"General."
"His Majesty is waiting for you inside the palace," Zhao Gao said respectfully, turning around.
"Thank you," Zhao Feng nodded, glancing up at the majestic Zhangtai Palace with a hint of anticipation before stepping inside.
Zhangtai Palace
This was the sleeping quarters of the past kings of Qin and also served as the hall for managing state affairs.
Only a select few ministers had ever been fortunate enough to enter its halls.
As Zhao Feng entered, he noticed that the Qin King was not seated but standing with his hands behind his back, waiting.
"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty," Zhao Feng immediately bowed deeply in salutation.
Seeing Zhao Feng, Ying Zheng raised a hand with a smile on his face and said, "Come."
He then turned and walked toward the inner chambers, and Zhao Feng, though puzzled, followed behind.
The Inner Chambers
In front of Zhao Feng was a massive sand table map that depicted the vast landscape of the world, with what appeared to be all of China meticulously recreated in miniature form.
On the map, the cities belonging to the Qin state were marked with Qin flags, while the cities of other states bore their banners.
At a glance, nearly half of the sand table was already adorned with Qin flags.
"What do you think?" Ying Zheng asked with a faint smile, his hands still clasped behind his back as he gazed at the sand table.
"The landscape of the world is within Your Majesty's grasp," Zhao Feng replied solemnly.
"Ha!"
Ying Zheng laughed heartily. "With the strength of our Qin army, Korea and Zhao have already been annexed. Now, aside from our Qin state, only Wei, Qi, Chu, and Yan remain."
"The unification of the world is within reach."
From his words, one could feel the overwhelming ambition and confidence of Ying Zheng, as if the entire world would soon bow at his feet.
"Indeed," Zhao Feng echoed. "Unification is close at hand."
From the historical records, it was clear that within four or five years, the entire realm would be unified.
With Zhao, the most formidable opponent, defeated, only Chu required any real effort from Qin.
As for Wei, Yan, and Qi, their strength paled in comparison. They had no hope of resisting Qin's military might once war was declared.
"This place…"
"Besides you, only the Minister of the Interior has been here," Ying Zheng remarked, turning to Zhao Feng with a smile.
"This is my great honor," Zhao Feng replied with a respectful bow.
"Enough."
"With just the two of us here, there's no need to stand on ceremony," Ying Zheng said, waving dismissively at Zhao Feng's formality.
"Understood." Zhao Feng nodded.
"By the way," Ying Zheng said with a curious glint in his eyes, studying Zhao Feng closely.
"What are you curious about, Your Majesty?" Zhao Feng asked, slightly taken aback.
"I've investigated your background."
"You were born in a village in Shaqiu County. Your father died early during the Zhao campaign, and you were raised by your mother."
"Before enlisting, you had no formal teachers and never studied military strategy."
"Yet you're both a fierce warrior and an adept commander."
"In the past, even Lord Wu'an, who was unparalleled in commanding troops, had been tutored by military masters. But you seem to have had no such opportunity," Ying Zheng said with a curious smile, a spark of intrigue in his gaze.
This was not surprising to Zhao Feng.
It was only natural for the King of Qin to thoroughly investigate someone entrusted with significant authority.
If the royal court couldn't fully understand his background, Zhao Feng wouldn't even have been allowed to rise to the position of main general, let alone be granted the rank of Protector-General.
The monarchy would never permit an unknown figure to hold control over the Qin army.
"Perhaps it's a gift," Zhao Feng replied with a light laugh.
"A gift? Then why did you start in the logistics corps?" Ying Zheng teased, his tone playful.
"At the time, I only wanted to care for my mother. Had it not been for Bao Yuan and his son, I might have retired and returned home," Zhao Feng replied, still smiling.
"In that case…"
"I really ought to thank the Bao father and son. If not for them, I might have missed out on you," Ying Zheng said with a hearty laugh.
