Chapter 5: The Great Qin

Fortunately, the Crown Prince of Qin does not impose too many restrictions on me as a hostage; the only inconvenience is that I am always accompanied by two guards when I go out

I commend: "The shopkeeper indeed has a discerning eye; this item has a clear provenance, so feel free to estimate a price without worry!"

In the afternoon, Sun Sanfen and I cleared the weeds in the courtyard once again, while Cai Xue prepared water for us to brew tea. Under our efforts, the entire courtyard gradually revealed its original outline.

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard him speak so candidly

I was taken aback, not expecting him to speak so recklessly. Just as I was about to clarify, I noticed a flicker of an extremely complex gaze in Yan Yuanji's eyes. Could it be that they had colluded in advance to deliberately humiliate my Da Kang in front of others

From now on, you may call me "Young Master"

Cai Xue looked at me with eyes full of reverence and said: "Cai Xue, please tidy up the room!"

On the sixth day, even Sun Sanfen expressed some aversion to my actions, and he, in agreement with Cai Xue, was unwilling to continue accompanying me on my frivolous outings

During the meal, the two individuals still adhered to the hierarchy, standing on either side of me. I laughed and said, "In the capital of Qin, we are all prisoners, with no distinction among us. Let us all sit down and eat together."

He nodded to everyone one by one, yet his gaze never fell upon me. The servants in the residence served us food and drink, which consisted of only four dishes: three vegetarian and one meat. The wine was the most ordinary sorghum liquor. As the Crown Prince of the Great Qin, hosting a banquet of such modest scale seemed rather shabby.

Cai Xue said with some concern: "Young Master! There is no money left to renovate the residence!"

The steward of the Crown Prince's residence of the Great Qin, Yan Zimin, paid a visit to His Royal Highness, Prince Ping, the thirty-first prince of the Kingdom of Kang! His voice was cold and arrogant, as the Qin Emperor truly overstepped his bounds, sending a mere seventh-rank steward from the Crown Prince's residence to welcome the prince of Kang, clearly showing a lack of regard for the Kingdom of Kang

After the departure of Yan Zi and the others, I handed the gift list to Sun Sanfen, asking him to check the gifts and, at the same time, find someone to move into the west wing. He and Cai Xue proceeded first towards the main hall ahead.

I burst into laughter, took a couple of steps in the hall, and turned to say: "The Qin Emperor is even more considerate than my father, honing my ability to be independent. Yunkong is truly grateful to him." I regarded the adversity before me as a challenge, and this optimistic sentiment quickly spread to Caixue and Sun Sanfen.

I naturally did not dare to refuse his request, and I readily raised my glass, downing the spicy liquor in one go

Yan Yuanji laughed heartily and said: "King Ping is drunk..."

This time, I am preparing to sell a pair of gemstone lanterns. The attitude of the guards who stand watch for me has noticeably changed. The food and wine that have filled their bellies these days have not been in vain

I lightly waved my hand: "I would like to keep all these gifts. Tomorrow, you can accompany me to stroll around the Qin capital, and we can conveniently find a reputable shop to sell these gifts."

When I got off the car, the sky had completely darkened, and there were quite a few noblemen and aristocrats heading towards the Crown Prince's residence. It seems that the Crown Prince of Qin has invited many people to the banquet tonight

The interior decor of the Ju Bao Zhai is ancient and elegant, completely devoid of the vulgarity and commercialism found in other shops. The shop owner is a white-haired elder in his seventies, who is currently introducing a coral tree over three feet tall to two customers

I presented myself with a hazy, intoxicated appearance: "I... I am not drunk... I... I can still drink..." I proactively filled my glass, but my hands trembled so much that I could barely hold the wine jug, causing most of the wine to spill outside.

