Chapter 65

"Because, once the two countries go to war, the descendant in the marriage alliance will inevitably be in an awkward position."

"At such a time, if it were an excellent descendant, even if His Majesty didn't speak, he would still consider this layer of relationship in his heart."

"But if it were replaced by a mediocre descendant, there is no need to consider it at all."

"Because these people have no chance of inheriting the throne."

"Does Your Highness understand now?"

Zhao Gao stared at Huhai with calm eyes.

Huhai still didn't quite understand, but he nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright, Your Highness, we should go to the study to meet His Majesty!"

Zhao Gao said.

Huhai nodded and stood up.

Subsequently, the two walked in the direction of the study.

As they neared the study, Ying Ying Ziyu saw Hu Hai and Zhao Gao.

"Greetings, Ninth Prince!"

"Ninth Brother!"

Zhao Gao and Hu Hai said.

Ying Ying Ziyu nodded without a word and walked straight into the study.

Hu Hai and Zhao Gao did not say much about this.

They had never had much of an impression of Ying Ying Ziyu, nor did they understand what kind of person he was.

They only knew that Ying Zheng did not value this Ninth Prince, and that Ying Ying Ziyu himself spent his days in debauchery.

Such a person posed no threat at all!

Entering the study, Ying Ying Ziyu saw that the other princes had already arrived.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Ying Ying Ziyu bowed with cupped hands.

Ying Zheng nodded in acknowledgment.

Once Zhao Gao and Hu Hai entered, everyone was present.

"I presume you already know why I have summoned you today. I will ask only one question."

"Which of you is willing to enter into a marriage alliance with the Great Tang?"

Ying Zheng’s tone was cold.

His eyes flashed with an icy gaze.

It made anyone who saw it feel a chill in their bones.

Except for Ying Ying Ziyu and Hu Hai, the other princes lowered their heads, not daring to meet Ying Zheng’s eyes.

Seeing Ying Ying Ziyu so composed, Ying Zheng felt a trace of doubt in his heart.

He fixed his gaze upon Ying Ying Ziyu.

In over a dozen years, this was the first time Ying Zheng had scrutinized Ying Ying Ziyu so carefully.

This Ninth Prince of the Great Qin!

Ying Ying Ziyu met Ying Zheng’s gaze.

He was also observing Ying Zheng.

This Emperor who had annihilated the six states and established the Great Qin Dynasty.

His frost-cold face bore the marks of time, and his expression, like eternal ice, inspired fear in others.

Seeing Ying Ying Ziyu and Ying Zheng staring at each other, Hu Hai curiously observed them both.

However, after only a moment, Hu Hai felt a stinging pain in his eyes and hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to look at them again.

Hu Hai was deeply shocked.

"Ying Ying Ziyu is actually able to stare at His Majesty for so long."

"Why can't I?"

Hu Hai felt very unhappy.

He had always considered himself the most outstanding of Ying Zheng’s heirs, superior in every aspect.

Yet now, he had actually lost to Ying Ying Ziyu.

This unremarkable fellow who had always lacked any presence.

Hu Hai felt restless.

"Why do you look at me? Are you not afraid?"

Ying Zheng asked.

His sharp eyes remained fixed on Ying Ying Ziyu.

His tone remained as cold and indifferent as eternal ice.

The others in the hall subconsciously trembled.

"And why does Your Majesty look at me?"

Ying Ying Ziyu retorted.

While others feared Ying Zheng, Ying Ying Ziyu felt no fear at all.

Seeing Ying Ying Ziyu act so boldly—not only failing to answer the Emperor's question but actually questioning him in return—the other princes felt their hearts tighten.

"If you want to die, don't drag us down with you!"

This was the thought in the Fifth Prince’s mind.

He feared meeting Ying Zheng more than anything else.

Every time he met Ying Zheng, he would fall ill for several days.

"To dare to question His Majesty—he truly has a death wish!"

Hu Hai thought to himself.

He had always been well-behaved in front of Ying Zheng.

He answered whatever Ying Zheng asked with obedience.

He even put on a show of not being afraid of Ying Zheng.

It was precisely because of this that Ying Zheng favored Hu Hai so much.

Zhao Gao squinted at Ying Ying Ziyu, unable to understand what had come over this Ninth Prince, who was usually so low-key that people almost forgot he existed.

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback by Ying Ying Ziyu’s question.

Then, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

It had been a long time since he had felt as happy as he did in this moment.

Among his sons, there was actually one so interesting.

He did not know if it was the fearlessness of the ignorant or a facade of composure.

Regardless, Ying Zheng was pleased.

Usually, when his sons and daughters saw him, they were so terrified they could barely speak, let alone ask him questions.

Because of this, Ying Zheng had gradually stopped seeing them.

Seeing Ying Zheng’s smile, Zhao Gao’s eyes widened in shock; he thought he had seen wrong.

"His Majesty actually smiled!"

Zhao Gao was stunned.

He could not remember how many years it had been since he last saw His Majesty smile.

Today, because of Ying Ying Ziyu’s retort, he had broken precedent and smiled.

Zhao Gao frowned slightly.

This was not good news.

He had to find a way to handle whatever situation might arise.

Because Hu Hai and the others were keeping their heads down, they did not see Ying Zheng’s faint smile.

He had to think of a way to handle every situation that might arise.

Because Hu Hai and the others were keeping their heads lowered, they did not clearly see the slight smile on Ying Zheng's face.