Seeing Ying Zheng's joyful expression, Xia Wuque finally let go of his concerns and sat down beside him.
"You look so happy," he said with a smile.
"I suppose Dong'er has also come to terms with everything. But I'm curious how did you manage to meet her without her running away?"
Hearing this, Ying Zheng chuckled.
"Father-in-law, I was worried she wouldn't see me at first. So, I went under the cover of the night, sneaking in without her knowing I had found her. When she saw me, she had no chance to escape."
As he spoke, there was a hint of pride in his tone.
"But did anyone find out you went to Shacheng?"
Xia Wuque's face suddenly changed as he realized something.
"Rest assured, Father-in-law," Ying Zheng reassured him.
"I am always thorough in my actions. When I left, I used the pretense of traveling to Yong City for Empress Dowager Huayang's birthday, then went hunting as an excuse. Aside from the Heibingtai (Black Ice Platform), no one knows about this."
"No one knows about A'Fang's existence, nor Feng'er and my relationship."
Xia Wuque visibly relaxed.
"That's good."
"You should understand what Dong'er is worried about. Though I only spent a month with her after finding her, I could tell that the events of the past have left a deep scar. She doesn't dare return to Xianyang it has become a psychological burden for her." Xia Wuque sighed.
A cold glint flashed across Ying Zheng's eyes.
"Don't worry, Father-in-law," he said.
"I will make sure she no longer carries this burden. In Qin, in this entire world, she is my only wife. She alone is worthy of being Queen of Great Qin."
Hearing this, Xia Wuque understood just how deep Ying Zheng's feelings for his daughter ran. But he couldn't help thinking of the court and the royal clan.
"All these years, Your Majesty's iron rule has suppressed both the court and the royal family, and many new nobles have risen under your patronage. However, the old factions still hold significant power."
"If they find out about Dong'er's existence… if they learn that Zhao Feng and his sister are Your Majesty's children, there will undoubtedly be upheaval."
"How do you plan to arrange things for Feng'er and his sister in the future?" Xia Wuque asked seriously, locking eyes with Ying Zheng.
"Father-in-law, are you testing me?"
Ying Zheng chuckled but answered without hesitation.
"A'Fang will be Queen of Great Qin. Feng'er is my eldest legitimate son and will rightfully be the Crown Prince of Qin."
Hearing this, Xia Wuque's heart stirred with joy.
Although he was already old and had no interest in power, the thought of his grandson made him naturally concerned.
After all…
This was the throne.
If possible, why wouldn't he want his grandson to ascend it?
"Your Majesty," Xia Wuque said gravely.
"For now, you must not bring Dong'er back, and even more so, you must not reveal Feng'er's identity."
"If his existence becomes known, the court will be thrown into turmoil."
At present, while there were disputes within the court, the officials were united by a common goal to serve Qin, to destroy the other states, and to unify the world.
Some sought to create lasting achievements in history, while most pursued power and wealth.
It was this common purpose that kept the court stable.
But among the officials, many supported Fusu, including a significant portion of the old aristocracy and the royal family. Their influence was not to be underestimated.
Fusu's succession represented their interests.
If Zhao Feng were suddenly introduced, it would cause an internal struggle one that would threaten not just Zhao Feng and Dong'er but also the very foundation of Great Qin.
The states had yet to be conquered, and the empire had yet to be unified.
The old nobility's power was still essential.
If Dong'er returned now, if Zhao Feng's identity was exposed, it would be disastrous.
Figures like Wang Wan and Kui Zhuang had witnessed past events firsthand they knew how much Dong'er meant to Ying Zheng. They would never accept Zhao Feng as Crown Prince without resistance, and their opposition would fracture Qin's unity.
Historically, Qin's unification had been achieved through absolute internal cohesion.
It was a system where every component had to function seamlessly:
Civil officials managed governance, ensured smooth supply lines, and handled public order.
Military commanders led campaigns, mobilized troops, and executed strategic plans.
