Volume 1: Entering Great Qin for the First Time Chapter 26: Relying on Age to Sell Old Goods

  Wei Liezi ignored the case that had fallen to the ground, and with an agility that belied his age, he jumped up and ran barefoot towards the gate under the incredulous gaze of the messenger.

  Looking at Ping, he usually liked to be calm and composed, but now he was so flustered and anxious. The little servant quietly returned the words that Wei Lian had just said to him: "Flurried and flustered, what kind of demeanor is this?"

  Just as the words had fallen, Wu Lian's bare feet had just rushed to the gate of the main hall and suddenly stopped in his tracks. He lowered his head for a moment, then turned around nonchalantly and began circling the main hall. Suddenly, he saw a servant staring at him with a surprised face. Wu Lian couldn't help but blush as he scolded in a low voice: "Haven't you arranged the case yet?"

  "Ah!" The servants who were stunned by the sudden change in front of and behind them hastily rushed to pick up the fallen case.

  The person arranging the case saw the bare feet constantly drawing circles, seemingly without any intention of welcoming Your Majesty, and couldn't help but think to himself, "Has the old master gone mad?"

  As soon as this idea came out, he scared himself again.

  "Your Excellency has gone out of the mansion." The servant couldn't help but remind him.

  "Uh-huh."

  He strolled leisurely in the main hall with his hands behind his back, not even aware that he was barefoot. He responded in a warm and low voice. However, the faintly visible blue veins on his bare feet and the hands behind his back revealed the turmoil and palpitations in his heart at this moment.

  The servant looked at the official who was still strolling around with his hands behind his back and bare feet, and couldn't help but remind him again: "Sir, you haven't put on your shoes yet."

  Of course, if this person knew a very popular phrase in modern times, then he could describe the state of Yu Wei's mind very aptly. This isn't a typical case of pretending to be number one, is it?

  This reminder just made Wei Lian realize why he always felt that the soles of his feet were icy, and then he saw the strange eyes of the person below, and suddenly Wei Lian thought this face was so despicable.

  Wei Zuan's old face flushed with anger, and he shouted: "Get out!"

  "Yes!" The servant knew he had angered Wei Liao and slunk away with his tail between his legs.

  As soon as they came out of the great hall, the attendants saw a figure in front of them. A young man wearing black armor strode towards the great hall with big steps, followed by more than a dozen generals with bright armor.

  Seeing the old steward with his waist bent following behind the young man and Wang Li standing beside him, the servant suddenly understood who the young man was. Although Wei Liao was imprisoned by the First Emperor, Wang Li would still come to visit often, so the servant knew him.

  It's done, the adult's clothes are disheveled and his mind is unclear. If he rushes into the palace like this, what will happen? Won't the adult have to die in this mansion? The servant's face turned pale at the thought.

  Seeing Hu Hai already in front of him, if he turns back now to report the news, he will die a terrible death immediately.

  In a burst of desperation, the man exerted all his strength and rushed forward several steps before kneeling down and wailing loudly: "Your humble subject pays homage to Your Imperial Majesty!"

  That loud voice suddenly echoed through nearly half of the mansion in the quiet night sky, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as shocking heaven and earth, crying ghosts and gods.

  It's just that the person was too tense and used too much force, so with a twisted tone of voice, he shouted until he couldn't catch his breath, suddenly stopped short, choked himself to the point of rolling his eyes back, and fell headfirst to the ground.

  Huhai, who had rushed over in big strides, was also startled by the loud shout from this man. He then saw the man fall to the ground with a thud, apparently fainting.

  Is it so exciting to see Ge? Are you a fan of mine? But being so excited that you faint, is also too scary. Hu Hai shook his head and sighed: "Fans are indeed people who make one both love and hate them."

  "Your Majesty, what is this 'fans'? Why both love and hate?" Wang Li, who was beside Hu Hai, heard a bewildered inquiry.

  "Ah, nothing. Wang Ai Qing, have someone take this... no, have them carry him down and take good care of him." Hu Hai blurted out "powder" and hastily changed the subject to instruct.

  How can this be said to be one's own fan? As an emperor, it is only right to have someone take care of the next fan who sees you and gets excited to the point of fainting.

  Having said that, Hu Hai strode towards the main hall where Wei Liao was, leaving the steward who was leading the way far behind.

  Wei Liao had just gotten angry and chased away the servant, was about to put on his own shoes, when he heard the servant's ear-piercing "Your humble servant greets Your Imperial Majesty" voice.