What I am most concerned about is the injury of Cai Xue. Sun San's timely assistance has resolved this dilemma for me. Under his meticulous care, Cai Xue is showing improvement day by day. The three of us began to discuss the Qin capital and the future in the darkness, yet we rarely mentioned Da Kang. From the moment we stepped into Qin territory, we had already become three prisoners under the rule of the Qin king

Yan Yuanji, however, laughed heartily and said, "How can you be so rude as to disturb our esteemed guest!" He personally came down from the high seat and helped me up from the ground. I trembled and said, "Your Highness... please do not kill me..."

I had no choice but to accompany him for another drink

"You are my esteemed guest, how could I possibly harm you?" Yan Yuanji said with a look of disdain, patting me on the shoulder and adding, "You may go back and sit down."

As I walked, I kept murmuring to myself: "light beauty people ... ... "

Although this young girl is extraordinarily beautiful, there are traces of arrogance and ferocity between her brows

Sun Sanfen walked in with a troubled expression: "Your Highness, the guards at the He * Tu * Shu gate are unwilling to assist in moving the gifts into the west chamber. They claim that their only duty is to guard the gate and that they have no authority to concern themselves with other matters"

Oh! The great prosperity of the nation and the abundance of the people, the actions of King Ping are surely extraordinary, let us open it up and take a look

I feigned anger and said, "What? Are you not going to listen to me?"

Yan Yuanji laughed heartily. He raised his wine cup and said, "Since you are satisfied, let us drink this cup together!"

The originally lively and noisy scene suddenly fell silent, and I heard a cold voice say: "Who just bullied Yun'er?"

Prince Yan Yuanji of Qin entered through the side door under the gaze of the crowd. He stood over seven feet tall, with a robust physique, bronze-colored skin, and handsome features, exuding a strong masculine aura

The duty of the envoy was to bring me here. He instructed his subordinates to exit the main gate first and said to me, "Tonight, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will host a banquet at the royal palace to welcome the princes from various countries. I will send a carriage to pick you up; the hostages must arrive on time." I had originally thought that upon arriving in the Qin capital, I would first be summoned by the Qin Emperor. It seems that the Qin Emperor has long entrusted the affairs of the hostages from various countries to the Crown Prince, and I fear I will not have the opportunity to meet the Qin Emperor in the near future.

Three days later, we finally arrived at the Qin capital, originally named Luoyang. Six years after Emperor Xuanlong ascended the throne, he moved the capital from Linjing to this location, intending to leverage the strategic advantage of the Yellow River and the proximity to the capital of the Dakang Kingdom. In fact, it proved to be an extremely wise decision to relocate from the lush plains of Linjing to the Qin capital. The Qin capital boasts the largest port in the Qin state, Tongji Port. After the relocation, Emperor Xuanlong established a military port in the river section adjacent to the Qin capital, vigorously developing the navy. At the same time, he reduced taxes for traveling merchants, attracting merchants from all over the world to gather here. As a result of his correct measures, the Qin capital continued to prosper. Additionally, the eastern side of the Great Qin borders the Yellow Sea, allowing merchants from Goryeo, Dongying, and various countries in the South China Sea to cross the sea and travel along the Yellow River to reach this place. Today, Tongji Port has subtly surpassed the status of Wanlong Port in the Dakang Kingdom in the hearts of the people from eight nations.

Cai Xue smiled and said, "Listening to Mr. Sun, there is indeed some truth to it"

Whether in the capital of the Kang dynasty or the Qin dynasty, power and wealth are the means by which one can more easily gain the respect of others. I am seen as a prisoner beneath the feet of others, devoid of any power. I desire respect, and the key to winning people's favor lies in wealth. However, given the current situation, I do not yet possess the ability to control money. I must utilize it to achieve the best results in the shortest time possible

Yan Zimin and I shared a carriage, while Cai Xue and Sun San boarded another one. I took a final glance at 'Tongji Port', marking the official beginning of my life as a hostage in the Great Qin.

Sun Sanfen rinsed himself with the bathwater I had used, and after finishing, he humorously remarked, "It was indeed not a mistake for this old man to choose to follow King Ping; from now on, I can enjoy the emperor's grace every day." I burst into laughter; although I had entered a cage, my state of mind was far more expansive than it had been in Da Kang.

