HCT – Chapter 158 Late-Night Porridge and Side Dishes

When Zichu ascended the throne, the timing was more or less the same as in the original timeline.

Ying Zheng’s age when he became Crown Prince also coincided roughly with the age he originally became King of Qin.

However, their circumstances were completely different. Even though Ying Zheng was only the Crown Prince now, he held more power and freedom than he did when he had been King of Qin.

Seeing that his father and maternal uncle were still deep in mourning and that Grandmother had fallen ill from excessive grief, Ying Zheng brought Chengjiao to stay by his side to ease the burden on his elders.

Chengjiao had been born when King Zhaoxiang of Qin was gravely ill. He was now only three years old and had just become fluent in speech.

By the age of three, Ying Zheng had already been sitting in Uncle Lin’s lap listening to lessons. Meanwhile, Chengjiao didn’t even know how to dress himself.

Ying Zheng was utterly shocked by his younger brother’s incompetence. Even the servants around Chengjiao were shocked by the Crown Prince’s shock.

Forget about children in the commoner households—even for a royal like Prince Chengjiao, it would be entirely normal if he never learned to dress himself his whole life.

Why was Crown Prince Zheng so surprised that a three-year-old like Chengjiao didn’t know how to put on clothes?

They tried to explain that this was perfectly normal, but Ying Zheng sternly replied, “I am teaching Chengjiao. Your comments are not needed.”

While helping Chengjiao get dressed, he also instructed him on how to do it himself. Once Chengjiao was fully clothed, Ying Zheng told him to take off the clothes and put them back on again.

He pulled a small packet of osmanthus cake from his sleeve and said, “If you can put your clothes on by yourself, I’ll give you a piece.”

Chengjiao replied, “I eat cakes all the time.”

Tilting his head back, he looked completely unimpressed.

Ying Zheng broke off a small piece of the cake and stuffed it into Chengjiao’s mouth. “This was made by Uncle. It’s not like what anyone else makes.”

Chengjiao chewed, his brows furrowing.Osmanthus cake was osmanthus cake. It didn’t taste any different.

He swallowed it and was about to tell his brother that it tasted the same as usual. But seeing how proud Ying Zheng looked, Chengjiao started to doubt his own sense of taste.

Could it be that this cake really was better and he just couldn’t tell?

Though Chengjiao was a reasonably bright three-year-old, he was still just a toddler, with the typical silly innocence of one.

Under Ying Zheng’s subtle persuasion, he gradually became convinced that their uncle’s osmanthus cake was a delicacy unmatched by the palace chefs.

“I’ll learn!” In pursuit of the world’s most delicious cake, Chengjiao earnestly began learning how to dress himself.

Putting on clothes wasn’t all that hard, but the numerous accessories were incredibly complicated.

Chengjiao tried again and again, then finally flopped onto the bed, refusing to continue.

Ying Zheng picked him up and helped him put everything on correctly. “You did well today. We’ll continue learning tomorrow.”

He shared a piece of the osmanthus cake with Chengjiao and ate with him. Chengjiao ate so messily that crumbs were all over him. Ying Zheng looked at him in utter disgust.

He had been much smarter than Chengjiao when he was that age. Kids were such a hassle.

After feeding Chengjiao the cake, Ying Zheng began teaching him to read.

Before even an incense stick could burn down, Chengjiao had already fallen fast asleep on the desk.

Ying Zheng was speechless.

Was the younger brother in his dream just as lazy and dumb? How could someone this lazy and this stupid even come up with the idea to rebel?

Maybe because he was stupid.

Ying Zheng had harbored some resentment toward Chengjiao because of his dream. But seeing him now—so silly and lazy—made him feel ashamed of that resentment.

Even without their uncle, Chengjiao could never be a threat.

He put down the book and pinched Chengjiao’s cheeks to wake him.

Ying Zheng put on a stern face and said, “Memorize this passage. If you don’t finish today, I’ll replace all your snacks with sour plums.”

Chengjiao’s eyes widened as tears instantly welled up.