"When I visit Yingchuan someday, I'll be sure to light a stick of incense on Your Majesty's behalf for the Bao family," Zhao Feng quipped playfully.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng couldn't help but laugh even louder. "You cheeky fellow."
At this moment, a voice rang out from outside Zhangtai Palace.
"Your Majesty, the hot springs have been prepared," Zhao Gao announced.
"Let's go, Zhao Feng."
"Join me for a soak in the hot springs. Winter has arrived, and after the victory over Zhao, it's time to enjoy some indulgence," Ying Zheng said with a smile.
"Your servant dares not refuse," Zhao Feng replied immediately.
Soaking in the hot springs sounded like a delightful treat, especially during winter.
Having been reincarnated into this world for nearly twenty years, Zhao Feng hadn't had the chance to enjoy such luxury yet.
On the Way to the Hot Springs
Exiting Zhangtai Palace, Zhao Gao was already waiting respectfully outside.
With Zhao Gao leading the way, Ying Zheng walked in front, while Zhao Feng followed closely behind, his eyes wandering curiously around the palace.
As the Grand Chamberlain, Zhao Gao adhered strictly to palace protocol, ensuring his every step and gesture remained impeccable.
"Haha."
Seeing Zhao Feng's curiosity as he took in the palace surroundings, Ying Zheng chuckled faintly.
Before long, under Zhao Gao's guidance, they arrived at another grand palace within the royal grounds.
"Greetings to His Majesty."
The eunuchs and palace maids stationed there immediately knelt in respect.
Without pause, Ying Zheng strode into the palace, and Zhao Feng followed closely behind.
Inside the Hot Spring Palace
The chamber was warm, with charcoal braziers burning brightly, filling the air with a cozy heat.
Compared to the chill outside, the temperature difference was stark and comforting.
"Disrobe," Zhao Gao commanded.
At once, a dozen palace maids entered the hall.
Ying Zheng extended his arms, and the maids carefully removed his royal robes and crown.
Meanwhile, several palace maids approached Zhao Feng.
"No need, I can manage on my own," Zhao Feng said quickly, waving them off as he began taking off his armor and tunic.
Left with just his undergarments, he glanced over at Ying Zheng.
"What's this? A grand general of the Qin army needs to undress himself?" Ying Zheng teased.
"Don't tell me… you've only ever been with Wang Yan?" he added, smirking.
At these words, even Zhao Feng couldn't help feeling a bit awkward.
Ying Zheng wasn't wrong.
Despite years of campaigning, during which he'd captured numerous enemy princesses and concubines, Zhao Feng had never touched them. His focus had always been on growing stronger.
"Looks like…"
"I need to reward you with more," Ying Zheng said with a laugh.
"After your marriage, I'll grant you the princesses of Han and Zhao. A general of Qin cannot have just one wife."
Ying Zheng chuckled as he stepped into the hot spring, the warmth rising like mist around him.
Zhao Feng also followed suit, stepping into the steaming waters with great anticipation.
Ying Zheng glanced at Zhao Feng's bare torso, his eyes falling on the scars from swords and arrows crisscrossing his skin. Though the wounds had healed, the marks remained, causing Ying Zheng to pause in surprise.
"Among the warriors of Great Qin, it seems you bear the most injuries," he remarked. "Your father-in-law once said that you lead troops from the front. This habit of yours must change," Ying Zheng said with a trace of concern.
Soaking in the warmth of the hot spring, Zhao Feng shed some of his formal demeanor and settled in. "I'll act as the situation demands," Zhao Feng replied with a faint smile.
After all, who else could understand the satisfaction of slaying enemies and collecting attributes like Zhao Feng did? Watching his stats climb and his body surpasses its limits was a pleasure that Zhao Feng could never tire of.
"You…" Ying Zheng shook his head, both amused and exasperated.
Glancing around, Ying Zheng noticed the palace attendants bringing in a few jars of wine and plates of meat. He waved his hand dismissively, and Zhao Gao immediately understood.
"Your servant will take his leave," Zhao Gao said as he led the attendants out, closing the doors of the hot spring pavilion behind them.
