[Comprehensive] Empress Variations

After Xun Ying used up all the arrows in the quiver, she quietly walked to Ying Zheng's side.He was so focused on reading that he didn't realize that she had walked over.

The books that Ying Zheng had finished reading were placed beside him.Xun Ying reached out to pick up a book, and sat beside him to read it.The two were leaning against the same big tree, and the distance between their arms was less than a fist.Except for the occasional sound of wooden slips being flipped, there was nothing else to be heard. It seemed extremely quiet and also extremely harmonious.

Ying Zheng turned over the books in his hand, and saw his somewhat rough skirt.The reading time passed quickly, and before he knew it, he had finished reading all the books.

He quickly raised his head to look at the place where Zhao Yan practiced arrows, but there was no one there, and even the bows and arrows were packed away.Ying Zheng stood up abruptly, and the books on his body fell to the ground.However, at this time, he didn't have much time to care whether the book would be damaged because of his actions.

As soon as he took a step forward, he heard the slight sound of a book falling to the ground.Looking back, Zhao Yan was leaning against the tree he just leaned on.

"Brother Ah Zheng." Xun Ying had obviously just woken up, and there was still a bit of mist in his eyes.She was also reading a book before falling asleep, and the book slipped from her lap and fell to the ground following her movements at this time.

Ying Zheng's sudden mention was relieved, he thought Zhao Yan couldn't wait, so he left directly.There was even a moment of panic in him, fearing that after Zhao Yan left so silently, there would be little chance of seeing him again in the future.

He thought that Zhao Yan was not important to him, just like those people he met on the road.There was an exchange of a few words, and then there was no contact.Now he has to admit that this little girl is somewhat special to him.

In the first two days, it was probably because she acted too naive and immature. Even though he didn't get along with her for a long time, he couldn't help worrying about what would happen to her where he couldn't see it.Didn't he think about it many times in the past two days?Worried that she would be punished by her parents for sneaking out.

Now that he can feel Zhao Yan's closeness and friendliness to him, it is even more impossible for him to regard her as a passerby who met by chance.

Ying Zheng walked up to Zhao Yan and squatted in front of her. He watched her hazy eyes gradually regain their focus.Zhao Yan asked him to read these books before she left, but she sat beside him and waited without disturbing him after she finished her practice.Although he didn't know how long Zhao Yan had been waiting here, he also knew that this time would not be short.Can Zhao Yan wait until he falls asleep, how can this time be short?

Ying Zheng met Zhao Yan's eyes that had regained their clarity, and reached out to help Zhao Yan comb her messy hair. "Don't sleep here in the future, be careful to catch a cold."

"I didn't do it on purpose." There was a blush on Xun Ying's cheeks, obviously a little embarrassed.She pursed her lips slightly, lowering her head as if afraid to see Ying Zheng's reaction.For a well-educated girl, what she was doing was obviously a bit of a faux pas.This disrespectful side was seen by quite formal people, which naturally made her feel embarrassed.

Ying Zheng reached out and pinched her cheeks. The girl's face, which still had some baby fat, was extraordinarily soft.Such a tactile sensation makes people unable to resist repeating the action just now.It's just that the girl's skin was a little too thin, and it just showed a bit of blush.He naturally withdrew his fingers.

Seeing Zhao Yan's eyes suddenly widen because of his actions, Ying Zheng had a distinct smile on his lips.The corners of her lips curved into a perfect arc, and even her eyes were filled with obvious pleasure.

"Brother Ah Zheng, you look so pretty when you smile." Xun Ying was obviously taken aback for a moment, and then praised him sincerely.

Yingzheng seemed too steady in the past, and the atmosphere around him was so dull that one could even feel a little haze.His years of experience have made him very cautious in dealing with people, and he rarely relaxes like this.Such a smile is really amazing on him.

Although he is still young now, he has already been able to vaguely see the splendor of adulthood.If Yingzheng was an adult at this time, it would definitely make the woman's mind flutter.However, he is a child now, and the only person who has the honor to see his smile is a little girl under five years old.All he got was a compliment from the girl.

Ying Zheng restrained his smile. Since he was born, he has rarely had a relaxing time.Even if he showed a smile, most of them wanted to use his age at this time to obtain some purpose.That purposeful smile, even if he couldn't see it, would still feel ugly.His smile at this time is probably really as good-looking as Yan'er said.

Thinking of this, he raised the corners of his lips again, and met Zhao Yan's obviously joyful face, "Yan'er also looks good when she smiles."

In his eyes, Zhao Yan's smile was the purest he had ever seen.Always with pure joy like that, without a shred of concealment.Compared with his own smile, he obviously liked the smile on Zhao Yan's face more.After seeing it, it will make people feel heart-warming.

Xun Ying's smile became more obvious, and her eyes became bright again.