None of these elements could be disrupted.
"I understand all of this, Father-in-law."
"Rest assured. Until the world is fully unified, I will not allow A'Fang or Feng'er to be placed in danger."
"I will use these conquests to let Feng'er gain control over the military, ensuring that no one will ever be able to harm them."
"When Qin finally stands alone as the ruler of all lands, I will no longer need the old aristocracy's support, and I will have no reason to fear them."
Ying Zheng's voice was calm but carried an unshakable determination and dominance.
"That is good to hear," Xia Wuque nodded in approval.
"Then you won't be leaving Xianyang this time, will you?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"No, no, I'll stay."
"I will wait here in Xianyang for Dong'er to return home."
"Besides, you still owe her a wedding banquet."
"I never got to attend one," Xia Wuque said cheerfully.
Ying Zheng immediately promised,
"Father-in-law, rest assured. I will give Dong'er the grandest wedding in all of history. I will make sure the entire world bears witness to it."
"Speaking of which," he added with a chuckle, "you made the right decision to preside over Feng'er's wedding back then."
"Otherwise, you would have missed your grandson's wedding altogether."
Thinking back to Zhao Feng's wedding in Xianyang, when Ying Zheng had attended as a senior member of the family, Xia Wuque couldn't help but laugh.
"This may be the blessing of heaven, a destined fate."
"Heaven has always watched over me," Ying Zheng said with a bright smile.
"Indeed."
"The heavens have finally been kind to our family," Xia Wuque nodded in agreement.
At that moment
"Grandfather, we're here!"
"Why is the door closed?"
Zhao Qi's voice rang out.
"Open the door, open the door!" Zhao Ling also knocked gently on the door.
"Young Master, Young Miss,"
"The King is discussing important matters inside, please wait a moment," Zhao Gao said, his voice filled with nervousness and urgency.
These two little ones had been personally doted on by the King, and they were the children of General Zhao Feng, whose reputation was at its peak. Even though Zhao Gao was a high-ranking palace official, he dared not offend them.
"Your Majesty, are these Feng'er's children?"
Although Xia Wuque had not heard their voices for some time, he immediately recognized them.
After all, they had spent time together back in Shachou.
"Yes," Ying Zheng smiled and nodded.
"How did they enter the palace?" Xia Wuque asked worriedly.
"Don't worry,"
"In the eyes of outsiders, their visits are seen as a favor I bestow upon the Zhao family. People believe I simply enjoy their company and find them amusing."
Ying Zheng smiled reassuringly.
"That is good."
Xia Wuque sighed in relief.
Then,
Ying Zheng called out, "Let them in."
Hearing his voice, Zhao Gao quickly opened the door.
Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling immediately broke free and ran inside.
"Grandfather, we're here!"
"Oh? It's Great-Grandfather!"
Zhao Qi stopped in his tracks and immediately spotted Xia Wuque.
"You still remember me?" Xia Wuque squatted down, his eyes full of warmth.
"Of course!"
Zhao Qi nodded.
"Haha, come, let Great-Grandfather see how much you've grown."
Xia Wuque stretched out his arms, looking at the two children expectantly.
Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling leaped into his embrace.
Meanwhile, Zhao Gao quietly took a glance inside. Seeing nothing unusual, he wisely stepped out and closed the doors.
"My, my! It hasn't been that long, but you've both grown taller and heavier!"
Xia Wuque held one child in each arm. Though nearly sixty, he remained strong and sturdy.
In this era, sixty was considered a long life.
"Your Majesty,"
"Do they visit the palace often?" Xia Wuque turned back, smiling.
"At first, they came every few days, but now they come daily."
Ying Zheng's face was full of affection.
In the beginning, he had to use delicious treats to lure them in, hoping to build a bond with his grandchildren and make up for the lost time with Zhao Feng and his sister.
But as time passed and they grew more familiar, the two little ones no longer felt afraid. They saw Ying Zheng as family and visited freely without needing their mother to bring them.