After a brief rest with Sun San, we began to tidy up the room. Despite my insistence, Cai Xue did not join us in our labor; instead, she found a kettle in the kitchen and boiled water for us to drink.

I strive to present myself with utmost respect, bowing my head under the eaves of others. As a hostage from an enemy state, revealing too much brilliance will certainly yield no benefits. In the State of Qin, my identity is merely that of a hostage, my status even inferior to that of an ordinary citizen of Qin.

His gaze was fixed on the Pegasus: "What this king cares about is not this pair of gifts, but the sincere heart of Prince Ping!"

Someone in the crowd sighed softly: "No wonder the Great Kang Kingdom is gradually declining. If the throne is passed to this child in the future, the day of the country's demise is already not far off..."

At dusk, the Yan family sent a carriage to pick me up. I boarded the carriage with a carefully selected brocade box. Sun Sanfen and Cai Xue stayed behind at the Proton Mansion as per my instructions, accompanied by two guards.

I found a gift for the Crown Prince of the Qin State from the gift list. It is a pair of exquisitely crafted jade horses, two magnificent steeds galloping with all four hooves off the ground, their forms strong and vigorous, heads held high and tails flicking, with their heads slightly turned to the left, three legs in the air, and only the right hind leg resting on the back of a dragon sparrow soaring with outstretched wings. The robust and rounded bodies of the horses exude strength, yet their movements are so light and graceful, embodying the pride of "heavenly horses soaring through the skies"; the swallow seems to look back in astonishment at the unexpected encounter with the galloping horses. This subtly alludes to the transcendent realm of "whipping the reins only to compete with the birds in flight".

Snow Path: "Your Highness ... ... "

Everyone is not to gloat over the misfortunes of others. It should be known that Yan Lin is a well-known headstrong young lady in Qin. Ordinary people, let alone speak to her in such a manner, would be severely punished even for merely casting a glance at her

I raised my wine cup unsteadily and walked towards Prince Qin: "Your Highness, your kindness... ... ... I am deeply grateful... ... ... I have no way to repay... ... ... except to use this wine... ... ... to express my... ... ... gratitude... ... ." I trembled as I brought the wine cup to my lips.

For five consecutive days, I had to sell a treasure almost every day, yet I returned home without even a couple of silver coins. However, my reputation unknowingly spread throughout the court and the common people in the capital of Qin. The King Ping of the Great Kang Kingdom not only indulges in wine and women but is also a thoroughgoing gambler

Upon entering the banquet hall, I encountered the seventh-rank steward Yan Zimin, who guided me to the last seat on the left. However, he did not intend to introduce me to Crown Prince Qin.

I chuckled foolishly, and at this point, I had no choice but to carry on with the performance, reaching out for her delicate hand: "Little ... beauty ... come accompany me ... for a ... drink ..."

I was taken aback, not expecting that the young lady before me was actually Princess Yanlin, the ninth princess of the Qin Kingdom. From her words, it seemed that the maid I had just scolded was her personal attendant. This was troublesome; I had inadvertently stirred up a hornet's nest.

I can still clearly feel the fiery pain from Yan Lin's slap on my face, and her unexpected appearance has easily earned me a reputation for lechery. I intend to take advantage of this favorable start to have everyone accept me, the mediocre and indulgent prince of the Kang state.

Yan Yuanji said: "When King Ping entered, he was holding this brocade box in his hand. I wonder what is inside it?" His words reminded me.

The vehicle weaves through the bustling streets of Qindu, and the surrounding clamor evokes a scene of prosperity and strength. Although I am very curious, I have never lifted that thick cotton curtain.

At that moment, the maid let out a startled cry, and I buried my head between her waist and skin, my fingers, shielded by her body, discreetly reached into my own throat

I readily placed the bird on the counter: "You give me three thousand taels of cash, and this bird is yours!" The old man did not expect such a good fortune to come so easily to him. Fearing that I might change my mind, he tightly grasped the bird and, with a trembling voice, said: "Afu, quickly go to the treasury and withdraw three thousand taels of silver!"