Ying Zheng could see Zhao Yan's joy, her mood was always written on her face, so she didn't need to speculate too much.However, no matter how happy they get along, he should send Zhao Yan back now.

He didn't know how Zhao Yan persuaded the people around him to let her come out alone.But he knew very well that if Zhao Yan stayed here for too long, those people would worry a lot.When Zhao Yan thinks about it in the future, it will only be more difficult.

Ying Zheng stretched out his hand towards Zhao Yan, feeling the soft little hand in his palm.He tightened his palms and pulled Zhao Yan up.After Zhao Yan stood firm, he let go of his palm.He bent down to tidy up the scattered books on the ground and picked them up. "Let's go, I'll take you back."

Xun Ying didn't show any obvious gloomy expression this time, she reached out and grabbed the corner of Ying Zheng's clothes, and followed closely behind him. "In two days, I can come out to play again."

"Yeah." Ying Zheng never thought that Zhao Yan could show up here every day, and coming out every two days was already very rare in his opinion.Although, he really wanted Zhao Yan to come out for a few more days in his heart. "Try not to worry your family.

"I understand." Xun Ying lowered her eyes slightly.Ying Zheng used the word 'as far as possible'. He knew very well that Zhao Yan would worry his family if he came out alone like this, but he still wanted Zhao Yan to come here to find him.

Ying Zheng sent Zhao Yan to the edge of the flowers, and put the book in Zhao Yan's hand.He looked up at the lush flower bushes, which were so spacious that she wanted to walk back alone.He pursed his lips, but he had the idea of ​​sending Zhao Yan off again.If he happened to meet someone who came to pick up Zhao Yan...

He felt his own weakness again.If it wasn't because he was too weak, he wouldn't have been chased by King Zhao's soldiers and fled like a bereaved dog, even on the verge of death several times.If it weren't for being too weak, he could even appear in Zhao Yan's other courtyard openly and aboveboard, unlike now, who can only wait in vain.He was even afraid of seeing people related to Zhao Yan, lest they would not allow Zhao Yan to get along with him because of their status.

One day, he will become stronger.Strong enough to protect himself, strong enough to get everything he wants.No one can stop him, and no one can even interfere with his thoughts.In those black and white eyes, there was something boiling, full of wild ambitions that seemed unrealistic to others.

Ying Zheng tightened his hands on his sides, Zhao Yan's small body had disappeared into the flowers, and he could only vaguely see the faint shaking in the flowers.

……

For nearly a month, when she couldn't leave the other courtyard, Xunying would read books in the other courtyard, or play games with Bichun and others who served her.When she was able to leave the other courtyard, she would go to Ying Zheng with a pile of books.She was practicing archery in a fixed position, while Ying Zheng was reading a book.Although her archery skills were not as good as Ying Zheng's, she was still able to shoot all the arrows at the tree.There are even two to three arrows that can hit the center of the tree.

With her skills, she can already try to hunt.However, for Ying Zheng, every time they spend together is the time for him to learn to read.Reading is a rare thing for him.Xun Ying, of course, would not take the initiative to ask Ying Zheng to accompany her.

As usual, Xun Ying came out of the flowers holding the basic books.As soon as she looked up, she saw Ying Zheng standing aside.Now he no longer sees her coming to greet her as before, but waits directly beside the flowers.As soon as her figure appeared, he could immediately take the books in her hand.

Ying Zheng took the pile of books, and after walking two steps, he realized that the books in his hands were heavier than yesterday.When he turned his head slightly, he saw Zhao Yan beside him stretching out his hand to pinch his arm, and when he noticed her gaze, he quickly lowered his hand.She also had the same smile on her face as before, so obvious that she wanted to hide it.

Zhao Yan is usually the kind of young lady who is pampered, and someone must help her carry such a heavy thing in the past.For him, she carried these books over without fear of exhaustion.Even more than once.These books are sometimes mixed with one or two pages of silk.The immature and familiar notes above must have been written by Zhao Yan himself.

Ying Zheng still remembered the first time Zhao Yan came here with a pile of books in her arms, she could fall asleep looking at such books.It can be seen that Zhao Yan herself is not interested in such books.

Every time he got to know Zhao Yan a little bit, he could feel a deeper warmth rising from the bottom of his heart, as well as a bit of pity for her.He even refused Zhao Yan's kindness to him, so that she wouldn't have to work so hard.

However, just halfway through his words, Zhao Yan raised his head to look at him, and there was still a bit of water vapor in those eyes.To Zhao Yan's eyes like this, he really didn't have any resistance and could only give up, continuing to enjoy Zhao Yan's kindness to him.

"You brought more books today than yesterday. I will be very tired after reading so many books." Ying Zheng obviously understood Zhao Yan better these days.His refusal no longer said that he was afraid of Zhao Yan's hard work, but that he didn't like it.