He opened his mouth and began bawling, shouting that he was going to complain to Grandmother because his big brother was bullying him.

Ying Zheng crossed his arms and silently watched him cry.

When Chengjiao saw that his brother was unmoved, he threw himself onto the ground and rolled around.

“Your Highness…” The servants looked uneasy.

Ying Zheng picked up the book and calmly said, “I said before: I will teach Chengjiao. I don’t need your interference. This is the second time. There won’t be a third.”

The servants immediately shut their mouths.

Chengjiao kept rolling and crying until his throat turned hoarse. In the midst of this loud tantrum, Ying Zheng finished reading half a book with complete focus.

Chengjiao eventually rolled to Ying Zheng’s feet and howled up at him.

Without even lifting his head, Ying Zheng said, “There’s water on the table. If your throat hurts, drink it yourself.”

Chengjiao: “Awooo awooo…”

Ying Zheng continued reading.

Chengjiao: “Wuuu wuuu…”

Still reading.

Chengjiao got up, tiptoed over, grabbed the water, and gulped it down.

Only then did Ying Zheng put down the book and order warm water to be brought in to clean Chengjiao’s face and tidy his appearance.

Chengjiao looked at Ying Zheng with grievance.

“I’m giving you one hour,” said Ying Zheng. “I don’t believe you’re so dumb that you can’t memorize a passage of just over a hundred characters.”

Chengjiao looked at the book his brother handed him and was about to cry again. “I can’t read it.”

Ying Zheng frowned in disdain. “You don’t even know how to read?”

Chengjiao pouted.

Ying Zheng sighed and ordered someone to pick him up.

Chengjiao’s eyes lit up with hope as he lay on the servant’s shoulder. “No more memorizing?”

Ying Zheng said with a straight face, “You’re too stupid. I can’t teach you. I’m assigning you a new teacher.”

Chengjiao’s chubby little face crumpled. His mouth opened, ready to cry again.

Ying Zheng warned him: “If you cry again, you can forget about eating any more snacks today.”

Chengjiao instantly covered his mouth, nearly biting his lip.

His brother hadn’t reacted at all to his earlier crying and tantrums. This left a deep scar on his tiny heart, and he now felt a bit afraid of this unfamiliar Crown Prince brother.

Grandmother, where are you? Your poor grandson is scared!

Zhu Xiang was currently assisting Zichu with government affairs.

Spirits must be honored, but government affairs also had to be handled. Although by rites and protocol, a mourning Qin king should delegate state affairs to the court ministers and quietly observe mourning, no Qin king in history had ever actually done so—much less Zichu, who had an especially strong thirst for power.

Although Zichu had been acting as regent for a while, serving as Crown Prince was completely different from ruling as King of Qin. It was only after officially ascending the throne that he realized just how many trivial matters there were to deal with.

Zichu, who had thought ruling would be easy, was now overwhelmed.

Xunzi was elderly and frail; after mourning at the spirit hall, he lost all energy. Zichu didn’t want to disturb him. Lin Zhi and Cai Ze, after their daily ritual incense offerings, stayed to help Zichu sort through state affairs.

On the side, Zhu Xiang created a racket, making sarcastic comments like “That’s it?”, “You’re so slow,” and “You can’t even do this?”

Zichu nearly snapped the brush in his hand from frustration.

Cai Ze sighed. “Zhu Xiang, what’s wrong with you again?”

Lin Zhi said impatiently, “He’s just happy to see us all busy while he has nothing to do. So he’s here to provoke us. Your Majesty, hurry and lock him up.”

King Zichu: “…” He was seriously considering whether he should imprison Zhu Xiang.

That rascal was infuriating!

Just as Zichu was wondering how to deal with Zhu Xiang, Ying Zheng arrived with Chengjiao, looking for him.

Ying Zheng showed no shame and declared righteously, “Chengjiao still doesn’t know how to read. I can’t teach him. Uncle, you do it.”

Zhu Xiang: “Huh?”

King Zichu: “What?”

