The strange object shone with light and revealed a beautiful woman.
The guards who were close enough could see that the woman had silver hair, icy blue eyes, delicate features, and her left shoulder was exposed, snow white, yet it did not give off a sense of frivolousness or promiscuity. Instead, she exuded a cold and noble aura.
The woman seemed to be sitting on the ground, and the picture did not show much of her attire. However, from what was visible of her appearance and dress, she could indeed be described as "strange" or "unusual".
The music was emanating from the strange object, and there were also voices singing along with the music.
"The Wu Mong mountain connects to mountains outside of mountains, moonlight pours onto the Echoing Waterfall. Does anyone know if the sky is calling to you, as one mountain ranges over one river, thousands of mountains and waters will never be lonely..."
The music was melodious, and the singing was beautiful, but no one could understand what was being sung.
Several guards, holding long spears, moved step by step closer to the strange object.
As a guard's spear was about to pierce the strange object, Ying Zheng's voice echoed, "Do not harm this object!"
At the moment the music started, Li Nian was again pinned to the ground and couldn't move, and those holding him even increased their strength.
“Damn it, it's my alarm clock!”
This was a wake-up alarm he set for a gaming live stream, so that he could watch the live stream at the scheduled time. Although he had traveled through time, his phone should no longer have internet access, but the alarm still went off on time.
Without Li Nian's interruption, the alarm continued for over three minutes, and "Shilistar Queen" played for over three minutes in the Palace of Qin's King.
Until the light on the strange object dimmed and the melodious, strange music ceased, Ying Zheng finally shifted his gaze back to Li Nian, who was pinned to the ground: "Let him lift his head!"
The guards holding Li Nian relaxed their grip, allowing him to speak, but his hands and feet were still restrained. Several other guards with weapons stood by, keeping a close watch on him to prevent any sudden outbursts.
Ying Zheng pointed to the strange object that emitted the music and asked, "Is this yours? What is this thing? What is its function?"
Guessing, Li Nian replied, "This is a mobile phone, a communication tool, which can also be used for playing games, taking photos, watching videos, and playing music. The sound it made just now was my alarm clock..."
Although he knew that the other party couldn't understand what he was saying, Li Nian still explained it truthfully. Whether the other party could understand or not was one thing, but whether he answered truthfully was another.
The ancient people's vision and knowledge were not as advanced as those of modern people, but that did not mean they were foolish. On the contrary, they might be more adept in the matters of human relations and intrigues than modern people. Li Nian dared not gamble on whether his lie could deceive these suspicious ancient people.
Based on his years of experience in recognizing and employing people, Ying Zheng judged that this person was not lying to him and was answering his questions honestly. Though he couldn't understand the content of the answers, the attitude of the person pleased him very much.
If this person was not a thief and had no evil intentions, then the Qin Dynasty could accommodate him. The stranger's mysterious origins and the extraordinary object he carried might be of great use to the Qin Dynasty!
In an instant, Ying Zheng had already decided how to deal with the person.
Since language was the primary issue with this person, why not have him learn the Qin Dynasty's language?
Turning his gaze to the servant standing by, Ying Zheng said, "Guo Dian, find a room for him to stay in within the palace and take good care of him. Also, issue an edict to the scholar Su Xu, ordering him to enter the palace tomorrow and teach him Qin's characters."
After speaking this sentence, Ying Zheng looked again at the Qin general: "Meng, arrange for armed guards to protect him. No loss can be allowed!"
Both the court eunuch Guo Dian and the Qin general understood that Ying Zheng's instructions were not just for them to provide care and protection for this person, but also to monitor his every move and ensure that he did not meet with any accidents. Even if the person himself wanted to die, it was not allowed.
Guo Dian and Qin General answered in unison, "We will carry out Your Majesty's orders!"
Li Nian didn't know how the imposing man would deal with him, but if there was a possibility, he still wanted to live and avoid being subjected to severe punishment.
While he was waiting in a state of anxiety and uncertainty, a shadow appeared in front of him.
Someone has come, and they have walked in front of him!
But Li Nian dared not look at who the person was. In feudal dynasties, human rights were not recognized. Simply gazing at a superior might result in severe consequences, including death.
Li Nian had assumed that the person coming was the imposing man, but upon hearing their voice, he found that it was not.
The person said one sentence, and Li Nian felt that his hands and feet were released. Without waiting for him to get up himself, two hands supported him and helped him get up from the ground: "A hero, please get up quickly!"
Li Nian's legs and feet had gone numb from being pressed on the ground for too long. When he stood up, he almost fell down again, but fortunately, the person who had come to his aid steadied him.
Once Li Nian regained his balance and saw that the person in front of him was not the imposing man, but someone standing beside him.
"A hero, please come with me!"
The man smiled at Li Nian, understanding that he might not understand what was being said. One finger pointed to the palace gate, while the other hand supporting Li Nian's arm exerted force to turn him towards the palace gate, so that Li Nian would understand his intention.
Li Nian understood the man's meaning, and he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. The fact that this man had come to help him must have been the imposing man's permission. It seemed that his life was safe for the moment, and he would not be subjected to severe punishment or cruel torture.
With this person's assistance, Li Nian left the palace and stepped outside. Seeing the scenery outside, Li Nian's heart sank.
He saw that the sky was dark and boundless, with endless night. A cluster of palaces lit up with lamp fire appeared before his eyes.
Li Nian's last bit of hope was shattered at this moment.
He really did travel through time, leaving modern society behind and arriving in an ancient world.
Despite all its shortcomings, modern life offers amenities and conveniences that are unimaginable in ancient times, such as affordable housing, marriage possibilities, and a stable job.
But Li Nian still wishes he were living in the modern era.
Although modern life may not offer as many material comforts, the safety of life is undoubtedly better in the modern era. Thinking that the Republic of China was romantic and ancient times were refined and elegant is just wishful thinking. Being a royal consort or a warlord's wife in the past does not guarantee safety or luxury in today's world.
More than likely, one would end up being sold into a brothel, and their body wouldn't even have a place to be buried.
Guo Dian, who was supporting Li Nian, had been keeping a close eye on him. Seeing the change in Li Nian's eyes and expression, he was puzzled: 'He seems to be very disappointed when he saw the royal palace. Is there anything wrong in his eyes? This must be reported to the king!'
At the same time, inside the palace, after Li Nian and Guo Dian left, he looked at the few items still on the ground and said to the Geng of Qin, "How should we deal with these items, Your Majesty?"
Ying Zheng glanced at the few items. He was very interested in the strange object that could display a beauty's portrait and emit beautiful music. He wanted to research and play with it personally to see how it could produce a beauty's image and music. However, he had not yet determined whether the object posed a danger to him, so he restrained his curiosity.
Only the mysterious young man who made these things understood them. But since he couldn't communicate now, there was nothing else to do but wait until he learned the Qin language.
After a moment of thought, Ying Zheng ordered: "Care for it well. Send heavy troops to guard it. Without my command, no one is allowed to approach or damage it. Store the pig's meat that Meng said in an ice cellar I will have built!"
It's impossible to destroy it. What if it has some magical properties, either useful for him or for the Qin Dynasty? Destroying it now might lead to great regret in the future!
He wouldn't be able to play with it either until he determined the potential risks. For now, he could only keep it safe and closely monitored.
