Hearing Zhao Feng’s inquiry, the head palace maid imdiately replied, "The Great King is still resting."
"It seems I won last night; I drank the King of Qin under the table," Zhao Feng said with a smile. The late-night drinking and conversation with the King of Qin had indeed allowed Zhao Feng to truly understand the man. In public, he was commanding and domineering. In private, he was still a man of true character.
"Lead out of the palace," Zhao Feng said.
"Senior General," the palace maid said respectfully, "this servant has already arranged for a al. Please eat before you depart."
"There’s no need," Zhao Feng waved his hand dismissively.
Right now, he was eager to return to his Royal Mansion to see his children. As for eating, Zhao Feng could do that anyti. He was very anxious, having not seen his own children since their birth.
"Lead out of the palace," Zhao Feng said again.
"This servant obeys," the palace maid said, not daring to object, and imdiately led the way.
Zhao Feng picked up his sword and followed the palace maid out of the palace. Just as they walked out, Zhao Gao’s figure appeared, waiting ahead.
Upon seeing Zhao Feng, Zhao Gao bowed and walked over, saying very respectfully, "Senior General, you are awake."
"En," Zhao Feng nodded. "Has the Great King not yet awakened?"
"The Great King is still resting and will likely only wake around noon," Zhao Gao said with a smile. "This servant has attended to the Great King for many years and has never seen him so drunk. Last night’s drinking session with the Senior General was truly unprecedented."
Seeing Zhao Gao smile, Zhao Feng felt as if he were seeing him anew. He can actually smile.
"Mister Zhao, please take good care of the Great King. I will take my leave now," Zhao Feng said, not intending to get tangled up with Zhao Gao any longer. He turned to continue on his way.
"This servant will personally see the Senior General out."
Zhao Gao waved away the palace maid who was guiding Zhao Feng and then followed humbly behind him.
This eunuch has a plan. Seeing Zhao Gao’s deanor, Zhao Feng imdiately had an inkling of his intentions.
"You have my thanks," Zhao Feng replied impassively. He then resud his leisurely pace. I’d like to see what this Zhao Gao is up to, anyway.
The journey was silent, but as soon as they left the Harem’s domain and reached the corridors of the Royal Palace, Zhao Gao, as expected, spoke up.
"The Eighteenth Prince has long admired the Senior General’s reputation and has always wished to et you. Moreover, the Eighteenth Prince also enjoys archery and horsemanship. I wonder when the Senior General might have a free day to offer the Eighteenth Prince so guidance?" Zhao Gao asked, smiling at Zhao Feng.
The Eighteenth Prince, Hu Hai. So Zhao Gao has already thrown in his lot with Hu Hai. Birds of a feather really do flock together. Zhao Feng sneered inwardly.
After a glance at Zhao Gao, he replied very calmly, "My skills in archery and horsemanship were forged on the battlefield; they are thods for slaughtering the enemy and winning wars. They are too brutal. Although I do not know which prince the Eighteenth Prince is, as a son of the Great King, he should be taught by the martial instructors within the palace. I will not involve myself in this matter."
Hearing this, Zhao Gao offered a placating smile. "The Senior General was forged in the slaughter of the battlefield. That is indeed true. It was this servant who was too presumptuous. However, the Eighteenth Prince has long admired the Senior General and hopes to be able to et him."
Zhao Feng gave a faint smile. "If the Great King permits it, I am available anyti."
This one sentence completely shut down anything else Zhao Gao might have said. By ntioning the Great King’s permission, Zhao Feng made it clear that he would only et Hu Hai if the King of Qin issued a decree. Otherwise, he would not.
Zhao Gao was a clever man; how could he not hear the refusal in Zhao Feng’s words?
It seems I’ve underestimated this Zhao Feng. I originally thought that since he rose to power at a young age, he would be arrogant and easily swayed if I approached him on the prince’s behalf. But his temperant is just like Wang Jian’s—utterly uninterested in such political gas. Winning him over won’t be simple at all. Zhao Gao thought to himself.
After being rebuffed by Zhao Feng, Zhao Gao did not press the matter further. He was smart enough to know that if he continued, he wouldn’t be building a good relationship for Hu Hai but rather earning Zhao Feng’s resentnt.
With Zhao Gao leading the way, the path was unobstructed.
「Outside the palace gates.」
Zhang Ming was waiting with several dozen trusted aides.
"My Lord has erged!" A smile spread across Zhang Ming’s face when he saw Zhao Feng exit the palace gates.
"Why are you all here?" Zhao Feng was startled to see Zhang Ming and the others, not expecting them.
"My Lord, we have been waiting here since early this morning," Zhang Ming replied with a smile.
"Where have the others been quartered?" Zhao Feng had brought back five hundred trusted aides, so there were certainly more than the few dozen before him now.
"They are settled in the Royal Mansion," Zhang Ming imdiately replied. "Before we ca out, General Wang Jian instructed us not to be too conspicuous, which is why this subordinate only brought a few dozen n to wait for you here."
"Take back to the Royal Mansion," Zhao Feng said eagerly. The thought of seeing his children filled him with anticipation.
"Senior General, please have a safe journey," Zhao Gao said, bowing deeply in a display of extre humility.
"My thanks for your trouble, Mister Zhao," Zhao Feng said, turning with a slight smile. "Rember to send my regards to the Great King when he awakens."
With that, he mounted his warhorse. Under the protection of his trusted aides, he rode toward the Royal Mansion.
「Along the way.」
This scene naturally attracted the attention of many commoners on the streets.
"That’s General Zhao!"
"He’s heading to the General’s Mansion!"
"I can’t believe we got to see General Zhao today!"
"Hey, let tell you so news!"
"Yesterday, General Zhao was enfeoffed by the Great King as a Senior General! He’s the fourth Senior General of our Qin!"
"Really? Is that true?"
"General Zhao Feng beca a Senior General?"
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