When people were in Qin, they captured Zhao and questioned Qin.

Chapter 21 Dilemma

All three of them looked at her.

Zhao Ji realized she had lost her composure. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she hurriedly looked at Yan Dan, then immediately turned to Zhao Heng.

"Young Master came today with a gift, yet you haven't even had a proper drink of water. Since you and Young Master Dan are both friends of Zheng'er, why don't you all stay for a meal before you leave?"

Yan Dan was visibly taken aback.

In his memory, Zhao Ji, due to her poor family background and special status, never invited anyone to eat at her home.

Even though he was a regular customer, he always tactfully took his leave before mealtime to avoid putting her in an awkward position. Zhao Ji would always see him off apologetically, but never try to persuade him to stay. But today, she actually took the initiative to ask them to stay, and two of them did…

Yan Dan couldn't help but look at Zhao Heng again. The young man stood in the spring sunshine, his indigo robe making his skin look somewhat pale. He had handsome features and a bright, clean smile, and was indeed a person who could easily win people's hearts.

But is that all?

He remained silent, maintaining only a gentle smile, watching how Zhao Heng would respond.

Ying Zheng was also surprised, but thinking of his mother's embarrassment after accidentally causing Zhao Heng to fall, he remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "If Prince Heng doesn't mind, please stay."

Zhao Heng felt helpless.

He naturally understood why Zhao Ji had asked him to stay. Those few pieces of clothing were still pressed against his chest, and he could smell their faint fragrance when he looked down.

Zhao Ji must have been looking for an opportunity to get him to return the money privately, which is why she invited him to stay. However, this action seemed rather abrupt to Yan Dan and Ying Zheng.

Moreover... with Yan Dan here and Ying Zheng by his side, how can he find an opportunity to return it?

Zhao Heng's mind raced, but he only showed a slight look of surprise on his face. He then cupped his hands and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Madam. However, I came in a hurry today and did not prepare any gifts. How could I possibly trouble you..."

"Young Master Zhao, you are mistaken," Zhao Ji hurriedly said. "The Qin items you just sent are the best gift you could give. Zheng'er hasn't been this happy in a long time... I am very grateful and just wanted to express my gratitude. Besides, Prince Dan is not an outsider. Since you two are Zheng'er's friends, please don't refuse."

Having said all that, Zhao Heng saw that Ying Zheng remained silent and that Zhao Ji was unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. Knowing that she was anxious, he could only smile and nod, "In that case, I shall respectfully comply."

After saying that, he turned to the courtyard gate.

Ji Cheng and Luan Ding had been waiting outside the door. When they saw Zhao Heng approaching, they immediately stepped forward and bowed. Zhao Heng then said gently, "You two go and find some food. Come back to fetch me after you've eaten."

Yan Dan laughed and said, "Why go to such trouble? Perfect timing! I'll have someone go to the market to buy some fresh vegetables and meat. Since the three of us are gathered here today, we should have a good chat."

As he spoke, he gave a slight nod to the servants standing by the courtyard gate.

Zhao Heng waved his hand, looked at Zhao Ji and her son, and explained with a smile, "The two of them are warriors, and they don't follow etiquette. If they stay here, they might disturb the peace. Madam, you don't need to pay them any attention."

Ji Cheng and Luan Ding didn't say much, they just clasped their hands in agreement and retreated to the shady spot at the alley entrance, their figures neither too close nor too far.

Zhao Ji was taken aback at first, but then she realized that Zhao Heng was afraid that having too many people to eat would embarrass her, and he was also considering Ying Zheng's pride, so he explained it this way. Her heart warmed, and she glanced at him with a silent thank you.

As Zhao Heng spoke, Yan Dan's servants had already turned around and walked quickly out of the alley.

"No, you mustn't!" Zhao Ji hurriedly stopped her, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Young Master Dan, there's enough food at home...

She lowered her voice as she spoke. She knew her son didn't want to owe Zhao Heng a favor, nor did he want to owe Yan Dan a favor, and he was even more afraid that the lavish food would starkly highlight the family's poverty.

Yan Dan waved his hand and laughed heartily, not caring at all: "Auntie, don't be so polite. Now that I'm here, I can't just eat for nothing."

Zhao Ji was about to refuse again, but Yan Dan's servants had already quickly left. She watched their hurried figures, opened her mouth, but in the end, she only sighed softly and said nothing more.

Zhao Heng took all of this into account.

He knew that Yan Dan was genuinely generous and had no intention of being disrespectful, but this action inadvertently put Zhao Ji in an awkward position.

As expected, Ying Zheng had been silent all along, his small hands clenched slightly in his sleeves.

This boy was as sensitive as a taut string.

Zhao Heng then spoke up at the opportune moment, saying, "Brother Yan Dan is so kind; we are in for a treat today."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Ji and smiled, "However, I have been looking forward to your cooking for a long time. Ordinary vegetables will surely become delicious after you have prepared them."

These words were cleverly chosen, and Zhao Ji, who was somewhat at a loss, couldn't help but look at him again upon hearing them.

The spring sunlight fell into Zhao Heng's eyes, rippling with a clear light. The embarrassment in her heart dissipated slightly, and her eyes glistened with tears. She said softly, "Then... I'll go prepare some vegetables first. Gentlemen, please come inside with Zheng'er to talk."

After saying that, she hurriedly headed towards the kitchen.

Ying Zheng watched his mother's figure disappear behind the kitchen door, remained silent for a moment, and then turned to Zhao Heng and Yan Dan.

"please."

The three returned to the main house and sat down again at the old wooden table.

The room was still as simple as ever. The only difference was that there were now some small items that Zhao Heng had brought on the table, such as pottery horse figurines, pottery dolls, half-ounce coins, and raw jade stones, scattered around, adding a bit of life to the gloomy room.

Yan Dan glanced at the items on the table, then at Zhao Heng, and immediately understood.

Ying Zheng naturally sat in the main seat against the wall, which was the only place in the room that could barely be called a "seat of honor". After he sat down, he was silent for a moment, and then reached out to gently gather the items on the table.

Zhao Heng and Yan Dan sat on straw mats on either side. However, when Zhao Heng sat down, he first naturally straightened his clothes to make sure that the bundle of clothes in his arms would not shift before slowly kneeling down.

After sitting down, he took the opportunity to adjust his posture and subtly distanced himself from Ying Zheng and Yan Dan by about half a foot.

Because he then realized that the presence of the bundle of clothes in his arms was unusually prominent.

The linen fabric clung to my chest, rising and falling gently with my breath, its warm, soft texture seeping through my undergarments. The scent, a blend of soapberry and the warm, mellow fragrance of a mature woman, wafted into my nostrils, lingering with each breath.

Zhao Heng remained expressionless, but at this moment he began to have a growing headache. Were all the clothes Zhao Ji wore so fragrant and long-lasting?

Fortunately, with his breathing technique in place, his breathing remained steady. He kept his eyes focused on his nose and his mind at ease, maintaining a normal kneeling posture, so no one could detect anything amiss.

Yan Dan took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve and handed it to Ying Zheng: "Zheng, look what I brought!"

He picked up the bamboo slips; they were neatly bound with rope, and the slips themselves were a mix of green and yellow, clearly recently copied. Ying Zheng slowly unfolded them, and upon seeing the first few words, his dark eyes lit up slightly. He then raised his eyes, revealing a hint of surprise.

"The Book of Mozi?"