Now, they simply had the family's carriage bring them to the palace every day.
Of course, with the protection of the Imperial Guards and Zhao Manor's guards, there was no risk of danger.
"It seems they have truly become accustomed to this."
Xia Wuque chuckled with emotion.
"The regret I feel for their parents I must make it up to them."
Ying Zheng spoke gently, his eyes filled with love as he gazed at the children.
In this palace, no other prince or princess had ever received such warmth.
For a ruler, the offspring of concubines were mere extensions of the royal lineage necessary, but not necessarily cherished.
But these children were different.
They were the legacy of his love for the woman who had been with him through hardship.
If Ying Zheng had grown up in Xianyang's royal palace, he might not have understood what familial love truly was. But having been a hostage in Zhao, having suffered unspeakable humiliation, and having had only Xia Dong'er by his side how could he not treasure her?
"To be honest,"
"I look forward to the future."
"To the day when our whole family can live together openly, without fear or secrecy."
Holding his two great-grandchildren in his arms, Xia Wuque spoke with longing in his voice, his eyes full of hope.
Fusu's Residence
"My Lord,"
"The task we sought for you has been approved by His Majesty."
"However"
"Hu Hai has also been granted a role in overseeing logistics and supply distribution."
"The King's decision to assign this duty to both of you carries a clear intent to test your abilities. But rest assured, my Lord, we will do everything in our power to pave the way for your success."
Prime Minister Wang Wan sat before Fusu, smiling as he spoke.
"Thank you, Prime Minister."
"I will do my utmost in this responsibility to ensure I do not disappoint my father."
Fusu responded earnestly.
"My Lord,"
"In addition to the matter of military logistics, there is another issue I must discuss with you."
Wang Wan's expression turned serious.
"Please speak, Prime Minister."
Seeing his demeanor, Fusu straightened his posture.
"His Majesty is now nearly forty, yet the position of Queen remains vacant."
"In the past, many ministers have raised this issue, but His Majesty has always ignored it."
"Now, however, I believe the time is right."
"As the eldest prince, you are known across Xianyang for your virtue and wisdom. Your reputation is impeccable."
"And by tradition, a mother's status is elevated through her son's achievements. Morally and politically, your mother should rightfully be named the Queen of the Great Qin."
"Now that our great Qin has already conquered Zhao and Han, and once we successfully destroy Wei, the Three Jin states will be unified under Qin. With half of the realm in our grasp, this is a time of great celebration. If, at such a moment, the senior ministers jointly submit a petition to establish the queen and stabilize the foundation of the state, I believe His Majesty will find no reason to refuse," Wang Wan said with a confident smile.
"But..."
"Will Father agree to this?" Fusu hesitated, doubtful.
"Man proposes, but Heaven disposes."
"His Majesty has delayed this matter for so many years, but now it must be addressed."
"The foundation of the state cannot be left unsecured, and the position of the queen cannot remain vacant."
"Rest assured, Your Highness."
"I have already made the necessary arrangements," Wang Wan assured Fusu.
Hearing this, Fusu nodded. "Then, I shall trouble Prime Minister Wang with this matter."
"Your Highness need not say so."
"We ministers support Your Highness so that one day, you may become the Crown Prince and, eventually, the King of Qin."
"Of course."
"I may not live to see the day Your Highness ascends to the throne, but I only ask that in the future, Your Highness does not forget my unwavering support and offers some care to my family," Wang Wan said, standing up and bowing deeply to Fusu.
Fusu quickly stood as well, helping Wang Wan up.
"Prime Minister Wang, I will never forget your assistance," Fusu said solemnly.
Hearing this pledge, Wang Wan felt at ease.
The reason he had invested so much effort into supporting Fusu was twofold: first, Fusu was the eldest prince; second, Fusu was known for his benevolence and righteousness, always repaying kindness. If he gave his full support now, the Wang family's power and prosperity would be assured in the future.
"Your Highness."