I hurriedly knelt down on the ground, feigning an extreme state of terror, my body trembling incessantly, my voice quivering as I said: "Yin Kong... truly... truly... I don't know..." To others, it appeared as though I was so frightened that my soul had left my body, and tears were about to fall.

I am accustomed to the resplendent grandeur of the Great Kang Palace, while the Prince's residence of the Qin State gives me a sense of ordinariness. The only commendable aspect is the remarkably tall buildings; however, the entire residence lacks any exquisite decorations, which further demonstrates the pragmatic viewpoint of the Qin people

The capital of Qin is not comparable to Dakang, and when I bathe, I do not require anyone to attend to me by my side. My palms have developed quite a few blisters, and bathing has taken considerable effort.

Sun Sanfen chuckled, "In the eyes of such a person, anyone who can give him silver is like his own father and mother"

Everyone cast respectful glances at him

Accompanied by two guards, I arrived at the entrance of the residence. I first identified myself to the doorman, and then, under their disdainful gazes, I entered while carrying a gift

I did not receive the treatment that a prince of a nation ought to enjoy, nor was I subjected to much humiliation. For these soldiers, escorting me to the Qin capital was merely their duty; in their eyes, I was not much different from an ordinary subject.

Yan Yuanji laughed and said: "Lin'er, the Ping Wang merely has a low tolerance for alcohol; it was an unintentional mistake. Why must you hold it against him?"

I respectfully replied: "The Crown Prince's arrangements are quite thorough, and I am immensely grateful!"

I leaned against the railing of the ship, standing on the deck, and before me lay a scene of prosperity. Unlike the port of Bandung, I could not see a single beggar in sight; the faces of the passing citizens were all adorned with knowing smiles. My heart could not help but exclaim that my father, the emperor, with his supreme authority and his high-handed policies that looked down upon everything, had finally been proven by reality to be outdated in this era

I nodded slightly; with this jade carving, I should be able to gain a favorable impression from Prince Qin.

Yan Yuanji saw the situation develop to such an extent and hurriedly stopped Yan Lin, earnestly advising her: "Lin'er! You must not be so rude!" Meanwhile, he gestured for someone to help him out the door.

I walked over and said, "Shopkeeper! Please help me check the price of this item!" I placed a gem-encrusted canary that I had brought with me on the counter. This treasure was originally intended as a gift for Zhuge Qing, the Right Chancellor of the State of Qin.

Just as I was about to leave, I saw a luxurious eight-horse carriage slowly coming to a stop in front of the Proton Mansion, wondering which high-ranking official or noble was seated inside

Although I saw through his sinister intentions, I could not expose them on the surface. I feigned surprise and drank three cups with him. Under his influence, the other guests also began to eagerly toast to me. If I accepted all their toasts, I would likely perish at the prince's banquet before I could realize my grand ambitions

With her cheeks flushed from the cold, she could only comply and sit down as instructed

I shook my head: "Let's talk about it after you recover; for now, all you need to do is rest"

Yin Kong was just thinking of exercising his muscles and bones

I laughed and said, "Renovating the mansion and purchasing servants both require money. If we do not adapt and find flexible solutions, how can we quickly improve the current conditions"

"Lecher!" Yan Lin raised her delicate eyebrows, lifting her slender foot to step on my abdomen. I fell to the ground, and the wine glass in my hand flew out, spilling wine all over the floor

I looked up with a silly smile, only to see a beautiful girl in a red dress walking towards me. She was dressed in a red palace gown, her delicate face resembling a melon seed, with no flaws to be found. Her features were distinct without any deliberate embellishment, strikingly graceful, and she appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. Her jet-black hair was styled in a side bun, which accentuated her jade-like complexion and captivating red lips.

The old man pondered for a moment and extended three fingers: "Three thousand taels of silver!" I had long been aware of the true value of this treasure. There are a total of eight canary birds; three years ago, the Eighth Prince, King Mu Ying, was granted one, which he later sold to King Qin for a price of ten thousand taels. This old man was clearly offering me a price that was exceedingly low.