Xun Ying stretched out her hand and took out a corner of the silk cloth from the pile of bamboo slips. The content written on the silk cloth was more than that on the wooden slips. "Brother Ah Zheng, you can take this book home and read it after you have a rest."

Except for the first two days.Afterwards, the books that Zhao Yan brought were all wrapped in silk, so that she would not look too heavy when holding them, but there were more and more contents for him to read.This time, let him take the silk cloth away.Ying Zheng even had the guts, Zhao Yan already knew what he was thinking, and even thought of a countermeasure.Then he shook his head, feeling that he was thinking too much.

The two walked to the arrow practice place as usual, and Xun Ying watched Ying Zheng sitting there, flipping through the bamboo slips, and she began to practice arrows as usual.

Ying Zheng pulled out all the silk cloth from the wooden slips, and after finishing all the wooden slips, he got up directly, instead of sitting there reading a book as usual.

"Yan'er, don't you find it boring to practice arrows by yourself every time you come out?!" Ying Zheng watched Zhao Yan shoot a few arrows.I don't know when it started, but when he was reading, he would always look up from time to time.Seeing Zhao Yan's serious expression on practicing arrows, his heart was very calm.No matter how obsessed he is with reading, he can always notice when Zhao Yan approaches him.

He knew exactly how far Zhao Yan's archery skills were at present, and he also knew that the current regular practice could only be regarded as consolidation and could not give her much improvement.He felt that Zhao Yan could also notice this, even if she didn't, she would feel bored.

"No way! Brother Ah Zheng is on the sidelines, why would I feel bored?!" Xun Ying said as it should be.

Won't he be bored by the side?Ying Zheng couldn't understand the logic in Zhao Yan's mouth, but he liked it very much. "Today I won't read, I will take you hunting."

There was a moment of joy on Xun Ying's face, and then she shook her head. "Brother Ah Zheng likes to read, so it's better to read.

"I also like hunting." Ying Zheng learned archery and hunting, at first just to fill his stomach.In his heart, he couldn't say whether he liked it or hated it, but he just felt that this ability was very useful to him.However, starting today, Ying Zheng decided to like hunting.

"Really?!" There was some obvious suspicion in Xun Ying's eyes.She has never seen Ying Zheng take the initiative to hunt. If it is something she likes, she should enjoy it very much.

"What? Yan'er doesn't believe me?" Ying Zheng found that Zhao Yan was really sensitive in some respects.Sensitively aware of his liking for books, and do what he likes.Sensitively aware that he doesn't like hunting very much.

"Of course I believe Brother Ah Zheng." Xun Ying nodded heavily, and she reached out to hand the bow to Ying Zheng, holding the quiver herself. "Let's go."

"Okay, let's go." Ying Zheng took the bow that Zhao Yan handed over.

Neither of them cared about the books piled there. Ying Zheng knew very well that few people came to this place, and that was why he chose to exercise himself in this place.Xun Ying, she didn't care about those books at all.The strength of her mental power has also brought her memory to a certain level, as long as she reads something once, she will directly imprint it in her mind.

She had already read the books selected from the study for Ying Zheng to read.She knew that Ying Zheng had his own ideas, and the person who could become the emperor of the ages in the future, even in childhood, was already superior to others.

However, if he reads too many crooked books, who knows if he will deviate from the historical growth track?Since Xun Ying interfered with Ying Zheng's growth, she only wanted to make the Qin Shihuang in front of her eyes more stunning and beautiful than what she had seen in the history books.

The hunting that Ying Zheng said this time is not without purpose, just find any prey.Little girls seem to like those furry things. There are no too dangerous prey in this place, and foxes are rare.But there are many rabbits.A rabbit whose fur is all white, he thinks it is a bit cute, Zhao Yan should be more difficult to resist.

In the past few days, he has observed it specifically, and the range of activities of the white rabbit is roughly in this area.Ying Zheng led Zhao Yan to a place close to the rabbit's range without any trace, while looking for the shadow of the rabbit.

"Brother Ah Zheng, there is a little white rabbit ahead." Xun Ying's eyes lit up when she saw the rabbit.She seemed afraid of scaring the rabbit away, so she quickly pulled Ying Zheng to squat down.She said it almost close to Ying Zheng's ear, and her voice was obviously lowered a lot.

Ying Zheng felt the warmth in his ears, and he felt that his ears were burning from the place where his breath sprayed.Although he couldn't see it, he could guess that the base of his ear had turned red.

On the contrary, the expression on his face was more serious. He reached out to take the quiver in Zhao Yan's hand, put the bow in Zhao Yan's hand, and took out another arrow from the quiver and handed it over. "Come on, try it. Shoot her leg.

Xun Ying got up with the bow and arrow, and the rabbit was grazing on the spot, motionless.She drew the bow and arrow and aimed at the rabbit's hind legs.The wooden arrow flew over, and the next moment she saw blood stains on the little white rabbit's leg. "Shot."