  A sudden movement in his heart, he immediately understood that this person was sending a message to himself, the Emperor had already arrived outside the main hall.

  Wei Lian suddenly got a headache, and it was definitely too late to put on shoes now. Under the helpless circumstances, Wei Lian could only throw the shoes behind the soft couch he had lain on before, and quickly walked over to the couch, lying down on it.

  When Hu Hai stepped into the great hall, he saw such a scene.

  An old man with a full head of hair and a robust physique lay on the soft couch at the head of the great hall, barefoot and with his eyes closed as if in a feigned sleep.

  Why is it said that Wei Liao was pretending to sleep? Because everyone knows that even without the loud announcement, when Your Majesty arrives at Wei Liao's residence, there will definitely be servants coming ahead of time to report, so Wei Liao must have already known that the Emperor had arrived. How could he really fall asleep then?

  Now that the Emperor has arrived, and the Imperial Carriage is already in front of him, Wei Liao can still lie on the soft couch with his feet exposed, pretending to be asleep. In this case, there can only be one explanation: Wei Liao indeed harbors resentment towards himself or towards Great Qin, just as Wang Li and others have said.

  The old steward who led the way saw Wei Liao's appearance and quietly retreated, leaving only Hu Hai and Wang Li and a group of imperial guards in the main hall.

  Wang Li did not expect that after the emperor arrived, Wei Liao not only didn't go to welcome him but also lay on the soft couch with his feet exposed, pretending to be asleep and unaware of the emperor's presence. In addition to being worried, he was also somewhat resentful.

  There is still resentment, but this hierarchy should be talked about anyway.

  The eunuch generals around, except for a few older ones, the remaining young eunuch generals such as Meng Lei were furious and not worried at all. Not welcoming the emperor and not paying respects was completely disregarding hierarchy. Being barefoot in front of the emperor was a typical sign of disrespect to the emperor, which was a serious crime.

  However, when they saw Hu Hai's calm expression, Meng Li and others could only suppress their anger.

  Before coming, Hu Hai had anticipated this situation. It seems that all the talented and virtuous people in ancient times had such a problem, as if not giving a good face to those in power could better show off one's own ability and importance.

  He didn't expect this old man in his seventies and eighties would also come up with such a play, Hu Hai couldn't help but laugh dumbly.

  Hu Hai took two steps forward and said in a low voice: "Yu Ai, Yu Ai."

  Now Hu Hai is getting more and more used to these two words "Ai Qing".

  After a while, just as Meng Li and others were about to burst out in anger at the old man's pretentiousness, Wei Lian finally slowly opened his eyes, as if he had indeed just been woken up.

  An old man with dim eyes and a hoarse voice said in a low tone, "Who is calling me?"

  At this moment, Wei Liao heard that voice as if it was a mosquito's hum, where was the previous roar that shook people, seemingly really old and weak.

  "A bold old fellow! Your Majesty has arrived, why don't you hurry up and welcome him!"

  Meng Li saw Wei Lian's dying appearance and couldn't bear the fire in his heart, pressing the hilt of the sword at his waist and pointing at Wei Lian, shouting loudly.

  At this time, Wang Li and others really couldn't bear the old man's pretentious appearance, such disrespect for authority and disregard for the emperor's face, made several people who were still worried about him secretly furious.

  When Meng Li shouted, Wei Liao finally seemed to wake up from that dreamlike state, "Your Majesty forgive me, this old minister's eyes are dim and didn't know Your Majesty had arrived. Cough cough." As he spoke, he coughed and struggled to get up to pay his respects to Hu Hai.

  Hu Hai turned his head and glared at Meng Li, then supported Wei Liao who was about to get up: "Old Ai doesn't need to be polite, no need to be polite."

  Wei Liao said, "Just now, Hu Hai was about to get up and continue the ceremony, but then he lay down again, and it seems he really doesn't plan on getting up."

  Wang Li and others all furrowed their brows, obviously Wei Liao's tactlessness made many generals very displeased. Even Wang Li, who had always admired Wei Liao, was a bit impatient at this time.

  Huhai felt the stir of the many generals behind him, and turned around to say: "All of you, dear ministers, wait outside, no one is allowed to come in and disturb me unless I summon them."

  "Ah!"

  Wang Li and others reluctantly paid their respects and retreated. On the contrary, Meng Li glared at Wei Lian before leaving, let out a cold hum, and then turned around to leave.

  (I had always forgotten to thank thirteen sister for her reward, this is the first time in Jiuzhou's life. Hehe, just kidding!! Just kidding!!)