The courtyard is filled with wooden boxes, inside of which are the gifts I brought from Dakang. Prince Yong has already handed me the list of recipients, and all I need to do is find the owners for each of them.

I pretended to be unable to hold my liquor, stammering as I said: "Yun Kong... so... so happy..."

The main gate has just been painted, still emanating a pungent odor. The decorative copper nails on the door have also just been replaced, shining brightly, adding a touch of elegance to this dilapidated courtyard. However, the presence of such elegance here makes the entire residence appear increasingly discordant.

The old man’s eyes brightened as he picked up the canary and examined it for a long time, then said: "This canary must be a palace possession; may I ask where the young master acquired it?"

Pushing open the main hall's door, sunlight illuminated the entire hall from behind us. The hall was filled with cobwebs and dust, and a thick layer of dust had settled on the tables and chairs.

The crowd burst into laughter at my disheveled appearance, and the maid, weeping and wailing, broke free from me and fled outside, covering her face.

During my time at Dakang, although I was not living in luxury, I had never engaged in such arduous labor. Together with Sun Sanfen, we spent over an hour completely moving the gifts into the west chamber, and my body was so exhausted that I felt as if it might fall apart, with sweat completely soaking my outer garment

After Yu Deli left, Cai Xue looked at his retreating figure and said, "I never expected that among the Qin people, there would be such kind individuals"

Under the protection of eight guards from the Qin state, I, along with Cai Xue and Sun Sanfen, descended from the houseboat. Judging by Cai Xue's pace, her injuries have healed significantly; although a complete recovery will still take some time, ordinary movement should pose no difficulties.

I shook my head with a bitter smile: "The exterior is adorned with gold and jade, but the interior is filled with rotten cotton. I never expected that the Qin state had put all its superficial efforts into the main entrance."

After three rounds of drinks, Prince Qin Yanzhi's gaze suddenly turned to me: "Your Highness Ping, are you satisfied with your stay?" As soon as these words were spoken, I immediately realized that he had noticed me long ago, but had been pretending not to see me.

At noon, I treated everyone to a grand meal at 'Hongyan Building' on Guanquan Street. In the afternoon, I went to the largest casino in Qindu, 'Deyi Fang', and gambled a bit. When I left the casino, I had barely less than one tael of silver left on me

Yan Lin cast a cold glance at me, suddenly raised her hand, and struck me hard across the face with a slap. This blow came without any warning, catching me completely off guard. If I had truly been drunk, it would have been better; unfortunately, I was only pretending to be intoxicated. Instantly, five finger marks appeared on my face, and I never expected her to strike with such ferocity.

The next morning, the three of us arrived at the bustling Guanqian Street in the Qin capital under the watchful eyes of the guards. This street is located in the center of the old city of Qin. With the continuous expansion of the Qin capital, it has long deviated from the central axis of the city and become a street in the western part. However, it is a land of fortune for merchants, attracting traders from various countries, creating a lively scene everywhere.

Sun Sanfen wrapped a snowball in cotton cloth and pressed it against my face, instantly alleviating much of the pain. Cai Xue silently prepared a cup of fragrant tea for me. Although I did not tell them what had happened, they could infer the humiliation I had suffered from my disheveled appearance.

Due to the events that just transpired, everyone is filled with disdain and contempt for me, the prince of the Kang Kingdom. I do not mind this outcome; the more weak I appear in the eyes of others, the less sense of threat I will evoke.

The swallow-like figure led me to the carriage on the left side. Judging by the markings on the vehicle, it should be reserved for the royal family. However, the interior decoration of the carriage is remarkably simple, which is in stark contrast to the extravagant and luxurious tendencies favored by the royal family of the Great Kang. This reflects the practicality of the Qin people.

Several impatient guests among them could no longer contain themselves and shouted loudly: "Long Yinkong, you are being excessively deceitful, actually using such counterfeit items to deceive the Crown Prince. Do you not wish to keep your life?"