"Very powerful." Looking at Xun Ying's smiling face, Ying Zheng felt that it was worthwhile for him to come here to observe the rabbit's tracks every day for the past few days.

Ying Zheng reached out to take the bow and arrow in Zhao Yan's hand, and followed her forward.Watch her carefully tear off a piece of fabric from the hem of her clothes and tie it on the rabbit's wound.Zhao Yan held the rabbit in his arms, and stretched out his hand to stroke the very soft fur of the rabbit.

The very cute looking person is somewhat similar to the white rabbit in his eyes.Ying Zheng's gaze was very gentle, and when he walked to Zhao Yan's side, his brows suddenly frowned slightly.

"Brother Ah Zheng, what's the matter?" Seeing Ying Zheng's complexion suddenly turned ugly, Xun Ying asked and followed his eyes.

An eagle circled not far above the two of them, and Xun Ying tightened his grip on the rabbit in his hand.She got closer to Ying Zheng, her eyes were much brighter than before. "Brother Ah Zheng, can you shoot this eagle down?"

Ying Zheng didn't answer, but the way he drew the bow and arrow already showed his attitude.

"Brother Ah Zheng, this one is going to live!" Xun Ying hurriedly added, fearing that Ying Zheng would shoot the eagle to death with one arrow.

Ying Zheng moved the direction of the bow a little, and then drew the bow.His bow and arrow hit the eagle's wing, but the eagle didn't fall off immediately, still flying tremblingly.He hastily drew out another wooden arrow.It took three arrows before he shot the eagle down.

Xun Ying stretched out her hand and put the rabbit in Ying Zheng's arms, while she ran towards the eagle.

Ying Zheng glanced down at the abandoned rabbit, and seeing Zhao Yan's happy face, he quickly chased after him.Although the eagle in front of him is not yet an adult, it has already become somewhat fierce. "This eagle is dangerous, be careful."

"It's okay, look how good it is." Xun Ying stretched out her hand and tore off a piece of fabric from her clothes, wrapping it around the eagle's wings.Although the eagle had a sharp beak, it did not harm the people around it.

Ying Zheng glanced at the injured eagle. It was indeed very well-behaved at this moment, so he relaxed a little.

After Xun Ying tied the eagle's wings, she held the eagle in her arms like a pet.However, her movements deliberately avoided the eagle's injured wing, hugging its body and the other wing. "Brother Ah Zheng, can you give me your prey as a gift?"

This eagle was Ying Zheng's prey, so she naturally wouldn't take it for herself without saying anything.

"Okay." Ying Zheng would naturally not refuse. "Then this rabbit..."

"This little white rabbit is my first prey, so I'll give it to brother Ah Zheng!" Xun Ying raised the corners of her lips slightly, smiling very happily.

"Hmm..." Ying Zheng looked at the heroic eagle in Xun Ying's arms, and then at the cute rabbit in his arms.No matter how he looked at it, he felt that the picture of the rabbit in his arms and Zhao Yan together was more harmonious.Since Zhao Yan asked for the eagle, he would not refuse.As for this rabbit...

"Brother Ah Zheng, this is my first prey, you can't eat it!" Xun Ying raised the corners of her lips slightly.

Ying Zheng thought of the first time he ate breakfast in front of Zhao Yan, what he ate seemed to be a rabbit. "No, I will take good care of it."

Only then did Xun Ying nodded in satisfaction, and she glanced at the sky. "Brother Ah Zheng, I should go back."

"I'll see you off." Ying Zheng stood up. He felt that Zhao Yan left earlier today than in the past. He didn't know if it was an illusion.

One of them hugged the eagle, the other hugged the rabbit, and walked side by side to the flowers they had parted from before.

Xun Ying took two steps towards the flowers, and suddenly she looked back at Ying Zheng. "Brother Ah Zheng, I'm leaving, goodbye."

"En." When Zhao Yan left in the past, he never said goodbye so solemnly as he does now.He watched Xun Ying's figure disappear among the flowers, and frowned slightly.

"Brother Ah Zheng, you miss me!" The girl's crisp voice came from among the flowers.

Even if he couldn't see Zhao Yan, Ying Zheng could still imagine her looking up at him with her eyes shining.He let go of his palm, knowing that Zhao Yan couldn't hear it, but still solemnly answered in a normal tone. "I will."

Hearing such an answer, Xun Ying licked the corners of her lips in satisfaction.The world of children is always relatively simple, good or bad, like or hate, without much pretense.The feelings of this period are the most pure.Such a real and naive side, no matter how many years you experience, will feel precious.

She reached out and stroked Ying's head, and Ying Zheng would know soon.Why is it that Zhao Yan, who is a girl, likes eagles instead of cute white rabbits.