"Xia Wuqi has returned," Wang Wan suddenly mentioned.
"Wasn't the Grand Physician Xia traveling the land?"
"And now he has returned?" Fusu asked calmly.
"Your Highness, do you not understand what I mean?" Wang Wan chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Fusu looked confused.
"Within His Majesty's court, Xia Wuqi holds an esteemed position. His words alone could outweigh those of an entire court of ministers."
"If you can win over Xia Wuqi and gain his approval, then your future position as Crown Prince will be secured," Wang Wan said seriously.
Fusu was stunned, then asked in surprise, "He's merely a grand physician. How could he influence the position of the Crown Prince?"
"He is no ordinary physician," Wang Wan said with a hint of emotion.
"I do not know much about Xia Wuqi beyond his renowned medical skills."
"Other than that, I know little," Fusu admitted.
"Then let me tell Your Highness something, but you must never speak of it outside this room. Otherwise, it will surely incur His Majesty's wrath and could bring ruin upon you."
"This matter serves as both a warning and a lesson. It concerns His Majesty's greatest taboo," Wang Wan said with utmost seriousness.
Clearly.
Even though many years had passed, every time he recalled that event, it sent chills down his spine.
The bloodshed in the palace.
The massacre that swept through the royal court.
And later.
After His Majesty ascended the throne, the mass execution of thousands.
It all remained vivid in Wang Wan's memory.
"Could it be that my father's greatest taboo is somehow related to Grand Physician Xia?" Fusu's expression became one of astonishment.
"If not for the bloodshed in the palace back then..."
"Xia Wuqi might have already become the Imperial Father-in-Law of Qin," Wang Wan said slowly.
"What?!"
"Imperial Father-in-Law?"
Fusu was completely dumbfounded.
It took him a long time to regain his composure, and he asked in confusion, "But there is no consort in the palace with the surname Xia. Did she pass away?"
"But I have never heard of any consort passing away in the palace. Could it have happened before I was born?"
Seeing Fusu's bewilderment, Wang Wan shook his head. "At that time, that woman had not even officially married His Majesty. It was just after His Majesty ascended the throne and completed the mourning period. He then declared that he would establish her as queen. Naturally, this was met with overwhelming opposition from the court, including the Empress Dowager and the powerful noble clans."
"Although the woman was deeply loved by His Majesty, she was merely a physician's daughter. Her status was low, and thus, the entire court opposed it."
"Especially the Empress Dowager at the time she firmly resisted it."
Fusu was surprised and said, "But as far as I know, my late grandmother, the Empress Dowager, did not have a noble background either, right?"
As soon as Fusu spoke, Wang Wan's expression subtly changed. Then, he shook his head. "It was a different situation."
"When the late Empress Dowager came to Qin, the previous king had not yet ascended the throne. Moreover, His Majesty was already ten years old at the time and was the eldest son."
"In a way, she gained status through her son."
"But the daughter of Xia Wuqi, despite her deep bond with His Majesty, had no children and no powerful family to support her. Xia Wuqi, though a grand physician, was ultimately just a doctor without power or influence. How could he protect her?"
Fusu nodded, then asked, "What became of Grand Physician Xia's daughter in the end?"
"Could it be that even my father could not protect her?"
Deep down, Fusu found this hard to believe.
His father was a man of unparalleled dominance and strategy.
In Fusu's mind, there was hardly anything in the world that could prove difficult for his father.
"Your Highness."
"If it were the current His Majesty, then of course, he would have been able to protect her."
"But at that time, His Majesty had just ascended the throne he was only thirteen years old."
"In the end, he was still just a boy. How could he have protected her?" Wang Wan shook his head.
"Then... did Grand Physician Xia's daughter die?" Fusu felt a jolt in his heart.
"Yes."
Wang Wan nodded heavily. "She perished in that very palace massacre."
"Who would dare to commit such a crime? To spill blood within the royal palace?"
"Who would dare make a move?"
"To lay hands on her would mean certain death!"
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