Han Fei was a hot-tempered little stutterer, Han’s famously furious young radical. Li Si, on the other hand, was a widely recognized nice guy and Han Fei’s closest friend.

Zhu Xiang and Ying Zheng—who had been lounging in Zhu Xiang’s arms like it was a royal throne—tilted their heads in unison, both showing expressions of bafflement.

In Zhu Xiang’s dreams, Li Si had been the right-hand man of the grown-up Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng couldn’t be more familiar with his character. This was someone without the faintest sense of morality—every move he made was calculated for profit. Ying Zheng had actually been looking forward to his arrival.

But now… this Li Si, was something just a tiny bit off about him?

Ying Zheng fretted for a while before suddenly remembering—he was still young! There was no need to recruit Li Si right now. So, he brushed the concern aside. He could deal with it when he was older. After all, he would have plenty of talented people to use; it didn’t have to be Li Si.

Zhu Xiang, however, wasn’t about to let such an amusing development slide. If he hadn’t been so busy, he’d have already used Han Fei’s name to get a look at this curious “Li Si the Friend.”

Han Fei’s “man-mom” Li Si—it was just too weird. Even a second look didn’t help. Still weird.

Seeing Zhu Xiang’s benevolent expression, Han Fei hesitated to speak. He had wanted to remind him many times: “Lord Zhu Xiang, aren’t we the same age?”

Even though Zhu Xiang was technically his mentor, and he should respect him as a senior, Zhu Xiang treated him like a junior—not in the teacherly sense, but more like a child.

Han Fei often suspected that Zhu Xiang saw no difference between him and Ying Zheng. Xunzi had told him not to bother guessing—that’s exactly how it was. Han Fei refused to believe it.

And now, Zhu Xiang was sitting there with his “benevolent elder” face again, earnestly inquiring about Han Fei’s friendships and offering his home to host his friend.

Zhu Xiang said, “I heard he took care of you while you were sick. Why not bring him home? We should thank him properly.”

Han Fei: “……”

He wanted to dig a hole and crawl in.

He really wanted to say, We are not a family, and this is not my home. But then he remembered how much Li Si admired Zhu Xiang. For the sake of friendship, he endured the awkwardness.

“Li Si, Li Si would be honored to meet Lord Zhu Xiang. Would, would you like to see him?” Han Fei asked. “But Lord Ying is sick—would inviting outsiders be inappropriate?”

Zhu Xiang replied, “As long as you and Li Si don’t make it public, it’s fine. I still have time to answer some of his questions.”

Han Fei instantly lit up. “Thank you, Lord Zhu Xiang!”

“You’re helping me care for Xunzi—it’s just introducing a friend, no need to thank me,” Zhu Xiang said kindly. “I believe that any friend of Han Fei must also be someone with potential.”

Han Fei’s face flushed pink from the praise, a little embarrassed.

Aside from calling his views childish at their first meeting, Zhu Xiang had always praised him. Every little improvement was met with encouragement—just like how he praised Ying Zheng…

Uh-oh. So in Lord Zhu Xiang’s eyes, I am Ying Zheng’s peer. No—his contemporary! Han Fei was once again struck by this horrifying realization.

“Word is you’ve been in a bad mood lately. Feeling any better?” Zhu Xiang asked, inviting him to rest under a straw-roofed pavilion after watering the vegetable garden.

There was a small stove in the pavilion. Zhu Xiang took out a few ceramic cups from the cabinet, filled a kettle, placed it over the fire, and began chatting as he kindled the flames.

Han Fei sat awkwardly at the table. “St-still okay.”

Zhu Xiang said, “Don’t dwell too much on the King of Han. He knows that whichever state unifies the realm, Han will be the first to fall. More than saving face, what he wants most is for Han to survive.”

Han Fei stared down. “I know, but… but it’s all so humiliating.”

Zhu Xiang said, “That’s the problem with the ministers advising him. If disgrace must come, the officials should’ve tested the waters first, not shoved the king into the spotlight. Sigh.”

