Chapter 163: Ying Zheng – She Looks Like Dong’er! This Can’t Be Just a Coincidence!

Wang Yan spoke with delight.

For a court official, the fact that Ying Zheng personally took the seat of an elder in place of Zhao Feng's mother was an immense honor.

"The King sat in the elder's seat?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shi's eyes flickered with emotion.

"Yes, Mother."

"This is also proof of the King's immense favor toward my husband," Wang Yan replied with a smile.

In the current court, Zhao Feng was undoubtedly a rising star. Many believed that he was destined to hold the position of State Commander in the future.

"Perhaps this is fate."

"Brother Zheng, you chose the right seat."

"Maybe this has finally eased the regret in my heart." Zhao Shi thought to herself.

Time Flies!

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the Zhao residence was more lively than ever.

The entire village had gathered at the estate, and since there wasn't enough space inside, additional banquet tables were set up outside.

It was the day Zhao Feng was hosting a wedding banquet in his home village.

Though this banquet lacked the grandeur and prestige of the one in Xianyang, it was still an unprecedentedly joyous occasion. Every villager, whether old or new, was invited to join the festivities.

For Zhao Feng, the cost of the event was inconsequential this banquet was meant to honor his mother's wishes.

The entire village bustled with activity.

Chefs were busy preparing dishes, and the guards worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Fortunately, there were enough hands to help; otherwise, it would have been overwhelming.

As for tables, most villagers brought their own since the Zhao estate did not have enough for everyone.

To fulfill his mother's dream, Zhao Feng once again donned a black wedding robe, and Wang Yan did the same.

In the inner hall, Zhao Shi sat at the table for the elders.

Village Chief Wu was also seated among them, and at Zhao Shi's insistence, Xia Wuque was given a place as well.

The wedding ceremony was held once more in the estate.

If the ceremony in Xianyang had been about giving Wang Yan a grand wedding, then this one was Zhao Feng's way of honoring his mother.

Time Passed Quickly!

Zhao Feng enjoyed his days at home, cherishing the long-lost tranquility.

Every day, he took his wife and children on walks through the mountains and spent time with his mother.

For Zhao Feng, these were moments of pure joy his greatest happiness.

But despite enjoying his time at home, Zhao Feng's true aspiration was still to grow stronger.

…

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

At the village entrance, Zhao Feng was preparing to set off once more.

"Mother, are you sure you don't want to come with us to Xianyang?"

"Even my sister is coming along." Zhao Feng asked reluctantly.

"You all go ahead."

"I'll enjoy the peace here," Zhao Shi replied with a gentle smile.

"And Grandpa Xia, aren't you returning to Xianyang either?" Zhao Feng asked Xia Wuque, concerned.

After a month of interaction, their relationship had improved even the way Zhao Feng addressed him had changed.

"Haha."

"Xianyang is like a cage to me. From now on, I plan to travel across Great Qin, practicing medicine wherever I go."

"You can tell the King that I will return when I feel like it. There's no need for him to send people after me." Xia Wuque chuckled.

"But you are one of the people the King values most. If you don't return, he won't be at ease." Zhao Feng sighed.

"Don't worry. If the King questions you, just show him the letter I gave you."

"I've spent too many years in Xianyang. I'm tired." Xia Wuque smiled peacefully.

Especially after seeing his daughter's expression, he knew what she wanted.

If he returned to Xianyang and someone discovered the truth, things could turn disastrous.

It was best to leave things to fate.

He absolutely could not afford to lose his daughter again. And he had to protect his grandson.

Those people were madmen!

They would stop at nothing to achieve their goals!

"Fine then." Zhao Feng could only nod in resignation.

"Ying'er, have you thought this through? Are you sure you want to come with me to the army?" Zhao Feng turned to his sister.

"Of course."

"I don't want people in the village gossiping about me." Zhao Ying said firmly.

"Alright, just don't regret it later." Zhao Feng shook his head.

"Qi'er, Ling'er, say goodbye to your grandmother." Zhao Feng instructed his children.

"Grandmother, we'll be back soon!"

"Yes! I'll miss you too!"

The two little ones chimed in one after another.

And then

The convoy set off.

Zhao Shi and Xia Wuque stood silently, watching them leave.

"Dong'er…"

"Perhaps by staying behind, I can avoid being exposed."

"But if I don't return, the King might investigate even further."

"As long as you are Zhao Feng's mother, you will meet the King someday. It's inevitable."

"The King is extremely intelligent. He will figure it out eventually. Did you think he was still the same as he was twenty-one years ago?"

Glancing at his daughter, Xia Wuque let out a deep sigh.

He had followed her wishes, but he already knew what the outcome would be.

