Ying Zheng's hand trembled as he reached out to touch the portrait, his eyes filled with a longing that was unbecoming of a king.
Twenty-one years…
He had finally found her.
He had once believed that the woman he loved most had gone to Zhao State, far away from Qin.
To find her, Ying Zheng had rushed to Handan as soon as it fell, hoping to see her again.
"I never expected…"
"You never left Great Qin. Shachou… What a Shachou Commandery."
"Hahaha!"
After years of longing, Ying Zheng could no longer suppress his laughter.
For the first time, he laughed freely, laughed with genuine joy.
A single portrait.
And Ying Zheng was at peace.
A single portrait.
And he finally understood why his father-in-law never returned to Xianyang, choosing instead to roam from place to place.
"Father-in-law…"
"It seems you must have discovered something while in Xianyang. That's why you followed Zhao Feng to Shachou. Later, something must have happened that made you decide not to return to Xianyang."
"You were afraid I would find out, afraid that Ah Fang would be in danger again, weren't you?"
"I understand everything you were thinking."
As he thought of Xia Wuque and how he had left only a letter through Zhao Feng before disappearing, Ying Zheng's heart was as clear as a mirror he understood everything.
"Your Majesty, congratulations."
Seeing Ying Zheng's reaction, Dun Ruo immediately knelt in salute.
After serving his king for years, he fully understood just how happy Ying Zheng was at this moment.
"How many people know about Ah Fang?" Ying Zheng asked in a deep voice.
"Only one of our covert agents in Shachou's Zhao residence knows. But he merely sketched a portrait and is unaware of anything else."
"He is loyal." Dun Ruo quickly replied.
"I do not want this matter to be leaked." Ying Zheng's voice was solemn.
"I understand." Dun Ruo nodded immediately.
"Your Majesty," he hesitated before continuing, "should we bring the lady back to Xianyang?"
"If she wanted to return, she would have done so long ago." Ying Zheng sighed.
"This…" Dun Ruo's expression shifted.
He was an intelligent man and quickly understood what this meant.
If she had wanted to come back, she would have returned long ago especially now that Ying Zheng ruled the empire and was no longer the man he was back then.
"I must go to Shachou in person."
"This matter must remain secret." Ying Zheng commanded.
"Your Majesty," Dun Ruo hesitated before speaking again, "there is something I do not know if I should say."
"Speak." Ying Zheng waved a hand.
"It has been twenty-one years."
"All official records have been properly documented, including the lady's. According to the records, her husband died in Handan, and General Zhao Feng and his sister were registered under her household."
"This…" Dun Ruo spoke carefully, his tone apprehensive.
The implication was clear Xia Dong'er had already married someone else.
Hearing this, any other ruler especially one prone to suspicion might have flown into a rage.
But instead, Ying Zheng smiled.
His expression was calm and resolute. "Perhaps other women would, but Ah Fang would not."
"Zhao Feng is twenty years old this year, isn't he?" Ying Zheng asked with a faint smile, his eyes carrying an unprecedented warmth.
"Yes." Dun Ruo nodded.
"Twenty-one years… Zhao Feng is twenty years old."
"Is that not precisely the same length of time since Ah Fang left?"
"I do not believe that after leaving Xianyang, Ah Fang would have so quickly found another man to marry."
"I trust her."
Ying Zheng had endured countless life-and-death situations alongside the woman he loved most. He had no doubts about her.
Thinking of Zhao Feng and his sister, Ying Zheng's heart swelled with joy.
"The heavens have watched over me."
"Zhao Feng is my son."
"Great Qin has an heir."
At this moment, Ying Zheng's face was alight with endless happiness.
No wonder, the first time he had seen Zhao Feng, he had felt an inexplicable sense of closeness. Even in their interactions, he had never exerted his usual royal authority. Instead, he had treated Zhao Feng more like an elder treating a younger generation.
Now, knowing that Zhao Feng was his son, Ying Zheng was overwhelmed with emotion.
Although he had many children, even the most outstanding in the eyes of the world Fusu had never truly won his favor.
Fusu was too benevolent. He could not command, to assert dominance over his ministers. Instead, he was more likely to be controlled by them.
If the empire were to be entrusted to Fusu, the consequences would be dire.
But Zhao Feng…
Ying Zheng had thought more than once: If only Zhao Feng were my son.
To the outside world, Zhao Feng was known only for his military prowess. His commanding ability was unparalleled, and he had never lost a battle.