Cai Ze and Lin Zhi exchanged glances, then simultaneously shrugged and sighed.

Zichu had become king, and Zheng’er was now Crown Prince—yet neither seemed to have grown at all. They were still the same as before.

Of course, it had only been less than half a month; it wasn’t realistic to expect drastic changes.

Zhu Xiang said to Zichu, “If a child is not taught, it’s the father’s fault. That Chengjiao still can’t read—Xia Tong, you really should reflect on this.”

Zichu scolded, “How many times have I told you—address me as ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘My Lord.’ Call me by name again, and I’ll punish you! If anyone hears it, they’ll accuse you of disrespect and insubordination, and I won’t bother cleaning up the mess afterward.”

Zhu Xiang said, “My Lord, your son Chengjiao still can’t read. If a child is not taught, it’s the father’s fault. Reflect on that.”

Zichu replied, “I’ve long said he needed a tutor, but the Queen Dowager always refused, saying Chengjiao was still too young.”

Zhu Xiang said, “You should’ve argued your case.”

Zichu retorted, “And get scolded by the Queen Dowager?”

Cai Ze stepped in to stop them. “Stop, stop, stop—both of you, just stop!”

Lin Zhi said, arms folded, “We should send Zhu Xiang back to Southern Qin to farm. With him around, Your Majesty doesn’t act like a proper king at all.”

Zichu: “…” He had started bickering with Zhu Xiang again without even realizing it.

With Zhu Xiang constantly jabbering nearby, it really was hard to remember that he was now the King of Qin and needed to carry himself with dignity.

Zichu cleared his throat a few times and said, “Zhu Xiang, since you clearly have nothing better to do, go teach Chengjiao to read.”

Zhu Xiang replied, “Just because you say I have nothing to do doesn’t make it true. Seeing how inefficient you all are—I’m more anxious than you! I’ll help you out. Zheng’er, even if your little brother is dumb, that’s no excuse not to teach him. You go teach him.”

Ying Zheng replied with a stern face, “I’m helping Father manage state affairs. Uncle, you teach him.”

He had tried imitating how his uncle had once taught him, but after just a short while with Chengjiao, who only knew how to scream and cry, he was completely irritated and wanted to throw the child out.

Ying Zheng promptly gave up on being a good older brother.

Seeing Ying Zheng’s determined expression, Zhu Xiang sighed, “Fine, I’ll teach him. We’ll do it right here.”

The palace maids attending to Chengjiao immediately objected, “How can we do it here…”

Ying Zheng interrupted with a frown, “I’ve said before—no more than three strikes.”

He bowed to Zichu. “Father, I request a full reevaluation of the people assigned to Chengjiao.”

Zichu waved his hand. “These trivial matters—you decide.”

Ying Zheng responded, “Yes.”

He glanced around the hall and casually pointed to two people, who immediately gagged the woman who had now spoken out for the third time and dragged her out of the room.

The confused Chengjiao started to follow, calling, “Nanny…”

Ying Zheng pulled him back and said sternly, “No more ‘nanny.’ She’s merely a servant—not qualified to be called ‘mother’ by a prince of Qin. No one taught you before, but now you remember this.”

Chengjiao shrank his neck and looked like he was about to cry again.

Zhu Xiang picked him up and gently patted his back, disapprovingly saying, “He’s only three. What could he possibly understand? Even if you’re teaching him, you shouldn’t use that kind of threatening tone. When you were three, anyone who spoke to you like that would’ve been punched with your tiny fists.”

Ying Zheng’s expression stiffened. “I would not.”

Zhu Xiang gave him a smile that made Ying Zheng flush with embarrassment and anger, then continued patting Chengjiao’s back, saying, “Even if your father and brother weren’t the King and Crown Prince of Qin, no outsider has the right to overrule them in how they raise you. They are your true family.”

Chengjiao curled up in Zhu Xiang’s arms, half his little face peeking out, looking at him with fear and uncertainty.