The Qin King of twenty-one years ago might have been fooled, but the Qin King of today? Impossible.

Still, Xia Wuque chose not to say anything.

…

Xianyang!

Inside Zhangtai Palace!

"Your Majesty."

"The Supreme General and his family have returned to the city."

Ren Xiao hurried into the hall to report.

Ying Zheng set down his memorial and immediately became interested.

"His entire family entered the city?"

"I am not sure, but I believe so. Since the Supreme General has an estate in Xianyang now, it is unlikely that he would leave his mother and sister in the village." Ren Xiao speculated.

"I have yet to meet Zhao Feng's mother and sister."

"Today is the perfect time to do so."

"Issue my decree summon Zhao Feng and his family directly to the palace."

"I wish to bestow them with rewards." Ying Zheng commanded at once.

If Zhao Feng could keep his family in Xianyang, Ying Zheng would feel even more at ease, allowing him to use Zhao Feng without any reservations.

For a ruler, military commanders holding power outside the capital must always have something tying them down this was the principle of controlling the court.

"Understood, Your Majesty." Ren Xiao bowed and retreated.

As the convoy approached Xianyang

"Master, a detachment of the Imperial Guards is coming toward us."

Spotting Ren Xiao riding at the head of the group, Zhang Ming immediately turned to report.

Zhao Feng lifted the carriage curtain and looked ahead.

"Supreme General."

Ren Xiao rode forward and saluted Zhao Feng.

"Commander Ren, what brings you here?" Zhao Feng smiled.

"His Majesty has summoned you to the palace immediately." Ren Xiao replied respectfully.

"My sister and children are in the carriage. Are we to head directly to the palace?" Zhao Feng asked, slightly surprised.

"His Majesty wishes to meet your family as well." Ren Xiao explained.

"I see. In that case, let's go." Zhao Feng nodded, not refusing.

If this were a political drama full of palace intrigue, bringing one's family to the palace might spell disaster, but in this case, he didn't see any harm in it.

But this was the Qin Dynasty.

And the man in front of them was Qin Shi Huang.

Historically, Qin Shi Huang had never executed any meritorious officials. The so-called "ruler growing fearful of a subject's power" did not exist in his governance.

Soon enough.

Outside the Zhangtai Palace!

Zhao Feng stood waiting with Wang Yan, Zhao Ying, and his two children.

"Brother."

"What kind of person is His Majesty?"

"Is he the type to lose his temper easily?"

Standing before the grand Qin royal palace, the very center of power in the empire, Zhao Ying couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

She had always been an ordinary village girl and had never encountered such an intimidating scene before.

"You never know. If you speak carelessly, he might just have you locked up," Zhao Feng turned and deliberately teased his younger sister.

Hearing this, Zhao Ying's face instantly turned pale with fear. "Really?"

"Husband, stop scaring Ying'er," Wang Yan intervened, unable to bear watching.

Then, she comforted Zhao Ying, "Ying'er, don't listen to your brother. His Majesty is not an unreasonable or ill-tempered person."

"Brother, you always bully me!" Zhao Ying pouted and glared at Zhao Feng in annoyance.

"Hahaha," Zhao Feng laughed.

Inside Zhangtai Palace!

"Your Majesty."

"General Zhao Feng and his family are waiting outside the hall," Ren Xiao reported respectfully.

"Let them in," Ying Zheng said, setting down the memorial he had been reading with a wave of his hand.

"A royal decree!"

"His Majesty summons General Zhao Feng and his family to an audience!" Ren Xiao announced loudly.

Hearing the command.

Zhao Feng stepped forward into the grand hall.

Wang Yan, Zhao Ying, and his two children followed closely behind.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty," Zhao Feng bowed deeply before Ying Zheng.

"Greetings, Your Majesty,"

Wang Yan and Zhao Ying also lowered their heads and curtsied, not daring to make eye contact.

"Rise," Ying Zheng gestured.

Then, sweeping his gaze over them, he asked with slight confusion, "Where is Grand Physician Xia? And why isn't your mother here?"

"Your Majesty,"

"Grand Physician Xia has gone traveling to practice medicine,"

"As for my mother, she did not wish to leave her homeland, so she remained behind," Zhao Feng replied with a smile.

"Grand Physician Xia went traveling?"

A change flickered across Ying Zheng's face, revealing a trace of concern. "Why didn't you stop him?"

"Your Majesty, I couldn't stop him."

"This is Grand Physician Xia's letter, please see for yourself," Zhao Feng said helplessly as he took out a handwritten letter from his robes and handed it over.

Without hesitation, Ying Zheng took the letter and opened it.

As he read its contents, the tension in his expression eased slightly.

"Sigh."

"It seems that to my father-in-law, Xianyang will always feel like a cage."

