she had gone a bit too far, Ying Jing's denial made Honglian's initial goodwill vanish instantly, and she couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly.

"It turns out that Princess Honglian is actually even more beautiful than the rumors suggest. She is truly a natural beauty, with a face more beautiful than Xi Shi. She is not only gentle and kind, but also innocent and lovely."

Upon hearing this, Honglian's anger, which had just risen, was immediately suppressed.

"you……"

"I...I'm not that good..."

Her fair and pretty face was completely flushed, and Honglian's delicate white fingers rubbed together, her expression somewhat shy.

"You're not lying to me, are you?"

Honglian looked shy, yet somewhat suspicious.

She wasn't a big shot, so how could her reputation have spread to the Qin state?

"Princess, you can rest assured that everything I have said is true. If you do not believe me, you can give some money to ask some people."

Ying Jing smiled faintly, his eyes narrowed.

Ordinary people wouldn't know these things; they'd just say a few nice words out of respect for the princess and the money.

"I'm not going to ask them!"

Honglian couldn't help but laugh. Did she really think she was an idiot?

Those people are the ones who won't tell the truth.

Lady Mingzhu watched as Ying Jing made Honglian blush with a few words, a faint smile always in her eyes.

"Honglian, what Changxin-jun said is true. If you don't believe Changxin-jun or me, why don't you ask your father?"

King Han An was already dumbfounded, and almost woke up completely from his slightly drunk state.

How could he not understand his daughter's personality?

Although she had no ill intentions, she had been spoiled by him all these years and had never been so shy before.

This Lord Changxin is quite capable; with just a few simple words, he managed to make Honglian so amused. He truly has the charm of his youth!

Encouraging Honglian to become close to Changxin Jun is something that Han Wang An himself is close to, so naturally he wouldn't undermine it.

"Honglian, what kind of person is Lord Changxin? Would he deceive you?"

However, as he spoke, Han Wang'an also felt a pang of heartache.

This was a beautiful cabbage he had raised for over ten years, and with just a few simple words, Changxin-jun had completely won him over.

What's even more heartbreaking is that... he now has to help them deceive each other.

My heart aches even more!

"My father said so too, it seems you really weren't lying to me!"

Honglian smiled happily, and her gaze towards Ying Jing softened, even carrying a hint of shyness.

She's already sixteen; she's not clueless!

Her father had mentioned to her several times how outstanding Changxin Jun was, and the meaning was quite clear.

Fortunately, she had heard of Changxin-jun's reputation before and didn't dislike him.

Seeing her in person this time completely put Honglian at ease!