But Ying Zheng saw more than that. He saw potential. Zhao Feng could still be nurtured in governance.
More importantly, Ying Zheng saw in Zhao Feng the same qualities he had possessed in his youth confidence and fearlessness.
That was what a king needed.
And today, upon seeing this portrait, Ying Zheng's wish had come true.
Zhao Feng was truly his son.
In his heart, he had already discarded the word "perhaps."
Because he firmly believed that his Ah Fang would never have chosen another man.
Dun Ruo was stunned.
He knew better than anyone just how deep the king's feelings for Xia Dong'er ran.
If she had never left, the long-empty position of the queen would have belonged to her long ago.
And naturally, the son of the queen would have been the crown prince.
At this moment, hearing Ying Zheng say these words personally, Dun Ruo was still visibly shocked.
Because this one sentence clearly expressed Ying Zheng's stance.
The phrase "heir to the throne" carried immense significance.
"Your Majesty, do you need the Heibingtai to investigate further?"
"After all, this matter concerns that lady and, more importantly, Your Majesty's offspring."
"The royal bloodline cannot be taken lightly," Dun Ruo said respectfully.
Ying Zheng did not respond immediately but instead looked at Dun Ruo and asked, "How long will it take to reach Shachiu at the fastest speed?"
"If we push the horses to their limit, it will still take seven days," Dun Ruo replied respectfully.
"I will settle government affairs in the next few days, then depart for Yongcheng to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager Huayang," Ying Zheng said solemnly.
Dun Ruo immediately nodded. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng intended to use his visit to Yongcheng as a cover while secretly traveling to Shachiu.
At that moment
Footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
Ying Zheng raised his hand.
Dun Ruo immediately withdrew to the inner hall.
"Your Majesty."
"Great Physician Chen and Miss Zhao Ying have arrived," Zhao Gao reported respectfully.
"Minister pays respects to Your Majesty." Great Physician Chen immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Zhao Ying also curtsied at once.
Hearing their voices, Ying Zheng's gaze landed directly on Zhao Ying, his eyes carrying an unmistakable warmth.
"So I was right after all."
"Zhao Feng is my son, and Zhao Ying is my daughter."
"Afang gave birth to twins for me."
Ying Zheng's heart swelled with joy.
At this moment
He could not put his emotions into words.
Even when he conquered Han and Zhao, he had never felt happiness like this.
"Is this king seriously interested in me?"
"Before my brother left, he told me to avoid meeting him too often, to take a detour if I saw him. Could he have been right?"
"His gaze is really strange..."
"I don't like old men! No way I need to get out of here fast!"
Feeling uneasy under Ying Zheng's intense gaze, Zhao Ying grew more and more nervous.
"Are you that afraid of me?"
Seeing Zhao Ying lower her head timidly, Ying Zheng couldn't help but ask.
"No, I am not afraid," Zhao Ying quickly shook her head but thought to herself, "I'm terrified! Brother, come save me! This king wants to rob the cradle!"
"If you're not afraid, then why do you keep your head down?" Ying Zheng asked with amusement.
"I dare not look," Zhao Ying immediately responded.
"Your brother is so bold. Why is your courage so small?" Ying Zheng chuckled.
"This... this..."
Zhao Ying was too nervous to find the right words.
Seeing her flustered state, Ying Zheng smiled and stopped teasing her after all, the girl before him was his daughter.
Then, Ying Zheng turned to Great Physician Chen and said, "Before he left, Zhao Feng warned me that the elixir I was taking was poisonous. I have tested it multiple times and confirmed that Zhao Feng was right the elixir is indeed toxic."
"I summoned you today to take my pulse and see if there are any toxins in my body."
"The elixir is poisonous?"
Great Physician Chen was visibly shocked but did not dare to waste time.
He had already heard that all the alchemists in the Dan Hall had been imprisoned.
As a court physician, he was well aware of what was happening in the palace.
Without delay, Great Physician Chen stepped forward, knelt, and carefully took Ying Zheng's pulse.
Ying Zheng extended his hand.
Great Physician Chen concentrated on the pulse reading for a full moment before speaking.
"Your Majesty's body shows some signs of qi deficiency, but it is not severe. It appears that the poison has not deeply affected you yet. With the right medicine to cleanse the toxins, Your Majesty will recover."
"It seems Zhao Feng warned you just in time. If Your Majesty had continued taking the elixir, disaster would have been inevitable."
"Good."
Hearing Great Physician Chen's words, Ying Zheng finally relaxed completely.