"He truly wants to leave it behind."

"Fine, let him do as he wishes,"

Ying Zheng sighed inwardly. He chose not to question further and simply set the letter down.

At that moment!

Ying Zheng raised his eyes, now focusing on Wang Yan and Zhao Ying.

"Why are you two keeping your heads down?"

"I'm not some tyrant who devours people."

"Lift your heads, there's no need to be afraid," he said with a gentle smile.

Upon hearing his words.

Wang Yan and Zhao Ying lifted their heads at the same time.

Unlike Wang Yan, who appeared composed,

Zhao Ying, on the other hand, looked visibly nervous.

But the moment Ying Zheng laid eyes on Zhao Ying, he froze in place.

"Winter?"

Ying Zheng couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

"Winter? What do you mean?"

Zhao Feng was momentarily confused and asked in puzzlement.

Snapping back to reality,

He saw Ying Zheng staring fixedly at his younger sister.

"This is bad."

"His Majesty isn't taking a liking to Ying'er, is he?"

"I don't want to end up as Qin Shi Huang's brother-in-law, and my sister definitely can't marry an older man,"

In an instant.

Zhao Feng felt a wave of unease surge within him.

Right now, the Qin King treated him well, but that didn't mean he could set his sights on his sister.

"Your Majesty."

"This is my younger sister, Zhao Ying,"

Zhao Feng immediately shifted his position slightly, standing in front of his sister.

"Your sister?"

Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Ying in surprise, his heart racing.

"She looks so similar, unbelievably so."

"At least sixty percent identical."

"She looks just like Winter did in her youth."

"Could this be just a coincidence?"

Ying Zheng's mind was in turmoil. This was the first time he had ever seen someone so closely resemble Winter, and this person just happened to be his most favored general's younger sister.

This was far too much of a coincidence.

"Your sister doesn't resemble you much,"

Ying Zheng commented teasingly as he withdrew his gaze.

"I take after my father, while my sister takes after our mother," Zhao Feng responded with a smile.

"Zhao Ying, is it?"

Ying Zheng asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhao Ying replied respectfully.

"Is this your first time in Xianyang?" Ying Zheng inquired gently.

"Yes," Zhao Ying nodded.

"I heard that your family consists only of you, your brother, and your mother."

"Now that you have come to Xianyang, doesn't that leave your mother all alone in the countryside?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.

"We tried to persuade our mother to come with us, but she refused."

"She said she is not used to the prosperity of the capital and prefers the tranquility of the countryside," Zhao Ying answered honestly.

"What a pity."

"I was hoping to meet the woman who raised a twenty-year-old general for my Qin Dynasty," Ying Zheng said with a look of regret.

Zhao Feng chuckled. "Your Majesty need not worry. If you ever visit Shachou, I will be sure to bring my mother to greet you."

"You said it yourself."

"If I visit, you had better not hide her from me," Ying Zheng laughed.

"Your Majesty, what are you saying?" Zhao Feng replied, half amused, half exasperated.

"You've just returned today, so I won't keep you for long."

"Go back and rest for now. Tomorrow, after court, we will discuss the establishment of the new military camp," Ying Zheng instructed with a wave of his hand.

"I obey, Your Majesty," Zhao Feng responded without hesitation, nodding in agreement.

Then…

Zhao Feng left with Wang Yan and the others.

Meanwhile, Ying Zheng sat in deep thought, his gaze fixed on Zhao Ying's departing figure.

"She looks so similar… too similar."

"That back, that face… they share at least a six-part resemblance."

"Could this just be a coincidence?"

At this moment, Ying Zheng's expression was extremely serious, lost in deep contemplation.

Not even the most difficult memorials to the throne had ever made him this perplexed.

"Dun Ruo!" Ying Zheng called out loudly.

Before long, Dun Ruo quickly entered from the inner hall and stood before Ying Zheng.

"Your Majesty, at your command," Dun Ruo said respectfully.

"Bring me Zhao Feng's household record again," Ying Zheng said in a deep voice.

"As you command."

Without hesitation, Dun Ruo turned and went into the rear hall. Before long, he returned, holding a record in his hands.

This was the same record that Ying Zheng had reviewed previously.

Ignoring Dun Ruo, Ying Zheng immediately opened the household record and carefully examined it again.

After a long while, he found nothing unusual.

"You investigated this household record?" Ying Zheng lifted his head and asked.

"I investigated everything personally," Dun Ruo replied immediately.

"I cross-checked the official household registry and even sent people to secretly verify the details in his village. The record is accurate."

"Zhao Feng's father died in battle at Handan."

"His mother is registered in Qiulin Village."

"His mother is skilled in medicine, and Zhao Feng himself has some knowledge of medicine as well."