Zhu Xiang remembered Zhang Liang’s obsession with avenging Han—likely because his family had served as chancellors for generations.

Combine that with how Han Fei always scolded the Han court’s aristocrats as useless parasites, how every king had misruled, how talent was excluded in favor of self-interest even during crisis… and Zhu Xiang’s view of the Zhang family grew a little complicated.

Perhaps Zhang Liang’s ancestors were some of those very incompetents Han Fei cursed.

If Han Fei had lived to meet the grown Zhang Liang, he might’ve drawn the Xunzi-style long sword he trained with and chased the man down as a descendant of corrupt courtiers.

Zhu Xiang drifted for a moment, snapping back when the kettle began to boil.

He continued, “No one can ease your pain—it’s something you must work through yourself. So I won’t tell you to get over it. But remember this: Even after Han is destroyed, though Qin won’t divide the realm into fiefs, it will still have a ruling elite.”

Han Fei looked up from his clenched hands.

Zhu Xiang’s expression turned cold—so unfamiliar that it startled Han Fei.

“There will be no more vassal lords, but nobles will still exist. If Han’s royal clan wants to maintain their superiority, someone must hold power in Qin. If you don’t want them to fall to commoner status, then think carefully about what you must do.”

Han Fei murmured, “Nobles… commoners…”

Zhu Xiang’s tone was icy, but somehow there was a trace of laughter in it—though it was the kind that didn’t sound at all happy.

“There may be no lords, but powerful families still rule. The world remains a top-heavy pyramid. The Han royal family began as nobles, then rose to vassals. Falling back to nobles isn’t much—but becoming commoners? That’s a much harsher fall. When that happens, they may beg you to enter court, hoping you’ll use your ties to the Qin royal family to restore their legacy. But by then, the initiative won’t be yours anymore.”

“But that’s all after Han is destroyed,” Zhu Xiang added. “For now, you can stay a pure scholar, or go back to Han and try again. No need to decide yet.”

He lifted the boiled kettle, rinsed the cups with hot water, then filled them. “Don’t waste time worrying about what hasn’t happened, or what’s bound to happen.”

Han Fei looked dazed. “Lord Zhu Xiang, can’t—can’t Han really become a Qin vassal?”

Zhu Xiang said flatly, “No. Because Han was once powerful—and it occupies a vital corridor in the Central Plains.”

Han lay at the crossroads of several states—in other words, a transportation hub. How could Qin possibly allow a hub to self-govern?

Han Fei pressed his lips together and forced a bitter smile. “If I were advising the King of Qin, I—I wouldn’t allow it either.”

Zhu Xiang pushed a cup toward him. “If you really can’t make peace with it, think about the Jin royal family.”

Han Fei nearly burst into tears in frustration. Lord Zhu Xiang could be so infuriating!

Zhu Xiang chuckled. “The descendants of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou kings have all included commoners, nobles, and even vassals. You’re not the King of Han, nor his chancellor. If even they aren’t planning that far ahead, what’s the point of you doing it? Better to think about how to support the fallen Han royals when the time comes.”

Fuming, Han Fei gulped his water—only to scald his lips and nearly break the cup.

Zhu Xiang laughed uproariously at the sight.

Han Fei covered his mouth and glared daggers at him.

Zhu Xiang just laughed harder.

Han Fei wanted to storm off in a huff, but held himself back. In the end, he stayed and finally asked Zhu Xiang the questions he had been saving up for years.

Zhu Xiang didn’t tease him further. He answered seriously, until Ying Zheng came looking for him, and only then did he leave.

As Ying Zheng walked off with Zhu Xiang, he whispered, “Uncle, did you bully Han Fei again? He was secretly glaring at you!”

Zhu Xiang replied innocently, “What? Would I do something like that?”

Ying Zheng deadpanned, “So you did bully him again.”

Zhu Xiang cleared his throat. “I was merely enlightening him—as a mentor on life’s journey.”

Ying Zheng rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out.

A mentor in life? More like mentoring him into a dead end!

Though Ying Zheng was confident he wouldn’t sentence Han Fei to death someday—provided Han Fei didn’t rebel—he was genuinely worried. If Zhu Xiang kept poking him like this, Han Fei might just snap, run back to Han, draw a sword, and go mad in front of the Han King… and get himself executed.

Zhu Xiang said, “I wasn’t joking. Han Fei really does feel a lot better after I counseled him.”

Ying Zheng muttered, “Heh… Hey! Put me down!”

Zhu Xiang had picked up Ying Zheng and tossed him into the air.

“I’m not a baby anymore—don’t throw me!” the nearly nine-year-old Ying Zheng shouted in embarrassment and anger.

Zhu Xiang replied, “Better to throw you while you’re still small. Come on—one more time!”

Qin King Zhu, the Qin king’s pillar, had come over at the sound of laughter—only to see Zhu Xiang tossing Ying Zheng like a rag doll.

Turning to Zichu, he sighed, “Zhu Xiang’s strength is impressive. He can still throw Zheng’er. You can’t even lift him.”

Zichu: “……”

He really wanted to argue. But sadly—he couldn’t.

Although Zhu Xiang had indeed bullied Han Fei, Han Fei’s mood had also genuinely improved, just as Zhu Xiang had said. Zhu Xiang had pointed out a path Han Fei could take.

The fall of Han was inevitable. With Zhu Xiang and many capable individuals supporting Prince Zheng, it would be hard for the six states to have any chance of resurgence. What would Han Fei do then? Retire into the mountains and live as a hermit?

Zhu Xiang had told him that even if Han Fei himself wished to live in seclusion, the Han royal family likely couldn’t bear the hardships of becoming commoners or impoverished scholars. Even if Han Fei didn’t want to, his family would likely force him into government service for the sake of a better future, relying on his status in the Qin court to secure a place for the Han royals. It would be better for him to become a noble in Qin and elevate the Han royal family to the status of high ministers in Qin.

Given the choice, who would want to be a commoner when they could be a great noble?

Many remnants of fallen states had no choice at all. But now that Han Fei had earned Zhu Xiang’s appreciation, the Han royal family had options.

And though Zhu Xiang’s words were blunt, the logic was sound—Han royalty had originally been ministers of Jin; now becoming ministers of Qin wouldn’t be that difficult to accept.

The more Han Fei thought about it, the angrier he became. It was precisely because Zhu Xiang was so right that he was all the more upset.

When Li Si saw Han Fei storming toward him, his heart skipped a beat, fearing he had somehow offended Han Fei and was about to be dragged into another debate.

Though he was used to debating Han Fei, it was like someone on a diet used to running 800 meters every few days—just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean your heart doesn’t skip a beat every time you’re about to start.

“Lord Zhu Xiang is willing to meet you,” Han Fei said simply. “Get ready. Lord Zhu Xiang is currently caring for a sick elder and doesn’t have much time.”

Li Si was ecstatic. “Really? I… Thank you, thank you so much!”

Han Fei helped the bowing Li Si up and said, “It wasn’t me who recommended you. Lord Zhu Xiang brought you up on his own.”

He paused, a bit awkward. “Lord Zhu Xiang said he heard you’re my friend, so he wants to meet you.”

Li Si: “……” His excitement instantly cooled.

Although he knew Han Fei wasn’t showing off, those words made him so jealous his teeth hurt.

The relationship between Han Fei and Lord Zhu Xiang was really something. Just hearing Han Fei had a friend, Zhu Xiang actually took the initiative to request a meeting.

And yet Han Fei still acted all hesitant, refusing to serve Qin, clinging to a Han king who didn’t care about him at all.

When the Han king came to Xianyang, Han Fei had tried to seek an audience, but the king gave him no chance. Even the Han envoys didn’t take Han Fei seriously.

Watching Han Fei be oblivious to his good fortune made Li Si feel like his heart was getting tied into a knot.

Still, no matter how twisted with jealousy he was inside, he maintained a warm smile and said thank you.

“Thank you so very much.”

“You seem to be in a bad mood. Did someone give you a hard time again?” Li Si changed the subject. “Did someone walk out of a debate with you again? I’ll go find them.”

Han Fei shook his head. “No.”

He hesitated. Should he tell Li Si about his humiliating experience?

But then he thought: Li Si is my close friend—just like Prince Zichu, Lord Cai, Lord Lin, and Lord Zhu Xiang. He should trust his closest friends.

If he couldn’t open up to even them, who could he talk to?

Han Fei sat down, and Li Si poured him a cup of cool boiled water.

Han Fei downed it in one gulp and grumbled, “Lord Zhu Xiang mocked me again.”

The knot in Li Si’s heart suddenly untangled.

His eyes lit up. “Lord Zhu Xiang is such a gracious man—how would he mock you?”

What did he say? Quick, tell me!

Han Fei sulked, “He brought up the King of Jin again. If the King of Jin could become a commoner, why can’t the King of Han?”

Li Si nearly slapped his thigh in agreement.

Zhu Xiang made such a good point! He truly deserved his reputation as a great sage!

“Ahem. Lord Zhu Xiang just hopes you won’t be shackled by Han and miss your chance to shine,” Li Si said hypocritically.

“I know,” Han Fei sighed.

After a while, he continued in a low voice, “Lord Zhu Xiang asked me to think about how, after Han is destroyed, we can ensure the Han royal family becomes nobles again. The Han royals used to be ministers in Jin—so they can be ministers in Qin too.”

Li Si fell silent again, his jealousy creeping back.

Zhu Xiang treated Han Fei like a caring elder advising a wayward youth. Why was Han Fei so lucky?

Han Fei asked, “You… you think so too?”

Li Si opened his mouth, but couldn’t smile—so he just didn’t try.

With a straight face, he said, “I’m not from a royal family. I don’t know what you’re holding onto. But if it’s a choice between watching your family fade into ruin or trying to fight for a future, I say fight. If Qin wipes out the other six states and Han has no hope of restoring its sovereignty, then why not step back and become a noble in Qin? Even the Chu royals serving Qin aren’t all dying for Chu. The future Queen Dowager of Qin is also from Chu, and she’ll live quite well as queen dowager.”

Li Si drank the rest of the water, dousing the flames of his jealousy.

“As far as I can tell, you’re the only real talent left in the Han royal family. If you don’t take office, they really might end up as commoners,” Li Si sneered. “Right now, they live in luxury because of their status. Strip that away, and they’ll have to rely on their own abilities. Do they have any?”

Han Fei looked at Li Si, then raised a hand to cover his eyes.

He couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. “You’re right.”

Once Han was gone, the idiots in his family probably wouldn’t be able to do anything. They might even starve to death.

Without the status of the royal family, their talents weren’t even up to the level of ordinary Qin officials.

“Lord Zhu Xiang has shown you the path. He’s done all he can,” Li Si said. “Even if you don’t walk that path, at least don’t let him down.”

Han Fei nodded lightly.

Li Si added, “I’m going to prepare the essay for Lord Zhu Xiang. Can you take a look at it first?”

Han Fei forced a smile. “Sure.”

A few days later, Li Si nervously visited Zhu Xiang.

Zhu Xiang was nervous too.

This was Li Si, after all!

Although Ying Zheng said he didn’t want to deal with Li Si right now, once he heard Zhu Xiang was meeting him, he still found an excuse to skip class and accompany Zhu Xiang—to observe the man who would one day become the pillar of Qin in his dreams.

Zhu Xiang took a deep breath. “Zheng’er, if I mess up, you must help me.”

Ying Zheng: “Huh?”

What was his uncle fussing about again? It’s just Li Si—what could possibly be so difficult?

Zhu Xiang nervously rubbed his nephew’s soft cheeks.

Ying Zheng expressionlessly swatted his uncle’s hands away.

He really wished he could hurry up and grow up. Once his chubby cheeks were gone, his uncle wouldn’t have an excuse to pinch them anymore.

When Li Si arrived, Zhu Xiang was seated with dignity, no longer teasing his nephew.

After all, Ying Zheng would one day be Li Si’s sovereign. Zhu Xiang needed to give his nephew some dignity.

Li Si was a middle-aged man. Zhu Xiang didn’t ask his age, but he could tell from his face that Li Si had seen more of life than he had.

Still, seeing Han Fei beside Li Si, Zhu Xiang instinctively put on his trademark kind smile for juniors. “No need for too many formalities. Please, make yourself at home.”

After seating Li Si, Zhu Xiang was about to pour tea for him, but Han Fei quickly took the teapot and served as tea attendant.

Zhu Xiang didn’t care much about social status, but Han Fei couldn’t let him lose face in front of his friend. If Xunzi heard of this, he’d scold him too.

Before meeting Zhu Xiang, Li Si had rehearsed a lot of flattery. But upon seeing Zhu Xiang’s head full of white hair, he was momentarily speechless.

It wasn’t that he was touched by the symbolism of white hair. It was because Zhu Xiang didn’t even look human—he was startled.

Li Si had seen Zhu Xiang from afar before, but up close, his appearance gave off a completely different feeling.

It felt like Zhu Xiang was surrounded by mist, as though he might ascend to immortality at any moment.

Zhu Xiang actually was surrounded by mist—he had two mosquito coils burning at his feet.

Ying Zheng, with his tender skin and slight chubbiness, was a magnet for mosquitoes. Since they were meeting outdoors in a pavilion, how could Zhu Xiang not light extra coils to protect his poor nephew?

The mosquito coils had been developed with Bian Que, combining various insect-repelling herbs with pleasant fragrances. They were now even in use at Xianyang Palace.

Seeing his nervous friend starting to stutter, Han Fei quickly stepped in. “Lord Zhu Xiang, Li Si is too nervous. Would you mind reviewing his essay first?”

Li Si hurriedly presented his writing with trembling hands.

Seeing Li Si shaking, Zhu Xiang instantly felt calmer.

So Li Si was even more nervous than he was—nothing to be nervous about anymore!

Zhu Xiang smiled and took the essay. “Don’t be nervous. Since you also studied under Xunzi, you could say I’m your senior brother.”

Ying Zheng immediately said, “Uncle, you shouldn’t say things like that. If word gets out, every student at Xianyang Academy will start calling themselves your junior.”

Li Si also waved his hands. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

Zhu Xiang chuckled softly. This Li Si was very different from what he’d expected.

But then again, so was Han Fei. It made sense that Li Si wouldn’t be as he’d imagined either. Zhu Xiang didn’t dwell on it. He opened the essay and began reading carefully.

He refrained from commenting so Li Si could relax a little.

As he read, Zhu Xiang’s eyes widened in surprise.

He had been disappointed before when reading young Han Fei’s writings. The Han Fei he knew and the young Han Fei were completely different in thought—often even contradictory.

The Han Fei he first encountered had been wholly focused on preserving the Han royal family, with little thought for the wider world.

Zhu Xiang had expected Li Si to be similarly unremarkable. But this essay was substantive—if presented to King Zhuang of Qin now, the king would likely appoint Li Si as a guest official immediately.

After some reflection, Zhu Xiang understood the difference.

Li Si had studied under Xunzi for several years, befriended Han Fei, and witnessed many of Qin’s changes. He had matured.

He might even have had access to more new ideas than the historical Chancellor Li Si. Given his natural talent, it was no surprise he showed such brilliance.

“With your talent, you could serve as a guest official in Qin now,” Zhu Xiang said with a smile.