"Is it true that you and your sister are twins?" Ying Zheng suddenly asked.
"Indeed," Zhao Feng nodded, a hint of fondness and longing flashing in his eyes. "We're twins."
"You're nearly twenty now," Ying Zheng continued with interest. "So your sister must be the same age. I hear she's still unmarried, correct?"
Zhao Feng chuckled softly. "My mother is quite open-minded. She's never been one to insist on arranged marriages. She hasn't pressured my sister either."
"An open-minded mother indeed," Ying Zheng said, slightly surprised.
"As commoners, we didn't have to abide by the rigid rules of noble families," Zhao Feng replied with a laugh.
"True, the rigid rules of noble families…" Ying Zheng murmured a hint of bitterness in his tone. "I detest them deeply. Yet, standing in this position, it's impossible to escape them. Everything revolves around power and benefit."
Zhao Feng nodded in agreement. "Your Majesty speaks the truth. However, if it were my children, I'd let them choose their path."
"Even if I were to decree a marriage for your children, you'd oppose it?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
Zhao Feng's expression froze for a moment before he responded with a helpless smile. "My son and daughter are only a year old now. By the time they grow up, I'm sure such matters won't trouble Your Majesty."
"Why do I get the feeling you're implying I won't live that long?" Ying Zheng said with a mock glare.
"No, absolutely not!" Zhao Feng quickly waved his hands in denial.
Ying Zheng chuckled instead of taking offense. "I'm curious how did you convince Wang Jian to marry his daughter to you?"
"No secret there I simply cooked the rice before it was ready," Zhao Feng said with a cheeky grin. "My father-in-law couldn't very well let Yan'er marry into the royal family while pregnant, could he? Especially with the possibility of an 'accident'..."
"You scoundrel," Ying Zheng said, his expression turning wry.
With the attendants gone, Zhao Feng grew even more at ease. His earlier stiffness disappeared completely. Surprisingly, Ying Zheng didn't mind; in fact, he seemed to enjoy it.
It had been a long time since anyone spoke to him so casually. Most of his ministers were either too cautious or too deferential to have an honest conversation. Zhao Feng's unrestrained manner brought him a rare sense of comfort.
"Truth be told," Ying Zheng began, "even if you hadn't appeared, Wang Jian would never have married his daughter to Fusu."
"Of course not," Zhao Feng agreed immediately.
"You're not surprised?" Ying Zheng asked with some curiosity.
"Your Majesty, would you prefer the truth or a pleasant lie?" Zhao Feng replied with a sly grin.
"Do you think I enjoy hearing lies?" Ying Zheng said, rolling his eyes.
Zhao Feng chuckled. "Then let's agree beforehand that if I offend you, Your Majesty won't get angry. I'm not exactly skilled with words."
"Out with it," Ying Zheng said, glaring playfully at Zhao Feng.
"My father-in-law's personality is cautious. He avoids entangling himself in conflicts and prioritizes self-preservation," Zhao Feng began. "Marrying his daughter into the royal family might seem like an honor, but it would mean taking sides. If any upheaval occurred later, it would inevitably drag the Wang family down with it."
"After all, Your Majesty knows better than anyone the dangers of royal power struggles," Zhao Feng added with a meaningful look.
With that, Zhao Feng fell silent, leaving the rest unsaid. His words were neither overly direct nor too vague. Ying Zheng clearly understood the implications.
To his credit, Ying Zheng didn't lose his temper. Instead, he smiled faintly. "You're not wrong."
"May I ask, who initially proposed the idea of marrying Wang Jian's daughter to Fusu?" Zhao Feng asked, a bit surprised.
"Do you think it was me?" Ying Zheng smirked.
"Who, then?" Zhao Feng asked, puzzled.
"Do you know what monarchs fear the most?" Ying Zheng asked, looking at Zhao Feng with a meaningful expression.
After thinking for a moment, Zhao Feng replied, "Factions forming within the court?"