"Tell me, could such a coincidence exist?"

"Is it possible that the person I asked you to find is Zhao Feng's mother?"

As he posed this question, Ying Zheng's eyes burned with intensity.

"Your Majesty," Dun Ruo responded, "I saw Lady Dong'er back then, and I also had her portrait drawn."

"But Zhao Feng's mother is not her."

"The steward Your Majesty sent to the Zhao residence is a covert agent of the Heibingtai (Black Ice Platform), and he, too, has memorized Lady Dong'er's likeness. All of Heibingtai's covert agents are familiar with her portrait. If Zhao Feng's mother were Lady Dong'er, they would have reported it long ago."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's expression was tinged with disappointment.

"Forget it."

"Perhaps I am overthinking things."

He let out a sigh and then asked, "The Heibingtai agents haven't lost track of Doctor Xia, have they?"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"No matter where Doctor Xia goes, there will always be covert agents protecting him," Dun Ruo replied at once.

"That's good." Ying Zheng nodded.

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave," Dun Ruo said with a bow, preparing to depart.

Just as he turned to leave, Ying Zheng, still unwilling to give up, called out, "Wait."

Dun Ruo stopped immediately, bowing slightly as he awaited orders.

"Have the covert agents in Zhao's residence in Shachiu draw a portrait of Zhao Feng's mother. Once it is done, present it to me immediately," Ying Zheng commanded.

"As you command," Dun Ruo acknowledged with a bow, then withdrew.

"Dong'er…"

"The chances may be slim, but I will never overlook any possibility."

"Moreover… my father-in-law's sudden departure for Shachiu is rather abrupt."

"I must get to the bottom of this."

Ying Zheng murmured to himself.

At the Zhao Residence.

After leaving the palace and returning home…

"Brother," Zhao Ying called out.

"This king is so imposing. I was too scared to even speak in front of him, afraid that if he got angry, he'd have me executed," Zhao Ying said with a hint of grievance.

"The king is indeed very imposing, but he is not someone who acts on whims, so you need not worry," Zhao Feng chuckled.

"Husband, how do you plan to arrange things for Ying'er?"

"Are you going to take her to the army and let her suffer?" Wang Yan asked with some concern.

"Sister-in-law," Zhao Ying interrupted, "Even in the army, I'd only be doing the duties of a physician. It wouldn't be suffering."

"Besides," she added, "I might even improve my medical skills in the army."

"You still want to go straight to the army?" Zhao Feng smirked.

"Why not?" Zhao Ying looked at her brother with confusion.

"To become a military physician, you must first study at the Great Medical Hall for half a year before you can be assigned to the army."

"Besides, my military camp hasn't even been established yet. The military medical unit still needs more physicians, so you'll have to stay in Xianyang for a while," Zhao Feng said with a grin.

"With my medical skills, I still need to study?" Zhao Ying said, somewhat pridefully.

"The medical skills you learned at home are for treating illnesses, but in the army, the focus is on treating injuries. They are quite different. Once you enter the Great Medical Hall, you'll understand," Zhao Feng explained with a chuckle, unwilling to argue further.

Back in Shachiu, Zhao Ying had been treating illnesses.

But in the military, it was all about treating wounds.

The two were vastly different.

"Yan'er," Zhao Feng called.

"Prepare a room for Ying'er," he instructed.

"Alright."

"Ying'er, come with me."

"This will be your home in Xianyang from now on," Wang Yan said gently, taking Zhao Ying's hand.

After they left, Zhao Feng returned to his private quarters.

"I've already refined dozens of furnaces of fasting pills."

"Next, I need to refine pills for restoring internal energy and enhancing cultivation."

"I still need to continue gathering medicinal ingredients."

Summoning his alchemy furnace, Zhao Feng skillfully resumed his pill refinement.

At Zhangtai Palace.

"Minister Li Si requests an audience," a respectful voice called from outside the hall.

Dressed in official robes, Li Si stood with unwavering respect.

As one of the Nine Ministers, he had the privilege of directly entering the palace for an audience, though he still needed to be announced outside Zhangtai Palace.

Seeing Li Si, Zhao Gao nodded slightly before saying respectfully, "Lord Chancellor, please wait a moment."

Then, Zhao Gao entered the hall to announce his arrival.

"His Majesty has decreed Lord Chancellor may enter," Zhao Gao soon returned and said respectfully.

"My thanks," Li Si responded courteously.

He was a shrewd man. Unlike the great noble families, he did not look down on Zhao Gao, the eunuch.

Entering the grand hall, Li Si saw Ying Zheng still engrossed in reviewing memorials to the throne.

As a diligent and industrious ruler, Ying Zheng's daily routine consisted of managing various state affairs.

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