"It's fine. From now on, I'll keep a close eye on Zhao Feng's situation and let you know as soon as there's any news," said Wu Lizheng with a smile.
Zhao's mother and daughter both expressed their heartfelt gratitude repeatedly.
After Wu Lizheng left…
"Mother, now you can rest easy," Zhao Ying said with a bright smile. "Brother is in the logistics corps. He's perfectly safe."
"As long as he can return home safely, nothing else matters," Zhao's mother replied with a smile.
The news brought by Wu Lizheng had indeed eased their minds.
"Mother, go back to your room and rest. I'll take care of the herbs," Zhao Ying said warmly.
"Alright." Zhao's mother nodded, not saying much else. She now had something to look forward to her son returning home in a year.
In Xianyang, in a mansion near the royal palace…
Wang Yan, dressed in a black and crimson gown, gracefully stepped down from a carriage.
At the entrance of the mansion, a middle-aged woman hurried over.
"Yan'er, you've finally come back. Your mother has been worried about you for so long!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Someone, prepare a meal immediately!"
Seeing Wang Yan disembark, the woman's face lit up with delight.
Wang Yan approached gracefully, bowed, and said, "Mother."
"It's good to have you back, just good to have you back."
The woman took Wang Yan's hand and led her inside the mansion.
Wang Yan glanced up at the plaque bearing the words "Wang Residence." As she walked through the gates, a wry smile spread across her face.
"All that effort to change my fate, all the running away, and in the end, I couldn't resist coming back," she thought bitterly.
"But at least I changed something. I gave myself to the one I truly love."
In the royal palace of Qin, within Zhangtai Palace…
"Your Majesty," said a masked man dressed in tight attire as he bowed before Ying Zheng.
"The daughter of General Wang Jian has returned to Xianyang," he reported.
Ying Zheng, reviewing memorials, paused briefly. Without showing any emotion, he waved his hand lightly and responded, "Understood."
For supreme general commanding troops, having family members both at court and in the field naturally raised suspicions.
For a king, trust always came with vigilance.
As Wang Jian led troops, with both his son and daughter by his side, all these movements were under the watchful eye of Qin's secret intelligence unit, the Black Ice Platform.
The Black Ice Platform, with its centuries of infiltration and operations, was a formidable intelligence agency.
"Additionally, the Black Ice Platform has intensified its surveillance of Zhao.
"Currently, Zhao's court dynamics have become clear. Since Zhao Yan ascended the throne, he has appointed his former close companion, Guo Kai, as Chancellor and even made a courtesan his queen.
"Although Your Majesty once released the former Zhao Crown Prince, Zhao Yi, back to Zhao, he has been outmaneuvered by Zhao Yan. Now, Zhao Yi is completely suppressed and, while still holding influence among the Zhao royal clan, has no chance of reclaiming the throne," the man continued in his report.
"Zhao Yi…" Ying Zheng sighed. "I sent him back to create internal strife within Zhao and distract Zhao Yan, but Zhao Yi wasn't up to the task. What a pity."
"Your Majesty's strategy has not been entirely fruitless," the man replied respectfully.
"Zhao Yi remains the legitimate heir in the eyes of many. Zhao Yan's ascension through manipulation has sparked much controversy in Zhao. Although Zhao Yan has suppressed Zhao Yi, he dares not harm him.
"Moreover, two of Zhao's three top generals Lian Po and Li Mu support Zhao Yi.
"As for Zhao Yan's appointed Chancellor, Guo Kai, he is nothing but a greedy opportunist and utterly useless to Zhao.
"Thus, Zhao may seem peaceful on the surface, but it is rife with undercurrents.
"Furthermore, Zhao's inaction during Qin's campaign against Han is a result of Your Majesty's earlier maneuver of sending Zhao Yi back. It has successfully kept Zhao preoccupied," the man concluded.
"Zhao Yan gained the throne through deceit. To quell domestic dissent, he will undoubtedly seek to expand Zhao's territory as a show of strength," Ying Zheng remarked.
"If he dares, I will not hesitate to strike Zhao."
"However, not just yet. Keep me informed of Zhao's situation. Report any developments immediately," Ying Zheng instructed.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I will maintain close surveillance," the man replied.
"What about Wei? What is Wei Wuji up to?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Wei Wuji is far from simple. He has repeatedly sent envoys to Zhao, urging them to assist Han and promising to respond with action. However, Zhao Yan refused.
"Subsequently, Wei Wuji turned to Chu, seeking help from Huang Xie, but was also rebuffed, as Qin's relationship with Chu remains favorable," the man reported.
"Wei Wuji…" Ying Zheng chuckled. "A clever man, no doubt. But even he cannot defy the tide of the times."
"Your Majesty," the man said with growing excitement, "news just arrived yesterday our elite troops have surrounded Han's capital. We may soon have good news."
Just then, Zhao Gao hurried into the hall and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, Chancellor, and several high-ranking ministers request an audience."
Ying Zheng glanced at the man, who immediately understood and retreated silently to the rear chambers.
The man's existence was a closely guarded secret. Aside from Ying Zheng, no one not even Zhao Gao knew his true identity or purpose.
After ensuring the man's departure, Ying Zheng turned to Zhao Gao and uttered a single word: "Summon."
Zhao Gao bowed deeply and stepped out to announce, "His Majesty has decreed that the ministers may enter the hall."
With that, led by Crown Prince Fusu, the ministers entered, including Wang Wan, Li Si, Wei Liao, Meng Yi, Feng Quji, and Zheng Guo all esteemed officials of Qin.
"Your subjects greet Your Majesty," they said in unison, bowing deeply.
"Rise," Ying Zheng commanded with a wave of his hand. His gaze fell upon Wei Liao.
"All the ministers gathered it seems there is good news to share," he said with a faint smile.
"Your Majesty is indeed perceptive," Wei Liao replied confidently, producing an unopened military report from his sleeve.
"This is an urgent report from the Grand General himself. Please, Your Majesty, take a look."
Zhao Gao quickly stepped forward, received the report, and presented it to Ying Zheng.
"You haven't opened it, yet you're so certain it's good news?" Ying Zheng asked with an amused smile.
"If it weren't a victory report, the Grand General would not have sent it in such haste," Wei Liao replied with confidence.
Ying Zheng smiled faintly, opened the report, and upon reading the first line, a glimmer of joy appeared between his brows.
-support me in Patreon for more chapter, 220+ chapters
patreon.com/LordoftheReader