"You're more than just a skilled general you have some insight into court politics as well," Ying Zheng said with a faint smile. "Your father-in-law holds military power, and the heir to the throne has yet to be decided. Whoever gains his support will have a significant advantage. Naturally, some ministers sought to facilitate the marriage."
Zhao Feng nodded slowly. "So, it was orchestrated by court officials."
"You're quite perceptive," Ying Zheng remarked approvingly.
"Not really. I just happened to be threatened once while serving in the military ordered to annul my engagement to the Wang family and make way for Fusu," Zhao Feng said with a cold laugh.
Though the incident was in the past, Zhao Feng hadn't forgotten it.
Today, after Bai Wu's sudden attack on him in court, Zhao Feng was certain that Wang Wan and his faction were behind it. If they wanted to stir trouble, Zhao Feng wouldn't hesitate to retaliate by planting seeds of doubt in Ying Zheng's mind.
And Ying Zheng, ever vigilant of his ministers, would certainly take notice.
As expected, Ying Zheng's expression darkened when he heard Zhao Feng's words. "Who dared to threaten you to annul your engagement to the Wang family? Speak!"
"Your Majesty, I hope this doesn't come across as idle gossip," Zhao Feng said with a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Speak!" Ying Zheng demanded, his tone brooking no refusal.
This was indeed the first time he had heard of such a matter.
There had been no prior rumors, not even from the Black Ice Platform.
Of course, this was because only Zhao Feng and his guards were aware of the incident, and naturally, Chunyu Yue and his group wouldn't be foolish enough to publicize it.
Since the King of Qin had asked, Zhao Feng couldn't refuse. Suppressing the smirk in his heart, he put on a serious expression and said, "Chunyu Yue's disciple, Meng Jia."
"Chunyu Yue, is it?" Ying Zheng muttered the name, his expression turning cold.
"Of course," Zhao Feng continued. "Although he made his threats, I didn't suffer the slightest loss. His disciple, the one he sent to threaten me, returned looking like a pig's head after I dealt with him."
"Moreover, Crown Prince Fusu was unaware of the matter. When I later went to Yingchuan, the Crown Prince personally came to apologize to me."
Although Zhao Feng was playing his own game, he still knew his limits.
Ying Zheng was an extraordinarily intelligent man. If Zhao Feng showed any sign of targeting his son, even if their conversation seemed amicable now, the King of Qin might later suspect ulterior motives. So Zhao Feng made sure to clarify his stance, focusing his ire on Wang Wan and the others instead.
He intended to turn up the heat on them.
Ying Zheng nodded slightly in response, acknowledging Zhao Feng's words.
"Looks like Chunyu Yue will face some tough days ahead," Zhao Feng mused inwardly. "As for Wang Wan and his faction, they've already crossed the King's red line by pushing for my father-in-law to ally with Fusu. They'll have plenty of trouble coming their way."
"You dared to provoke me? Then don't blame me for cranking up the intensity."
Ying Zheng's cold expression remained as he processed the information. "You know why I went to Handan back then?" he asked, shifting the conversation.
"Wasn't it because the King wished to revisit the past?" Zhao Feng guessed.
"Handan?" Ying Zheng let out a cold laugh. "What kind of past is there to revisit?"
"If anything, I wanted to destroy Handan for what I endured there."
Hearing this, Zhao Feng fell silent.
What Ying Zheng said was true.
During his time as a hostage in Zhao, he suffered unimaginable hardships and humiliation.
Now, people only saw the powerful King of Qin, commanding authority and with ambitions to unify the world.
But few knew of the pain and torment he had endured as a hostage in Zhao.
Any ordinary person, when conquering a place that had caused them so much suffering, would likely order its destruction.
But Ying Zheng had restrained himself. He had refrained from committing such an act, all because of his vision for the world.
Seeing Zhao Feng's silence, Ying Zheng poured himself another cup of wine, and then one for Zhao Feng as well.
Zhao Feng quickly accepted it.
