Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 365: Chapter 164: Ying Zheng: She Looks Like Dong’er! This Can’t Be a Coincidence! (Part 2)

"I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Zhao Feng’s mother and sister; today is the perfect opportunity to do so."

"Let it be known by my decree that Zhao Feng’s family is to enter the palace directly."

"It is also a good occasion to reward his family," Ying Zheng declared on the spot.

If Zhao Feng could leave his entire family in Xianyang, Ying Zheng would naturally feel more at ease with him and could employ him without reservation. For a sovereign, it is crucial to have leverage over the generals leading armies in the field; this is an essential aspect of controlling royal power.

"This servant accepts the decree." Ren Xiao bowed and immediately withdrew.

「Within the walls of Xianyang City.」

"My lord, the Imperial Guard Army is approaching from the front," Zhang Ming immediately turned to report upon seeing Ren Xiao riding toward them.

Zhao Feng quickly lifted the curtain to look.

"Senior General." Ren Xiao spurred his horse forward and gave a cupped-fist salute to Zhao Feng inside the carriage.

"Commander Ren, is something the matter?" Zhao Feng asked with a slight smile.

"The Great King commands the Senior General to proceed directly to the palace," Ren Xiao said respectfully.

"My sister, wife, and children are all in the carriage. Are we to go straight to the royal palace?" Zhao Feng asked, somewhat surprised.

"The Great King said he specifically wishes to meet the Senior General’s family," Ren Xiao replied at once.

"In that case, very well." Zhao Feng nodded, not refusing.

Although it’s my whole family aside from Mother entering the palace... In a drama full of court intrigue and power struggles, a general bringing his family to the palace would not be a good thing. It might even be a prelude to an ambush.

But this was the Great Qin.

This was Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Historically, Emperor Qin Shi Huang never killed any of his meritorious officials. The concept of a subject’s merits overshadowing the sovereign simply did not exist for him.

Soon, they arrived.

「Outside Zhangtai Palace.」

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

"Brother, what kind of person is the Great King?" Zhao Ying asked, feeling somewhat anxious now that she was at the Qin Royal Palace, the very center of power in the Great Qin. "Is he the type to lose his temper easily?"

As an ordinary commoner, she had never experienced such a grand situation.

"That’s hard to say. If you speak out of turn later, you might just get locked up," Zhao Feng turned his head, deliberately teasing his sister.

Hearing this, a frightened expression immediately appeared on Zhao Ying’s pretty face. "Really?"

"Husband, stop scaring Ying’er," Wang Yan interjected, unable to watch any longer. Then she turned to Zhao Ying. "Ying’er, don’t listen to your brother. The Great King is not someone who throws tantrums for no reason."

"Brother, you always pick on me," Zhao Ying pouted, glaring at Zhao Feng.

"Hahaha," Zhao Feng laughed.

「Inside Zhangtai Palace.」

"Reporting to the Great King," Ren Xiao announced respectfully, "Senior General Zhao Feng and his family are waiting outside the hall."

"Summon them," Ying Zheng said, putting down the petition in his hand and waving.

"By the Great King’s decree! Summon the Senior General and his family for an audience!" Ren Xiao immediately shouted to those outside.

In response to the call, Zhao Feng walked slowly into the hall. Wang Yan followed him, leading the two little ones, with Zhao Ying close behind.

"This subject greets the Great King," Zhao Feng said, bowing deeply to Ying Zheng.

"We greet the Great King," Wang Yan and Zhao Ying curtsied immediately, their heads bowed, not daring to look up.

"You may rise." Ying Zheng waved his hand. But as his gaze swept over them, a hint of confusion appeared. "Where is Doctor Xia? And why is your mother not here?"

"Replying to the Great King," Zhao Feng responded with a smile, "Doctor Xia has gone traveling to practice medicine. As for my mother, she did not wish to leave her homeland, so she did not come to Xianyang."

"Doctor Xia has gone traveling to practice medicine?" Ying Zheng’s expression changed, a look of worry instantly clouding his face. "Why did you not stop him?"

"Your Majesty, I could not stop him," Zhao Feng said helplessly, taking a letter from within his robes. "This is a letter from Doctor Xia himself. Please, take a look."

Ying Zheng took the letter without hesitation, opening it to read. As he scanned its contents, his tense expression eased slightly.

Sigh. It seems Xianyang is truly like a cage to my father-in-law. He wishes to be so far away. So be it. Let him have his wish.

Sighing inwardly, Ying Zheng set the letter aside, not pursuing the matter further.

At that moment, his gaze lifted, falling upon Wang Yan and Zhao Ying, who stood beside her.

"Why are you all lowering your heads?" Ying Zheng said with a slight smile. "I am not some man-eating king. Lift your heads. There is no need to be afraid."

At the sound of his voice, Wang Yan and Zhao Ying both looked up.

Unlike Wang Yan, who remained relatively calm, Zhao Ying was filled with nervous apprehension.

But the moment Ying Zheng’s eyes fell on Zhao Ying, he froze.

"Dong’er?" he couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

"Who’s Dong’er?" Zhao Feng asked, puzzled.

When he came to his senses, he saw Ying Zheng staring intently at his sister.

This is not good. The Great King can’t have taken a fancy to Ying’er. I have no desire to become Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s brother-in-law, and my sister certainly cannot marry an old man.

A single glance was enough to fill Zhao Feng’s heart with unease. The King of Qin was treating him well for now, but that didn’t give him the right to have ideas about his sister.

"Your Majesty," Zhao Feng said, immediately stepping sideways to shield his sister. "This is my sister, Zhao Ying."

"Your sister?" Ying Zheng looked at her, a hint of astonishment on his face as his thoughts churned.

The resemblance... it’s too much. There’s at least a sixty percent resemblance. She looks just like a young Dong’er. Can there truly be such a coincidence?

Ying Zheng pondered this. It was the first time he had ever seen a woman who looked so much like Dong’er, and this woman just happened to be the sister of his most favored subject.