Sun Sanfen nodded in appreciation and said, "Your Highness, would you be willing to help this old man move the gifts into the west chamber?"

I visited several shops in succession and stopped in front of a store named 'Jubaozhai'. According to two guards, 'Jubaozhai' is the most reputable shop in the capital of Qin.

As I needed to visit the Crown Prince at the Prince's Mansion in the evening, I concluded my work early, and Cai Xue prepared hot water for my bath.

Upon entering the main gate, one is immediately greeted by a courtyard overgrown with weeds. This area was originally intended to be a garden, but after a prolonged period of neglect, it has long since fallen into disrepair

Not far from the ship, two black carriages of four horses were waiting. I had just disembarked from the ship when a tall, thin middle-aged official dressed in the attire of a seventh-rank official approached me, accompanied by six subordinates.

Yan Zi Min Dao: "His Royal Highness has arranged a residence for the hostage, and the gifts and belongings brought by the hostage have already been sent to the hostage's residence." He has changed my title from Prince Ping to Hostage, which not only serves as a demonstration to me but also reminds me of my true identity now

Prince of Qin, surnamed Yan, given name Yuanji, styled Chuqiu, currently twenty-nine years old, concurrently serving as the Commander of the Great Qin Navy, is one of the most powerful figures in the Qin state. Yan Yuanji is known for his hospitality, with three thousand guests at his door, and is famous throughout the world for his generosity

Sun Sanfen and Cai Xue both looked at me with confusion, unaware of my intention to sell the gifts

A chubby young man sitting on the right stood up; he was Zhang Jingyan, the second prince of the State of Zhongshan. The State of Zhongshan had long since become a vassal of the State of Qin, and before the Crown Prince of Qin, he was no different from an ordinary retainer.

My carriage is much more shabby than the one I arrived in Da Qin with; the carriage is damaged in many places, and cold wind occasionally blows in through the gaps. It seems that Yan Yuanji's generosity has not been extended to me.

Sun Sanfen placed the gift list before me: "Young Master! According to the prearranged gift list from Emperor Xinde, we still need to visit these individuals!" I was already thoroughly familiar with this list. Ever since the incident tonight, where Yan Yuanji denounced it as a forgery, I suddenly changed my plans. Even if I were to present these gifts one by one to the nobles and officials on the list, it would no longer achieve the intended effect and might lead the Qin people to suspect ulterior motives. However, keeping them by my side is also unwise. As the saying goes, an innocent man may suffer for possessing a treasure; if someone were to covet my possessions, I might face unforeseen calamities. I must quickly devise a way to disperse them.

Sun Sanfen and Cai Xue could not help but exclaim: "It is truly a masterpiece of ingenuity"

From his cunning and greedy gaze, I immediately discerned that the person before me was a profit-driven petty merchant. Perhaps due to the first meal, the food was quite lavish, consisting of eight dishes with a mix of meat and vegetables, along with a pot of Huadiao wine

Yan Yuanji laughed and said: "King Ping is indeed straightforward. Today, as you arrive in the Qin capital, this cup is my way of welcoming you!" He then picked up the wine cup again

At this moment, two maids approached to pour wine again. I gazed at them with a lustful look, reached out to grasp the sleeve of one of the women, and with a slight pull, drew her into my embrace

I raised my glass in a toast with the crowd, observing the gathering of books, and tonight I did not have the opportunity to converse with the prince

Cai Xue gently smiled and said, "Your Highness, do not be troubled; Cai Xue will tidy up this place immediately."