"This wine is from the Jiu Xian Lou (Wine Immortal Tavern), a premium brew," Ying Zheng said. "I've tasted many wines, but this one is exceptional. I specially ordered it from Yingchuan."
"I've had it too. It's indeed exquisite," Zhao Feng replied with a smile.
But in his heart, he chuckled. "Of course, the cross-era brewing techniques are far ahead of this time. No wonder even the King of Qin is so captivated by this wine. Jiu Xian Lou is raking in the money now. Fine wine truly is the most lucrative business in this era."
"At this point, I'm practically as wealthy as a nation."
Ying Zheng lifted his cup and drained it in one go. Zhao Feng followed suit.
After finishing his drink, Ying Zheng's eyes showed a trace of nostalgia. "The reason I went to Handan was to find someone."
"Find someone?"
"What kind of person would make the King personally travel to Handan?"
"Could it be some extraordinary talent?" Zhao Feng asked, his curiosity piqued.
"What talent would be worth such a journey? Not even Guiguzi (Master of the Ghost Valley) himself," Ying Zheng replied with a smile full of pride.
"Then did the King have some unfinished matters in Handan?" Zhao Feng was genuinely puzzled.
Ying Zheng didn't answer immediately. He took a sip of wine, his expression calm yet tinged with longing. After a moment of silence, he finally said, "I was looking for my wife."
Hearing this, Zhao Feng was shocked. "Your wife?"
"Could it be?"
"If she was your wife, why would she remain in Handan? Didn't she return to Qin with you back then? Why didn't she become the Queen of Qin?"
The more Zhao Feng thought about it, the more intrigued he became.
"Historically, Qin Shi Huang never took a queen."
"There are two explanations for this in history. One is that, after witnessing his mother Zhao Ji's interference in politics and her scandalous affair with Lao Ai, which almost toppled his reign, he decided never to appoint a queen to avoid a similar threat to his future sons. Without a queen, there would be no empress dowager."
"The second explanation is that there was no one in the palace whom he truly loved. The person he loved was A Fang (Lady Afang), and the construction of the grand and magnificent Afang Palace was a tribute to her memory."
"Now, based on what the King of Qin just said, it seems there was an Afang, his true love!"
As Zhao Feng's thoughts raced, he realized he might have stumbled upon one of the greatest secrets of Qin Shi Huang.
Perhaps no one else in the world knew this.
"She returned to Qin with me," Ying Zheng said, his voice carrying a heavy tone. "But I failed to protect her."
Zhao Feng nodded silently, not interrupting.
"When I first returned to Qin, the court was not as unified as it is now," Ying Zheng continued. "Even after I ascended the throne, for years, the political situation was dominated by Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei. I held almost no real power before I came of age."
"I see," Zhao Feng thought. "That explains it."
"This wasn't your fault, my King," Zhao Feng said gently. "I may not have experienced what you did, but I have heard of the difficulties you faced upon your return to Qin.
"After your return, though you ascended to the throne, you had yet to come of age. Many matters were beyond your control.
"With a powerful chancellor like Lü Buwei, the influence of the former queen dowager, the constraints of the royal family, and the manipulations of court officials, it's no wonder things were so turbulent."
His words were meant to console Ying Zheng.
"A man who cannot protect the people he holds dearest is a failure."
"I failed her."
Ying Zheng took another drink, the guilt in his eyes lingering.
This was his deepest regret a wound that would never heal unless he found the woman he loved.
"Even the mighty King of Qin is, at his core, a man of emotions," Zhao Feng thought.
"Outwardly stern and imposing, seemingly unapproachable, yet deep down, he still has the vulnerabilities of an ordinary man."
"But does he truly have no defenses against me? To share such a deeply personal secret does he see me as a trusted junior or someone who can keep his confidences?"
As Zhao Feng listened to this hidden chapter of the future Qin Shi Huang's life, his feelings were understandably complicated.
Revealing such a secret recklessly would undoubtedly spell disaster.
-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 340+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader