"Efang."
"I knew you wouldn’t oppose."
Ying Zheng held Xia Dong’er tightly, a smile of unprecedented warmth on his face.
In Xianyang, in the Royal Palace.
Regardless of which concubines he faced, Ying Zheng rarely smiled.
To him, those concubines were rely tools to continue the bloodline, to propagate its origins.
They had no chance to gain Ying Zheng’s true affection.
In the harem, the concubines desired the Queen’s position, the sole wifely position of this era, but Ying Zheng was never moved, for none of them were worthy.
Before him stood Xia Dong’er.
Before him stood Efang.
She was not a concubine of King Ying Zheng of Qin, but once a humiliated hostage in Handan City, a childhood friend and a life-sharing companion of Zhao Zheng, even married through the ceremony in Handan.
Xia Dong’er’s status was unmatched by anyone.
"Actually, before I ca."
"I really worried it wouldn’t be you, worried I might mistake you."
"But when I saw you in that field, my heart was at peace."
"Even though so many years have passed, how could I not recognize you."
"Efang."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for surviving, and even more for blessing with two children." Ying Zheng held tightly, fearing that if he didn’t, he would lose her in the next mont.
Xia Dong’er lifted her head, casting a gentle gaze at the near-at-hand Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng missed her; how could she not miss him.
Xia Dong’er raised her hands, resting them upon Ying Zheng’s face.
"All these years."
"You must be tired." Xia Dong’er spoke softly.
"Compared to your exhaustion, I am nothing."
"Carrying pregnancy alone, traversing thousands of miles, enduring countless hardships to arrive at Shaqiu."
"Raising Feng’er and others by yourself."
"Although I haven’t witnessed it, I can imagine the tiredness and hardship."
"Efang."
"I’m sorry."
"These years should have been taking care of you, fulfilling my role as a husband and father." Ying Zheng said with remorse.
These words weren’t fake, but sincere.
For Xia Dong’er, for Zhao Feng and siblings, he felt guilty.
"It’s not your fault."
"I never blad you."
Seeing Ying Zheng full of self-reproach, Xia Dong’er imdiately spoke.
Feeling Xia Dong’er’s gentle eyes, Ying Zheng’s remorse deepened.
The concubines in the harem paled in comparison to his Efang; they coveted the Queen’s position, aiming to make their sons the Crown Prince.
But Efang never thought like that.
Throughout the years.
If Efang wished, if she ca to Xianyang, he would give anything.
The prestigious position other concubines plotted for was within her reach, yet she didn’t want it, nor dared to dream of it.
"Rest assured."
"The matters of the past, I will provide an account."
"For future events, I promise an account." Ying Zheng said with assurance.
"I don’t ask you for any account, I only ask for our family to live peacefully."
"Okay?" Xia Dong’er trembled inside, filled with worry, looking at Ying Zheng.
To Ying Zheng, perhaps today’s Qin has transford; he commands a million-strong army, different from the past.
But to Xia Dong’er, the bloody scenes of the past, the blood-stained Xianyang City, the blood-soaked Royal Palace, those that pursued her could never be forgotten.
"Back then."
"Who truly initiated the act?"
"On whose orders did Fan Yuqi act?" Ying Zheng asked softly, beneath the calm lay the fury of a king.
Despite the years, investigation yields nothing.
All that is known is that Fan Yuqi was the executor of Efang’s pursuit, yet the one who ordered it remains unknown.
At that ti, once the investigation reached that level, all those involved were executed by Ying Zheng, yet he felt the true culprit remained elusive.
Upon hearing Ying Zheng’s inquiry.
Xia Dong’er’s gaze faltered slightly, then she replied, "I don’t know."
"It’s all in the past."
"Brother Zheng, don’t overthink."
Ying Zheng shook his head, his eyes revealing killing intent, "It was he who led to our separation for over twenty years, how could I let it go."
"Fan Yuqi, he escaped."
"But one day, I will capture him, make him pay for his past actions."
To this.
Xia Dong’er found herself at a loss for words.
Who the true mastermind was, how could she not know?
But if revealed, how would Brother Zheng bear it?
"By the way, Efang."
"How did you escape Xianyang back then?"
"Was soone secretly assisting you? Do tell , I will surely repay them." Ying Zheng asked again.
Back then, Xianyang was plunged into chaos.
The Royal Palace was engulfed in slaughter.
A lone woman like Xia Dong’er could scarcely escape.
"It was Zhong Fu."
Xia Dong’er responded.
Upon hearing the na Zhong Fu.
A gleam flashed in Ying Zheng’s eyes, his visage hinted at anticipation.
"It was indeed Zhong Fu."
"Among the court, perhaps only he dared assist ." Ying Zheng said, full of gratitude.
The one person Ying Zheng called Zhong Fu was none other than the forr Chancellor of Qin, Lü Buwei.
"Is Zhong Fu well?"
"I heard he was forced to die?"
"Is it true?" Xia Dong’er asked anxiously, looking at Ying Zheng.
After returning to Xianyang back then.
Amongst the court’s many strategic minds, only Lü Buwei truly cared for her as a junior.
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