Zhu Xiang gently said, “You’re still young—it’s perfectly normal that you don’t understand. Uncle will teach you slowly.”

Chengjiao buried his face back into Zhu Xiang’s chest, his small fists clutching tightly at Zhu Xiang’s clothes.

He didn’t understand, but he was truly frightened. Only this unfamiliar man holding him gave him a sense of safety. Like a small animal that had been bullied, Chengjiao huddled into Zhu Xiang’s arms.

He had grown up under the care of Queen Dowager Huayang and King Zhu. After the king’s passing, Queen Dowager Huayang was overwhelmed with grief and unable to tend to him, and Queen Dowager Xia was also preoccupied with supporting Huayang. And so, he was left all alone.

Though he knew what a father and older brother were in name, emotionally, young Chengjiao had not accepted these two unfamiliar relatives.

But Zhu Xiang was different.

Xue Ji had taken care of Chengjiao for a long time. Although he was still very young then, Queen Dowager Huayang constantly spoke of Xue Ji, and Xue Ji often sent gifts back. Chengjiao had grown very fond of her, and thus also trusted Zhu Xiang.

Moreover, both Queen Dowager Huayang and King Zhu frequently spoke of Zhu Xiang in front of him. In Chengjiao’s mind, “Uncle” was someone omnipotent, gentle, and kind. So the moment he saw Zhu Xiang, he naturally saw him as his new protector.

In fact, King Qin Zhu and Queen Dowager Huayang often mentioned Ying Zheng in front of Chengjiao. Chengjiao had originally been quite close to this elder brother.

But Ying Zheng only needed a few hours to completely shatter Chengjiao’s filter of brotherly affection. The “good older brother” praised by their grandfather and grandmother became an incredibly frightening person in Chengjiao’s eyes.

“Alright, stop frowning. You’re still so young—do you plan to become a little old man already?” Zhu Xiang carried Chengjiao to the table and sat down. “Weren’t you going to help your father with work? Hurry up. At the speed they’re going, they probably won’t be able to sleep on time tonight.”

Zhu Xiang shook his head. “I was originally curious how fast they could finish their tasks. I didn’t expect them to be this slow. Is this the so-called King of Qin and Qin’s Prime Ministers? That won’t do.”

Lin Zhi rolled up a stack of documents and stuffed them into Zichu’s hands.

Zichu raised the scroll and gave Zhu Xiang a hard smack on the head.

Zhu Xiang’s head bobbed slightly, his expression unchanged.

He was thick-headed. It didn’t hurt or itch.

Cai Ze tried to smooth things over. “Alright, stop adding to the chaos.”

He efficiently delegated the remaining tasks, letting Zhu Xiang and Ying Zheng join in.

Zichu tapped Zhu Xiang’s head a couple more times, then tossed the scroll aside and continued working.

There was too much to do—he barely had time to grieve for his father’s passing.

So this is how much work the King of Qin had… As Zichu recalled his father’s ease in handling everything, for the first time, he truly realized how capable his father had been.

He had once looked down on King Qin Zhu to some extent, because King Zhaoxiang of Qin had often expressed dissatisfaction with Zhu’s abilities.

Zichu had initially intended to follow in King Zhaoxiang’s footsteps and hold all the power himself. But after becoming King of Qin, he was overwhelmed by the endless stream of state affairs.

Even though he had served as regent for a long time, he now realized that what he had handled before was just the tip of the iceberg.

Perhaps, even when his father appeared to delegate power completely, he had always been in control of the state. That was something Zichu needed to learn.

He now understood that to learn how to be the King of Qin, he had to first become the King of Qin.

Zhu Xiang helped Zichu sort the documents while simultaneously telling stories to Chengjiao.

Ying Zheng’s eyelids twitched. The “stories” his uncle was telling were actually the exact text he and Zhu Xiang had discussed earlier—the passages he had wanted Chengjiao to memorize.

Chengjiao had felt a little sleepy at first, but the more he listened, the more spirited he became, even asking questions.

No matter how naive or silly Chengjiao’s questions were, Zhu Xiang answered them earnestly. He would even make up content on the spot to match Chengjiao’s childish thoughts, as if Chengjiao’s reasoning was truly insightful.

Zichu paused his writing and asked, “Did you teach Zheng’er like this too?”

You just spewed nonsense in front of him?

Zhu Xiang laughed. “More or less.”

Ying Zheng frowned, unhappy that his uncle was lumping him together with Chengjiao. “I’m different. I’m smarter and more mature.”

Chengjiao burrowed deeper into Zhu Xiang’s arms, his little face full of unhappiness. Even though he was still small, he understood that his brother was disliking him.

Zhu Xiang said gently, “You really were more mature and smarter than Chengjiao at the same age. You suffered a lot more than him. You’ve worked hard, Zheng’er.”

Ying Zheng relaxed his brows and buried his head in the documents, flipping through them with rustling sounds. “Since following Uncle, I haven’t suffered at all. Not hard at all.”

Zhu Xiang gently rubbed Chengjiao’s small head. “The fact that you’re not as mature and clever as your brother was at this age is a blessing. There’s a saying—‘children from poor families grow up faster.’ You’re living a happy life now. It’s a good thing you can stay a child longer. No need to grow up too quickly.”

Chengjiao looked up, then quickly buried his face back into Zhu Xiang’s chest. He still didn’t fully understand, but he suddenly felt better.

Zichu watched Zhu Xiang teaching the children with great interest, as if these two children had nothing to do with him.

Cai Ze and Lin Zhi exchanged a look and wore identical expressions of disdain.

This wretched King of Qin truly embodied the phrase “responsible for birth but not for raising,” and he was even proud of it.

Poor Zhu Xiang.

But judging from Zhu Xiang’s expression, he probably enjoyed it and didn’t need their sympathy.

Zhu Xiang wasn’t just nitpicking when he teased Zichu, Cai Ze, and Lin Zhi for being inefficient.

Once he and Ying Zheng joined in, Zichu’s efficiency in handling state affairs improved significantly.

Both Zhu Xiang and Ying Zheng had photographic memory and were extremely sensitive to written words. Just one glance was enough for them to see the intentions behind a document. They swiftly picked out the nonsense, preventing Zichu’s attention from being polluted.

Zichu trusted Zhu Xiang and Ying Zheng deeply. For documents they sorted, he didn’t even bother to read through them again.

But for those sorted by Cai Ze and Lin Zhi, he would still glance through each one.

That mere act of “glancing” saved him a great deal of time, significantly increasing his efficiency.

Cai Ze and Lin Zhi were both aware of this.

It wasn’t that their efficiency was truly poor—it was simply that Zichu trusted Zhu Xiang more.

Zhu Xiang also knew this, which was why he exaggerated his performance to integrate himself naturally.

But perhaps Zhu Xiang hadn’t exaggerated intentionally. Maybe he really was mocking them. That was just the kind of person Zhu Xiang was.

“Let’s finish before it gets dark,” Zhu Xiang said as he looked down at the now-sleeping Chengjiao, who had drooled a patch over his chest. “Seeing Chengjiao reminds me of little Zheng’er. He used to treat my clothes like a bib too.”

Ying Zheng gritted his teeth and said, word by word, “I. Did. Not!”

Zhu Xiang replied, “Admitting to your past childishness is a sign of maturity. Only immature children deny their flaws. Zheng’er, you still have some growing up to do.”

Ying Zheng: “…”

So angry! If not for all the people around, he would’ve jumped on Uncle’s back and yanked out his hair!

Lin Zhi stretched and said, “We’re done for the day. Zhu Xiang, go make us a late-night snack.”

Zhu Xiang laid Chengjiao on a low couch nearby and covered him with a light blanket. Every room where the King of Qin worked had a low couch for resting.

“Alright, I’ll make you some egg-white congee. Just egg whites, not considered meat,” said Zhu Xiang. “In fact, insects technically don’t count as meat either.”

Zichu held his forehead. “Even if I don’t eat meat for a whole year, I’ll be fine!”

“Fine, I’ll only give you some when your health suffers,” said Zhu Xiang. “Milk and goat’s milk aren’t considered meat either…”

“Go, go, go. Quit nagging,” Zichu picked up a wooden paperweight from the desk and threw it at Zhu Xiang.

Zhu Xiang caught the carving and casually handed it to Ying Zheng. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the royal gift! Zheng’er, shouldn’t you thank His Majesty too?”

Ying Zheng: “…”

Uncle, if you want to joke with my father, don’t drag me into it. I don’t want to join in.

Zichu laughed and scolded, “Fine, it’s yours. Now shut up. I’m starving.”

Zhu Xiang replied, “Wait a bit—it’ll be ready soon.”

Zhu Xiang went to the kitchen. Zichu rubbed his forehead and sighed.

“Is it really that hard for Zhu Xiang to treat me as King of Qin?” Zichu asked with a smile.

Lin Zhi replied grumpily, “Whenever you sincerely tell him to treat you as King of Qin, he does.”

Zichu said, “I’ve told him sincerely many times.”

Lin Zhi: “Oh.”

Cai Ze quickly smoothed things over. “Your Majesty, Zhu Xiang has always been like this. He was like this even with the former king. He’s just a coarse man—used to it.”

Zichu replied, “He really is coarse.”

Lin Zhi: “Absolutely.”

Ying Zheng objected, “Uncle is not a coarse man!”

Lin Zhi gave Ying Zheng’s head a good rub, messing up his topknot. “He definitely is.”

Zichu added, “Definitely.”

Cai Ze sighed helplessly.

Your Majesty, you still ask why Zhu Xiang doesn’t treat you like the King of Qin. Look at you—joining in with Lin Zhi to criticize him. Do you look like a king right now?

But Cai Ze also breathed a sigh of relief. He knew how to adjust his relationship with the now-King Zichu, but he had worried that Zhu Xiang might be hurt. Now, he didn’t have to worry.

At least for now, Zichu was still willing to remain Xia Tong in front of Zhu Xiang. And maybe… not just for now.

Zhu Xiang soon returned with a pot of congee to feed the hungry group who had worked into the night. He sliced a plate of marinated dried tofu, tossed a few cold vegetable dishes, and cut open a salted egg.

As expected, Zichu made no complaints about eggs being meat. He ate everything Zhu Xiang prepared.

Ying Zheng drank two large bowls of congee and ended up so full that Zhu Xiang had to rub his belly. Zhu Xiang was half-laughing, half-crying—had Ying Zheng not eaten all day? Why was he so greedy?

Thankfully, Zheng’er trained diligently in swordsmanship and archery. Otherwise, with his appetite, he would’ve gone from a little chubby kid to a big chubby adult. Now Zheng’er was so handsome and upright—it was all thanks to Li Mu’s training.

Chengjiao was woken up once by the delicious smell and ate half a bowl of congee before falling asleep again. As he slept, he clutched tightly to the edge of Zhu Xiang’s robe, looking very insecure.

Zhu Xiang looked down at him with a warm expression. “Back then, Zheng’er…”

Ying Zheng immediately covered his ears. “Back then, Zheng’er was wonderful and mature—nothing like him!”

Lin Zhi nearly spit out the roasted pumpkin seeds in his mouth. “Pfft… cough cough—ahahahahaha!”

Zichu and Cai Ze also couldn’t hold back their laughter.

Zhu Xiang teased with a smile, “Zheng’er, do you know what ‘a clumsy denial resulting in self-exposure’ means?”

Ying Zheng covered his ears and gritted his teeth. “No! If Uncle keeps bullying me, I’ll go find Grandfather…”

The moment “Grandfather” was said, both Ying Zheng and the previously-laughing Zichu froze.

Silence fell.

After a moment, Zichu patted Ying Zheng on the shoulder and said, “If he bullies you again, come tell me.”

Ying Zheng muttered quietly, “What good would that do…”