mtl008 Chapter 220 Persuading Xiao He
Chapter 220 Persuading Xiao He
Time flies, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, the sun shines brightly, and the breeze is gentle. Yu Zhuang had been searching for a good opportunity to get close to Xiao He, and his efforts finally paid off; he had finally waited for this moment.
At that time, Xiao He was sitting in the room reading a book. He had a handsome face and fair skin. Although he was still young, his every move revealed a composure and calmness beyond his years. He held a scroll of bamboo slips in his hand and was reading it with great concentration and interest, as if he were in another world.
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Yu Zhuang cautiously moved to Xiao He's side. Xiao He seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up. When he saw that it was Yu Zhuang, a look of surprise appeared on his face. He asked, "What do you want with me?" His voice was clear and melodious, like a nightingale singing in a valley.
Yu Zhuang first bowed deeply, then respectfully replied, "I have been at the Xiao residence for over a month now. During this time, I have always admired you, young master, for your diligent studies and hard work. In my humble opinion, with your diligence, you will surely become a person of great ambition and aspirations in the future!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao He slowly put down the bamboo slip in his hand, stared intently at Yu Zhuang with a piercing gaze, and asked seriously, "What exactly do you want to say? You might as well tell me frankly."
Feeling uneasy under Xiao He's intense gaze, Yu Zhuang composed himself and said, "Young master, have you never considered displaying your talents and realizing your lofty ambitions?"
However, Xiao He's eyes instantly turned icy cold, and his tone became increasingly unfriendly: "Stop beating around the bush, just say what you have to say."
Seeing that he was still hesitating, Xiao He snorted and urged again, "Hurry up and speak!"
Left with no other choice, Yu Zhuang had to bite the bullet and say, "Why doesn't the young master go to the powerful Qin state and realize his grand ambitions?" After saying this, he waited anxiously for Xiao He's response.
Xiao He grabbed Yu Zhuang's arm tightly and pulled him forcefully towards him. Xiao He narrowed his eyes, his gaze like two cold, sharp arrows piercing Yu Zhuang, and demanded sharply, "Are you a spy sent by Qin? How dare you trespass into my Xiao residence! What brings you here? What ulterior motives do you harbor? Explain yourself clearly!"
As a guard of the Imperial Guard, Yu Zhuang was naturally skilled, and breaking free from Xiao He's grasp would have been a piece of cake. However, he showed no intention of resisting, allowing Xiao He to hold his arm tightly. At this moment, Yu Zhuang stared directly at Xiao He without flinching, his eyes firm and focused.
"I am indeed a Qin person, but I am by no means a spy. I have come to the Xiao residence today entirely because of you," Yu Zhuang said solemnly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao He was greatly astonished. His previously wary and suspicious gaze towards Yu Zhuang was instantly replaced by surprise. Before this, Yu Zhuang had always acted timidly and cautiously in front of him, but now he suddenly became so calm, composed, and fearless. This huge change made it difficult for Xiao He to adapt for a while.
"For me? I'm just a nobody who just came of age and hasn't yet shown my talent. Why would you come specifically for me? This is unbelievable. I don't believe it." Xiao He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, his still-childish face filled with shock and confusion.
Looking at Xiao He's expression, which was particularly vivid with surprise, Yu Zhuang slowly shook his head and sighed helplessly, saying, "To be honest, I myself don't know why I came to find you. I was just following orders."
“Acting on orders? By whose orders? It could never be the King of Qin. How could the King of Qin possibly know about a greenhorn like me, an unknown youth?” Xiao He muttered to himself, frowning, while keeping his eyes fixed on Yu Zhuang in front of him, trying to glean more information from the other’s expression and words.
Yu Zhuang calmly replied, "I have come to find you on the orders of Princess Jiayang."
Upon hearing this unfamiliar name, Xiao He was quite surprised and quickly asked, "Princess Jiayang? Who exactly is she? Why would she seek out someone as insignificant as me?"
Yu Zhuang smiled slightly and explained with a hint of admiration, "Princess Jiayang is the thirteenth child of our King of Qin. Don't underestimate her because of her young age; she has already made outstanding military achievements. Moreover, even these papers on your table were invented by Princess Jiayang!" As he spoke, Yu Zhuang pointed to the thick stack of papers on Xiao He's table.
Xiao He looked in the direction Yu Zhuang pointed, secretly surprised. Seeing the adoring look on Yu Zhuang's face when he mentioned Princess Jiayang, Xiao He was already seven or eight parts convinced. However, he was still puzzled about Princess Jiayang's purpose in seeking him out, so he asked again, "So, did you really come all the way from Xianyang to Pei County specifically to find me? What is the matter?"
Yu Zhuang nodded solemnly and said sincerely, "That's right, we did travel all the way from Xianyang to find you. Princess Jiayang has a discerning eye and believes you are a rare talent, so she hopes you can come to Qin to serve and realize your ambitions."
Xiao He stared sharply at Yu Zhuang and slowly asked, "I have never revealed my talents to anyone. How did your Princess Jiayang know that I am a person of great talent? This seems like a carefully designed trap!"
Faced with Xiao He's sudden question, Yu Zhuang was speechless and didn't know how to answer. After stammering for a long time, he finally managed to say, "This... I really don't know why the princess thinks you are so talented, but the princess said beforehand that as long as you are willing to go to Xianyang, she will definitely give you the opportunity to show your talents."
Xiao He looked suspicious, clearly skeptical of Zhuang's explanation, and then pressed on, "Does your princess truly possess such ability to influence the King of Qin's decisions?"
Yu Zhuang straightened his chest and replied without hesitation: "Our princess is the king's most beloved darling. Not only that, the princess has also made many outstanding military achievements and is famous far and wide. If you just want to get a position for you in front of the king, as long as the request is not excessive, there should not be too much of an obstacle."
Upon hearing this, Xiao He's doubts lessened slightly, but he was still not completely dispelled and continued to ask, "Is that really so?"
Yu Zhuang, with a smug look on his face, confidently replied, "Of course!"
However, Xiao He did not give up. He changed the subject and suddenly asked, "What if I insist on not agreeing to this?"