As long as he no longer took the so-called elixir of immortality, the toxins would not accumulate further.
"Your Majesty,"
"I will now prepare a prescription for detoxification and instruct the Imperial Medical Hall to decoct the medicine," Great Physician Chen said immediately.
"Go ahead."
Ying Zheng nodded.
"Come along."
Great Physician Chen turned to Zhao Ying.
Without hesitation, Zhao Ying quickly turned to leave.
"Wait."
Ying Zheng called out again.
"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" Great Physician Chen asked respectfully.
"Zhao Ying stays."
"Why am I staying?"
Zhao Ying looked nervous and uneasy.
"As you command." Great Physician Chen bowed and left.
To him, there was no way the king would harm Zhao Ying.
After all, she was Zhao Feng's sister. As long as nothing too outrageous happened, she would not be punished.
"You may withdraw as well," Ying Zheng said, turning to Zhao Gao.
"This servant obeys."
Zhao Gao immediately retreated, thoughtfully closing the palace doors behind him as he left.
Now, in the vast Zhangtai Palace, only Ying Zheng and Zhao Ying remained.
"Is he going to do something to me?"
"What should I do?"
"I'm doomed."
"Should I scream?"
At that moment, Zhao Ying's heart pounded with anxiety as she looked at Ying Zheng.
With everyone suddenly gone, she felt an overwhelming sense of fear, worried that the Qin King before her might suddenly act improperly.
After all, before her brother left, he had warned her that the king might have an interest in her, that his gaze was unusual.
And now, it seemed that his warning might be true.
Seeing Zhao Ying's nervous state, Ying Zheng found it both amusing and odd.
"Am I really that terrifying?"
"I have no intentions of doing anything to you," Ying Zheng said with a hint of exasperation.
"Then why has Your Majesty asked me to stay?" Zhao Ying asked, still fearful.
"There's nothing else just wanted to ask about your family," Ying Zheng said with a faint smile.
"Oh..."
Hearing this, Zhao Ying immediately relaxed.
"What does Your Majesty wish to ask?" she inquired.
"No need to stand so stiffly sit down."
Ying Zheng gestured toward a nearby seat with a smile.
Zhao Ying nodded and, without hesitation, took a seat.
At this moment, she carried an air of grace and elegance.
This
Only made Ying Zheng more certain of his thoughts.
Because right now, Zhao Ying's demeanor was just like that of the woman he had long held in his heart.
His beloved Dong'er had been just as elegant and gentle.
"Have you ever met your father?"
Once Zhao Ying was seated, Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
Although she did not understand why Ying Zheng would ask this, Zhao Ying still shook her head. "No, I haven't."
"Then your mother raised you both on her own?" Ying Zheng continued.
"Yes."
Zhao Ying nodded. "Mother raised my brother and me alone, but the villagers also helped us a lot."
"Especially Grandpa Wu. The land we used to farm was given to us by him. Otherwise, our family would have starved long ago."
Hearing this, Ying Zheng's brows furrowed slightly, and his heart filled with an indescribable ache.
A scene formed in his mind
His beloved Afang, alone, raising two infants, with no one to rely on.
Toiling endlessly
Farming to sustain them while also raising two children.
The hardship of it all was beyond even his imagination.
"Afang suffered..."
"She raised our son and daughter all on her own."
"I have failed her terribly."
"I failed to protect her back then. She fled while pregnant, traveled so far, and later endured years of hardship raising our children alone."
"It must have been exhausting."
Ying Zheng's heart filled with guilt.
But after a brief moment of contemplation,
A sudden realization struck him.
"If her father died in battle at Handan, why was no land granted to them? Why did they have to rely on someone else's land?"
Ying Zheng immediately asked, "If your father died in battle, why was no land granted to your family? Why did you have to depend on someone else's land?"
In that instant, he grasped the key issue.
"Would there have been land if he died in battle?" Zhao Ying asked, confused.
"If your father died fighting at Handan, that means he had already attained the first rank of nobility. With that rank, land would have been granted enough for a family to live comfortably."
"So why didn't your father have any land?" Ying Zheng pressed further.
"I don't know."
"But my mother never asked about it either," Zhao Ying shook her head.
She had grown up in a village and knew little of such matters.
To her, things like noble ranks were foreign concepts.
Listening to Zhao Ying's response,
A smile slowly spread across Ying Zheng's face.
"Now I can be sure."
"Afang never remarried…"
-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 340+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader