Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 350: Chapter 159: Zhao Feng’s Excitement

When Wang Ben returned, the imperial carriage, pulled by nine horses, followed behind him. Wang Jian and his wife immediately adopted a solemn expression.

Before the couple could speak, the carriage’s stairs were laid down.

Ying Zheng stepped out slowly, but he did not leave right away. Instead, he reached out his hand, and Princess Liuyang’s hand, from inside the carriage, rested in his.

"Liuyang," Ying Zheng said gently. "Today, your father is giving you away in marriage."

Holding his daughter’s hand, he descended from the carriage and slowly headed towards the Wang Mansion.

"This subject pays his respects, Great King," Wang Jian immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

"Today, there are no kings and subjects," Ying Zheng replied with a slight smile. "I am here simply as a father, sending his daughter off."

"Ben," Wang Jian, understanding at once, called out.

"Present," Wang Ben acknowledged with a nod, then quickly approached Ying Zheng.

"Wang Ben," Ying Zheng began, his gaze serious. "You are my subject and my capable War General. But today, you are my son-in-law. Liuyang is my most beloved daughter. I hope you will take good care of her in the future and ensure she never suffers any grievance."

This was not a king’s command to a subject, but a father’s plea for his daughter.

"Please rest assured, Father," Wang Ben replied with equal solemnity. "I will never mistreat Liuyang."

"I trust you," Ying Zheng said with a smile, gently placing Liuyang’s hand into Wang Ben’s.

"Let the banquet begin!" Wang Jian shouted. "Great King, after you." He immediately stepped down, motioning for Ying Zheng to lead the way.

"Today, I walk alongside the Wang family," Ying Zheng said with a smile.

"This subject obeys the decree," Wang Jian did not refuse, walking shoulder to shoulder with Ying Zheng into the mansion.

At that moment, in the plaza before the mansion’s grand hall, banquet tables were already set, and all the guests had taken their seats. Nearly all the ministers from the court were present, as were many merchants and people of repute from Xianyang City.

Of course, Zhao Feng was also seated among them. However, the seating arrangement for banquets in this era was not like that of later times where people gathered together; instead, each person had their own small table. The Wang Mansion had everything well organized, with seating arranged by status and official rank.

The King of Qin truly values Princess Liuyang, sending her off in the imperial carriage. My elder brother-in-law really has married a goddess he’ll have to worship. Being the king’s son-in-law is an honor, but you can’t hit her or even scold her. Tsk, tsk.

Zhao Feng watched the scene as if it were a grand spectacle. Apart from the few village weddings he had seen as a child, this was the first one of this scale he had ever truly attended. Zhao Feng was here with the attitude of a student, eager to learn.

"Daddy, this is yummy," Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling said, sitting on either side of him. They ceaselessly nibbled on the fruits and snacks on the table, occasionally feeding a piece to Zhao Feng.

The reason Wang Yan was not present was that she was not yet formally married. An unmarried woman was not to show her face in public.

"If it’s yummy, then eat some more," Zhao Feng said with a doting smile. He was naturally indulgent with his son and daughter. Once his business in Xianyang was concluded, he planned to take them home.

Zhao Feng’s seat was the third from the side of the main steps. The two seats before him belonged to Meng Wu and Huan Yi, though they had not yet arrived.

As Ying Zheng and Wang Jian slowly approached, the many waiting ministers and esteemed guests all rose to their feet. "We greet the Great King."

Zhao Feng, of course, was no exception.

"Daddy," Zhao Qi asked curiously, "what’s a ’Great King’?"

"The Great King is the ruler of our great state of Qin, the master of this entire nation," Zhao Feng explained with a smile. "Your daddy is now one of the Great King’s subjects, too."

"So, the Great King can have anything he wants?" Zhao Qi asked with childish innocence.

"Hahaha," Zhao Feng laughed. "You could say that."

Just then, Meng Wu and Huan Yi walked over slowly. Upon seeing Zhao Feng, both men nodded slightly in greeting. Zhao Feng naturally nodded in return. He had only met the two of them once at court, where they had exchanged brief pleasantries, and he had not seen them since.

My father-in-law is a wise man, and so are Meng Wu and Huan Yi, Zhao Feng mused. Military Officials shouldn’t get too close, lest they arouse the king’s suspicion. They certainly understand that principle well.

At that moment, Zhao Feng also saw Fusu and Wang Wan arrive. They did not sit with the Military Officials but took seats on the opposite side. Today’s wedding banquet was destined to be a grand affair. Whether the blessings were sincere or feigned, at least everyone had shown up.

"Daddy, look! Uncle and Aunt are here!" Zhao Qi called out excitedly.

Zhao Ling was more demure, but she also looked on with great curiosity. They both seemed eager to see what their new aunt looked like.

Of course, their father was no exception. He immediately lifted his head to look.

He saw Wang Ben holding Princess Liuyang’s left hand. In her other hand, the princess held a lady’s fan to her face as they walked slowly forward. Today, both Wang Ben and Liuyang were dressed in black wedding attire. In this era, wedding clothes were not bright red but black accented with red, as black was the principal color of Qin.

"I can’t see Aunt’s face," Zhao Qi said, a little disappointed.

"You’ll be able to see it later," Zhao Feng said with a smile.

Still, judging by her figure, she must be quite beautiful. My elder brother-in-law sure is lucky. She seems to be a real beauty, Zhao Feng thought to himself.

At that moment, Ying Zheng and Wang Jian walked side-by-side to the front of the great hall. Wang Jian and his wife took their seats on the right, while Ying Zheng sat on the left. Clearly, no concubine had the status to accompany Ying Zheng here and represent Liuyang’s mother.

"Today," a herald announced, "on this auspicious day and at this auspicious hour, the Wang Mansion celebrates a joyous wedding!"