"Now, can you tell what you’re going to do?" Mrs. Wang asked as she walked over slowly, looking at Wang Yan.
"Mother."
"I plan to visit Zhao Feng’s hotown to see his mother and sister," Wang Yan replied gently.
"Then Mother will accompany you," Mrs. Wang said after a mont of thought.
"Mother," Wang Yan said, "we still have Li’er at ho. You should stay here and keep him company."
"Shaoqiu County might not be close, but with guards to escort and the strict laws of Qin, it won’t be difficult," Wang Yan replied with a smile.
"When do you plan to return?" Mrs. Wang asked again.
"It depends on the situation. Zhao Feng hasn’t returned ho for a long ti; I’ll take Da Bao and Er Bao to keep his mother company," Wang Yan said, turning to look at her children with a gaze as gentle as water.
"Alright, alright. Then be careful on your way and send a ssage back as soon as you arrive." Mrs. Wang could only nod helplessly.
"Don’t worry, Mother," Wang Yan smiled obediently.
Then, looking down at her children, she smiled and said, "You’ll be eting your grandmother and aunt soon."
「Ti flew by!」
「Shaoqiu County, Sha Village!」
For this small village, it seed as though nothing on the outside could disturb its tranquility. However, compared to the past, Sha Village was now much more prosperous.
Zhao Feng’s na was known throughout many parts of Qin. He was famous as the youngest Main General in the nation, and even more so in his birthplace of Shaoqiu County. For the entirety of Shaqiu, Zhao Feng was a celebrity. This attracted many outsiders to settle in Shaqiu County, and Sha Village in particular drew a number of won from elsewhere to marry into the community.
Since ancient tis, there has been a saying: "When one man attains greatness, even his poultry and dogs ascend to heaven." A Main General had erged from a place as small as Sha Village, so its status had naturally risen as well. Many even dread that if they could receive so favor from the great Zhao Feng, it would be enough to last them a lifeti.
"See? I told you so."
"The Prefectural Governor has co to our Sha Village again!"
"This is the fifth ti he’s visited our village. Across all of Shaqiu, or even the entirety of Qin, what other village could enjoy such an honor? Only our Sha Village!" one villager boasted.
"Hahaha, yes indeed! Our Sha Village has produced a distinguished figure. The Zhao lad is now a Main General, the youngest Main General in Qin—a truly high official," another villager said proudly.
"How much higher is a Main General than a hundred-man commander?"
"You don’t even know this? A hundred-man commander is in charge of a hundred n, while a Main General oversees one hundred thousand!"
"The Zhao lad is really that formidable?"
"Of course! Our entire Sha Village benefits from the Zhao lad’s grace. Every household has been allocated fertile fields by the Zhao Family, and the rent is only half of what it is elsewhere."
"That’s incredible!"
"Our rent is so expensive. General Zhao is too good to you fellow villagers," an outsider comnted.
As a carriage escorted by a hundred Prefecture Soldiers entered the village, the villagers and the newcors couldn’t help but start discussing it. Being locals, they naturally took pride in Zhao Feng’s accomplishnts and boasted about them. The outsiders, of course, were very envious.
Having a general from Sha Village brought not only fa but also tangible benefits. The lands associated with his title benefited all the villagers. Of course, rent still had to be collected, but it was much cheaper than elsewhere.
「The Zhao Mansion!」
"Mrs. Zhao! I’ve co with good news again!" Yan Bing called out loudly as he walked familiarly into the mansion.
"Governor Yan." Mrs. Zhao and her daughter ca out, both smiling at Yan Bing. Having t several tis, they had beco well acquainted.
"This ti it’s truly great news," Yan Bing said with a smile.
"Governor Yan, don’t beat around the bush—what’s the good news?" Mrs. Zhao was no longer as reserved as she used to be, having grown much more comfortable around him.
"Bring it forth," Yan Bing commanded loudly.
In response, a Prefecture Soldier carrying a brocade box approached Mrs. Zhao.
"What is this?" Mrs. Zhao inquired, puzzled.
"Mrs. Zhao, have you ever heard of blood ginseng?" Yan Bing asked with a smile.
"Blood ginseng?" Mrs. Zhao’s expression changed slightly, and her eyes widened. "Could it be *that* blood ginseng?"
"It seems Mrs. Zhao knows the origin of blood ginseng," Yan Bing comnted, smiling.
"I co from a family of physicians, so how could I not know of it? It’s a Spiritual dicine said to bring the dead back to life. Does this box actually contain blood ginseng?" Mrs. Zhao asked incredulously.
Without hesitation, Yan Bing opened the brocade box. Inside was a blood-red ginseng with full, healthy roots. The mont it was opened, a strong ginseng scent burst forth.
"This is a Supre Treasure from the Royal Palace, how did it get here?" Mrs. Zhao was even more astonished.
"Mrs. Zhao, you have raised a fine son indeed," Yan Bing praised. "Although General Zhao is away on campaign, his concern for you has never ceased. General Zhao said that when you, Madam, gave birth to him and his sister, your body was weakened and your vitality greatly damaged. So, he specially requested that the Great King bestow this blood ginseng to help you recuperate."
"The value of blood ginseng needs no further explanation. In the past, countless people sought it and were refused, but when General Zhao requested it, the current Great King actually granted it. This shows how much the Great King values General Zhao," Yan Bing said with a smile.
"Indeed, this is a treasure of inestimable value." Mrs. Zhao looked at the blood ginseng, waves of emotion washing over her. She recognized it at a glance; it was the very one from the Qin Royal Palace.
She had seen it before. It was her Brother Zheng who had brought it to her.
"Dong’er," a young Ying Zheng said in a boastful tone, holding the blood ginseng. "See this ginseng? This is the Supre Treasure of the Royal Palace, said to cure all illnesses and even revive the dead."
"A treasure it may be, but what use is it to us?" Xia Dong’er asked, puzzled.
"In the future, when you bear a chubby son, you will certainly be weak. I’ll give this to you then, and it will surely nourish your body back to health," Ying Zheng teased.
Upon hearing this, Xia Dong’er’s pretty face turned scarlet, and she turned and ran away.
"What’s the matter, Dong’er? Don’t you want to have my children?" Ying Zheng laughed and imdiately chased after her.
Her thoughts returned to the present.
Who would have thought that after all the twists and turns, this blood ginseng would still end up in my hands? Could this be fate? Looking at the blood ginseng before her, her heart was in turmoil. She had never expected to see it again, especially here, thousands of miles from Xianyang.
"In any case, congratulations are in order, Mrs. Zhao," Yan Bing said cheerfully.
"I’ve troubled you to deliver this personally, Governor," Mrs. Zhao said, thanking him despite their familiarity.
"You are too kind, Mrs. Zhao. It is my honor," Yan Bing replied with a smile.
Just then, the hundred-man commander of the Prefecture Soldiers quickly walked up to Yan Bing. "Governor, a caravan has arrived outside. It seems to be looking for Mrs. Zhao. Moreover, judging by the guards, they all exude a military presence. They are not ordinary rchants."
"A caravan?" Yan Bing looked puzzled.
"Mrs. Zhao, do you know if the General has any other acquaintances?" Yan Bing inquired.
"I used to know of so, but ever since Feng’er enlisted, I have no idea who he has befriended," Mrs. Zhao said, shaking her head.
The Zhao family’s housekeeper hurried over. "Madam, soone outside seeks an audience. They claim to be from the Xianyang Royal Mansion and say they are your daughter-in-law."
"From the Xianyang Royal Mansion?" Zhao Ying looked at Governor Yan with surprise. "Could what you said be true?"
At that mont, Mrs. Zhao also understood. Can it be that Feng’er is truly engaged to Wang Jian’s daughter?
"Let’s go out and see," Mrs. Zhao said imdiately. With Zhao Feng away, she was responsible for managing the entire household. Seeing this, Yan Bing imdiately followed.
Outside the mansion, Wang Yan stood dressed in a black and red gown, her hair neatly coiffed with pins in the style of a married woman. Although she had already borne Zhao Feng two children, this was her first visit to the Zhao family to et her mother-in-law, and she felt sowhat nervous.
As footsteps echoed from within the mansion, Mrs. Zhao walked out slowly and her eyes imdiately fell upon Wang Yan.
So beautiful. Could this be my sister-in-law? Zhao Ying also looked over, and upon seeing Wang Yan’s appearance, she, as a woman herself, was startled. Her sister-in-law was exceptionally beautiful and possessed the graceful bearing of a lady from a great house.
But Mrs. Zhao did not imdiately acknowledge her, as the matter of Zhao Feng’s engagent to the Wang family’s daughter was still just hearsay from Governor Yan. Nothing was certain.
The mont the mother and daughter saw Wang Yan, she naturally saw them too.
This must be Zhao Feng’s mother. She doesn’t seem like an ordinary woman at all; her bearing feels more distinguished than many of the noble ladies in Xianyang. She is unmistakably a lady of quality. And this must be Zhao Feng’s sister. Her presence doesn’t resemble that of a village woman at all.
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