I traveled back to the Qin Dynasty, and the First Emperor begged me to become his empress.

Chapter 266 Ying Wuyou visits Li Shiqi 2

Faced with Ying Wuyou's sincere apology, everyone present fell silent for a moment. Li Shiqi, however, snorted coldly, his brows furrowed, and said in a somewhat stiff tone, "Since the princess has admitted her mistake, shouldn't she give me a reasonable explanation? We can't just let this go like this, can we?" Clearly, he still harbored resentment about being kidnapped.

Ying Wuyou seemed to have anticipated this situation. She smiled calmly and replied, “Of course I have an explanation. To be honest, I have long admired your esteemed name and your talent. Left with no other choice, I resorted to this desperate measure just to meet you. To compensate for your losses, I have specially purchased a spacious two-courtyard house for you in Xianyang, large enough to accommodate your entire family. In addition, I have carefully prepared several shops and several acres of fertile land for your family to earn a living. I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive my abrupt actions.” Having said this, she bowed again to Li Shiqi, her attitude extremely humble and polite.

Upon hearing Ying Wuyou's words, everyone present beamed with joy. However, Li Shiqi was the only one who acted out of character. He had initially intended to refuse resolutely, but when his gaze fell upon his wife's expectant eyes and his children's innocent faces, his heart softened.

Finally, after much internal struggle and deliberation, Li Shiqi sighed helplessly and slowly said, "Thank you for your kindness and appreciation, Your Highness." His voice was low and slightly bitter.

Upon seeing this, Ying Wuyou's face blossomed into a radiant smile, and she replied softly, "Sir, there's no need to be so polite. I just hope you won't blame me."

Immediately afterwards, Li Shiqi made no attempt to hide his doubts and asked directly, "I am but a minor official. How did Your Highness learn of me?"

Faced with Li Shiqi's question, Ying Wuyou smiled slightly and replied mysteriously, "The affairs of this world are ever-changing, and I naturally have my own unique sources of information. Moreover, I know that you, sir, are no ordinary person, but rather a man with great ambitions!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shiqi gently shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Your Highness, you seem to have misunderstood. I truly have no earth-shattering ambitions. Now, I only hope to protect my family and let them live a peaceful and happy life. That is enough." After speaking, his gaze once again drifted towards the direction of his wife and children, revealing endless tenderness and longing.

Ying Wuyou's lips curled into a slightly mocking smile as he slowly said, "Oh? So that's what you think, sir? I've heard that your mother is so frail she can't get out of bed; and your wife looks just as old as your mother; and your grandchildren are all sallow-faced and emaciated. Is this the peace and happiness you desire?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shiqi felt deeply insulted. He abruptly stood up, his eyes wide with rage as he glared at Ying Wuyou and roared, "Is this how those high and mighty people of your Great Qin wantonly humiliate those of lowly status? I, Li Shiqi, have a clear conscience before Heaven and Earth, and I have acted with integrity and righteousness. Princess, you have humiliated me so much today, I will not entertain you any longer!" With that, he turned to leave.

Ying Wuyou, however, remained unperturbed, still smiling as he said, "Humiliation? You actually believe that speaking the truth is a humiliation?"

Li Shiqi stopped and turned around, replying indignantly, "This is my family matter. Isn't the princess being a bit too nosy?"

Ying Wuyou raised a delicate eyebrow and calmly said, "Sir, you always pride yourself on your noble character and integrity, constantly claiming that you have lived up to the expectations of heaven and earth. However, have you ever considered whether you have truly lived up to the expectations of your own family?"

Li Shiqi slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over his family. They wore tattered, patched clothes, the patches seemingly marks of a life of hardship. Each person was emaciated, their faces haggard, bearing the marks of life's suffering and vicissitudes. Seeing this, Li Shiqi's previously high spirits seemed to have been doused with cold water, instantly extinguishing much of his arrogance.

After a long silence, he finally opened his mouth and said in a slightly low voice, "The King of Qin is cruel and tyrannical, completely disregarding the lives of the people. His policies are utterly devoid of benevolence. The heavy taxes are suffocating the people, making their lives unbearable. How could I possibly help such a ruler? That would be nothing short of aiding and abetting evil!"

Hearing Li Shiqi's righteous words, Ying Wuyou narrowed his eyes slightly and asked with great interest, "Then, in your opinion, who is qualified to be the wise ruler of this world?"

Li Shiqi clearly hadn't expected Ying Wuyou to pose this question so directly. In truth, he had pondered this question countless times, but had never found a definitive answer. Even now, faced with Ying Wuyou's inquiry, he felt bewildered and could only shake his head helplessly, sighing as he replied, "To this day, this person has not yet appeared in the world. However, if such a day truly comes, when this enlightened ruler appears, I will certainly not hesitate to volunteer myself and personally pay him a visit."

Ying Wuyou did not stop there, but pressed further: "Oh? According to you, if such a wise ruler is never born in this world, should those with insight and talent just shut their doors and ignore the common people? Even if this situation continues for years, decades or even hundreds of years?"

Upon hearing Ying Wuyou's question, Li Shiqi was momentarily speechless, completely at a loss for words. In truth, deep down he truly believed that without a wise ruler, he would rather conceal his talents and remain hidden from the world than easily step into seclusion. However, as he pondered this question further, what would be the consequences if everyone in the world shared his sentiments? Li Shiqi dared not delve into the details. Left with no other choice, he slowly spoke, "I truly do not know what others think, but for me, if I cannot encounter a wise ruler, I will certainly not set foot in this mortal world."

Ying Wuyou then pressed on, asking, "Does the gentleman believe that this world belongs to our Ying clan?"

Li Shiqi answered without hesitation: "Of course not."

At this moment, Ying Wuyou spoke up again, questioning, "If that's the case, sir, is it the morality you uphold and adhere to that you would abandon all living beings simply because you feel my father lacks benevolence?"

Ying Wuyou's sharp words struck Li Shiqi like a heavy hammer, catching him completely off guard. In that instant, he began to deeply doubt his long-held, unwavering beliefs. Had he truly made a mistake? But if he didn't serve a wise ruler, wouldn't that be tantamount to assisting those tyrannical and wicked people? But what if he waited in vain for a wise ruler to arrive? Should he just stand by and watch the common people continue to struggle and suffer in misery? Wouldn't that be a betrayal of his principles of honesty, integrity, and righteousness?