I originally thought I could quietly navigate through this banquet, but unexpectedly, the second prince of the State of Zhongshan, Zhang Jingyan, was the first to toast me. My feelings towards him could be described as extreme aversion, as he clearly acted as an accomplice to Yan Yuanji in the earlier incident. His leading the toast was evidently an attempt to make me embarrass myself once again in front of everyone

The Prince's residence is located to the east of the capital of Qin, less than three miles from the Proton residence where I live

Eight warriors stood in two rows outside the door, clearly there to supervise me. I couldn't help but let out a bitter smile; is it a bit excessive for Emperor Qin to treat a defenseless hostage in this manner

I entered the main hall holding a brocade box, and took out the pair of horse-treading-on-swallows. Instantly, a chorus of admiration arose in the hall, clearly indicating that everyone recognized the gift as extraordinary

I expressed my concern: "Your injuries have not yet fully healed, so you must not overexert yourself!"

I stood up and said: "Inside is the gift that Yinkong has presented to the Crown Prince!"

The gazes of the two individuals were directed towards me

I walked back in a trembling manner, deliberately pretending to trip over my foot midway, and fell to the ground in an extremely awkward manner, which elicited a burst of piercing laughter.

A surge of pride welled up within me; present were not only the noble lords of the Qin state but also princes from various nations. Displaying the treasures of Dakan before them was indeed a matter of great prestige.

Hello, young master, my name is Yu Deli, and I am the manager of Linxian Tower. He first introduced himself to me

Yu Deli is clearly aware of my identity, but his perspective differs from that of ordinary relatives. In his eyes, whether I am a prince or a prisoner, as long as I can bring him financial resources, I am his patron, and thus his attitude towards me is naturally much more respectful.

Yan Yuanji looked at my disheveled appearance and shook his head helplessly. He picked up the pair of horse-treading swallows from the ground and said, "As the ancients said, 'A feather sent from a thousand miles away is light in gift but heavy in sentiment.' King Ping traveled a great distance, and his intentions are commendable; there is no need to delve deeply into the gifts he has brought."

My eyes were red, and tears of excitement shimmered in my gaze, yet in my heart, I cursed Yan Yuanji a thousand times over. This scoundrel not only insulted me and Da Kang, but he also did not spare these precious horses, the Flying Swallow.

I laughed: "It seems that what we brought from Dakang is not just this canary; tomorrow I will exchange some more silver!"

An hour later, the carriage finally arrived at the Proton Mansion. This is an old residence, and judging by the overgrown weeds on the surrounding walls, it seems that no one has lived here for a long time

The snow was gathered and hot water was brought, allowing Sun Sanfen and me to wash our hands. Sun Sanfen then said: "A businessman must be thorough in his considerations. He must have thought that although the young master has come as a pledge, there will certainly be no shortage of future invitations. Winning your favor is equivalent to winning a significant patron."

Putting on clean undergarments and a robe, a sense of complete comfort arises spontaneously, the ease and tranquility after labor are beyond words to describe

Yan Yuanji's gaze surprisingly did not even glance at the gift. He addressed the crowd, saying: "Brother Jingyan, you have considerable insight into jade and treasures, so why not evaluate it yourself"

Zhang Jingyan approached me with a smile, his gaze scanning the gift from top to bottom, and then he let out a disdainful cold laugh: "Your Highness, in Jingyan's view, these two horses, although exquisitely crafted, are merely inferior imitations made of glass."

Sun Sanfen also sat on my left side, and I said, "We are in the capital of Qin, so the way you address me needs to be changed from now on"

The hold is dark and damp, with only the sound of waves and the occasional footsteps overhead. I am the prince in the hearts of the subjects of Dakan, yet I am a hostage in the eyes of the soldiers of the Great Qin. In the blink of an eye, everything has changed; the seas have turned to mulberry fields, and sometimes it does not take a hundred years to witness such transformations

With a loud exclamation, I vomited all the food and drink I had just consumed onto her.

At noon, a short and stout middle-aged man was led in by the guard; he was the owner of the nearby Linxian Building. The Crown Prince entrusted him with full responsibility for my meals. Every day during mealtime, he would have the waiters bring wine and dishes. Since today was the first day of meal delivery, he personally came with his staff.

Although Sun Sanfen has already passed his sixties, his physical condition is completely beyond my expectations. He worked diligently for an entire morning without showing any signs of fatigue.